Wu Huixian also misunderstood Pan Haitang's intention. Feeling both grateful and nervous, she asked hesitantly, "Professor Pan, is my sister's baby going to be alright?"
Pan Haitang, clearly surprised to encounter the Wu sisters at Jishetang, paused before realizing they lived in the adjacent residential complex. She then cautiously asked, "Dr. Wu, do you two also know Dr. Chen?"
Wu Huixian nodded without hesitation, "Yes, yes, yes! Chen Xiao and I have been good friends since we were kids..."
"Cough, cough..."
Wu Huimin feigned a cough to interrupt Wu Huixian and then whispered in complaint, "Huixian, are you stupid? Why would you let Professor Pan know you know that good-for-nothing surnamed Chen? Don't forget you told me Professor Pan despises places like Jishetang that ruin the reputation of traditional Chinese medicine!"
With that, she cleverly said to Pan Haitang in an overly ingratiating tone, "Professor Pan, please don't misunderstand. Although our family lives next to Jishetang, we've never been close."
Pan Haitang had originally hoped the Wu sisters might speak a good word for her to Chen Xiao at a crucial moment. Hearing Wu Huimin's words unexpectedly, she panicked and quickly distanced herself from the two women, saying coldly, "Hmph! So you're not familiar with Dr. Chen? No wonder you'd go out of your way to ask me for help arranging a non-invasive DNA test!"
Wu Huimin, assuming Pan Haitang was sarcastically referring to Chen Xiao, became even more impolite, "Professor Pan, you jest. How could an intern doctor at a mere traditional Chinese medicine clinic possibly have the ability to diagnose fetal genetics..."
Pan Haitang made a decisive move. Before Wu Huimin could finish speaking, she turned and walked towards Chen Xiao, explaining, "Dr. Chen, please don't misunderstand, I'm not familiar with these two either!"
At the same time, Zheng Youen, who had been whispering to Zheng Liming, suddenly pulled away from him and, with a choked sob, pleaded with Chen Xiao, "Dr. Chen, as the saying goes, every wrong has its doer. Whatever Zheng Youzhi did has nothing to do with our family. Please, I beg you, don't hold him accountable for his personal actions and take it out on me and my parents."
"..."
Wu Huimin and Wu Huixian exchanged bewildered glances, their minds completely blank.
Zheng Liming was clearly taken aback by his wife and daughter's immediate surrender. His expression darkened instantly, "Chen Xiao, I am Zheng Youzhi's paternal uncle, Zheng Liming. Can you let him go now?"
"Let him go?"
Chen Xiao spoke with simmering hatred, his words like knives, "Your nephew, who is worse than a beast, trespassed into my home, not only attempting to insult my mother but also nearly beating her to death. You expect me to let him go just like that?"
He paused, then suddenly reached out, grabbed Zheng Liming's tie, and asked violently, "Also, didn't I ask you to bring his parents? Where are they?"
*Boom!*
Zheng Liming felt as if struck by lightning, his hair standing on end! He had suspected Zheng Youzhi might have caused trouble beforehand, but he never imagined the reality would be far worse than he'd anticipated. In an instant, his anger was replaced by boundless fear. Letting Chen Xiao yank his tie, he stammered, "Dr. Chen, please calm your anger. I... I don't know! But... but since it has already happened, the priority is to get your mother to the hospital. You... you can rest assured, no matter how much compensation you want, I... I will try my best to satisfy you..."
*Slap!*
Chen Xiao slapped Zheng Liming hard, interrupting him, "Money isn't everything!"
"You..."
Zheng Liming had never been slapped before. A surge of unprovoked anger rushed to his head, his eyes widening. But thinking of his nephew's transgression, he felt utterly powerless.
Pan Haitang and Zheng Youen were terrified but dared not intervene. They spoke up in turn, "Dr. Chen, Zheng Youzhi's parents passed away early. Perhaps we should just call the police?"
"Although my father is Zheng Youzhi's uncle, Zheng Youzhi is already an adult. Whatever heinous acts he committed should not be blamed on my father!"
Wu Huimin, who was looking for an opportunity to please Pan Haitang, could no longer heed Wu Huixian's obstruction. She roughly pushed Chen Xiao aside and, adopting a peacemaking posture, advised, "Chen Xiao, since Professor Pan's family has already stated their position, for my sake, can we just let this matter go and resolve it peacefully? Moreover, they are willing to compensate you. If you don't accept this good offer, you'll be too ungrateful..."
"Nonsense!"
Chen Xiao exploded in anger and delivered a powerful kick to Wu Huimin's pregnant belly, "If you haven't experienced someone else's hardship, don't preach kindness! If your mother had been the one violated tonight, would you have let it go for my sake?"