This was to save Grandpa Jiang’s life, and the pressure on Chu Xia was immense.

Soon, beads of sweat like soybeans rolled down her face, but she didn’t have time to wipe them, fighting for every second to give Grandpa Jiang a chance to survive.

The ambulance arrived first, and the doctors and nurses helped carry Grandpa Jiang onto the vehicle.

Chu Xia followed them into the ambulance.

“Aunt Li, when Uncle Da(Eldest Uncle Jiang), Uncle Er(Second Uncle Jiang), and the others arrive, please notify them to come to the hospital.”

At that moment, Aunt Li had lost all her composure.

She did whatever Chu Xia said, following her arrangements without question.

When the ambulance arrived at the hospital, the doctors immediately began treating Grandpa Jiang.

Since she was the one administering acupuncture, Chu Xia followed them into the operating room.

During the surgery, she used acupuncture to assist the procedure, successfully bringing Grandpa Jiang back from the brink of death.

After the surgery, the doctor looked at Chu Xia, who was sitting on the ground, unable to get up, her forehead covered in sweat.

He took off his mask and reached out to her, saying, “Doctor Luo, thankfully you were here for this surgery.”

Grandpa Jiang’s body couldn’t withstand much more.

If it weren’t for Chu Xia helping to stabilize his condition with acupuncture, the surgery would have been extremely perilous.

After all, Grandpa Jiang was over ninety years old.

Although he looked strong, age had taken its toll, and all his organs were aging.

“He is my grandfather,” Chu Xia replied.

The doctor patted her shoulder, understanding the feeling of saving a loved one from death.

At the moment of announcing success, one could feel a wave of exhaustion wash over them.

A nurse helped Chu Xia out of the operating room.

Other than Cen Huai’an, the Jiang family had all arrived, including Jiang Zhengnian and his parents.

Seeing Chu Xia’s pale face, looking disheveled and completely drained, Jiang Zhengnian quickly stepped forward to support her, his eyes filled with deep sadness.

“Chu Xia, Grandpa…”

“He’s been saved.”

“The surgery was a great success!”

Both Chu Xia and the doctor spoke at the same time.

Having anticipated the worst outcome, everyone felt an immense weight lift off their hearts when they heard those two sentences.

Jiang Shengnan almost fainted from the pain, but upon hearing this, she felt a surge of relief wash over her.

There’s no greater joy than this!

Jiang Shengnan relaxed completely, collapsing into Uncle Jiang’s arms, while Uncle Jiang and Uncle Er finally let go of their worries.

Everyone’s faces showed joy, crowding around the doctors to ask about Grandpa Jiang’s condition.

Jiang Zhengnian helped Chu Xia sit on a nearby chair and asked if she wanted some water.

Chu Xia nodded, and he went outside to find some.

From the doctors, everyone learned just how much effort Chu Xia had put into saving Grandpa Jiang.

All eyes turned to her, filled with an indescribable gratitude.

Because they were close, they understood even more how important her actions were for Grandpa Jiang and the entire Jiang family.

“Chu Xia.” Jiang Shengnan was the first to speak, sitting down beside Chu Xia and taking her hand.

Chu Xia’s palms were sweaty, and the coolness of the sweat made her hands feel cold.

Jiang Shengnan wrapped her hands to warm them and said, “I don’t know how to thank you. It feels like no matter what I do, it’s never enough.”

Chu Xia’s exhaustion was evident on her face.

She smiled at Jiang Shengnan and said, “Mom, Grandpa is also my grandpa.”

So there was no need for thanks; what she did was simply what she should do.

If it were someone else in need, she would still help save them.

“I know. But your contribution cannot be overlooked.”

Uncle Jiang and the others also looked at Chu Xia, solemnly thanking her.

Chu Xia’s expression was one of confusion.

Just then, Jiang Zhengnian appeared with hot water and even bought a new cup.

