Chapter 158: 1571 - 1580

Chapter 1571 Boys Day Out VS. Girls Day Out

Iris stood on her tippy-toes and gave her husband's lips a quick peck. "I'll be back in the afternoon."

Jin Liwei held her waist. "Okay. Have fun today, love."

She smiled. "Thank you."

He watched as his wife, his mother, and the others left. He had the strongest urge to follow them. It took a lot of effort but he was able to stop himself from doing so.

His mother, Huang Yuyan, was right.

His wife might love spending time with their family, but Iris deserved a much-needed break from him and their children. He understood it, but the desire to always accompany his wife was too strong sometimes.

This was something that he needed to constantly remind himself—to not cling to his wife too much and avoid making her feel suffocated by his possessiveness.

His possessive nature was something innate to him. It was difficult to change but not impossible.

Since deciding that Iris Long, no, Evelina Vetrova, was the only woman for him, he had already resolved to do everything in his power to change for the better and become the man his wife needed. And that was what he was doing and continuing to strive for.

He might not be a perfect man, but he would transform himself into the best man for his incredible genius wife.

Jin Liwei stood in front of the hotel for a couple more minutes before sighing and returning to the hotel.

The twins were playing with their nannies when he entered the suite. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Dada!" Little Mochi toddled to him and hugged his leg.

"Da!" Little Matcha followed suit and hugged his other leg.

Jin Liwei felt better in an instant. He scooped each of his sons with his arms.

"Come, let's go find your Great-Grandpa Lu and play with him," he said.

Little Mochi: "Yah yah!" (Let's go!)

Little Matcha: "Uh." (Okay.)

The father and sons knocked on the old man's door. Grandpa Lu welcomed them with open arms—literally. He carried the two babies at the same time. He was still very strong despite his advanced age. He also looked like he finally recovered from the fatigue of travelling, thank goodness.

"Your mom went out? What is it? Your dad is boring? Come, my precious great-grandbabies! Let Great-Grandpa Lu bring you somewhere fun! Do you want to go with your great-grandpa? Tell me, I want to know!"

Little Mochi: "Yah yah!" (Wanna go!)

Little Matcha glanced at his daddy first. Only when Jin Liwei nodded that the baby agreed to go.

Grandpa Lu saw all this. "What an obedient baby! Just like—uh—wait, neither of your parents are obedient! Yes, our Little Matcha is an obedient baby all on his own."

Jin Liwei didn't know whether to laugh or cry. What did the old man mean that neither he nor his wife was obedient?

Little Mochi tugged at his great-grandpa's sleeve. "Chi chi yah yah yah yah!!!" (I, Mochi, am also an obedient baby!)

Grandpa Lu didn't understand what the baby said, but he could guess. "Yes, our Little Mochi is also a very adorable baby."

The old man couldn't lie and say that Little Mochi was an obedient baby because the little guy was far from it. But Little Mochi was indeed a very adorable baby, so Grandpa Lu didn't feel any pressure to say it.

Little Mochi didn't know the difference. As long as he was praised, Little Mochi would feel the happiest. He giggled and acted cuter.

In contrast, Little Matcha yawned, already feeling a little bored. He toddled to the glass windows and looked outside, not at all afraid of the height. His eyes shone with interest as cars moved along the streets below, looking like tiny ants.

"Cha cha, yah yah?" (Matcha, whatchu doing?) Little Matcha also toddled after his brother.

However, as soon as he saw how high they were from the ground, he immediately started wailing.

It was too scary!

Grandpa Lu laughed at first before catching himself and pretending to cough instead.

Jin Liwei sighed and lifted his crybaby son, comforting Little Mochi. His son almost strangled him by how tightly Little Mochi hugged his neck.

At the same time that he comforted Little Mochi, Jin Liwei didn't forget to rub his other son's head, silently telling Little Matcha that he was a good boy. It seemed that his son understood his silent message because Little Matcha grinned at him.

Jin Liwei's eyes softened while he continued coaxing his other son, Little Mochi, to stop crying.

"Give him to me." Grandpa Lu took Little Mochi from Jin Liwei.

The old man didn't care about keeping his dignified appearance in front of his family. He made funny faces.

Soon, Little Mochi stopped crying and started laughing uproariously. Even his brother, Little Matcha, giggled watching their funny great-grandfather.

Now that the twins had settled down, Grandpa Lu glanced at Jin Liwei.

"Let's bring my great-grandbabies for a stroll," he said. "What do you think, my boy? I want to know!"

"En." Jin Liwei didn't have any better idea of how to spend the day.

It was better to spend it with Grandpa Lu and the twins, so that he wouldn't miss his wife too much.

'I wonder what my wife is doing right now,' he thought.

"Dada!" Little Mochi interrupted his lovesick thoughts.

Jin Liwei also felt a tug on his trousers. His other son, Little Matcha, reached his little arms up to him.

"Alright, let's go," he eventually said.

Later, Jin Liwei and Grandpa Lu each pushed a baby carriage along the streets. Disguised bodyguards surrounded them in a covertly strategic enclosure. Nobody noticed that the two men and two babies were walking with a huge team of bodyguards. Others just thought that there was quite a crowd walking outside today.

This time, the twins weren't wearing masks. Their adorable faces were exposed to the world.

Although Jin Liwei was a semi-celebrity himself as a billionaire, the brother of a superstar, and the husband of a famous Chinese musician, he was still better than most of his cohorts at protecting his privacy.

Without his wife or brother beside him right now, pretty much nobody would dare to bother him, especially with his extremely cold and intimidating aura.

Even Grandpa Lu who normally had a jolly personality among his family and friends was actually quite intimidating to other people. Without a big smile on his face, he looked even fiercer than Jin Liwei.

People walking towards them would subconsciously make way for their group. Others wouldn't even have the time to appreciate the cuteness of the two babies being pushed in the baby carriages before realizing that they instinctively avoided walking close to the group.

This wasn't only due to Jin Liwei and Grandpa Lu's intimidating auras.

Their disguised bodyguards also performed their roles in protecting them by executing special techniques of subconsciously warning off other people from approaching their group.

As a result, Jin Liwei and Grandpa Lu were able to enjoy strolling with the babies without any interruptions.

While the "boys" were having a quiet but enjoyable stroll outside, the "girls" were having a blast swarming the shopping boutiques like locusts.

Wherever they went, Iris and her group would practically empty out the shelves.

They weren't particular about where to shop. It didn't matter if the store was a high-end brand or not as long as the products appealed to them. This resulted in situations where small mom-and-pop shops were emptied out by them, causing the owners to tearfully thank them.

Huang Yuyan was the fiercest when it came to shopping. She would immediately take items from the shelves as long as she liked them. The second fiercest was Iris.

"This is so much fun," Huang Yuyan said while emptying out another shelf in a small, independent leather store. "It has been a long time since I shopped in this kind of small store. It's quite refreshing."

Iris smiled. "I'm glad that you're enjoying yourself, Mom. I also find shopping in these independent stores very enjoyable. Dom did an excellent job of researching these shops beforehand."

Dom: "Ehehe."

Chen Fei agreed while she continued shopping. She wasn't as fierce in shopping as the others. She was the most selective among the group. It wasn't because she couldn't afford it. She simply didn't like storing too many things in her house that she wouldn't be able to use right away.

"I've passed by these shops in the past but never really entered them," Alona Bauer said. "My brother and I were too poor in the past, so I couldn't really afford to go shopping like this. Now that I can afford it, I've become too busy. It's so nice to take the day off with you, ladies."

Huang Yuyan patted Alona's shoulder. "I'll give you a call whenever I'm in Germany or Europe. Take a day off and I'll take you shopping just like this."

Alona chuckled. "I'd appreciate that."

The ladies continued shopping. They were tireless. The bodyguards carried their shopping bags and put them in another vehicle.

Iris and the others only paused their shopping spree to eat a late lunch in a restaurant.

This time, they followed Alona's recommendation. Iris was fine, but the others weren't too fond of German cuisine. The restaurant Alona recommended, however, was excellent.

All of them enjoyed the food especially Dom who ate the most. The others were already used to him, so they didn't even bat an eye. The other patrons in the restaurant, however, couldn't help but feel amazed seeing a skinny Asian guy eating so much food in one sitting.

Where did all the food go?

Did he have a black hole in his stomach?

Chapter 1572 Heart Attack

Dom didn't care about other people's gazes on him.

Food was life.

He continued eating until he finally felt close to 95% full. The remaining 5% was for the after-meal snacks that he planned to buy later. On the way to this restaurant earlier, he had seen other stores, stalls, and kiosks selling a variety of food. A lot of them looked good and smelled good, so he planned on trying as much food as he could eat.

After lunch, Dom pulled Iris and the others to shop for snacks next. They agreed.

They split into two groups. Alona Bauer led Dom and Chen Fei to queue up for hot snacks.

Iris and her mother-in-law went another way to buy boxed pastries, chocolates, and other specialty preserved food to add to the souvenirs that they planned to give away after returning to their home country.

Alona, Dom and Chen Fei joined the two after buying the hot snacks. They had fun buying edible souvenirs.

Once again, the local business owners were ecstatic to have such great business today thanks to Iris' group.

For the first half of the afternoon, the group shopped but they didn't drop. Not all. In fact, they were still very energetic even after returning to the hotel.

Jin Liwei was so happy to see his wife again. The twins were taking a nap. He thought that he could finally spend some time alone with his wife, but unfortunately, the girls weren't done for the day yet.

"I'm sorry, darling. We booked a spa session downstairs. I'll see you later for dinner, okay?" Iris hugged his waist and looked up at him.

He sighed. What could he do? He held her waist and bent down to kiss her mouth. "Okay, love. Enjoy."

"Let's go, Xiulan my dear," Huang Yuyan called Iris.

"I need to go," Iris whispered.

He gave her another kiss on the mouth before letting her go. He watched as his mother hooked arms with his wife, acting as if they were sisters instead of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Releasing another sigh, he returned to the suite to check on his sleeping sons.

Little Matcha was well-behaved as usual, staying in one position for the most part.

In contrast, Little Mochi was like a spinning top. His little socked toes were almost on his twin brother's head.

Jin Liwei sighed and carefully put back his son in a proper position.

Little Mochi opened his eyes. "Dada?"

Jin Liwei paused and held his breath.

Thankfully, Little Mochi was in a good mood. Maybe he had been dreaming of something good. He only grinned at his daddy before returning to sleep.

