"This child has always been difficult to manage," Lan Yu said with emotion, recalling past events.
Su Su agreed, "I hope this child can walk the right path when they grow up, and definitely not go astray."
She thought of the bad deeds done by Xiaoxiao's mother and grandmother, and how Xiaoxiao's upbringing made her personality different from ordinary children. When Xiaoxiao and Xiao Xingxing were young, she had wanted Xiao Xingxing to take care of Xiaoxiao more, so that Xiaoxiao could also have a childhood full of happiness, the happiness of an ordinary child.
But she never expected this to create such deep affection in Xiao Xingxing for Xiaoxiao. Now, Xiao Xingxing considered protecting Xiaoxiao and treating her well as his own responsibility. Su Su hoped that Xiao Xingxing's feelings for Xiaoxiao were merely those of a brother caring for a sister, and would not develop into an inappropriate relationship when they grew up.
"Yes, no matter who Xiaoxiao marries in the future, as long as she doesn't go down the wrong path, that's fine," Lan Yu felt less conflicted, knowing how to face this matter.
They all fell into silence, each with their own worries.
After a while, Lan Yu spoke first, "Why don't you have dinner here tonight? I'll prepare some good dishes."
Su Su declined, "No need. I've already told Tianyi we're eating back home. Don't trouble yourself, I should be going. We'll go to the beach for a vacation together then. I'll send you the details tomorrow."
"Okay," Lan Yu thought that instead of worrying, it was better to go out and relax. Whether An Jing would bring Xiaoxiao back again was not something she could decide, so she would deal with it when it happened.
"Then it's settled," Su Su emphasized again, then got up to leave.
Lan Yu saw her to the main gate before returning to her room. She realized it was time for Ning Yu to come back and was about to go to the kitchen to cook when her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID on the screen, it was An Jing.
Lan Yu quickly answered, "Why weren't you answering your phone just now?"
An Jing explained, "I was busy with something and didn't have my phone with me. What did you want to talk about? Are you and Ning Yu doing well?"
"We're fine, you don't need to worry," Lan Yu said in a calm tone as much as possible. "Su Su was here just now, she told me everything."
"You... you know everything?" An Jing said nervously. "I just wanted to try and see if I could stop Alva from controlling Xiaoxiao?"
Lan Yu generously said, "Do whatever you want. Ning Yu and I will be waiting for you at home. Come back soon, no matter the outcome."
An Jing was surprised that Lan Yu not only didn't blame him but also didn't object. Instead, he felt a pang of guilt and said, "Okay, take care of yourself and the child. I'm truly sorry to Xiaoxiao. She didn't want to go to her biological father at the time, but I still sent her. Ever since she went to Alva's, she hasn't answered my calls or spoken to me. She... she must hate me very much."
"Don't blame yourself. I was the one who suggested you send Xiaoxiao back to her biological father. Blame me for being incompetent, unable to control this child, and afraid of not being able to manage her well," Lan Yu took all the blame on herself.
An Jing said, "It's not your fault. I didn't consider your feelings. Xiaoxiao has a special personality, so it's normal that you can't control her. I'll be back as soon as I handle things here." He felt he had wronged both sides, and it was his inability to balance their relationship, or his own problem.
Lan Yu gently reminded him, "Okay, you take care of yourself too, and be safe outside. Ning Yu misses you very much. She asks where Daddy is every day when she comes back from kindergarten."
"I know. I'll hang up now," An Jing said, his throat feeling choked.
Lan Yu held her phone and stared blankly for a while. Although she felt uncomfortable, for the harmony of the family and their marital relationship, she could only do this. Taking a step back would broaden the view, and she believed in An Jing. An Jing still cared about them, so she would leave this matter for him to decide.
...
Meng Qi quickly contacted several top neurosurgeons for Meng Yao and asked them to come to the hospital where Song Jiaping was staying for a consultation.
As the experts examined Song Jiaping, Meng Yao and Meng Qi watched from the side. Meng Yao trembled slightly with nervousness. Meng Qi held her hand and whispered, "Don't worry, there will be a way."
Meng Yao hummed, trying her best not to be too nervous, hoping that these experts could find a better way to wake Song Jiaping up.
After reviewing Song Jiaping's condition, the experts used the hospital's office to call Song Jiaping's chief physician and discuss feasible treatment plans together. Meng Yao and Meng Qi listened to their discussion from the side. As the experts proposed one plan after another, only to have them rejected, Meng Yao's mood fluctuated greatly.
The experts discussed and deliberated for a whole day but could not come up with a plan that was completely risk-free for Song Jiaping. Meng Yao could no longer sit still and just wanted to go out for some fresh air. She quietly left the office and stood in a deserted, ventilated corner outside, feeling an indescribable despair.
Meng Qi listened attentively and didn't notice Meng Yao had left. She understood that Song Jiaping's current condition made it very difficult for him to wake up from his coma on his own. However, if he didn't wake up and remained in a coma, some brain functions would become abnormal, damaging various organs of his body. Therefore, his coma could not exceed three months in his current state. If the coma lasted too long and his organs began to fail, he would still die.
Now, the experts and doctors were trying to find a way to wake him up. Only by waking up could his brain return to normal, and then with slow conditioning, he would recover. However, any method of opening his skull for surgery to wake him up would carry risks. Finding a completely risk-free method was the challenge.
"Meng Yao, how about..." Meng Qi turned to speak to Meng Yao, only to realize she was no longer beside her.
Meng Qi quickly got up and also left the office, but she couldn't find Meng Yao in the corridor. She searched around and finally found Meng Yao in a corner of the corridor, squatting on the ground, leaning against the wall with her hands covering her face.
Meng Qi gently patted her and said, "Are you okay? Why did you come out?"
Meng Yao lowered her hands, her eyes red, and looked at her, "Sister, there's no other way besides surgery. But what if Jiaping..."
"He won't. Can't you think of the positive side? Don't always think about the 'what ifs'," Meng Qi bent down, clasped her arm, and pulled her up, saying, "Don't squat here, your legs will go numb."
Meng Yao stood up with her help, only to feel her legs were indeed numb and she couldn't walk for a moment.
"I also want to only look at the success rate of the surgery, but the thought of the risk of failure scares me. I'm afraid of losing him. Sister, I can't lose him, I really can't lose him."
Meng Qi comforted her, "I know, I know. I'm here, don't be afraid. We'll look at the plans the experts give and choose the one with the lowest surgical risk. You have to believe, believe that Song Jiaping will be alright!"