Chapter 246: Comfort Like a Dream

After hearing my words, Qian Niang stopped speaking.

She looked at the dark night sky outside and said, "When will it be dawn?"

I said, "Mother, don't worry, it'll be soon."

Qian Niang said, "I've been cooped up in this room every day; although we have food and drink, it feels like prison. I just want to go back to Niushiling. Er Hai, once things settle down, take me back to Niushiling; I want to spend my old age there."

I nodded,

"Mother, don't worry; as soon as there's any turnaround, I'll send you back to Niushiling. Actually, I also want to go back and have a look."

"Old, old, still one's own home is home. Your affairs, Mother can't ask about; just go ahead and toss about. Er Hai, I suddenly feel what you say makes sense,"

"If we don't put up a little resistance, what will happen to Xiao Long and Ru Meng? Xiao Long did well, yet he was just fired outright—where can we go to reason?" Qian Niang sighed.

I was about to say something,

Ya Ling knocked and came in,

Ya Ling brought Ru Meng in.

Ru Meng raised her head and looked at me.

Her eyes were full of doubt; it seemed Ru Meng didn't recognize me.

Qian Niang said, "Ru Meng, quickly call Dad—your Dad has come to see you."

Ru Meng did not call out.

She muttered under her breath,

"This is not my father at all."

Ya Ling said beside her, "Ru Meng, this really is your father; he just put on a little disguise. Brother, why don't you take a look at your sister-in-law too."

I said, "Go, it's not easy for me to come here. Take me there."

Ya Ling said, "All right, Ru Meng, come on, let's go with your father."

I wanted to take Ru Meng's hand and walk together, but she refused.

In her mind, her father is the chairman of Da Heng Group, a lofty figure of tremendous ability; now he has become a fugitive and has undergone plastic surgery just to be seen in public. Ru Meng surely feels a discrepancy and refuses to accept it.

Qian Niang said, "Ru Meng, my child, this really is your father; Grandmother would never lie to you. Come look at your mother together with your father—our family of three hasn't reunited in a long time."

After saying that, Qian Niang placed Ru Meng's hand in mine.

My hand clasped Ru Meng's tender little hand, feeling a warm current surge in my chest.

This is bloodline inheritance.

I clenched Ru Meng's hand tightly, afraid she would pull away.

Ya Ling led the way ahead,

I and Ru Meng followed behind; fortunately, the miners' hospital is not far from the guesthouse.

We quickly arrived at Zhou Wei's room.

Zhou Wei was still the same as before,

The attending elder sister hurriedly got up and turned on the light for us.

The elder sister said, "You two have come; let me tell you good news: the patient's eyeballs can move back and forth. Don't believe me—give it a shout and see."

Upon hearing that, I hurried to the bedside,

I softly called, "Zhou Wei, Zhou Wei, I am Zhao Jianqiang—did you hear me? If you did, please move your eyeball so I can see."

Zhou Wei, Zhou Wei."

But Zhou Wei had no reaction.

Ru Meng lay beside Zhou Wei and shouted, "Mom, did you hear that? My Dad has come. Mom."

Hearing Ru Meng call Mom, tears came to my eyes.

I struggled not to let out a sob.

As Ru Meng's calling continued,

Zhou Wei's eyelid indeed lifted a little, then he forcefully opened his eyes,

those beautiful big eyes were looking around for something.

Ru Meng lay beside her,

I also drew near her side.

Zhou Wei's gaze seemed to land on me, but quickly shifted to focus on Ru Meng.

It lingered on Ru Meng.

I knew Zhou Wei didn't recognize me, because I've had plastic surgery and changed my voice—I am no longer the former Zhao Jianqiang.

I felt a bit regretful,

I still shouted toward Zhou Wei, "Zhou Wei, Zhou Wei, did you hear me? I am Zhao Jianqiang, your husband, the one who loves you most."

But Zhou Wei still did not look this way.

After gazing at Ru Meng for a moment, Zhou Wei closed his eyes again.

The attending elder sister said, "The patient is tired; she managed to open her eyes only with great effort. This shows improvement. Don't disturb her any further—let her rest a while."

Upon hearing the elder sister say that,

we left the ward.

Ya Ling said to me, "Brother, rest assured; your sister-in-law is absolutely safe here.

Not even a fly can get in; I have arranged twenty‑four‑hour protection."

Hearing Ya Ling, I felt relieved,

"Ya Ling, thank you for your hard work; I entrust their safety to you."

Ya Ling said, "Brother, what are you saying? Being any more polite between us would be pointless."

I suddenly remembered something, that Xu San is seriously ill, has Zhengzheng come to visit Xu San?

I hurriedly asked Ya Ling: "How is Xu San? Has Zhengzheng come to see his grandfather?"

Ya Ling said: "He came the day before yesterday, stayed with Uncle Xu San for a day, then left again, saying he had something to do at the Provincial Capital school. Uncle Xu San's spirits have been okay these days; he won't die for now."

I told Ya Ling: "I can't contact Zhengzheng conveniently; you tell Zhengzheng that he isn't wanting to study abroad? This wish, I will fulfill it for him; let him figure out how to register; as for the expenses, don't let him worry; when the time comes, just give it to him through you."

Ya Ling said: "Okay, bro, I'll tell Zhengzheng about this tomorrow. This kid plans to earn a living by his talent to pursue studies. What talent does he have?"

I said: "Right, can't let him mess around. I'll leave this to you. Ru Meng, come over, Dad, and let's have a few words."

I and Ru Meng walked to an open space outside.

I looked at Ru Meng's frozen, bright red face.

I reached out my hand.

I gently stroked Ru Meng's face.

I saw tears actually flowing from Ru Meng's eyes.

I didn't speak, also shed tears, and I tightly hugged Ru Meng.

We grandfather and grandchild calmed our emotions a bit.

I said to Ru Meng: "Ru Meng, do you hate Dad? Having brought you back from the Provincial Capital, now you can't even go to school."

Ru Meng shook her head and said: "Dad, I don't hate you; I heard Grandma say that it's because bad people are harming our family that this situation has arisen.

"Dad, I want to ask you, can we still return to living as we did before?"

I looked at Ru Meng and said: "Dad, it's really hard to answer you. Ru Meng, what I want to tell you is, whether we can return or not, that past way of life is not important; what matters is that you be strong, face this life strongly, and know that this life is truly not easy.

"You have never suffered any grievance since childhood; you grew up in sweet water."

"If there's anything slightly wrong, you'll lose your temper, like a little princess."

"From now on, you must learn to change, to change your speech and conduct."

"Let yourself grow up slowly; Dad and Mom are not by your side; here you must first protect your own safety, and not have too much contact with outsiders."

"You should know, you are my everything."

Dad's dear one.

Also, you must definitely listen, listen to Grandma's words, listen to Aunt Ya Ling's words. Don't be willful; spend more time with your mom, chat more with her.

Dad, believe you are a good child, you just lack the chance to train. Ru Meng,

Your road ahead is long,

Dad cannot accompany you for your whole life,

You must learn to grow up, which means learning to do your own things, such as washing clothes, cooking, etc.

Our family suddenly encountered a change; your heart feels a great gap; this you need to gradually overcome yourself.

You are Zhao Jianqiang's daughter; you must bravely face all difficulties and challenges.