Coveted for a Long Time 54

Chapter 54

Sudden cerebral hemorrhage, currently being resuscitated in the operating room.

It came too suddenly, without warning. When Qiao Jianliang collapsed, he was with Zhou Lin. The father and son had gone to the company today, then had dinner at a French restaurant. The incident happened as soon as they got into the car after eating.

Qiao Jianliang had always suffered from high blood pressure. His daily routine was irregular, often staying up late, drinking, and smoking for business entertainment. These were all triggers for sudden cerebral hemorrhage. Coupled with his age, the illness came like a landslide.

Qin Si accompanied Qiao Xi to rush to the hospital.

No matter how much Qiao Xi disliked Qiao Jianliang usually, her heart went cold instantly. Cerebral hemorrhage has the highest mortality rate among acute cerebrovascular diseases. Even if cured, serious sequelae like hemiplegia and aphasia could occur, and later rehabilitation would be very tedious and lengthy.

Her thoughts were in chaos, a heavy stone pressing on her chest. She barely spoke after answering the phone, rushing straight to the operating room upon arrival at the hospital.

She was the first to arrive, more than ten minutes earlier than Zhou Meihe.

Zhou Lin stood woodenly outside the operating room. Seeing Qiao Xi, his dark pupils shrank suddenly. Hesitating for a moment, he finally called out to her.

“How is it?” Qiao Xi asked urgently.

Zhou Lin said, “Just went in not long ago; the doctor came out just now.”

When he spoke, perhaps because he was frightened earlier, his face finally showed anxiety and worry upon Qiao Xi’s questioning. Qiao Xi didn’t notice. Seeing a doctor come out of the operating room, she went over immediately.

The surgery wasn’t major but took a long time. Zhou Meihe arrived late, but her reaction was much bigger than her son’s. No matter how much she disliked Qiao Xi, she cared about her husband. Despite her petty schemes, her concern and worry at this moment weren’t fake.

Before Qiao Jianliang was sent to the hospital, no emergency measures were taken. At that time, he was already in a coma accompanied by difficulty breathing, symptoms very severe. Fortunately, after all-out rescue efforts, his life was barely saved. The doctors couldn’t make wild guesses. After all, Zhou Lin was just a half-grown child; how could they blame a child for not using emergency measures at such a time? Getting the patient to the hospital was already good enough. They could only tell the family that sudden cerebral hemorrhage was a highly recurrent disease and to be careful in the future.

This hemorrhage was in the deep brain tissue, a relatively serious situation. Although the surgery was successful, waking up depended on Qiao Jianliang’s physical condition, generally taking one to three months.

Qiao Jianliang was sent to the intensive care unit as soon as he left the operating room. The doctor couldn’t guarantee when he would come out, only telling the family not to worry too much. After all, there were still a lot of things to do later. Moreover, Qiao Jianliang was lucky. If the hemorrhage were in the brainstem, he probably would never wake up again, remaining in a vegetative state. Furthermore, the delay in sending him to the hospital this time almost missed the optimal rescue time; saving his life was a blessing from the ancestors.

Qiao Xi waited outside the operating room first, then waited outside the ICU for several hours. She couldn’t remember how long she stood there. Anyway, it was dark when she came, and only after Qin Si reminded her did she realize it was already dawn the next day.

She didn’t feel sleepy or tired, even driving back to the Qiao house personally to pack some necessities for Qiao Jianliang. Compared to Zhou Meihe, who only worried anxiously and kept asking the doctor without doing anything, she appeared much calmer, at least clear-headed and not panicked.

Qin Si stayed by her side from beginning to end. Seeing her pale face and tired look, she went out and bought hot porridge.

“Eat something, rest a bit before coming back.”

“It’s okay,” Qiao Xi said, looking into the ICU, lowering her eyelids. Glancing at Qin Si, who had stayed up all night with her, her heart softened, and she changed her words, “Will come in a bit.”

Feeling bad was certain. No matter how big the conflict or how deep the rift between father and daughter, it counted for nothing at such a life-and-death moment. Besides, when they divorced, only Qiao Jianliang wanted her, actively proposing to keep her. He had treated her dutifully these years, knowing to make amends. Family affection is hard to explain clearly. Usually wishing to stay far away, yet inseparable now—humans are not grass or wood after all.

Unable to describe the feeling, Qiao Xi stood for a long time before going to drink the porridge.

Qin Si comforted softly, “It’ll be fine. Getting through the surgery is more than half the battle; don’t worry too much.”

The porridge was still steaming, specially packed in a thermal container. Qin Si, usually not great, was very thoughtful now, buying side dishes and other things that might be useful.

Qiao Xi drank half a bowl of porridge. Seeing the fatigue on her face, she pursed her lips and said gently, “I’m fine.”

