We Weren’t Fated, I Just Played My Cards Right - Chapter 5

With their son’s leg broken, both Dong Zhenghao and his wife accompanied him to the hospital, leaving only Liu Mumu and Dong Yue at home.

After watching the ambulance drive away, Liu Mumu returned inside to find the remaining unpacked items had been neatly arranged in her suitcase, with even her clothes folded.

She turned to look at Dong Yue, who sat quietly on the sofa with almost no presence.

Eighteen-year-old Dong Yue was excessively thin compared to her brother, bearing little resemblance to her parents with her ordinary looks.

Dong Yue was also watching her. Liu Mumu smiled warmly: “Thank you.”

Dong Yue lowered her head and murmured, “You’re welcome.”

Sitting in the adjacent armchair—Dong Qi’s usual spot that he never let others use—Liu Mumu noticed Dong Yue’s lips twitch as if to warn her, but the girl remained silent.

With the TV volume barely audible, Liu Mumu asked after a while, “Why not turn it up louder?”

“Loud noises disturb people.”

“There’s nobody else here now.”

After consideration, Dong Yue increased the volume. They quietly watched two drama episodes until Dong Yue stood up.

“It’s noon,” she explained when Liu Mumu looked over. “Time for lunch.”

The mention made Liu Mumu realize her hunger, but cooking wasn’t her forte. Back home, her grandfather always handled meals, claiming her cooking would “bring misfortune to anyone who tasted it.”

“I can’t cook,” she admitted, not wanting this likable younger sister to form a bad impression on their first day.

“I can. What would you like?”

Liu Mumu’s lips parted slightly—was this the benefit of having a sister?

Their lunch featured braised prawns, garlic chrysanthemum greens, steamed pork ribs, and tomato egg soup—three dishes and soup, a veritable feast.

When Dong Zhenghao returned home famished from the hospital, his daughters had just finished eating.

Their unusually harmonious atmosphere made him feel like an outsider as he entered.

Dong Yue served him rice. Too hungry to mind leftovers, he devoured every remaining bite before setting down his chopsticks.

“Make some dishes for your brother later,” he told Dong Yue after eating. “He can’t stand takeout.”

His younger daughter had always been skilled in the kitchen. When their housekeeper was dismissed without immediate replacement, she’d cooked dinner every night.

Back when his mother was alive, she had praised Dong Yue’s cooking skills, refusing to eat even Jiang Li’s dishes and only wanting what she made.

“Understood,” Dong Yue obediently agreed.

Liu Mumu chimed in, “Since I’m free anyway, I’ll tag along and take a look too.”

Dong Zhenghao fell into a subtle silence. Ever since the hospital incident, he had been wondering—was it just a coincidence, or had she pulled some trick?

In the end, he convinced himself it was just a coincidence. But his wife and son were both convinced Liu Mumu was involved. Before he even got home, Jiang Li had already argued with him about whether they should kick Liu Mumu out.

Like many men, Dong Zhenghao had his share of flaws. He could choose not to acknowledge this daughter, could refuse to let her into his home—but no one else could demand it of him. His own flesh and bl00d—why shouldn’t she stay in his house?

The more Jiang Li pushed, the less likely he was to agree.

He figured since Liu Mumu wasn’t moving out anyway and they’d have to live together, there was no point in keeping things tense. If she wanted to go, letting her tag along might help ease the tension.

Still, he warned, “You can go, but watch your words. Aunt Jiang is still your elder—don’t be disrespectful.”

“Of course not. I’ve always been polite.”

After dinner, Dong Zhenghao lounged on the sofa to rest while Dong Yue busied herself in the kitchen. Liu Mumu remained at the dining table, fiddling with three coins.

She tossed them several times, but none of the results felt right.

On the sixth throw, Dong Yue emerged from the kitchen carrying a double-layered food container. Liu Mumu waved her over. “Come toss these for me.”

Dong Yue set the container down and approached, puzzled.

Following Liu Mumu’s instructions, she shook the coins in her hand and then tossed them onto the table.

Liu Mumu arranged the coins, studying them for a moment. “Bloodshed upon leaving—that’s really unlucky.”

“Is this fortune-telling?” Dong Yue whispered.

“Yep,” Liu Mumu answered plainly. “One reading a day keeps danger away.”

As they spoke, Dong Zhenghao suddenly appeared, frowning as he listened. He cleared his throat loudly, cutting them off.

Liu Mumu turned to see him scowling. “You can keep these things as a hobby, but don’t bring them out in the open.”

Instead of arguing, Liu Mumu just smiled. “Want a free reading, Dad?”

“No!” he snapped, then turned and walked away, hands clasped behind his back.

“Tch. Doesn’t know what’s good for him. Fine, don’t take it. You’ve got a face full of financial ruin anyway,” she muttered under her breath.

Around two in the afternoon, Dong Zhenghao drove his two daughters to the hospital.

