Chapter 396 - 230: Lu Fan Takes Sifan to Yixia’s Hometown

Chapter 396: Chapter 230: Lu Fan Takes Sifan to Yixia’s Hometown

Wen Wan gave them her hometown address, and the car headed toward the county.

Wen Wan was silent the entire way.

She watched the scenery change out the window, from city to countryside, from skyscrapers to open fields.

The roads grew narrower and the houses smaller, while the trees lining them became more numerous.

She recognized this road. It was the one she always took home.

She used to take the bus by herself. The bumpy ride would last four or five hours, and it would already be dark by the time she arrived.

Jiang Sifan sat beside her, holding her hand the entire time.

She didn’t pull away, nor did she speak. She simply gazed out the window, occasionally pointing to give directions.

The car stopped in front of a town health clinic.

Wen Wan got out of the car and froze, staring at the small, two-story building.

Chunks of plaster had fallen from the walls, the iron bars on the windows were rusted, and a few dilapidated motorcycles were parked by the entrance.

’Didn’t Mom say Grandpa was in the county hospital? Why is he here...?’

She hurried inside, with Jiang Sifan following close behind.

Lu Fan got out of the car and said to Chen He, "Go look into Wen Wan’s grandfather’s medical records. See if his condition is really as serious as her mother claims."

Chen He nodded and started making some calls.

Wen Wan pushed open the door to the room and immediately spotted her grandfather lying in bed.

He had lost a lot of weight, and his face was completely drained of color. His eyes were closed, his breathing light and shallow.

An IV was hooked up to his hand, secured with several layers of tape. Beside him, a heart monitor emitted a steady BEEP... BEEP..., its green waveform pulsing on the screen.

Tears instantly streamed down Wen Wan’s face.

She walked over, crouched by the bed, and called out softly, "Grandpa."

The old man didn’t wake up.

Mrs. Wen, who was beside the bed, stood up. Her expression shifted when she saw Wen Wan, and then Jiang Sifan and Lu Fan behind her. "Wan’Er, you’re back? Who are these people?"

Wen Wan ignored her and took her grandfather’s hand.

It was a thin hand, with prominent knuckles and skin covered in age spots. The back of it was bruised from the IV drips.

Mrs. Wen spoke again, her tone tinged with impatience. "You’re back, fine, but why did you have to bring so many people? Your grandfather is just getting old. It’s nothing serious."

Wen Wan looked up at her mother, her eyes red. "Didn’t you say he was in serious condition? Didn’t you say he might not make it through?"

"He is... he is in serious condition. The doctor said he needs to be hospitalized for observation..." Mrs. Wen stammered, taken aback for a moment.

Standing in the doorway, Lu Fan glanced at the hospital room, then at Mrs. Wen.

Without a word, he turned and went back outside.

Out in the hallway, he called Chen He.

Chen He said he was looking into the medical records.

Lu Fan told him to find out exactly what was wrong with Wen Wan’s grandfather, determine how serious his condition truly was, and see if a hospital transfer was necessary.

Wen Wan sat by the bed, still holding her grandfather’s hand.

After a long while, the old man slowly opened his eyes. When he saw Wen Wan, the corners of his mouth twitched. His voice was faint, as if it took all his strength to speak. "Wan’Er... you’re back?"

Fresh tears fell from Wen Wan’s eyes. She leaned over the side of the bed, her voice choked with sobs. "Grandpa, I’m back. How are you feeling?"

The old man looked at her, then glanced at Jiang Sifan standing beside her. He slowly nodded and managed a faint smile.

Mrs. Wen chimed in from the side, "Wan’Er, it’s good you’re back. Your grandfather’s illness is going to cost a lot of money, and things are tight. Do you think you could...?"

Wen Wan didn’t say a word.

Standing beside her, Jiang Sifan’s expression darkened, and he clenched his hands into fists.

The old man suddenly spoke. His voice was soft but clear, each word deliberate. "Wan’Er, Grandpa is fine. Don’t listen to your mother."

Mrs. Wen’s expression changed. "Dad, what are you talking about?" she asked, annoyed.

The old man ignored her, looking at Wen Wan and speaking slowly. "I just had a fall, Wan’Er. It’s nothing serious. Your mother insisted on bringing me to the hospital and calling you. I didn’t want to worry you, but she insisted on making that call."

Wen Wan froze and turned to look at her mother.

Mrs. Wen stammered, "I... I was just worried something terrible might happen to you! It’s only right for Wan’Er to come back and see you."

Wen Wan said nothing.

She understood everything now.

Her grandfather wasn’t seriously ill. Her mother had deliberately exaggerated his condition to trick her into coming home.

