"Understood," Li Yang nodded and entered the private elevator with Director Jiang and the others. He asked with some confusion, "Director Jiang, why are we here? Could it be that Master Long is being treated here?"
"Yes," Director Jiang nodded.
Li Yang was even more perplexed, "Are the treatment conditions here better than at Master Long's own residence?"
"The treatment conditions are no worse than in a hospital. As for why not at Master Long's residence, it's because he has many children, and there are many servants in the house. With so many people around, it's inevitable that some would be loose-lipped. If word got out, the impact would be immense," Director Jiang explained in a low voice.
Although Master Long was not an emperor, in China's jade industry, he was considered an uncrowned king.
For a figure like him, any minor health issue could cause immeasurable shock to the industry and his own assets.
Even the CEOs of some listed companies, if they passed away, might have their deaths concealed for a period before being revealed. This was the reason.
Li Yang nodded, understanding.
No wonder Master Long was being treated and recuperating here.
With a ding, the elevator doors opened. Before they could even step out, they heard Long Lingling's sharp cry, "Eldest Brother, Second Sister, Third Sister, Father is still alive! To talk about dividing the family fortune now is too hasty and unworthy of you as children!"
"Hey, Eldest Sister, what do you mean by that? Are you calling us heartless and unfilial?" Long Lingling's fourth sister, who was rather unattractive with dark skin and large, disproportionate eyes, said unhappily, "If you hadn't secretly brought Dad here for secret treatment, perhaps we siblings could have joined forces to cure Dad."
"That's right! Dad is in such a critical condition, Eldest Sister, you are solely responsible!" the third sister also accused loudly.
Even Master Long's only godson, the eldest brother, said coldly, "Long Lingling, we also want to fulfill our filial duties, but it's you, Long Lingling, who has prevented us from doing so."
"And now you use filial piety as a banner to criticize us, do you think you're worthy?"
"You..." Long Lingling gritted her teeth.
The eldest brother sneered, "I don't care about all this. In short, I want half of Dad's inheritance!"
"The two of us, at least twenty percent each!" the third and fourth sisters immediately said. They had clearly discussed it beforehand and came together.
With their division, ten parts were allocated as nine, leaving only one part for Long Lingling and the sisters who were not yet aware.
Putting aside whether this division was reasonable or not, for years, it had been Long Lingling managing the gambling stone market and operating the core of the Long family's entire economic lifeline. Her contributions and efforts far exceeded those of her siblings, yet they gave her so little. Did they have the nerve?
Long Lingling did not want to discuss inheritance matters with them. She said with a cold face, "I'll say it again, Dad is still alive!"
"As long as he has a breath left, for every second he has, anyone who dares to covet the inheritance will have to face my ruthlessness and lack of sentimentality!"
"Well said. You just want to take advantage of Dad's unconscious state to get him to create a forged inheritance deed so you can embezzle all the inheritance!" the eldest brother said coldly. "You must give us the inheritance today, or we won't let this go!"
"Yes, if you don't give it, we'll tell everyone how vicious and despicable you, Long Lingling, are!" the third and fourth sisters also shouted.
If this matter spread, the Long family's situation would become dire!
Over the years, even though Long Lingling had managed things very well and handled all aspects in an orderly fashion, all of this was based on Master Long's great reputation and prestige built over decades, from his youth until old age!
Without this support, how could a young girl like Long Lingling have such great prestige to make the powerful figures, both domestic and international, cooperate obediently and not cause trouble behind her back?
Once the news of Master Long's impending death spread, those old foxes, who were at least a hundred times more cunning, would they remain compliant?
At that time, these old foxes would be the first to pounce on the Long family, just like sharks descending upon a fallen whale to devour it!
The consequences were unimaginable.
Long Lingling's eyes were red with anger. Why were other families filled with reasonable and mutually supportive relatives, while her own family was filled with such ignoble fools!
Seeing them still chattering incessantly, Long Lingling felt her mood sink, her body utterly exhausted. After holding the family together for so long, was it still worth continuing?
Suddenly, a somewhat familiar voice reached her ears, "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't notice you. Did I step on you?"
"Ouch!" The eldest brother cried out in pain, clutching his leg, and glared angrily at the young man speaking, "Are you blind, kid! You stepped on my knee, and you're asking if you stepped on me?"
"I'm sorry, I'm really not blind. Your incessant babbling was so noisy that I lost focus for a moment and stepped on you," the young man blinked his eyes innocently.
Long Lingling looked up and saw Li Yang. She almost burst out laughing and felt much happier. Her previously tired body seemed to regain its strength. "Mr. Li, why are you here?"
"I'm here to see your elderly master," Li Yang pointed to Director Jiang and the others behind him.
Long Lingling was surprised, "You know medicine?"
"When did I ever tell you I didn't know medicine?" Li Yang hooked his lips, patted his pocket, and said, "Last time I kindly reminded you to find me if you had any difficulties, but you didn't take it seriously, making the old director and these old experts almost break their bones trying to find me."
"You have a great debt to repay them later."
"So you knew I was in trouble from the start." Long Lingling looked at him in surprise. This Mr. Li was so clever!
No wonder Professor Ning had told her privately that her gambling stone skills were far inferior to Li Yang's. It turned out it wasn't a humble remark, but the truth.
Seeing that the two knew each other, Director Jiang did not make introductions and instead urged, "Time is of the essence, Miss Long. It's best to have Mr. Li examine Master Long's condition quickly. We can discuss other matters later, can't we?"
"Mr. Li, please come with me immediately." Long Lingling quickly reacted and led Li Yang towards Master Long's recuperation room.
The eldest brother's expression changed. If this kid cured the old man, wouldn't I not get half the inheritance? "No! We don't know this kid's background at all. We absolutely cannot let him in!"
"What if something happens to Dad? Can he bear the responsibility?"
"Whether he can bear the responsibility or not is not for you to decide!" Long Lingling, although she didn't know how good Li Yang's medical skills were, she was determined to protect him since he had come to save her father.
She said decisively, "If anything happens to Dad because of Mr. Li, I will take full responsibility. I will not inherit a single cent from the Long family, and I'll give it all to you, alright?"