121: Chapter 122 has been discovered.

The VIP ward was on the top floor of the inpatient department, as spacious as a hotel suite.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was the city's nightscape; the private bathroom was stocked with high-end toiletries, and even the companion bed was made of genuine leather.

"This is your exclusive nurse station call button," the nurse said with an almost absurdly respectful attitude, "We are on call 24 hours a day. Director Zhang specifically instructed us to use the best imported antibiotics and nutrient solutions."

Su Xiaoxiao nodded, her eyes never leaving Director Mother's face for a moment. Only after all the nurses had left the room did she finally relax completely, slumping onto the sofa beside the hospital bed.

She recalled the scene in the general ward three days ago—six patients crammed into one room, the monitor by Director Mother's bed sounding alarms from time to time, yet no nurse came for a long while.

She had run to find the doctor on duty, who didn't even look up as he said, "You owe over twenty thousand in fees; pay the money first, then we'll talk."

And now...

As long as the money is in place, the best resources are arranged for you. Although it's very realistic, there's no other way; all hospitals are the same.

Two days passed. At dawn, Director Mother's fingers suddenly twitched.

"Mom?!" Su Xiaoxiao held her breath.

The woman on the hospital bed slowly opened her eyes, her gaze unfocused for a few seconds before finally centering on her daughter's face.

She moved her lips weakly, but could not make a sound.

"Don't speak!" Su Xiaoxiao quickly pressed the call button, leaning close to Director Mother's ear, "The surgery was very successful; you will get better... I've already raised the money, don't worry..."

The nurse hurried over, performed a simple check, and said with a smile, "The recovery is going well; you can drink a small amount of water now."

Su Xiaoxiao carefully used a cotton swab dipped in water to moisten Director Mother's lips, her movements gentle.

"The money... where did it come from..." Director Mother asked in a thread-thin voice.

Su Xiaoxiao's hand paused for a moment, then she broke into a radiant smile, "I found a good job! The boss is really nice and gave me an advance on my salary." She didn't say who that "boss" was, nor did she mention what price she had paid.

Director Mother's eyes were full of suspicion, but she was too weak to press for details.

Su Xiaoxiao quickly changed the subject, "Xiao Ru and the others miss you so much. When you get better, shall we go to the orphanage to see the children together?"

At the mention of the children at the orphanage, Director Mother's eyes softened, and she nodded imperceptibly.

For the time that followed, Su Xiaoxiao stayed by the hospital bed almost without leaving.

Feeding, bathing, massaging—even the nurses marveled that they had never seen such a filial daughter.

Only when Director Mother was asleep would she take out her phone to share news about her with Jiang Jing as usual, her joy evident between the lines.

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the ward's sheer curtains, casting mottled light and shadows on the floor.

Su Xiaoxiao was sitting by the bed peeling an apple; the fruit knife turned nimbly between her fingers, and the peel fell in a long, continuous strip.

"Xiaoxiao, turn on the TV," Director Mother said, leaning against the raised hospital bed, her complexion much better than it had been a few days ago, "Let's watch the news."

"Sure thing." Su Xiaoxiao put down the apple and picked up the remote to press the power button.

The TV was playing financial news, and the anchor's crisp, clear voice immediately filled the ward: "... The 'huanyan beauty serum' launched by Xingchen Technology has created another sales miracle; the second batch of 500,000 bottles sold out within 0.5 seconds of release..."

Su Xiaoxiao's hand suddenly froze, her eyes fixed on the screen without blinking.

The scene cut to a side profile of Jiang Jing; he was conversing with someone at a high-end reception, his handsome face and tall, upright figure firmly capturing Su Xiaoxiao's gaze.

"This is Mr. Jiang Jing, the founder of Xingchen Technology..." the anchor's voice continued.

"Ouch!" Su Xiaoxiao suddenly gave a light cry and looked down at her finger—the fruit knife had accidentally nicked her index finger, and a bead of blood seeped out.

"What's wrong?" Director Mother immediately leaned over with concern.

"It's nothing, nothing, just a little cut." Su Xiaoxiao quickly put her finger into her mouth, but her eyes remained glued to the TV.