Seeing him leave, Zhan Bei Jue remained silent.
The children rushed forward to greet their uncle. Jiang Nan Fang gave him a brief rundown of the situation, and Hu Jia Sheng learned that the old man had suffered another stroke.
This was the second stroke within a year. While he hadn't been left paralyzed after the last one, this time it was uncertain.
It was also highly likely that his cognitive functions would be impaired moving forward.
Hearing this, Hu Jia Sheng felt a heavy burden on his heart.
The hospital at midnight was eerily silent. The children, with their keen observation, sensed the somber expressions on the adults' faces and sat quietly beside them.
After more than an hour of waiting, the old man was finally wheeled out of the emergency room.
The doctor advised that only one person needed to stay, and the others could go back. The old man hadn't regained consciousness, so having so many people there was pointless.
Zhan Bei Jue told Teacher Jiang to take the children back, as bodyguards were waiting downstairs. However, Hu Jia Sheng remained concerned.
"If she's alone with so many children and something happens, I can stay here. You take her back."
Zhan Bei Jue thought for a moment. "Alright, I'll take them back first and then come back. I'll trouble you to keep an eye on things for now."
As expected, he quickly returned after escorting them back.
Neither brother was one for expressing emotions. Despite their inner turmoil, neither spoke first.
They sat on either side of the old man's bed until dawn, when he finally woke up.
Feeling his hand move, the two brothers stood up simultaneously and leaned over him.
The old man first looked at Hu Jia Sheng, then at Zhan Bei Jue.
"Just the two of you? Nan Fang didn't come?"
Zhan Bei Jue explained, "She came last night. Seeing that you were still asleep, and knowing that the children shouldn't be staying up so late, she took them back."
The old man nodded. "That's good. There's no need to trouble the whole family over an old man like me."
"Grandpa, what are you saying?"
The old man interrupted Zhan Bei Jue. "We're all family, no need for empty words."
"Seeing you and Nan Fang reconcile, and with her expecting a child, I am truly happy from the bottom of my heart."
"Every step you've taken has been solid and steady. I'm completely at ease with you now. However, Jia Sheng..."
The old man looked at Hu Jia Sheng again, his nose suddenly stinging. His eyes welled up, and his voice began to falter.
Startled, Zhan Bei Jue and Hu Jia Sheng each took one of his hands.
"Grandpa, speak slowly. Don't get agitated. The doctor said you can't have too much emotional fluctuation. We're all fine, and we'll always be by your side. Don't be sad."
"I'm not sad for myself, but for you two, my children."
The old man sighed. "My life has been spent acting with integrity and transparency. In my affections, I was also devoted until the end."
"Your grandmother passed away early. To be honest, there were many women who tried to get close to me, but I disdained them all. Who knew that I would have that scoundrel, your father!"
"Because of your father, you both have emotional deficiencies. I understand. Ah Jue was better, as he had his mother by his side when he was young, but Ah Sheng..."
Hu Jia Sheng was also touched. "Don't I have you by my side?"
"You put aside such a large undertaking as the group to focus on accompanying me. I received even better treatment than Ah Jue."
The old man shook his head and continued to choke back tears.
"Don't try to comfort me with words. I know whether I owe you or not. I also know why you haven't settled down yet."
"Ah Sheng, I was strict with you since you were young. Did you ever resent me?"
"Never, Grandpa. I know you always did what was best for me."
"No, not entirely for your own good. I was ambitious in my youth and hoped my descendants wouldn't be mediocre, so I always pushed you. A significant part of it was for my own reputation."
"I pushed you to the point of depression back then. Although I didn't say anything out loud, my heart ached terribly."
Hu Jia Sheng patted his shoulder, signaling him to stop.
"It's been so long, and I've recovered. It was also my own fault for not having strong enough psychological resilience."
The old man clasped his hand. "Child, I usually find it hard to say sentimental things. Now that I'm nearing my end, if I don't say them, I won't have another chance, so I must. Don't interrupt me."
"I've wronged you. I didn't give you a good position when you returned to the country. I knew you were wronged at the real estate company but didn't stand up for you..."
"Grandpa, adults need to take responsibility for their actions. I made mistakes and should bear the consequences. Why are you blaming yourself for this too?"
"It makes me very happy that you can think this way and don't resent Ah Jue. Your generation is few in number. It's just the two of you in our family. I truly don't want you to descend into a farce of brothers turning against each other or kin harming kin."
The brothers reacted in unison, assuring him, "We won't, Grandpa!"
"Ah Jue's mother was also a strong woman. She educated him strictly from a young age. Ah Jue, like you, never experienced fatherly love, so he's not good at expressing himself. But I know both of you have good hearts."
"You are both well-educated and reasonable people. Therefore, I hope your assurances are sincere."
The two brothers spoke in unison again, "Of course, they are sincere, Grandpa!"
"It's not that I'm trying to impose my age or force you because I'm dying, but it's not easy to build an empire, and it's even harder to defend it..."
"I have made a will, dividing my shares in Zhan Group and all my real estate and funds equally. Call the lawyer over. You will sign in front of me, and also sign a letter of guarantee."
"From now on, whoever instigates trouble without cause will have no right to inherit the family fortune."
The old man's words, as if he were making final arrangements, made them worry.
Zhan Bei Jue comforted him, "Grandpa, the doctor said your condition is not serious. Why are you talking like you're making final arrangements?"
The old man said, "I know my own body. Even if I don't die today, I will eventually. The necessary procedures must be done sooner or later. Don't argue with me."
Zhan Bei Jue had no choice but to call the lawyer.
While waiting for the lawyer, the old man continued to nag Hu Jia Sheng.
"You're 32, not young anymore. In the past, Grandpa dared not speak to you or put pressure on you, but if I close my eyes before seeing you settled down..."
"If there's a girl you like, tell Grandpa. Our family doesn't look at background, race, or religion. We can even accept different genders. I will fulfill your wish."
Hu Jia Sheng understood his concern, but truthfully, he didn't have anyone he liked or wanted to marry at the moment.
He couldn't just grab someone just because the old man wanted no regrets.
"Grandpa, I understand what you mean. But I really haven't met anyone suitable."
"Then can you promise me you'll make an effort? Don't always refuse when others introduce someone to you. Back when I was your age, your father was already in primary school. When your father was your age, he had already fathered you two brothers."