Chapter 521: Gu Xiuxiu's Injury
Chapter 521: Gu Xiuxiu's Injury
After visiting Old Man Nie, Lu Jiaxin headed to the Harbour City Patek Philippe boutique. She was a lover of fine watches, and the store had just released a new model, prompting them to give Lu's residence a call.
While some wealthy ladies preferred to have their selections delivered to their homes, Lu Jiaxin enjoyed the experience of browsing in-store, using it as an opportunity to also stroll through the city.
Subsequently, Lu Jiaxin purchased some new clothing, and her final stop was at the Wufu Jewelry store. She had a penchant for watches, but wasn't particularly demanding when it came to jewelry. The selections at Wufu Jewelry were typically to her liking.
After a meal out, Lu Jiaxin returned home and headed upstairs to rest. However, upon waking up and heading downstairs, she was met with news from the butler—Gu Xiuxiu had been hospitalized.
The butler explained, "Madam, we just received a call. Miss Gu injured herself climbing down from the second-floor window."
Lu Jiaxin was stunned. Climbing down from the second floor? What on earth was she thinking? But there was no time to ponder, as she rushed to St. Maria's Hospital.
Gu Xiuxiu favored St. Maria's Hospital, and whenever she needed medical attention, this was her go-to place. St. Maria's Hospital was indeed reputable, and since Gu Xiuxiu preferred it, Lu Jiaxin saw no reason to insist on another hospital.
Upon arriving, they found that Gu Xiuxiu's left leg had already been bandaged. It was only after inquiring with Hong Gu that they learned she had tied a bedsheet to the window and attempted to slide down. Unfortunately, a maid had spotted her, and her startled scream caused Gu Xiuxiu to fall and sprain her ankle.
At that moment, Lu Jiaxin wondered if she was hallucinating. Was this really the same person who had been disoriented and confused? But then again, the villa on the mountainside was rather small, which might have prompted her escape attempt.
"Young Miss," Mei Gu said, "Not only does the old madam want to go out during the day now, but she also wants to go out at night. Last night, she insisted on going out to dance."
This constant restlessness was truly exhausting for Mei Gu and Hong Gu. They had thought she was asleep earlier, only to discover her attempt to climb out the window. It was clear she intended to escape through the backyard.
Lu Jiaxin rubbed her temples in frustration. She had read news stories about how challenging it was for children to care for parents with dementia, and while she had thought that hiring additional caregivers would be sufficient, she hadn't anticipated this level of restlessness.
"Young Miss," Mei Gu suggested, "let us take the old madam back to Si Jiucheng. The mansion there is spacious, and there's a park nearby for walks. We can take her out for some fresh air morning and evening."
"The Repulse Bay mansion will be ready for occupancy in March, and there will be more space for her to move around there."
Mei Gu shook her head. "While the Repulse Bay mansion is larger than this one, it's not as spacious as the Si Jiucheng estate. Moreover, it's a bungalow there, unlike the multi-story buildings here. Today, she climbed down from the window; what if she tries to jump from the roof next time?"
Today's incident had truly frightened her, and she never imagined that Gu Xiuxiu could escape through the window.
"It's very cold in Si Jiucheng at the moment," Lu Jiaxin said. "If we take her there now, she'll likely fall ill. Let's wait until your aunt's foot has healed before considering it."
However, that very night, Gu Xiuxiu suddenly regained her lucidity. She called Lu Jiaxin, insisting on returning to Si Jiucheng. "Jiaxin, I won't stay in this bird cage. I want to go back to my five-section mansion."
Ever since they brought her back to the city, nearly two months had passed in a blur. This was the first time she had been so clear-headed.
"It's very cold in Si Jiucheng right now," Lu Jiaxin explained. "I'm worried your health might not be able to handle it. Moreover, with your injured foot, it won't be easy to move around. Let's wait until your foot has healed, and then I'll take you back."
But Gu Xiuxiu was adamant. "No, I want to go back now. Even if I die, I want to die at home, not in a hospital."
Seeing Lu Jiaxin's hesitation, she continued, "Jiaxin, if you won't make the arrangements, I'll have someone buy me a ticket, and I'll go back by myself tomorrow."
Lu Jiaxin was at her wit's end. She had no issue with someone buying a ticket, but she knew that by tomorrow, Gu Xiuxiu would likely be disoriented again. "Tomorrow is too rushed. How about three days from now? Auntie, once you and Mei Gu are back in the city, we'll need to contact the relevant departments to turn on the heating in the mansion there.
Gu Xiuxiu insisted, "I can get all that done in a day. I told you, I'm going back the day after tomorrow. I don't want to stay in this birdcage any longer. I want to go back to my five-section mansion."
To appease her, Lu Jiaxin had no choice but to agree.
Once Gu Xiuxiu's foot was bandaged, she could return home. However, she stubbornly refused and insisted on going straight back to Si Jiucheng.
Lu Jiaxin asked Mei Gu, puzzled as to why Gu Xiuxiu was so averse to returning to her own home, the hillside villa.
Mei Gu helplessly explained, "The rooms here are half the size of those in Si Jiucheng, and the compound isn't enclosed. As soon as she steps out, there are always two people following her. She doesn't like that. She keeps saying that we're imprisoning her and even threatens to call the police, accusing us of illegal confinement."
Lu Jiaxin could understand why the children of those with dementia would feel overwhelmed. Despite hiring four caregivers, plus Mei Gu and Hong Gu, and having the bodyguards pitch in, there always seemed to be some new issue to deal with.
"But if we go back to Si Jiucheng, we might encounter those troublemakers again, and you'll be worried and scared."
Mei Gu reassured her, saying that the previous incident hadn't been as serious as she'd initially thought. "With the bodyguards around, no one can harm us. Miss, I know you're filial, but at her age, it's best to just go along with her wishes."
"Let's wait until her leg heals before sending her back."
Mei Gu shook her head. "It's better to send her back the day after tomorrow. Otherwise, when she regains her senses, she'll make a fuss again. We can handle it, but we're worried she might hurt herself again."
Lu Jiaxin didn't object further, merely saying, "I'll be starting work at the company next month, so I'll be busy. I'll have to rely on you and Hong Gu to take care of Auntie."
Unless it was a matter of life and death, she had no intention of returning to Si Jiucheng. Unlike in Hong Kong, where she could rush to the hospital immediately, as she had done today for a sprained ankle, she wouldn't do the same in Si Jiucheng.
Mei Gu nodded in agreement.
With such a significant development, Lu Jiaxin naturally informed Nie Zhan: "It's not just Auntie; even Hong Gu and Mei Gu prefer the large mansion in Si Jiucheng. Fine, if they want to go back, then let's go back."
Hearing this, Nie Zhan became curious. "I'll come with you then. I want to see how grand this five-section mansion of yours is."
Lu Jiaxin laughed. "A five-section mansion used to be the residence of princes or ministers of the second rank and above in ancient times. What's rare is that it's very well-preserved. I only had it renovated."
Such mansions were not only spacious but also symbols of status and power in the past. However, being able to buy this mansion was a matter of luck; even with money, one might not be able to acquire it.
A smile appeared on Nie Zhan's face. "So, you agree that I should accompany you to Si Jiucheng?"
Lu Jiaxin smiled back. "My agreement doesn't matter; you won't be able to go anyway."
As it turned out, Lu Jiaxin's words were prophetic. On the morning of their planned departure, Nie Zhan received a call from his grandfather, who summoned him to the old mansion, saying that there was an important matter to discuss.
Lu Jiaxin playfully pushed him. "If your grandfather says it's important, you'd better go."
Nie Zhan had no choice but to postpone his plans until the next time.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
