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Chapter 353: Chapter 353 Mr. Zhao, please wait
Fang Xiujing expressed satisfaction as if she had struck a good deal, saying, "Wenkai, we’re really depending on you while dealing with the company matters during these trying times. Given your uncle’s current situation, it isn’t great for Wenyu to leave. It’d be best if he could stick around and accompany your uncle, who might recover faster with the company."
"Of course." Zhao Wenkai nodded in response.
Zhao Wenyu, on the other hand, was beside himself in anger. "Mom, why are you thanking him? With Dad and me out of the company, he must be pretty thrilled."
Zhao Wenyu had wanted to return to work, but was worried that Zhao Wenkai could take advantage of his absence to do something unsavory to his father. Unexpectedly, Zhao Wenkai used this opportunity to sidestep him entirely--an outcome he found wholly unacceptable.
What sort of position would he have in the company if his father couldn’t wake up?
Fang Xiujing chastised her son, "Don’t talk nonsense. We’re all a family. I’ve watched Wenkai grow up and I know what kind of person he is. Stop creating unnecessary drama and spend time with your father in the hospital."
In Fang Xiujing’s eyes, her son had always been keen on competing with Zhao Wenkai ever since childhood – a product of his competitive ego. Their family held fewer shares compared to Zhao Wenkai, and she knew her son wasn’t capable enough to run the company. It would be better in Wenkai’s hands. Once the company prospers, they too would benefit.
Hearing that his mother was continually siding with Zhao Wenkai infuriated Zhao Wenyu. "Mom, who is your real son?"
He couldn’t understand why his mother believed Zhao Wenkai. Wenkai didn’t seem to be a good person at first glance. If it weren’t for him, his dad wouldn’t be lying here.
Fang Xiujing, upon hearing this, snapped, "Is it right to abandon your bedridden father to go to work? When he was well, he cared deeply about you, can’t you recall that? Do you have a conscience?"
"I..."
Zhao Wenyu almost choked on his words, tongue-tied about how to respond.
Of course, he knew how much his dad loved him. It was his concern for his father’s safety that made him stay at the hospital in the first place. But, things can’t continue this way.
If Zhao Wenkai managed to marginalize him completely, he would lose all his standing in the company.
Most importantly, his father had once hinted at Zhao Wenkai’s intention to establish a new real estate company. If this was true, their current company would be neglected, turning into a pawn. If Zhao Wenkai were to drain the company’s resources, their family would not only get nothing, but they would likely also be saddled with a significant debt.
When that happens, it will be a hopeless situation for them.
Unfortunately, despite Zhao Wenyu’s frustration, his mother, who is a housewife, isn’t capable of providing any help. He feels like a headless fly, not knowing what to do.
Zhao Wenkai noticed the tension between the mother and son. Addressing Zhao Wenyu, he said, "Wenyu, if you want to go to work, feel free. I can stay at the hospital and take care of our uncle. There isn’t much happening at the company that needs my immediate attention."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Wenyu was immediately enraged, "Don’t think this gives you the green light to harm my father."
"What nonsense are you spouting now?" Fang Xiujing scolded her son and quickly apologized to Zhao Wenkai, "Wenkai, don’t mind Wenyu’s words. He’s upset due to his father’s situation. He’s still a newcomer, barely having any work experience in the company, so he doesn’t understand much about management. Focus on your work, forget about Wenyu."
Zhao Wenyu was irritated, but he had to admit, he indeed lacked the necessary experience to control the overall situation; prior to this, his father had been leading him in every task.
"Wenyu is just young and impulsive, I won’t take any of this to heart." Zhao Wenkai gave Zhao Wenyu a sarcastic glance and said to Fang Xiujing, "Auntie, you guys can take care of Uncle here. I need to head back to the company for now, and I’ll come back to see him tomorrow."
"Alright, go ahead and take care on your way."
Zhao Wenkai left the ward after Fang Xiujing accompanied him to the door. Following his departure, she began again to school her son about apologizing to Lin Man. Zhao Wenyu, being high-spirited and arrogant, refused to apologize to a mere nurse. The deadlock between the mother and son continued without any resolution in sight.
Unsurprisingly, Zhao Wenkai was stopped by Lin Man just as he stepped out of the ward. "Mr. Zhao, please wait."
Zhao Wenkai turned around, gazed at Lin Man with interest, and raised an eyebrow as if asking her what she needed.
Although it was just a simple look, and Zhao Wenkai didn’t say a word, Lin Man blushed involuntarily. She took a handkerchief out of her pocket and handed it to Zhao Wenkai.
"Thank you for your handkerchief earlier today. It got dirty from my tears. This is my handkerchief. It’s new and hasn’t been used. Please take it as a way of repaying you."
Without even looking at the handkerchief, Zhao Wenkai fixed his gaze directly on Lin Man’s face. "No need to return it. If it can wipe away your tears, consider it a privilege for the handkerchief."
Her face turned an even deeper shade of red, but she stubbornly retorted, "I don’t like owing people anything. If you don’t want the handkerchief, then tell me how much your handkerchief cost, and I will reimburse you."
Zhao Wenkai laughed, "Why are you making such a fuss over a handkerchief? If it really bothers you, you could help me keep an eye on our uncle and call me once he wakes up. Here’s my phone number."
He took a business card from his pocket bearing the proud title "Chairman Zhao Wenkai" from a real estate company. Lin Man was taken aback. She knew Zhao Wenkai was no ordinary man, but she didn’t expect him to be a young chairman of a real estate company.
No wonder he emanated such a unique demeanor.
"I have some work at the company now. Please call me if my uncle wakes up or if there are any changes."
With those words, Zhao Wenkai left with a broad smile. He didn’t utter a word more than necessary. However, as he walked away, his glance fell on Lin Man’s face either intentionally or accidentally, making her heart pound uncontrollably.
"What are you daydreaming about?" A junior nurse from ward 210 walked by and asked in a gossipy manner, "I saw a family member from ward 208 talking to you just now. What did he say?"
Lin Man snapped back to reality and quickly pocketed the business card. "He just asked me to pay more attention to Zhao Rongwei’s condition."
Unaware that she was being tricked, the junior nurse continued to gossip, "He talked to you privately! Did he take a liking to you? Friends, who do you think is better-looking, him or Dr. Si Chen?"
For the past few days, ward 208 had been the center of the junior nurses’ discussion, mainly focusing on the temperamental Zhao Wenyu and the handsome Zhao Wenkai. Both Zhao Wenkai and Si Chen were the subjects of a heated debate among the nurses.
Some claimed Si Chen was more attractive, while others preferred Zhao Wenkai’s bad-boy charm. There were even speculations that Zhao Wenkai was a wealthy second-generation. However, no one knew about his actual profession, leading to plenty of gossip.
Lin Man was previously in good spirits, but hearing Si Chen’s name soured her mood. "They’re not of the same kind, what’s the point of comparing."
