"But just when I thought my second sister had found her happiness and could stay with her brother-in-law, a piece of terrible news arrived."
As she spoke, recalling those past events, Long Yinglan took out a tissue and wiped away the tears from her eyes. "The family was to arrange a marriage alliance with another family, and the person for this alliance was my second sister."
"I couldn't understand, couldn't understand why it had to be my second sister, why she couldn't stay with the person she loved, but had to marry a man she'd never met. My second sister refused, and the family put pressure on her, even threatening her brother-in-law's life."
"Later, my second sister found out she was pregnant. The family, for the sake of face, wanted her to abort the child. But how could my second sister agree to abort her brother-in-law's child? After escaping from the family, she gave birth to the child. It was then that the family found my second sister and her brother-in-law."
"To protect the child and her brother-in-law's life, my second sister finally chose to compromise with the family and agreed to marry the man she had never met."
"On the wedding day, my second sister wore a white wedding dress. However, the person she married was not the one she loved. That day, she gave the family an answer. Almost everyone in the world knew that my second sister had married that man. But what no one knew was that on that very day, my second sister chose to commit suicide."
Hearing this, Chen Fan's heart clenched fiercely. "And then? Did she… did she die?"
"No, but it was no different from death. Under the joint treatment of several experts, my second sister's life was saved, but she would never wake up, becoming brain-dead and a vegetable," Long Yinglan said.
"Is the second sister you're talking about my mother?" Chen Fan already had a guess.
Long Yinglan looked at Chen Fan and finally nodded.
"Aunt Long, take me to see my mother. I can definitely save her!" Chen Fan's emotions instantly went out of control. He grabbed Long Yinglan's arms and said repeatedly.
Tears also fell uncontrollably.
For over twenty years, he finally knew who his mother was, and finally understood why his grandmother never told him his parents' names.
"Xiao Fan, calm down."
"I can't calm down! Aunt Long, tell me, where is my mother now? I can definitely save her, I definitely can!" Chen Fan was almost frantic, unable to calm his emotions.
"Xiao Fan!" Long Yinglan hugged Chen Fan into her arms, tears also uncontrollably flowing out.
Feeling the warmth in Long Yinglan's embrace, Chen Fan's emotions gradually stabilized.
"Xiao Fan, do you know why I told you all this? I actually want you to save your mother," Long Yinglan explained.
Chen Fan's heart trembled, and he asked, "When are we going to save my mother?"
Long Yinglan said solemnly, "It's not time yet. But you can research cases of brain death. When you are fully prepared, I will find a way for you to treat your mother."
Chen Fan could only agree.
Afterward, Chen Fan asked, "What about my father?"
Long Yinglan shook her head. "Since my mother had the accident, my father has also disappeared. Until now, I haven't heard any news of him."
"It was also at that time that I decided to leave the family. After graduating from university, I came to Jiangcheng and have been living here ever since. Besides inquiring about your mother's situation, I have also secretly sent people to protect your safety."
"Only when I learned that you had fallen in love with Qin Shuran did I decide that no matter the cost, I could not let you repeat the mistakes of your parents."
Chen Fan's face was filled with anger. "Why? Why did they have to use marriage alliances? Couldn't they have used other methods?"
"If it weren't for their ingrained beliefs, my mother wouldn't be like this, and I wouldn't have had to rely on my grandmother alone since birth!"
Long Yinglan said, "I hated them too back then, hated them for not giving my second sister a chance."
"But now I understand that the prosperity of a family might be the result of generations, even dozens of generations of effort. Without marriage alliances, without strong partnerships, they would only become fish on a chopping board. Perhaps this is the sorrow of being born into a wealthy family."
"I will make them regret it," Chen Fan clenched his fists.
He would make those who forced his parents apart regret it!
"Xiao Fan, I'm not telling you this for you to seek revenge. I will find a way for you to see your mother. When your mother wakes up and sees how much you've grown, she'll be very happy," Long Yinglan showed her gentle side again, reaching out to stroke Chen Fan's forehead.
Then, Long Yinglan reached out and wiped Chen Fan's tears. "Let's go out. Remember, you cannot tell anyone what I told you today, including the Qin family girl."
Chen Fan nodded.
Then, the two opened the door to the consultation room.
The crowd that had gathered outside had long since dispersed. Besides Qin Hongguo and Qin Shuran, only Luo Yongtang, who had just returned, remained.
"Chairman Long!" Luo Yongtang saw the two emerge and quickly stepped forward.
"I knew this child Chen Fan was extraordinary. So he's your nephew," Luo Yongtang also flattered.
"Director Luo, you've returned at just the right time," Long Yinglan glanced at Luo Yongtang.
Luo Yongtang's face immediately showed embarrassment.
His departure today was deliberate. After all, he had his old classmate Zhang Chongshan on one side and a behemoth like the Liu family on the other; he couldn't offend either. So, he found an excuse to leave the hospital early.
As soon as he received the news that the Liu family had left, he hurried back.
Long Yinglan did not blame him. She could see through his little schemes at a glance.
"Chairman Long, I apologize for my previous offense. I've also thought it through now. Matters between children should be resolved by themselves. We elders should not interfere," Qin Hongguo said with a smile, his attitude towards Chen Fan having undergone a 180-degree change.
"If Patriarch Qin had considered this earlier, perhaps things wouldn't have escalated to this point," Long Yinglan said, glancing at Qin Hongguo.
"Yes, yes, Chairman Long is right. From now on, I won't interfere with the children's affairs. However, I just spoke to the old man about this matter. The old man said that he actually liked Chen Fan very much last time and wanted Chen Fan to come back with us for a casual meal with the family, to get acquainted with the family members. What are your thoughts, Chairman Long?" Qin Hongguo was very polite after learning of Long Yinglan's identity.
Chen Fan frowned slightly. Was this inviting him to the Qin family as a guest?
Qin Shuran was also surprised. Her father had made a phone call just now and hadn't mentioned inviting Chen Fan to their home.
Chen Fan looked at Long Yinglan.