Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 140 Marrying your childhood sweetheart is also an option.

"Mom!" Wu Zhiyuan called out, rushing to the bedside and asking with concern, "How are you? Are you badly hurt? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

When Zhang Huilan saw her son, she was both surprised and delighted: "Zhiyuan, why did you come back? It's just a minor injury, a broken leg, you'll be fine after a while."

You're so busy with work, telling you would just be adding to your troubles!

These past few days have been tough on Tingting. People keep asking, "Is Tingting my daughter?"

I said, "She's not my biological daughter, but there's no difference between us."

As she spoke, Zhang Huilan looked at Han Tingting and grew to like her more and more.

Han Tingting's expression was complicated, a mixture of shyness and embarrassment. She didn't dare to look Wu Zhiyuan in the eye, glancing at him briefly before quickly looking away and saying softly, "Brother Zhiyuan, you're back."

Looking at his mother's undisguised affection for Han Tingting, and Han Tingting's shy yet embarrassed appearance, Wu Zhiyuan felt a mix of emotions.

He said sincerely, "Tingting, you've worked so hard these past few days. Thank you for taking such good care of my mom."

Han Tingting quickly shook her head: "Brother Zhiyuan, don't say that, it's all what I should do."

My aunt is always so good to me, like she's my own daughter.

As she spoke, she subconsciously brushed a stray hair behind her ear, her gaze always lowered, avoiding eye contact with Wu Zhiyuan.

Zhang Huilan held Han Tingting's hand and continued, "Yes, Zhiyuan, you have no idea how thoughtful Tingting is."

They prepare different kinds of food for me every day, and their body massages and rubs are even better than those of professional caregivers.

I've been hospitalized for almost a week. Your father is busy. I originally wanted to hire a caregiver, but Tingting disagreed, saying that some caregivers lack a sense of responsibility.

I feel so indebted and grateful that I don't know what to say.

Sigh, whoever marries a wonderful girl like Tingting is truly blessed!

Han Tingting's face immediately turned red, and she changed the subject, saying, "Auntie, I'll go wash the dishes and get you some hot water to wipe yourself down."

After saying that, she almost fled, picked up her bowl and chopsticks, lowered her head, and quickly walked out of the ward.

As Wu Zhiyuan watched Han Tingting's hasty departure, a wave of guilt washed over him.

He understood his mother's thoughts perfectly well, and he could also sense the complex emotions in Han Tingting's heart.

But he could only pretend not to understand, walk to the bedside and sit down, asking with concern, "Mom, how are you feeling? Is your leg still hurting badly? What did the doctor say? How did you hit it?"

Seeing her son's deliberate avoidance, Zhang Huilan sighed softly and replied, "Much better. The doctor said the bones are aligned very well, but he needs to rest and can't move around too much."

You can be discharged after another week of hospitalization.

The woman who hit me was very poor and lived a very difficult life.

She didn't do it on purpose. She was rushing to work at the garment factory, and the visibility was poor in the evening. I wasn't paying much attention, and that's when she bumped into me.

I'm being very careful with my medical expenses right now, trying my best not to burden her.

This year's harvest is good; there's a bumper crop of crabs, and prices have gone up. Your dad says that this year we'll not only break even and make up for all the previous losses, but we'll also make a profit.

After recounting her injuries, Zhang Huilan couldn't help but ask her son, "Zhiyuan, let me ask you something from the bottom of my heart: do you really not want to marry Tingting?"

"Mom isn't forcing you, and she never will. Mom just wants to hear the truth."

Wu Zhiyuan's heart skipped a beat, knowing he couldn't avoid this topic after all. He lowered his head and mumbled, "Mom, in my eyes, Tingting is like Kexin, my good little sister."

"Zhiyuan, don't try to fool Mom! Tingting talked to me a lot when she was taking care of me the other day."

She's an honest girl; she can't keep things to herself.

She told me that she confessed her feelings to you, but you rejected her, saying you only saw her as a younger sister.

Wu Zhiyuan remained silent, offering no denial.

For a moment, only the faint noise coming from outside the door could be heard in the ward.

The ward has three beds. There were three patients a few days ago, but two of them have been discharged in the last two days.

Therefore, it is equivalent to a single-person hospital room.

Zhang Huilan said earnestly, "Zhiyuan, anyone with eyes can see that Tingting's feelings for you are genuine."

This child is good-looking and has good character. Although his job is not in the city, it is very stable. He is also very good to your father and me.

I watched her grow up, I know her inside and out. Your father and her father have been friends for many years, business partners, and their relationship is even better than that of blood brothers.

What is it about this wonderful girl that you're not satisfied with? Or is it that you already have someone else in your heart?

That last sentence, like a needle, gently pierced the deepest part of Wu Zhiyuan's heart.

He suddenly raised his head, opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Lin Keke's matter involved confidentiality regulations and her special mission, so he couldn't tell his mother too much.

Will the one-year promise with Lin Keke have a happy ending?

"Mom, I..." Wu Zhiyuan's feelings were complicated. "It's not that Tingting is bad. She's really good, very good."

"It's my own problem. You know my work situation right now. I'm at the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, it's stressful, I'm extremely busy, and I don't have time for romance at all. I don't want to hold Tingting back."

"Being busy with work is just an excuse!" Zhang Huilan scolded. "Which young person isn't busy with work? Once you're married, having someone who cares about you and supports you will give you more energy to work!"

"Zhiyuan, tell Mom the truth, are you still thinking about that Su Taohong from before?"

"It wasn't her! I've been wanting to get over it for ages!" Wu Zhiyuan immediately denied, his tone resolute.

Zhang Huilan said with a wry smile, "Zhiyuan, Tingting is such a good girl. If you miss out on her, even your mother will feel sorry for you!"

Wu Zhiyuan said, "Mom, Tingting is one of the kindest and best girls I have ever met."

I felt terrible when I rejected her. I felt especially sorry for her and for letting you and Uncle Han down.

Mom, let me tell you the truth. I do have something else on my mind, something very important that I must accomplish and wait for.

Until this matter is completely resolved and there is a clear outcome, I cannot and should not make any promises to any girl.

That's unfair to everyone, and it's extremely irresponsible towards Tingting.

He didn't mention Lin Keke's name or say what it was about, but his heavy tone made Zhang Huilan realize that her son really had something difficult to say.

"Mom, you asked me if I have feelings for someone else? I can only say that my current state is indeed not suitable for starting a new relationship."

I need time; I need to wait for an answer.

If the final answer isn't what I'm hoping for, if I'm still alone after this is over, and Tingting is still willing by then...

He paused here, not saying anything more, but the meaning was already self-evident.

This assumption is both an explanation of his own inner convictions and a very cautious response to Han Tingting's feelings.

At this moment, Han Tingting stood at the door with a bowl of hot water she had prepared. She had originally come to wipe Zhang Huilan's body, but she happened to overhear Wu Zhiyuan's last few words.

These words were like a faint ray of light, instantly illuminating the gloom and despair that had been weighing on her heart for days.

Han Tingting originally thought that Wu Zhiyuan's rejection was thorough and resolute, but unexpectedly, there was still a glimmer of hope.

Although this hope was so slim, built on another unknown answer, and full of uncertainty, it was enough for Han Tingting, who deeply loved Wu Zhiyuan.