Chapter 237: Echoes of Gratitude

Two days after being discharged, inside the two-story villa of the Jiang sisters in Ziteng City.

Jiang Jingshi and Jiang Qian sat on the sofa like they were in a training session, while Fang Meng stood nearby with her head down and hands clasped in front.

Across from them, Father Jiang, Mother Jiang, and Grandfather delivered a stern scolding.

Mother Jiang placed the news magazine on the table.

Father Jiang said angrily, “How could you three hide something this huge from us elders without a word? You’ve got some serious nerve! Jingshi!”

His last words came out especially furious, and Jiang Jingshi responded, “Yes, Dad, I’m listening.”

“Listening? Are you really? What if it hadn’t been cured? That’s a terminal illness! If it hadn’t worked, were you just going to stay bedridden?”

Mother Jiang lightly hit her husband’s arm, signaling that he shouldn’t say such unlucky things.

Father Jiang changed his wording: “When were you planning to tell us? Huh? You weren’t even going to let us know! You’ve completely disregarded me and your mom!”

Jiang Jingshi hadn’t been scolded like this in ages, but ever since she’d decided to hide it from her parents, she had expected this confrontation.

She spoke gently, without any regret: “Dad, Mom, I didn’t mean to disregard you. I just didn’t want to worry you or affect your work.”

Mother Jiang pursed her lips and frowned, her heart aching as she said:

“Work is nothing compared to you. In our eyes, you and Qian Qian will always come first.”

Father Jiang added, confused:

“How would it affect us? Yes, your mom and I are always busy making money, but if something involves you two, we’d drop everything to take care of you!”

“Do you know how scared we were when we saw that news? It’s a terminal illness! You could have been stuck in bed forever!”

After scolding his older daughter, Father Jiang turned to his younger one:

“Qian Qian! And you! It’s one thing for your sister to hide her illness, but you too? How could you keep something this serious from me and your mom? And Fang Meng! You’ve let Qian Qian lead you astray! Each of you is bolder than the last!”

Fang Meng flinched in fear, keeping her head down and barely speaking, only managing to say,

“I’m sorry, Uncle and Aunt.”

Mother Jiang tried to smooth things over: “Don’t blame Fang Meng. She’s just loyal to Qian Qian, and that’s a good thing.”

Father Jiang fell silent, though he knew deep down that an assistant so devoted to his daughter was invaluable—something many businesspeople would envy—so he let it go.

Grandfather figured the scolding had gone on long enough and cleared his throat to interject:

“Alright, I think that’s enough. My granddaughter has just recovered from a serious illness, and my younger one has been caring for her all this time. Let’s wrap it up.”

He looked at his son and daughter-in-law, annoyed:

“And you two, stop putting all the blame on the kids! Jingshi was in the hospital for nearly a week. If she didn’t tell you, couldn’t you have found out? In a whole week, you didn’t even make time to see your own daughter? If you’d paid more attention, could they have hidden it?”

Grandfather said sharply: “In the end, it’s your fault!”

Father Jiang and Mother Jiang were at a loss for words and looked appropriately chastised.

Jiang Jingshi couldn’t help but smile a little.

Father Jiang and Mother Jiang turned to their daughter.

Jiang Jingshi said awkwardly:

“Grandfather, don’t blame Mom and Dad. They do care about me and Qian Qian. And I hid this really well—if I hadn’t collapsed in the yard that day, even Qian Qian and Fang Meng wouldn’t have known.”

Grandfather sighed, picked up the magazine from the table, flipped it open, and glanced at Jiang Jingshi’s poster before saying unexpectedly,

“You know, ‘The Angel’s Daughter, Jiang Jingshi’—that title really suits you. The photos are great too; you look truly beautiful in them.”

Mother Jiang whispered, “After all, Jingshi and Qian Qian have always been the center of attention since they were little, so they photograph well no matter what.”

Grandfather asked, “So, what exactly happened? How did you recover from that illness?”

Jiang Jingshi, Jiang Qian, and Fang Meng exchanged glances, sharing a meaningful look.

Father Jiang and Mother Jiang glanced at each other, sensing there was more to the story.

Because if a terminal illness had just mysteriously vanished, their daughter wouldn’t have that expression.

Father Jiang sighed: “Go on, tell us. We’re all family here, and your mom, grandfather, and I promise not to breathe a word to anyone. From your faces, it’s clear you three know the truth. We’re not fools—don’t try to brush us off with vague answers.”

After exchanging looks with her sister, Jiang Qian sat up straight and said gracefully, “Lin Zheng Ran saved my sister.”

Father Jiang, Mother Jiang, and Grandfather were shocked, their eyes widening in disbelief.

“My comrade’s grandson?” Grandfather asked.

“What? Lin Zheng Ran? He saved Jingshi? But how exactly did he do it? Does he know some famous expert or—”

Jiang Jingshi smiled: “What expert could compare to him? My illness was proven terminal worldwide, but after he found out, he developed a cure himself and made the special remedy that saved me.”

Mother Jiang was surprised: “He developed it himself? That’s incredible! And it all happened so quickly, from diagnosis to recovery in just days?”

“That’s exactly what he did.” Jiang Jingshi recalled that day in the car, thinking of the love in Lin Zheng Ran’s eyes:

“At first, I didn’t believe him when he said he could save me, especially since the doctors had been so clear. But I’ve known him for so long, and he’s never lied to me, so I thought maybe he could pull it off. In the end, actions speak louder than words.”

She looked up: “Without him, I don’t even want to imagine where I’d be now. He gave me this life back.”

From their daughter’s tone and expression, Father Jiang and Mother Jiang could picture the moment she went from despair to hope.

The couple exchanged silent glances.

Finally, Mother Jiang gazed off and remarked:

“Lin Zheng Ran is truly one of a kind. He knows medicine too? That’s almost superhuman. He’s impressed me more than once, but this is huge. A simple thank-you won’t cut it—we need to visit him personally and show our appreciation.”

Father Jiang nodded slowly: “I agree. Since he saved our daughter, we have to show our sincerity, even as elders. We can’t act superior about this. Get someone to prepare some fine gifts.”

Mother Jiang nodded.

But Jiang Jingshi raised her hand to stop them: “Wait! Don’t go looking for him over this!”

Father Jiang frowned: “Why not? We’re just going to thank him, nothing more.”

Jiang Jingshi thought for a moment: “True, but I need to ask his opinion first. I don’t want to cause him any trouble, and you two shouldn’t do anything on your own either.”

Mother Jiang asked curiously: “So cautious?”

At that, Grandfather said:

“She’s right. That young man has an unlimited future ahead. He has his own way of doing things, and with Zheng Shi Company gaining so much attention from this, our Jiang family is in the spotlight too. If you two meddle, it could create problems.”

Grandfather decided: “Let’s do as my granddaughter says. Ask Lin Zheng Ran first and follow his lead. Best case, we set up a meal and host him properly—he’s our family’s most important guest.”

Jiang Jingshi nodded.

“Okay, Grandfather, I’ll talk to him in the next couple of days.”

As she finished, she looked at her photo in the magazine, but her mind wandered to the moments she shared with Lin Zheng Ran in the hospital.

I wonder what he’s up to now. Should I call him later, or just go see him?