Chapter 184: Emergency Rescue!

Chapter 184: Emergency Rescue!

"I just can't stand seeing you cooped up in my house! If we could make Xia Xian pay dearly and force her to admit her wrongdoing, wouldn't that solve everything? Of course, I believe you can earn money and provide for us, but I just can't tolerate how she's bullied you!"

"Don't worry, I'll just give it a try. She can't kill us anyway. At worst, we'll be sent back like last time, no real loss. If that happens, we'll just honestly earn our own money from now on, even if it's slower. As long as our family can stay together, I'll be content!"

"What do you say, A Sheng?"

Bai Lian looked at Chu Sheng with tearful, pleading eyes. Her words were so persuasive that it was no wonder Chu Sheng hesitated again.

"Then—"

"Dad, let's listen to Aunt Lian! Let's try one more time! If she's heartless, don't blame us for being ruthless!"

Chu Nannan had suffered greatly recently and harbored a deep-seated hatred for Xia Xian—hating her for withholding money, hating her for bullying them. She had never endured such hardship in her life, not even going hungry before!

Xia Xian used to save all the best food for her; how could Chu Nannan have ever known the pangs of hunger? But now, Xia Xian had completely changed, utterly indifferent to them. If that was the case, then they shouldn't hold back either!

Bai Lian and Chu Nannan had already devised an even more malicious scheme against Xia Xian.

Little did Chu Nannan realize why Xia Xian was treating her this way—she truly had no self-awareness.

She herself had admitted that Xia Xian used to be so good to her, never letting her go hungry or cold, practically giving her the best of everything. But in the end, how had Chu Nannan repaid her? By siding with that beast Chu Sheng and Bai Lian, the "white lotus," buying them a house while cruelly letting Xia Xian die in the hospital, refusing to pay her medical bills.

To have given birth to such a daughter, who knew how much good karma Xia Xian would need to accumulate to offset the sin Chu Nannan brought upon her?

But it didn't matter. In this lifetime, a daughter would come to repay Xia Xian's kindness. When Chu Nannan saw how well Xia Xian treated her own beloved daughter, she would finally understand what true, soul-crushing regret felt like!

Right now, she still didn't grasp the gravity of the situation.

Both she and Bai Lian insisted on going to the capital. Chu Sheng made a token attempt to stop them but soon gave in.

So, under the cover of darkness, the two secretly set off again.

Meanwhile, Xia Xian and Quan Ruifeng were still unaware. After a passionate night, sated, they drifted into a deep sleep.

But in his dreams, Quan Ruifeng felt restless. He woke up at just past seven in the morning, even though he hadn't fallen asleep until three or four. Normally, he wouldn't wake up this early.

He glanced at his watch, saw it was still early, and tried to pull Xia Xian closer to sleep some more. Xia Xian was sound asleep, showing no signs of waking, completely unaware that Quan Ruifeng was awake.

But Quan Ruifeng tossed and turned, inexplicably uneasy and irritable. Unable to fall back asleep, he got up carefully, trying not to disturb Xia Xian.

He couldn't pinpoint the source of his unease, so he decided to exercise—doing push-ups before taking a shower.

After working up a sweat, his mind finally settled a bit.

Now he was ravenous, but Xia Xian was still asleep. It was barely past eight, so there was no need to wake her. Since they weren't heading back to school yet, he figured he'd go home alone to grab a bite.

He didn't feel like cooking today, even though the old house had some rice, flour, and cured meats stored.

Two minutes later, he would be thankful for this decision!

Normally, when he and Xia Xian secretly returned, they rarely went back to the old house to avoid awkward questions about what they were doing.

But today, Quan Ruifeng felt compelled to go back—as if guided by fate.

It was just past eight in the morning. At this hour, Quan's father would already be at work. Gao Shuang was either sleeping in or out chatting with neighbors. Quan's grandmother usually napped in the yard, basking in the sun for some extra calcium.

She was getting older, less mobile than before, preferring to quietly bask in the sunlight.

Today, when Quan Ruifeng returned, he saw his grandmother in her usual spot, napping in the yard. Gao Shuang was nowhere in sight—probably out gossiping. Quan Ruifeng didn't think much of it.

"Grandma, I'm back to grab some food. Any leftovers?"

He called out as he headed to the kitchen.

His grandmother was a light sleeper, usually waking at the slightest noise.

But even after Quan Ruifeng greeted her and went to the kitchen to scoop a bowl of congee, she remained motionless, head still bowed in the same position.

"Grandma?"

Knitting his brows, Quan Ruifeng stepped closer and called again. Still, no response.

Now alarmed, he set the bowl down and reached out to shake her—only for her to collapse at his touch, completely unresponsive.

Her face was pale, her body chill to the touch. Quan Ruifeng's heart sank as he checked her breathing—it was faint. She must have already passed out!

"Damn it!"

Quan Ruifeng rarely swore, but now he cursed under his breath. Without another thought, he swept her up in his arms and bolted for the hospital.

No one else was home. If Gao Shuang had gone out, she wouldn't be back until lunchtime—at least two more hours!

If they waited that long, his grandmother's body would be cold!

No wonder he had woken up so early, restless for no reason. It must have been grandmother-grandson telepathy! But he hadn't come here immediately!

He had no idea where his father was. All he could do now was pray his grandmother would be okay.

The hospital wasn't far, but his father had taken the car. Quan Ruifeng ran flat out the entire way, carrying his grandmother, and made it to the hospital in a desperate five-minute dash.

"Doctor! Doctor!"

"My grandmother passed out—I don't know how long ago! She needs emergency care!"

His exceptionally handsome features were etched with panic. The doctors and nurses took one look and immediately knew they had to race against time to save her. They bumped them to the front, rushing his grandmother into the emergency room.

"Alert! Patient's heart rate is critically low, abnormal pupillary response—suspected stroke! Prep for emergency treatment!"