Chapter 170: Liang Chaosu Wakes Up
Lian Cheng lowered her eyes, looking at the hand that had gripped the knife hilt.
From her heart, she didn’t want the Liang family’s identity, nor did she want to return to the Liang family and see any of its members again.
But reclaiming the Liang family identity would be a convenience; without her doing anything, the Liang family would continuously pressure Liang Chaosu. If Liang Chaosu broke his promise and crossed the line between man and woman, there would be overwhelming public opinion, which would be a resistance for Liang Chaosu but an advantage for her.
“Since I’m not dead, my death declaration should be revoked.”
Not choosing a new identity, but preferring to return to the Liang family, this still indicates her animosity towards Liang Chaosu.
Xiao Da paused for a second, his heart filled with complex, indescribable emotions.
He and Su Chenghuai had different opinions on Lian Cheng because their perspectives differed.
He was her personal assistant, witnessing Lian Cheng’s four years of struggle and transformation. Su Chenghuai was Liang’s secretary, staying by Liang Chaosu’s side, participating in the entire four years of tireless, difficult work.
That’s why he saw it as a knot, while Su Chenghuai saw it as erosion.
As a result, this move gambled life away, leaving him on the brink of death. The life-or-death knot was untangled, and Xiao Da also wavered.
But ultimately, he understood Lian Cheng and wouldn’t try to persuade her with empty words or orders. After agreeing, he turned to leave.
Lian Cheng spoke out to stop him, “He asked me to stay and observe him; it shouldn’t be in a state of confinement.”
Xiao Da returned to the foot of the bed, “Of course not, but you are currently weak and should not go out. It’s best to rest for at least half a month.”
He spoke vaguely, but Bai Ying had already mentioned that after a mid-pregnancy miscarriage, a ‘small confinement’ period of at least half a month was necessary. Especially in Iceland, where the temperature dropped like ice, windows must not be opened to avoid catching a chill.
Lian Cheng didn’t argue about this and asked him, “Then can I go online and contact the outside world?”
Xiao Da was momentarily stunned, “Who do you want to contact? I can prepare a mobile phone for you, and if necessary, I can also prepare a computer.”
Lian Cheng gazed at him, “Shen Lichuan, is it possible?”
Xiao Da perceived her tone, which carried a hint of probing, “Yes.” He then explained, “Mr. Liang did not intend to restrict you.”
Lian Cheng gave a cold smile and ended the conversation, “Just get me a mobile phone.”
Xiao Da agreed and left.
He entered the elevator and made a phone call, instructing someone to prepare a mobile phone. He then went to the sixth-floor cardiac surgery ICU ward; at this time, the medical team was checking the patient’s condition and discussing opinions.
After changing into a sterile gown, putting on a mask, and disinfecting, he entered. The two groups of doctors were already there.
“The surgery’s prognosis is good. Given Mr. Liang’s physical condition, the chance of him waking up is high.”
“But he is not awake now,” one doctor guessed. “Could it be related to his previous severe pneumonia?”
“We discussed the pneumonia factor before the surgery and took preventive measures. Based on all the data, the pneumonia’s impact is not significant.”
As it was nearing the forty-eight-hour mark post-surgery, the doctors’ expressions were not good.
Xiao Da’s footsteps approached.
The doctors noticed him and came over to explain the patient’s progress, “Mr. Liang’s vital signs are gradually stabilizing, but he remains in a coma. We previously suggested using some methods to stimulate wakefulness, such as stimulating his consciousness, telling him things he cares about, or recalling memories.”
“If possible, having someone he cares about call his name and talk to him would be beneficial.”
Xiao Da had tried all of these, not just regarding the Liang family’s situation, but also Liang’s financial reports, project loopholes, and various pieces of news about Lian Cheng. He had also asked Lian Cheng to visit a few times, but she had refused.
The doctor sighed, “It’s best if he wakes up within forty-eight hours, otherwise, the difficulty of him waking up will increase significantly.”
Xiao Da nodded, “I will try again.”
After seeing the doctors off, Xiao Da hesitated for a few seconds, thinking about going downstairs to ask Lian Cheng again, but his mobile phone was not yet ready, and repeated questioning in a short period would feel like coercion, likely causing Lian Cheng to resist.
He stood by the patient’s bedside. The continuous “beep” of the instruments filled the air. The lighting in the ICU was brighter than in a regular hospital room, with a colder, whiter color temperature, reflecting Liang Chaosu’s pale and rundown face.
