Luo Hongjuan was diligently reviewing the brand origins and flagship product information compiled by Wang Qiqi. Just then, the phone rang. Wang Qiqi happened to be walking past the phone and casually picked it up. Before Wang Qiqi could even say hello, a hurried voice came through the receiver, "Get Luo Hongjuan on the phone right away, tell her that her mother-in-law has fallen ill..." Wang Qiqi faintly heard frantic shouting on the other end, seemingly calling for "Grandma" or "Mom." Wang Qiqi mused that the old woman had seemed quite robust; at Han Jun's wedding, she had been full of energy, greeting people and beaming at the congratulations poured upon her grandson and his bride. How was it possible that so little time had passed before the old lady fell ill? Was she angered into it by someone, or had her final hour arrived? Wang Qiqi couldn't say.

When Luo Hongjuan heard Wang Qiqi cover the mouthpiece to tell her about Old Mrs. Han being sick, she gestured for Wang Qiqi to simply ask which hospital they were heading to. Wang Qiqi nodded upon receiving the instruction, "Uncle, my mother is currently out on an errand. Could you please tell me which hospital you plan to take her to? Once my mother returns, I will relay the message."

Han Ximing became even more frantic when he heard that Sister-in-law Luo Hongjuan wasn't home; getting her to the hospital required money, and the house currently didn't have that much available. "Ah, where did your mother go? It's so cold, and she's not even home at night." Han Ximing thought how comfortable Sister-in-law was, only to be angered by a few words exchanged with Xue Hong regarding his mother, yet she still refused to visit her now—it was simply too much.

"My aunt invited my mother out to discuss something. Uncle, didn't you say it was urgent? You should hurry and tell me the hospital name. Once my mother is back, we can all go together. If you haven't chosen a hospital yet, then Uncle, you should call 120..." Han Ximing stammered, insisting on speaking to Luo Hongjuan, unwilling to hang up, which clearly indicated he likely didn't have the funds for the hospital fees. The problem was that Wang Qiqi couldn't speak for Luo Hongjuan, nor could she outright refuse; what if Luo Hongjuan decided to play the good person and offer to cover the medical costs? Wang Qiqi wouldn't want to be cast as the villain in that scenario.

After waiting for a long time without Wang Qiqi mentioning the medical expenses, Han Ximing could only say resignedly, "Then I'll call 120 first and discuss things once we get to the hospital." Although Xue Hong was constantly signaling him from the side, implying they could discuss paying the fees after Luo Hongjuan arrived before arranging transport, she hadn't anticipated that Han Ximing would actually pick up the phone again to call 120 and request an ambulance.

Xue Hong panicked. "Luo Hongjuan isn't here, why are you trying to act like a big spender? Is this really your mother..."

Han Ximing looked at Xue Hong, whose expression clearly demanded they wait until Luo Hongjuan arrived before discussing hospital transport. He was furious. If Ding Meina hadn't been present, Han Ximing felt he truly needed to teach Xue Hong a proper lesson. "Don't forget how Mom collapsed in the first place. And do you really think Big Sister-in-law will foolishly pay the medical bills now? If you hadn't said those things about her and Han Tao before, maybe she would have contributed a little. But now? If you still expect Big Sister-in-law to cover the costs, what will you do if she comes back and says she has no money to help Mom, and then buys out the old house? Remember, Luo Hongjuan never took a single cent from the Han family; instead, her own property was snatched away. Do you think she’ll pay for medical bills? Don't forget the division agreement?" Many relatives had witnessed that agreement; even if some were gone, others were still alive. Those surviving relatives certainly wouldn't side with their family; everyone knew that young Han Tao held the true advantage.

Xue Hong was stunned when Han Ximing said this, muttering incessantly to herself. After a long pause, she suddenly realized, "We don't have any money at home! What are we going to do?" With so much external debt, where would the money come from? "We can't just not save Mom, right? Maybe we should ask Big Sister-in-law for some."

Xue Hong was frantically trying to figure out how to squeeze some money out of Luo Hongjuan, while back home, after Wang Qiqi hung up the phone, Luo Hongjuan asked, "Was the old lady struck down by Han Jun?" Otherwise, how could she fall ill just a few days after they last saw her? And it seemed quite sudden.

Wang Qiqi shrugged, indicating she wasn't entirely sure either. "Mom, they're out of money over there. Should we send some money over?" Wang Qiqi suggested without much genuine conviction.

"If they don't have money, sell the house," Luo Hongjuan stated firmly. She would not offer money. "They could afford a lavish wedding for the son, but when the elder falls ill, suddenly there's no money?" Luo Hongjuan understood perfectly well that Han Ximing's eagerness to call before the old lady was even in the hospital, without Xue Hong's input, was impossible. "Besides, if we open this door this time, you’ll be sending money endlessly from now on. And do they even remember your kindness? They’ll just think it’s what you’re supposed to do." Hmph. If it weren't for maintaining appearances, Luo Hongjuan wouldn't even bother going to the hospital empty-handed.

