C4 A Shrew

Jiang Mei was feeling incredibly frustrated lately because she had discovered her husband was keeping a mistress, yet she couldn't expose him.

She understood that everything she had today was thanks to her husband. If she revealed his affair, she would be left with nothing but a divorce settlement.

What's more, if she divorced him, that detestable mistress would surely take her place, basking in the wealth and status that were rightfully hers! She couldn't stand the thought.

Besides, she was nearly fifty years old now. Even though she took good care of herself, how could she compete with those young temptresses in their twenties?

Back in her youth, she wouldn't have fretted over a divorce. She would have simply moved on and found another wealthy suitor, confident in her youthful beauty.

But things were different now. She wasn't young anymore and couldn't face the aftermath of a divorce.

So, she was constantly irritable, particularly today when a patient who clearly looked destitute came into the hospital, stirring up a deep-seated repulsion within her.

To make matters worse, this patient seeking treatment was a young vixen, seemingly around seventeen or eighteen, with a stunningly beautiful face. It sparked a fierce jealousy in Jiang Mei—wasn't this the same age as her husband's mistress?

Consequently, Jiang Mei's demeanor was far from pleasant during the examination.

Upon discovering the young woman had leukemia, a twisted sense of satisfaction surged through her, a perverse thrill that was almost intoxicating.

After her shift, Jiang Mei made a point of visiting the young woman's ward, eager to recapture that addictive sensation.

"Are you going to proceed with treatment or not? This is a highly sought-after department, and a hospital bed is extremely valuable! I only offered you a bed because of the severity of the case! If you're not going to treat her, then discharge her immediately! Don't waste a bed and prevent other patients from getting the treatment they need!"

With a smile plastered on her face, Jiang Mei addressed Shen Yuanhong, her words dripping with venom. Her spiteful tone caused even the nearby patients and nurses to subtly furrow their brows.

However, not a single person spoke up. It seems that the majority of people today have lost the courage to stand up for what's right, preferring to adopt an attitude of avoiding trouble whenever possible.

They could tell at a glance that Jiang Mei was a doctor, and they knew that crossing a doctor in the hospital could lead to consequences they couldn't afford. So, while they were inwardly seething, they dared not voice their frustrations openly.

Upon hearing Jiang Mei's words, Shen Yuanhong was immediately gripped by panic. His daughter's condition was critical; discharging her now would be tantamount to a death sentence.

Desperate, Shen Yuanhong blurted out, "Treat her! Please, start treating my daughter's illness right away!"

"Fine, but you'll need to pay first. Once the payment is made, we can proceed with your daughter's surgery," Jiang Mei replied, her smile unwavering, her tone detached.

Internally, she was scoffing. Given his destitute appearance, Jiang Mei was convinced he wouldn't be able to afford the exorbitant surgery fees.

As expected, when payment was mentioned, Shen Yuanhong cautiously inquired, "Doctor, how much is the fee?"

"Let's start with 300,000, and there will be more to pay later," Jiang Mei said, looking down at Shen Yuanhong with a sense of superiority. Her voice sharpened with barely concealed scorn as she spoke.

Hearing the initial fee was 300,000, with more to follow, Shen Yuanhong's world spun. He couldn't even come up with 100,000, let alone 300,000!

With a look of distress, Shen Yuanhong pleaded, "Doctor, I don't have that much money right now. Could you possibly start treatment on my daughter?"

"Rest assured, I will find a way to settle all the fees! But please, begin treating her now!"

Jiang Mei, however, remained unmoved. She scoffed coldly, "If you have no money, why seek treatment? You're just a pauper!"

She then turned away from Shen Yuanhong, gesturing to a nurse, "Zhang, please process their discharge. We need to free up this bed for another patient."

After finishing her statement, Jiang Mei prepared to leave, blatantly ignoring Shen Yuanhong's look of utter despair.

Yun Tianxiong, Yun Chen's father, couldn't stand by any longer. He stepped forward, pointed at Jiang Mei, and demanded, "What kind of attitude is that? We've already promised to find a way to pay the full amount. On what grounds are you forcing us to leave the hospital now?"

Upon hearing Yun Tianxiong's challenge, Jiang Mei turned around, her face full of scorn, and retorted, "Well, pay up now then! If you can't cover the costs, why should our hospital continue to provide you with a bed?"

Yun Tianxiong was left speechless by Jiang Mei's biting words. He could only point at her, his face turning beet red, unable to utter a single response.