Jin Liwei released a big sigh of relief.

Later that night, after everyone ate dinner together at the restaurant that Jin Liwei booked, Iris finished taking a hot shower in their suite.

"Mama!" Little Mochi bounced on the big bed.

"Mama," Little Matcha also called her.

The twins were surrounded by toys that Iris and the others bought earlier.

"Hi, my sweethearts." She gave each of her sons a big kiss on their cheeks. "Where's Daddy?"

Little Mochi: "Dada?"

Little Matcha pointed a finger at the balcony. "Uh." (There.)

Iris glanced at the balcony. Indeed, her husband was standing outside talking to someone on the phone. She didn't bother him and proceeded to play with her sons instead.

Then she sang them their favourite Russian lullaby. In no time, Little Matcha fell asleep beside her. Little Mochi took a little more time to lull, but he eventually succumbed to dreamland.

Jin Liwei entered by this time. Iris smiled at him but immediately noticed that something was wrong with his expression.

"What happened?" she asked. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Grandma Li had a heart attack," Jin Liwei said in a too-calm voice.

Those who didn't know him might ask: How could he be so unfeeling in this kind of serious situation?

But as his wife, Iris knew Jin Liwei inside and out. This was just him doing his best to keep it together. He must be dying inside.

Iris also felt like her stomach dropped to the floor after hearing that her grandmother-in-law suffered a heart attack. She climbed off the bed and hugged her husband.

"Is she...?" Iris didn't want to finish her sentence.

"Grandma is still alive," Jin Liwei whispered.

She released a sigh of relief. "As long as she's still alive. Does Mom know about this yet?"

He shook his head before hugging her back. "I asked Grandma's people not to tell Mom yet. I think that it would be better if I was the one to tell my mother. At least, I might be able to better deal with it if she becomes hysterical later."

"I'll help you tell her."

"En." He hugged her tighter, drawing comfort from her.

"Does your brother know about it?" Iris asked.

"En. He's already on his way to the hospital. It's a bit far from where he's at, so he's heading to Dragon Palace first to borrow our helicopter."

"Good."

Iris glanced at their sons sleeping peacefully in bed. The twins had no idea that their great-grandmother was in critical condition. She envied their innocence a little.

"We have to start packing so that we can return home as soon as possible," she said.

He froze for a couple of seconds. "What about Orchidia Germany's launch?"

She glared at him. "My grandmother-in-law is in critical condition and you want me to stay here to celebrate my company's launch? The family will always be important to me, Jin Liwei. Let's go and inform Mom and Grandpa Lu. No, wait. Let me speak with Dom and the nannies first."

Jin Liwei didn't move. He stared at her, looking as if he had lost his brain.

"What are you waiting for?" she asked while pulling his hand, urging him to move. "Time is of the essence. I want to return home and make sure that Grandma Li is okay with my own eyes."

He released a few shaky breaths. His eyes looked misty.

Seeing him like this, Iris felt like someone was squeezing her heart. She hugged his waist, silently letting him know that she would always be there for him.

"Let's go home, okay?" she whispered.

"En."

#

This evening proved to be a sleepless one for the adults.

Iris asked the nannies to watch over the children. Dom immediately sensed that something was wrong.

"Boss?" he asked.

She took him aside and told him, "Grandma Li had a heart attack."

Dom gasped, his expression grave. "Oh no. Is she...?"

"Thankfully, she's still alive," she said in a hurry.

He clutched his chest and took a few deep breaths.

"Liwei and I need to inform Mom, Grandpa Lu, and the others about what happened," Iris said. "Please help us pack, Dom. You and the nannies should start packing, too. We'll leave as soon as our flight is arranged."

Dom nodded. "Got it, Boss. Don't worry. I'll take care of everything here. Please go with Sir Boss and do what you need to do."

"Thanks, Dom. I appreciate it."

Iris went to find her husband. Jin Liwei was once again talking on his phone. It seemed that he was already making arrangements for their flight. Their jumbo plane, LX Air, needed to be prepared immediately.

"We'll leave in two hours," Jin Liwei said.

"Okay. Two hours it is."

The husband and wife first went to inform Grandpa Lu. The old man's eyes shook before sighing.

In an instant, Grandpa Lu appeared more like his age. The light disappeared from his eyes. He looked older than usual.

"Your Grandpa Jin wouldn't want to reunite with your grandmother too soon," Grandpa Lu said with a heavy sigh. "He wants her to live very long, preferably to live in her hundreds."

Jin Liwei held Iris' hand. She felt him squeezing her hand but was still careful not to hurt her.

"Let's go home and see your Grandma Li," the old man said, looking and sounding tired.

"En." Jin Liwei nodded.

Grandpa Lu looked at Iris and gave her a sad smile. "I'm sorry that we won't be able to attend Orchidia Germany's launch."

She shook her head. "Family is the most important."

"There are no truer words than those." Grandpa sighed again. "Go and inform your mother now, my boy. Be careful about how you say it to Yuyan. She might be a grandmother now, but her emotional mentality is still like a little girl."

The husband and wife left Grandpa Lu so that he could start packing immediately. They headed to Huang Yuyan's room next.

Jin Liwei knocked.

A few seconds later, the door opened.

"Son! Xiulan, my dear!" Huang Yuyan smiled at them. She was wearing an Orchidia Beauty sheet mask on her face. "Come inside first. Are my grandsons sleeping already? Is there something you need?"

Jin Liwei stood there as if he had forgotten how to function properly.

"Son?" Huang Yuyan looked at him in concern.

"Let's go inside first," Iris said before pulling her husband inside.

This time, Huang Yuyan finally sensed something amiss. "What's wrong?"

The husband and wife sat on the couch together while Huang Yuyan sat in an armchair across them. Shopping bags littered everywhere. It seemed that Huang Yuyan had been in the middle of organizing her purchases earlier today when the couple knocked on her door.

"Mom, we need to tell you something," Iris said.

"W-what is it?" Huang Yuyan became nervous.

Iris patted her husband's hand, silently encouraging and reassuring him.

Jin Liwei took a couple of deep breaths. "Mom, Grandma Li had a heart attack."

"WHAT?!" Huang Yuyan jumped up from her seat. Her voice became high-pitched in an instant. "When did this happen?!!! Is your grandma still alive?!"

Chapter 1573 Preparing For Departure

Iris left her husband on the couch and sat beside her mother-in-law instead. She hugged the now hysterical Huang Yuyan.

"Your grandma can't die!" Huang Yuyan cried while clutching onto Iris as if she were her lifeline. "Your grandpa and your dad already died! Your grandma can't die, too! What am I going to do if she leaves?!"

Seeing his mother like this, Jin Liwei finally regained all his wits about him. He and his wife worked together in trying to calm Huang Yuyan down.

Finally, Huang Yuyan recovered a semblance of calmness. She was still a mess but at least she stopped being hysterical. Most of it was thanks to her daughter-in-law, Iris, who had a stronger calming effect than her iceberg son, Jin Liwei.

"Mom, why don't I help you pack?" Iris suggested. "We need to leave within two hours."

The teary-eyed Huang Yuyan nodded, looking very dependent on her. However, she realized something before shaking her head.

"No, it's better to call someone else to help me pack, my dear. I know you and my son should be busy making arrangements for our departure. Sorry for letting you see such an embarrassing side of me. I'm just too distraught after hearing what happened to your grandma."

"Don't be sorry, Mom," Iris said, continuing to comfort her mother-in-law. "Okay, I'll call someone else to help you pack."

After arranging a couple of female bodyguards to help her mother-in-law pack her luggage, Iris and Jin Liwei continued to make arrangements for their departure.

The husband and wife separated to maximize the time. Jin Liwei met up with their security team to inform them about the change of plans and also to begin the hotel's check-out process.

As for Iris, she headed to Alric Bauer's hotel room. It took an entire two minutes before the German opened his door. He looked annoyed at being awakened. His hair was a mess, his eyes glazed and still sleepy.

"Sorry for waking you up, Alric," Iris said. "There has been an emergency and we have to leave Germany in less than two hours."

The sleepiness disappeared in Alric's eyes in an instant. "What happened?"

"My grandmother-in-law had a heart attack. We need to return to our home country to make sure that she's okay."

Alric nodded. "Okay. I'll start packing."

"No, Alric. You won't come with us."

He froze and looked at her in confusion.

She explained, "You know that Orchidia's launch here in Germany is very important not only to me but to our company. It's going to be our gateway here in Europe. We need to ensure that it succeeds."

He nodded.

"It's unfortunate that I won't be able to personally witness this milestone for Orchidia, but this doesn't mean that I would leave without at least appointing someone to represent me in our company's launch here in Germany," Iris continued.

Alric pointed at himself. "You mean me? You want me to represent you?"

She nodded. "Exactly. First of all, you're German so you should be able to understand our German customers the most. And most importantly, you're not only our company's Chief Product Officer but also one of the major shareholders. You have more than every right to attend as my representative in our German launch."

He thought about it for a couple of seconds before nodding. "Okay, I understand. I'll attend the launch for all of us. Go and prepare for your departure. I'll inform my sister about the change of plans. Don't worry about Orchidia Germany. I hope that your grandmother-in-law will be fine and recover."

"Thank you, Alric."

After saying a brief goodbye to him, Iris left and hurried to Chen Fei's room next. When she got there, Chen Fei was almost done packing.

"I'm almost ready, Xiulan," Chen Fei said.

Iris released a sigh of relief. "Good. Did Brother Chonglin inform you?"

"Yeah. He was crying when he called me. I could barely understand what he was saying. His assistant had to take over the call and explain what happened to me." Chen Fei glanced at her. "How's your husband?"

Iris sighed again, heavier this time. "He's acting like a robot. He automatically shut down his emotions so that he can take care of our departure arrangements."

Chen Fei couldn't help but sigh as well. "I originally planned on staying here in Germany to represent the headquarters at the launch, but I just can't leave Chonglin alone. You know how impulsive he is. Even I'm not sure what he might do if we leave him to his own devices in this kind of critical time."

Iris nodded. "I already spoke to Alric Bauer. He'll be the one to attend the launch on our behalf."

"That's good." Chen Fei zipped her last suitcase before plopping herself on the bed and releasing a heavy sigh. "I'm not very close to Grandma Li, so I can't really pretend to feel distraught about what happened to her. I just feel sorry for the brothers. Your husband is strong and he has you, so he should be fine. Chonglin is a nutcase but he has me now, too. I'll do my best to comfort him. I won't allow him to go crazy. He's my future husband after all."

