Chapter 41: Sending Miss Ding Home

Following Fang Xiufang's instructions, Hua Lianxi escorted her into the elevator, which took them directly to the third floor. As soon as they stepped out, they were greeted by the hospital director and a group of expert professors who had been waiting at the elevator entrance. They warmly ushered the two women into the consultation room of the attending physician.

"Madam, please have a seat and catch your breath!" The director bowed slightly with a warm smile, his gaze discreetly scanning Hua Lianxi through his thick glasses. "Is this the young madam? Would she also like to undergo a simple check-up?" Recalling Fang Xiufang's recent public statement to the media that the Kong family would soon welcome a new addition, he even speculated that today's visit might not be for Fang Xiufang's own examination.

As she sat down, Hua Lianxi paused her motion of reaching for the tea, then raised a polite smile and softly declined, "Today, I'm just accompanying Grandma for her check-up."

Taking small sips of tea, Fang Xiufang also paused at the director's question. Her cloudy eyes immediately fixed on Hua Lianxi, and she nearly jumped up to pinch her own thigh, realizing she had forgotten to schedule a check-up for her as well.

Sensing Fang Xiufang's gaze, Hua Lianxi hesitated and said with some difficulty, "I've been feeling fine recently, with no unusual symptoms. There's no need for a check-up."

Without needing to guess, she could clearly read the expectation in Fang Xiufang's eyes. However, in front of so many people, she was too shy to explain further.

"Now that I've caught my breath, arrange for a nurse to take me for the check-up. You can go back to work," Fang Xiufang said nonchalantly, dismissing the director and leaving only the attending physician and a nurse in the room.

"Doctor, Grandma occasionally feels dizzy. Is her blood pressure elevated? What should we pay attention to?" Watching the nurse carefully measure Fang Xiufang's blood pressure, Hua Lianxi stood nervously by, her eyes fixed on the numbers on the monitor as she asked the doctor, who was also observing the readings.

After a minute of silence, the doctor carefully reviewed the final results twice before responding to Hua Lianxi's question.

"Madam's blood pressure has been slightly higher than before. She needs to pay more attention to managing her emotions and avoid excessive excitement. She should also rest more. It's important for her to come in for regular check-ups."

"Don't scare my granddaughter-in-law. It's normal for old machines to break down a bit. I know my own condition. I've just been feeling a bit short of breath recently, so I thought I'd get an ECG done," Fang Xiufang brushed off the doctor's advice with a lighthearted tone, putting on a cheerful, childlike demeanor to avoid worrying Hua Lianxi.

"Doctor, does she need to take medication? Should we start with some medicine to lower her blood pressure?" Despite Fang Xiufang's carefree attitude, Hua Lianxi grew anxious, thinking it was important to control the condition and not let it go unchecked.

Adjusting his glasses, the doctor glanced at Fang Xiufang, as if seeking her opinion, fearing she might refuse to come for follow-ups if she was displeased.

"Why are you looking at me? The medicine you prescribed is still at home. Isn't it time for the ECG? Where is it?" Like a child trying to escape being caught skipping class, Fang Xiufang pretended to be angry and hurriedly tried to leave the consultation room. She feared nothing in life except taking medicine.

"Alright, Madam, please go ahead with the check-up," the doctor, accustomed to her loud, feigned anger, suppressed a smile and quickly signaled the nurse to take her for the ECG.

"Grandma, why haven't you been taking the medicine? What if you feel dizzy again?" Hua Lianxi gently scolded as she accompanied her to the ECG room, her voice soft and affectionate. "Grandma, you're so disobedient!"

"Those medicines, taking them or not makes no difference," Fang Xiufang, enjoying Hua Lianxi's affectionate scolding, smiled warmly and patted her hand. "Wait outside. The nurse can accompany me. I'm too shy to let you see this withered body of mine!" As they reached the examination room, Fang Xiufang dismissed Hua Lianxi to wait in the hallway.

Watching the frail figure enter the examination room, Hua Lianxi pulled out her phone, her thumb hovering over Kong Chengyi's number, contemplating whether to inform him about Fang Xiufang's condition.

"Yi, can you come in with me? I'm always so scared when I come for check-ups alone, afraid the doctor will give me bad news…"

Suddenly looking up, Hua Lianxi was stunned to see the approaching couple.

Kong Chengyi's tall figure blocked much of the hallway's light, his handsome features appearing unusually soft in the dim corridor. Hua Lianxi's gaze lingered, catching a rare glimpse of his gentle expression.

His sharp eyes fell on the slender figure before him, but Kong Chengyi's expression remained cold and indifferent, as if the person in front of him was a stranger.

