Tsundere Campus Goddess and Rogue Master

C11 – Isn’t It Just a Stroke?

As Wang Xiao dressed and descended to the villa’s ground floor, he caught the sound of Tong Waner’s anxious voice.

“What? Grandfather collapsed? Second Uncle urgently asked me to come over.”

Wang Xiao arched an eyebrow, spotting Tong Waner’s anxious demeanor. Curiosity prompted him to inquire, “Waner, what’s going on?”

“Big Brother Wang Xiao, Grandpa’s old ailment resurfaced. I need to see him.”

Tong Waner’s porcelain-white face was etched with concern. She clutched Wang Xiao’s hand, her voice quivering.

“I’ll go with you!”

Witnessing the anxiety in Tong Waner’s exquisite eyes tugged at Wang Xiao’s heartstrings. Despite only spending a few days with her, he had already developed an affection for this pure and adorable girl.

Love flourishes in odd places. If Tong Waner’s grandfather was truly unwell, Wang Xiao wouldn’t stand idly by.

“Sure!” Tong Waner readily accepted, nodding her head.

They swiftly reached a villa enclave in the southern part of Eastern City. Upon entering, they came face to face with Tong Waner’s second aunt, Chen Feng, and cousin, Tong Bin.

“Tong Waner, why did you bring him along?”

Noticing Wang Xiao beside Tong Waner, her second aunt Chen Feng’s brows knitted as she posed the question sternly.

“Second Aunt, Big Brother Wang Xiao is also a part of our family. Why shouldn’t I bring him?”

Tong Waner’s brows furrowed, her retort to Second Aunt Chen Feng laced with annoyance.

“Heh, who does he think he is? Just a useless guy who’s leeching off our Tong Family. Feeding off our family’s resources.”

At this moment, Tong Waner’s cousin, Tong Bin, cast Wang Xiao a disparaging look, his words dripping with mockery. His tone was loaded with disdain.

Wang Xiao’s brows knitted slightly. He recalled what he had discussed with Tong Waner on their way here. Apparently, the person he had impersonated, Wang Xiao, had some history with these so-called second aunt and cousin. But why were they targeting him upon arrival?

“Isn’t that right? Waner, it’s not just Second Aunt saying this. In today’s world… When finding a partner, wealth and influence matter. A useless individual like him, marrying into the Tong Family. You better rid yourself of him swiftly. If you can’t, I can talk to your father for you.”

Second Aunt Chen Feng assumed a “for your own good” facade. Her tone shifted after her extended conversation with Tong Waner. She continued addressing her, “The Li Group’s Young Master Li, whom I introduced to you last time, is promising. You might want to consider…”

Wang Xiao gleaned the reason for this disdainful Second Aunt’s animosity. It seemed she wished to employ Tong Waner to ingratiate herself with others.

“Aunt, I can make my own decision about my marriage. I don’t need you to worry about it!”

Tong Waner furrowed her brows and let out a disapproving snort at her second aunt, Chen Feng, speaking in a deep tone.

Pushing her words further, she even linked arms with Wang Xiao, addressing her cousin, Tong Bin, “Cousin Tong Bin, I genuinely believe that Big Brother Wang Xiao is immensely capable. He’s destined for remarkable achievements in the future. Contrary to what you say, he won’t be a mere freeloader depending on the Tong Family’s resources. Yet, he’s in his twenties and hasn’t fully succeeded yet. It’s more accurate to say he’s a working member of the Tong Family, rather than the parasite you imply.”

Tong Bin’s expression darkened upon hearing Tong Waner’s biting remark. He could no longer keep up appearances. Was she mocking him?

Wang Xiao’s gaze settled on Tong Waner. As he noticed her serious gaze upon him, a warmth filled his heart.

This girl wasn’t affectionate toward him without reason!

“Young lady, how could you use such words? Your second aunt and cousin are just speaking for your benefit. A few words shouldn’t be used as weapons to hurt others.”

Second Aunt’s demeanor turned sour as well. The wicked start with complaints, and then she lashed out at Tong Waner with a stern tone.

“I…” Tong Waner was about to retort.

However, at that moment, Wang Xiao held her hand and shook his head, signaling her not to engage. “Never mind. Our purpose is to visit grandpa. Let’s go inside first.”

“But… okay.”

Tong Waner reluctantly accepted Wang Xiao’s decision, even though she held reservations. His clear eyes persuaded her to comply.

“Hmph, trash remains trash. Even when your own woman is insulted, you dare not step up to defend her!”

