The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 403 - 402 Investigated by the Public Security

Chapter 403: Chapter 402 Investigated by the Public Security

"Jiping, you’re awake, how do you feel?"

Perhaps it was because he had just woken up and his consciousness had not yet returned; facing Chu Yuqing’s concern, Zhong Jiping took a good while before he opened his mouth to speak:

"Ah, er, ah—"

Hearing the sounds coming from his throat, not only was Chu Yuqing stunned, but Zhong Jiping himself was also baffled.

This reaction was like a star athlete suddenly unable to walk, or a Chinese person suddenly unable to use chopsticks.

"Ah, I, er, I—"

Zhong Jiping tried to speak, yet he could only produce unclear syllables.

"I, er, oh—"

He was eager to know what had happened to him, but the more anxious he became, the less cooperative his tongue was.

Chu Yuqing, with tear-filled eyes, ran out of the hospital room to look for a doctor.

Zhong Qing walked unhurriedly to the bedside, considerately telling Zhong Jiping about his condition: "...fortunately, the rescue was timely, your life was saved, but your future movements and speech are slightly affected. However, don’t worry, I will find someone to take good care of you."

Zhong Jiping’s eyes widened as he struggled to get out of bed.

Zhong Qing extended her hand, effortlessly pressing him back onto the hospital bed.

"You’d better lie down and rest."

"You, er, er—"

Zhong Jiping stared at her, his eyes as if to devour her.

Noisy footsteps came from outside the door; it was Chu Yuqing returning with the doctor.

"Dad, don’t worry, Mom and I will definitely find a way to help you recover. If not domestically, then we will go abroad..."

As the doctor entered the hospital room, Zhong Qing immediately spoke with an anxious face, "Doctor, please take a look at my dad, he seems unable to speak..."

The doctor quickly conducted a thorough examination of Zhong Jiping.

Zhong Jiping cooperated as well; he wanted to know what was wrong with his body more than anyone else.

Perhaps fearing that Zhong Jiping could not bear the results, the doctor asked Chu Yuqing and Zhong Qing to step outside to talk.

However, this met with strong opposition from Zhong Jiping.

But unable to articulate his words clearly, he could only shout inarticulately and thrash about on the bed to express his rage and panic.

"Doctor, whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of my dad. Knowing the real situation, he can cooperate better with the treatment," Zhong Qing persuaded.

The doctor no longer had any concerns and repeated what had been said outside the emergency room before.

But what had been a prediction was now a confirmed diagnosis.

Lack of oxygen had caused part of Zhong Jiping’s brainstem and nerves to die, greatly affecting his speech and coordination of limbs.

Simply put, when he wanted to speak, his tongue did not obey; when he wanted to walk, his hands and feet did not obey.

Upon hearing the doctor say that such damage was almost irreversible, Zhong Jiping went berserk.

He screamed louder, thrashed about on the bed, like a wild animal trapped in a cage.

Until he was forcibly injected with a strong sedative and finally calmed down.

The pharmaceutical company, upon receiving news of Zhong Jiping’s awakening, quickly sent people to visit him at the hospital.

Chu Yuqing intended to conceal her husband’s condition.

If the pharmaceutical company were to find out that her husband had become an invalid who could not speak clearly, his position and status in the company would undoubtedly be gone.

Yet, Zhong Qing spoke the truth directly.

After the pharmaceutical company’s people left, Chu Yuqing erupted in an argument with Zhong Qing, "Do you hate him so much that you wish to see him trampled in the mud?"

"Should I not hate him?"

Chu Yuqing was at a loss for words, "Don’t forget, you are also a daughter of the Zhong Family! When one prospers, all prosper; when one suffers, all suffer. If your father loses his power, do you think the Yan Family will still want you as a daughter-in-law?"

"You need not worry about that."

Zhong Qing looked at Chu Yuqing with a sneer, "Do you think if you don’t tell them, the company won’t find out?"

Chu Yuqing was speechless, turned around and came to the bedside, crying out loud in pain over her comatose husband.

Zhong Qing left without a word.

Back home, after a shower, Zhong Qing lay in bed and slept the longest sleep she’d had in twelve years.

When she awoke, it was already the following morning.

"Sis, you’re finally awake!"

Zhong Yin sat by the bed and, seeing her sister wake, pounced on her, hugging her tightly with both arms.

"If you didn’t wake up soon, I was going to call the doctor. You’ve been asleep since yesterday afternoon, and we couldn’t wake you up even when we tried."

Zhong Qing hugged her little sister back, a relaxed smile appearing on her face, "I’m alright. I was just really tired, so I slept heavily."

"So did you get enough sleep?"

The young girl tilted her head up, her bright eyes fluttering, her cheeks with their fine, soft fuzz, glowing with a porcelain-like finesse under the light.

Once, she had been anxious and panicked over her sister’s overly outstanding looks, worried that her sister would follow in her footsteps.

Now, the weight that had pressed on her heart had finally been lifted.

From now on, her sister could bloom freely during her blossoming years.

"Sis, say something, did you sleep yourself stupid?"

Zhong Qing pinched the girl’s cheek, "How can I get up with you on me?"

"Oh."

Zhong Yin moved aside, "Sis, are you going to visit Dad in the hospital later? Xiaomin and I want to go too."

Zhong Qing didn’t refuse, "Go get dressed."

...

After Zhong Qing finished breakfast, preparing to take Zhong Yin and Zhong Min to the hospital, Chu Yuqing suddenly brought a group of police back home.

As soon as the police entered, they immediately began a methodical search throughout the house.

Zhong Qing stood up calmly and asked Chu Yuqing, "Mom, what happened?"

Chu Yuqing stared at her for a good while before speaking, "Your dad woke up last night and told me everything."

Zhong Qing thought for a moment, then gestured to the nanny to take the siblings upstairs.

Zhong Yin obviously sensed something was amiss, clinging to Zhong Qing’s hand, unwilling to let go, "Sis~"

"Be good, take Xiaomin upstairs to get dressed. I need to talk about something with Mom. Once we’re done, we’ll go visit Dad at the hospital."

Zhong Yin always heeded her words. At that, she led Zhong Min upstairs.

"Mom, what exactly happened?"

No sooner had Zhong Qing asked than Chu Yuqing angrily grabbed her by the collar, "Still pretending? Tell me, was it you who poisoned your father?"

Zhong Qing’s heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her composure.

"I’ve said before, if I wanted to harm him, I just needed to delay taking him to the hospital by a few minutes."

"Your father told me everything. It was you who prepared the bathwater for him. He felt unwell after bathing and then he fainted! If not you, then who?"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Qing was somewhat surprised.

"Dad can speak now?"

"What, are you scared now?"

"Why should I be afraid if I haven’t done anything wrong?"

Chu Yuqing sneered, "I’ve already called the police. This morning they drew your father’s blood for a lab test, as well as water from the bathtub, and your room – the police will not leave any stone unturned."

"If they find any evidence that you tried to harm your father, I will never let you off the hook."

...

The police turned the Zhong Family house inside out but found nothing suspicious.

Chu Yuqing, unsatisfied, suggested to the police that they bring Zhong Qing to the police station for an investigation.

The police refused Chu Yuqing, "Ms. Chu, our investigations require evidence. Thus far, whether your husband was poisoned by someone still depends on the results from the technical investigation department’s blood tests."

...

To prevent Zhong Qing from escaping, Chu Yuqing specially arranged for someone to follow her around the clock.

Three days later, the results of the blood tests were out.

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