Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Hongbing Hospitalized

At the entrance of the hospital’s emergency room, people continually come and go. Xiaoyu sits in a corner of the long bench, curling her frail body, small and isolated as if a tiny beast apart from the bustling world, lonely and helpless.

Ling Chengyan quickly walks over and calls, “Xiaoyu.”

Xiaoyu looks up and sees her sister. The suppressed fear and grievance suddenly surge, instantly reddening her eyes: “Sister…”

Ling Chengyan reaches out to hug her, patting her shoulder to comfort: “Don’t be afraid, it’s okay now.”

“Sister, Hongbing’s head was injured by getting hit. It was my fault; I didn’t protect him…” Xiaoyu quickly controls her emotions, looking up with reddened eyes.

Ling Chengyan touches her head: “I asked just now, Hongbing isn’t seriously hurt. Stop the bleeding and rest for a few days, and he’ll be fine. Don’t blame yourself; it’s not your fault.”

She asks Xiaoyu, understands the situation, confirming that the children were just out shopping and playing normally, wrongly accused of bumping into someone. When Xiaoyu argued, three young men rushed over and hit them. Hongbing tried to protect Xiaoyu and took some blows, with his head injured and several hits on his body.

Ling Chengyan asks, “Are you hurt?”

Xiaoyu instinctively hugs her arm, and Ling Chengyan directly pulls her hand, rolls up her cotton sleeve to check, seeing several bruises on her fair arm, clearly from using her arms to block and getting hurt.

Ling Chengyan also sees wounds on Xiaoyu’s hand and the back side of her neck, especially where the neck injury extends into the collar, clearly showing there are injuries on her back as well.

The police didn’t mention Xiaoyu’s injuries. Clearly, Xiaoyu had judged something and didn’t mention her wounds. Thinking of her past experiences, Ling Chengyan also pushes down the urge to inquire.

They didn’t have to wait long. After talking for over twenty minutes, the emergency room door opens, and a doctor walks out first: “Who is Wang Hongbing’s guardian?”

Ling Chengyan steps forward: “I am. How is Hongbing’s condition?”

The doctor looks at Ling Chengyan, sees she is in military uniform, and his tone softens a bit, saying: “Wang Hongbing’s wound is not too severe, didn’t injure the skull, possibly has a mild concussion and has lost blood, needs a few days of hospitalization for treatment and observation… Please proceed with the hospitalization procedures.”

Ling Chengyan agrees, takes out money, gives it to Xiaoyu, and lets her go to the admission department to pay and handle the admission procedures while she stays with Hongbing as he is pushed out of the emergency room and directly into the surgical ward.

Because the wound needs suturing, the doctor gave Hongbing anesthesia, he is asleep now, with a bandage wrapped around his head, half of his hair shaved off. The usually mischievous and cheeky boy looks lifeless, like a wilting grain seedling, feeble and a bit pitiful.

Ling Chengyan negotiated with the two police officers and the hospital to secure a small ward, with only two beds and a small guest area on the side, including a pair of small sofas and a small coffee table, considered a premium ward.

According to Ling Chengyan’s instructions, Xiaoyu completes the admission procedures, then buys some food and drinks outside the hospital and returns.

Ling Chengyan takes Xiaoyu to see the doctor, prescribes ointments and medicines for promoting blood circulation and dispelling bruises.

After finishing these tasks, Ling Chengyan lets her stay in the hospital to look after Hongbing while she goes with the two police officers to fetch the other children.

The children sit on a long bench. Redling and Hongzhi, on their first trip into town, encounter such an incident, obviously shocked and not in good spirits. However, Hongming, Hongliang, Xiaoxing, and Shitou remain relatively calm, with no visible anxiety on their faces. Shitou and Hongliang are holding cookies given by the female police officer.

Ling Chengyan first comforts the children with a few words, then thanks the caring female police officer herself, and further understands the situation, learns that the three young men who acted out have fled and are still being hunted, leaves with the children without changing her expression.

Bringing the children home, letting them wash up and tidy themselves, she applies medication to the abrasions on Hongling and Hongming’s hands.

Hongling’s eyes are red, evidently having cried, asks Ling Chengyan for a needle and thread to mend the torn clothes of her younger siblings.

In the morning, Wang Liansheng mentioned before leaving that he had lunch plans with colleagues and wouldn’t come home to eat.

Ling Chengyan goes to the cafeteria to fetch several meals, brings them back, has the children eat, soothes them to sleep. She then goes to the communication office to call the brigade, telling her big cousin Wang Lianqi that she would have Hongling and Hongzhi stay for a few days until there’s a convenient vehicle to send them back.

Facing today’s incident, Xiaoyu and Hongliang dared to rush forward to protect, although Hongling and Hongzhi also looked after their younger siblings, they evidently weren’t as brave and resilient as Xiaoyu, even falling short compared to younger brother Hongliang… Such a girl, putting it nicely is gentle and obedient, putting it less nicely is a soft-hearted pacifist. When married, if misfortunate enough to meet the wrong person, she may only end up being bullied.

Wang Lianqi doesn’t think much, only says it’s taxing for Ling Chengyan.

Returning, Ling Chengyan prepares some vegetables and meat, discusses with Hongling to prepare dinner.

Halfway through making dinner, Wang Liansheng returns from work, surprised to see his wife cooking, promptly rolls up his sleeves to take over.

Ling Chengyan hands over without hesitation, takes a lunch box and asks Wang Liansheng to pack food, recounting the morning’s events briefly.

Wang Liansheng immediately turns to look at his eldest niece: “Is Hongling’s injury alright?”

Hongling’s eyes are a bit red, shakes her head and says: “I’m fine, no need to worry, second uncle.”

Ling Chengyan looks at her, this time Hongling does not blame herself, a glimmer of appreciation flashes in her eyes. This child is a good one.

Wang Liansheng, quick and efficient, soon finishes preparing the meal, packs two lunch boxes, and uses a net bag to pack several steamed buns: “You’ve had quite a tiring day at home resting; I’ll head to the hospital.”

Ling Chengyan: “I’ll go with you to check on the situation. Tonight, one of us should stay in the hospital and swap Xiaoyu out.”

That girl not only got injured, but surely was frightened. At the time, there wasn’t a choice but to let her stay to look after Hongliang; it’s proper to replace her for a rest.

Hongling, worried about her brother, wants to visit the hospital.

Ling Chengyan simply arranges for everyone to eat quickly, sending Wang Liansheng along with Hongling together.

Wang Lianfa arrives post-dinner, just as Wang Liansheng and Ling Chengyan are about to take Hongling to the hospital, upon asking the situation, directly holds Ling Chengyan back while he and his brother take Hongling to the hospital.

At night, Wang Liansheng stays at the hospital, Xiaoyu and Hongling are brought back, Wang Lianfa takes Hongming and Hongliang home, leaving Ling Chengyan at home with five children.

Hongling and Hongzhi sleep in Hongbing’s small storage room, and Ling Chengyan reassures her: “With your fourth uncle there, don’t worry about Hongbing, rest well. Tomorrow, you can go to the hospital to care for him.”

Hongling agrees, watches her fourth aunt leave, then turns back, sitting quietly at the edge of the bed lost in thought.

The incident happened too suddenly at the time. She was scared stiff, though she is the eldest, she hadn’t immediately stepped forward to protect her siblings, instead, it was Xiaoyu who rushed ahead…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep