The experts that Young Master Shen had contacted finally arrived three days later. After examining Xin Qing, they came to the same conclusion as the doctors did.
"Mrs. Ying's condition is something that is beyond even us," said the oldest member of the team of foreign doctors. "However, there is a way that might work."
Ying Qingcang's eyes brightened. "Please, do tell us."
"I once had a patient who went into PVS after a car accident. She had been bedridden for five years. But her husband loved her deeply and never gave up on her. He had even impregnated his wife while she was still comatose."
Ying Qingcang frowned. "And then?"
"While performing a C-section on her, the doctors noticed a change in her brain waves, or what we call neural oscillations. And after the child was born, the patient woke up."
At this point, Ying Qingcang was not the only one who was taken by surprise; Young Master Shen was, too. "She woke up?" Young Master Shen said. "Someone actually recovered from PVS after giving birth?"
The doctor nodded. "Yes. However, she was just mentally awake. She was still unable to move her body."
"Okay, but was she capable of speech?" Zhang Mi asked.
"Yes," the doctor said, "she could speak. She could move her eyes as well, and she was also capable of conscious thought."
Young Master Shen's Adam's apple bobbed twice as he swallowed. He stared at Ying Qingcang and said, "Considering the circumstances, I think getting Xiao Qingqing to wake up is the toughest part. As long as we can get Xiao Qingqing to wake up, everything else can be handled."
"Yeah!" Zhang Mi agreed. When she noticed the dark scowl on Ying Qingcang's face, she quickly added, "We can ask Chen Huan and the old chieftain to look into it later on. Regardless of Xin Qing's condition, there has to be a way to return her body back to normal!"
Ying Qingcang said nothing, merely turned around and sat down beside Xin Qing. Young Master Shen sighed and sent the doctors off. After that, Young Master Shen called Chen Huan and told them about the doctors' conclusions, which led Chen Huan to calling the grandmaster. To everyone's surprise, Chieftain Mo Lin dropped by the hospital the very next day.
"The grandmaster and I share the same view as the doctors. There are plenty of cases where vegetative patients recovered after receiving external stimulus. So, now we just have to wait seven more months!" Then, the chieftain gave Ying Qingcang a small box. "There are seven vials of drug inside. Add it into her IV drip together with her parenteral nutrition every month."
Chen Huan took the box and studied it. "There won't be any side effects, right? Like, it won't affect the baby?" They had a huge scare last time after that whole debacle with the genetic modifying drug.
"It's not going to be a problem!" The chieftain glared at Chen Huan. "You think my stuff is like those dangerous gimmicks that the grandmaster plays around with?"
Ying Qingcang gave the old chieftain a deep, penetrating stare. "I have your word that the child won't be affected?"
"As long as you give her the drug on time!" Said the old chieftain with absolute conviction.
To Ying Qingcang, seven months was a long period of time; no doubt each and every day in those seven months would feel like a year. Right now, he was on the verge of uncontrollable rage. Before leaving, the old chieftain told them that he would keep researching and try to find a way to save Xin Qing. After that, he left.
Zhang Mi finally had enough when Ying Qingcang had once again thrown out the documents that Ah Nan had brought for him to sign.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, huh?" Zhang Mi said, bursting into the room. "You were away for three years! Three years! And Xin Qing had spent every day of those three years guarding your legacy. She's a woman who had to struggle to stay on top in a world dominated by men. You think that's easy? You think she wanted that?"
"I'm sure you understand how she is," Zhang Mi said. "She didn't have any great ambitions or visions or whatever. She just wanted to have a normal life with you and live life like an ordinary girl. But because of you, she had found her courage and strength." Zhang Mi's eyes became red-rimmed. "And what about you? Now that she's bedridden, it's your turn to step up. But other than stare at her and talk to her, what else have you been doing?"
"That's all I can do at the moment. Talk to her and speak to her," Ying Qingcang said slowly as he wiped Xin Qing's hand.
"But that doesn't mean you can ignore everything else!" Zhang Mi panicked. "You guys still have your children. You're not just a husband. You're also a father!" Zhang Mi dumped a heap of folders onto the table. "You no longer want the company that Xin Qing had worked so hard to guard, is that it? Then you should have said so earlier. Because I want it!"
