CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 66: CRITICAL CONDITION

"Alright, that’s enough. Huo Feng, mother is still in the theater room, you can investigate this matter later." Huo Hapieng stepped in to mediate things.

Yue Ning held Huo Feng’s arms. It wasn’t worth it to argue with them... it wasn’t the right place or time.

Huo Feng looked at the delicate hands holding his, and he sighed. He was grateful that he had someone to stand with him during this time.

"Why don’t we have our seats?" She whispered to him, but he shook his head.

"You can sit."

Yue Ning didn’t budge from where she stood. How could she sit when he was standing. She would rather stand with him.

Huo Feng stared at her, and his heart warmed immensely.

Huo Mingjie, on the other hand, watched their interaction, and he narrowed his eyes. He never thought he would see the day where his cousin would stare at a lady with such gentle eyes.

He didn’t have such a look when he was still with Yue Chen. It seemed Yue Ning held a special spot in his heart. Huo Mingjie thought to himself.

The hospital corridor was silent. The only sounds which could be heard were the faint hum of hospital machines, and the distant footsteps of the nurses.

The red light above the operating theater blinked steadily, its red glow reflected the anxiety in everyone’s eyes.

Yue Ning stole a glance at Huo Feng whose expression was calm. But Yue Ning it was all a farce. The clenched hands by the side gave him away.

After what seemed like an eternity, the doors of the operating theater opened. The attending doctor stepped out, removing his mask.

Everyone’s attention turned to him instantly.

"Doctor, how is my grandmother?" Huo Feng asked calmly, but the dangerous look in his eyes was enough to betray his calmness.

All eyes were on the doctor, waiting for his verdict.

The doctor shook his head. "She is in a critical condition, and still unconscious. The fall was brutal, and it affected her head. It is still unsure if she would be able to pass the critical stage."

The moment the words left his mouth, they were all frozen as they stared in shock.

Zhang Yuxiu’s face paled, and she covered her mouth when th trembling hands. "How... How could this happen? Grandmother was fine this morning."

She swayed, and was about to fall, but Huo Mingjie was quick to hold her, preventing her from falling.

Her voice was sorrowful, but Yue Ning caught a flicker in her eyes. It wasn’t grief, rather it was panic.

"Doctor, what are her chances?" Huo Hapieng demanded.

The doctor hesitated for a while. "We have done everything we can. The next twenty-four hours will determine whether she stabilizes or not. All we can do now is wait."

Silence was what followed after his words.

Huo Feng clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white. His expression was calm—in fact, too calm.

Yue Ning slipped her hands into his, offering him silent support. Huo Feng looked at the hands in his, and his eyes softened.

"Doctor, do everything you can do. I want my grandmother to be safe," Huo Feng pleaded.

Huo Mingjie took their interaction in. This confirmed his earlier suspicions — Huo Feng was changing, and this was because of Yue Ning.

While they were still discussing, the nurses pushed the stretcher toward the ward, and the family trailed behind in silence.

Huo Feng’s hand was cold in Yue Ning’s, but his steps were steady. She tightened her grip slightly. "She’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry," she whispered, more for him than for herself.

"I can’t afford to lose her," Huo Feng murmured. His voice was low. Yue Ning could only rub his hand, offering him silent consolation.

From behind, Zhang Yuxiu sniffled loudly, her voice quivering. "How could this happen so suddenly? Mother was laughing just this morning. How could Heaven be so cruel? Why did they let this happen?" Her words were a bit exaggerated.

Huo Hapieng frowned, glancing at her. "Enough with the dramatics, Yuxiu. Crying won’t help right now. You are only worsening the atmosphere with your tears."

"I—I’m not being dramatic," Zhang Yuxiu protested, her fingers twisting her handkerchief. "I’m just worried about mother. I can’t get used to seeing her not as lively as she normally is."

Yue Ning glanced over her shoulder. The woman’s tears flowed easily, but her eyes darted around. It was searching and calculating. Yue Ning’s lips pressed into a thin line, suspicious of her sincerity.

When they reached the ward, the doctors settled Old Madam Huo onto the bed. Machines beeped steadily, but her face was pale and her breath was shallow.

"Mother..." Huo Hapieng’s voice cracked as he stepped forward. "Why did this happen?"

Although Huo Hapieng had a bad attitude, it couldn’t be denied that he loved his mother genuinely.

Huo Feng moved closer to the bedside, leaning down. "Grandmother, it’s me. You’re strong. You’ll get through this." His tone softened, gripping her hand.

Yue Ning’s chest tightened. For the first time, she saw someone different. He was not the cold, domineering man, but a grandson pleading with the only family member who he truly held in high esteem.

Zhang Yuxiu’s eyes flickered again, and she muttered under her breath, "If she... if she doesn’t wake up, what will happen to the family?"

Her words were quiet, but everyone heard her. All eyes turned towards her.

Huo Feng’s gaze snapped up, as he glared fiercely at her. "She will wake up." His voice was low, dangerous, and filled with finality.

Zhang Yuxiu flinched under his stare, stammering, "I-I didn’t mean it that way, I just—"

"You’ve said enough," Yue Ning cut her off calmly. Her voice wasn’t raised, but the firmness made Yuxiu’s face freeze.

Huo Mingjie smirked faintly, crossing his arms. "It seems Cousin doesn’t need to fight his battles alone anymore. Miss Yue has quite the sharp tongue."

Huo Feng coldly fixed his gaze in him, but didn’t utter any statement.

Yue Ning ignored him, but her eyes were on Zhang Yuxiu, who turned away quickly, feigning another sob.

’She knows something... or rather, she might have done something.’ The system spoke up, and Yue Ning nodded, vowing to find out what it was.

"If Zhang Yuxiu truly had a hand in this, I would drag the truth into the light—no matter the cost." Yue Ning vowed.