Chapter 611: Unconscious
Chapter 611: Unconscious
After freshening up, Lu Jiaxin prepared to have breakfast when she received a call from Lu Jiaguang, informing her that their father had woken up and had been moved to a regular ward. It seemed that troublemakers often live long, leaving a lasting legacy of harm. She had expected him to remain unconscious for at least a couple of days, yet here he was, awake after just one day.
Now that she knew he was conscious, Lu Jiaxin felt even less rushed. She took her time eating breakfast before heading to the hospital, where Lu Shan had taken over from Lu Jiaguang, who had gone to work.
Lu Jiaguang, the eldest brother, was truly exceptional. He had stayed up all night at the hospital when Second Uncle Lu was hospitalized, and now he was taking time off work to care for and keep vigil over their father, Lu Hongjun. Even at fifty, he was still enduring sleepless nights, which couldn't be good for his health.
Lu Shan, upon learning that Lu Jiaxin had returned the previous night, felt uncomfortable looking at her and greeted her softly as "Aunt."
Lu Jiaxin looked at the motionless figure in the bed, tubes protruding from his head and body, his eyes the only part that seemed alive, but even they held a vacant stare, devoid of recognition as they fell upon her.
"What did the doctor say?" she asked Lu Shan.
Lu Shan explained, "The doctor came by earlier and saw that he had woken up. They instructed us to take good care of him."
Lu Jiaxin nodded. "I brought some breakfast. If you haven't eaten yet, have some. I'm going to find the doctor to inquire about his specific condition."
Lu Shan had come early in the morning, intending to relieve Lu Jiaguang, who still needed to go home, shower, and change before work. As a result, he hadn't eaten breakfast yet.
When Lu Jiaxin reached the doctor's office, he was still making his rounds. She waited for about half an hour before he returned.
This doctor was very conscientious. He patiently explained Lu Hongjun's condition and the events that had transpired. In simple terms, Lu Hongjun had suffered a stroke due to a deep emotional stimulus. Fortunately, he was brought to the hospital in time; had they been half an hour later, he would have died. However, thanks to the surgery, he had regained consciousness and was now out of danger. The next step was for the family to provide attentive care.
The doctor continued, "Usually, there will be a high fever on the second day after surgery, and the fever should subside within two to three days. If all goes well, he can be discharged in about ten days."
Lu Jiaxin, however, wasn't as optimistic. "I went to see him in the ward earlier. He's awake, but his expression is vacant, and he doesn't seem to recognize me. Is this normal after the surgery?"
The doctor patiently explained, "Brain infarction can lead to loss of consciousness, a vacant stare, dull reactions, paralysis, or even aphasia. As long as we control it with medication and careful care, his mental state should gradually improve. After he's discharged, you can continue his rehabilitation treatment, and he should make a slow recovery."
Lu Jiaxin asked, "When he's discharged, can I take him to Hong Kong City? There's a hospital there that's renowned for its rehabilitation treatment. I believe he'll recover faster there."
According to her plan, she would only need to check on him once and then bear the medical expenses. However, the sudden heart pain she had experienced the day before still lingered in her memory, leaving her apprehensive. So, she intended to take him to the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, believing that once he recovered, she could bring him back. Then, he could live with Lu Shan, fulfilling his dream of doting on his grandchildren.
The doctor was surprised. "You mean the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital?"
"Yes," Lu Jiaxin confirmed.
The doctor, who had not paid much attention to her appearance earlier, now glanced at her upon hearing this request. He noticed the expensive Patek Philippe diamond watch on her wrist, contrasting with her otherwise ordinary attire. "The medical facilities and rehabilitation treatments at the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital are undoubtedly superior to those on the mainland. However, considering his current condition, it would be best to let him rest at home after discharge. A long-distance journey might be too taxing on his body."
Lu Jiaxin understood his concern.
"We would like a single-bed room," she requested.
