After My Rebirth, My Husband Pampers Me Everyday!

Chapter 159: IT SHOULD COVER THE HOSPITAL BILLS

Whitmore’s smile sharpened with approval. "Smart man."

Cavendish’s attention dropped to Liuxian’s wrist, and he held it there a beat longer than courtesy allowed. Recognition came slowly, and when it did his posture shifted almost imperceptibly.

"Forgive me," he said, his voice quieter now. "Is that the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime?"

"It is," Liuxian said.

"I’ve been on the waiting list for three years," Cavendish said.

"Seven for me," Liuxian replied. "Worth every one of them."

Cavendish didn’t answer right away. He looked at the watch, then at Liuxian’s face, and the studied boredom he had worn since arriving in the building faded. What replaced it was simpler and more direct.

Respect.

Whitmore saw it too, and he leaned forward slightly, his tone warmer than it had been all morning.

"You must let us take you to dinner this evening," he said. "Somewhere worthy of the conversation."

"I already have plans," Liuxian said. "With my wife."

"Ah," Whitmore said, and his smile was genuine now. "Another time, then."

"Another time," Liuxian agreed.

*********

Guiying had stopped eating at some point and was leaning forward with both elbows on the table, chin in his hands.

"So was it interesting?" he said.

"Very," Liuxian said, and reached for his tea with the composed expression of a man who had thoroughly enjoyed his morning and had no intention of elaborating further.

Guiying looked at him. "That’s all you’re going to say?"

"The deal was signed," Liuxian said simply. "That’s what matters."

He picked up his chopsticks and returned to his food, and the corner of his mouth had moved in a way that he made no effort to hide, and Guiying watched him for a moment with the distinct feeling that something had happened in that boardroom that Liuxian found privately very satisfying and had absolutely no plans to share in full.

He let it go and reached for the abalone, and outside the lattice screen the guqin player had taken the stage, the instrument’s voice low and resonant and ancient, filling the room without hurry, and the cherry blossoms shifted above them and the candle burned steadily between them and the evening continued, warm and unhurried and entirely theirs.

Liuxian set his cup down. "Is there anywhere you’d like to go before we head home?"

Guiying thought about it for a moment, then shook his head. "I’d love to but your driver has been working since this morning. We can’t take up his evening as well. Dinner was enough, let’s just go home and rest."

"You’re right," Liuxian said. "How thoughtful of you."

He flagged the attendant for the bill.

It cost a total of XXX amount, an amount far too large for Guiying’s pocket.

Though, he felt the performance cost more than the food.

As per Guiying’s request, they had set off to the mansion around 8:25, so the driver could clock out 9pm at the earliest.

Guiying leaned back, tomorrow was Thursday. Saturday was fast approaching now.

If he wanted to use Liuxian, then he had to let the man in on his plans.

"Liuxian."

"Yes, my love?"

Guiying kept his hands on his knees, he knew Liuxian would not refuse him and that meant he would see the ugliest part of his life.

"Saturday’s my family’s official dinner. All my relatives would be there, both my immediate and extended family will be present." He paused, then continued.

"If you don’t mind. I’d like to introduce our marriage there. I’m tired of hiding—no I don’t wish to run away from my family anymore."

Liuxian smiled and took Guiying’s hands into his. "I’ll follow you to wherever you wish to go, protect you from your family whether you want it or not. From the very first day, I had no intention of letting them hurt you the second time."

Guiying smiled and squeezed Liuxian’s hand gently. "I’ve probably said this a lot. But you bring me peace Liuxian, thanks to you I can sleep well at night.."

Liuxian smiled but didn’t say anything. But he was deep in thought.

If Guiying revealed their marriage to his family then his family would also know.

After all he was sure the Xiu’s would use it to their advantage.

He didn’t want Guiying to meet his mother so early, but seeing how far he had come.

He believed Guiying could handle her.

The gates rolled open, and the Boat Tail drove up the driveway and stopped. Liuxian got out first, walked around the car, and opened Guiying’s door.

Peng Guoqing was already standing on his side of the car. He was in his fifties, broad-shouldered, with laugh lines earned from decades of keeping a calm face. He had driven for Liuxian for years, knew the routes by heart, and had waited outside Wànhuājìng all evening without being asked.

He stood by the car with his cap in both hands.

"Mr. Liu," he said. "I apologize for intruding. I have a request."

Liuxian turned to face him and waited for him to continue.

Peng Guoqing tightened his grip on the cap. "My granddaughter has been in the hospital for two weeks. I have spent everything on the bills, and it is still not enough." He kept his eyes level, because asking for help was difficult for him. "Would you consider advancing next month’s salary? Just this once."

Liuxian listened, then answered plainly. "I do not advance salaries. It sets a precedent I cannot maintain across the company. I will have Zhang Wei check if HR can arrange another option."

Peng Guoqing nodded, and his jaw tightened. "Of course. I understand."

Guiying stepped forward. "What illness does she have?"

Peng Guoqing looked at him. "Pneumonia, sir. She is six years old. The doctors said she needs proper treatment, she is strong, but the bills are overwhelming."

Guiying looked at Liuxian. "Go inside and bring cash."

Liuxian started to reply, "I can have Wang Chengli handle it."

Guiying’s expression stopped him. It was quiet, pleasant, and left no room for argument.

"You have already mishandled this once today. Bring the money now."

Liuxian nodded once and went inside without another word.

Guiying turned back to Peng Guoqing. The man stood very still, holding his cap, unsure of what was happening.

"Your granddaughter will recover," Guiying said. "Children at six are resilient. Make sure the doctors monitor her through the night, not only during rounds. Keep her warm, because pneumonia worsens when a child is cold." He spoke without performing comfort, giving Peng Guoqing something practical to focus on. "What is her name?"

"Yanmei," Peng Guoqing said, his voice unsteady. "We call her Xiao Mei."

"Xiao Mei will recover," Guiying said.

The front door opened, and Liuxian came back out. He crossed the driveway and handed Peng Guoqing a cheque.

"This is two hundred thousand. It should cover the hospital bills and any care that follows. If it is not enough, contact Zhang Wei directly."