And it was all for money.

She stood up and faced her mother. Her voice was calm, but her hands were trembling. "Mom, what is it you really want?"

Feeling guilty under her daughter’s stare, Mrs. Wen took a step back. "I just wanted you to come back and see your grandfather. He’s old, and what if something were to happen..."

"Enough," Wen Wan cut her off, her eyes red-rimmed. "It’s always like this. Every time there’s a ’family emergency,’ it’s always about money. Money for my brother’s tutoring, money for his birthday banquet, and now money because Grandpa is sick. Mom, have you ever stopped to think that I’m a student? Where am I supposed to get that kind of money?"

Mrs. Wen’s expression soured, and her voice rose. "What’s that supposed to mean? I raised you, so what’s wrong with me taking a little of your money? Your brother is a boy! He has to carry on the family line. What’s wrong with you, his older sister, helping out?"

Tears streamed down Wen Wan’s face once more.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but she didn’t know what.

She remembered how, ever since high school, whenever she called home, her mother never asked about her studies. Instead, she’d just tell her to spend less, saying that if she couldn’t handle her classes, she should just get married early so they could at least collect the bride price.

She thought of how she scrimped and saved to send money home, never once asking where it all went.

Jiang Sifan stepped forward to stand beside Wen Wan. He looked at Mrs. Wen, his voice calm but every word clear. "Auntie, Wen Wan earns her own money. She works late into the night every day just to make a little extra. You can’t keep asking her for money. She’s your daughter, too."

Mrs. Wen shot him a glare and snapped, "And who are you? This is our family’s business, it’s none of your concern."

Just as Jiang Sifan was about to speak, Wen Wan grabbed his hand.

She shook her head and said softly, "Class President, just let it go."

Jiang Sifan looked at her, his heart aching for her, but he held himself back.

Lu Fan came back inside, pausing in the doorway to take in the scene.

He didn’t speak to them, but turned to Jiali and said, "Contact a hospital in the city and arrange a transfer for Wen Wan’s grandfather. Find a good specialist and have them run a full examination."

Jiali nodded and went outside to make the call.

When Mrs. Wen heard the two words "hospital transfer," she froze for a second before turning to Lu Fan. "Who are you?"

Lu Fan ignored her and walked over to Wen Wan. "Don’t cry," he said softly. "I’ll take care of things with your grandfather. For now, just wipe your tears."

Wen Wan looked up at him, but the tears kept falling.

"You helped me talk sense into Sifan last time, and I never got to thank you. Consider this me returning the favor. Stop crying. You won’t be pretty anymore if you keep this up," Lu Fan said with a lighthearted smile.

Wen Wan wiped her tears and choked out, "Thank you, Uncle Lu."

Chen He returned shortly after.

He had found out what was going on at the clinic.

Wen Wan’s grandfather’s condition was indeed not serious—just some injuries from a fall and a mild concussion. He would have been able to leave the hospital in a few days.

Mrs. Wen had exaggerated everything simply to lure Wen Wan back and ask for money.

Or perhaps, for other purposes.

Lu Fan listened without comment.

He had Jiali arrange the transfer for Wen Wan’s grandfather to the best hospital in the city.

He also hired a caregiver specifically to look after the old man.

Mrs. Wen stood to the side, her expression growing fouler as she watched them bustling about.

She looked like she wanted to say something, but when she saw Lu Fan’s cold gaze, she swallowed her words.

As he was being lifted into the ambulance, Wen Wan’s grandfather held her hand and said guiltily, "Wan’Er, don’t blame your mother. She’s just muddle-headed."

Wen Wan nodded, fresh tears falling.

She leaned close to her grandfather and nodded. "Grandpa, I don’t blame her. You just focus on getting better. I’ll come see you tomorrow."

The old man nodded and closed his eyes.

Jiang Sifan, standing beside her, gently put an arm around her shoulders.

This time, she didn’t pull away. She leaned against his shoulder and cried for a while.

Lu Fan stood by the car, gazing at the distant fields.

Jiali walked over and asked in a low voice, "Boss, should we do something about Mrs. Wen?"

"No need. Wen Wan can handle it herself. She’s stronger than we imagine," Lu Fan said, shaking his head.

He paused, then added, "But have someone keep an eye on things. Don’t let her bully Wen Wan again."

Jiali nodded and immediately set to it.

Wen Wan stood beside the ambulance, looking at her grandfather on the stretcher, then over at Lu Fan and Jiang Sifan in the distance.

She took a deep breath and wiped away her tears.

In this world, some people wanted to take everything from her, while others were willing to help her carry it all.

She was just so incredibly disappointed in her own mother.