When they arrived outside the hospital room, it was no surprise to find Liu Mumu there as well. Jiang Li’s face immediately darkened, and with a loud “bang,” she slammed the door shut, locking all three of them outside—no one was allowed in.

She was in a temper, and Dong Zhenghao wasn’t too pleased either.

He had hoped to ease the tension, but Jiang Li had publicly humiliated him.

Glancing at his flustered younger daughter and his older daughter, who seemed to be enjoying the drama, Dong Zhenghao said sternly, “Your mother and brother aren’t hungry. Since they won’t eat, we’ll give the food to someone else.”

As it happened, one of his business partners was also hospitalized recently. Though bringing food as a visit might be a bit unconventional, their relationship was close enough that the other party wouldn’t mind.

Besides, Dong Yue’s cooking was decent—it wouldn’t be embarrassing to offer.

So Dong Zhenghao took his two daughters up to the seventh floor via the elevator and found the person he wanted to visit in Room 703.

“Old Dong, what brings you here?” The man lying on the bed propped himself up on his elbows when he saw Dong Zhenghao walk in.

Liu Mumu, following behind, glanced at the label on the bed: Qin Kai, male, 52 years old.

The man was wrapped in bandages, even around his neck. His face was pale, his lips bloodless—he looked like he had lost a lot of bl00d.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, a middle-aged woman entered the room. She was surprised at first to see extra people in the ward but relaxed slightly when she recognized Dong Zhenghao.

Dong Zhenghao stood up and greeted her, “Sister-in-law.”

Then he introduced Dong Yue and Liu Mumu, “These are my daughters. Mumu is the eldest.”

Mrs. Qin smiled at the two girls and handed each of them a large peach. She accepted the food container from Dong Yue and, upon hearing the girl had cooked it herself, thanked her repeatedly, saying she’d enjoy it later. She was very warm and friendly.

The Qin couple had dealt with Dong Zhenghao before and were already familiar with his family situation, so they didn’t ask questions about the additional daughter.

Liu Mumu didn’t hold back—she sat down and immediately started munching on the peach. Seeing her eat, Dong Yue thought it looked tasty and followed suit.

The two girls happily ate while the three adults chatted.

Mrs. Qin said to her husband, “Zhenghao came to see you the day you were admitted to the hospital.”

Then she turned to Dong Zhenghao apologetically, “I heard about the old lady’s passing. I’m so sorry we couldn’t attend the funeral.”

Dong Zhenghao waved his hands dismissively, “Circumstances were unusual. Please don’t take it to heart, Sister-in-law, Brother.”

Then he asked curiously, “How exactly did you get hurt, Brother?”

At this question, Qin Kai’s expression turned serious, and he lowered his voice, “It’s a bit strange. I was taking a nap at home while my wife went out for a walk. When she came back, she found me lying in bed covered in bl00d. I honestly don’t know how I got hurt like this.”

Dong Zhenghao’s frown deepened as he listened. Once Qin Kai finished, he quickly asked, “Could someone have drugged you? Did you report it to the police?”

“We already did. They said there were no signs of forced entry, and they couldn’t find anything,” Qin Kai said unhappily.

Mrs. Qin chimed in, “Our Old Qin never offended anyone. We have no idea who could’ve done this. I don’t even dare go back home now.”

“If all else fails, hire some bodyguards,” Dong Zhenghao suggested.

Mrs. Qin nodded repeatedly. “We’ve discussed it. Once he’s discharged, we’ll hire several more, and we’ll install surveillance cameras all over the house.”

As she spoke, Qin Kai suddenly began coughing violently. Mrs. Qin was about to stand up and pat his back when she noticed bl00d seeping through the bandage around his neck—his wound had reopened. The bl00d spread rapidly, and faint red stains began appearing on the other bandages as well.

She let out a scream. Seeing this, Dong Zhenghao rushed out to call for a doctor.

Dong Yue was so frightened that she dropped the peach in her hand, her entire body trembling. Liu Mumu gripped her hand tightly, but her gaze remained fixed on Qin Kai.

Soon, several doctors and nurses rushed in, blocking Liu Mumu’s view. Shortly after, Dong Zhenghao returned and ushered them out.

Noticing his younger daughter was terrified, Dong Zhenghao patted Dong Yue’s head and tried to comfort her in a gentle voice. “Don’t be scared. It’s just a reopened wound. He’ll be fine.”

He thought it was a minor issue, but Liu Mumu completely disagreed.

Just then, a few nurses wheeled out a bed, apparently preparing to take the patient downstairs for emergency treatment.

As they passed by, Dong Zhenghao glanced over. Qin Kai’s eyes were still open, but his bandages were completely soaked in bl00d.

“Dad, you should go with them,” Liu Mumu suddenly said beside him.

Dong Zhenghao was about to say it wasn’t necessary when she added, “You might get to see him one last time.”