Volume 1, Chapter 170: He was wrong, thoroughly wrong, and how he wished he could return to the past.
The first night of the Lunar New Year was spent by the Liang family in the hospital.
Originally, Liang Zhengguo had specially hired professional medical caregivers to live in and take care of the elderly patriarch. However, due to the holiday and the fact that the old man’s condition had been stable recently, the caregivers took leave, and Liang Zhengguo approved it.
Everyone let their guard down, not expecting the old man’s condition to suddenly worsen at this time. When they hurriedly sent him to the hospital, it was already somewhat late.
The diagnosis was a second cerebral hemorrhage with severe intracranial pressure increase. The doctors highly suspected brain herniation.
The last time the old man had a cerebral hemorrhage, he underwent minimally invasive surgery and had not yet fully recovered. This time, the expert Liang Zhengguo invited judged that a craniotomy was necessary.
At his advanced age, it was uncertain whether he could survive the surgery. The situation was critical, and the doctors urged the family to make a prompt decision.
Everyone was caught off guard by this sudden turn of events.
But time would not wait. Liang Zhengguo’s face was grave as he wrestled with the decision inwardly and finally chose to forgo the surgery.
Fu Wanwen remained silent, while Liang Muzhi looked pale and could not help but ask, “Doctor, what will happen if we don’t operate?”
The doctor replied, “We will use medication to reduce the intracranial pressure and administer coagulation agents, but the effect will be limited—at best, it will maintain his condition until tomorrow. If necessary, we can try additional medication to see if he can regain consciousness and say a few words.”
Liang Muzhi felt as if his mind was being emptied. His body stiffened while his legs went weak. It was all too sudden.
Yet at this moment, no one dared to put the old man on the operating table. His age was an undeniable factor—craniotomy was life-threatening.
Liang Zhengguo followed the doctor’s advice and opted for conservative treatment, administering only medication to the old man.
As dawn broke, the old man barely regained consciousness.
He seemed to know his time was near. After a while, when he was a little clearer, he called Liang Zhengguo to his bedside and spoke of his will, asking him to call the lawyer again. Then, looking around, he said to Liang Zhengguo, “Zhengguo… call Jinmo and Zhi as well… I want to say a few words to them…”
Liang Zhengguo went out to make the calls. The old man motioned with his hand, and Liang Muzhi immediately came forward, holding the old man’s hand and calling him “Grandpa.”
The old man looked at him, breathing heavily, and after a long pause said, “You’re still not married…”
Liang Muzhi’s eyes reddened as he struggled to speak, “Grandpa, I… I will get married. You must wait and see, you…”
His throat tightened, and he could not continue.
“At first… I wanted to see you get married…” the old man sighed, “But I won’t be able to…”
Liang Muzhi’s vision blurred, and he fought back tears, saying, “No, you’ll wait longer. I… I’m going on blind dates tomorrow. You know, Mom has already introduced several girls to me.”
The old man gasped, closed his eyes, then opened them again. “Muzhi, do you… regret it?”
Liang Muzhi felt as if a knife had pierced his chest.
The sharp, bleeding pain was almost unbearable.
He realized that everything went wrong the moment he was with Chen Jing. It should never have been like this.
He couldn’t help but think, if only he hadn’t left the engagement banquet, Grandpa wouldn’t be like this. Grandpa was very much looking forward to that banquet, even happily handing out red envelopes to those around him. But he disappointed Grandpa and sent him back to the hospital once again.
Such an old man could not bear so much turmoil.
He was utterly wrong—completely wrong—and he longed to turn back time.
He said nothing. The old man gently tapped his hand and said, “From now on… be more sensible… it’s time to grow up… and don’t compete with Jinmo anymore… you know he’s innocent. Liang Corporation… still depends on both of you…”
Liang Muzhi felt as if his throat was stuffed with cotton; no sound came out. At this moment, how could he argue with the old man?
In the hallway, Liang Zhengguo was on the phone, informing Liang Jinmo of the news.
Liang Jinmo was somewhat surprised. The old man’s sudden illness and the wish to see him at such a time puzzled him.
Because it was the first day of the lunar year, Xu Zhi and Zhao Nianqiao had also woken early. He told them about it.
They were also shocked. Xu Zhi recalled something and looked at Liang Jinmo, “By the way, I forgot to tell you earlier… the last time I saw Grandpa, he said his will included some shares of Liang Corporation for you. Though not a lot, it was meant as compensation.”
Liang Jinmo was even more surprised. “He never said a word to me.”
Xu Zhi asked, “So… are you going?”
He left the decision to her. “If you go, I’ll go.”
Xu Zhi decided to go.
They hurried to the hospital. In the old man’s ward was the lawyer; others stood in the corridor.
The atmosphere was heavy and suffocating. Xu Zhi stood beside Liang Jinmo, while across from them stood Liang Muzhi.
Liang Muzhi glanced at Xu Zhi only once at the beginning, then kept his head bowed.
Liang Zhengguo was called aside by the doctor to sign another critical condition notice. Fu Wanwen held her phone and moved to a distance to contact some of the Liang family relatives.
The lawyer came out of the ward and asked, “Who is Liang Jinmo? The old Mr. Liang specifically wants to see him, along with Xu Zhi.”
Liang Jinmo led Xu Zhi into the ward.
The old man was very weak. The moment Xu Zhi saw him, her heart tightened.
After all, the old man had always treated her kindly, so she felt a pang of sorrow deep inside. She went forward and called out, “Grandpa Liang.”
The old man struggled to open his eyes wide, recognized them, and managed a faint smile, “Zhi… you really became my granddaughter-in-law…”
Xu Zhi’s nose tingled with emotion. She took Liang Jinmo’s hand and sat by the bedside, saying, “Grandpa… you haven’t seen Jinmo and me get married yet.”
The old man breathed heavily, “Can’t wait… I’m… going to play chess with your grandpa…”
Tears welled up in Xu Zhi’s eyes as she thought of her own grandfather.
The old man’s speech was slow and disjointed. After a while, he said to Xu Zhi, “Zhi, I… want to speak with Jinmo alone…”
Xu Zhi left the ward.
Outside, Liang Muzhi was leaning against the wall beside the door. When he saw her come out, he wiped tears from his eyes.
His heart ached deeply. His hand clenched slowly.
Seeing her alone, he quickly guessed that the old man probably wanted to speak with Liang Jinmo alone.
It was strange. Grandpa clearly disliked that illegitimate grandson, yet now he wanted to talk to him.
His mind was in turmoil. As he heard footsteps, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Fu Wanwen finishing a call and about to walk over.
His heart raced wildly and heavily. A frantic thought circled his mind. Within two seconds, he stepped forward and suddenly grabbed Xu Zhi’s wrist with his left hand.
Xu Zhi turned, bewildered.
Without a word, Liang Muzhi pulled her hand and headed toward the nearby stairwell.
“You’re crazy…” Xu Zhi whispered. She didn’t dare shout in the hospital corridor. She tried to shake off his hand but failed. He held on tightly, making her wrist ache.
“Liang Muzhi!” she hissed, “Let go of me! What time is this!”