"You're right," Iris said. "We, ladies, need to be the strong ones this time around."

Chen Fei gave her a side-eye. "What the hell are you talking about? I've always been the strong one in my relationship with your brother-in-law."

Iris laughed. "Then excuse me for misspeaking."

"You're excused." Chen Fei waved a dismissive hand. Then she got up from the bed. "Help me with my luggage before you return to your suite. I'll head downstairs and wait for you there."

"Okay." Although she said this, Iris didn't move to take a suitcase. Instead, she went to the phone and called the front desk, requesting a bellboy and a baggage trolley to come help.

Chen Fei rolled her eyes at her actions but otherwise didn't complain.

"Done." Iris smiled at her friend. "Help is coming. I need to return to my babies now."

"Go!"

Iris didn't feel any reluctance as she left her friend to wait for the bellboy and baggage trolley. She returned to the suite and found that the nannies had already bundled up her sons.

The twins were already strapped in their baby carriages.

Little Matcha was still sleeping deeply, unaware that he would be returning home soon.

On the other hand, Little Mochi was now wide awake and making a big fuss. As soon as the baby saw Iris, he immediately reached out his little arms to her, looking as if he wanted to jump his baby carriage directly into his mommy's arms.

Iris' heart melted. Even so, she still didn't take her baby out of the baby carriage. She only bent down to kiss and comfort Little Mochi until he settled.

Dom came out of the main bedroom followed by a few bodyguards. They were all wheeling suitcases.

"I've already checked your bedroom and confirmed that nothing has been left," Dom told Iris when he saw her. "I already packed all of your luggage, including mine. We're all ready to go."

Iris sighed in relief. "You're truly a lifesaver, Dom."

He smiled but it was muted given the reason why they all had to prematurely leave Germany and return home.

"Let's go," Iris announced.

All of them headed downstairs to the hotel lobby together. Bodyguards surrounded them while also helping wheel and carry the luggage.

"Mama?" Little Mochi wanted his mommy to carry him.

"Later, sweetheart," Iris said. "Mommy is busy. Little Mochi is an awesome baby so he knows how to wait, right?"

The baby pouted at first. But when he heard his mommy saying that he was an awesome baby, his mood immediately improved by leaps and bounds.

Indeed, he was an awesome baby!

He no longer whined for his mommy to carry him. After all, he was awesome!

Iris chuckled.

Then she continued messaging her Cross Academy friends, informing them that she wouldn't be able to meet them at the launch after all.

Originally, she planned on returning to the academy with AJ Zheneres, Theresa Blipsburg, and Amanpio Kileksky after Orchidia's German launch. She wanted to check in with the headmaster, Professor Erwan Dupont, and discuss her current progress in the academy. Most importantly, she wanted to visit Ashandra Knightson and make sure that her friend was okay after what happened in Paris.

All these plans, however, needed to be scrapped. For now, at least.

Just like what Iris said to her husband, family was more important.

She needed to be there for the family after what happened to her grandmother-in-law.

AJ Zheneres was the first one to call Iris because they were in the same time zone. "What happened?"

Iris told her about her grandmother-in-law's heart attack.

"I'm so sorry to hear that," AJ said. "I pray that Grandma Li recovers soon."

"Thank you, AJ."

"I'll still go to Munich to attend Orchidia's launch. Even when you're not there, I'm still going to support your company. Don't worry about Orchidia's launch in Germany, Xiulan. If your company encounters any trouble, just tell the person in charge to contact me. I'll be more than happy to provide assistance."

Iris' eyes moistened. "I don't really know how to thank you, AJ."

"You and your family all treat me like one of your own. Ever since I became friends with you, my circle of close friends and acquaintances have expanded. You're all very loyal, too. The least I can do is to repay your loyalty."

After the phone call, Amanpio Kileksy called next.

Like AJ Zheneres, Amanpio wished a quick recovery for Grandma Li and confirmed that he would still attend Orchidia's launch in Germany.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Chapter 1574 More Serious Than Expected

Ashandra Knightson called next. Like the others before her, she wished for Iris' grandmother-in-law to get well soon.

"I had been looking forward to you coming to the academy after so long and hanging out together with our other friends, but such an unfortunate thing just had to happen," Ashandra said with a sigh. "I don't know what's going on with us lately. First, something happened in Paris that prompted me to end my art exhibition ahead of schedule. And now, something also happened to your family member needing you to leave Munich and rush back to China."

Iris also sighed. Now that Ashandra mentioned it, Iris realized that her friend was right.

"It should just be a coincidence," Iris said.

"Should be," Ashandra echoed.

Iris didn't believe that they were having bad luck. There were so many good, exciting things that happened to her and her family and friends. Perhaps this so-called bad luck was simply an unfortunate coincidence.

The two women didn't chat for too long because Iris needed to go.

She saw her husband speaking at the front desk. Iris walked to Jin Liwei but didn't disturb him. She continued checking her messages on her phone.

Theresa Blipsburg hadn't replied yet. She was probably still in America busy with her own affairs.

"Xiulan, my dear." Huang Yuyan appeared.

Grandpa Lu came next, followed by Chen Fei. Iris' glam team and the other members of her entourage were also ready to go.

Their luggage was now being wheeled to the waiting vehicles outside.

Even Alric Bauer who didn't have to leave with them still came downstairs to see them off. Chen Fei was now discussing the upcoming Orchidia launch with him.

Grandpa Lu played with the now-hyper Little Mochi. The baby was running all over the hotel lobby. His steps were unsteady, but thankfully, he didn't fall down.

Finally, Jin Liwei finished checking all of them out except for Alric Bauer. He held Iris' hand.

"Let's go home, love," he whispered.

"Okay," she said, giving his hand a squeeze.

###

Half a day later, the jumbo plane LX Air landed in China. It was evening local time.

The headlines already featured the news about superstar Jin Chonglin and CEO Jin Liwei's grandmother being rushed to the hospital after suffering from a heart attack. Since Iris Long was now the Young Madam of the Jin family, her name was also included in the news alongside her husband and brother-in-law.

Apparently, the leak originated from the hospital itself. The hospital administration already launched an internal investigation into the patient confidentiality violation even before being prompted to do so. They must be trying to avoid offending the Jin family.

The Jin family, however, didn't care about it at all. For now, at least. They were the most concerned about the condition of their family's old matriarch.

Upon touching down, Iris and Jin Liwei immediately transferred to a waiting helicopter headed to the hospital. They entrusted their sleeping twins to Dom and the others who would drive straight home to Dragon Palace.

Huang Yuyan, Grandpa Lu, and Chen Fei all joined the husband and wife in riding the helicopter.

"Grandpa Lu, are you sure that you want to come with us right now?" Iris asked. "You're not too tired?"

"Your grandpa already rested enough in the plane," Grandpa Lu replied. "Don't look down on this old man, my girl! I'm old, yes, but I can outrun all of you any day. Don't you believe me? Tell me I want to know!"

Iris and the others chuckled. "Yes, Grandpa Lu. We believe you."

He snorted before smiling. "That's a good look on all of you. We should all be smiling, not crying. Your Grandma Li is still alive. Let's be thankful instead of worrying about what might have happened. Once you reach my age, you begin to have a broader, deeper appreciation of life. I've watched so many of my family, friends, acquaintances, and contemporaries leave before me. At the same time, I've also witnessed so many new additions to our family like my granddaughters-in-law and precious great-grandbabies.

"I've known your Grandma Li for as long as I remember because she was the one who gave my best friend and brother, your Grandpa Jin, a wonderful family. She's like a sister to me. After your grandfather and father's deaths, the two of us depended on each other to remain strong for the family and also for the company. I'm sure that she also feels the same way as I do—thankful for being alive for as long as we have and grateful for our amazing family who continues to love and care about us."

Huang Yuyan sobbed quietly after listening to the old man's wise words.

Iris also had teary eyes. She glanced at her husband whose face and entire body looked tense, like a crossbow strung too tightly. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

He looked at her and forced a smile. It looked unnatural on his face.

She mentally sighed. Her husband looked like a cold statue on the outside, but on the inside, he must be almost going crazy from fear and anxiety for his grandmother.

Behind them, Chen Fei watched the night view below the helicopter. The night lights in the city were beautiful. Even the darkness in the rural areas also held a mysterious kind of beauty.

Like what she mentioned to Iris earlier at their hotel in Munich, she wasn't as affected by Grandma Li's heart attack as they were. She mostly only interacted with the old lady during special occasions hosted by Iris and Jin Liwei.

Right now, Chen Fei was more worried about her fiancé. She hoped that Jin Chonglin wouldn't do something stupid just because of his fear and worry for his grandmother.

The group wished that the helicopter could fly faster.

After what felt like forever, they finally landed on top of a hospital helipad. The hospital administration and security were already waiting to welcome them. These people knew about the dire situation of the Jin family's old matriarch, so they didn't attempt to chat with Jin Liwei, Iris Long, and the others but directly led them to the hospital VIP floor.

"Please suit up before entering," a nurse stopped them at the door.

Iris' stomach felt like it dropped to the floor. She glanced at her husband and the others' expressions. They also realized that the situation must be more serious than they initially expected.

Huang Yuyan started crying again.

"Mom, please control yourself," Jin Liwei told her in a stern voice. "If you keep on crying like that, you'll contaminate the PPEs and they won't let you enter my grandmother's room."

Following the nurse's instructions, they put on the personal protective equipment provided. The nurse checked if all of them put on the PPEs properly before finally letting them inside the room.

The hospital administration representatives waited for them outside. As much as they looked eager to speak with Jin Liwei, they knew that it wasn't appropriate given the situation.

Jin Liwei led the way. Iris and the others followed him inside. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

It was a suite with a living room, a kitchenette, and what looked like a washroom.

At the far side was an enclosed room with a glass wall. This was where Grandma Li lay unconscious with a frightening amount of tubes connected to her body from an equally frightening variety of medical machines.

"Big Bro! Sister Xiulan!" Jin Chonglin stood up from where he sat just outside the glass window. He was also wearing PPE like them. "Grandpa Lu! Mom!"

Then Chen Fei finally stepped out from behind everyone. When he saw her, Jin Chonglin began sobbing.

"Oh, you!" Chen Fei ran to him and hugged him.

