Chapter 981: Can't Follow Through the Bet

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The doctor finally lost his patience. Marching out of the hospital room with a clipboard in hand, he thrust it toward Huang Fei, his voice sharp with irritation. “We just induced vomiting, and the child expelled a stomach full of bread mush. Lab tests confirmed it’s contaminated with excessive E. coli and other pathogens. Here is the report. I hope you can read. You kept insisting it was tainted pork, but clearly, you’ve been too negligent to even know what your son ate!”

He slapped another sheet onto the clipboard, his eyes boring into her. “And this is his physical evaluation. Apart from food poisoning, your son also has hypoglycemia and calcium deficiency. Thankfully, he’s otherwise healthy, so these issues are likely due to severe stress. With a mother as self-absorbed and inattentive as you, it’s no wonder he’s under pressure!”

The doctor didn’t wait for her response. “He needs to be admitted for observation. Where’s the father? I haven’t seen him. Get in touch immediately. I need to speak to a responsible guardian—and as for you, go pay the fees.”

With a heavy sigh, the doctor strode away, the force of his footsteps echoing his frustration.

The crowd lingered nearby, having overheard every word. Murmurs of disapproval rippled through the group, and judgmental glances darted toward Huang Fei. Moments ago, she had been so domineering, but now her face had drained of all color, leaving her visibly shaken.

She never imagined her son’s sudden illness would be traced back to the bread she had given him.

Earlier that day, after finishing a set of practice problems, her son had complained of hunger. With the housekeeper busy elsewhere, Huang Fei had grabbed a loaf of bread from the bookshelf cabinet and handed it to him without a second thought.

Her household was always stocked with premium, individually wrapped breads—the kind most families wouldn’t even dream of buying. It was her go-to snack, paired with milk, and she often gave it to her son as well. They’d eaten it countless times without issue. So how could it have sent him to the hospital today?

Her mind raced, replaying the morning. Then it hit her—two days ago, the housekeeper had found that very loaf under the cabinet while cleaning. She’d noticed the expiration date had passed by over a week and meant to throw it out, but she had gotten distracted and forgotten. Now, in a moment of carelessness, she had given it to her son.

Standing rooted to the spot, Huang Fei felt her face flush with humiliation. She forced herself to look at Gu Zi, her tone suddenly soft. “Gu Zi, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize the bread was expired. The doctor didn’t say anything earlier, so how could I have known? Honestly, it’s the housekeeper’s fault for being careless. I’ll scold her later. I was just too worried about Xu Sheng and lost my temper. I’m sure, as a mother yourself, you understand.”

Gu Zi’s eyes narrowed, her gaze laced with disdain. Huang Fei’s sudden change in attitude was laughably transparent. It was obvious she wanted to dodge the consequences of their earlier wager. But did she really think it would be that easy?

Gu Zi didn’t bother masking her contempt. “Sorry, Huang Fei, but I don’t understand you at all. What kind of mother arrives at the hospital to find her son in critical condition and immediately starts blaming others instead of figuring out what actually happened? Even though I knew you might turn on me, I still don’t understand you.”

She crossed her arms, her voice dropping icily. “Your son happened to faint at my doorstep, and I chose to bring him to the hospital. I don’t need your gratitude—consider it a good deed for my own child’s karma. But earlier, you insisted on betting in front of everyone here. I’m holding you to that. Get down on your knees and apologize first. We can discuss financial compensation afterward. And if you refuse, that’s fine too. My family doesn’t need the money.”

The crowd, now privy to the truth, didn’t sympathize with Huang Fei in the slightest. Someone piped up, “Huang Fei, you were the one who wouldn’t let this go and even slandered Miss Gu. She’s just asking for an apology. Honestly, kneeling wouldn’t be unreasonable.”

Others quickly agreed, their murmurs growing louder. Huang Fei, seeing the tide turn against her, trembled with anger.

Ignoring the crowd, she shouted at Gu Zi, “Gu Zi, I already apologized! And I’m willing to pay you. But you can’t expect me to humiliate myself like this in front of everyone! We’re neighbors. We have to see each other again. Isn’t money enough?”

Gu Zi smirked, her voice dripping with mockery. “How convenient. Good thing the tests proved your son ate expired bread. But what if they hadn’t? You would have dragged my name through the mud with no way to clear it. I took a huge risk bringing him here. You’re the one who proposed kneeling as an apology, and now you can’t follow through?”