"Normally, you'd be hungry by now. Why are you so quiet today?"
Wu Youzhi came into the bedroom and looked at Wu Aili.
"I don't know what's going on. I'm not hungry at all today. The little one isn't kicking me either," Wu Aili said, stroking her belly.
"Could it be the venison?"
"Perhaps? You go about your business. Don't mind me. If I get hungry, I'll just heat something up myself," Wu Aili said.
"Are you sure? Let me do it."
"Really, I don't need you to. I feel full of energy. You should go check on the shop. You haven't been there for so long, and you've been staying home with me."
"I'll go tomorrow. If you're feeling up to it today, I'll go to the shop tomorrow. Manager Pi has been helping out there during this time."
"Yangzi, where did you get this venison? It's so amazing," Wu Aili asked.
"I don't know either. He just said it came from a very distant place, but he didn't say exactly where. The lamb and beef also came from there. After eating them, I felt an indescribable comfort throughout my body. Now, these few dishes have become the signature dishes at the shop."
"If Yangzi hadn't brought this venison, I'm afraid I wouldn't have made it to childbirth."
"Don't say that. It's not that serious. Alright, don't overthink it. Call me if you get hungry."
"Okay, you rest too. You've been working hard during this period."
"Why are we being so formal? I'm going to the living room to watch some TV," Wu Youzhi said as he left the room.
"Guo Xuyang, what's the situation with the manor the aunt mentioned earlier?" Zhan Yifang asked as soon as she stepped outside.
"That's my fault for not explaining it clearly to you earlier. The kindergarten, primary school, middle school, high school, and the nursing center I mentioned are all for my child and wife," Guo Xuyang said.
"Of course, we can also enroll children from other families to study."
"Are you saying this is your private manor? How can that be?"
"I didn't say it was a private manor. I just said I'm building a manor. The specific design and appearance will be handled by a designer."
"That's more like it. If it were a private manor, my father probably wouldn't agree."
As they were talking, Zhan Yifang's phone suddenly rang.
"Dad, what's wrong? What? Mom's illness has relapsed? It was cured a while ago, wasn't it? Why has it come back? I understand, I'm coming over now."
Zhan Yifang hung up the phone in a hurry and was about to pull Wang Qi into the car.
"What's wrong? What happened?" Guo Xuyang asked.
"My mom relapsed. She's just been sent to the hospital."
"What kind of illness is it? Do you need me to come and take a look?"
"Didn't you say you're a witch doctor? Why don't you come with us to see Auntie?" Wang Qi said.
"If he goes, he might just cause more trouble," Zhan Yifang said, not inviting Guo Xuyang and showing a lack of trust.
"Let me take a look. If I can't figure it out, I won't say anything. What do you think?" Guo Xuyang said.
"Alright then. But please don't say anything out of line. My dad cherishes my mom dearly. If this angers my dad, the matter you mentioned is highly likely to fall through."
"I understand. Let's go, we'll go together." Guo Xuyang also got into their car.
"Guimin, Guimin, don't scare me," Zhan Qingguo said, holding Zhao Guimin's hand and shouting. However, no matter how he shouted, Zhao Guimin remained silent, staring blankly upwards as if captivated by something.
"Old Li, what exactly is wrong with my wife?" Zhan Qingguo asked the busy doctor beside him.
"Old Zhan, we'll know after the examination. Has it been three months since Guimin's last episode?" Doctor Li said.
"Yes, it's been over three months."
"Did you notice? Guimin experiences this condition every three months, sometimes mild, sometimes severe. However, this time it seems more serious than before."
"She was unconscious for three days during the last episode and couldn't remember anything when she woke up."
"How long has she been like this?"
"It's been about twenty years. But it's never been this severe or this frequent before. In the past, it happened once every two or three years, and it wasn't serious; she would recover after a couple of days of rest. Today, while taking a nap, she suddenly shouted, and then she just stared blankly upwards, unresponsive to any calls."
"When you brought Guimin here last time, it wasn't this severe. Has she experienced any shock this time?"
"This noon during my break, she wanted to, and then it naturally happened. I was too tired and fell asleep. Later, I was startled awake by her shout, and this is what I saw."
"Based on what you're saying, her condition doesn't seem to be a pathological episode; it's more like she's possessed," Doctor Li said.
"Possessed? How is that possible? No one has ever said that before. Besides, Guimin hasn't been to temples and seen anyone who said she was possessed."
"Look, her eyelids aren't even blinking. Who can control their eyelids to stay still? And she shows no reaction at all. She's probably in a state of soul departure, which is why she's unresponsive." Doctor Li then twisted Zhao Guimin's arm. "See, she has no sensation at all."
"What should we do, Old Li? You have to help me figure something out." Zhan Qingguo didn't know what to do.
"Given your current position, seeking out a master would cause a huge stir. However, Guimin's condition can only be treated by a master; otherwise, she'll never get better. Our hospital can't cure this."
"Then who would be a suitable person to find? Do you have any recommendations?" Zhan Qingguo asked.
"Arrange for someone to go to Baima Temple and see if the abbot can be invited. If he can come, Guimin should be fine."
"I'll go. It's not appropriate to send others."
"It's best if you make the trip. Put aside your official demeanor; this is a time for requesting help."
"I understand. Please arrange for someone to look after her. I'll be back soon." Zhan Qingguo was about to leave.
Just then, the door was pushed open, and Zhan Yifang, Wang Qi, and Guo Xuyang entered.
"Dad, how is Mom? What did the doctor say?"
"It's nothing serious, just that she suddenly lost consciousness." Zhan Qingguo glanced at Wang Qi and Guo Xuyang. He dared not mention his wife being possessed in front of outsiders. If it got out, he wouldn't be able to be the mayor anymore.
"Then where are you going?"
"I... I'm going to invite someone to help look after your mother," Zhan Qingguo said.