Young Master Shen had been standing quietly at the doorway the whole time. He had been helping out with Ying Enterprises' corporate affairs these days; he had to find a way to make Xin Enterprises' acquisition of Ying Enterprises seem legit. Regardless, he had to admit that Ying Qingcang was definitely a corporate genius; on the surface, Ying Enterprises seemed like a glorified company, but in actuality, it was nothing but an empty shell.
A slight internal issue was all it took to break its capital chain immediately. Soon, the company was forced to start selling its shares. Xin Enterprises then took the opportunity to swoop in and buy its shares. This major corporate buyout involving Xin Enterprises and Ying Enterprises was all over the newspapers. Nobody knew what on earth had happened to Ying Enterprises. Reporters had been camping out at the entrance of the company, hoping to get an interview with Ying Qingcang. Little did they know that the man was actually hiding out in the hospital.
"I want to bring her back home," Ying Qingcang said after a long time had passed.
Zhang Mi rolled her eyes. Great. Just f*ck*ng great. Perhaps the man had not even been listening to a single thing she said just now.
"We have a private doctor in Ying's residence. Right now, the only thing Ah Qing needs is her parenteral nutrition. The environment is better at home than here at the hospital. That way, I can go to the company without having to worry."
Young Master Shen and Zhang Mi shared a look with each other. They both sighed in relief.
"Then I'll go ask the doctor. If they approve, we'll move back tonight!" Zhang Mi left to talk to the doctor whereas Ying Qingcang stood up and started packing their things; evidently, he had no plans of waiting for the doctor's approval.
Before Chinese New Year, everyone was surprised to see Ying Qingcang appearing at Xin Enterprises' annual gathering as the company's President instead of Xin Qing.
The reporters swarmed him in the hopes of interviewing him, though they were all told that Ying Qingcang did not wish to be interviewed for now but would launch a press conference after the Chinese New Year to clear things up. All kinds of rumors were circulating among the public. Those women from upper society, the same ones who had mocked and ridiculed Xin Qing last time, were now biting and tearing up God-knows how many of their handkerchiefs.
On the other hand, there was a bit of a gloomy vibe surrounding Ying's residence during this festive season.
Ah Sha entered the room noiselessly. She stroked Xin Qing's hand and asked, "Daddy, can we launch fireworks at the lawn?"
Ying Qingcang was sitting beside Xin Qing's bed. In his hand, he was holding Xin Qing's journal. He nodded and said, "Go ahead. But be careful, okay? Don't hurt yourself."
Ah Sha nodded. "Daddy, do you want to come with me?"
"I need to keep your mommy company. We can't let her spend the Chinese New Year alone now, can we?" Ying Qingcang stroked Ah Sha's head. "Go have fun."
Ah Sha walked back downstairs. Inside the living room, Monica, Ah Nan, Ah Che and Boss Wan's family kept watching Ah Sha as she descended the stairs.
"He's not coming down?" Monica sighed. "Right now, he only leaves her side whenever there are urgent matters in the company that requires his attention. Other than that, he spends all his time upstairs."
Chen Huan gave a light shrug. "Just leave him be. He'll feel even more terrible if you stop him from being there."
Xunxun walked over and took Ah Sha's hand. Behind him, Wangwang was dragging a box of fireworks.
"Let's go," said Xunxun. "Didn't we say we will launch fireworks and then pray for Aunt Qing?"
A series of thuds sounded as Liuliu ran over. "Firecrackers!"
In her hand, Liuliu was carrying a double bang firecracker.
"Noise! Noise! Wake up auntie!" Liuliu kept hearing everyone say that Xin Qing was asleep. So, to her young mind, the obvious solution was to wake her up with the sound of firecrackers.
Chen Huan picked up Liuliu and placed her in Xiao Rui's arms. "Here, I'll leave her to you." With his poker face intact, Xiao Rui turned around and walked away with the tiny bundle in his arms.
"See? Our daughter is still desirable," Chen Huan said with much glee. Then, she yelled at Xiao Rui. "Hey, Xiao Rui, want to become auntie's son-in-law?"
Xiao Rui's steps had noticeably quickened after hearing that comment. He opened the door and stepped out.