Jiang Mei, seeing Yun Tianxiong's flushed face, felt a surge of satisfaction. Impatiently, she pressed on, "Come on, hurry up! Pack your belongings and leave the hospital. We'll need the bed for other patients soon!"

"Scrooge!"

With that, Jiang Mei cast a contemptuous look at both Yun Tianxiong and Shen Yuanhong before heading towards the ward's door.

But before she could reach it, the previously closed door swung open, and a young figure strode in.

Instantly, all eyes were drawn to the newcomer.

"Son!"

"Chen!"

Both Yun Tianxiong and Shen Yuanhong exclaimed upon recognizing the young man's face.

Yun Chen gave a slight nod to the weary Shen Yuanhong and his father, then turned his attention to the hospital bed.

Shen Siyu was still in a coma, her pallor indicating her grave condition.

Yun Chen's mood was foul. The news of Shen Siyu's leukemia had thrown his emotions into turmoil. Now, arriving at the hospital, he was confronted with the preceding altercation.

He was seething inside, itching to lash out at the woman with the venomous tongue.

Yet, he was aware that he lived in a society governed by law, and without any significant backing, acting on impulse could lead to irreversible consequences.

Even though Yun Chen had acquired a special system, he wasn't deluded enough to think he could defy the state. He was simply too vulnerable at the moment.

But to just let this woman off the hook? It was clear that Yun Chen couldn't possibly swallow his pride! Seeing his father, Shen Yuanhong, disrespected and Shen Siyu lying in a hospital bed with her condition unclear, Yun Chen's rage was practically engulfing him!

"Ah, look who it is, the son of a pauper," Jiang Mei's voice suddenly rang out, dripping with scorn.

Typically, Jiang Mei, though a bit power-hungry and fond of luxury, and not the nicest person, wasn't usually as contemptuous as she was today.

The root of the issue was her husband's infidelity; he had taken a young mistress! This, coupled with Jiang Mei nearing menopause, set her off, resulting in her particularly sharp and bitter tongue.

Upon hearing Jiang Mei's disdainful words, the people around couldn't help but scowl. They thought this female doctor was way out of line! She lacked any semblance of medical ethics and behaved like a fishwife!

The nurses standing by seemed unsurprised. They were well aware of Jiang Mei's reputation. Even though they despised her, none of them showed it.

They knew that Jiang Mei had secured her position as an attending physician not through her own merit but through her husband's connections. They had heard that Jiang Mei's husband was a person of influence!

So, they endured Jiang Mei's behavior. After all, they were just small fry, dependent on their jobs for a living. They couldn't afford to cross someone so influential.

However, as the crowd seethed with anger, with no one daring to speak up, Yun Chen turned to Jiang Mei with a stoic expression and said, "Say that one more time, why don't you?"

"You... You dare to insult me? Alright! You rural simpleton! Have you looked in the mirror lately? Who do you think you are to insult me?"

Jiang Mei was livid upon realizing Yun Chen had the audacity to insult her. She pointed at him, her voice rising shrilly.

But before she could go on, she saw Yun Chen advancing toward her with a dark expression.

Jiang Mei instantly became frantic. She was a woman, after all; how could she possibly stand up to the young and robust Yun Chen?

In a fluster, Jiang Mei cried out, "What are you going to do? You... stay away from me!"

"I'm telling you, my husband is not someone to be trifled with!"

Yun Tianxiong and Shen Yuanhong, standing to the side, watched with concern as Yun Chen's face darkened. They knew the impulsiveness of youth all too well. If he acted rashly, it could spell disaster.

"Son, don't do anything foolish!" Yun Tianxiong called out with urgency.

"Exactly, Chen, take a moment to cool off! If it comes to it, we can always visit another hospital!" Shen Yuanhong chimed in, equally worried.

But Yun Chen was beyond reasoning. All he could see was the woman before him, so repulsive and detestable in his eyes.

"Today, you're going to experience what it's like to be bullied!" he declared.

Approaching Jiang Mei, who was shaking with fear, Yun Chen sneered at her. Without allowing her a moment to respond, he raised his right hand and swung it hard towards her face.

But just as his hand was about to make contact, an enraged voice erupted from the entrance of the ward: "Stop!"

Yun Chen, however, paid no heed. Without even a hint of hesitation, his hand followed through, striking Jiang Mei across the face.

"Smack!"

The sharp sound echoed through the ward, leaving a stunned silence in its wake.