Gone was his heroic demeanor, lost was his valiant spirit. His strong, muscular body, his robust vitality, had become a pale shell lying here, unconscious.
“Mr. Liang.”
As usual, Xiao Da continued to report to the unconscious man, but this time, he was somewhat going against his conscience.
“Miss Lian Cheng’s condition has improved somewhat, and the doctor has adjusted her nutritional plan. She still refuses psychological counseling; she doesn’t trust you and is afraid you’ll arrange for a psychologist to interfere with her thoughts.”
Xiao Da was straightforward and never gossiped or exaggerated behind people’s backs.
Speaking of this, his expression became resigned, “She was chatting with Miss Bai Ying in her room, but she simply refused to come see you and doesn’t care whether you live or die.”
“She doesn’t want a new identity and would rather return to the Liang family just to increase pressure on you. She is defensive and still hostile towards you.”
“…And she also strongly dislikes your request for her to stay and your attempt to contact the outside world. The first person she wants to contact is Shen Lichuan.”
The man on the bed blinked for an instant.
Xiao Da, with drooping eyelids, didn’t notice and began to fabricate, “After the call, she learned that Shen Lichuan was facing great difficulties domestically. Miss Lian Cheng felt great heartache and, disregarding her health, immediately wanted to return to the country to visit—”
The instrument’s sound became momentarily chaotic. Xiao Da looked up and met a pair of eyes. The pupils were black and deep, possessing an aggressive ferocity that sharply pierced the heart, completely opposite to his frail and downcast appearance.
“Let her come up.”
The voice lacked strength, clearly weak, but Xiao Da heard it clearly this time and hastily went to call the doctor.
When Lian Cheng was asked to come up, the doctors had already finished their examination and passed by her with happy expressions.
She put on protective gear behind the isolation barrier and followed Xiao Da into the ICU ward.
The lighting was stark white and dazzling. Surrounded by a multitude of instruments, Liang Chaosu wore an oxygen mask, his skin a pale white. Compared to his original healthy, bronzed complexion, he was undoubtedly dull and fragile.
The ICU was temperature-controlled. The quilt covered him only up to his waist and abdomen. One side of his bare chest was covered with electrode pads, with long wires connected to various instruments. The other side had a sterile dressing, which was large and very white.
Lian Cheng’s mind, however, recalled the blade entering the flesh, not spurting blood but continuously seeping and spreading crimson, reaching her fingers, and feeling surprisingly warm.
She thought then, so the blood in a devil’s heart was also red, and had the same warmth as an ordinary person’s.
“Come to my side.”
Liang Chaosu’s tone was still commanding, but unfortunately, his voice was weak, and his speech was slow. In the past, his words had always intimidated her and made her afraid. Now, Lian Cheng stood at the foot of the bed, motionless, gazing at him.
Their eyes met. Liang Chaosu also gazed at her. His chest heaved with each breath, and each irregular breath was met with a piercing beep from the instruments.
Lian Cheng became irritated by his call, “I have a phobia of crowds, and I don’t approach people with too many hidden motives.”
The silence and contempt that had penetrated to her core were gone.
Liang Chaosu gazed at her for a while longer, and then a smile suddenly appeared in his eyes, “My heart only has one hole.”
Lian Cheng turned to leave.
Liang Chaosu anticipated her temper, “You want to save Shen Lichuan?”
Lian Cheng stopped in her tracks.
Liang Chaosu had just woken up from a coma and lacked the strength. He raised his hand to signal Xiao Da.
As soon as he regained consciousness, while the doctors were examining him, Xiao Da had quickly confessed his transgressions.
Lian Cheng had not yet had the chance to speak with Shen Lichuan.
Xiao Da now explained the domestic situation for him.
“…Currently, the bank’s evidence states that they were forced to make illegal loan operations under threat from Shen Lichuan. The investigation team has interviewed Shen Lichuan, and the trial for the Shen’s smuggling case is underway, with the dumping charges under investigation.”
Lian Cheng’s face suddenly changed color. As expected, old habits die hard.
“You’re threatening me?”
Liang Chaosu’s face was full of smiles. Lying there, he was completely relaxed, the corners of his mouth upturned. Under Lian Cheng’s angry gaze, he managed to control himself slightly.