After speaking, she looked up at Qin Si. “You go back and rest too; ran around with me all night.”

Qin Si was also drinking porridge. Picking up some side dishes into her bowl, knowing she was concerned, she swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue. Intuitively feeling she shouldn’t be impulsive and cause trouble now, she agreed readily: “Mmh.”

Agreed quickly, but didn’t leave after eating, continuing to stay.

Qiao Xi sat on the bench in the corridor, with Qin Si accompanying her. During this period, doctors entered and exited the ICU several times to check Qiao Jianliang’s condition. Fortunately, it was stable, no major problems.

Midway, Zhou Meihe and Zhou Lin returned to the compound once to handle family and work matters properly, as well as company affairs. With four people in the family, Qiao Jianliang was solely responsible for the company. Now that he had fallen, the backbone was gone. It would take at least half a year from waking up to recovery. Even if recovered, whether he could handle the work was unknown. There was a protracted battle to fight ahead.

Zhou Meihe was burnt out. As a teacher, what did she know about doing business? Thinking of asking her maiden family for help.

Unaware of her plans, Qiao Xi stayed at the hospital, sitting until noon. The hospital was much quieter then. Being mealtime, even the doctors and nurses on duty were fewer. Having endured for so long, she finally couldn’t withstand the drowsiness, leaning against the wall to nap with closed eyes. Qin Si sat beside her. Discovering she had fallen asleep at some point, she was stunned. Wanting to take off her jacket to cover her but afraid of waking her, she hesitated for a long time and didn’t, instead moving closer.

Finally, Qiao Xi leaned crookedly on her shoulder, completely exhausted, sleeping deeply even while sitting.

Staying up all night, dark circles under her eyes, dry lips, complexion very poor. Clearly exhausted, yet enduring to the point of falling asleep sitting up. Qin Si’s eyes changed, showing a bit of deep affection and tenderness on her face.

Leaning on each other like this, they were particularly eye-catching in the quiet hospital corridor. Qin Si was never introverted, especially when Qiao Xi was asleep, showing all emotions on her face, even cherishing.

Fu Bei saw this scene as soon as she arrived.

Qin Si didn’t move, and she didn’t move either.

Four eyes met, gazes deep, scrutinizing each other without concealment, yet no one spoke, not disturbing the resting one. Qin Si lifted her eyelids, looking coldly. If this person hadn’t approached gradually, given her temper, she wouldn’t even want to glance. Fu Bei was more restrained and composed, in no mood for a standoff. Moving her gaze away from Qin Si, she glanced at Qiao Xi on the side.

Qiao Xi was still wearing the clothes taken from her place, with only a pair of house slippers on her feet. Today’s temperature was low and cold; wearing this wasn’t very comfortable.

Sitting down at the other end, Fu Bei also waited by the side.

Qiao Xi didn’t sleep long. After all, sitting was uncomfortable after a while. Opening her eyes, she noticed Fu Bei and simultaneously realized she was leaning crookedly. Before she could speak, Qin Si moved away first, giving her a way out, blocking her words back. She opened her mouth, finally turning to Fu Bei and asking, “Why did you come?”

“Came to see,” Fu Bei said. “Auntie Zhou said Uncle Qiao is in the hospital, just came out of surgery.”

Qiao Jianliang collapsed late yesterday. Qiao Xi and the others had been guarding outside without time to inform anyone. Zhou Meihe only mentioned it after going back today. Coincidentally, Fu Bei went back once and came over immediately.

Neighbors after all. Father Fu also came over to see after a while; Liang Yuzhi had something to do and couldn’t come.

There were also people from the Zhao and Zhou families, as well as some old acquaintances and business partners.

Knowing each other for so many years, regardless of relationships, one should come at such a time.

Qiao Jianliang was still lying in the ICU. The doctor dared not make guarantees, only comforting the family not to worry too much. The period after surgery was critical, depending on both doctors and Qiao Jianliang himself. Whether he could wake up after successful surgery was hard to affirm, only generally saying he would wake up, just taking a bit longer.

It was only the first day. Those who came just took a look from outside, having no solutions.

Zhou Meihe cried several times, eyes red and swollen. Zhou Lin realized belatedly with a face full of self-blame but was exceptionally silent, rarely speaking, only answering briefly when asked.

Father Fu asked casually, “What did the doctor say?”

Zhou Meihe wiped her tears. “Have to wait a while to wake up. Can’t come out yet; haven’t passed the critical period.”

Father Fu was calm and peaceful, with a good temper in private. He offered a few words of comfort, then seemingly remembering something, asked Zhou Lin about the situation at that time.

