Chapter 104: A Person Should Always Live by Some Kind of Faith

Dinner was a four-course meal with soup, meticulously prepared by Du Bin—a well-balanced, nutritious spread.

Upon the first sip of the soup, Jiang Zao immediately noticed something familiar.

"Did Aunt Shen know I was back?"

This was the same soup Shen Xiaonan often made for her when she lived at the old family estate. She had developed a fondness for this slow-simmered old duck soup, and Shen Xiaonan would frequently prepare it for her in secret. During those first few days when her morning sickness was so severe she could barely stand, it was this soup that had sustained her.

Du Bin nodded. "When Madam heard you were at the hospital accompanying Dr. Meng, she started simmering the soup the moment she got home. She also said that if living outside is inconvenient, you are welcome to return to the old estate at any time; she would take care of everything for you."

Jiang Zao smiled and shook her head. "I shouldn't disturb them. I’m quite comfortable living out here, and it’s more convenient for the hospital. Once Qiaoyuan’s affairs are settled in a few days, I’ll go visit them at the estate then."

Zhou Lichuan, standing nearby, finally let out a sigh of relief.

He had no desire for Jiang Zao to move back to the old estate; otherwise, he would have to endure his parents' constant nagging. Ever since Jiang Zao had left and his own health and memories had gradually returned, his parents had essentially transformed into the Tang Monk from the classics, never-ending in their lectures about Jiang Zao. They constantly scolded him for letting her leave on her own while she was heavily pregnant.

Heaven knows how he had managed to get through the holiday season.

Zhou Jiayan, standing to the side, pretended to be oblivious, while silently chanting "they deserve it" over and over in her heart.

...

The funeral for Zeng Yingying was held with great solemnity.

High-ranking hospital officials, colleagues, and representatives from relevant government departments all attended to pay their respects.

Meng Qiaoyuan, forcing herself to endure the pain, sat in a wheelchair, pushed along by Shen Mushi and Meng Qiaochong.

The funeral was grave and somber—a ceremony, in truth, performed for the benefit of the living.

The trending topics online had been suppressed for over thirty hours, yet the public fervor remained high. It wasn't until Zhou Lichuan had someone leak news of a popular idol's extramarital affair in the entertainment industry that the public's attention was finally diverted, allowing the storm caused by the medical dispute to gradually subside.

Meng Qiaoyuan’s face was deathly pale. Her injuries had not yet healed, and one could only imagine the sheer effort it had taken for her to sit in that wheelchair and reach this place.

As they were pushed to the side of the casket, Meng Qiaoyuan looked down at that familiar, youthful face. She looked so peaceful, as if she were merely asleep.

The wounds on her neck had been concealed by a high-collared wool sweater, and professional morticians had handled the rest. Without prior knowledge, no one would have guessed that this young girl had died in such a tragic accident.

The funeral music tugged at the nerves of all present as waves of mourners filed in.

Meng Qiaoyuan’s gaze fell upon the two parents, their bodies hunched in grief. Standing beside them was a boy who looked to be in high school.

"Those are Zeng Yingying's parents and her younger brother. He’s a senior in high school this year, an excellent student who has already been recommended for admission to Jingzhou Medical University. Her mother is also a nurse at a maternity hospital, and her father runs a clinic. The entire family works within the medical system."

Meng Qiaoyuan nodded gently.

She had known that Zeng Yingying was an outstanding nurse. However, she had not realized that such excellence was rooted in such a family atmosphere. For the first time, she felt the impulse to use her influence to open doors for them.

The Zeng parents noticed Meng Qiaoyuan and approached her.

"You must be Dr. Meng."

Meng Qiaoyuan nodded weakly. "Yes. Auntie, Uncle, I came to pay my final respects to Yingying. When I was on duty in the emergency room, I worked with her often. If it weren't for me this time..."

Before she could finish, tears began to stream down her face uncontrollably.

Zeng Yingying’s father waved a hand. "Please, don't take it to heart. This is fate. Yingying had a kind heart; she wouldn't want to see you so distressed."

Meng Qiaoyuan lowered her head, sobbing softly, apologizing over and over to the Zengs. "I'm sorry... Uncle, Auntie... I'm so sorry... It’s all because of me... I am truly, truly sorry..."

Zeng Yingying’s mother began to cry as well. "Yingying was such a sensible child. How could something like this happen to her?"

Meng Qiaochong, standing behind Meng Qiaoyuan, spoke up: "Uncle, Auntie, please rest assured that there will be a full explanation for this incident. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can come to me at any time. Nurse Zeng lost her life while saving my sister... the Meng family will always remember this debt of gratitude."

Zeng Yingying’s father shook his head. "Our family is not so destitute that we need to trade our daughter's life for a future. Please, Mr. Meng, do not trouble yourself with this. Aside from the insurance and the hospital’s workplace injury compensation, our family will not accept charitable aid from any individual or organization."

Meng Qiaochong fell silent. In such a setting, saying too much would do no one any good.

"Dr. Meng, my sister kept a notebook while she was alive, filled with notes about her work. I think... she would have wanted you to see it."

Zeng Yingying’s brother walked over and placed a notebook into Meng Qiaoyuan’s hands.

Inside were life reflections recorded during her time in the emergency room. The final page contained the oath she had written when applying for her nursing certification.

Meng Qiaoyuan summoned the strength to read those lines.

[I vow:
I will always place the health and lives of my patients as my primary goal and adhere to my ideals;
I will strictly observe medical ethical standards and conscientiously safeguard every patient;
I will never cease to learn and progress, remaining loyal to the improvement of my personal character;
I promise to respect scientific evidence during medical treatment and constantly strive to seek the well-being of my patients;
I promise to always uphold morality and face crises with courage.]

After one last look at the peaceful girl in the casket, Meng Qiaoyuan patted Shen Mushi’s hand, and they were pushed away from the scene.

After that, Meng Qiaoyuan said nothing.

She had intended to use her connections to ensure that Zeng Yingying’s brother would be guaranteed a postgraduate spot after entering Jingzhou Medical University without any conditions.

But she did not speak. She refused to use such an act—which felt like an insult—to tarnish that holy soul.

People, she realized, must live with some semblance of belief.

...

Upon returning from the funeral, Meng Qiaoyuan suddenly spiked a high fever. Despite tube after tube of medication, nothing seemed to work.

When Zhou Jiayan arrived, holding Jiang Zao’s hand, Meng Qiaoyuan had already been rushed into the ICU.

"What happened? What’s going on?" Jiang Zao asked, grabbing Shen Mushi.

Shen Mushi sighed. "She started running a fever as soon as we got back from the funeral, and her heart rate and blood pressure have become unstable. They’ve already... issued a critical condition notice."

Jiang Zao felt her legs give way.

Zhou Jiayan caught her quickly. "Jiang Zao! Jiang Zao! Take a breath. It’s okay. Qiaoyuan has good karma; she will be fine. Don't get so worked up."

A woman approached behind Meng Qiaochong. Hearing Shen Mushi’s words, her legs buckled, and she nearly collapsed to the floor.

Zhou Jiayan whispered into Jiang Zao’s ear: "That’s Meng Qiaoyuan’s eldest sister, Meng Qiaoyan. She married into the Gu family, who are in the catering business, through an arranged marriage years ago. Since then, she’s managed the family’s affairs and foundations—the quintessential wealthy matriarch. I heard she was in Nanhai for the holidays; she must have come back because of Qiaoyuan."