Xia Wantang was anxious and worried, so she remained silent.
When she got closer.
Wen Xuanyuan explained, "Old Master Ling is sick, and it seems quite serious."
"What, Grandpa Ling is ill?"
Qiao Xinyue's expression changed drastically, and she was deeply unsettled. She immediately said seriously, "Tangtang, I'll go back with you."
She had grown up in the Ling family since childhood, and Old Master Ling treated her like his own granddaughter. Hearing that Old Master Ling was ill, she was very worried.
Xia Wantang nodded, her gaze fixed eagerly ahead, secretly impatient, wondering why Han Xiao hadn't arrived yet.
A moment later, the crowd at the school gate visibly thinned.
Han Xiao finally arrived, fashionably late.
The car stopped, and his gaze swept over the group, pausing slightly on Qiao Xinyue before quickly retracting.
Finally, it settled on Xia Wantang, and he said, "Madam, traffic caused a delay. I'll take you back to the old residence now."
"Okay." Xia Wantang had no time to think about Qiao Xinyue and his matters. As she got into the car, she said, "Xinyue is coming with us."
Han Xiao showed little reaction, as if he had put the previous matter behind him.
Once in the car, Xia Wantang said to Li Bowen and Wen Xuanyuan, "You two, go back quickly. We're leaving now."
Wen Xuanyuan waved, "Okay, you be safe and don't worry too much. Everything will be fine."
Then, Han Xiao started the car.
It was quiet in the car; no one spoke, and the atmosphere was a little somber.
Xia Wantang stared blankly at the fleeting scenery outside the window, her mood very low.
To be honest, she had only been with Ling Yucheng for a few months, and had only met his grandfather a few times.
Her feelings for him couldn't be described as deep, but her sadness was genuine.
Such a kind old man, who had treated her so well, she sincerely wished him good health and longevity.
However, he was not young, and if something truly happened, it was unavoidable, as life is predetermined by fate. She only hoped he would suffer less.
The car had been driving for about half an hour when Xia Wantang couldn't help but call Ling Yucheng's mother.
The call was answered quickly. Her voice was hoarse from crying, which made Xia Wantang's heart ache, and her eyes also welled up.
Xia Wantang asked, "Mom, is Grandpa okay?"
Zhu Yunfei answered a question with a question, "Have you returned? Be careful on the road! Tell Xiao Han to drive slowly."
"We're on our way, don't worry about us."
Xia Wantang didn't press further about Grandpa. From the evasive answer, she could tell that Grandpa's condition was likely not good.
There was a moment of silence between them.
Zhu Yunfei choked back a sob and said, "Your grandfather had a cerebral hemorrhage and is in the hospital. There's no immediate danger, so don't worry."
The words "cerebral hemorrhage" hit Xia Wantang's heart like a heavy blow, but she dared not show any abnormality, only comforting, "Grandpa will be fine, Mom, don't be sad."
"Mmm, I'll talk to you later." The call ended on the other side.
Xia Wantang's heart remained unsettled for a long time.
For younger people, a cerebral hemorrhage wasn't a terribly serious illness; surgery could lead to recovery.
But it was different for the elderly, especially someone so old.
An elderly person's organs naturally deteriorated and declined much more than a younger person's. They generally couldn't withstand surgery, so this time, the prognosis was grim.
After the call, Qiao Xinyue was the first to break down, her eyes red as she sobbed uncontrollably.
Xia Wantang hadn't been crying, but she was infected by Qiao Xinyue's emotions and couldn't help but shed tears as well.
Han Xiao pursed his lips, glancing at Qiao Xinyue through the rearview mirror, a suppressed emotion in his eyes.
But he didn't show it. He reached for a tissue with one hand and passed it back to the rear seat.
Qiao Xinyue didn't take it. Seeing this, Xia Wantang took it, pulled out a tissue, and handed it to Qiao Xinyue first.
The journey was a bit long, and their emotions gradually calmed down.
After a few more moments, Han Xiao received a call.
Since the phone was connected to the car via Bluetooth, everyone in the car could hear the conversation.
It was the voice of a young woman, gentle and sweet, suggesting a close relationship with Han Xiao.
When the call connected, she said, "Xiao Ge, want to have dinner together tonight? At the same restaurant as last time."
Han Xiao frowned, "I'm working now, it's not convenient to talk. I'll hang up and call you back later."
There was a moment of silence on the other end, then, "Okay, I'll wait for you."
Xia Wantang subtly observed Qiao Xinyue's expression.
She sat quietly, her head down, her face as usual.
Han Xiao continued to look straight ahead, driving attentively. The two of them acted as if nothing had happened.
On the surface, it seemed so, but who knew the truth!
The rest of the journey was smooth and uneventful. The car stopped directly in front of a hospital.
Before they arrived, Han Xiao had called Ling Yucheng.
So Ling Yucheng was already waiting for them at the entrance.
His expression was grim, a palpable gloom surrounding him. His cold eyes were filled with fatigue, and his eyes were bloodshot, crisscrossed with capillaries.
Xia Wantang felt a pang of heartache for no reason. She went to his side and directly took his hand.
At this moment, all words of comfort were powerless.
Ling Yucheng glanced at Qiao Xinyue but quickly averted his gaze.
Then, he led Xia Wantang into the hospital, with Qiao Xinyue following quietly behind.
Xia Wantang asked nothing, but Ling Yucheng began to speak about his grandfather's condition.
His voice was no longer as steady and strong as before, but rather a bit shaky. Perhaps with such a major event, his inner state was not as calm as he appeared.
"Grandpa had a cerebral hemorrhage due to high blood pressure. The current bleeding volume doesn't require surgery, but he's still in the danger zone, so we're using conservative treatment.
Whether he can pull through in the later stages depends on Grandpa's own physical condition and the development of the illness..."
Ling Yucheng didn't say everything for fear of frightening Xia Wantang. If his condition worsened, he could pass away in a day or two.
Even with surgery, he might not survive the operating table.
"Grandpa will be fine."
Xia Wantang felt her words were very weak, and her heart sank to the bottom.
They soon arrived at the intensive care unit.
Old Madam Ling looked much more haggard, her age showing, with tear streaks on her face.
Zhu Yunfei sat beside her on a waiting chair, her arm around her shoulders, offering silent comfort.
Ling Junye stood beside the two of them, his lips pressed together, his eyes slightly red, his face drawn tight.
"Grandma, Dad, Mom," Xia Wantang greeted them one by one.
Old Madam Ling turned to look at her, forcing a smile. Her voice was very hoarse, "My darling has come."
As she spoke, she extended her hand to Xia Wantang.
Xia Wantang quickly walked over and took her hand, suddenly at a loss for how to comfort her.
Old Madam Ling choked, "Your grandfather might not make it this time, sob sob..."
As she spoke, she began to cry again. Xia Wantang fumbled, "He will, Grandma, don't cry."
Ling Yucheng stood there with pursed lips, his eyes filled with gloom.
"It's okay, Mom, Dad will be fine," Zhu Yunfei gently wiped her tears, her own eyes welling up.