Should have asked earlier. After all, Qiao Jianliang was with Zhou Lin then. It was just that Qiao Xi and Zhou Meihe were focusing on Qiao Jianliang in the operating room before and ignored these. So when Father Fu asked this question, Qiao Xi suddenly looked at Zhou Lin.

Emotion flashed across Zhou Lin’s face—like panic, or concealment, pretending to be calm.

Others didn’t notice, but Fu Bei diagonally opposite keenly caught this change. She had never paid attention to this child of the Zhou family. After all, there was a big age gap between Zhou Lin and them, and they had nothing in common. But observing carefully now, a teenage boy didn’t seem as pure and simple as he looked on the surface.

Fu Bei watched Zhou Lin quietly, trying to probe something from his expression, but found nothing.

After a night and half a day, Zhou Lin had calmed his emotions. Composing himself, he recounted yesterday’s events in detail.

Nothing more than going to the company for a day. Qiao Jianliang, remembering he liked French food, took him there. Everything was fine, but just getting into the car, before even starting the engine, Qiao Jianliang fell ill. Although parked on the street, it was nearly dark, with no one around. He called emergency services first, then ran a distance to find help, then waited for rescue.

For a teenage child, doing this in a crisis was already very good. Although he didn’t know first aid measures, at least he reacted quickly to call and find help.

Father Fu patted Zhou Lin’s shoulder to express appreciation and comfort, saying, “Thanks to you this time. Your… uncle should be fine.”

Wanted to say “your dad,” but considering Qiao Xi’s presence, it wasn’t appropriate. Moreover, Zhou Lin hadn’t changed how he addressed him, usually calling Qiao Jianliang uncle.

Qiao Xi’s reaction was different from Zhou Meihe and Zhou Lin. She was relatively calm from beginning to end, fatigue on her face, listless. She didn’t greet visitors much, nor did she join in, waiting alone on the side, appearing out of place.

In everyone’s eyes, this behavior seemed too indifferent. They didn’t see how long Qiao Xi guarded outside the operating room and ICU, nor could they feel Qiao Xi’s emotions. They only knew the father-daughter relationship had problems, and Qiao Xi didn’t care much about Qiao Jianliang.

Even the stepson Zhou Lin shed tears, but the biological daughter acted like nothing happened, silent and not greeting anyone, just standing there without a trace of worry on her face.

The doctor came once, calling the family over.

Qiao Xi went.

Zhou Meihe and Zhou Lin stayed to receive everyone. Everyone comforted the mother and son one after another.

Sadness was certain; Zhou Meihe was almost washing her face with tears. The whole family depended on Qiao Jianliang. If something happened to him, if he didn’t wake up or became paralyzed, the days ahead wouldn’t be easy. Zhou Meihe felt heartache for him on one hand, and worried about what to do next on the other.

Who would manage the Qiao family’s huge business now? Even if someone managed it, Qiao Jianliang was in a coma, neither dead nor awake. Capital turnover was also a big problem. Too many things, like an unravellable mess.

A crowd gathered together. Qin Si couldn’t stand watching and followed out.

Fu Bei frowned, glancing at these people in front of her, also unable to bear it. Wanting to walk away, she was forcefully held back by Liang Yuzhi.

“Where are you going?” Liang Yuzhi asked, not backing down, seeing what she wanted to do, insisting on stopping her from finding Qiao Xi.

“Something came up; going out for a bit,” Fu Bei said coolly.

Liang Yuzhi blocked the way, saying in a voice only the two could hear, “Not allowed to go anywhere; stay right here!”

Unfortunately, she was overpowered and shaken off directly.

Fu Bei went straight out, ignoring the group.

Seeing this, Zhou Meihe’s face wasn’t good. Liang Yuzhi was angry but forcibly held it back.

**

People visiting Qiao Jianliang mostly left before dark. Qin Si had something urgent and had to return to the university town area temporarily. Fu Bei hadn’t left yet, going out midway to buy dinner.

Qiao Xi and Zhou Meihe were called over by the doctor several times. The doctor informed them of the situation one by one. Anyway, Qiao Jianliang wouldn’t wake up in the near future. It might be hard later; someone had to guard every day.

With no one else present now, hearing about guarding, Zhou Meihe didn’t make a sound. It was Qiao Xi who agreed, obeying the doctor’s words.

After a day together, the doctor could see who truly cared about the patient but didn’t say much, explaining the precautions clearly.

During this time, Zhou Meihe received a call and went out first, not returning until the conversation ended. Qiao Xi stayed inside for ten minutes before going back. Just walking to the door, she heard Zhou Meihe’s conversation with the person on the phone.

She paused, standing in place and listening for a good while.

—With no one to preside over the Qiao family now, Zhou Meihe, brain flooded, wanted the Zhou family to come help.