Liang Yan had wanted to plea for forgiveness, but Old Master Huo was beyond enraged that he fainted. She called emergency services, tagged along on the ambulance, and saw him wheeled into the operating room. There she stood, feet rooted to the ground, staring at the green light above the entrance door.
Her mind was all over the place. She'd never cared about her reputation, and no matter how Liang Youli spoke ill of her, she'd never taken any action. All because she'd never thought these empty accusations would become an ineradicable spot in her life.
"Don't be afraid." Huo Qingning wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Right then, Liang Yan could no longer hold her calm. She turned to hug him, broke down, and cried.
"I-I've never thought of involving you in this. Divorce, let's get a divorce. I can't let anything happen to grandpa..." Liang Yan was scared. She'd gone through the pain of losing her family, so she couldn't have Huo Qingning go through the same thing.
"Don't be silly. We're not. I believe you, and so would grandpa." Huo Qingning tightened his grip, squeezing her gently and giving her the comfort and reassurance she needed. He'd shoulder the weight of the world because he understood what kind of person she was, as well as the bourdon she carried. From then on, he'd be with her through thick and thin.
Two hours later, the light above the door to the operating room went off. A surgeon walked out and removed his surgical mask.
Huo Qingning let go of Liang Yan, leading the surgeon to the office next door. He was worried about how the outcome would give her another scare. "How did it go, Dr. Liu? The old master has always been healthy. How did it..."
Dr. Liu lifted the corner of his lips. "Mr. Huo, the old master's fine. He faked passing out only to scare the pants off of you."
"What?" Unbelievable. Huo Qingning furrowed his brows.
Dr. Liu nodded and added, "The minute they pushed him in, he woke up. He had us in on his act too to tell you he was in a critical condition, that he couldn't get worked up easily. Honestly, the older someone gets, the more they act childlike. Perhaps something happened at home, and you kids didn't let him have his way. So you should go talk to him later and sort things out."
Huo Qingning nodded, breathing out a sigh of relief. Thank goodness it was a false alarm. But he disagreed with the old master's childish behavior, which gave Liang Yan a good scare.
After transferring him to his ward, Old Master Huo declared that everyone but Liang Yan could visit him. So Huo Qingning gave her words of comfort and told her to go home and rest up, that he had everything under control. Still, Liang Yang didn't budge. She insisted on staying right outside the ward.
"Send her in!" It was an order, and Old Master Huo's assistant nodded. When he walked out of the door, he was surprised how Liang Yan had never left, standing by outside. He passed on the message.
Liang Yan was slightly surprised. She hesitated before pushing the door open, her maneuver careful not to trigger Old Master's Huo again.
"Grandpa..." She bowed before him. "I'm sorry for putting you in this situation."
"Shut up. We're not here for your repent." Old Master Huo shut his eyes to avoid looking at the girl. "Listen. Divorce my grandson as quickly as possible. You might have fooled Qingning but not me. You'll never get your share of our family's inheritance!"
"Okay. Once you're out of the hospital, I'll get a divorce straight," said Liang Yan without resisting, her voice plain, like she was a death row prisoner awaiting her execution.
That's it? Old Master Huo was taken aback by her calm and compliance that it didn't feel appropriate to make things difficult for her. He had prepared a long speech at first, but now, no words could form from his mouth. She'd agreed to his request without putting up a fight, so what now?
It was like the full force of his blow had landed on a soft pillow, harmless and unheeded. It made his blood boil.