Shen Qingqing took out the needle case and asked Xiao Wenqi to take the rest of them out. They were all juniors from the Xiao family, and they didn't welcome Shen Qingqing. But they also knew her medical skills and didn't dare to cause trouble at this time.
Only Shen Qingqing, her husband, and the unconscious Old Madam Xiao were left in the ward.
Shen Qingqing opened the needle case and looked at Fu Jingshu.
"I need your help."
It was inconvenient for her to use only one hand, for example, to unbutton Old Madam Xiao's clothes to expose the acupoints. However, it was unlikely that anyone else would do such a thing.
Ordinary people wouldn't recognize acupoints.
Only Fu Jingshu, who had done his homework after learning that his wife was skilled in acupuncture, felt that he would be able to help his wife one day, and that day came sooner than expected.
"Okay."
Time ticked by, and more and more needles were inserted into Old Madam Xiao. However, her complexion did not improve and remained pale.
Sweat beaded on Shen Qingqing's forehead.
When the acupuncture was finished, Shen Qingqing had just put down the silver needles when a handkerchief wiped her forehead. She looked up at the man and smiled, "Thank you."
Fu Jingshu helped her tuck away the stray strands of hair from her ears and his gaze fell on Old Madam Xiao lying on the bed. "Grandma..."
Shen Qingqing shook her head. "Acupuncture is not effective. We'll have to find another way."
Fu Jingshu frowned slightly. "How can this illness be so severe?"
Shen Qingqing wanted to pack up the needle case, but a slender hand reached out to tidy it. She withdrew her hand and looked at Old Madam Xiao. "This illness is difficult to treat. She must have had a chronic illness for many years. This kind of illness cannot be detected by examinations because it's not considered an illness at all. Only when she herself is in pain does she know how uncomfortable it is."
But the cold had seeped into her bones. As her age gradually increased, her bones could no longer bear it. However, this illness was different from ordinary rheumatism; it was a very rare disease.
Because rheumatism could be cured by removing the stubborn dampness from the body, this disease could not. It was incurable.
"What will be the outcome?" Fu Jingshu asked.
Shen Qingqing pursed her lips and did not answer. "Call everyone else in."
Fu Jingshu opened the door, and Xiao Wenqi and his group immediately rushed in.
"Grandma, how is Grandma?"
A group of young children rushed to the bedside, but they didn't dare to touch the old lady. They could only watch her anxiously. Xiao Wenqi, with his impatient temper, became anxious when he saw that his grandmother hadn't woken up yet.
"Why isn't she awake yet?!"
In his anxiety, his tone was a bit questioning. He regretted it himself but was too proud to explain.
Shen Qingqing didn't mind. "Go and check on her first."
Xiao Wenqi turned his head and saw that Old Madam Xiao was slowly waking up. He quickly leaned over. "Mom, how do you feel?"
Old Madam Xiao curved her lips and revealed a smile. "I feel much better."
But her face was too pale, and her words lacked credibility. Xiao Wenqi's eyes turned red, and his nose felt sore. "Mom, you'll be fine."
"Silly child."
Old Madam Xiao's voice was very light, and her words made everyone's hearts ache.
She turned to look at Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu.
"Qingqing, you two stay. I have something to tell you."
Xiao Wenqi glanced at Shen Qingqing, and for once, he didn't say anything. He beckoned the other juniors to leave, and the ward became completely quiet.
Shen Qingqing sat down by the bed. Unexpectedly, Old Madam Xiao's gaze fell on her left arm. She said gently, "Does it hurt?"
Shen Qingqing paused slightly and said softly, "It doesn't hurt. I've already taken painkillers, and the doctor said it's healing well."
In fact, she hadn't seen a doctor yet.
Old Madam Xiao sighed. "You, you don't remember anything I've said."
Shen Qingqing lowered her eyes and smiled faintly.
Old Madam Xiao painstakingly raised her hand and grasped Shen Qingqing's right hand resting on her lap. Her palm was full of wrinkles, and her palm was very dry, but it exuded a warmth.
A very gentle warmth.
"Child, I know you have your own ideas and are very intelligent, much more so than your third uncle. He's just a loudmouth. From now on, the Xiao family will be entrusted to you. I don't ask you to treat the Xiao family as your own, but I hope you'll look after them occasionally."
These words sounded like a farewell. Shen Qingqing's heart tightened, and her breathing became difficult. "Grandma, I can't promise this request. You need to protect the Xiao family yourself. I can't help you. Don't worry, you'll get better."
Old Madam Xiao smiled gently. "I know my own body. If I'm gone, this entire Xiao family will fall apart."
Shen Qingqing pursed her lips. "How can that be? Isn't there still Third Uncle?"
Old Madam Xiao shook her head. After all, he was her son, and she didn't want to say anything harsh. But as for hope...
There used to be.
But now there wasn't.
"I just hope this child can live a long and healthy life. As for other things, I don't think about them anymore. Girl, if you want me to rest in peace, you must promise me."
Shen Qingqing didn't answer directly. "This is your wish, and of course, I'm willing to help. But I can't take on this responsibility. I'm still young. You need to be well to protect the Xiao family."
Old Madam Xiao chided her with a glare. "You're already a mother of two children, and you say you're young?"
Shen Qingqing's lips curved upwards. "But in front of you, I'll always be a child, won't I?"
She stayed with the old lady for a while longer. Old Madam Xiao hadn't fully recovered, and after talking for a while, she felt tired.
Unconsciously, she fell asleep.
Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu tiptoed out of the ward. Xiao Wenqi was guarding the door. Seeing them come out, he stood up abruptly.
"How is it?"
Shen Qingqing lowered her eyes, thought for a moment, and decided to tell him the truth. "Grandma's condition is not good. You'd better keep a close watch on her. If there are any changes, call the doctor immediately."
"Okay, I understand." Hearing the words "not good," Xiao Wenqi's heart clenched. But then he suddenly reacted. "What about you? Where are you going?"
He thought Shen Qingqing would stay to look after his mother.
"I have other things to do. I'll do my best for Grandma."
Her tone was calm, and she turned to leave.
This gave people a cold and heartless impression, as if Old Madam Xiao's death had no effect on her. Xiao Wenqi gnashed his teeth in anger.
She didn't grow up by his side, so she was different!
Like a white-eyed wolf!
After leaving the hospital, Shen Qingqing walked to the nearby flowerbed and sat down, covering her forehead with one hand. Fu Jingshu squatted in front of her, looking at her with concern. "Are you okay?"
Shen Qingqing put her hand down, her delicate face a little pale. "I'm fine. I was just in a hurry to leave, and now I feel a little dizzy."
Fu Jingshu looked around and then turned to leave.
A moment later, he returned with a bottle of water from the convenience store. He opened it and brought it to her lips. "Have a drink."
Shen Qingqing took a sip and couldn't drink anymore.
She pushed the water bottle away. The feeling of dizziness seemed to have subsided slightly. She then took out her phone from her pocket and dialed the poison doctor's number.