Chapter 282: Urgent Telegram

Sitting in his seat, Mingyuan let out a deep sigh. “This is frustrating. Just when Mom’s health was improving, she starts causing trouble again. It might be better if she just reports to our ancestors below.”

Mingyuan thought to himself that it might be better if she passed away, sparing others from her harmful behavior. However, as a grandson, he hesitated to use such harsh words and opted for a more delicate expression.

Seeing her younger brother’s demeanor, Wang Qian couldn’t help but smile. “Bro, her time will come sooner or later. People like her aren’t worth remembering for a lifetime. We should discard her like trash and focus on remembering the beautiful, clean, and warm things in our hearts.”

At noon, when Geng Lianhua returned home and saw her daughter looking frail and pale, she couldn’t help but shed tears. “Dear, you were just taking care of your mother-in-law. How did you end up like this? Did she trouble you again? That old hag! She’s crossed the line this time. I’ll give her a good scolding when I go over next time. How dare she mistreat my precious daughter like this!”

Feeling deeply remorseful, Wang Zhenhe expressed to his mother-in-law, “Mom, there’s no turning back. From today onward, that old lady will not set foot in our home. In my eyes, she’s no longer a mother.”

Geng Lianhua was taken aback by Wang Zhenhe’s statement. She knew her son-in-law was dutiful, so hearing these words from him was surprising. Regardless of any grievances or resentments, Wang Zhenhe would never admit in public that he no longer considered her as a mother.

“Zhenhe, what’s going on?” Geng Lianhua inquired.

Looking somewhat embarrassed, Wang Zhenhe glanced at his wife. “Mom, let your daughter explain. This whole situation is quite a ridiculous joke. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Zhang Lan, holding Geng Lianhua, recounted the incident of Zhu Qiyu feigning illness. Geng Lianhua couldn’t help but feel indignant, “Your mother-in-law, at her age, why pretend to have a limp leg? Isn’t she afraid of actually ending up lame for life? It’s despicable. What kind of upbringing produces such a person… truly…”

Geng Lianhua struggled to find suitable words to describe this mother-in-law; there were few like her in the world.

“Let’s forget about your mother-in-law. Daughter, I’ll cook something delicious for you at noon. Let’s nourish you. After just a few days of not seeing you, my precious daughter has become so thin. Mom will make sure to bring you back to health,” Geng Lianhua comforted.

At noon, when Mingyuan saw Zhang Lan, he couldn’t help but shed tears, feeling heartbroken for his mother.

“Don’t cry, my good son. Mom is fine, right? From now on, I’ll stay in town to be with you all,” Zhang Lan reassured, touched by her son’s tears.

The sight of her children’s tears pained Zhang Lan’s heart. She could endure any suffering herself but couldn’t bear to see her children in distress. Over the years, her children had endured enough suffering, and now that they had some peace, she hoped they wouldn’t shed tears over such matters again.

“Be a strong boy, Mingyuan. Men shouldn’t cry easily,” Zhang Lan comforted, wiping away her son’s tears.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Mingyuan nestled into his mother’s embrace. “Mom, having you here is wonderful.”

Geng Lianhua quickly prepared the meal and called everyone to help bring the dishes to the table. With Zhang Lan’s presence, the siblings finally felt like they had a real home again, unlike the days when they felt lost without her.

“Mom, tomorrow morning let Zhenhe take you back. I feel uneasy leaving just Dad at home. It’s perfect timing since he’ll be going to deliver goods. The shop still has me. I’m feeling much better now,” Zhang Lan suggested.

Concerned for her daughter’s health and the home, Geng Lianhua eventually agreed to leave the next day, after repeated persuasion from Wang Zhenhe and his wife.

As the winter months approached, with no news from Zhang Weiguo, Zhang Lan felt an impending sense of unease, as if something significant was about to happen.

Early one morning, as the family was just waking up, Wang Mingshan arrived on his tractor. “Auntie, there’s a telegram for your family. It seems Uncle Weiguo has encountered some trouble.”

Upon reading the telegram, Zhang Lan fainted from shock. Wang Zhenhe tended to his wife, while Wang Qian picked up the fallen telegram and read its contents: “Weiguo is critically ill. Come see him immediately,” a message sent by Uncle Wu.

A thunderous revelation erupted in their minds as the telegram, sent by the venerable elder, indicated that Zhang Lan’s younger brother was in critical condition, possibly on his deathbed, prompting them to come for a final farewell.

“Bro, lend me a hand,” Wang Qian yelped.  Mingyuan caught her as she faltered, steadying herself. Regardless of her uncle’s fate, they needed to see him. But who should go? She was determined to go; whether her uncle could be saved or not, she wanted to try. As for her grandma, she wasn’t sure if the elderly lady could handle such a blow.

“Bro, find Uncle Yang and have him book three plane tickets for us. We need to rush over. Stay home, take good notes for me, and handle my missed schoolwork. Sort out the school leave as well. The truth is, our uncle is a hero, and they have to grant us leave for this reason. Once we’re there, we’ll keep you updated on any developments. Hurry and get things arranged,” Wang Qian directed, recognizing the urgency of the situation.