The doctor regretfully informed her that all single-bed rooms were already occupied and none were available.
Back in the ward, Lu Shan immediately asked, "Aunt, what did the doctor say?"
Lu Jiaxin explained, "The doctor said that Dad's stroke was caused by a deep emotional stimulus. Fortunately, we brought him to the hospital in time. If we had been just half an hour later, he would have..."
Before she could finish her sentence, she noticed Lu Hongjun raising his right hand and staring intently at it.
Lu Jiaxin felt a headache coming on. With one cognitively impaired elder at home already, she hoped they wouldn't have another. The doctor's words offered her some reassurance.
Just then, Su Hongying arrived, carrying a bag of fruit. She spoke briefly to Lu Hongjun but, upon realizing he wasn't responding, asked, "Jiaxin, what's wrong with your father?"
Lu Jiaxin briefly explained, "The doctor said it's temporary. He'll recover in a couple of days with medication."
"You'll have to take good care of him during this time," Su Hongying said.
Lu Jiaxin wasn't about to admit that she would hire a caregiver. Social niceties were still important, so she replied, "He's my father, who gave birth to me and raised me. Now that he's in trouble, I should take care of him no matter how difficult it is."
After saying this, she asked, "What exactly did my father do? First, they say he profited from selling supplies and caused the deaths of many people. Then, they accuse him of selling cultural relics and being a traitor."
Su Hongying didn't beat around the bush. She shared what she had found out: "Your father's involvement in the sale of supplies is backed by both testimonial and physical evidence—the evidence is conclusive. However, regarding the sale of antiques, there are only the statements of Tang Sufen, Huang Xiaoyu, and Lu Jiazong, among others, but no physical evidence."
She knew that Lu Jiaxin had taken that batch of antiques to Hong Kong City, but the accusation of selling them to foreigners was baseless.
A flash of anger crossed Lu Jiaxin's eyes as she thought of Lu Jiazong, that fool... However, she acknowledged that her father had brought this upon himself. He had sown the seeds of his own misfortune, and now they were all suffering the consequences.
Su Hongying took Lu Jiaxin's hand and patted it reassuringly. "Your Uncle Xie is already on his way back. Don't worry, your father can be granted medical parole considering his condition."
The implication was clear, even if vaguely worded. Lu Jiaxin understood that once Xie Kaixiao returned, he would help smooth things over and try to suppress the matter. If they couldn't hush it up, and the higher-ups pursued the case, her father wouldn't be able to serve a prison sentence in his current state, so he could be granted medical parole.
Lu Jiaxin spoke firmly, "If my father has committed a crime, then he should be punished according to the relevant laws. But I won't stand for framing and entrapment for something he didn't do."
Su Hongying quickly assured her, "Of course, of course. Everything will be handled according to the law."
With Lu Jiaxin's investment of 100 million yuan in the Oriental Automobile Factory, and the additional planned investment of 400 million yuan, along with her connection to Nie Zhan, who was helping with the XK project, things were looking up. Additionally, Nie Zhan intended to build the Peninsula Hotel in the city and had three major projects underway in Guangzhou. Just these two connections were enough to deter anyone from daring to frame Lu Hongjun falsely. The potential fallout from upsetting them—the withdrawal of their investments—was too great a risk for anyone to take.
"Let's hope so," Lu Jiaxin said.
Su Hongying shared some positive news. "He Yuan and He Ming learned that you're back and have already booked a noon flight. You'll be able to see them this afternoon."
Lu Jiaxin felt their trip was unnecessary, but with so many people around, she couldn't voice this thought. "Aunt Su, I want to move my father to a single-bed room, but the doctor said there aren't any available."
Su Hongying felt she was being too honest. "If they knew that you were the one who donated that set of medical equipment worth tens of millions last year, they wouldn't suddenly run out of single-bed rooms."
Lu Jiaxin hadn't thought of that.
(End of Chapter)
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