He rested his head on her shoulder and began bawling in earnest. "Babe! My grandma...my grandma is...wuwuwu!!!"

"Stop crying!" Jin Liwei scolded his younger brother but to no avail.

He was about to scold him again but Iris stopped him. "Let your brother vent out his emotions."

Jin Liwei clenched his jaw but eventually decided to ignore his younger brother. Before he could take his next breath, another loud sob sounded beside him. This time, it was his mother. His head began hurting.

Iris patted his hand, trying to calm him down, before heading to comfort her mother-in-law.

In the end, it was Grandpa Lu who stood beside Jin Liwei. The old man patted his back. It was a real, soft pat this time. It seemed that the old man's strength had also been affected by what happened today.

"Let's go inside, my boy, and ask the doctor about your grandma's actual condition," Grandpa Lu said.

"En."

Jin Liwei followed the old man and entered the enclosed room. It was a big, wide room but he felt a little claustrophobic because of all the medical equipment inside.

A doctor and a nurse were checking on Grandma Li.

Jin Liwei almost couldn't breathe upon seeing his grandmother. To him, Grandma Li had always been a regal, elegant, and strong grandmother. She might not be the most affectionate grandmother—he inherited most of his cold personality from her—but she was still a loving elder presence.

Seeing her in such a state made him feel like his chest was about to fold in unto itself. If not for his strong determination to keep it together for the sake of their whole family, he might have already collapsed.

"Doctor, tell us my friend's condition," Grandpa Lu said. "We want to know!"

"The patient suffered a myocardial infarction or what we usually call a heart attack and a stroke shortly afterwards," the doctor replied.

Both Jin Liwei and Grandpa Lu's breaths caught in their throats.

Chapter 1575 Prepare for the Worst

"We already performed lifesaving surgery on the old madam," the doctor continued. "We managed to prevent further damage to her heart, brain, and other organs, but all of these have taken a toll on the patient's already fragile health. Basically, all we can do now is monitor her and wait for her to wake up. The longer she stays unconscious, the more dangerous her condition will become. My team and I will do our best to save the old madam, but at the end of the day, we aren't gods. Please prepare yourself for the worst."

Grandpa Lu grabbed Jin Liwei's arm to prevent himself from falling over. Despite his speech about having a broader, deeper appreciation of life during their helicopter ride earlier, hearing about the extent of his friend's critical condition was enough to take his breath away.

Jin Liwei held on to Grandpa Lu, helping to stabilize the old man while also drawing strength from him. He closed his eyes and took a few deep, shaky breaths.

When he opened his eyes, he found that his vision had become blurry. Tears pooled in his eyes, but he wouldn't let them fall.

"My grandmother is still alive," he said in a forced tone full of conviction. "She'll wake up. I'm sure she will. She won't leave us without saying anything to us, her family."

"You're right, my boy." Grandpa Lu's voice was hoarse. "Zhiruo is a strong woman. She'll fight through this."

"En." Jin Liwei nodded. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

He noticed the old man's hold on his arm had become heavy. He sighed. "Grandpa Lu, why don't you take a seat in the living area first? I'll follow you after I finish speaking with the doctor."

Grandpa Lu hesitated and took a look at his friend.

Grandma Li was now unconscious, hooked to so many lifesaving medical machines, and looking smaller than usual. Her normally cold and regal aura was nowhere to be seen. She looked like a very ill old woman. Nevertheless, her original beauty weathered through time could still be faintly seen.

"So you've come to this point, Li Zhiruo," Grandpa Lu murmured, sighing. Then he told Jin Liwei, "Alright, my boy. Go talk to the doctor. This old man will walk myself out."

"Let me help you," Jin Liwei said.

Grandpa Lu pretended to glare at him. "This old man is still as strong as a bull! You don't believe your grandpa? Tell me, I want to know!"

A faint smile broke out of Jin Liwei's grave expression. "I believe you."

The old man harrumphed, straightened his back, and walked out of the enclosed patient's room to the living area outside.

"Uncle, how's Mom?" Huang Yuyan asked him.

Tears flowed down her eyes. Her face was already red and a little swollen from all the crying. Her daughter-in-law, Iris, held her and patted her back, trying to comfort her.

Grandpa Lu sighed. "Your mother-in-law is still alive, Yuyan. Let's all pray that she passes this dangerous period, shall we?"

Huang Yuyan sobbed in her daughter-in-law's arms again.

Iris glanced at her husband, who was speaking with the doctor in the enclosed patient's room. She could see them, including her unconscious grandmother-in-law, through the glass windows but couldn't hear what they were saying. Looking at her husband's grave expression, however, was enough to let her know that her grandmother-in-law's condition was indeed more serious than they all initially expected.

"What?!" Chen Fei gasped in an urgent whisper. "Grandma Li suffered from a heart attack and stroke at the same time?!!!"

Her words attracted Iris and Huang Yuyan's attention.

"What do you mean by that?!" Huang Yuyan demanded, interrupting the conversation between her younger son and his fiancée.

Jin Chonglin looked like a mess. His face was full of tears, snot, and perhaps even saliva. Despite this, Chen Fei still wiped his face without complaining. She also continued comforting him.

Those who knew her as Orchidia's poison-mouthed devil COO would definitely get a shock if they saw her acting so tenderly like this to another person. They might think that she was possessed by a bad (or good?) spirit.

People in love could really do anything for the one they loved.

Back to the present, Chen Fei looked a little guilty as she glanced back and forth between her fiancé and her future mother-in-law. In her earlier shock, she had been unable to control the volume of her voice. She elbowed the crying Jin Chonglin to clarify his grandmother's true condition to his mother.

But before Jin Chonglin could speak, Jin Liwei, the doctor and the nurse exited the patient's room.

Huang Yuyan abandoned questioning her younger son and immediately zeroed in on her eldest son. Jin Liwei was much more reliable than Jin Chonglin anyway. He should be able to clarify things for everyone in a succinct manner.

Seeing that nobody was questioning him anymore, the doctor quickly excused himself and left the VIP suite with the nurse.

Jin Liwei glanced at his wife. Iris understood the need in his eyes.

She temporarily left her mother-in-law and stood beside her husband. She held his hand. He quickly clasped their fingers together, holding her tightly, as if afraid that she would let go.

With his wife beside him, Jin Liwei felt like he had gained strength. He faced his sobbing mother.

"Mom, Grandma Li's condition is much graver than we first thought," he said before reiterating what the doctor told him using more concise words.

"Prepare for the worst?!" Huang Yuyan covered her face with her hands and bawled.

Iris didn't want to leave her husband. He might not look like it but his distress shouldn't be any lesser than his mother and brother. She had known him long enough to notice the telltale signs from his minute expressions and body language. However, she also felt the need to comfort her mother-in-law.

Then she heard someone clearing a throat beside her. Grandpa Lu appeared in her sight. He gave her a meaningful look, silently telling her, "I got this", before sitting beside Huang Yuyan to comfort her.

"Yuyan, my dear, what happened to your mother-in-law is something out of our control," Grandpa Lu said while rubbing Huang Yuyan's shaking back.

Huang Yuyan sobbed in the old man's shoulder. "Uncle Jianhong! I don't know what I'm going to do if Mom leaves! I already lost my husband, my parents, and my father-in-law!"

Grandpa Lu scowled and scolded her. "What are you talking about, girl? Are your sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren not with you? Am I invisible to you? Tell me, I want to know!"

Huang Yuyan realized the error of her words. She stammered, "Uncle, t-that's not...what I meant...."

"Regardless of what you meant, don't let your emotions cloud your thinking, Yuyan girl," the old man said in a stern voice.

"I'm sorry, Uncle." Huang Yuyan truly looked like a little girl being scolded by an elder.

Grandpa Lu sighed and patted Huang Yuyan's shoulder. This time, his "pats" were gentle, not hurting Huang Yuyan at all.

"And don't lose hope," Grandpa Lu said, not only to Huang Yuyan but to everyone in the room. "Your Grandma Li is still alive. Whatever happens in the next few days, we have to be strong and wait for her to wake up. I believe that she will do her best to wake up. She's fighting, so we should give her strength with our belief that she will get through this. Do you all understand what this old man is saying? I want to know!"

Huang Yuyan: "Yes, Uncle."

Iris: "We understand, Grandpa Lu."

Jin Liwei: "En."

Jin Chonglin: "Wuwuwu. Okay, Grandpa Lu. I'm hungry."

Chen Fei: "I'll go out and buy some food for you. Stop crying now."

In the end, they all decided to take turns watching over Grandma Li because there wasn't enough room for all of them in the VIP suite. Sure, they could squeeze on the extra bed, and sofas, and maybe lay down some futon on the floor but that would be too uncomfortable.

They also had Grandpa Lu, an elder, with them. It would be extremely thoughtless of them to expect an old man like him to join them in camping out at the hospital. Grandpa Lu should be more fatigued than all of them given his advanced age, especially after all the travelling they did.

Everyone decided that it would be best if Iris and Jin Liwei took the shift tonight. The others would check in at a nearby hotel instead.

Jin Liwei fished out his phone and called his assistant, Xu Tian, to arrange everything. Xu Tian was already aware of what happened to the Jin family's old matriarch. Even before Jin Liwei's instructions, he already made a reservation at a nearby hotel for all of them.

"I also sent someone to buy some fresh new clothes and daily necessities for all of you," Xu Tian said. "They should all be delivered to your hotel rooms."

"My wife and I will stay in the hospital tonight," Jin Liwei replied.

"Understood, sir. I'll have the clothes and daily necessities intended for you and the young madam sent to the old madam's hospital suite instead."

"Good."

"If you need anything else, please call me at any time."

"En, thanks."

"Would you like me to fly there and join you in person, sir?"

Jin Liwei thought about it first. "No, it's better for you to stay there and hold the helm at the company in my stead."

"Understood, sir. Please rest well with the young madam. And I hope that the old madam wakes up and recovers soon."

"En."

Now that everything had been arranged, Grandpa Lu took Huang Yuyan and the couple, Jin Chonglin and Chen Fei, with him and left the hospital. Xu Tian had also arranged for a driver to take them to the nearby hotel.

1576 Night Vigil

The first night of vigil was excruciating.

Jin Liwei couldn't fall asleep no matter how much he tried. Lying beside him on the sofa bed, Iris couldn't sleep properly either. She could feel her husband's fear and anxiety like invisible waves emanating from him.

