Chapter 299: 299 Not Just Idle Worry

Li Xiaobin discovered that ever since Zhang Caixin and Feng Jun went out together, she had changed upon returning.

The change was bizarre; sometimes she would be overly excited, other times she would stare blankly, lost in a daze.

And at times, she was clearly absent-minded.

Whatever had happened in that little over an hour that caused such perplexity in the heart of the personal assistant?

It’s not just her who couldn’t fathom it; even Zhang Caixin herself didn’t know what kind of state of mind she was in.

Today she had held “brother-in-law’s” hand, feeling guilty towards her sister, but… it seemed like her sister didn’t cherish him enough.

Her heart was already torn, and although the guilt was paramount, as soon as she stepped into the villa, she knew it: she was a goner!

Once again, she felt that indescribable comfort.

Every pore in her body, even the tips of her hair, seemed as intoxicated as if drunk, excited yet slightly inebriated, like basking in the sun on a cold winter day, her body warm and languid, wishing time could stop at this moment.

Thinking about what Feng Jun had said, she could confirm that there was indeed something odd about this villa.

Moreover, she could ascertain that this feeling didn’t exist when she last came here.

Encountering such a mysterious phenomenon, it was impossible for her to accept it calmly and without any anxiety.

It was like when girls watch horror movies; they scream, yet they can’t help but watch. Despite the fear, they find it thrilling, especially if there’s a strong arm to hold onto—then it’s perfect.

The girls who watch horror movies actually know that it’s just a movie, not reality.

And Zhang Caixin also knew in her heart that no matter how peculiar the villa was, it was all Feng Jun’s doing, and he would not harm her.

Okay, to take ten thousand steps back, even if he had the heart to hurt her, didn’t he realize that he couldn’t explain it to her sister?

At this thought, Zhang Caixin began to feel a headache again: Why do I always end up thinking about Sister Wei Hong?

At this moment, she was truly caught between a rock and a hard place, unsure of what to choose.

In the end, she hardened her heart and sat down next to Feng Jun, speaking softly, “My sister meant that if you are attending the provincial meeting, and there’s a national one later, the two of you could go to the Goat City together.”

If this suggestion had come up half a day earlier, Feng Jun would probably have hesitated for a moment before agreeing. He truly wanted to mend his relationship with Sister Hong, not just because of his infatuation for her.

But after knowing about Zhang Caixin’s aptitude, he became somewhat indecisive.

After pondering for a while, he thought about what he had told Xu Leigang: “You foolish bird, don’t you know how rare opportunities in the path of cultivation are?”

So, he hardened his heart and responded in a soft voice, “If you are willing to stay here with me, I’ll accompany her to Goat City.”

Huh? Zhang Caixin’s eyes narrowed, and she almost cursed aloud: What the hell are you talking about!

But for some reason, there was a faint sense of anticipation in her heart, coupled with some excitement.

She glared at him fiercely, “You can only choose one, me or her!”

“Hehe,” Feng Jun laughed indifferently. Although he was temporarily unable to make a choice, he could see some things clearly, “If you care about her so much, even if I choose you over her… won’t you still have offended her?”

Zhang Caixin was stunned again, yeah, even if I win in the end, our sisterhood would still be ruined.

As she was lost in her thoughts, Feng Jun stood up; he knew the logical trap in his words.

When he reached the door, he inwardly reproached himself: I’m still not thick-skinned enough.

Thinking about those immortals in novels who effortlessly entangled with mothers and daughters, sisters flying together, their happiness knowing no bounds, why is it so difficult for me?

However, his dilemma lasted only a moment, and very quickly, he made up his mind not to think about anything else and to seize every possible opportunity to cultivate. That was the real deal.

Speaking of which, the reason he had so boldly pressured Zhang Caixin was driven by an unspoken reason.

Her aptitude was most suitable for… that what. Hadn’t Feng Jun obtained the Dragon Phoenix Fusion Scripture from Brother Bao?

Feng Jun truly didn’t want to be a brute, but it seemed worse not to follow through…

Maybe… observe a few more people?

A Chaos constitution, additionally a singular Water Attribute, innately abundant… There might be others, right?

That was what Feng Jun thought, even though he was well aware that such people would be difficult to find.

Just considering these many adjectives—Chaos, single Water Attribute, innately abundant, female…

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However, who knows, maybe the chaotic situation will actually align, who can say for certain with these things?

As he struggled with his thoughts, inside a top-tier hospital in the capital, a group of people were also tangled in their worries, their brows furrowed in distress.

Each one of them was dressed immaculately, and their aura alone was not to be trifled with; even the nurses were intimidated, keeping their distance.

Only a doctor, appearing to be in his sixties with graying hair, was explaining in a low voice, “Elder Yuan, at his age, to have held on until now is already quite remarkable. If a similar emergency occurs next time, whether he can be saved is very uncertain.”

