Chapter 5: Li Ming's Words

I continued asking: "Li Ming, how is your sister-in-law? You must tell me the truth."

Li Ming glanced at me,

Then he sighed and said: "Brother, how should I tell you? My sister-in-law didn't die; she's clinging to life now, but the doctor said she might remain unconscious for the rest of her life."

Upon hearing that, I urgently asked: "What do you mean? Will my sister-in-law become a vegetable?"

Li Ming said: "Because she hit the back of her head on the ground, after experts in the capital worked on her for over ten hours, they managed to save her life. Perhaps with treatment she will regain consciousness."

Hearing Li Ming say that,

I immediately blamed myself,

"If I had known, I wouldn't have gone to the provincial capital with your sister-in-law that day; otherwise this wouldn't have happened."

"Li Ming, what kind of fate is this? I just had a couple of good days, and now this happens. I feel terrible toward Zhou Wei; I must make her wake up. Tell Xiao Hua to find the best doctor, use the best medicine, and get your sister-in-law better."

"Brother, don't get agitated; Xiao Hua's brother has already found the best doctor. Brother, everything is fate."

"Some things require accepting fate; the accident involving your sister-in-law wasn't something anyone expected. Fortunately, you're not seriously injured. Brother, if you stay a few more days, you can be discharged." Li Ming said consolingly.

"As for Wu Ping's side, we definitely need to give more money. Alas, I feel terrible toward Wu Xiezi; I originally wanted to take care of his son and have him drive for me—who would have thought this would happen? Alas, how can I face Wu Xiezi's wife now?" I again blamed myself.

"Brother, you really don't need to blame yourself; one life, one fate—it's unavoidable. The accident happened, and it's not something you wanted him to have. Just because Wu Ping died, many things are now hard to investigate." Li Ming said.

"Investigate what?" I asked Li Ming.

Li Ming sighed,

"Alas, the weather was so nice, there weren't many vehicles on the highway—how did an accident suddenly happen? I can't quite understand, but Chief Niu's side has finished the investigation and classified it as an accident, so I don't know what to say."

Hearing Li Ming say that, I also fell silent.

Chief Niu is none other than Xiao Hua's brother-in-law. His younger sister-in-law Xiao Hua married Xiao Hua.

He is now the person in charge of the Zaocheng bureau.

It seems Li Ming's words have hidden meaning.

Li Ming used to be a police officer; he studied criminal investigation in university.

So he likes to ponder certain matters.

But Li Ming also doesn't dare to say anything about this.

Everyone is sensible.

If someone intentionally caused this car accident, who would it be? Just thinking about it makes one's blood run cold.

But Wu Ping is already dead, so any speculation now lacks evidence.

I calmly said to Li Ming: "Li Ming, don't say more about this. Think of a way to protect your sister-in-law's safety."

Li Ming said: "Don't worry, brother; I've already drawn someone from our Senior Management Bureau to secretly look after your sister-in-law. You also need to stay safe."

I nodded,

"In a few days I'll be discharged and return to Zaocheng. Please bring your sister-in-law back from the capital as soon as possible; let's treat her in Zaocheng, since we're familiar with the place." I said.

"Brother, I was just about to discuss this with you. My sister-in-law is in the capital, and it's inconvenient to care for her there. Besides, medication is only one aspect; I've heard that many vegetative patients regain consciousness through gradual companionship and emotional calls from family. You and your sister-in-law have a deep bond. I feel that if you stay with her every day, it should be quite effective." Li Ming said, looking at me.

"You're absolutely right. If my sister-in-law truly doesn't make it and dies in my arms, that would also be a comfort to me. Please handle this quickly; I miss my sister-in-law." After saying that, tears streamed down my face.

"Brother, at this time you shouldn't be overly grieved; your body hasn't recovered yet. Also, there's another matter: just now Qiao Jie went out and wanted me to tell you something." Li Ming said.

"What is it?" I asked.

"It's about Sun Dajun being promoted to vice president of the group; this was Xiao Hua's suggestion, but you've always opposed it."

"This time, Qiao Jie, outside the ward, asked me to plead with you to promote Sun Dajun. She said Sun Dajun is also your son, and promoting him would help you share more of the burden."

"If you still refuse, he'll get really angry. Brother, I think you should consider Qiao Jie's opinion. What's the relationship between this young man and you, how would you put it?" Li Ming hesitated to speak.

After hearing Li Ming's words, I naturally understood what he wanted to express.

"Li Ming, you know my relationship with Sun Dajun—he's not my biological son, we share no blood. But everything he has today is thanks to me. When he grew up, I very much hoped he'd become my right-hand man, yet he's done some things that disappoint me greatly."

"Fighting, causing trouble, doing nothing decent all day."

"Not long ago I criticized him a few times, and he actually blamed me for abandoning his mother back then."

"Why I left Qiao Jie, you, Li Ming, know that."

Li Ming nodded.

"But how should I put this? Qiao Jie got together with another man, and it's not that I deliberately abandoned her. Sun Dajun wasn't a child back then; Li Jiayou lived in the family home at Niushiling, so he should remember."

"Hmph, this brat—we won't mention this, and yet he dares to blame me."

"Why not let him be the group's vice president? It's because he lacks the ability. I don't know why Xiao Hua wants to promote him; perhaps she just sees him as easy to use. This Sun Dajun acts recklessly, and I'm very disappointed in him." I said angrily.

"Brother, raising children only to raise enemies—this isn't good. I remember you always telling me what we live for: it's for the next generation. Sun Dajun has these flaws, but you should also nurture him. Give him a chance to train; otherwise, if he continues like this, he'll grow to hate you, and it'll also be dangerous." Li Ming reminded.

"What danger? Damn it, little brat, could he even lay a hand on me?" I said.

"Brother, our mother once advised you: you have many children and many affairs; each child needs to be looked after. When they grow up, they have their own thoughts. Don't keep viewing them with the eyes of the past."

"You've raised them with kindness, but now that they're grown, whoever treats them well will be felt directly by them. So I suggest you agree quickly to Sun Dajun's promotion—do it as a favor. Must we really drive all these children to become enemies?" Li Ming said urgently to me.

After Li Ming finished speaking, I fell silent again.

"Am I not good to these children? Their food, clothing, play, and enjoyment all come from my money. I raised them, hoping they'd become useful to society."

"Yet when they grew up, they brought me such great trouble."

"Actually, I also hope Sun Dajun can become my assistant, help me, and share part of my burden."

"But Sun Dajun has overdone things; ever since he acknowledged Chief Niu as his godfather, his actions have become more arrogant. In the company, he deliberately does the opposite of what I assign."

"Can't he see that I'm furious about Xiao Hua's proposal to make him vice president?"

"It's simply because he's gotten too close to Xiao Hua."