Outside the window, Qiu Shuying watched with a complex gaze. A moment later, Lan Xiaoliu entered the ward with several doctors.
Nan Xiao nodded to Lan Xiaoliu. "Brother Liu, my mother has woken up. Please examine her."
Old Mrs. Nan looked at Lan Xiaoliu. The moment she recognized his familiar eyes, she instantly became furious. "I don't need him to examine me. He's here to harm me!"
Lan Xiaoliu sneered. "If I wanted to harm you, I wouldn't have saved you back then."
"All of you, get out!" Old Mrs. Nan roared, then looked at Nan Xiao. "Nan Xiao, transfer me to another hospital!"
Nan Xiao said in a deep voice, "You just woke up. Transferring hospitals won't be good for your recovery. If you don't want Brother Liu to examine you, then let Huo Ding come."
Old Mrs. Nan closed her eyes. "Let Huo Ding come."
Nan Xiao looked at Lan Murun with an apologetic expression.
Lan Xiaoliu turned and left without Nan Xiao saying anything.
Nan Xiao quickly followed him out.
Lan Xiaoliu glanced at him. "The old lady is full of spirit. She shouldn't have any major problems. Huo Ding can come over later."
"Mhm. Brother Liu, regarding what just happened, I apologize to you on behalf of my mother."
"Forget it. As a doctor, I won't argue with a patient. However, based on her attitude towards me, I don't think my Xi'er will have a good time at your place." Lan Xiaoliu looked at him coldly. "Let's get this straight now. If you let my sister suffer even the slightest grievance, I'll make sure you never see your wife and two children again!"
"I won't give you that opportunity."
Nan Xiao smiled slightly and took out his phone to call Huo Ding.
As soon as he finished explaining the situation to Huo Ding, a hysterical roar came from the ward.
"You're lying! What's wrong with my legs! Get out, let Huo Ding come!"
Hearing his mother's furious voice, Nan Xiao hurried back into the ward. "What's wrong?"
A doctor who had come with Lan Xiaoliu quickly explained, "The old lady's legs have no sensation. She can't accept this reality."
Nan Xiao frowned slightly. "Can you tell what caused it?"
"We'll need to examine her to know for sure."
Old Mrs. Nan gripped the quilt tightly and shouted sternly, "It must be that slut Lan Yuxi who had her brother do something!"
Nan Xiao's frown deepened. "Mom..."
"What's wrong with the old lady?" A woman's choked voice came from outside the door.
Nan Xiao turned to look. Seeing Liu Meiying, Xia Qianqian's mother, his face instantly darkened.
"Make her stay away!"
"Let her in!"
Nan Xiao and Old Mrs. Nan spoke at the same time.
Hearing Old Mrs. Nan's words, Liu Meiying pushed past the bodyguards who tried to stop her and hurried in.
"Old Mrs. Nan, I'm here. *Sniffle*... You're finally awake!"
Liu Meiying grabbed Old Mrs. Nan's hand.
Old Mrs. Nan's eyes filled with tears as she clutched Liu Meiying's hand. "How is your mother-in-law?"
Liu Meiying wiped the tears from her face. "My mother-in-law passed away... Before she died, she was lucid for a moment. She told me to take care of you on her behalf. I came a few times, but they said you were asleep and wouldn't let me near."
Old Mrs. Nan's tears streamed down her face. "How could she leave me too..."
Liu Meiying quickly grabbed a tissue and gently wiped away Old Mrs. Nan's tears. "Old Mrs. Nan, please don't be sad. Although my mother-in-law is gone, you still have me."
"Alas!" Old Mrs. Nan sighed. "I'm useless. If you stay by my side, you can at least help me eat."
"Old Mrs. Nan, please don't say that. No matter what, I will treat you as my own mother and be filial to you."
"Good."
Seeing his mother and Liu Meiying interacting, Nan Xiao walked out, annoyed.
Huo Ding happened to bump into him. "Boss."
Nan Xiao nodded slightly. "The old lady's legs seem to have lost sensation. Go in and see what's going on."
"Okay. But don't worry too much. This often happens after brain surgery. As long as the nerves aren't damaged, they can usually recover."
Hearing Huo Ding's words, Nan Xiao's irritable mood improved slightly.
Huo Ding entered the ward, and Nan Xiao sat down on a waiting chair.
Qiu Shuying, with red-rimmed eyes, walked over. "Mom woke up. Should we tell Dad?"
"No need." If the old man knew his mother had woken up, he wouldn't be happy; instead, he'd be even more annoyed.
Qiu Shuying lowered her voice. "If Mother decides to keep Liu Meiying, will Yuxi be angry?"
"No one can change what my mother decides. Anyway, Yuxi and I don't live with her, so Yuxi won't care." Nan Xiao looked up at Qiu Shuying. "If you also don't want to see her, I can arrange a new place for you."
Qiu Shuying pondered for a moment. "Mother is still ill and needs someone by her side. I should stay in the old house. When Mother recovers, I'll go live at a temple."
Nan Xiao pinched his brow. "I've already had the lawyer transfer the seaside villa and Jinghua Garden to your name. You don't have to go live at a temple."
"I'm used to peace and quiet."
"As you wish." Nan Xiao saw Huo Ding emerge from the ward and got up to meet him.
"I've arranged a brain CT scan for the old lady. She'll be going soon." Huo Ding pointed at the ward. "Who is that woman? Anyone who didn't know would think she's the old lady's own daughter!"
Nan Xiao glanced coldly at Liu Meiying, who was busy in the ward. "Xia Qianqian's mother."
"Holy cow! What is she trying to do?"
"She's here to take care of the old lady."
Huo Ding gave him a sly smile. "Just wait. If the little tail lets you get into bed, I'll change my surname to yours!"
Nan Xiao smiled faintly. "That might disappoint you."
"Beep beep..."
Huo Ding glanced at his phone, pressed the reject button, and looked at Nan Xiao. "The place is ready. I'll have someone send the old lady over now."
Ten minutes later, Old Mrs. Nan was taken to the CT room.
Liu Meiying anxiously waited outside the door, her demeanor making Nan Xiao and Qiu Shuying feel a bit nauseated.
Nan Xiao felt annoyed. He walked to the end of the corridor and took out his phone to try calling Lan Yuxi.
"Nan Xiao, Yuxi hasn't come out yet," Tang Wan's gentle voice came through the phone.
"Mom, when Xi Bao comes out, please tell her that my mother has woken up and is currently undergoing checks. I might be back late tonight."
Tang Wan said with a hint of joy, "Your mother woke up! That's great! Alright, take good care of your mother. When Xi Bao comes out, I'll have her come to see your mother."
Listening to his mother-in-law's gentle voice, Nan Xiao felt a pang of guilt. His mother's words were always hurtful, and his mother-in-law couldn't possibly not know, yet she remained magnanimous and even wanted Xi Bao to visit his mother.
"Mom, please don't let Xi Bao come over. She's been quite tired today. When she comes out, just let her go home to rest."