In the ICU, a gaunt old man lay still, his eyes tightly shut, his body connected to various tubes and wires, almost entirely unresponsive, almost like a dead man.

Only upon a careful and silent observation could one notice the extremely slight rise and fall of his chest.

This person was none other than Yuan Zihao’s father, Yuan Huapeng, who was over eighty years old. He had a military background and later transitioned to a civil position, having once held the office of a ministry head.

In his youth, Yuan Zihao had trained in martial arts and was always in good health, being able to drink half a liter of liquor daily until two months ago when he suffered a stroke.

After the stroke, despite the vigorous efforts to save him, his condition had stabilized, but he lost consciousness and became comatose.

The doctors, after careful observation and analysis, believed that he was most likely still conscious, but completely unable to communicate.

For an old man of his age, becoming comatose due to a stroke generally meant there was no hope for recovery. However, the Yuan Family had power and wealth, and naturally, they spared no effort in his treatment.

They not only sought to awaken the elder but also hoped that once he regained consciousness, he would be able to walk. Thus, experts were arranged to massage his body daily to prevent functional atrophy in the muscles.

However, three days prior, Elder Yuan’s condition suddenly worsened. His heart even stopped beating at one point, and the hospital staff worked tirelessly for two days and nights to bring him back from the brink of death; it took another day to stabilize him.

Now, the doctor’s words were meant as a warning to the Yuan family, we’ve put in our best effort this time, and Elder Yuan was lucky, but if a similar incident happens again and we can’t save him, you can’t blame us.

The Yuan siblings, all four of them, were present outside the ICU, including the eldest sister who had immigrated to Merrick but had come back.

Given the status and identity of the Yuan Family, they naturally couldn’t cause a disturbance at the hospital, and they were certain the doctors had done their best.

But did they really have no other option, just to let their father wait for death?

Yuan Huakun, the third sibling but the eldest son, spoke up with a stern face, “We have reached this point; we can only take it one step at a time… Going to Merrick is out of the question. Eldest sister, you should still try to invite the experts over.”

The eldest sister shook her head, her voice heavy, “The expert team can come over, but… the equipment can’t.”

The second sister, frowning, spoke, “Then… is it possible to purchase the equipment and have it shipped here?”

Yuan Huapeng glanced at her, “Second sister, don’t joke, can you afford the equipment that even this hospital doesn’t have?”

“Afford it or not, we must find a way,” the second sister said, a touch of urgency in her voice, “For the issue of money, I can have my husband work something out.”

Her husband was an official in local government, not of low rank, holding numerous resources in his hands.

“Second sister, you’re thinking too simply,” said the eldest sister, casting her a look, her voice grave, “Firstly, we need to consider the sensitivity of the equipment, and secondly, you don’t know how much equipment might be involved… many large devices are shared.”

After a pause, she emphasized again, “I still suggest going to Merrick for treatment… of course, I can’t guarantee the results.”

In reality, it wasn’t about whether she could guarantee the outcome; it was more akin to a last-ditch effort to save a dying horse.

“No,” Yuan Huakun shook his head in disagreement, “he might not even arrive in Merrick safely, right… Elder Ye?”

Elder Ye was the senior consultant; he gave a wry smile, “Flying in this condition… I don’t advise it. Even with the best preparations, there’s a high chance of complications.”

Hearing this, the eldest sister became anxious, “So we’re just supposed to let father linger in this state?”

“This way, he might live a little longer,” Yuan Huapeng spoke again, “Flying is too risky, and besides… I don’t believe that Merrick will be much better than Huaxia.”

In terms of treatment, when the capital’s top-tier hospital goes all out, it wouldn’t be far off from what Merrick could offer.

Not resigned to this, the eldest sister retorted, “Better by how much, I can’t say, but certainly better to some extent.”

Yuan Huakun’s face was stern as he spoke, “Just for that little bit of an advantage, are you willing to let father take such a huge risk? He might not even make it off the plane… do you understand?”

“If he can’t make it, then so be it,” the eldest sister’s determination was clear, “Dad has been strong all his life. I believe, if he is aware, he’d rather take the risk for a chance at life, rather than lie in the ICU, desperately awaiting his final hour.”

“Dad can’t have an accident,” the second sister raised her voice slightly, “My husband is at a critical juncture right now.”

“Your husband,” Yuan Huapeng scoffed, “you have the nerve to mention him. Dad has been critically ill for three days now, even the eldest sister came back from Merrick… Where’s your husband? Where is he?”

The second sister glared with wide eyes, fuming as she spoke, “It’s the end of the year, there’s a lot going on in the city. Didn’t he also arrange for someone to come and visit?”

“Is sending someone the same as coming to visit yourself?” Yuan Huapeng also glared, his voice low as he roared.

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