Chapter Five: Awakened!

"You!" At Xiao Chen’s words, everyone in the hospital room changed expression slightly, surprised that he dared to speak in such a manner.

Xu Zhongshan's face immediately darkened. He turned abruptly to Sun Ling and Xu Qingran, his expression grim. "Sun Ling, Xu Qingran. What a bold son-in-law and husband you've brought into the family."

"To dare say such things—it's absolute treason. Your branch must have been waiting for the old lady to die for a long time, isn't that so?"

Sun Ling was already in a foul mood; Xu Qingran had just been stripped of her control over the company, all because of Xu Zhongshan and Xu Chengyang’s scheming.

While the old lady was still conscious, she’d dared not say a word. Now that the old lady had collapsed, and Xu Zhongshan was still trying to throw dirt on their name, she could endure it no longer.

Her face grew cold. "Big brother, don’t accuse us without reason. Everyone here saw it with their own eyes—it was your son who caused the old lady’s condition to worsen."

"If someone is wishing for her death, then Xiao Chen’s words are just that—words. Your son, however, has already acted. Compared to Chengyang, Xiao Chen isn't even in the same league."

The other members of the Xu family also turned their gazes to Xu Zhongshan and Xu Chengyang. Though they remained silent, it was clear whose side they were on this time.

Xu Zhongshan and Xu Chengyang’s faces turned unsightly at this. Xu Chengyang, unwilling to accept it, pointed at Xiao Chen. "Third aunt, you can't twist the truth! Grandmother was already getting better, but because Xiao Chen cursed her, she got angry and fainted. That’s why things turned for the worse!"

Xu Zhongshan seized on this point. "Exactly! Chengyang is a renowned doctor in Linzhou—how could he have made such a mistake? Xiao Chen, the main responsibility is yours. Don’t try to deny it."

But Xiao Chen couldn’t be bothered to argue further. He checked the time and said calmly, "There’s one minute left. After that, not even I will be able to help."

He glanced at Xu Zhongshan and Xu Chengyang. "If you want me to save her, I can. But you must agree to one condition."

Hearing this, Sun Ling couldn’t help but exclaim, her face changing, "Xiao Chen, are you insane?"

"What do you know of medicine? You want to save lives? You’d be better off going home to pour tea!"

Xu Xianran erupted with curses, "Xiao Chen, you fool! Can't you see what your uncle is up to? They want you to step in so they can blame you when things go wrong."

"Don’t you even know your own limitations?"

"Get out, Xiao Chen!" Xu Qingran stepped forward and grabbed his arm, trying to drag him outside.

But Xiao Chen stood firm, unmoved.

He gently took Xu Qingran’s delicate hand. She shuddered—three years of marriage, and they'd barely even had such close contact. Now she felt a strange sensation.

"Trust me," Xiao Chen looked into her eyes and spoke softly.

Xu Qingran met his gaze for a moment, but quickly looked away, a peculiar feeling stirring in her heart. Those three words seemed to carry a strange magic, making her want to trust him, just this once.

"What condition?" Xu Zhongshan and Xu Chengyang couldn’t help but ask.

"It’s simple. From now on, Qingran will remain in charge of Allure Cosmetics. And all the cronies you've planted in the company must be withdrawn," Xiao Chen said directly.

"In your dreams!" Xu Chengyang burst out in fury.

They had worked so hard to install their own people in Allure Cosmetics. Even if Xu Qingran didn’t step down, she would be hobbled at every turn. Now Xiao Chen wanted them to give up everything and hand control to Xu Qingran? All their years of effort would be wasted.

"So, in your eyes, the old lady’s life is worth less than a single cosmetics company," Xiao Chen said with a half-smile.

He didn’t care either way; he had no blood relation to the old lady. As he’d said, her fate meant nothing to him. After all, she’d targeted their branch for years—he felt no affection for her.

But for Xu Zhongshan and Xu Chengyang, things were different. Since they’d chosen to play the dutiful sons, they would have to see it through. Otherwise, the rest of the family would seize on it and make them pay.

"You’re twisting the truth…" Xu Chengyang’s face looked as if he’d swallowed a fly.

But Xu Zhongshan waved him off and nodded. "Fine. If you can really save the old lady, I’ll put this matter to her myself."

He was hedging his bets—Xiao Chen would have to save the old lady first. He didn’t believe for a moment that Xiao Chen could resurrect someone whose heart had stopped. After all, Xiao Chen was just a good-for-nothing who spent his days loafing around or serving tea at home; what skill could he possibly have?

Ignoring Xu Zhongshan’s thoughts, Xiao Chen nodded when he heard the agreement. He walked to the bedside and took a small porcelain vial from his pocket.

He poured out a small, jade-green pill no bigger than a fingernail and gave it to the old lady. "It’s done," he said calmly.

"Done? In about ten minutes, the old lady will wake up." Everyone around stared at him, eyes wide.

Xiao Chen hadn’t done anything except feed her an unknown pill—how could that be enough?

Everyone looked at him, their faces full of doubt and suspicion.

"This is a disaster!" Sun Ling and the others were furious at Xiao Chen for pretending to know what he was doing.

Did he think that pill was some kind of elixir that could bring the dead back to life?

Now he’d handed Xu Zhongshan and his son the perfect opportunity to shift the blame and clear Xu Chengyang’s name.

Xu Qingran’s eyes showed undisguised disappointment and self-mockery. How laughable that, just a moment ago, she’d actually wanted to trust Xiao Chen.

But useless is useless; he’d never amount to anything and could only cause more trouble.

Ten minutes quickly passed.

The old lady still lay motionless on the bed.

Xu Zhongshan and Xu Chengyang sneered, looking at Xiao Chen with cold laughter. "Xiao Chen, so this is your so-called cure—"

As they spoke, they chuckled inwardly. What a perfect scapegoat Xiao Chen was—such stupidity was truly rare.

But before they could finish, Xiao Chen said, "She’s awake."

Almost as the words left his lips, the old lady on the bed opened her eyes.