Chapter 24: Stay away from my grandson!

Soon, they arrived at the hospital.

Lin Xiaoxiao rushed to her grandma’s ward. Zhou Ting understood—her grandma was her only family.

Entering the ward, Lin Xiaoxiao saw the elderly woman lying in bed, her eyes instantly welling up.

Sensing her presence, Liu Yuzhen slowly opened her eyes, spotting the “boy” at the door and beckoning her over.

Unable to contain her joy, Lin Xiaoxiao hurried to the bedside, grasping her grandma’s hand.
“Grandma, you’re finally awake…”

Liu Yuzhen patted her hand, her first words a scolding.
“Xiaoxiao, why spend all this money on a half-buried old woman like me? Can’t we skip it?”

Tears spilled from Lin Xiaoxiao’s eyes as she shook her head.
“No way, Grandma, what are you saying? Your illness can definitely be cured! It’s just money—I’ve figured it out.”

Liu Yuzhen sighed, thinking Lin Xiaoxiao was just comforting her.
“You’ve had it tough. You haven’t been eating well, have you? You’re so thin.”

Lin Xiaoxiao pouted, protesting.
“I’ve been eating fine! And I’m not thin!”

She glanced at her body—pretty balanced, right?

Unaware, as a woman now, her figure was indeed balanced. But as a “boy,” she looked frail.

She stayed by Liu Yuzhen’s side, chatting. For days, she’d longed for her grandma to wake up.

Now, with that wish fulfilled, she had endless things to say.

Meanwhile, Zhou Ting asked Dr. Wang about Liu Yuzhen’s condition. It wasn’t optimistic—surgery was needed soon.

He approached the ward. Seeing him, Liu Yuzhen looked puzzled.
“Xiaoxiao, who’s this?”

Lin Xiaoxiao glanced at Zhou Ting, a flicker of panic in her eyes, before quickly saying, “Grandma, didn’t I say not to worry about the medical bills? This gentleman offered to help us with a loan.”

Liu Yuzhen blinked, apologetic.
“Is that so? How can we accept that? How can we repay such kindness? Oh, sir, what’s your name? How do you know Xiaoxiao?”

Zhou Ting glanced at Lin Xiaoxiao before answering.
“You’re too kind, Grandma. Call me Zhou Ting.”

“I met Xiaoxiao by chance. Hearing about your situation touched me. My parents passed from illness too, so now that I can help, I want to support Xiaoxiao.”

Lin Xiaoxiao, listening to his polished words, might’ve believed him if not for Zhou Yang’s stories.

But it was a kind lie, wasn’t it?

She grabbed a cup. “Grandma, I’ll get you some hot water. You two chat.”

As she left, Liu Yuzhen’s expression turned serious.
“Young man, tell this old woman the truth. Why are you spending so much money?”

At her age, she wasn’t naive. A small favor might come from kindness, but a huge surgery bill? From a stranger? Money didn’t grow on trees—why would he help?

“Our Xiaoxiao’s naive, easily fooled, but I’m not senile yet.”

Zhou Ting knew he needed a good excuse. He said bluntly, “Grandma, to be honest, I like Xiaoxiao. That’s why I’m paying.”

His words shocked Liu Yuzhen speechless, nearly choking her.

In her mind, Lin Xiaoxiao was still a boy.

“What did you say? Say that again!”

Puzzled by her reaction, Zhou Ting repeated, “I like Xiaoxiao. I’m sincere.”

This only infuriated her more. She shut it down.
“You can’t be together! We don’t need your help. Stay away from my grandson!”

Two men? To an older generation like Liu Yuzhen, it was unthinkable, absolutely impossible!

Though, she couldn’t fully blame him—Xiaoxiao did look too delicate…

Zhou Ting caught the key word, frowning. “Grandson? What do you mean?”

Lin Xiaoxiao had said her parents raised her as a boy because they wanted one. Her grandma wouldn’t be unaware, right?

Liu Yuzhen glared, her tone sharp.
“What’s unclear? Stay away from my grandson! I’ll never agree to this.”

She started coughing, clearly upset by his words.

Zhou Ting quickly soothed her.
“Okay, okay, don’t get worked up. I was joking. I meant my daughter likes your grandson, not me.”

Liu Yuzhen looked skeptical. “Really?”

He nodded eagerly. Relieved, she scolded, “Is that a joke to make? Scaring an old woman like me! So, what’s your daughter’s name? How old is she?”

Without thinking, Zhou Ting said, “Oh, her name’s Zhou Yang, same age as Xiaoxiao.”

“That’s nice, but why such a name for a girl…?”

Zhou Ting just laughed it off, saying little.

Lin Xiaoxiao returned, seeing them chatting warmly, her heart softening.

This scene felt nice, like it could be frozen in time…

Leaving the hospital, she noticed Zhou Ting seemed distracted.

“What’s wrong? Busy with something?” she asked softly.

He glanced at her, nodding. “Yeah, I need to head to the company. I’ll drop you at school.”

She shook her head, considerate. “I’ll go myself. Work’s important.”

He didn’t argue, agreeing.

As she got out, his gaze grew complex. Lin Xiaoxiao, what are you hiding?

After a moment, he made a call.
“Boss, what’s up?”

“Li Xian, look into something for me…”