What Could Be More Important Than Me

**"A date?"**

When he mentioned it so solemnly, Sheng Xiangsi couldn't help but ask, "Is it a special day?"

Fu Hanjiang gave a mysterious smile and evaded the question, "You'll know when the time comes."

So mysterious? Sheng Xiangsi thought for a moment. Her birthday had already passed, and his birthday was yet to come... She still remembered his birthday, after all, he was someone she had liked for many years. An anniversary of their marriage? A divorced couple talking about their wedding anniversary?

Unable to think of any special day, she decided to wait until that day to hear what he had to say.

...

On the morning of the weekend.

Fu Hanjiang dropped Sheng Xiangsi off at the dance troupe and reminded her, "Don't forget about our date tonight. I'll come pick you up."

"I know."

Sheng Xiangsi resisted the urge to roll her eyes. How many times was he going to remind her of this?

The more he nagged, the more curious she became about what significant day it was.

In the afternoon.

While changing clothes, Sheng Xiangsi's phone rang.

It was Xu Chun calling, and she sounded anxious, "Xiangsi! Are you busy? Can you come quickly? Junjun is not feeling well!"

What? Sheng Xiangsi's scalp tightened instantly. "What's wrong with Junjun? Where are you now?"

"Junjun is vomiting and having diarrhea..."

Sheng Xiangsi felt a sudden blackout in front of her eyes, "I'm calling 120 now. We'll meet at the hospital!"

"Okay!"

After hanging up, Sheng Xiangsi quickly changed her clothes and rushed to the hospital.

Leaving the dance troupe, she would arrive at the hospital faster than the 120 ambulance fetching Junjun. She waited at the entrance of the emergency center.

When 120 arrived, Xu Chun came out holding Junjun.

"Junjun."

Sheng Xiangsi immediately stepped forward and gently took Junjun from Xu Chun's arms.

Even though she was anxious, she dared not show any of it in front of Junjun.

If the mother was scared, the child would only be more scared.

"Mama." Junjun nestled in her mother's arms, her big eyes watery, "I feel bad."

"I know, baby."

Sheng Xiangsi touched Junjun's sweaty little face, "Hang in there, baby. Once the doctor sees you, you'll feel better."

"Mhm." Junjun snuggled closer to her mother.

"Be a good girl and let the doctor check on you."

After the emergency doctor examined her, they confirmed Junjun had acute gastroenteritis. Due to her underlying condition, they decided to admit her to the hospital.

After finishing the admission procedures, Sheng Xiangsi contacted Wan Fang.

Since he was Junjun's primary doctor and knew her condition best.

Wan Fang wasn't on duty tonight but came immediately upon receiving the call.

After checking Junjun, he confirmed the emergency doctor's diagnosis, "It's acute gastroenteritis. Given Junjun's weak constitution, hospitalization is appropriate."

"Thank you."

Sheng Xiangsi finally breathed a sigh of relief and apologized, "Sorry for troubling you to come here."

"Not at all."

Wan Fang smiled and shook his head, "You did the right thing. Any condition Junjun has should be communicated to me promptly."

He continued, "Junjun's condition is currently stable. Regular follow-ups will suffice. Contact me if there are any issues."

"Okay, thank you."

After seeing Wan Fang off, Sheng Xiangsi returned to stay with Junjun.

Junjun's eyes were still wet, her eyelashes damp, and her small voice hoarse, "Mama, are you leaving?"

The little one, trying to be considerate, said, "Mama, you can go if you need to. I can be here alone."

Hearing her daughter being so understanding, Sheng Xiangsi felt a sharp pain in her heart, and her nose and throat tightened with emotion.

She sniffed and held Junjun close, "Mama isn't leaving. Mama will stay here with you until you're better, okay?"

"Really?"

Junjun's tear-filled eyes lit up, "Is that true?"

Still hesitant, she asked, "But won't that be bad? Mama has work to do."

"No."

Sheng Xiangsi held her daughter tenderly, her voice soft and soothing, "Being with you is more important than anything."

"Hee hee. Mhm!"

Junjun was overjoyed, snuggling closer to her mother.

Meanwhile, Fu Hanjiang had almost blown up Sheng Xiangsi's phone!

He arrived at the dance troupe at 6 PM, the agreed time to pick up Xiangsi, but her phone was unreachable, and she didn't respond to messages either.

What's going on?

Fu Hanjiang frowned, puzzled.

Just then, he saw Bai Ran coming out.

"Bai Ran!" Fu Hanjiang immediately stopped her, "Excuse me, has Xiangsi not come out yet?"

"Xiangsi?" Bai Ran was surprised, "She left almost an hour ago."

Really?

Fu Hanjiang's smile faded, "Do you know where she went?"

"No, she didn't say anything when she left." Bai Ran shook her head.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

After Bai Ran left, Fu Hanjiang's face darkened. Xiangsi left a while ago? Where did she go?

Did something happen? Her phone wasn't working.

If she had something urgent, shouldn't she have informed him?

Looking at his watch, it had been ten minutes already... Did she remember their date tonight?

His eyes grew darker as he picked up his phone again and dialed Sheng Xiangsi's number.

Unsurprisingly, there was no answer.

Suppressing his frustration, he sent her another message.

**"Where are you? Did something happen? Do you need me to pick you up?"**

Again, no reply.

As night fell, Fu Hanjiang sat in his car, checking his phone occasionally, but there were no missed calls or unread messages.

Ha!

Frustrated, he habitually reached for a cigarette.

Instead, he found a box of throat lozenges.

—Xiangsi didn't like him smoking and had asked him to quit.

Fu Hanjiang, feeling agitated, popped a lozenge into his mouth. Surprisingly, the usually tolerable taste felt overly sweet and cloying today.

So, where exactly had Xiangsi gone?

He was sitting here, enduring the sweet lozenge for her sake, while she was ignoring their date. 

Time passed slowly, and Fu Hanjiang, initially angry and irritated, began to worry.

Previously, Xiangsi had encountered a perverted driver when taking a cab and was even kidnapped recently. Could it be... something had happened again?

Feeling uneasy, he repeatedly tried calling her.

But there was no answer!

"Sheng Xiangsi! Answer the phone!"

Dark clouds gathered over Fu Hanjiang's head. If he couldn't reach her soon, he might have to call the police!

...

At the hospital.

Junjun had finished her medication and was now peacefully asleep.

Xu Chun spoke softly, "You must be exhausted. You haven't eaten anything. I'll stay here. Go get some food."

"Mhm."

Sheng Xiangsi nodded, taking her bag from the bedside table. She habitually checked her phone and was shocked!

She had 97 missed calls!

And 99+ unread messages!

All from Fu Hanjiang!

Oh no!

Sheng Xiangsi's scalp tightened. She remembered their date tonight!

"Xu Jie, I'm sorry to trouble you. I have to go now. I have something urgent!"

"Okay."

Sheng Xiangsi ran out, dialing Fu Hanjiang's number.

He answered immediately, his voice low, both anxious and irritated, "Xiangsi? Is that you? Where are you? Are you okay?"

Is he worried about her? Sheng Xiangsi was momentarily dazed, "Yes, it's me. I'm fine."

Hearing her voice, Fu Hanjiang finally relaxed, the tension in his mind easing.

What followed was a flood of bitterness and frustration.

"Where did you go? What could be more important to you than our date?"

More important than me?