"Mr. Kong," Hua Lianxi spoke softly as he passed by, "Madam's blood pressure is high. She's inside getting an ECG."

His steps halted abruptly. Kong Chengyi pulled his arm free from Ding Jia's grasp and quickly turned around, his sharp gaze fixed on Hua Lianxi's slightly pale face. "High blood pressure? Why wasn't I informed? Where is everyone else?" The empty hallway, with only Hua Lianxi present, made him growl in frustration.

"The doctor recommended medication, but Madam seems reluctant. She's getting an ECG now. She's been feeling short of breath recently," Hua Lianxi calmly explained, silently enduring his sudden anger.

Standing quietly to the side, Ding Jia scrutinized Hua Lianxi, her eyes filled with disdain before she turned to Kong Chengyi with concern. "Yi, is Grandma not feeling well?"

Glaring at Hua Lianxi, who offered no further explanation, Kong Chengyi pulled out his phone and issued a command, "Come to the third floor. Take Miss Ding home. Now!"

Shocked at being sent away, Ding Jia's eyes welled up with tears. "Yi, I haven't finished my check-up. Besides, Grandma is unwell. I want to see her!" She had finally gotten the chance to meet the Kong family matriarch and couldn't let this opportunity slip away. The one who should leave was this hypocritical, pitiful woman.

"Now is not the time. There will be other opportunities," Kong Chengyi said coldly, his tone devoid of emotion as he rejected her plea.

It was clear that Fang Xiufang adored Hua Lianxi, especially since she was the only one accompanying her during this time of discomfort. This indicated that Hua Lianxi's position in Fang Xiufang's heart was almost surpassing his own as her grandson. He couldn't allow Ding Jia's presence to reveal the truth and upset his grandmother.

"Yi, but I want to meet your family. I'm not a mistress. Why can't I meet them?" Ding Jia's voice trembled with tears as she lowered her head, her hands tightly gripping his arm, feigning委屈.

Hua Lianxi kept her gaze fixed on her shoes, her heart aching as if being gnawed by thousands of ants. Yet, she maintained a faint smile on her face.

Indeed, she was not a member of the Kong family, while the woman before her was clearly the one he had always loved, the one who had the right to stand here.

If not for Fang Xiufang's current health condition, perhaps she would be the one who should leave immediately.

Kong Chengyi's expression tightened at Ding Jia's tearful plea. He glanced at Hua Lianxi, who remained silent with her head down, as if everything happening around her was irrelevant. His frustration surged, and he coldly uttered, "Go home."

The icy, emotionless tone was directed at her, leaving Ding Jia stunned. She released his arm and took a step back, murmuring, "Yi…"

"President!"

Ke Jie arrived, slightly out of breath, and immediately noticed Hua Lianxi with her head bowed. He softly greeted, "Madam," before hesitantly glancing at the tearful Ding Jia, unsure of the situation.

"Take Miss Ding home," Kong Chengyi ordered without another glance at Ding Jia, turning his attention back to the closed door.

With tears in her eyes, Ding Jia stared at his broad back, biting her lip stubbornly before turning and running away.

Watching her leave, Ke Jie quickly followed.

The bright hallway gradually returned to silence as the footsteps faded. Hua Lianxi remained with her head down, her gaze fixed on her shoes, as large teardrops fell like broken pearls.

About ten minutes later, Fang Xiufang emerged, supported by the nurse. Kong Chengyi immediately stepped forward.

"Grandma, what's wrong? Should you stay for further tests?"

"Why are you here? Who told you to come? You haven't visited me in so long, and now you're worried? I'm not staying. I don't need more tests!" Seeing Kong Chengyi, Fang Xiufang's temper flared. If not for being in the hospital, her cane would have already swung at him.

Raising an eyebrow, Kong Chengyi smirked, judging from her energetic tone that she was fine. His gaze shifted to the silent Hua Lianxi. "If you're alright, I'll head back to the office."

Hua Lianxi discreetly wiped her tears and forced a smile. "Grandma, let me take you home."

"Go to the office? You come and then leave? Are you trying to kill me? My blood pressure is high. I can't take this!" Fang Xiufang tapped her cane on the floor, the sound echoing in the hallway. She wasn't about to let Kong Chengyi leave so easily.

"Grandma, didn't you say you didn't want to see me? So I'll go back to the office and work," Kong Chengyi teased, well aware of her antics.

"Hmph, you rascal!" Fang Xiufang suppressed a laugh and turned her attention to Hua Lianxi. "What about your wife? What have you done to upset her recently?"