Chapter 163: Three Lives in the Balance
The announcement of the outcomes plunged everyone into silence.
Yitianqing, overwhelmed by emotion, approached the stretcher and pulled back the white sheet covering the patriarch's face. Seeing his grandfather's lifeless, pale features, his trembling hands reached out to touch the cold body. Unable to contain his grief, he fell to his knees, crying out, "Grandfather! Wake up, please wake up!"
His cries echoed through the corridor, a haunting sound that lingered.
Yitianqing knelt there for a long time, tears streaming down his face. For a man who rarely showed vulnerability, this was a moment of sheer heartbreak. His blurred vision turned toward the still-unconscious Tianlin, his voice trembling as he muttered, "Tianlin, why won't you wake up? Grandfather needs you. You have to wake up and see him one last time."
Tianlin lay unmoving, his breathing steady, showing no signs of consciousness.
"Grandfather!" Liang Xiaoluo stood between Tianlin and the patriarch, her hand brushing lightly against the old man's cold fingers. Tears flowed freely down her face, her heart aching as if being torn apart.
Though the patriarch had often been cold and harsh toward her, Xiaoluo had never resented him. She had seen the warmth in his eyes when he looked at Tianlin, even when Tianlin's rebelliousness often tested his patience. Their bond was undeniable, and Xiaoluo deeply respected the old man for it.
She had grown to love Tianlin, and through that love, she also held affection and respect for his family. She thought back to their last conversation when he had greeted her warmly at the hotel. That moment had washed away years of coldness between them. Yet now, he was gone, leaving her filled with regret for not cherishing their time together.
"Is there still no sign of Tianlin waking up?" Yitianqing asked after a long silence, his eyes fixed on his younger brother.
Xiaoluo shook her head, her voice barely audible. "No."
Regret weighed heavily on her. If she had trusted Tianlin more, if she hadn't doubted his intentions, perhaps things would have turned out differently. Perhaps the patriarch would still be alive, and Tianlin wouldn't be lying in this hospital bed.
Her thoughts spiraled downward. I bring misfortune to everyone around me, she thought bitterly.
Yitianqing sighed deeply, his expression darkening. "Grandfather loved Tianlin more than anything. He would be so disappointed that Tianlin isn't here to see him off."
The words stung Xiaoluo, making her eyes sting with unshed tears. She tightened her grip on Tianlin's hand, leaning closer to him. "Tianlin, please, wake up. Don't let Grandfather leave without you. Remember how much he cared for you? Please, don't keep sleeping like this."
Her tears fell onto Tianlin's hand, each drop filled with sorrow and longing.
Yitianqing placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Xiaoluo, you need to rest. You've been pushing yourself too hard. If you don't take care of yourself, what will Tianlin think when he wakes up and sees you like this?"
Xiaoluo shook her head, unwilling to leave. "Big Brother, I can't. Every time I close my eyes, I see Tianlin covered in blood, and it haunts me. I need to stay here and watch over him. He'll wake up soon—I know he will."
Seeing her determination, Yitianqing sighed again but didn't push her further. "At least promise me you'll take care of yourself."
She nodded, finally standing. "I will."
"I'll head back to handle Grandfather's arrangements," Yitianqing said before leaving the room, his steps heavy with grief.
Left alone, Xiaoluo busied herself caring for Tianlin. She fetched warm water, gently wiping his face and body, ensuring he remained clean and comfortable. She knew how particular he was about cleanliness, a quirk she had never questioned but always respected. Her love for him encompassed all his flaws and idiosyncrasies, including his overbearing nature and his occasional cruelty.
The next day, the world's attention turned to the patriarch's funeral. Outside the memorial hall, the Gu couple arrived in mourning clothes, their grief quickly morphing into anger.
"You heartless monsters!" Mrs. Gu screamed. "Give me back my daughter! May you all rot in hell!"
Her shrill voice attracted the attention of the media, who eagerly swarmed to cover the commotion.
"Mrs. Gu, are you saying there's a connection between your daughter's death and the Ye family? Is there some hidden truth?" a reporter asked, pushing forward with a microphone.
"Please clarify for the public. What exactly happened?" another journalist pressed.
The Gu couple's dramatic display and accusations stirred up the crowd, fueling speculation.
Before Mrs. Gu could fully engage with the reporters, the blaring sirens of police cars shattered the chaos. The vehicles pulled up to the memorial hall, and a team of officers swiftly disembarked. Without hesitation, they detained the Gu couple.
"What are you doing? Let us go! We demand justice for our daughter!" Mrs. Gu shrieked as she was dragged away.
Their sudden removal left the reporters in stunned silence. The scene quickly de-escalated as the remaining media were also ushered away by the police.
"Mother, this will only worsen public perception of our family," Yitianqing said, his tone sharp as he addressed Hualin.
She remained unfazed, her voice icy. "And what would you have me do? If you have a better solution, by all means, share it."
Yitianqing fell silent, unable to argue. Hualin's connections had undoubtedly helped diffuse the situation, but her actions risked painting the Ye family as tyrants in the eyes of the public.
Inside the memorial hall, the atmosphere grew solemn as attendees paid their respects. Each person placed a white chrysanthemum before the patriarch's portrait, bowing their heads in mourning. A loud voice called for a moment of silence, and the crowd fell still.
But the silence was broken by a faint yet clear voice. "Grandfather..."
Heads turned toward the entrance, where Xiaoluo stood, supporting a frail but conscious Tianlin as they slowly made their way forward.
Tianlin's eyes were fixed on the patriarch's photograph, his expression devoid of emotion but his gaze filled with sorrow.
His sudden appearance stunned Yitianqing and Hualin. They rushed to him, their faces a mixture of relief and shock.
"Tianlin, you're awake? When did you regain consciousness?" Yitianqing asked, his voice shaking.
Tianlin didn't respond, his focus unwavering as he approached the altar. It was as if the people around him didn't exist, his entire being consumed by grief.
Xiaoluo, still supporting him, looked conflicted but determined. She knew he wasn't fully recovered and had to be careful not to strain him further.
Finally, Tianlin stood before the patriarch's portrait. He stared at it, unblinking, his lips trembling as he whispered, "Grandfather..."