Qian Rong suddenly spoke up.
“Hold on!”
She turned to Zhu Xuemiao, “Auntie, three master physicians are treating Grandpa right now—bringing them in wouldn’t be right, would it?”
“Besides, there are so many important guests inside, and they’re dressed so shabbily. Won’t they embarrass the Qian family?”
Zhu Xuemiao looked torn, “Well…”
Qian Jinglan’s face darkened, “What, I can’t even see my own father?”
Qian Rong smirked, “Auntie, you were kicked out by Grandpa over twenty years ago. Even if you want to call him ‘Father,’ do you think he’d agree?”
“And you’ve brought a bastard back with you.”
“If Grandpa sees him, won’t you just infuriate him to death?”
Seeing the two squaring off, Zhu Xuemiao crossed her arms, ready to watch the drama unfold.
“Rong’er, I came back from Jiangzhou just to see Father one last time. If anyone tries to stop me, don’t blame me for getting nasty.”
Qian Jinglan, seasoned by life’s storms, unleashed an aura that completely overpowered Qian Rong when she got serious.
Qian Rong, rattled by this presence, instinctively stepped back half a pace.
That’s when Cao Chunmei stepped in.
“Qian Jinglan, what’s that supposed to mean?”
“You come back and start bullying your niece—is that how an aunt behaves?”
“Do you even see me here? Or your big brother?”
“Besides, Rong’er’s not stopping you—she just thinks it’s not the right time to see the old man.”
Qian Jinglan raised an eyebrow, “Pray tell, sister-in-law, when would be a good time to see Father?”
“When the old man wakes up, then you can see him.”
“And if Father doesn’t wake up?”
“You’ve got some nerve, Qian Jinglan—cursing the old man like that! I knew it—you’re up to no good coming back here.” Cao Chunmei planted herself in front of the door, “No matter what you say, I won’t let you see him.”
“Move!” Qian Jinglan snapped.
“No chance.” Cao Chunmei was blocking her because she feared the pledge would come to light if Qian Jinglan saw Old Master Qian.
Qian Jinglan was genuinely furious now. Her father’s life hung in the balance, and she’d travelled a thousand miles to see him one last time, only to be obstructed by her sister-in-law.
Anyone in her shoes would be livid.
“Are you moving or not?” Qian Jinglan’s face was icy.
“Not a chance,” Cao Chunmei sneered. “You stopped being part of this family ages ago. I’ve no idea how you’ve got the gall to show your face.”
Qian Jinglan’s expression turned steely. She raised her hand, ready to slap Cao Chunmei.
“Mum, calm down—there’s no need to get worked up over someone like this.”
Ye Qiu grabbed her hand, urging her to cool off, then turned to Cao Chunmei, “I’m not here to see Granddad.”
Cao Chunmei was taken aback.
This bastard wasn’t here for the old man?
Then what was he after?
The inheritance, maybe…
Her heart tightened, and she quickly said, “I don’t care why you’re here—you’re not welcome!”
Ye Qiu replied, “I’m here to treat Granddad.”
Qian Rong burst out laughing, “Treat him? Ha! You, a freshly minted junior doctor, think you’re fit to treat my grandpa?”
“Plus, my dad’s already brought in three master physicians. We don’t need you.”
“Why don’t you take a good look at yourself in a puddle—you’ve no idea what you’re worth, do you?”
Ye Qiu didn’t rise to it, smiling, “If I don’t give it a go, how’ll we know I can’t cure him?”
“Give it a go? Who do you think Grandpa is? His health’s precious—it’s not something you just ‘try’ on.”
“And stop calling him ‘Granddad’—he hasn’t acknowledged you as anything but a bastard.”
Qian Rong was relentless, her tone cutting.
Ye Qiu’s smile widened, “Maybe the three master physicians are stumped.”
“Rubbish! They’re the top medical experts in the country—how could they be stumped?”
“If even they can’t do it, you definitely can’t.”
“In short, you’re not seeing Grandpa.”
Ye Qiu glanced at Qian Rong, then at Cao Chunmei, chuckling, “You’re so scared of me seeing Granddad—done something guilty, have you?”
“Utter nonsense! I, Cao Chunmei, am upright and honest. Keep spouting drivel, and I’ll sue you for slander!”
Ye Qiu gave a faint smile and fell silent. From Cao Chunmei’s reactions and words, he was sure this mother-daughter duo had something to hide.
“It’s probably the pledge—they’re worried Mum and I will find out once we see Granddad.”
With that in mind, he said to Qian Jinglan, “Mum, since some people don’t want us seeing Granddad, let’s wait here. It won’t be long before someone’s begging us to go in.”
“Qiu’er, but your granddad’s condition…”
“Don’t worry, he’ll be fine for now.”
Ye Qiu was confident because, just before getting out of the car, he’d taken a call from Zhang Jiuling.
Zhang Jiuling asked where he was and briefed him on Old Master Qian’s state. After taking a tonic soup made from century-old ginseng, the old man’s condition had stabilised—he’d hold out till tomorrow morning.
Qian Rong overheard Ye Qiu and snapped, “Even if the sun rises in the west, I won’t beg you…”
She didn’t finish.
“Jinglan!”
Someone called out to Qian Jinglan.
Qian Rong turned and saw a group emerging from the inner courtyard, led by Qian Bowen and Qian Weidong.
Trailing them was Zhang Jiuling, the master physician.
Qian Rong’s face twitched as she muttered, “Weren’t they with Grandpa? Why’re they out here?”
Qian Bowen hurried to Qian Jinglan, asking, “Jinglan, when did you arrive?”
“A little while ago,” she replied.
“Good to have you back, so good,” Qian Bowen’s eyes reddened. After twenty-plus years, his little sister was finally home.
Qian Jinglan nearly teared up too.
Qian Weidong shifted the focus, his gaze landing on Ye Qiu, “Jinglan, this your son?”
“Qiu’er, say hello to your big uncle and second uncle,” Qian Jinglan instructed.
Ye Qiu politely greeted, “Hello, Big Uncle, Second Uncle. I’m Ye Qiu.”
“Hard to believe, after all these years apart, your son’s grown so much,” Qian Bowen said, then remembered something. “Jinglan, you’re just in time—come with us to welcome a miracle doctor!”
“Miracle doctor?” Qian Jinglan frowned, “What miracle doctor?”
“Oh, right—Father’s illness is tricky. Old Zhang called in a miracle doctor for us, and he just said the doctor’s arrived, so we’re off to greet him,” Qian Bowen explained, then turned to Zhang Jiuling, “Old Zhang, let’s go welcome him!”
Zhang Jiuling stayed put, saying, “No need to go.”
“Old Zhang, what do you mean?” Qian Bowen and Qian Weidong looked at him, puzzled.
Zhang Jiuling smiled, “Because this miracle doctor is far on the horizon, yet right before your eyes.”
