Chapter 82: Your Father Is a Great Man

"Qi Yue, why are you daydreaming? Hurry up and do something," Si Zhan urged anxiously as he watched Qi Yue frozen in place. How could his orderly be so slow-witted? Never mind, he’d better intervene himself.

Just as Si Zhan was about to get up again, Xu Lin pressed him back onto the bed and gave Qi Yue a swift kick, barking, "What are you waiting for? Go do your job. Look how worried your leader is!"

"Yes, yes, I'm going now. Don't worry, sir; you just focus on your recovery," Qi Yue stammered before dashing off. Good heavens, something big is about to happen.

"Remember to call your direct superior. Don't just run there," Xu Lin reminded him.

Qi Yue replied without turning back, wiping his face with his hand. He really wished he could drive himself back to the research institute. Oh dear, his brain was truly slow—Qi Yue berated himself inwardly, but his feet were swift as he hurried straight to the director's office.

Tao Chunxiu was nearly knocked aside by Qi Yue as he rushed out. Spotting Qi Yue’s flustered figure, a flash of delight crossed her eyes—something must have happened, surely? Hmph, she always knew traditional medicine was a sham. How could it possibly rouse someone from a coma?

But before Tao Chunxiu could gloat, the startled exclamations of Granny Zheng and others rang out.

Granny Zheng, peeking into the room, was the first to notice Si Zhan’s open eyes. She was so overjoyed she nearly jumped up. He was awake, truly awake—heaven had finally answered her prayers. At last, she could face her old friend with a clear conscience.

"Xiao Zhan, you’re awake! How do you feel?" Granny Zheng hurried into the room, beaming as she reached Si Zhan’s bedside.

Her broad, radiant smile briefly dazzled Si Zhan, prompting him to ask, "Auntie, why are you here?"

"Child, you’ve been in a coma for over two years. How could I not be here? You gave your auntie quite a scare this time," she said, her eyes reddening as joyous tears welled up.

Si Zhan still looked dazed, struggling to process the words “over two years.” How could a single sleep last so long?

Standing beside Granny Zheng, Yu Tong gently stroked her back, quietly supporting her. Qi Min stood aside, covering her mouth as she wept. For more than two years she had suppressed her emotions, finally able to let it all out.

When her husband collapsed, Qi Min realized the true weight of supporting a family. Even if he had spent most of his time at the research institute, he had always been their pillar. When that pillar fell, it was as if the sky itself had collapsed. If not for their son needing her, she might never have made it through.

Si Han pressed his lips together, his bright eyes shining as he supported Qi Min—excited but restrained. Unlike the others, Tao Chunxiu was dumbfounded. He never imagined Xu Lin would actually cure someone so quickly, bringing them back from a coma. This was nothing short of miraculous.

Tao Chunxiu felt a stinging humiliation, as if an invisible slap had swollen his face. His disbelieving gaze fell on Xu Lin, his mouth opening and closing, unable to utter a single word. He was too shocked for speech.

Xu Lin, oblivious to Tao Chunxiu’s inner turmoil, was still focused on Si Zhan, vigilant lest the family’s excitement disturb the acupuncture needles. Fortunately, she wasn’t the only one concerned—Old Ge and Si Han were both on guard as well, one shielding Granny Zheng, the other hugging the weeping Qi Min, carefully preventing any danger.

Nevertheless, the commotion in the room soon attracted the attention of the sentries and nurses outside, and the news of Si Zhan’s awakening spread rapidly.

Qi Yue, having finished his phone call, rushed back to report. "Sir, I have notified the security office by telephone. Do you have any further instructions?"

Still digesting the news that he had been unconscious for over two years, Si Zhan was jolted back by Qi Yue’s voice and immediately replied, "Return to the institute at once and make sure Lu Mang is apprehended."

"Yes, sir!" Qi Yue answered loudly. As he turned to leave, he paused to ask, "What about your safety here?"

"I am perfectly safe here and well attended. Go take care of your assignment," Si Zhan urged, anxiety evident in his voice. It had been over two years—had any research data been stolen?

Qi Yue sped off, and outside the room, he saw several nurses crowding to see the commotion. His gaze flickered, and he hurried to the captain of the guards, whispered a few words, then quickly departed.

The captain watched Qi Yue leave with a thoughtful look and soon made his own arrangements.

With his heart at ease, Si Zhan relaxed and began to recover. Looking at his wife, child, and aunt, he smiled a little foolishly. "I made you all worry," he said hoarsely, his face apologetic, which only made Granny Zheng and the others feel more distressed. Despite having suffered so much, he still felt guilty—he was too considerate of others, that was his only fault.

Granny Zheng patted his hand in comfort, and Qi Min dried her eyes as she sat beside him, smiling at Si Zhan.

Seeing that his own role was over, Si Han quietly walked over to Xu Lin and whispered, "Dr. Xu, thank you. The Si family owes you a great debt. If you ever need anything, you can always come to me."

"No need for such formality. It's simply my duty as a physician," Xu Lin replied with a smile. "Your father is a remarkable man. It is my honor to have been able to help him."

In this life, Xu Lin had no wish to be a hero or to perform grand deeds, but that didn’t stop her from admiring great people.

Si Han looked at Si Zhan with pride—his father was his pride. While his father worked tirelessly at the institute, he took care of his mother and the family, ensuring his father had no worries at home. That was one of the few responsibilities and duties a son could bear for his father.

After a quarter of an hour, Xu Lin removed the silver needles, and Si Zhan was finally free to sit up and move around. But he hadn’t done more than stretch when the director and a group of doctors arrived to take him away for a full examination. After all, a man who had been in a coma for over two years suddenly waking up was a case of great research interest. And given Si Zhan’s importance and status, the hospital had to provide the best possible care and prevent any further mishaps.

Since it was Xu Lin who had revived him, the director arranged for her to stay in a hospital room to rest, with meals and drinks brought to her, rather than letting her leave the hospital.

As for Granny Zheng, her age and the exhaustion of travel caught up with her, so Yu Tong helped her back to the guesthouse to rest.

After lunch, Xu Lin took a nap, and only then was Si Zhan returned to his room, looking much more drained from all the commotion.

But visitors came in an endless stream, some to offer their regards, others to inquire about how Si Zhan had been cured.

Who was the doctor who had achieved this? Was that doctor truly so skilled? They, too, wanted to make her acquaintance. Knowing a doctor of such skill could only be an advantage.

However, these visits ceased once the authorities sent in an investigation team, and the atmosphere in Si Zhan’s hospital room grew tense.

To ensure that Si Zhan’s condition did not worsen, Xu Lin was asked to examine him before any questioning could begin.