Chapter 268: Zhang Yiqin Woke Up
When the butler nodded, the smile on Xia Jiajiao’s face became much more genuine.
"You’re the best! Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon!"
Or so she said. But when she would return was entirely up to her.
Xia Jiajiao grabbed her purse and casually left the hospital room without so much as a glance at Zhang Yiqin in the bed.
One wonders what Zhang Yiqin would think if she knew the daughter she so fiercely protected didn’t even have the patience to sit with her in the hospital room.
After Xia Jiajiao left, the butler sat on the sofa she had just vacated. He occasionally checked to see if the IV drip was finished and sometimes cut up a piece of fruit for himself.
Even though he was keeping watch, the butler found the job much more relaxing than his work at the Xia family villa.
At least the atmosphere wasn’t as suffocating as it was in the Xia household. With only an unconscious person and himself in the room, he could do as he pleased.
Zhang Yiqin woke up just as the second IV bag was nearly empty. Upon seeing the white ceiling, she briefly thought she had entered heaven, but her mind soon cleared, and she realized she was in the hospital.
The butler quickly noticed she was awake and hurried to her bedside. "Madam, you’re awake?"
"But... Butler..."
Having not had water for so long, her throat was dry, and her voice came out raspy and harsh.
"You had a fever and fell unconscious this morning. The Young Master discovered you when he got up and brought you to the hospital. How are you feeling now?"
Although the butler wanted to hand in his resignation, he still had to fulfill his duties.
"Water..."
Zhang Yiqin felt as if her throat was on fire.
"One moment, please."
The butler turned, poured her a glass of warm water, and helped her sit up to drink it.
"Please get some rest. I’ve pressed the call button, so a doctor or nurse will be here shortly to check on you. I’m going to step out and call the Young Master."
’Xia Jiajiao just left. If I call her, she’ll just make up an excuse not to come back.’
’As for the Master, he hasn’t shown up since yesterday. He’s unreliable, too.’
’In the entire Xia family, the Young Master is the only one who genuinely cares for the Madam.’
’Unfortunately, the Madam’s heart is set on the Young Miss, and she pays little attention to the Young Master.’
The butler left the room without a second thought for Zhang Yiqin’s reaction.
When the butler called Xia Zhiyun, he was in a meeting and missed the call because his phone was on silent.
By the time his meeting ended, an hour had passed.
He saw the missed call from the butler and hurriedly called back.
"Butler, what is it?"
He was swamped with company affairs, yet he still had to be on alert for the butler’s calls about Zhang Yiqin’s condition. Xia Zhiyun’s brow was deeply furrowed.
"The Madam is awake. The Young Miss just left, saying she had something to do."
Hearing that Zhang Yiqin was awake, Xia Zhiyun frowned slightly. He hadn’t yet received the results of the police investigation into the kidnapping, and she had woken up before he could make any preparations.
Xia Zhiyun felt things were spinning out of his control. If the kidnapping case wasn’t handled properly, his mother would likely get a criminal record, or even go to prison!
If word of this got out, the Xia family business would truly be beyond saving.
"I understand. Please keep watching over her. Don’t tell her about the police yet, lest she get agitated and something else happens."
The butler desperately wanted to wash his hands of the whole affair, but since he hadn’t resigned yet, he couldn’t say no.
"Understood."
They both hung up, their hearts heavy with worry.
One worried about how to keep his mother from getting a criminal record and going to prison; the other worried about when he could finally resign.
Not long after the butler stepped out of the room, a doctor entered to check on Zhang Yiqin’s condition.
There were no major problems. She could be discharged once her IV drip was finished.
The butler returned at that moment, and hearing the doctor’s words, he felt slightly relieved.
’It’s a relief there are no serious issues. Otherwise, what could I, a mere butler, do? I have no authority to make decisions.’
Zhang Yiqin had completely recovered her strength by now, but seeing that only the butler was there, she grew displeased.
"Where is everyone else? Why are you the only one here?"
’I had a fever and was unconscious, yet only the butler is here watching over me? This is an outrage!’
"The Young Master brought you to the hospital but had to leave for urgent business. The Young Miss just left as well."
He didn’t mention the Master, which meant he hadn’t shown up at all.
But the butler wasn’t about to volunteer that information.
"Where’s my phone?"
Zhang Yiqin then remembered. Her fever started because she was waiting for news in the living room. She had waited and waited until she fell asleep, not expecting to be burning up and unconscious the next day.
Thinking about it now, Zhang Yiqin felt a lingering fear.
If it weren’t for her son, she feared the fever would have left her delirious.
"The Young Master was in a hurry when he brought you to the hospital, so it’s likely still at home."
The butler didn’t know why Zhang Yiqin suddenly wanted her phone, but he offered his speculation anyway.
"Handle my discharge papers. I’m going home right now!"
’The phone has to be in my hands, otherwise...’
Just imagining the possibility made Zhang Yiqin shudder with fear.
’There’s been no news all night. They most likely failed.’
But Zhang Yiqin couldn’t understand how so many people could have failed to deal with that wretched girl’s seven bodyguards!
"Madam, your IV drip isn’t finished. If you leave early, the medicine may not be fully effective, and your fever might return."
The butler answered in as calm a tone as he could manage. ’Ever since they found the Xia family’s real daughter, this family has felt less and less like one.’
"Don’t be an alarmist! I know my own body. Go handle my discharge paperwork right now!"
All Zhang Yiqin could think about was getting her phone. Only then would she truly be able to relax.
The butler was speechless.
’Fine, discharge papers, is it? I’ll get you your damn discharge papers right now!’
"Of course, Madam. One moment."
With that, the butler took the necessary documents and left the room.
*
「J Bureau.」
"We just received news. Zhang Yiqin is awake."
Tang Yu was also at the J Bureau. When he heard the police officer say this, he immediately looked up from the file he was reviewing.
"She’s awake? Then it’s time to bring her in for questioning, isn’t it?"
At first, Tang Yu had thought this was just a minor entanglement, but a little digging had revealed some rather sordid details.
However, as a competent lawyer, Tang Yu wouldn’t make these findings public unless he had no other choice.
The police officer nodded. In theory, that was correct.
"Rest assured, Lawyer Tang. We’ll send a team over."
Since she was awake, she would be expected to cooperate with them. It was a matter of course.
Tang Yu closed the file in his hands and gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
He had a general idea of what Yun Zijin wanted to do to the Xia Family, but as he was just a lawyer, it wasn’t his place to ask too many questions.
Poor Zhang Yiqin had no idea that Yun Zijin had already sent every single person she hired to jail.
And as the mastermind of the entire affair, there was no way she would be allowed to remain at large.
The butler processed Zhang Yiqin’s discharge papers with record speed.
Zhang Yiqin had only been in the hospital for a few hours, so she had nothing to pack.
When the butler returned after finishing the paperwork, he was greeted by the sight of two uniformed police officers.
And Zhang Yiqin’s expression was so dark it could have dripped ink.