Chapter 9 Crisis, Life Hanging by a Thread

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The car window rolled down to reveal the unforgettable face of Qin Jingchen, with stunningly rich and vivid features and an alluring beauty mark by his eye that flickered slightly, still giving off a sense of calmness like still water.

"I'm here to pick you up," he said casually.

This was where Jiang Zhe had met with him yesterday.

He must have come a long time in advance without having arranged it beforehand to pick someone up.

Jiang Zhe got into the car, still chewing gum in his mouth.

The car was less lively today without Fen Ye.

"This is the gift from yesterday, I can't accept it," Jiang Zhe said as he took out the brocade box.

Qin Jingchen's Buddha Beads continued to click, and he asked her softly, "Don't like it?"

"It's too valuable," Jiang Zhe pushed the brocade box back.

"The item was something my grandmother asked me to give to you, and since we were going to meet anyway, why don't you return it to her directly?"

Jiang Zhe glanced at him, thinking he considered her soft-hearted in front of the elderly?

The place to eat was still at Jinyuan, where they were yesterday.

Even the private room had not changed.

Inside sat an elderly woman with silver hair, exuding warmth with a kindly face. She wore a Chinese-style short jacket, looking very compassionate, but the dark circles under her eyes revealed she probably didn't sleep well regularly and was sustaining her spirit through sheer willpower.

However, her commanding presence in every move could not be ignored.

Her gaze calmly assessed Jiang Zhe, and even though her eyes had seen countless ladies from noble families, they could not help but show a hint of astonishment when they landed on Jiang Zhe.

With such looks and temperament, she did not appear to be a girl casually raised in a Jincheng merchant's home; even among the four great families in Beijing, it would be hard to find someone so outstanding.

Qin's elderly madam glanced at her grandson, thinking the young man indeed knew what was good.

"Xiaozhe, come over here to Grandma," the elderly madam beckoned warmly.

Jiang Zhe sat down beside her with a voice as calm as ever, "Grandma Qin."

The elderly madam's joy was evident upon just hearing her voice, her attitude growing even gentler, "I had wanted your grandfather and young aunt to join us for a meal, but Jingchen said they were too busy, so we can only meet you for now."

Jiang Zhe glanced at Qin Jingchen; he was good at making excuses.

Knowing full well that Jiang Yaowang and Jiang Xiruo would no longer come for meals.

"Grandma Qin, I can come for the meal, but I cannot accept the gift," Jiang Zhe took out the brocade box, "The item is too valuable, it's not suitable."

"This…" the elderly madam looked at her grandson, then at Jiang Zhe.

Could it be the gift hadn't even been given out yet?

Qin Jingchen coughed lightly amidst the teasing look from his grandmother.

The elderly madam laughed, "All right, let Jingchen keep it himself for now, and you can take it when you're ready to accept it."

Qin Jingchen took the brocade box from Jiang Zhe's hand.

The elderly madam chided, "Jingchen, the item is given to you, and I won't take it back. If you can't manage to give it away, don't bring it back to me. You'll handle it yourself."

"Yes," Qin Jingchen said softly.

"Xiaozhe, if Jingchen has upset you, tell Grandma later, and I'll scold him for you."

She was as amiable as if she were Jiang Zhe's own grandmother.

Jiang Zhe nodded nonchalantly.

The elderly madam was in high spirits.

Jiang Zhe was somewhat puzzled about where her good mood was coming from.

But this had little to do with her; she didn't want to probe into it.

The elderly madam was naturally in a good mood, as the heirloom bracelet was specially prepared for her future granddaughter-in-law. Unfortunately, Qin Jingchen had been devout since childhood, always carrying Buddha Beads and living a life of purity and minimal desire.

It seemed that the bracelet she had prepared would not really come in handy after all.

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The Old Madame of the Qin Family had little hope for this marriage arrangement, yet yesterday, Qin Jingchen had accepted the bracelet from the person she sent.

It was no wonder that the Old Madame came all the way from Beijing, eager to meet Jiang Zhe in person.

After the matter was settled, dinner was served.

Towards the end of the meal, an attendant who had been standing by the door leaned over and whispered something to the Old Madame.

Her expression changed slightly but she quickly regained composure, "Let's go and have a look first."

She turned to Jiang Zhe and said, "Xiaozhe, I apologize, but something has come up at home. I'll invite you again next time. Jingchen, you stay with Xiaozhe."

"You're busy," nodded Jiang Zhe.

The Old Madame was the first to leave.

Qin Jingchen also received a phone call and said to Jiang Zhe, "I'll take you home first."

"You're busy; there's no need to drop me off."

Qin Jingchen insisted, as he was the one who had picked her up, plus it was late, and she was alone.

The situation was completely different from last night.

Jiang Zhe didn't insist further and got into his car.

On the way, Qin Jingchen was still on the phone, "Find a way, the child must be kept."

Jiang Zhe had only seen him calm and gentle a few times, it was rare to see him show a slight impatience.

Seizing the opportunity while he was on the phone, Jiang Zhe told the driver, "Let's go to the hospital first."

In the past two days, the driver had become aware of Jiang Zhe's identity and her standing in the Qin Family, so he complied with her every command, quickly driving up to the hospital entrance.

When the car stopped and they saw the destination, Jiang Zhe spoke before Qin Jingchen could, "I asked to come here first."

"My cousin's baby may not be able to be saved," Qin Jingchen said, the sound of his Buddha Beads slightly chaotic.

Someone ran down from upstairs, an urgent look on his face, "Mr. Qin, it's not good, the Old Madame has fainted."

Qin Jingchen strode upstairs.

The driver and attendant followed directly.

Jiang Zhe thought for a moment and also followed them upstairs.

The Old Madame was being taken to a ward while a doctor briefed Qin Jingchen, "The Old Madame was already suffering from long-term insomnia and neurasthenia, in a very poor state of mental health. She just fainted due to a fit of anger. There should be nothing serious."

With too many people around, Jiang Zhe was squeezed to the edge.

Qin Jingchen asked, "How is the pregnant woman?"

"That's a bit more serious... She insists on keeping the child, but if the adult's body can't take it, how can the child be kept? The pregnant woman had a serious case of fright affecting the baby a month ago, and today she suddenly started bleeding profusely, we are really helpless..."

The doctors who arrived today were all top experts in obstetrics and gynecology who had arrived at Qin Feng's side a month ago from Beijing.

The baby, who was originally thought to be safe, unexpectedly ran into trouble.

"Mr. Qin, you need to make a decision. If we keep the child any longer, she herself will be in great danger... Given the current situation, she won't last ten minutes," the doctor urged anxiously.

"Administer the medicine, remove the child," Qin Jingchen ordered after pondering for a few seconds.

The doctors and nurses immediately sprang into action.

The crowd quickly dispersed.

Jiang Zhe leaned against the metal handrail in the corridor, looking over indifferently.

Qin Jingchen approached her and said in a low, hoarse voice, "I apologize for today."

"How's your cousin?" Jiang Zhe asked casually.

"Last month, my cousin's husband died in a car accident, and she suffered a fright that affected the pregnancy. Today, she suddenly started bleeding heavily. This is the only child she and my cousin's husband would have had."

Making such a decision was visibly tough for Qin Jingchen.