Volume One, Chapter 14: His Gratitude

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When Hai Ning dragged her ailing body to the old family residence, chaos reigned inside. In the bedroom, the family doctor was attending to Grandma Rong. Seeing that she couldn’t get inside, Hai Ning asked the servant what had happened. The servant’s eyes were red as he explained the whole situation.

It turned out that a real estate company under Rong Shaoqin was involved in a long-standing case connected to a business deal, one that implicated a death. Rong’s second uncle, the second son of Grandma Rong, who had once been involved in that deal, had already been taken away by the disciplinary committee for investigation.

Grandma Rong, being elderly, fell ill upon hearing the news. Now that Rong Shaoqin had learned of her illness, he wanted to come back to see her, but he was still busy at the company and couldn’t spare the time. Meanwhile, the other uncles were trying to help the second uncle, so they had no time to attend to this matter.

The several aunts and Rong Shaoqin’s stepmother were flustered and of no help at all. Hai Ning took a deep breath and waited quietly outside the bedroom for the doctor’s report. Half an hour later, the doctor came out.

Hai Ning stepped forward and asked, “How is Grandma?”

“The old lady is fine, just overexerted and short of breath. Don’t worry, madam,” the doctor reassured her.

“Thank you,” Hai Ning said.

She went inside to check on Grandma Rong. Seeing that Grandma was sleeping soundly, she sent a message to Rong Shaoqin: Grandma is fine now, don’t worry about it, handle your affairs at the company. Leave the old residence to me.

Almost simultaneously, Rong Shaoqin called her. “You’re still ill. Don’t overexert yourself. If anything happens, instruct the servants.”

In the past, Hai Ning would have been puzzled by his concern for her. But now, with everything in turmoil, she had no heart for such thoughts. “I understand.”

After a pause, he said quietly, “Thank you.”

Hai Ning replied, “It’s all for Grandma. Besides, we’re husband and wife. No need for thanks.”

Perhaps it was just her imagination, but his voice seemed softer. “I’ll come over later.”

She hesitated briefly, then replied dryly, “Okay.”

After hanging up, Hai Ning stayed by Grandma’s bedside without leaving, politely sending the aunts away one by one. It wasn’t until after one a.m. that Grandma Rong woke up.

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Hai Ning was a light sleeper; at the slightest movement from Grandma, she woke immediately. “Grandma.”

Grandma Rong reached out and touched Hai Ning’s face. “You look so pale. Go get some rest. Don’t keep watching over me.”

“I’m fine,” Hai Ning said, rising to pour a cup of warm water to help Grandma drink. Then she had some light hot porridge brought in and fed it to her personally.

After eating, Grandma Rong’s stomach felt warm and comfortable. “My granddaughter-in-law is so dutiful~”

Hai Ning smiled sheepishly. She was only moderately dutiful.

Grandma Rong looked a bit better in complexion and held Hai Ning’s hand with concern. “About Shaoqin’s matter yesterday...”

“Grandma, I know all about it. It’s just the media stirring up rumors. I believe in Shaoqin. Please don’t worry about us. It’s more important for you to get well,” Hai Ning comforted her.

“You should go rest in the guest room,” Grandma insisted.

Hai Ning’s body was indeed wearing thin. But worried about Grandma, she called a servant to keep watch and made do with sleeping on a nearby sofa.

Around two a.m., Rong Shaoqin rushed over. His eyes immediately found Hai Ning, sleeping on the sofa with exhaustion etched on her face.

The servant whispered, “Miss Hai Ning has been guarding the old lady all along. We told her to rest, but she wouldn’t trust anyone else and insisted on sleeping by Grandma's side. She just fell asleep.”

Rong Shaoqin felt a tightness in his throat. “Is Grandma feeling better?”

“Yes, much better,” the servant replied. “Miss Hai Ning fed her, and now Grandma is sleeping again.”

Rong Shaoqin approached Hai Ning and bent down to hold her in his arms.

Startled awake, Hai Ning blinked red eyes, staring at him for a moment before shifting her gaze to Grandma on the bed. “How is Grandma?”

She was like a frightened bird, every little sound making her tense instantly.

Rong Shaoqin held her frail body tightly. “Grandma is fine. I’ll take you to rest in the guest room.”

“No need,” Hai Ning struggled to get down. “I’ve rested enough.”

“Take care of yourself first, then you can care for Grandma. Don’t be stubborn,” Rong Shaoqin said.

With that, he carried her to the adjoining bedroom.

He laid Hai Ning on the bed and pulled the blanket over her. “Sleep now. I’ll watch over Grandma.”

Unable to resist, Hai Ning warned, “You’ve been busy at the company all day and must be tired. I’m worried you won’t take good care of Grandma. Have the servants stay nearby as well.”

What she really worried about was his ability to care for Grandma.

To Rong Shaoqin, those words carried a different meaning: “I’m fine. I’m not tired.”

Hai Ning nodded. “If Grandma wakes, remember to call me.”

He acknowledged with a hum.

At last, Hai Ning felt a bit reassured.

After a full day’s ordeal and exhaustion written all over her face, she fell into a deep sleep almost immediately.

Rong Shaoqin gazed silently at her pale, slender face for a moment before bending down to press a kiss on the corner of her lips, then returned to the master bedroom.

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Two hours later, Grandma Rong woke again.

Her eyes fixed on Rong Shaoqin for a second, then looked behind him.

The servant, who had been attending to her for some time, spoke before Grandma could ask, “Don’t look for her, Grandma. Miss Hai Ning is resting in the secondary bedroom now. It was Young Master who carried her there to sleep.”

Only then did Grandma glance at Rong Shaoqin and snort lightly. “At least you did something right.”

Rong Shaoqin felt like a third wheel, as if he were intruding on the bond between Grandma and Hai Ning.

Half amused, half exasperated, he held Grandma’s hand. “Are you feeling better?”

Thinking of Hai Ning, Grandma’s heart warmed. “Hai Ning is so thoughtful, taking care of me. Even when I was unwell, I slowly got better.”

She glanced at Rong Shaoqin. “But you, you must be exhausted. Is the matter very complicated?”

Being her own grandson, Grandma naturally felt concern.

“Don’t worry. It’s not a big issue. It will be resolved soon. The second uncle’s situation is being handled. Please don’t be anxious,” Rong Shaoqin said.

In truth, the situation was more troublesome than he let on. But Grandma was old and didn’t need to bear that worry.

So he downplayed it, deliberately making it sound simple.

Grandma neither fully believed nor disbelieved but advised, “Take care of your health. Don’t worry about me. Focus on handling the company and your second uncle’s affairs.”

Rong Shaoqin nodded.

“And Hai Ning,” Grandma said earnestly, “I know you aren’t happy with the marriage arrangement I made for you, and you don’t really like Hai Ning either. But she has truly devoted herself to both of us. Even if you really want a divorce, you must make sure she’s settled properly. That child has suffered enough. Don’t let her suffer any more.”

A sharp ache rose in Rong Shaoqin’s throat.

He thought of Sang Zhaoting’s attitude toward Hai Ning and asked hoarsely, “What exactly happened between Hai Ning and her father?”