Chapter 759 - 729: Honor Above All
Ye Qingya came alone; she did not inform Elder Qiao of this news. This decision was made after consulting her father, Ye Changyuan, who believed that the Qiao family’s matters should be handled by them. His daughter now needed to fulfill her duty as a wife and visit Dongzhou immediately.
Ye Changyuan was in the Capital City, and he did not choose to accompany his daughter to Dongzhou. He had something that needed discussing with his father first.
Elder Ye was practicing Wuqinxi in the courtyard. Since recovering from his illness, his health had been getting better, thanks to the breathing techniques taught by Xu Chunliang.
Seeing his son return at this hour, Elder Ye was a bit curious, but his movements didn’t pause. He calmly asked, "Back so early?"
"There’s something I want to discuss with you."
Elder Ye stopped, knowing that if his son said that, it wasn’t a small matter, so the pair went to the study.
Elder Ye sat down while Ye Changyuan stood properly, a good habit nurtured from a young age.
Elder Ye asked, "What is it?"
Ye Changyuan replied, "Rulong met with a car accident in Dongzhou."
Elder Ye furrowed his brows, "Is it serious?"
Ye Changyuan nodded, "Very serious. A steel pipe pierced through his left chest, damaging his heart. He is currently undergoing a heart transplant surgery."
The first thing Elder Ye thought of was his precious granddaughter. If Qiao Rulong couldn’t overcome this, wouldn’t his granddaughter become a widow? He looked at Ye Changyuan and asked, "Does Qingya know?"
"She knows and has already set off to Dongzhou."
"Why aren’t you accompanying her?"
"Something came up."
"No matter how big it is, it can wait."
Ye Changyuan took out his phone and showed his father a photo.
After looking at it, Elder Ye’s expression became more serious, "Is there a woman in the car with him?"
Ye Changyuan didn’t speak. As a man, he realized at the first moment that the woman’s relationship with Qiao Rulong was not ordinary. Ye Changyuan felt angry for his daughter, but he didn’t show any sign of it in front of her, which was also why he didn’t accompany her.
Elder Ye was silent for a moment and then said, "Go. Regardless of the situation, our Ye family must maintain decorum. If that Qiao boy can’t make it, let’s not mention this matter again."
Ye Changyuan nodded in agreement.
Elder Ye added, "If he makes it through, we need to investigate thoroughly. My granddaughter cannot be mistreated like this." He clenched his fists, his deep eyes emitting an intimidating cold light.
Ye Changyuan said, "Uncle Qiao probably doesn’t know about this yet. I didn’t let Qingya inform him."
Elder Ye reasoned, "The Qiao family matters are best handled by the Qiao family. You did the right thing." He sighed and continued, "Old Qiao has great expectations for Rulong. If anything happens to him, Old Qiao won’t be able to bear the blow."
Ye Changyuan said, "I’m just a bit worried about Qingya."
Elder Ye shook his head, "There’s no need to worry. Qingya’s feelings for him aren’t that deep."
This was the reality—Ye Qingya and Qiao Rulong’s marriage wasn’t driven by affection but by political interests. Both father and son saw it clearly. Qiao Rulong did not truly love Ye Qingya, and for Ye Qingya, it was the same toward Qiao Rulong. Yet, despite this, they couldn’t tolerate Qiao Rulong’s betrayal. His betrayal was not just infidelity but also a show of disrespect toward the Ye family.
The Ye and Qiao families shared a common value: family honor above all else.
Qiao Yuanjiang had already informed the entire family not to notify their father before the surgery was completed, knowing full well of his father’s high hopes for Qiao Rulong. In his father’s heart, Qiao Rulong’s position even surpassed that of Qiao Yuanshan.
Whenever Qiao Yuanjiang thought of his younger brother Qiao Yuanshan, a subtle pain crept in his heart. From a young age, he had always lived in the shadow of his brother. Even when his brother made mistakes or left without a word, in their father’s eyes, he could never measure up to his brother.
Qiao Yuanjiang was nearing retirement age, but he still had not gained his father’s acknowledgment. To him, all of his father’s love had been given to his brother. After his brother’s departure, his hopes and affections were transferred to his nephew, Qiao Rulong.
Qiao Yuanjiang never showed it to anyone, but deep down, he felt extremely suppressed and even harbored deep resentment toward his father. Hearing about Qiao Rulong’s accident, he didn’t feel particularly sad. Despite rushing over immediately, he was merely fulfilling his duty as an uncle and feared that if he didn’t show enough concern, he would face his father’s blame.
For some unknown reason, Qiao Yuanjiang began to care less and less about the honor of the Qiao Family. Power, wealth, they were all external possessions. He didn’t understand why his father, at such an age, was still so obsessed with family legacy.
Over these years, the book Qiao Yuanjiang had read the most was the Book of Changes. He started to believe in fate, thinking that his life was destined to be this way. No matter how hard he tried, he could never surpass his father’s achievements. He believed his brother was also destined, and now his nephew Qiao Rulong was suffering such misfortune, also due to fate.
The Qiao Family’s luck had reached its end. Extremes lead to decline. Even dynasties face the same cycle, let alone their Qiao Family.
Secretary Zhou introduced the car accident situation to Qiao Yuanjiang. Qiao Yuanjiang could sense Secretary Zhou’s tension; everything was still unknown.
