Chapter 19 Lin Rui Is Out?

When the group arrived at Zhou Lichuan’s hospital room, he was just being wheeled back by the orderly after having his scans done.

Jiang Zao hurried forward. “Zhou Lichuan, how are you feeling?”

Zhou Lichuan shrugged. “I don’t feel anything at all. I still have a meeting to attend later—what a fuss over nothing.”

Zhou Huai, somewhat dissatisfied with Jiang Zao’s apparent lack of awareness, remarked, “Miss Jiang, haven’t you been by Xiaochuan’s side all this time? Why are you only arriving now?”

Before Jiang Zao could reply, Zhou Lichuan spoke up first. “Dad, Jiang Zao is my girlfriend, not my servant. She can do as she pleases, go wherever she wants.”

Zhou Huai immediately glanced at Meng Qiaoyuan, worried she might feel uncomfortable hearing this. He then turned to rebuke his son, “What girlfriend? I haven’t agreed to that.”

Shen Xiaonan, seeing the tension, quickly changed the subject. “Where’s Xiao Mu? Was he in such a hurry to bring you here because there’s been a change in your condition, or does he have a new treatment plan?”

Zhou Lichuan shook his head. “I’m not sure. He didn’t have time to explain before he was called away by a phone call. He should be back soon, I imagine.”

Speak of the devil—just as Zhou Lichuan finished, Shen Mushi pushed open the door. “Auntie, Uncle, you’re here.”

He nodded in greeting to Meng Qiaoyuan as well. Meng Qiaoyuan, realizing the family was about to discuss matters unrelated to her and having already conveyed her message, stood up to take her leave.

After Meng Qiaoyuan left, Shen Mushi led Shen Xiaonan to sit down beside him. “Don’t worry, there’s been no change in Brother Chuan’s condition. The reason I hurried him here is that my mentor will be at the affiliated hospital tomorrow for academic guidance. He’s willing to be the lead surgeon for Brother Chuan, which is why I was so urgent.”

The roomful of anxious hearts finally relaxed. Jiang Zao gave Zhou Lichuan a gentle pat on the shoulder as a sign to take it easy.

Jiang Zao asked, “Is the surgery scheduled for tomorrow?”

Shen Mushi replied to her, “The operation is the day after tomorrow, in the morning. All neurosurgeons not scheduled for other duties will be present to observe and learn. Brother Chuan… won’t mind, will you?”

Catching the cue, Zhou Lichuan joked, “So I’m to be your free teaching material. You’ve got some nerve, even daring to use me in your calculations.”

Shen Mushi laughed. “We’re all family—there’s no such thing as taking advantage. I’m on the front lines, setting an example. As my family, you should be even more selfless for the greater good.”

Watching the two of them in such light spirits, Shen Xiaonan smiled and shook her head. She calmed herself, stood up, and announced she would leave first.

“Your father’s blood pressure hasn’t come down for days. Dr. Meng has called several times, urging him not to overexert himself or worry too much. Since there’s nothing urgent here, I’ll take your father home and come back tomorrow.”

Jiang Zao, troubled about finding the right moment to tell Zhou Lichuan the news Meng Qiaoyuan had brought, quickly stood up to see them off when she heard they were leaving.

Shen Xiaonan waved her off politely. “Sit down, don’t bother. The driver’s waiting at the entrance—Du Bin, isn’t it? Let him take us out.”

Obedient, Jiang Zao sat back down.

On the way home, Zhou Huai complained about Jiang Zao. “Did you see how Miss Jiang jumped up to send us off the moment she heard we were leaving? Does she think we’re in the way of her and Lichuan’s relationship? She couldn’t wait to see us go.”

Shen Xiaonan shot him a look, her mood souring. “Didn’t you notice the children had something to discuss? Yet you insisted on staying, oblivious, until our son practically had to chase you out?”

Zhou Huai had no retort. Shen Xiaonan seized the advantage.

“And what’s wrong with Zaozao, anyway? She’s a top student in the Academy of Fine Arts, majoring in oil painting. She sold a painting in her undergraduate years that covered a year’s living expenses. In her junior year, she earned a spot in the graduate program. Smart, beautiful, poised—such a good child, and you look down on her. No taste. Our son’s judgment is far better than yours.”

Zhou Huai finally protested, “What do you know? No matter how good Jiang Zao is, what can she do for Xiaochuan? They have a nanny for meals, but in terms of the group’s development and Xiaochuan’s future career, how can she help? A wife and a girlfriend are not the same; marriage and dating are two different matters—why don’t you see that?”

Shen Xiaonan sneered, “What don’t I understand? If it weren’t for my family’s background, would you have married me? Zhou Huai, we’ve muddled through most of our lives together—don’t make things difficult for yourself in the end. I just want my son to be happy, to accumulate some virtue for the rest of his days. I don’t want him to ruin a good girl’s life, but rather to spend it with someone he truly loves. If you dare force your old ways on our son, be careful—I’ll fight you to the end.”

Zhou Huai wanted to argue, but turned to see Shen Xiaonan had already closed her eyes, refusing any further conversation. All he could do was snort and turn to gaze out the window.

Back at the hospital, no sooner had Shen Xiaonan and Zhou Huai left than Jiang Zao grabbed Zhou Lichuan’s hand anxiously. “Lichuan, Dr. Meng brought news—Lin Rui’s been released and is now with Zhou Kuan.”

Zhou Lichuan inhaled sharply. “What did you say?”

Jiang Zao lowered her voice. “I didn’t dare say when your parents were here. Dr. Meng’s information is reliable. She also said Zhou Kuan plans to bring Lin Rui to see you. They must have run into Dr. Shen when he went to fetch you from the company.”

Shen Mushi, listening nearby, was startled. “Wasn’t Lin Rui already in prison? How did he get released?”

Jiang Zao shook her head; she didn’t know either.

Zhou Lichuan rested his chin and pondered. “The evidence. On the engineering side, all they saw was Lin Rui with a fake seal. If he insists he didn’t know it was fake, and Zhou Kuan pulls some strings, it wouldn’t be hard to get him out.”

Shen Mushi leaned in, worried. “So we’re just going to let them get away with it?”

Zhou Lichuan looked up. “That’s the strength of a conspiracy. Everything operates in the shadows, all the evidence hidden in the fog.”

Jiang Zao leaned against him, trying to comfort him. “At least we know who our opponent is now. If they try to play dirty again, it won’t work. We’ll counter move for move—there’s no guarantee we’ll lose.”

The next day, after Jiang Zao wheeled Zhou Lichuan through his final examination, Zhou Lichuan began complaining of boredom. Jiang Zao had no choice but to turn on the hospital room’s television and let some news play at random.

On screen was the lively scene of a film premiere, broadcast live. It seemed to be held right there in Jingzhou, with the male and female leads both current stars and the event bustling with excitement.

As Jiang Zao peeled an apple, she chatted idly with Zhou Lichuan. “This film is really popular lately—you see news about it everywhere.”

Zhou Lichuan cocked his head to listen. “Is it Director Deng’s new movie?”

Jiang Zao nodded. “Yes, he invited a lot of big names. The premiere is really lively.”

Zhou Lichuan laughed. “The producer is a friend of mine. He pestered me for a long time to invest, and in the end, the group invested in the film.”

Jiang Zao teased, half in jest, “Wow, the Zhou Group has branched into entertainment. The film isn’t even out and it’s already making such waves. No wonder you’re the president—your investment instincts are impeccable.”