Chapter 443: Chapter 443

Su Tutu raised her glass, smiling broadly, "No matter what, I’d like to toast to you, my sister, and wish you an early marriage to Chen Jiayan."

Qiao Xi smiled, "Blessings."

"May your auspicious words come true."

Xie Baola also smiled.

The three clinked their glasses together.

After the meal, Xie Baola dropped them off at their homes.

Qiao Xi had just arrived home, about to remove her makeup and rest when she suddenly received a phone call from Ran Jing.

Ran Jing wouldn’t call her without real reason.

Qiao Xi didn’t hesitate to answer the call.

"Xixi, your grandfather was suddenly admitted to the hospital; he has awakened and wishes to see you. Do you have time to come by?"

Ran Jing’s voice came through tense and urgent.

Qiao Xi was startled, "I have time, which hospital is Grandpa in? I’ll head there right now."

She had already known that Old Master Shen’s health wasn’t good, but she was still stunned to hear this news so suddenly.

During the New Year’s visit, Old Master Shen seemed quite well; how could he have been suddenly admitted to the hospital again?

Without much time to think further, Qiao Xi grabbed her car keys and rushed out.

She called Shen Dang.

Shen Dang had told her he would return to Hai City today, probably still on the plane right now.

Qiao Xi could only leave him a message.

Arriving at the hospital, Qiao Xi headed straight for the ward.

Old Master Shen lay in the bed, looking frail.

Qiao Xi’s voice was choked with emotion.

The old man wasn’t in good spirits, but upon seeing Qiao Xi, a tender smile lit up his face, "Xixi."

His voice was as withered as an old tree.

Qiao Xi took the old man’s outstretched hand, "Grandpa, I’m here."

Seeing her worried, Old Master Shen instead offered her comfort, "When people age, these things happen, hospital visits become routine, don’t worry, I just wanted to see you."

Qiao Xi could only nod, "I understand, Grandpa. Shen Dang will be back from his trip soon; you need to get better."

"Grandpa will," he reassured.

In fact, watching them reach this point, Old Master Shen no longer had any regrets.

He knew his grandson would be with the woman he loved, forever.

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Old Master Shen smiled a relieved smile.

Even if he left this world, he could rest easy.

Qiao Xi forced a light-hearted smile, "That’s good then; nothing is more important than your health, Grandpa. Take good care."

Qiao Xi chatted with the old man, who quickly grew tired and fell asleep again.

Exiting the room, Qiao Xi gently closed the ward door behind her.

Ran Jing stood up, "How is Grandpa doing?"

Qiao Xi spoke softly, "He’s fallen asleep."

"You’ve had a hard time, making you come all this way."

"Auntie, don’t say that, it’s my duty to come."

"Good child," Ran Jing said with relief.

"Why was Grandpa suddenly admitted to the hospital?"

Seeing the old man’s current state, Qiao Xi genuinely couldn’t rest easy.

Old Master Shen had told her a lot, and she always felt like he was giving his last words.

Ran Jing sighed, "The same old issues. Actually, Grandpa has been admitted to the hospital once a month for the past half year. The doctor wants him to stay for observation but he refuses; he had problems last night, and you and Ah Dang really need to persuade him."

The old man was stubborn and refused to stay in the hospital, and his body was increasingly failing. She feared he might suddenly pass away.

Qiao Xi’s expression grew solemn, "Shen Dang should be arriving in Hai City later. When he gets back, I’ll talk to him about persuading Grandpa."

Ran Jing grasped her hand tightly, "Good, I’m relieved to have you."

Her voice wavered slightly, her eyes rimmed with red.

Shen Hongxuan was not at home at the time, and despite Ran Jing’s usual strength, one still feels fear when alone.

Qiao Xi held her hand in return, noting the weary look in her eyes, she advised, "Auntie, why don’t you go back and rest first? I’m here."

"No need, I’ll wait here for Ah Dang to come back."

Ran Jing said, her tears suddenly falling.

Qiao Xi’s heart quivered, "What’s wrong, Auntie?"

Almost uncontrollably, Qiao Xi’s eyes also started to well up.

Seeing Ran Jing, a powerhouse woman, break down, Qiao Xi felt a heavy weight on her heart.

Ran Jing’s voice trembled, "The doctor said Grandpa only has about a year left."

Old Master Shen was a kind man; since Ran Jing had married into the Shen Family, Old Master Shen had always treated her as his own daughter.

She respected and loved Old Master Shen deeply.

The mere thought of the doctor’s words made it unbearable to hold the sadness in.

This news was too sudden for Qiao Xi to accept.

She asked hoarsely, "How can it be so sudden?"

Ran Jing shook her head, sobbing, unable to speak.

Qiao Xi embraced Ran Jing, gently patting her back.

As Old Master Shen slept, Qiao Xi stayed by Ran Jing’s side.

Late at night, after ten o’clock, Shen Dang finally arrived at the hospital, looking haggard.

Having taken care of Old Master Shen all day and night, Qiao Xi eventually persuaded Ran Jing to go home and rest.

So, for the moment, Qiao Xi was alone in the hospital.

Hearing footsteps, Qiao Xi stiffly looked up in the direction of the sound.

"I’m late," Shen Dang embraced her, stroking her head, "You’ve worked hard."

"It’s good that you’re back."

"I’m going to see Grandpa."

"Grandpa just fell asleep not long ago."

Shen Dang peered through the window at the old man in the ward. He didn’t enter to avoid disturbing him, just stood there silently for several minutes.

He could still hear the echoes of the old man’s vigorous scolding in his ears.

Now, seeing the old man lying powerless in the hospital bed, even he couldn’t stay calm.

His hand was suddenly taken, warmth and softness transmitted to his palm.

It drew him back from his thoughts.

Shen Dang turned his head, "What did the doctor say?"

Qiao Xi knew this was sudden for him, yet she relayed the doctor’s words to him.

After calming his emotions, Shen Dang’s voice raspy, he said, "You must be tired, do you want to go home first? I’ll stay with Grandpa tonight."

"I’m not going back. When I was injured and stayed in the hospital you were with me the whole time. I’ll stay with you tonight to accompany Grandpa; we also have to persuade him to stay in the hospital tomorrow."

Shen Dang held her tightly, resting his head on her shoulder.

"I’m glad you’re with me."

No matter what happened, the sun would rise as usual the next day.

Shen Hongxuan rushed back from out of town overnight, arriving at the hospital early in the morning with Ran Jing.

In the ward, Qiao Xi and Shen Dang were having breakfast with Old Master Shen, laughing and chatting in a warm atmosphere.

"How are you feeling now?"

Old Master Shen looked towards his son and daughter-in-law, "You’re all here. Having Xixi keep me company this morning, I’m feeling much better."

He then said to Qiao Xi and Shen Dang, "You two stayed here all night. It’s been tough. You should go home and rest."

Holding Qiao Xi’s hand, Shen Dang responded, "Then Xixi and I will come back later."

"Good, good, good," the old man said thrice with approval.

Shen Dang led Ran Jing outside the ward, "Since Grandpa refuses to stay in the hospital, let’s arrange for a family doctor to stay at the Shen Family Mansion."

Old Master Shen’s stubbornness was such that even Qiao Xi and Shen Dang couldn’t sway him.

The saying goes, ’fallen leaves return to the roots,’ and Old Master Shen did not wish to spend his last days in the hospital.

"Understood," Ran Jing said, her voice rough, "You take Xixi home to rest; your dad and I will be here."