Chapter Five: Life Hanging by a Thread?

“Thank you, Auntie.”

Jiang Wan smiled in response, then turned and left with Li Mu.

Yang Suying wiped her tears and said with a sob, “Ah, our child finally has someone to keep him in check. As his mother, I can finally rest easy.”

Li Chengyang nodded in agreement. “I think Jiang Wan is a good girl. In the future, she will surely live well with our child.”

The two elders watched Jiang Wan and Li Mu’s figures with relieved smiles.

…

Elsewhere, just as Jiang Wan and Li Mu were about to get into the car, a sudden ringing interrupted them.

Jiang Wan picked up the phone and saw it was the butler calling. She immediately answered and asked, “What’s the matter?”

“Miss, the old master is ill and in critical condition. Sir has already gone to the family hospital. He asked me to tell you to come back quickly if you have time.”

“Also, Young Master Qin has contacted Doctor Li, who is on his way to the family hospital.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wan’s expression grew extremely grim.

She clearly remembered that her grandfather was fine this morning. How could he be in critical condition in just half a day?

“I’m coming right away.”

After speaking, Jiang Wan hung up, her face full of worry, and turned to get into the car.

Seeing this, Li Mu also got into the car.

“What’s going on?”

“My grandfather is sick and in critical condition.”

With a sigh, Jiang Wan said, “I can’t go with you to get the marriage certificate today. I’ll go with you another day. I’ll have the driver take you home later.”

“If... I could help you?”

Jiang Wan quickly looked up at Li Mu, her eyes filled with concern, now mixed with doubt and confusion. She even cast him a strange look.

“You know medicine?”

Li Mu nodded. He was not only skilled in medicine but also a master of ancient martial arts and esoteric techniques. Medicine was just one of his many talents.

Seeing Li Mu’s serious expression, Jiang Wan sighed. After all, he was her fiancé. Bringing him to see her ailing grandfather made sense, so she did not stop him.

The car sped along, and half an hour later, a black vehicle stopped outside the mansion.

Jiang Wan pulled Li Mu out of the car.

“Let’s go inside quickly.”

“All right.”

Li Mu nodded, and the two walked swiftly toward the hospital.

This was a private hospital, staffed by top experts hired by the Jiang family. Whether Western or traditional Chinese medicine, the doctors here were renowned in their fields.

The hospital was specially prepared for the old master.

Since the old lady’s passing, the old master’s health had deteriorated significantly. Jiang Wan’s father had sought many famous doctors to treat him, but all were temporary fixes.

Now, they waited outside the old master’s ward.

Night had fallen, and the moonlight faintly illuminated the scene.

As the mansion’s main gate was pushed open, a chill crept into their hearts.

Li Mu looked up and saw a large stone statue not far ahead—a massive bear carved with bared, razor-sharp teeth.

Its claws and paws radiated a cold aura that sent shivers down the spine, clearly meant to intimidate.

Li Mu narrowed his eyes slightly. The presence of this bear statue disrupted the feng shui.

Originally, the mansion had been blessed with favorable weather and abundant wealth.

But now, the bear’s presence shattered all that.

The mansion had been inherited through generations. According to the Jiang family history, they were not a family prone to early death. Yet now, a life was at stake.

Could this be deliberate?

He glanced quietly at Jiang Wan but decided not to say anything yet. He would wait and see.

“This Jiang family mansion is really huge, and it even has its own hospital?” Li Mu asked.

“That’s normal. Wealthy families often hire talented people. Besides treatment, this hospital also conducts medical research.”

“All right, I’ll introduce you later. Grandpa is still waiting for us.” Jiang Wan released Li Mu’s hand and strode ahead.

Li Mu followed closely behind.

After a while, they arrived at a secluded courtyard.

Trees shaded the area, and a long, winding stone path stretched ahead, leading to an unknown destination.

They stopped in front of a white building.

Jiang Wan pushed open the door, revealing a group of people standing solemnly in the living room.

As the door creaked open, everyone turned to look and met Jiang Wan’s gaze.

“Xiaowan, you’re here.” The middle-aged man at the front smiled kindly. When he saw Li Mu standing behind her, his expression instantly turned serious. “Who is this?”

“Father, I’ll explain later. How is grandpa now?”

“Ah, your father…” The middle-aged man sighed. “The doctors have examined him thoroughly but found no cause. Now, we can only hope Doctor Li arrives soon.”

“What…”

Hearing this, Jiang Wan’s face turned pale. She nearly stumbled to the ground but was quickly steadied by Li Mu’s swift grip.

She clutched her aching head, tears welling in her eyes.

Grandpa had always been the most loving person in the family to her. How could she bear the news that he was gravely ill and incurable?

“Where is grandpa? I want to see him!”

“Child…”

A middle-aged woman reached out and embraced Jiang Wan.

She was elegant and graceful, dressed simply yet radiating beauty and poise.

This was Jiang Wan’s mother, Hai Yan’er.

The middle-aged man who had spoken was Jiang Wan’s father, Jiang Qing.

“Child, don’t worry too much. Doctor Li will be here soon. Your grandpa’s illness will definitely get better.”

She wiped Jiang Wan’s tears gently.

“Jiang Wan, cousin, grandpa is critically ill today. Why did you bring an outsider here? Is this appropriate?”

A woman with bright, phoenix-like eyes glanced disdainfully at Li Mu. Especially seeing his shabby appearance, she looked down on him even more.

“This person is dressed so ragged, like a beggar.”

“Yes, Xiaowan, who is this person?” Hai Yan’er asked.

Jiang Wan wiped her tears but hesitated to explain. She dared not tell her parents, knowing that Li Mu had taken her virginity before they even confirmed their engagement.

He was her fiancé, yes, but not officially recognized yet—and they had been intimate.

If her parents found out, Li Mu would likely suffer dearly.

Jiang Wan glanced secretly at Li Mu, who looked unfazed, fueling her frustration.

“By the way, where is your fiancé? Why didn’t he come?”

The phoenix-eyed woman, Qin Xiao’er, sneered as she sized up Li Mu. “Don’t tell me this is your fiancé? So shabby. I thought you’d bring a wealthy son-in-law to surprise your cousin, but it’s just this guy?”

“Xiaowan, your cousin is right. If you’re going to marry, marry a powerful and influential noble, not some nobody.”

Upon hearing Hai Yan’er’s words, Li Mu raised an eyebrow. He didn’t care about others’ opinions.

He just wanted to see how Jiang Wan would explain things to her family—and what she would say about their game of cards.