What transpired at Li Haochen's villa remained unknown to anyone. The destruction caused by the fight was swiftly repaired overnight under Wang Xiaoming's arrangements, leaving no discernible difference upon close inspection.
The villa was restored to its former state, but its owner remained in a deep slumber. He was currently being transported by a team of medical experts arranged by Li Qianqian to the best hospital in Yanjing for a thorough examination.
"Yanran, you should rest. It's been a day and a night."
"Aunt, do you think he'll wake up?"
Murong Yanran's eyes held a distant gaze. She dreaded hearing the doctors' verdict, yet she yearned for a miracle...
A few hours later, the examination concluded. Murong Yanran became visibly anxious upon seeing the doctor, but hesitated to ask, fearing disappointment. Finally, Li Qianqian stepped forward and asked, "Dr. Hua, what's the situation?"
"Miss Li, the patient's body is no longer in critical condition. It's truly a miracle of modern medicine that his heart suffered such severe trauma yet he seems to be fine."
"Then when will he wake up?"
"That is precisely what puzzles me. The patient's brain shows no signs of injury, so theoretically, he shouldn't be in this state. His brainwaves are perfectly normal, identical to that of a healthy person. This is the first time I've encountered such a case. It's as if the patient is trapped in a dream. However, all his bodily functions are undoubtedly normal. As for when he will awaken..."
Zhang Tianhua could only shake his head. He genuinely had no answer.
Upon hearing this, Murong Yanran felt a wave of disappointment wash over her. She looked at Li Haochen sleeping on the hospital bed, her heart filled with sorrow.
Meanwhile, at the Zhantai residence, Zhantai Liya was in a furious rage after learning that her mission had failed. The expensive antique decorations in her room were all smashed to pieces by her fury.
"Damn it... I will not let them get away with this, hmph!"
Hearing the commotion from inside the room, Zhantai Haomin pushed the door open and walked in. Seeing Zhantai Liya in such a state, he reprimanded her with annoyance, "Throwing a tantrum again? You need to behave yourself for the time being. We barely managed to clean up your mess. If Dad finds out, he'll be so angry he'll die!"
"I just can't swallow this insult. I won't let them have it easy."
"You truly... Dad spoils you too much. If this continues..."
As Zhantai Haomin spoke, his phone rang. Seeing the number on the caller ID, which was not saved but deeply etched in his memory, a sense of foreboding struck him as he answered, "Hello... I... understand!"
After hanging up the phone, Zhantai Haomin's entire body seemed to deflate. He lit a cigarette in silence. Seeing his disoriented and dejected state, Zhantai Liya asked with concern, "Brother, what's wrong?"
Zhantai Haomin exhaled a plume of smoke and looked at Zhantai Liya seriously, "Sister, you are no longer a child. It's time for you to shoulder your responsibilities."
"Brother... Brother, what are you talking about? I don't understand..."
"Change your clothes. I'll take you there myself."
"Brother, where are you taking me? I... I won't go anywhere. I want to stay home. I won't go anywhere!"
Zhantai Liya began to tremble with fear, having already guessed the meaning behind her elder brother's words.
Zhantai Haomin glanced at her calmly before turning towards the door, "I can't protect you, and Dad can't protect you either. You should understand what that means. Go with me with some dignity, and I'll try to save your life."
"Why, why? Our Zhantai family is the foremost clan in Yanjing. Who can discipline me..."
Zhantai Liya collapsed onto the floor, her voice rising in near-frantic screams.
"Why?" Zhantai Haomin stopped in his tracks, his back to Zhantai Liya, and said, "Because we are not Heaven."
After that day, Zhantai Liya was taken away without a trace. Simultaneously, the blockade against Murong Yanran and Li Haochen's businesses became as if it never existed, instantly reverting to its original state. Even Ling Hanfeng regained his official position and was trending towards further advancement with the support of the Li family.
Meanwhile, in a luxurious mansion in Huaqi Country, Chen Junhao slammed his wine glass to the ground, his eyes blazing with fury as he gritted his teeth and roared, "Damn it, damn it, why is this happening..."
"Dad, bad news."
"What is it? Can't you see I'm already annoyed?"
"Our... all our projects have been taken by Uncle. Moreover, our assets at home have been frozen. This..."
"What?" Chen Junhao shot up, clenching his fists, his expression turning grim as he looked at his son, "Could it be that Eldest Brother knows something?"
"Dad, then... what should we do?"
With a sinister expression, Chen Junhao paused for a moment before speaking sternly, "Arrange our return to the country. What belongs to us, no one can take away, hmph!"
On the other side, in the Chen family mansion, Chen Junlin was offering incense to the ancestral tablets, his expression appearing desolate and pained.
"Father, Mother, please forgive Lin'er. I had no choice..."
...
"We now have a special news report: This afternoon, a private jet flying from New York, Huaqi Country, to Yanjing encountered severe turbulent weather, causing the aircraft to malfunction and crash. All six people on board perished. According to relevant personnel, this aircraft belonged to Li..."
Watching this news, Chen Junlin let out a pained sigh and walked away muttering, "Born from the same root, why must we tear each other apart so bitterly!"
Sun rises and sets!
Despite Murong Yanran's best efforts to conceal it, Xie Baolian and the others soon learned that Li Haochen had become a vegetable. As for the reason behind it, Murong Yanran had already prepared her explanation. Fortunately, they were all lost in their grief and did not inquire further into the cause.
Upon seeing Li Haochen lying on the hospital bed, Xie Baolian and Li Dehai wept inconsolably, their sorrow overwhelming. It took a long time for them to calm down.
"Yanran, you've truly suffered."
Indeed, Murong Yanran had been crying day and night during this period, and her body had become noticeably thinner.
"However, the fact that his life is out of danger is a blessing in disguise. I believe Haochen will overcome this hurdle."
"Yes, Yanran. Your priority now is to take care of your health and not grieve excessively. It's not good for you or the baby."
"I will. For the child, I will remain strong."
Day after day, more than three months quickly passed.
Murong Yanran caressed Li Haochen's face and said, "Husband, it's almost New Year. The baby has been a little mischievous lately, feel him."
As she spoke, Murong Yanran placed Li Haochen's hand on her slightly protruding belly, "Did you feel that? He kicked me again. What do you think we should name him?"
Thus, Murong Yanran sat by the hospital bed, talking to Li Haochen, and the conversation would continue for the entire day...