After listening to Secretary Zhou, Qiao Yuanjiang said, "I have contacted experts from the Provincial People’s Hospital. They should arrive soon."
Secretary Zhou realized that Qiao Yuanjiang didn’t trust Changxing Hospital’s medical capabilities, which was understandable. Changxing Hospital wasn’t even among the top three in Dongzhou. Even though Shu Yuanhang’s past resume was quite impressive, this was his first major surgery since coming to Dongzhou.
Not everyone can withstand the pressure of undertaking such a major surgery. Secretary Zhou also had Zhang Song contact top cardiac specialists from other hospitals in the city. Their unanimous response was that Shu Yuanhang had no issues. Such an answer not only proved Shu Yuanhang’s excellent skills but also showed that these experts dared not easily take over such a surgery. Success would certainly be delightful, but failure could risk reputational damage.
Secretary Zhou said, "Rest assured, we have mobilized Dongzhou’s top medical forces."
Qiao Yuanjiang frowned, disagreeing with Secretary Zhou’s statement: "As far as I know, Changxing is not the best hospital in Dongzhou."
Secretary Zhou said, "Every hospital has its specialty. Changxing’s cardiothoracic department is the strongest in Dongzhou. Dr. Shu Yuanhang is the top thoracic surgery expert in Asia. His surgical skills are among the best, even in Asia."
Zhang Song, listening on the side, inwardly thought that Secretary Zhou’s words were essentially an official endorsement for Changxing’s cardiothoracic department. If the surgery succeeded, Changxing Hospital’s cardiothoracic department would become indisputably the leading department in Dongzhou.
Ye Qingya had just entered Changxing Hospital; a heavy rain started. She didn’t have time to use an umbrella and rushed into the hospital building through the rain.
When Ye Qingya appeared at the door of the operating room, her clothes were soaked. Such a situation rarely happened to her.
Zhao Feiyang specifically arranged for Deputy Director Geng Wenxiu to stand at the door of the operating room to welcome the patients’ families. The administration director was also stationed there, ready to report any changes to Zhao Feiyang immediately.
Ye Qingya’s appearance quickly caught Geng Wenxiu’s attention. One’s bearing is certainly related to upbringing. Geng Wenxiu determined that Ye Qingya must be a family member of Qiao Rulong and quickly approached, "You are..."
Ye Qingya briefly introduced her identity.
Geng Wenxiu respectfully said, "So it’s Mrs. Qiao. I’m Geng Wenxiu, Deputy Director of Changxing Hospital. Your husband’s surgery is still ongoing."
Ye Qingya asked, "Is the situation very serious?"
Geng Wenxiu said, "The specific situation is not clear yet. We are currently performing a heart transplant. Mrs. Qiao, I’ll take you to the VIP lounge first."
Ye Qingya shook her head, "I won’t go anywhere; I’ll wait right here."
At this moment, Xu Chunliang and Gao Xinhua returned. Seeing Ye Qingya, Xu Chunliang said, "Sister Qingya, when did you arrive?" He was the god-grandson of Elder Ye, and Ye Qingya was his god-sister. He should call Ye Qingya sister-in-law from Qiao Rulong’s side, but since he and Mei Ru Xue were not yet married, calling her sister was more appropriate for now.
Upon seeing Xu Chunliang, Ye Qingya’s eyes immediately turned red, "Chunliang, Rulong he..."
Xu Chunliang didn’t know how to comfort her. Whether Qiao Rulong could survive, he didn’t know. After all, it was Shu Yuanhang performing the surgery. Xu Chunliang believed in Shu Yuanhang’s medical skills but was unsure of the extent of Qiao Rulong’s injuries.
Xu Chunliang said, "I estimate that it will be over soon, and you don’t have to worry too much. Brother Rulong will surely turn danger into safety."
Geng Wenxiu, watching from the side, sighed inwardly. Xu Chunliang had powerful connections with the Ye Family and Qiao Family. This young man’s future is limitless, no wonder my big brother said to cultivate a good relationship with him.
Xu Chunliang also persuaded Ye Qingya to wait in the VIP lounge, but Ye Qingya insisted on staying at the operating room door, so Xu Chunliang had to let her be.
Ye Qingya sat down on the bench at the door. Geng Wenxiu brought her a cup of hot tea and thoughtfully handed her a dry towel to wipe her rain-soaked hair and avoid catching a cold.
Xu Chunliang received a call from Mei Ru Xue. She had just gotten off the high-speed rail and had a car from work waiting for her at the station. She inquired about the status of her brother’s surgery.
Xu Chunliang told her the surgery was still not finished. Mei Ru Xue’s voice was choked with sobs, asking him if it was a heart transplant surgery.
Xu Chunliang had been keeping this from her, not expecting she’d eventually find out. Mei Ru Xue learned from her uncle. Xu Chunliang reassured her that Qiao Rulong was quite lucky to have found a suitable heart in such a short time, indicating divine favor. He believed that Qiao Rulong would overcome this crisis.
After the call, Xu Chunliang estimated that Mei Ru Xue could arrive in about twenty minutes. He got an umbrella ready to go down and meet her.
At this moment, a nurse came out from the operating room to update them. The heart transplant surgery was completed, and they were now performing lung reconstruction surgery. It was expected to take some time. Shu Yuanhang had asked her to come out and let the family know, to ease their concern.