Since Luo Hongjuan had made up her mind, Wang Qiqi stopped pressing the issue and returned to emailing Han Tao. However, Wang Qiqi suddenly recalled something. "Mom, do you think she’s in real danger this time? Should we notify Han Tao?" Sigh, he had only just flown over a few days ago, and now this happened. Wang Qiqi felt that this was all conspiring against her; she was scheduled to leave for the Capital in another three or four days, yet precisely at this juncture, someone got sick. Wang Qiqi found the timing infuriating.

Luo Hongjuan pondered for a moment. "Don't notify him. Let Tao Tao focus on his work over there. Qiqi, you also go to the Capital on time for school. We are irrelevant people anyway; we'll just have me attend as the representative, since she has her beloved son and grandson here." Luo Hongjuan actually thought that if the old lady were to pass away now, it might even be a stroke of luck for her. What she truly despised was the thought of the old woman being paralyzed, confined to a bed, where she would experience a life worse than death—though Luo Hongjuan would certainly not feel pity for her.

Wang Qiqi looked up at Luo Hongjuan, trying to discern her expression, and saw that she was utterly serious. Although Wang Qiqi inwardly resisted the idea of attending a funeral, she knew she couldn't genuinely skip it. "Han Tao might not be able to rush back from the US. If I don't attend, it will be hard to justify, especially since I'm still in the country." If both were abroad, it would be one thing, but with her staying behind while he was away, she could already imagine how those relatives would speak about Luo Hongjuan, even with her attending as the official representative.

Luo Hongjuan felt that Wang Qiqi could skip the old lady’s funeral precisely because she hadn't summoned Han Tao back; she had no standing to demand Qiqi attend. Fortunately, her daughter-in-law was so sensible. "Actually, you don't have to attend; after all, you are still..."

"Even though Han Tao and I aren't married, is our relationship any different from being married?" Wang Qiqi didn't believe Han Tao would ever do anything to abandon her. "If Han Tao can't be there, I, as his future wife, must attend. That way, Xue Hong won't be able to say I'm improperly positioned anymore, will she?" If this were ancient times, she would be considered a daughter-in-law who saw the elder off in death; unless she committed a grave error, she absolutely could not be divorced.

Wang Qiqi expected a call back soon, but over an hour passed without one. "They didn't take her to the hospital, did they?" This was bad. Should she call to check on the situation, or just rush over to the Han house to see for herself?

Luo Hongjuan was also feeling dubious. Given Xue Hong’s character, not taking her to the hospital was plausible, but what about Han Ximing, the filial son? Surely he wouldn't just stand by and watch his mother go without hospital care?

Just as Wang Qiqi and Luo Hongjuan were feeling anxious and unsure of their next move, the house phone rang. Wang Qiqi quickly answered and hung up shortly after.

Wang Qiqi turned to Luo Hongjuan, who was staring at her intently. "They have taken her to the hospital. She is currently in the Emergency Room at the First Hospital. And he said the medical fees were covered by the Ding family."

Covered by the Ding family? Luo Hongjuan was surprised that Xue Hong had resorted to asking the in-laws for help, and that the Ding family had actually arrived at the hospital with money. "It makes sense for the Ding family to provide money. They didn't want to spend lavishly at the wedding, but they still want face, and they want the grandson to take the Ding surname. It’s only right for them to contribute money now." Luo Hongjuan considered, "Qiqi, let's eat something to tide us over before we leave." Whatever the illness was, they shouldn't neglect themselves.

Wang Qiqi murmured an acknowledgment and went to the kitchen to make some red date and adzuki bean soup. After warming and eating a bowl each, they changed their clothes, packed some money in their bags, and hurried toward the hospital.

Wang Qiqi helped Luo Hongjuan out of the taxi, both appearing tense, and rushed toward the emergency room. Just as she was about to grab a nurse to ask where Old Mrs. Han was, they heard the old lady's booming voice: "Your Ding family truly has no decent person among you! It was the Han family that married a daughter-in-law, so why must the grandson take the Ding surname?"

"You people are creating trouble; you should accumulate some merit for the younger generation."

"As long as I'm alive, the child must be named Han. Otherwise, this old woman will show up at your company gates every day demanding an explanation."

"Hmph, so much for being rich people who talked about how grand and wonderful the wedding had to be, how everything had to be top-notch. In the end, you want face, you don't want to spend money, and you still want a child with your surname? Do you think such a good deal exists in this world?"

Through the emergency room window, Wang Qiqi and Luo Hongjuan could see Old Mrs. Han, propped up against the headboard, speaking with great vigor. Han Ximing and his wife, Ding Meina's parents, and Han Jun and his wife were all gathered around her, quietly listening to the old lady’s lecture. Several nearby patients and their family members were listening with rapt attention, especially since the old lady’s voice was so loud; people kept walking back and forth, clearly tuning into this domestic ethical drama.

Wang Qiqi tugged at Luo Hongjuan’s hand. "Mom, she seems quite energetic, and her complexion is ruddy. She doesn't look sick at all." Everyone had believed the old lady had a serious ailment after hearing Han Ximing's panicked call, but instead, she had the energy to keep lecturing. In Wang Qiqi’s view, this was a clear sign of robust health.

Luo Hongjuan let out a low sound. "Let's wait a bit longer before going in." Alas, walking in now would certainly not lead to anything good; the old lady might very well turn her verbal fire on them next.