However, she was too exhausted. She fell into a light sleep for about a couple of hours before waking up. Her eyes opened and saw her husband tiptoeing in the darkness toward the patient room. He didn't enter the enclosed room but stood outside the glass windows to watch his unconscious grandmother.

Sighing, Iris couldn't sleep anymore. She also rose and walked towards him.

"Sorry, love," he said when he noticed her approaching him. "Did I wake you up?"

She didn't answer him but asked a question instead. "You didn't sleep at all?"

He opened his mouth to reply, but she told him before he could: "Don't you dare lie to me."

He sighed. "I can't sleep, love." He pulled her into an embrace as they watched the unconscious Grandma Li inside the patient room.

"I feel like my grandmother is slipping away from us. She's the one who has a cold personality similar to mine, so we've always had a special bond. I know that she misses my grandfather every single day and is still terribly heartbroken over having to bury her only son, my father. Maybe she thinks that it's time for her to rest, but I feel selfish. I don't want to let her go yet. I hope that she can still watch our children grow up."

Iris wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest.

Other people might think that her husband was a heartless, cold-blooded capitalist. Indeed, he could be extremely cold and ruthless, especially to other people, but to those he considered his family and close friends, he would do everything to protect them, even discarding his morals to do so.

She already knew him long enough to understand his real private persona was different from his public façade.

As someone who was only beginning to learn how to embrace having a beautiful family and close circle of friends in her present life, she couldn't fully relate to this kind of deep connection to any parental figure. But seeing her husband suffering this kind of anguish was enough to distress her.

"I'm sorry, darling," she said while rubbing his back.

If only she had the power to heal Grandma Li for her husband, she would have already done so. Unfortunately, despite the mystical thing of being reborn into another body, she held no other special power except for her past life's memories.

"Don't be sorry, love. Grandma Li being ill like this is not something any of us can control."

"I know. I hope that Grandma Li wakes up soon."

"Me too, love. Me, too."

The husband and wife stood watching over the old woman for hours.

When Huang Yuyan and Grandpa Lu returned the next morning, they found Iris still sleeping on the sofa bed. Jin Liwei was already awake—no, he looked like he didn't sleep at all. He had huge eye bags. The white in his eyes had also turned red.

Seeing this, Huang Yuyan felt distressed for her son.

"You didn't sleep, son?" she asked.

Jin Liwei pressed his index finger on his lips, warning his mother and the old man to be quiet so as not to disturb his sleeping wife.

"My wife and I stayed up almost all night," he said. "She only managed to fall asleep just now."

Thankfully, Huang Yuyan wasn't the typical evil mother-in-law who always went against her daughter-in-law. On the contrary, she sometimes felt closer to Iris than she did to her eldest son. Although Jin Liwei was her son, she often found him intimidating, especially after he grew up and became an adult.

Knowing that her daughter-in-law basically stayed up all night with her eldest son to watch over her mother-in-law, Huang Yuyan felt touched and very emotional.

"Okay, let Xiulan sleep more," she whispered. "You should've insisted that she sleep, son. Being a mother and a wife is not easy."

"I know I'm wrong." Jin Liwei didn't argue and readily admitted his fault.

"How's your grandmother, my boy? I want to know!" Grandpa Lu's usually loud voice didn't boom this time. He did his best to control the volume of his voice.

Jin Liwei sighed. "The doctor and nurses came several times last night to check on Grandma but there are no improvements yet. Let's hope that she wakes up soon."

This time, Iris stirred. She opened her eyes and saw her mother-in-law and Grandpa Lu.

"Mom, Grandpa, you're here," she murmured.

"Go back to sleep, my dear," Huang Yuyan said with a soft smile. "Don't mind us."

Iris shook her head. "I'm awake now."

There was a knock on the door before it opened.

"We brought breakfast~" Jin Chonglin announced while carrying several bags of take-out meals.

Chen Fei followed him carrying smaller bags, probably snacks.

Everyone's spirits had somewhat recovered after last night. There was still a tense atmosphere filled with dread and anxiety, but at least nobody was sobbing anymore.

Huang Yuyan's face looked a little puffy. She also had dark circles around her eyes but she did something to minimize their appearance.

Her younger son, Jin Chonglin, looked worse than her. He wore big, dark sunglasses to cover his swollen, bloodshot eyes and the big, dark bags underneath. He refused to take off his sunglasses inside.

"You just woke up, Xiulan?" Chen Fei asked while handing her a breakfast set meal.

Iris nodded. "Were you able to sleep?"

"I did," Chen Fei said. "But it was a rough sleep. Your brother-in-law kept on crying and waking me up. I don't dare to lose my temper because I feel sorry for him. How about your husband?"

Iris glanced at Jin Liwei before sighing. "He must've stayed up all night. I was going to stay up with him but I felt too exhausted."

"Chonglin and I will take the vigil later tonight so you and your husband should rest in the hotel. It's much more comfortable there."

"Okay." Iris nodded. "I'm worried about Liwei. His body will collapse at this rate if he doesn't rest."

"You can handle him. He loves you so much. He listens to you."

Iris smiled, not denying it. "Well, Brother Chonglin also listens to you."

Chen Fei smirked. "He does, doesn't he?"

The two women smiled at each other, their eyes filled with meaning.

The brothers, Jin Liwei and Jin Chonglin, couldn't hear what their women were whispering about. They weren't too curious, however. If their women didn't want to tell, nobody could force them. It was better to remain ignorant than to die from too much curiosity especially when it came to their women's secrets.

"What's the situation outside?" Jin Liwei asked. "You want me to call for more security?"

Jin Chonglin grimaced. "Yeah, Big Bro. When the leak happened, the media immediately came and surrounded the hospital's vicinity. Some fans even started camping outside. At this rate, the other patients' families might start complaining about us causing all this nuisance. The crowd has gotten bigger this morning. The hospital admin already called the police to help maintain order and safety."

Jin Liwei frowned. "If not for our grandmother's fragile condition, I would've already insisted on transferring her to another hospital with better security and privacy."

"I also wanted to transfer her to another hospital but the doctor warned me against it," Jin Chonglin said. "This is the best hospital that's nearest to Grandma's mountain villa. I guess we can only make do with it for now."

Iris appeared beside her husband. She heard what they were talking about. "I think that this hospital is not bad. It's just the security and privacy that are the main concerns. Let's just add more security, Liwei."

"En." Jin Liwei's expression eased up a lot when she appeared next to him.

"Let's eat now," Chen Fei announced.

Everyone agreed.

The doctor and nurse came once again while they were eating. There were still no improvements in Grandma Li's condition.

The couples alternated taking the night vigil.

Grandpa Lu was already old so they discouraged him from staying overnight. Huang Yuyan was emotionally fragile when it came to her mother-in-law, so she wasn't really a reliable choice as a night watcher. Instead of helping, she might just break down in tears.

Iris and Jin Liwei missed their children, so they would fly home using the helicopter when it wasn't their turn to watch Grandma Li. The kids also missed them terribly, bawling like there was no tomorrow. Even Little Matcha would be inconsolable as he and his brother clung to their parents, refusing to let them go.

The husband and wife were tempted to bring their children with them, but there were too many paparazzi and reporters camping around the hospital vicinity. It was already not safe for the adults, much less for the children. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

So with heavy hearts, the couple could only leave their children with Dom and the nannies at home.

This went on for a full week.

Grandma Li still hadn't woken up yet.

Their other friends had already visited at least once—namely, Jin Liwei's brothers and Iris Long's girl squad members.

Lu Zihao arrived with his wife, Long Jinjing. They left their twins at Dragon Palace to play with their cousins.

Long Jinjing joined Chen Fei and Iris while Lu Zihao went outside to talk to Jin Liwei.

"The security in this hospital is a f*cking sh*thole," Lu Zihao commented. "You really can't transfer your grandmother to another place?"

Chapter 1577 Flatline

"I'm not satisfied with the security and privacy of this hospital either," Jin Liwei said. "But my grandmother is too weak to handle being transferred to another place. I already called for extra security to come. Ketchup has also already hijacked the hospital's CCTV."

Lu Zihao's eyes were cold. "My sister and the old man are here with you. I'll send some of my people to help fortify the security."

"En." Jin Liwei accepted it.

Even if Jin Liwei didn't agree, Lu Zihao would still have gone ahead with his own plans anyway.

"Your people are okay with the cops patrolling around the hospital area?" Jin Liwei asked.

Lu Zihao shrugged. "We hate the cops and avoid them if we could, but if we couldn't, then we gotta just be extra cautious. If my people get caught, then it means that their skills are not up to par. As long as it's not life imprisonment, experiencing the life inside could be a way to polish their mental strength and endurance. Breaking out of prison is possible but too risky."

Jin Liwei sighed and shook his head. He was only asking a simple question but his brother-in-law just had to talk about the mentality of a principled criminal as if it were something glorious. As expected of the former crown prince of the Vetrov criminal empire.

It was a good thing that Ketchup had already hijacked the hospital's CCTV system. If others were to listen to their conversation and report them right now, both of them might end up in jail that very same day. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I want to take the old man home," Lu Zihao said next. "He's too old to endure this kind of stressful situation."

"You don't think we tried persuading him?" Jin Liwei sighed again. "Grandpa Lu insists on staying here to keep watch of my grandmother no matter what. After my grandfather passed away, he entrusted Grandma Li and our Jin family to Grandpa Lu. He takes all his promises very seriously, especially the promise he made to his best friend and sworn brother, my grandfather. So go figure out how to persuade him."

Lu Zihao frowned. He immediately looked fiercer with all his facial scars becoming more striking. Jin Liwei, however, was already used to him.

"I should've brought my sons," Lu Zihao muttered. "The old man melts in front of those brats. One smile from them and I bet he'll immediately fly back home with us."

"You can try."

"Never mind." Lu Zihao clicked his tongue. "My wife won't allow me to bring my sons so far away from home."

Jin Liwei's mouth twitched. Thankfully, he was able to maintain his stoic expression. Another good thing was that his brother-in-law didn't notice his mouth twitch.

He almost laughed.

Who would have thought that someone like Nikolai Vetrov would say something mundane and relatable as his wife not allowing him to bring his sons so far away from home?

Jin Liwei knew that his wife's greatest hope for her big brother was for Lu Zihao (Nikolai Vetrov) to let go of his revenge plans and focus on enjoying a peaceful new life with his family.

