Chapter 264: Zhang Yiqin Unconscious
"No more classes today. Want to keep me company at the office?"
Lu Yunque looked at Yun Zijin with expectant eyes.
"Sure, but will I really not be bothering you?"
From the way Lu Yunque had his head down, immersed in his work, he clearly had a lot to do.
"You’re not a bother at all. Having you here actually boosts my work efficiency."
Because he wanted more time alone with Yun Zijin, he was processing his documents much faster than usual.
Yun Zijin never knew she had such an effect on him.
"Well, you get back to work then. I’ll entertain myself."
Yun Zijin skillfully picked up a tablet from the coffee table in front of the sofa.
With so much free time, it was perfect for binge-watching a show!
"I stocked some snacks for you in that cabinet over there. And the mini-fridge next to it has some too. Help yourself."
Lu Yunque pointed to a cabinet and a small fridge next to the one where he kept his files. With Yun Zijin’s memory, she knew they were definitely new additions.
She hadn’t seen them on her previous visits.
’But wait, an entire cabinet and fridge were prepared just for me?’
"The cabinet and the fridge are both full of food?"
"Mhm. But don’t have too many cold things, or you’ll get a stomachache again."
The scene of her suffering in the middle of the night back in C City was still fresh in Lu Yunque’s mind.
Yun Zijin thought, ’So we’re never going to get past this stomachache thing, are we?’
"I know, I know. I’ll be careful."
Yun Zijin opened the cabinet first. It was filled with things like cookies, potato chips, and chocolate.
The fridge, meanwhile, held a dazzling array of drinks and mineral water—some brands she recognized, and some she didn’t.
This was more than enough for her to snack on. It was nice not having to ask the secretaries to go buy more.
Yun Zijin picked out some of her favorites and placed them on the coffee table.
Seeing Yun Zijin happily occupied, Lu Yunque went back to handling his own affairs with a sense of ease.
*
「The Xia Residence.」
After taking Zhang Yiqin to the hospital, Xia Zhiyun had her admitted directly.
But thinking of the mountain of issues at the company, he knew he couldn’t stay at the hospital for long.
Calling Yun Zijin would only confirm he was blocked, so he called Xia Jiajiao instead.
When Xia Zhiyun told her to come to the hospital to watch over their mother, Xia Jiajiao was reluctant but had to agree to maintain her persona as a pampered darling.
Before leaving, however, she took the time to doll herself up, making sure her entire appearance was exquisitely flawless.
By the time she arrived at the hospital, two hours had already passed.
Looking at his sister, dressed so elegantly that even every strand of her hair seemed meticulously styled, Xia Zhiyun felt a fleeting urge to slap her.
Didn’t she realize what was happening? Their mother was unconscious with a fever, yet she still had the nerve to do her makeup and style her hair!
Besides, he had been held up for two hours. Who knew what kind of chaotic mess he would face when he got to the company.
"Xia Jiajiao, you are unbelievable..."
He thought about how Zhang Yiqin had been worrying herself sick every day over Xia Jiajiao’s marriage alliance. Today, she had collapsed with a fever, yet the person she was worried about had leisurely taken her time to put on makeup and pick the perfect outfit just to come watch over her!
Look around! Was there anyone else here visiting a patient who looked like her? She was a complete anomaly!
"Brother, I was already ready to go when you called. It took so long because of traffic. I... I didn’t do it on purpose."
Seeing the ferocious look on Xia Zhiyun’s face, Xia Jiajiao quickly tried to make an excuse.
"Hah! Xia Jiajiao, do you think I don’t know what kind of person you are?
"Even if you hate Dad and me, Mom wore herself out to the point of collapsing with a fever for your sake, and you still have the heart to dress yourself up! You’re just... heartless!"
Xia Zhiyun didn’t know how to describe what he was feeling. All he knew was that he felt sick to his stomach.
"Mom’s on an IV and is still unconscious. I have things to deal with at the company.
"I don’t care what you’re thinking, you will stay here and watch over her today! Otherwise, don’t blame me for cutting off your card!"
As the only male heir of the younger generation of the Xia family, Xia Zhiyun had the power to do so.
Xia Jiajiao bit her lower lip hard, her hands clenched into fists and her eyes red, looking as if she was about to cry.
In the past, Xia Zhiyun might have felt sorry for her, but having seen this act too many times, he now only felt irritated.
He shot Xia Jiajiao one last warning glance and quickly left the hospital.
Watching Xia Zhiyun’s retreating back, a vicious glint flashed in Xia Jiajiao’s eyes.
’On what grounds! Just because I’m a daughter, am I destined to be suppressed, without even the right to say no?’
’Yun Zijin is the Xia family’s real daughter! Even if someone had to watch over her, it should be Yun Zijin’s responsibility! Why should it be me!’
’If it weren’t for this, I’d be out shopping with my friends right now!’
But thinking about Xia Zhiyun’s threat to cut off her card if she dared to leave, Xia Jiajiao had no choice but to stay at the hospital, no matter how resentful she felt.
Her only consolation was that Xia Zhiyun had booked a VIP room for Zhang Yiqin. With only the unconscious Zhang Yiqin in the room, she wouldn’t have to do much.
Xia Jiajiao took out her phone and sat on the sofa in the room, playing without giving Zhang Yiqin a single glance.
What no one in the Xia family knew was that not long after Xia Jiajiao had left the house, uniformed individuals came knocking on their door.
The butler, hearing the doorbell, came out to open the door, feeling a bit puzzled. The moment he opened it, he saw several people in uniform standing outside.
The butler froze. ’What’s going on?’
"Hello, we’re police from the local precinct. Is this the residence of Zhang Yiqin, Ms. Zhang?"
"Th-this... what’s this about?"
The butler didn’t dare answer directly. One wrong move and he would offend the Xia family.
He wanted to enjoy a peaceful retirement after he resigned, not get targeted for insane revenge.
After all, judging by the Xia family’s usual conduct, the butler had every reason to believe they were the type to be vindictive and hold grudges over the smallest things.
"Ms. Zhang is a suspect in connection with a premeditated kidnapping case. Please cooperate with our investigation."
A premeditated kidnapping case!
The butler’s vision went dark. What in the world was all this?!
"Allow me to make a phone call."
"Alright, but please be quick."
They were on duty and valued efficiency.
The butler called Xia Zhiyun. After all, Xia Zhengguang hadn’t been seen since yesterday; the butler subconsciously felt he wasn’t reliable.
At Xia Corporation, Xia Zhiyun was already at his wit’s end when the butler’s sudden call made him feel like his head was about to explode.
"Young Master, this is bad! The police are at the house, asking for the madam."
The butler was brief and to the point.
Xia Zhiyun was speechless.
’What the hell is going on now?!’
He never imagined that even while unconscious with a fever, Zhang Yiqin could still cause trouble for him.
The police showing up at their door, asking for someone by name—this was practically pushing the Xia family into a corner!
"I know. I’m on my way home now."
His mother was unconscious and couldn’t be present, so he, as her son, had to step up.
He could only hope it wasn’t too serious, otherwise... the Xia family would truly have no way to recover.
Xia Zhiyun gave his assistant some instructions before hastily driving away from the company.
Inside the Xia family villa, the two police officers had been invited inside by the butler, who had also prepared tea for them.
But the two officers sat stiffly on the sofa, showing no intention of drinking the tea, making it clear they wouldn’t leave until the person they were looking for arrived.
The butler could only stand by with a forced smile, trying his best to stall for time.
This was the scene that greeted Xia Zhiyun when he returned home.