Chapter 1608: The Gathering Storm

"It’s alright, Great Grandfather, Auntie’s health isn’t good, I won’t take it to heart."

"Qiaoqiao, you’re a good child, Great Grandfather knows this." Old Grand Master Qin paused here, then looked at Gu Qiaoqiao, saying solemnly, "Qiaoqiao, Great Grandfather sent Xiao Yuan away too, tell me honestly, is Sisi’s illness very serious?"

Gu Qiaoqiao raised her eyes, her expression serious too, "Great Grandfather, do you believe what I said earlier? Didn’t you feel I said those words just to provoke Auntie?"

Old Grand Master Qin shook his head slowly, "Qiaoqiao, Great Grandfather believes you, just as he believes Ah Ze."

As long as there’s trust, it’s good.

Gu Qiaoqiao no longer hesitated, and spoke straightforwardly, "Great Grandfather, Auntie’s leg is really serious, she might hold on for a year at most..."

Old Grand Master Qin, although he somewhat guessed it, was still struck by it. He gazed at Gu Qiaoqiao intently, slowly asking, "What about after a year?"

"After a year, she’ll be completely bedridden, unable to sit in a wheelchair or even move her hands."

Gu Qiaoqiao spoke seriously, her voice lowered.

Old Grand Master Qin was shocked; he never expected Gu Qiaoqiao to say such a thing.

From Zhou Luoan and Qin Sisi, what he understood was not like this. They said the condition was improving, given time, perhaps she might use a cane to move around. Although this was painful to hear, it was the best scenario.

But Qiaoqiao’s words, he believed.

Even if the most authoritative doctor spoke, Old Grand Master Qin might choose to be half-skeptical, but when Gu Qiaoqiao spoke, he did not doubt it.

So, it meant that soon Qin Sisi would be paralyzed in bed, unable to move.

This was a bolt from the blue for Qin Sisi, because she spoke very optimistically about her illness this morning, certainly not to comfort him, her elderly father.

It could be ascertained that Qin Sisi didn’t know her condition, so were Zhou Luoan and the doctor deceiving her?

Old Grand Master Qin narrowed his eyes, his face somewhat gloomy.

Gu Qiaoqiao didn’t speak; this was one point she could tell Grand Master Qin, the other she didn’t mention was that Qin Sisi wouldn’t live long.

This could be inferred too, if Qin Sisi were truly paralyzed, someone as proud as her might find death better than life.

After some time, Old Grand Master Qin regained his composure, looked at Gu Qiaoqiao, and asked earnestly yet anxiously, "Qiaoqiao, do you think Auntie has any chance?"

Gu Qiaoqiao did not overlook the fleeting pain in the old man’s eyes. He had already lost a son and now his only daughter couldn’t make it either, certainly a huge blow. Perhaps the old man wished he had been the one to go first.

"Great Grandfather, you know Auntie is prejudiced against me. She won’t believe these words; instead, she will reject them. So, I’m not sure."

Gu Qiaoqiao said with some difficulty.

Old Grand Master Qin was silent; he understood Qiaoqiao’s words. His daughter held a great prejudice against Qiaoqiao, certainly wouldn’t believe her, but what to do?

He furrowed his brow, thinking it over but came up with no good idea. After all, Qiaoqiao was not a doctor; her words had no weight.

"Qiaoqiao, should I find other doctors for another diagnosis, or should we return home?"

Gu Qiaoqiao thought for a moment and nodded, "Then let’s find doctors for a diagnosis, Auntie may not agree to go back with you."

Old Grand Master Qin nodded silently, it was the only solution, other than that, there seemed to be no good plan.

"By the way, Great Grandfather, don’t get too close to Auntie. I don’t know why, but the malevolent energy on her seems to target you."

After pondering for a while, Old Grand Master Qin nodded with difficulty, "Alright."

He saw his daughter’s injured expression, now asking him to keep his distance from her solidified the idea that he rejected her; perhaps it made her hate Qiaoqiao even more.

"Qiaoqiao, sorry for imposing on you, it’s Great Grandfather’s fault, I shouldn’t have brought you here..." Old Grand Master Qin said guilt-ridden.

These were his genuine words.

His intentions were good, but unfortunately, he overlooked that his daughter and son-in-law, though descendants of Huaxia, had lived abroad for so many years, they no longer believed in those mysterious cultures, not only disbelieved but sneered at them.

Even the Chinese medicine practitioner he found was dismissed by his daughter.

Let alone Qiaoqiao, a young girl.

"It’s alright, Great Grandfather, didn’t I tell you, this time it’s because my family relative was seeking me, and truth be told, the Blue and White Three-legged Cauldron lost from Yubao Square in Jinling City has been found..."

Old Grand Master Qin was astonished at hearing this. Qiaoqiao hadn’t mentioned that before, his voice was slightly irritated, "Qiaoqiao, you’re... you’re too bold, don’t you know how dangerous this is?"

"Great Grandfather, don’t worry, I have a plan, and Elder Shen has arrangements in place," Gu Qiaoqiao quickly reassured him with a smile.

She also cautioned, "Great Grandfather, Ah Ze isn’t very aware, don’t tell him, otherwise he might become anxious and it would affect his work."

Old Grand Master Qin gazed steadily at Gu Qiaoqiao, seeing her calm and unruffled demeanor, he couldn’t help but sigh; truly birds of a feather flock together. This ability to strategize and control situations reminds him of Ah Ze.

"From now on, let Xiao Yuan follow you. Even though Xiao Yuan is young, he is strong and capable. With him by your side, I’ll worry less. You mustn’t refuse, or I’ll tell Ah Ze, or we’ll return home tomorrow!"

Old Grand Master Qin became more severe as he spoke, permitting no rebuttal from Gu Qiaoqiao.

In the end, Gu Qiaoqiao had no choice but to agree.

Next, Old Grand Master Qin utilized his connections to find three doctors.

One of them was a renowned doctor from a domestic hospital studying abroad in Eagle Country.

After examining, the three doctors discussed for a long time, finally telling Old Grand Master Qin the situation was stable, no deterioration, but due to the patient’s age, recovery seemed unlikely; at worst, they would maintain the current state...

This was basically similar to what those two family doctors said.

Old Grand Master Qin pondered for a while, still choosing to trust Qiaoqiao, looking for ways to change Sisi’s attitude towards Qiaoqiao.

Otherwise, they’d wait for death, and the never superstitious Old Grand Master Qin faintly felt that life and death follow fate, wealth and fortune depend on heaven.

Some things can’t be avoided.

Let’s see what fate holds.

Thinking this way, his mood lightened considerably.

Then he realized, since his arrival, Zhou Luoan and Zhou Han had been busy, returning late every day, leaving early in the morning.

Old Grand Master Qin wanted to ask, but couldn’t find anyone suitable, his daughter Qin Sisi kept her distance except for medical visits, leaving him once again with suppressed emotions.