Unfortunately, the man was already set on his dangerous road of revenge.

"I'll talk to the old man," Lu Zihao said. "If he still doesn't want to come home, maybe I'll just knock him unconscious and drag him away—"

The door to the VIP suite opened and out came a sprightly old man. "What were you planning to this old man, you unfilial, pinheaded grandson?! Am I still your beloved grandpa?! Tell me, I want to know!"

Lu Zihao quickly hid the smile on his lips and pretended to look surprised. Given his skills, there was no way that an old man could sneak behind him and eavesdrop on his conversation. The only conclusion was that he allowed Grandpa Lu to hear what he said.

"Oh, you're here, old man?" Lu Zihao asked in a nonchalant tone.

Grandpa Lu marched to where he stood and smacked his back several times. The thumping sounds were so loud that they echoed in the hospital hallway. The bodyguards patrolling looked in their direction and couldn't help but wince.

Lu Zihao, however, acted as if the smacks were nothing.

Grandpa Lu finally stopped smacking him. He even held his hand and massaged it.

Lu Zihao saw his actions. "Did you hurt your hand, old man?"

"No! My hand is perfectly fine. And call me grandma, you numbskull!"

Jin Liwei was amused. He liked seeing this Lu Zihao get along with Grandpa Lu. He was about to comment and dig a pit for his brother-in-law but the alarm outside Grandma Li's suite started blaring.

Seconds later, doctors and nurses started running.

Jin Liwei's heart felt like it stopped. "What's going on?!"

Nobody answered him.

Grandpa Lu also stood still and stared at the blaring alarm. When the door was thrown open, they could hear Huang Yuyan and Jin Chonglin's heartbreaking wails.

Jin Liwei ran inside. He was stopped by some of the nurses but he broke through them.

Grandpa Lu also followed but his emotions affected his motor skills. He tripped on his own feet.

Lu Zihao caught him. "Careful, Grandpa."

"Inside, my boy," Grandpa Lu said. "Let's go inside."

He didn't notice that Lu Zihao called him "grandpa" this time and not "old man".

Lu Zihao didn't say anything but he supported Grandpa Lu. They walked inside the chaotic VIP suite. Nobody stopped them this time.

Just one look at the scary Lu Zihao was enough to make anybody pee their pants from fright. Nobody among the hospital staff dared to stop him. He looked like he might swallow them whole without even spitting out their bones.

Inside the VIP suite, Iris was hugging Jin Liwei tight in the waist to prevent him from rushing inside the patient room where the doctors and nurses were all working hard to revive Grandma Li who flatlined.

Near the husband and wife, Chen Fei was almost riding on Jin Chonglin's back like a koala to also prevent him from rushing inside the patient room. Jin Chonglin was like a berserk beast howling with bloodshot eyes. His big, dark sunglasses had already been tossed somewhere.

Seeing that Chen Fei was barely holding on, Lu Zihao sat Grandpa Lu on the sofa and marched to the couple. He then plucked Chen Fei off Jin Chonglin, grabbed his collar, and shook him hard.

"Ugh!" Jin Chonglin felt like his head was going to be thrown off from his neck. "What the hell, bro?!!!"

"Calm the f*ck down or I'm gonna make you sh*t blood for days," Lu Zihao said in a cold, sinister voice.

Unlike his older brother, Jin Chonglin wasn't used to Lu Zihao acting like this at all. "No, you calm down, Fifth Bro! Are you trying to murder me?!"

"I will if you don't stop acting like a wild animal. Your woman is my woman's best friend. If you hurt Chen Fei, I will have to bury your body somewhere in the woods if my woman asks me."

Jin Chonglin shivered. He knew that Lu Zihao was just joking—wait, he should be joking, right? Right?!!

"Haha. Right." He attempted to laugh it off but his nervousness showed.

Then he finally noticed his fiancée's dishevelled state. "Babe, oh no! I'm sorry! Did I hurt you?"

Chen Fei stood up and tried smoothing the wrinkles on her clothes. Her expression was unreadable, effectively making Jin Chonglin even more nervous.

On the other side, Long Jinjing sat with the sobbing Huang Yuyan. She had been so worried about his best friend, Chen Fei, being thrown off by Jin Chonglin. Good thing that her husband came and slapped some sense into the superstar.

She wanted to intervene in the engaged couple but his younger sister's mother-in-law was too distraught. Long Jinjing felt that she should help calm down Huang Yuyan first.

Thank goodness for her husband. She sent Lu Zihao a grateful smile.

Lu Zihao gave her a curt nod.

This simple exchange between husband and wife went unnoticed by the others. Everyone was too preoccupied with reviving Grandma Li who flatlined.

Grandpa Lu was also able to regain his senses. He rose from the sofa and walked closer to the patient room without being in the way of the medical personnel. He watched as his friend was being revived.

Finally, the flatline on the machine started showing activity again. The doctors and nurses didn't stop until they stabilized Grandma Li's condition again. The head doctor exited the patient room.

Huang Yuyan and the others surrounded the doctor, asking him questions.

"The patient's condition is stable again," the doctor said. "For now. But flatlining like this at this time is not a good sign. The patient's chances of survival will decrease the longer she remains unconscious. We'll do everything to the best of our abilities to keep the patient alive, but as I mentioned to you before, please prepare yourselves for the worst."

Huang Yuyan collapsed on the floor. Long Jinjing couldn't support her by just herself. She almost fell down with Huang Yuyan if her husband hadn't swooped in and caught her.

Lu Zihao also grabbed Huang Yuyan and unceremoniously plopped her down on the nearest chair.

"You okay?" he asked his wife.

Long Jinjing nodded. "Thank you."

"Hm."

Huang Yuyan was too distraught to feel offended by how Lu Zihao had treated her like a ragdoll.

Her sons, Jin Liwei and Jin Chonglin, also hadn't returned to their full senses yet.

Iris stayed by her husband's side.

Chen Fei also let go of her earlier annoyance and held her fiancé's hand, silently letting him know that she would be there for him.

Chapter 1578 Power of Time

Grandma Li flatlined two more times in a 48-hour period. Everyone was on edge, and the doctors and nurses looked increasingly grave as time passed.

Jin Liwei looked like a zombie. He barely slept.

Iris forced her husband to sleep—and he would—but she knew he would still wake up and sneak away from bed while she slept to continue worrying about his grandmother.

Watching him like this was breaking her heart. She wished that she could help ease his fear and anxiety. But all she could do was stay by his side, never letting him feel that he was alone.

All of them were unable to leave the hospital, just in case something really did happen to Grandma Li. Except for Grandpa Lu, who was too old, they all squeezed into the VIP suite.

Granted, the VIP suite was large, but with two couples and Huang Yuyan, it was still a tight squeeze with barely any privacy between them.

As for Grandpa Lu, the old man originally wanted to squeeze with all of them and watch over Grandma Li, but Lu Zihao had enough of Grandpa Lu's obstinacy, so he directly carried the old man and dragged him away to the hotel.

Grandpa Lu's complaints fell on deaf ears. He tried acting pitiful to his granddaughter-in-law, Long Jinjing, but she pretended not to hear, looking quite guilty doing so. In the end, the old man couldn't overpower his grandson.

By the third day since Grandma Li flatlined for the first time, Iris woke up from her makeshift bed on the couch. Her husband was nowhere to be seen.

Chen Fei and Jin Chonglin slept together on the other couch.

Huang Yuyan took the only proper bed besides the patient's bed. She, too, was still sleeping. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Iris was still sleepy, but not finding her husband beside her bothered her too much. She rose and tiptoed around, careful not to wake up anyone.

Finally, she saw her husband standing outside on the balcony. The sky was still mostly dark, but hints of sunrise were already starting to show on the horizon.

Jin Liwei stood, leaning against the balcony railing, and stared at the horizon.

If he were a smoker, Iris could imagine him puffing away smoke after smoke. Good thing that he wasn't a smoker. Nevertheless, seeing him like this was still quite pitiful, as if he had the weight of the entire world resting on his shoulders.

She slid open the glass balcony door and stepped outside.

He heard the sound and turned to look. His cold and hard expression visibly softened upon seeing her.

"Good morning, love," he murmured before pulling her into his embrace.

She wrapped her arms around his waist. She felt some chilly dampness on his clothes which made her frown.

"How long have you been standing here?" she asked, inspecting him. "You must have been up for a while. You've been soaked by too much dew."

He didn't reply, only smiled at her.

She sighed and decided to restrain her temper. This wasn't the time to scold him.

The poor man was already suffering. What he needed was for her to be there for him and not to nag at him.

"I'm sorry," he murmured against her ear.

Her frown deepened. She looked at his face and studied his expression. "Why are you apologizing?"

"You missed Orchidia Germany's launch because of our family matter," he said. "I know how long you've been looking forward to it. At this rate, you might also miss the launch for Orchidia Philippines and possibly the one in Singapore as well."

She shook her head. "Don't worry about it. You're my husband and I'm your wife. Your family is my family. Grandma Li is also very important to me. Even before knowing that we were dating, she already wanted me to be part of your family. I also can't rest easy knowing that her health is failing like this."

"Thank you, Evelina." He kissed her forehead, then her nose, and finally her lips.

It felt like a butterfly's touch.

She knew that he was worrying about a lot of things but was still doing his best to keep it together.

"I've seen Grandma's medical records," he said while continuing to look at the now-lightening horizon. "Her health is worse than we thought."

She sighed.

In truth, she already suspected that Grandma Li might be frailer in health than they all thought. The old lady rarely ventured outside her mountain villa. Grandma Li would only meet them on important family occasions. Despite the old lady acting lively whenever the family gathered together, the fact that she tired easily and retired in her room before anyone else should already be a clear indication that old age was already catching up with her.

Iris already accepted it deep inside. Her husband and her in-laws, however, were still in the process of denial.

Perhaps it was because Grandma Li had been the Jin family's old matriarch for the longest time. She had become a symbol of stability for the Jins ever since her husband and son's deaths.

Also, maybe Jin Liwei and the others couldn't help but associate Grandma Li's health with Grandpa Lu's vigour especially whenever the two elders bantered with one another. They must have assumed that since Grandpa Lu was still brimming with energy, then Grandma Li must also be the same.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the case at all.

Grandpa Lu was an exception. He was abnormally too healthy for his age.

Cases like Grandma Li were actually more common with people their age.