He handed the enamel cup to Chu Xia, saying, “The water is a bit hot.”

Then he turned to Uncle Jiang and the others, asking, “Has Grandpa come out yet?”

“Not yet, still under observation.”

Jiang Zhengnian then looked at Jiang Shengnan and gently patted Chu Xia’s head: “Chu Xia is tired. Mom, I’d like to take her home to rest first.”

Jiang Shengnan understood Jiang Zhengnian’s intention and quickly replied, “Yes, you should take Chu Xia home to rest. Also, Eldest Brother, we don’t need so many people here. Let’s take turns caring for Dad at the hospital. Since Lao Jin and I have retired, we’ll go first.”

Uncle Jiang hadn’t retired yet, and neither had Yang Mei.

They were both already of retirement age, but their department wouldn’t let them go; they were training successors and would retire once they did.

On the other hand, Uncle Jiang had already retired. Zhou Huaying was younger, but she was over 55 and had been reemployed by the school.

Uncle Jiang and Yang Mei immediately offered to take the second shift, with everyone else lining up behind them, placing Chu Xia and Jiang Zhengnian last.

On the way home, Jiang Zhengnian noticed that Chu Xia, exhausted from the long surgery and busy saving Grandpa, had fallen asleep in the passenger seat after saying only a few words.

Jiang Zhengnian frowned slightly, concern visible in his eyes.

He wanted to hold Chu Xia, but since he was driving, he couldn’t.

When they got home, Jiang Zhengnian carried Chu Xia to bed, and she didn’t wake up.

He sat by the bed, looking at her peaceful sleeping face, gently brushing her hair back before leaning over to kiss her forehead lightly.

Grandpa Jiang remained in the intensive care unit for two days before waking up.

Although he was still inside, his old friends, who were still alive, heard about his illness and sent their juniors to see him.

In fact, not many of Grandpa Jiang’s friends were still alive.

It was at this time that Cen Huai’an learned about Grandpa Jiang’s illness, as Jiang Zhengnian had asked Hong Youxuan to deliver the news to him since the adults were not allowed into the training camp.

Cen Huai’an immediately took a leave to come to the hospital.

Originally, his great-grandfather, who always appeared cheerful, lay weakly in the hospital bed, looking like a different person.

Cen Huai’an’s eyes immediately filled with tears.

“Great-grandfather, it’s me, I’m An’an. I’ve come to see you.”

Cen Huai’an pressed his face against the door of the ICU, calling out for his great-grandfather, even though he knew Grandpa Jiang couldn’t hear him.

The ICU only allowed one visitor at a time each day, and they had to wear strict protective clothing.

The main patient needed to rest quietly, and the medical staff were continuously present in the ICU 24 hours a day.

Family members were only allowed to visit once a day, and only two family members could visit at the same time.

Chu Xia gently touched his head from behind: “Your great-grandfather will be fine; he has gotten through this. He will live for a very long time.”

Cen Huai’an lowered his head and wiped away his tears, murmuring a soft “Mm.”

Today, it was Cen Huai’an’s turn to enter the ICU.

He wore a tight isolation suit, sitting by Grandpa Jiang’s bedside, strictly adhering to the doctor’s instructions and not disturbing Grandpa Jiang’s rest, not saying a word.

He simply watched Grandpa Jiang, as if trying to engrave his image deeply into his memory.

When the nurse reminded Cen Huai’an that it was time to leave, he suddenly spoke up: “Great-grandfather, you must get better and see me participate in the IMO competition.”

Cen Huai’an continued to attend training at Jinghua every day, visiting Grandpa Jiang at the hospital every other evening.

Uncle Jiang thought it was too exhausting for him and suggested that since there were adults at the hospital, he should focus on studying in the training camp.

Cen Huai’an insisted, “Visiting great-grandfather doesn’t affect my studies.”

Seeing Cen Huai’an becoming increasingly silent and in a strange state, Hong Youxuan took some time to bring him to the basketball court while looking after the training students.