Young Master Shen and Zhang Mi returned from the United States after the fifth day of Chinese New Year. Everyone was preparing for the upcoming press release. A week later, Ying Enterprises officially declared bankruptcy, after which Ying Qingcang made a public appearance and openly announced that he and Xin Qing were still married and that he had officially returned to run Xin Enterprises.
None of the reporters' questions regarding Xin Qing's whereabouts as well as her absence were answered. No further news came up during the month following the press release, either. There was nothing, not even a single claim about all this being a joke in the making where Rong Siman would suddenly appear and create a scene. With that, the public gradually turned their eyes to other things.
The days went by in such a fashion. Other than attending important meetings at the company, Ying Qingcang spent the rest of his time working at home. Jiang Qianren would come to visit once a month, and during those visits, Jiang Qianren had to ignore the daggers that Ying Qingcang had been sending him with his eyes. Every time he visited, Jiang Qianren would sit beside Xin Qing and just talk to her, telling her about random stuff.
The summer holidays arrived in the blink of an eye. It was now just half a month away from Xin Qing's estimated date of delivery. Because of that, Xin Qing had already been transferred back to the hospital. The old chieftain had personally come by to examine her before the procedure. After that, the chieftain and the doctors decided to schedule the C-section for next week.
Everyone came to the hospital on the day of the surgery. They were all hoping for a miracle. Ying Qingcang had already donned his decontamination suit and was sitting beside the surgical table, holding Xin Qing's hand. Due to the fact that Xin Qing had been well cared for all this while, the surgery went smoothly. Half an hour later, a 3.5-kilogram boy was removed from Xin Qing's stomach.
The nurse brought the little baby to Ying Qingcang, who only glanced at the baby briefly before returning his eyes to Xin Qing's face. The nurse carried the baby out with an envious look on her face. All the nurses in the hospital had been talking in private about how Ying Qingcang was the best kind of man; putting aside his wealth, he was also the kind of man who would never abandon his wife.
"Ah Qing, hurry up and wake up. We have another son now. Please wake up, okay? Don't you want to see him?" Never in his life had Ying Qingcang's heart beaten so fast. He had even gone as far as acting like a child, tugging Xin Qing's hand, looking at her pleadingly.
The doctor yelled suddenly. "Her brain waves are changing!"
Ying Qingcang froze and glanced at the rapidly changing figures on the equipment. Then, he heard a weak voice, and he swore it was the most wondrous sound in the entire universe.
"Ah Cang... it hurts!"
Ying's residence, a month later.
Today, Chengcheng had officially turned one month old. Ying Cheng. That was the name Ying Qingcang had given their son. It carried the meaning of "a dream comes true" in Chinese. Today, everyone sat around the living room, and the little guy was placed on the table. Liuliu bent over beside Chengcheng's head and kept staring at him. She found her little brother to be plump and fair; for some reason, she felt a strange urge to bite his face.
In an alcove of the living room, two human-shaped figures were leaning into each other.
"Are you tired?" Ying Qingcang kissed Xin Qing's forehead. Xin Qing's eyes were half-closed as she sat leaning against his body. "You don't have to ask me that once every few minutes, you know. I'm not molded from clay, I'm not that weak."
Xin Qing suddenly puffed out her cheeks. "You really don't feel disgusted? I mean, with me being like this and all."
"What kind of nonsense are you talking about?" Ying Qingcang scowled and bit her bottom lip. "Keep saying stuff like that and I'll personally ensure that you won't be getting any sleep tonight."
Xin Qing blushed and nuzzled at his chest. "What if I can't stand up ever again?"
"Then I'll spend the rest of my life carrying you!" Ying Qingcang tightened his arms around her. Although Xin Qing had woken up, the part of her nervous system responsible for her lower body's movement was damaged during the electrocution; she could not stand up. According to the doctors, unless there was some modern surgical procedure that could repair her damaged nervous system, she might not be able to stand up ever again.
Wangwang's voice sounded from the living room. "Father, mother! Come on, it's time to cut the cake!"
Ying Qingcang carried Xin Qing and looked into her eyes. Xin Qing met his gaze and saw her own reflection inside his pitch-black pupils.
"I will find a way to make you stand up again!"
The man sealed his promise with a kiss...