Iris sighed again. She could only continue hugging her husband.

A phone vibrated between them.

"Sorry, love. I need to take this." Jin Liwei glanced at his phone with a tired but serious expression.

She nodded.

Although she and Jin Liwei had been staying at the hospital for more than a week now, both of them still continued working remotely in running their businesses.

Chen Fei was in the same situation.

Jin Chonglin and Huang Yuyan had the most free time. Unfortunately, the two of them were also the most emotional. The mother and son's eyes had already become red and swollen. Their faces had also become puffy.

Compared to Jin Liwei, Iris, and Chen Fei, the mother and son were not that dependable when it came to watching over Grandma Li. They were the type to be the first to collapse from all the dread, fear, anxiety, and depression. The others agreed that these two shouldn't be left alone by themselves.

Back to the present, Jin Liwei continued speaking with his assistant and other subordinates about pending issues in the company.

Iris didn't bother him. She returned inside the suite. Chen Fei had already woken up.

"Good morning, Chen Fei," Iris greeted.

"Morning, Xiulan." Chen Fei was still a little drowsy, but her eyes were starting to clear up by the second. "Want some coffee? I'll buy some at the café downstairs."

"Please."

Chen Fei quickly freshened up and left to make a coffee run downstairs.

They could always ask someone else to buy and deliver anything for them, like the bodyguards, but they still preferred to do some of the errands themselves just to temporarily shift their attention away from the depressing situation of Grandma Li's failing health.

Iris also freshened up. When she stepped out of the bathroom wearing fresh, clean clothes, Huang Yuyan had also woken up. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law greeted each other.

Only Jin Chonglin hadn't awakened yet.

Iris peeked outside and saw her husband still busy speaking on the phone. She also checked on Grandma Li.

So far, Grandma Li looked stable. Her appearance, however, was a far cry from her usual cold elegance.

Iris felt a twinge in her heart. This was a clear demonstration of the power of time. Nobody could escape aging.

No matter how much money a person owned, no amount of money could prevent a person from aging and suffering from illnesses. Yes, money could help people live healthier lifestyles and access top-notch medical care. However, at the end of the day, one couldn't pay another to suffer one's illnesses. Everyone needed to go through their own illnesses and aging.

One day, she and her husband would also have to go through this.

But for now, they had the privilege of living healthy, fulfilling lives raising their own family and building their own successful careers.

After checking on Grandma Li, Iris sat down on the couch and turned on her laptop.

Alona Bauer had already sent her a detailed report about the successful launch of Orchidia in Germany. The opening day sales were through the roof and exceeded their initial projections.

Iris also checked the people who attended the launch. Many familiar names popped up.

Her friends at Cross Academy—AJ Zheneres, Theresa Blipsburg, and Amanpio Kileksky.

Alona sent photos of a sea of congratulatory flower arrangements sent by friends and acquaintances, most of them through the Cross Academy community.

Surprisingly, the nerd tech billionaire attended to support the launch.

It wasn't only him.

The French magnate and his wife attended. His wife loved the products so much, especially the ones under the Orchidia Beauty brand, that she offered to become an ambassador, even going so far as to list her accomplishments as a semi-successful runway model.

Of course, Alona didn't accept the offer right away and instead consulted Iris about it first.

"I won't interfere too much about how you run Orchidia Germany," Iris said. "I'll give the final decision to you. I want to see whether you'll sign her or not."

"I feel more pressured all of a sudden," Alona replied. "But I accept the challenge. My team and I will check on her background first before making the final decision."

"I trust in you."

While Iris chatted with Alona Bauer, she continued reading other reports.

Chapter 1579 Go Home Tonight

Chen Fei returned from her coffee run downstairs. She also bought breakfast for everyone. A bodyguard helped her carry everything.

Iris glanced up from her laptop. "Why do you look so frazzled? That's a new look from you."

Chen Fei rolled her eyes before casting an annoyed look at her sleeping fiancé. "His fans mobbed me at the restaurant while I was buying breakfast. Good thing that two bodyguards followed me and prevented the fans from trampling me over."

"Were they rude?" Iris asked.

"No, they weren't rude." Chen Fei sighed while organizing the breakfast on the table. "They were all very enthusiastic. Too enthusiastic. They said they support me in becoming their Prince Lin Lin's wife."

"That's good, then." Iris nodded. She had been worried for nothing. She thought that Jin Chonglin's fans might have harassed Chen Fei.

"I'm just not used to being surrounded by strangers all the time," Chen Fei said. "I know that it comes with being in a relationship with a celebrity, but I need some time to get used to it. France wasn't that bad compared to here."

"That's true. Only the paparazzi care about harassing a superstar like Brother Chonglin and you in France. Most of the locals don't bother celebrities and their families on a normal day."

Chen Fei sighed again while looking at her too-big of a diamond ring. It felt somewhat heavier the longer she stayed here accompanying Jin Chonglin to watch over his ill grandmother.

As someone who dedicated herself to being the best COO of Orchidia, this period was quickly becoming a test of her relationship with Jin Chonglin. Her man needed her, so she could only stay with him while working remotely which was another challenge in itself.

Nevertheless, she didn't feel dissatisfied. Not at all. She might not be close to Grandma Li, but she respected the old lady.

Chen Fei looked at her sleeping fiancé and felt annoyed all of a sudden. How dare he sleep like a baby while his fans almost trampled her over outside? She marched to the couch and grabbed his blanket.

"Wake up, you lazy bum! The sun is already shining high up in the sky! Why aren't you awake yet?!"

The force Chen Fei used to pull the blanket made Jin Chonglin roll and fall on the floor. "What?! What's happening?! Is it an earthquake?!"

Chen Fei rolled her eyes. "It's time for breakfast, you fool. Go wash your face. Then we'll eat."

"Huh?!" Jin Chonglin stayed sitting on the floor and staring at her in a daze like a stupid idiot.

There was a girl-like giggle from the other side of the room. Chen Fei looked over and saw Huang Yuyan watching them with an amused expression. The sight of her future mother-in-law startled her, making her feel embarrassed. Just a little bit.

"Don't feel shy, my dear," Huang Yuyan said, giving her a kind smile. "My youngest son always does whatever he wants and rarely listens to other people, including me. I'm happy to see that he listens to you."

"Mom, I can hear you!" Jin Chonglin pouted, not pleased at all about what his own mother said about him.

What did his mother mean about being happy that he listened to his woman? Was he a dog?! No way! He was Prince Lin Lin, a superstar loved by millions of fans around the world.

Chen Fei controlled her urge to smack him with a pillow so early in the morning and in front of his mother. "Go freshen up now," she repeated. "The food will get cold if you don't start moving."

"Oh, okay." Jin Chonglin obediently did what he was told.

Chen Fei, Huang Yuyan, and Iris exchanged knowing smiles.

By this time, Jin Liwei had also finished with his phone calls and returned inside from the balcony.

Iris also quickly paused what she was doing, closed her laptop, and helped Chen Fei set the table.

Jin Liwei and Huang Yuyan joined them at the table. Soon after, a refreshed Jin Chonglin sat beside Chen Fei.

While they were eating a simple take-out breakfast, the hospital also delivered breakfast. Even though the patient was unconscious, the hospital cafeteria still provided food for all the patients.

Since Grandma Li was staying in a VIP suite, the food provided was quite generous.

"Not bad," Iris commented. However, she wasn't tempted to eat any of the hospital food.

Jin Liwei wasn't interested either.

Huang Yuyan ate like a bird. She didn't even take a look at the hospital food.

Chen Fei, however, thought that it was a waste not to eat it. She pushed the tray to her fiancé.

"No, I won't eat it." Jin Chonglin pushed it back to her. "Brother Lin Dong will nag me again if I gain weight."

Chen Fei made a show of looking at him up and down.

"W-what?!" He instinctively covered his chest.

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You've already lost a lot of weight. Hugging you isn't comfortable anymore. If you lose more weight, I might lose interest in you. I don't like stick-thin men."

Her words made him jump up from his seat. "What do you mean?! I'm not stick-thin! Look at my well-defined muscles! Look!!!"

If not for Chen Fei pulling his shirt down, Jin Chonglin would have already removed it to prove the existence of his well-defined muscles.

"Just eat, will you?!" Chen Fei was exasperated to the extreme.

"Oh, okay." Jin Chonglin sat down again and began eating the hospital food. "Oh, this is not bad. Do you want to taste it?"

Chen Fei automatically opened her mouth when he fed her with his chopsticks. Then she paused mid-chew upon remembering that her future mother-in-law was there watching them.

Huang Yuyan giggled, not at all bothered by their public displays of affection. Her eldest son and daughter-in-law were many times worse. She glanced at the married couple with a meaningful look.

Jin Liwei and Iris: ???

The husband and wife looked at each other, confused as to why Huang Yuyan was giving them a weird look.

After breakfast, Iris and Jin Liwei video-called home to speak with the children. As soon as Little Mochi and Little Matcha saw their parents, the twins burst into tears.

Little Mochi: "Mama! Dada! Mama! Mama!"

Little Matcha: "Ma, Da! Mama!"

Iris' eyes watered. She also wanted to cry. She missed her sons terribly. It felt like her heart was missing important pieces with the absence of her children. Jin Liwei hugged her while looking at their crying sons on the tablet screen.

Iris coaxed her sons, promising them that their mommy and daddy would come home soon. Jin Liwei was mostly silent but his heart also softened at the sight of his crying sons. He whispered comforting words along with his wife.

Soon, Little Jun and the Lu twins joined the Jin twins in saying hello to their Mama/Auntie Xiulan and Papa/Uncle Liwei.

Little Jun had actually moved back with his parents to the farm villa. His psychiatrist, Dr. Grace Poon, also started conducting their therapy sessions there instead of at Dragon Palace Home #10 to make it more convenient for the child and his mother. However, Little Jun still insisted on coming with his mother, Jiang Ying Yue, whenever she reported for work at the mansion.

This was one of the days that Jiang Ying Yue was on duty at the mansion. Little Jun naturally came with her to play with his cousins.

Similarly, the Lu twins had also been staying at Dragon Palace since their parents went to visit Grandma Li at a faraway hospital. Long Jinjing had already returned last night but Lu Zihao stayed to keep an eye on Grandpa Lu who refused to return home with them. Long Jinjing had decided to stay at Dragon Palace with her sons to wait for Lu Zihao.