“Come on, play a game with me,” Hong Youxuan said with a gentle smile, looking at Cen Huai’an while dribbling the ball.

Cen Huai’an stared at the ball for a moment before responding, “Okay.”

The basketball began to bounce between them; one moment he would steal the ball, the next he would be on defense.

Neither held back, even using their bodies to collide.

Cen Huai’an played fiercely, while Hong Youxuan shed his usual elegance, letting loose and playing along.

In the end, neither of them kept track of how many baskets they made, or who won or lost.

They played intensely, lying on the basketball court beneath the hoop, watching the sunset fade until only a sliver remained, breathing heavily in silence.

After a while, Hong Youxuan stood up, looking down at Cen Huai’an, and reached out his hand: “Do you feel better now?”

Cen Huai’an grabbed his hand for leverage to stand up, responding with a soft “Mm,” and said, “Thank you.”

Only Hong Youxuan noticed that something was off with his mood.

He was also one of those aware of Grandpa Jiang’s situation and understood why Cen Huai’an was feeling this way.

“Don’t keep everything bottled up inside. It’s better to let it out.”

Cen Huai’an nodded, and the two walked towards the cafeteria.

Fortunately, there were students at Jinghua during the winter break, so the cafeteria was serving meals; otherwise, they would be waiting to drink the cold northwest wind.

Teacher Hang had also learned why Cen Huai’an often took leave.

Although he wasn’t in the same circle as Grandpa Jiang, he knew of Grandpa Jiang’s reputation.

“You’re Old Jiang’s great-grandson?”
Cen Huai’an responded with a simple “Mm.”

Teacher Hang readily approved his leave request and went to visit Grandpa Jiang with him.

By this time, Grandpa Jiang had been moved out of the intensive care unit and was recovering in the hospital.

His complexion was still pale, and his lips had no color at all.

Every time he saw An’an come by, it was the happiest moment for him.

“An’an.”

“Great-grandfather, this is my teacher.”

Grandpa Jiang’s voice was still weak: “I… know him.”

His speech was slow: “Leader of mathematics in Huaguo.”

“Old Jiang.”

Principal Hang placed the items he brought at Grandpa Jiang’s bedside and didn’t say much else, instead focusing on Cen Huai’an’s talent in mathematics.

Grandpa Jiang loved hearing about these topics; he cherished the achievements of the younger generation.

Of course, it didn’t matter if they weren’t outstanding; as long as their character was good, he would love them just the same.

Aside from Cen Huai’an’s Go, Grandpa Jiang had few demands of the younger generation.

After all, given the generational gap, he didn’t need to worry about such things.

After chatting for a while, Grandpa Jiang grew tired.

Principal Hang took his leave. Cen Huai’an stayed in the room until Grandpa Jiang fell asleep before he left.

Chu Xia came to the hospital almost every day when she wasn’t working, bringing the medicinal dishes she had prepared for him.

Since Grandpa Jiang was older, Chu Xia had limited methods to help him, so she could only rely on dietary therapy.

Under everyone’s careful care, Grandpa Jiang’s health slowly improved, and he was finally given the doctor’s approval to be discharged.

However, once home, Grandpa Jiang still needed to rest properly, avoiding exhaustion and any prohibited foods.

Jiang Shengnan and Cen’s father directly moved in with Grandpa Jiang to take care of him, supervising every meal.

Although everyone had a less-than-ideal New Year, being able to save Grandpa Jiang was the best gift they could ask for.

Meanwhile, Cen Huai’an was facing the countdown for the training camp.

In two days, when the teacher announced the fifteen selected students, the first round of training would come to an end.

Everyone felt anxious, constantly calculating their scores in the training camp’s tests, especially those with fluctuating grades, who were even more uncertain.

Cen Huai’an remained as steady as ever; his scores had never dropped from the top, so he wasn’t very worried.