"Director Zhang, thank you for your trouble."
Chen Yang took back the money and handed over a hundred yuan. Getting information about Zhao Yongling from the hospital offered a glimmer of hope.
As long as they could find Zhao Yongling, the person involved, there would be hope of finding out the information about the family who adopted their son.
"I am also a parent, and I understand you."
He felt ashamed to take the thousand yuan without accomplishing anything, but he had also helped Chen Yang by checking the information and telling him about Zhao Yongling. He reluctantly accepted the hundred yuan, considering it payment for his effort.
"Comrade Chen Yang, I have already instructed Dr. Wu regarding your wife. Please find him for any matters."
After all, it was a hundred yuan, so in return, Director Zhang also asked Dr. Wu from the hospital's emergency department to pay extra attention to Shen Xue's condition.
"Director Zhang, thank you."
Chen Yang expressed his gratitude. Regardless of anything else, just the fact that Director Zhang personally instructed the doctor made the hundred yuan worth it.
Director Zhang knew it was inappropriate to stay in the ward at this time, so he left after speaking.
The little baby tightly gripped Chen Yang's hand, his big eyes red.
Mama had fainted, and Yanyan was heartbroken.
"Daddy, will Mama be okay?"
The little one's voice was choked with sobs. Chen Yang only then noticed that he and Shen Xue had been so focused on the other child that they had almost neglected this little one.
Such a small person, following them and living in constant fear.
They were very negligent as parents!
"Yanyan, Mama is just too tired."
"As long as you are good, don't disturb Mama, and let Mama rest well, Mama will be fine."
"Don't cry, Yanyan. If Mama wakes up and sees you crying, she'll worry even more and won't be able to rest properly."
Chen Yang picked up the little one and affectionately kissed her tiny face.
"Don't cry, Yanyan. You are a good child. You will take care of Mama."
The little one clenched her small fists and looked at Shen Xue lying on the hospital bed with unwavering determination.
Even as a mere two-year-old, she understood the need to take care of her mother!
After all, she was just a child, and she had been frightened all morning following Chen Yang and Shen Xue. After Chen Yang held and comforted her, the little one fell asleep in his arms.
It was past two in the afternoon when Shen Xue finally woke up.
"Child, where is the child?"
As soon as Shen Xue woke up, she suddenly grabbed Chen Yang's hand.
For more than two years, the secret of their child had been weighing on her heart for far too long.
So, after revealing it, her emotions had almost completely broken down.
"Wife, don't worry. Don't wake up Yanyan."
"The little one has been worried with us all morning. Even if you don't think about your own health, think about the child."
Chen Yang quickly held Shen Xue in his arms and pointed to the baby, whom he had secretly placed by Shen Xue's pillow while she was asleep. The little one was still sleeping soundly.
Tears still streaked her fair and tender face. The little one had cried quite a bit earlier, worrying about her mother.
"I'm sorry. I really couldn't help it. I didn't want Yanyan to worry too."
Looking at the little one, Shen Xue finally regained some composure. Chen Yang gently patted her back.
"Don't rush. The child hasn't been gone for a day or two. Director Zhang has already told me about Dr. Zhao's situation."
"Dr. Zhao is now in the obstetrics and gynecology department of Qinghe City First Hospital. We will go to Qinghe City tomorrow. As long as we find Dr. Zhao, we will be able to find the family that adopted our child."
Chen Yang comforted Shen Xue, his heart aching as he looked at his wife's haggard appearance.
The little color that had finally returned to Shen Xue's face seemed to have vanished in just one day.
"I want to go now."
Upon hearing Chen Yang's words, Shen Xue's eyes instantly seemed to light up.
"Wife, it's too late to go now. The last bus leaves at three in the afternoon, and we'll arrive in Qinghe City at four-thirty. By the time we find anyone, it will be dark."
"Besides, you are in no condition to travel now. It's best to rest well tonight. I'll go find the old village head to get a letter of introduction, and we'll catch the morning bus tomorrow."
"If we can't find a place to stay, with the letter of introduction, we can find accommodation at a guesthouse in the city."
Chen Yang understood Shen Xue's urgency; he was also anxious, but haste made waste. The child had been gone for more than a day or two. Since they were going to look, they had to prepare thoroughly.
Shen Xue stared at Chen Yang for a long time before finally nodding.
"I'll get something to eat. It's past noon, and Yanyan will probably be hungry when she wakes up."
Chen Yang gritted his teeth. He had also been in a daze all day, as if in a dream.
But he had to stay strong. He was the man, and Shen Xue had collapsed. As her husband and father, he had to hold on.
He would definitely bring their child back!
After taking care of Shen Xue and having lunch, Dr. Wu came to examine Shen Xue again and prescribed some calming medicine. Seeing that Shen Xue was much calmer, Chen Yang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"When Yanyan wakes up, remember to feed her. She's been worried about you."
"I'm going back to get the letter of introduction and also to tell Father and Mother about our plan. We need them to make arrangements for things at home."
"You stay and rest well in the hospital for a day. After the letter of introduction is ready, I'll come with the money, and we'll take the bus to Qinghe City tomorrow to find Dr. Zhao."
Chen Yang poured Shen Xue some water and helped her take her medicine before preparing to go home.
He needed to get the letter of introduction and bring some money, so they wouldn't be caught off guard if anything was needed.
"I'm sorry, I'm so useless."
Shen Xue looked at Chen Yang. She could see that he was also exhausted.
She could lie in bed, but Chen Yang still had to busy himself with these matters. She felt very guilty.
"Silly girl, I'm your man. Taking care of you and our child is my responsibility."
Chen Yang knew that his wife was currently in an emotionally unstable state. He could only comfort Shen Xue and then hurried back to the village.
When Shen Futang heard that Chen Yang already knew about the incident from years ago, he smoked a pouch of tobacco and, without a word, ran to the old village head's house to get a letter of introduction for the couple.
That was his grandson too. He also wanted to find the child.
Chen Yang found a cloth bag, packed a few changes of clothes for himself, Shen Xue, and the baby. Then, he sewed a large pocket into the lining with needle and thread and cloth scraps, stuffed ten thousand yuan into it, and sewed it shut.
Ten stacks of "Da Tuan Jie" (a form of currency) were too conspicuous. By sewing them inside the cloth bag and covering them with clothes, they were less noticeable. Chen Yang dared not be careless carrying so much money while traveling in those times.
By the time he finished, Shen Futang had already obtained the letter of introduction from the old village head.
"The household is under my care. You don't need to worry about the fish-selling business or moving houses."
"Go with Xue girl and find our poor, beloved grandson with peace of mind. When you return, we'll have a grand celebration and move into a new home."
Shen Futang's eyes were red. The usually taciturn old father was not good at expressing his emotions, but he would silently do everything necessary and wait for Chen Yang and Shen Xue to bring the child back.
"Father, don't worry. Xue girl and I will definitely bring the child back."
Chen Yang fiddled with the letter of introduction. As long as he could get information about the adopting family from Dr. Zhao, no matter what method he used or what price he paid, he would find their child.