Time was truly of the essence now.

Meanwhile, Zhang Lan had regained consciousness but was still in tears, her thoughts consumed by the looming loss of her younger brother. Wang Zhenhe saw off his nephew, Mingshan and then began packing their belongings.

Wang Qian pitched in to help. By noon, Yang Mingxuan hurriedly arrived, saying, “Bro, with such a major event in your family, there’s not much we can do. Here are the afternoon flight tickets. Leave your shop matters to me. I’ll have Old Cong come help out. My mom and wife will oversee your shop if they’re free. Call me if anything comes up there. We’ll prepare here.”

As a former soldier, Yang Mingxuan understood the urgency. If even the former leader sent a telegram personally, Zhang Weiguo’s condition must be critical. There was little hope if the message was so urgent.

At that moment, Wang Zhenhe found no words necessary, simply embracing Yang Mingxuan tightly. “Brother Yang, I’ll call you if I need anything.”

With everything in order, Wang Qian and Wang Zhenhe were ready. Old Cong sent a car over upon hearing about the Wang family’s situation, offering assistance by providing transportation.

When the family arrived in haste at the military base where Zhang Weiguo was stationed, Wu Changyong had already sent someone to await their arrival.

“Comrade, how is Zhang Weiguo?” Zhang Lan impatiently inquired about her brother’s condition. The soldier in charge of receiving them had a stern expression. “Sister, don’t be too upset. At the moment, Weiguo is still unconscious. He sustained head injuries from shrapnel after a shell explosion. Despite the removal of the shrapnel, he remains in a coma, with signs of swelling. The doctors are now only hoping for a miracle.”

The soldier provided a brief overview of Zhang Weiguo’s condition, withholding many details he deemed too distressing. Once the family saw him, they would understand the full extent of his injuries. Zhang Weiguo not only suffered head injuries but also only had few areas on his body left unscathed.

As Zhang Lan and her family entered the hospital room, they saw a young nurse holding Zhang Weiguo’s hand, her eyes red from crying. Wang Qian sensed immediately that something serious had occurred. However, with her younger uncle’s condition unknown, it was not the time to inquire about the situation.

Upon seeing her brother, who appeared almost mummified in bandages, Zhang Lan, who had been holding back tears the entire way, could no longer contain her emotions.

“Weiguo…” she wailed as she hugged her brother tightly.

Father and daughter also couldn’t hold back their tears, witnessing Zhang Weiguo lying motionless on the hospital bed, resembling a mummy with tubes covering his body. He remained oblivious to the tears of his family or their calls.

“Are you family members of Comrade Zhang Weiguo?” asked the young nurse, noticing the trio’s emotional state with their red eyes.

Wang Zhenhe nodded. “Yes, I am his brother-in-law, this is his sister, and this is my daughter.”

The nurse exclaimed, “So you are Qian Qian! By the way, do you still have the ginseng for Weiguo? He managed to hold on until today partly because of the ginseng you provided. However, he had shared most of it to save his comrades initially. I only have a little left, and it’s all been used on him now.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lan quickly rose from her brother’s side, grabbing Bai Jianing’s hand anxiously, “Comrade, are you suggesting that as long as there is ginseng, my brother will be fine?”

Bai Jianing quickly shook her head. “Sister, that’s not what I meant. What I meant is that with ginseng as a supplement, at least it can ensure that Weiguo’s vital signs are stable. As for the rest, it’s up to the doctors. I can’t say for sure, but our doctors here have done their best to save him. The rest depends on Weiguo’s fate.”

Listening intently, Wang Qian realized that the connection between this young nurse and her younger uncle was significant. Otherwise, how would the ginseng she sent to her uncle end up in her hands? The nurse’s affectionate tone when mentioning Zhang Weiguo was also noticeable.

“Auntie, may I know your name? In the future, if we need help, we’d like to reach out to you,” Wang Qian inquired.

Looking at her gently, Bai Jianing replied, “Qian Qian, my name is Bai Jianing. You can just call me Auntie Bai.”

Bai Jianing tenderly tousled her hair. This young girl was the most cherished niece in Zhang Weiguo’s eyes, and Bai Jianing had heard plenty about the girl’s remarkable achievements.

“Qian Qian, you and your parents wait here. Auntie will bring you some food to eat,” Bai Jianing suggested kindly.

Once Bai Jianing left, Zhang Lan couldn’t contain her urgency. “Qian Qian, take out two ginseng roots for your uncle. Even if he can’t consume them directly, we need to find a way to administer them. Saving his life is the priority.”

Fortunately, being in the intensive care unit with only Zhang Weiguo present, Wang Qian swiftly entered the space and retrieved two ginseng roots. The substantial ginseng roots emitted a medicinal aroma, which she carefully washed and dried before bringing them out.

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