Adored by Him: My Blissful Days as the Girl Next Door-Chapter 397 - 396: Relapse of an Old Illness

Shi Yang always plans everything out before taking action.

Since he and Zhao Meimei agreed to get their marriage certificate on May 20th, this matter was officially scheduled. He first called the civil affairs bureau to inquire about the specific details and, once everything was clear, he then called both sets of parents to inform them.

When he called home, Shi Yang learned that his father had gone to his original wife’s hometown to help arrange for a gravesite selection and burial.

In front of her son, Shi Yang’s mother couldn’t help but complain: "There are too many customs in the countryside. When your dad called yesterday, he said that the feng shui master’s chosen burial site pressed on the village’s dragon vein, so the villagers won’t allow digging. They’ll have to pick another spot tomorrow. The village is so rundown, nearly everyone has moved away. How could there still be a dragon vein? It’s just ridiculous!..."

After hearing his mother complain, Shi Yang asked, "When will Dad be back? It’s no fun for you to be home alone. Why don’t you come to the provincial capital?"

Shi Yang’s mother said, "Forget it. It’s too much trouble. Your dad will probably be back the day after tomorrow at the latest. There are so many things at the factory. When he’s been gone for several days, I don’t even need to urge him; he hurries back himself."

Shi Yang was concerned: "Just make sure you take good care of yourself and call me if anything happens."

Shi Yang’s mother laughed, "I know. Don’t worry about it..."

While they were chatting, Shi Yang got another incoming call. He glanced at it and hurriedly said, "Mom, Chaozi is calling me. I can’t talk to you right now."

Shi Yang’s mother said, "Alright, hang up. Business is more important."

Shi Yang switched to Qu Chaozong’s call: "Hey, Chaozi."

Qu Chaozong said, "Shi Yang, I’m here in the West District. There’s a three-story commercial unit I’ve looked at and it seems pretty good. It could be a classroom for an early childhood education program. Come take a look. This place used to be a kindergarten, and it’s in a great location, just a block away from our store. It’s very well connected. If it works, we can talk to the owner today."

Shi Yang: "Sure, I’ll head over now."

As soon as Shi Yang drove halfway there, his phone rang. It was a call from Qu Chaozong.

With his headset on, Shi Yang answered: "Hey, Chaozi."

Qu Chaozong’s voice was urgent: "Shi Yang, Zhang Xin’s grandfather suddenly fainted and was taken to the hospital. I have to rush there right away. I’ve already arranged to meet the property owner. They should be there by now. You go take a look first."

Shi Yang said over the phone: "Don’t worry about this. Just take care of your things. Call me whenever needed."

Qu Chaozong hung up the phone, standing by the roadside trying to hail a taxi. It was during the shift change for taxis, and he couldn’t flag one down despite trying with two cars. After waiting for a while, he finally caught a ride.

Sitting in the taxi, only one thought lingered in Qu Chaozong’s mind: this year I absolutely must buy a car. Not having one is a real damn inconvenience.

The old man fainted at home and was rushed to the hospital by the family’s driver. Zhang Xin was in the city and couldn’t make it to the provincial capital right away, so she anxiously called Qu Chaozong, asking him to go and help take care of her grandfather while she hurried over.

When Qu Chaozong arrived at the hospital, the old man was still unconscious. The driver, whom he had seen before, was keeping watch in the room and greeted him warmly when he came.

Qu Chaozong first checked the old man, then asked in a low voice, "What happened?"

The driver also spoke quietly: "The doctor said the old man is just too old. He had previous lung surgery and smokes heavily. This time it’s acute inflammation, and they advise hospitalization for treatment."

Qu Chaozong asked with concern, "Is it serious?"

The driver nodded: "He’s already old and his body functions are failing. Last time it caused complications. They say medication is the only way to manage it now."

With the old man still unconscious, the driver dared not leave, so he stayed with Qu Chaozong in the ward. The doctor came by once, and Qu carefully asked a lot of questions.

The doctor was quite cautious. He explained that in the old man’s condition, he basically needs to stay in the hospital. There are numerous dietary restrictions and daily medications. The illness will only worsen day by day, and it’s impossible to cure now.

After seeing the doctor off, Qu Chaozong sat back down on the stool by the bed, looking at the old man lying in bed with his eyes closed. He felt extremely conflicted.

The doctor’s implication was very clear: once the old man entered the hospital today, he wasn’t likely to leave. How much longer he could hold on was unknown, indicating the seriousness of his condition.

With the old man not conscious, keeping people in the ward was pointless, so Qu told the driver to go fetch some essentials, then stepped out to call Zhang Xin.

Zhang Xin was anxious on the phone, repeatedly asking, "How’s my grandpa? Has he woken up?"

Qu Chaozong only replied gently: "He’s still not awake. Where are you now? Did you get a ride or drive?"

Zhang Xin said: "My dad’s driving me. We should be there in about three hours."

Qu Chaozong: "I’m here in the hospital, and the old man is still unconscious. Even if you rush over, it won’t help. Please, drive safely."

Zhang Xin agreed, and after a few more words, she hung up the phone.

With nothing much to do in the ward for the time being, Qu Chaozong called his mother and Shi Yang separately to report the situation.

When Mrs. Qu received the call and heard about the old man being hospitalized, she asked very thoroughly: "Which hospital is he in? Which floor is the ward on? How’s the situation? You stay there properly. If you need anything, call me anytime."

After making the calls, Qu Chaozong finally felt a bit more at peace from his previously chaotic mind.

He stayed by the bedside, looking at the old man, feeling extremely heavy-hearted.

By the time Zhang Xin and Mr. Zhang arrived at the hospital, the old man had already woken up.

Earlier, the driver had dropped off the items from home and was sent back by Qu to rest. There was only one accompanying bed in the ward anyway, and with Zhang Xin there, she would certainly stay overnight.

When Zhang Xin rushed into the ward, Qu Chaozong was using a warm towel to wipe the old man’s body since he had sweated profusely while unconscious.

Seeing Zhang Xin come in, Qu quickly covered the old man with a blanket, fastening up the clothes inside before turning to greet Mr. Zhang: "Uncle."

Zhang Xin rushed to the bedside, and seeing the old man awake, she finally relaxed a bit: "Grandpa, how are you feeling?"

The old man had just woken up and felt weak, waving his hand and hoarsely responding, "I’m fine."