Seeing Wang Xiao’s actions, Tong Bin, her cousin, believed Wang Xiao’s silence was due to fear. He couldn’t resist taunting him openly.

Tong Bin’s cousin didn’t bother to keep his voice down, making his remarks audible to Tong Waner and Wang Xiao who were walking ahead.

“What did you say? Repeat it!”

Tong Waner’s attractive face flared up in anger. She was about to confront Tong Bin.

“Waner, let it go. Let them say whatever they want,” Wang Xiao interjected, pulling her along.

Wang Xiao halted her again and led her inside.

Upon witnessing this, both Second Aunt Chen Feng and Tong Bin exchanged scornful expressions.

“Big Brother Wang Xiao, why did you stop me? They’re mocking you!”

Inside the villa, Tong Waner’s fists clenched as she shot Wang Xiao an angry look and inquired.

“If a dog bites us, must we bite back?”

Wang Xiao offered a faint smile, gently patting Tong Waner’s head while responding.

Hearing Wang Xiao’s words, although a trace of reluctance remained in Tong Waner’s heart, she also recognized the logic in what he said.

“Miss Waner.”

When reaching the staircase on the second floor of the villa, Tong Waner caught the attention of a few Tong Family guards, who greeted her with deference.

“How’s Grandpa?”

Worriedly, Tong Waner nodded her head and inquired.

“He’s still unconscious. Elder Dong is administering acupuncture to him.”

The head guard lowered his gaze as he reported.

“Elder Dong is here? That’s reassuring!”

The tension on Tong Waner’s lovely face eased upon hearing that Elder Dong was present. Taking Wang Xiao’s hand, she led the way to her grandfather’s room.

Upon entering, Wang Xiao noticed a middle-aged man standing by the side, his gaze fixed tensely on a spot.

The middle-aged man barely glanced at Wang Xiao, Tong Waner, and the others before turning away, choosing not to speak.

This individual was Tong Waner’s second uncle, Tong Tie.

Following Tong Tie’s line of sight, Wang Xiao’s gaze landed on a frail elderly man in traditional attire, lying on the bed. His eyes were tightly shut, and his body was adorned with silver needles.

By the bed, a white-coated, white-haired elderly man maintained a solemn demeanor. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, reflecting the gravity of the moment. It was evident he was performing acupuncture on the old man in traditional attire.

Tong Waner’s attractive countenance was etched with worry. She joined her hands together and whispered something under her breath with her rosy lips, seemingly lost in prayer.

“Sigh…”

Right at this moment, the White-haired Old Man let out a soft sigh and came to a halt.

“Grandpa Dong, what’s wrong with my grandfather?”

Seeing Elder Dong pause, Tong Waner’s lovely countenance tightened. Hastily, she moved over and inquired with concern.

“Waner, you’re here…” Elder Dong’s weathered features twisted into a wry smile upon spotting Tong Waner. He began, “Your grandfather has been unwell for over a day and a half. His cardiac and vascular systems are obstructed. I’ve been trying to persuade him to undergo surgery, but he’s been refusing to heed the advice.”

“Presently, his cardiovascular channels are completely obstructed, causing his blood to stagnate and rendering him unconscious. Although I can utilize silver needles to rouse him, the blood within him is still congealed and motionless.”

“Elder Dong, what’s the implication here? You mean awakening father while his blood and vital energy remain stagnant?”

Before Tong Waner could even speak, Tong Tie had already taken a step forward, his brows furrowed. He addressed Elder Dong with reverence.

“Ah…” Elder Dong sighed once more, then elucidated, “In simpler terms, Old Tong has suffered a stroke!”

“What? How can that be!”

Hearing Elder Dong’s statement, Tong Waner’s lovely face tensed, tears welled up in her crystalline eyes. She shook her head as she cried, unable to believe it.

She reached out, clasping Elder Dong’s hand, entreating, “Grandpa Dong, you must save grandpa. You have to save him!”

“Waner, don’t be rash!”

Tong Tie’s expression darkened as he reprimanded Tong Waner. Though he wasn’t a medical professional, he knew that patients who suffered from strokes and ended up in a vegetative state had negligible chances of recovery. They’d typically remain bedridden until they passed away.

“Ah…”

Seeing Tong Waner’s profound distress, Dong Yuan sighed lightly, his aged visage tinged with remorse. If only his medical skills were more advanced…

“Is it just a stroke? Is it that complicated to treat? A few needles from me can resolve it.”

At this moment, a languid voice unexpectedly echoed through the room.