Iris was delighted to see all the children together. She wished that she could hug all of them. Even the cats and dogs fought for screen time, wanting to say hello to her.

Huang Yuyan also didn't want to miss the chance to see her grandchildren and the other kids. Jin Chonglin and Chen Fei also joined in the fun.

After the video call, Iris was relieved that her sons had finally stopped crying. Little Mochi and Little Matcha were laughing along with their cousins.

"Xiulan, go home tonight," Chen Fei said. "I already miss the kids and I'm not the mother. You must be missing them badly. Chonglin and I will watch over Grandma Li." n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Is that alright?" Iris was unsure as she glanced at the patient room where Grandma Li remained unconscious.

The brothers, Jin Liwei and Jin Chonglin, were inside checking on their grandmother and speaking with the doctor and nurse who came to check on the old lady.

"Grandma Li seems stable today," Chen Fei commented.

"Let me talk about it with Liwei first," Iris said.

Chen Fei nodded.

For the rest of the day, everyone was on edge, dreading Grandma Li flatlining again. Fortunately, she remained relatively stable.

Jin Liwei glanced at his wristwatch. "Get ready, love. We'll leave in half an hour."

Iris nodded. Earlier, she asked her husband if they could go home to spend time with the kids. He didn't hesitate to agree. He, too, missed their children badly.

However, he planned to return to the hospital the next day. Iris was still deciding whether to return with him or stay at home with the kids.

While Jin Liwei was out on the balcony again speaking on his phone, presumably asking if the helicopter was ready to take them home, Iris went inside the patient room.

She held the old lady's hand. "Grandma Li, Liwei and I will go home. Your great-grandkids are already throwing tantrums. Don't worry. Liwei will be back tomorrow. I'm not yet sure if I'll come with him, but rest assured that I'm always praying for your recovery."

Grandma Li's fingers twitched.

1580 Please Be Honest

Iris' eyes widened. She froze and held her breath. Perhaps it was just her imagination.

After another minute, Grandma Li's fingers twitched again.

There was no mistake this time. She saw it with her own eyes.

Grandma Li had indeed moved!

"Li-liwei!" Iris ran outside, her eyes glowing with anxious excitement. "Liwei!!!"

Jin Liwei rushed from the balcony. "What happened?!" He looked at her up and down, checking if she was hurt anywhere.

Huang Yuyan and the others also looked at her. At this time, the door opened and in came a scowling Grandpa Lu followed by a stone-faced Lu Zihao.

"This pinheaded grandson of mine is too much!" Grandpa Lu grumbled. "He won't let me come here without making sure that I have at least eight hours of sleep. This old man can't sleep that long anymore! And he expects me to eat breakfast like an elephant! Does he want to send me to an early grave by overdosing me with sleep and food? I want to know! If this rascal isn't my own grandson, I would've already cracked his bloody head open and see what's inside! Hmph!"

When nobody responded to his grumbles, Grandpa Lu finally noticed that something was wrong.

Iris grabbed her husband and pulled him. "Grandma Li's hand moved! She moved!"

"What?!" Jin Chonglin jumped from his seat and ran to the patient's room while pulling Chen Fei.

"Hey, wait!" Chen Fei was dragged. She was tempted to kick her man but restrained herself given the situation.

Huang Yuyan also ran to the patient's room.

Jin Liwei also followed suit. However, unlike his careless younger brother, he didn't drag his wife. It was Iris who dragged him instead.

Chen Fei had already pressed the call button. A voice had already told them that a doctor was on the way.

Outside the patient room, Grandpa Lu finally returned to his senses. His irritation turned into excitement. He staggered while attempting to follow everyone.

"Careful, old man," Lu Zihao muttered while supporting Grandpa Lu.

Grandpa Lu didn't criticize him for calling him an old man like usual. "Li Zhiruo...did Zhiruo really move? Is she going to finally wake up? I want to know..."

Nobody answered him. Everyone, except for Lu Zihao, was looking forward to Grandma Li waking up.

Truth be told, Lu Zihao (Nikolai) didn't care much about the old Jin matriarch. The minuscule affection he had for the old lady stemmed from the fact that she was his sister's grandmother-in-law. That was it.

However, the original Lu Zihao adored the old lady. He could feel a faint tightening in his chest which he could recognize as anxiety. A deep furrow formed between his brows.

When the doctor and nurses arrived, they subconsciously stayed out of his way. He looked too ferocious. What if he started attacking them?

Lu Zihao faintly snorted seeing their reaction. Instead of focusing on his disconcerting reaction that escaped his full control, he instead paid more attention to the old man. Grandpa Lu's energy halved these past few days.

For Lu Zihao, this was more concerning than the old Jin matriarch's hospitalization. If something happened to the old man, he didn't know what he would do. He didn't delve into the reason why he would think this way. He wasn't yet ready to admit to himself that the old man had already burrowed his way deeply into Lu Zihao/Nikolai's heart.

While everyone else was bustling around Grandma Li, Lu Zihao only cared about Grandpa Lu.

His sister already had her husband. Jin Liwei should take care of Iris.

Or else.

Huang Yuyan and Jin Chonglin kept on calling Grandma Li, hoping that she would respond to them.

Jin Liwei held his grandmother's hand. His face was taut but there was a hopeful glint in his eyes, making his expression more alive compared to his depressing aura this past week.

"Xiulan, my dear." Huang Yuyan held Iris' arm. "Please talk to your grandmother. She responded to you. Maybe she'll respond again if you're the one talking to her."

Iris didn't think that Grandma Li would respond particularly to her. Perhaps it was just a coincidence earlier. However, she still agreed with her mother-in-law and tried talking to Grandma Li.

"Grandma, please wake up," she said while holding the old lady's hand that her husband held earlier. "Your great-grandkids can't wait to see you again. Little Mochi can't wait to perform in front of you. Little Matcha also likes the toys you gave him. The cats and dogs also adore you. Please, Grandma. Wake up."

This time, everyone saw the old lady's eyes trembling as if she was fighting hard to open them.

"Mom!" Huang Yuyan burst into another round of tears. "Wake up, Mom!"

"Grandma!" Jin Chonglin followed suit. "If you don't wake up, I'll...I'll parade in the streets naked! Hurry up and wake up! You need to stop me from doing something stupid!!!"

Chen Fei stared at her fiancé. Her lips thinned, glaring at Jin Chonglin. Then she said to the old lady, "Grandma Li, if you don't wake up, I'll leave this stupid grandson of yours! I don't need a man who parades himself naked in the streets!"

"Babe!" Jin Chonglin looked at her in disbelief. "I was just joking! I wasn't serious! I only said that to force my grandma to wake up!"

"Hmph!" She turned her head away from him.

The doctor cleared his throat. The nurses had already bowed their heads, hiding their faces beneath masks. Their shoulders shook from restrained laughter.

Grandpa Lu moved closer to the bed. "Li Zhiruo, if you don't wake up, I'll change the surnames of your great-grandsons from Jin to Lu!"

The old lady's eyes flew open.

"You dare...old gori...lla," a hoarse, weak voice said.

"Bahahaha!" Grandpa Lu threw his head back and laughed. Nobody mentioned the tears in his eyes to avoid embarrassing the old man. "I knew that you were going to wake up soon! I dreamed about your husband last night. He told me in the dream that he didn't want to meet his old, naggy wife so soon! Bahahaha!"

Lu Zihao stepped forward and covertly handed the old man some tissues to wipe his tears while the others were beyond excited and relieved to see the old lady finally regaining consciousness.

"Mom!" Huang Yuyan bent down on the bed and cried beside Grandma Li's head.

"Grandma, wuwuwu! You're finally awake!" Jin Chonglin hugged his pissed fiancée, not releasing her even though she kept on trying to push him away. "If you still didn't wake up, your grandson's wife would have run away!"

"I'm not your wife yet," Chen Fei said through gritted teeth.

Iris squeezed her husband's hand. Although Jin Liwei remained quiet compared to the others, Iris knew that her husband's emotions weren't any lesser than theirs. He just wasn't used to displaying too much emotions in front of other people.

"Grandma, how are you feeling?" Jin Liwei asked.

The doctor and the nurses gave him a slightly dissatisfied look. It was because his tone sounded too cold and indifferent. His grandmother almost died and yet he was still too calm! Indeed, CEO billionaires like Jin Liwei were all cold-blooded, heartless capitalists.

Unlike them, however, Iris could sense the immense emotions in her husband's tone. They were undetectable to people who didn't know him well enough. But to her, his wife, they were as clear as day.

"Li...wei," Grandma Li said, her voice cracking.

"Yes, Grandma." Jin Liwei's tone might sound cold and indifferent to the doctor and nurses but Iris and the others knew the gravity of his emotions.

"Who are you calling an old buffoon?! I want to know!!!"

Grandpa Lu pretended to get angry. His eyes, however, continued to produce water. He turned around and pretended to cough, when in fact, he was wiping tears with the tissues his grandson kept on handing him.

"Xiu...Xiulan...."

Iris leaned forward. "Grandma Li. I'm here." Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"You...thank you...voice...woke me up...."

"I knew it," Huang Yuyan said. Her tears flowed down her eyes. "I knew that Mom responded to Xiulan. Thank you, my dear. You woke up your grandma."

Iris just smiled. She didn't think that it was all thanks to her. But if the others thought so, then let them continue thinking that way.

The most important thing was that Grandma Li had already woken up.

The doctor examined Grandma Li.

Although the others were happy that the old lady finally woke up, the doctor still maintained a grave expression. Iris and Lu Zihao were the only ones who noticed this.

The brother and sister glanced at each other. They tacitly chose to remain silent, not wanting to burst everyone's happy bubbles.

It seemed that Grandma Li's vision had been considerably affected. She couldn't see their faces unless they moved close to her. Another thing was that one side of her face drooped, making it difficult for her to speak.

She also tired easily. Before she succumbed to sleep, she managed to tell Jin Liwei to call her lawyer.

Everyone's hearts thumped, their expressions turning serious once again.

Jin Liwei took a few deep breaths before speaking to the doctor outside the patient's room. Iris followed her husband.

Huang Yuyan, Jin Chonglin, and Grandpa Lu decided to stay in the patient room longer to watch over Grandma Li.

Chen Fei went to the balcony to call Long Jinjing and updated her best friend about what happened. Lu Zihao went outside to who knew where.

"How's my grandmother?" Jin Liwei asked the doctor. "Please be honest."

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