Love in the Depths of Time (GL) - Chapter 29

After the internet cafe incident, Mrs. Wen gained a deeper understanding of Lin Xi. She saw how Lin Xi had silently supported Jia Le over the past year, selflessly dedicating herself to him. Especially when the Wen family faced financial difficulties, Lin Xi did not back down but instead took the initiative to help. This gradually eased Mrs. Wen’s misunderstandings and prejudices against her.

Mrs. Wen approached Jia Le, her tone carrying a trace of guilt and relief. “Jia Le, I actually met with Lin Xi a few times before and asked her to leave you.” She paused, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. “I know it was selfish, but at the time, I was just worried about you. I was afraid you would get hurt.”

Jia Le was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. He then gently held Mrs. Wen’s hand, his gaze full of understanding and forgiveness. “Mom, I understand. But Lin Xi treats me very well. She is the most important person in my life.”

Mrs. Wen nodded, a look of comfort flashing in her eyes. “I see that now. Lin Xi is a good girl. I’ve seen all that she has done for you. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have treated her that way.”

Jia Le smiled slightly, his heart filled with warmth. “Mom, it’s okay. I know you only did it for my sake.”

Mrs. Wen continued, “Actually, your father has always liked Lin Xi. He thinks she is not only smart and capable but also treats you exceptionally well. He always hoped that we could accept her. But I…” Her voice choked up slightly. “I just couldn’t let go of my own biases.”

Jia Le gently patted his mother’s hand, his gaze firm. “Mom, let’s leave the past behind. Now that we know Lin Xi’s kindness, that’s all that matters.”

Mrs. Wen nodded, a sense of relief flashing in her eyes. “Yes, as long as you are happy, that’s what matters.”

Unexpected events always come without warning. One day, Lin Xi attended a financial summit as scheduled. She stood confidently and composed on the stage of the International Financial Forum. The venue was packed, and financial elites from around the world sat in rapt attention, their eyes locked on her.

She wore an elegant black suit, perfectly tailored to outline her graceful yet professional figure. The slightly padded shoulders of her blazer emphasized her determination and authority. Underneath, she wore a crisp white blouse, with a slightly open collar revealing a delicate necklace that shimmered softly. Her long, jet-black hair was neatly tied up, with a few strands gently resting by her ears, adding a touch of femininity.

The spotlight bathed her in a bright yet gentle glow. Lin Xi clasped her hands naturally in front of her, her gaze firm and focused, her voice clear and captivating. She spoke fluently, explaining her cutting-edge insights and research in international finance. Every gesture was precise and powerful, every pause perfectly timed, as if she were weaving a grand blueprint of the financial world with her wisdom and experience.

However, just as she was delivering a key point, her voice suddenly faltered. The audience didn’t notice and remained immersed in her speech. But for a brief moment, a faint pallor flashed across Lin Xi’s face. She gripped the podium tightly, trying to steady herself, but her legs began to tremble slightly, and her body swayed. The audience gradually sensed something was wrong and started whispering to one another.

Lin Xi tried to stay composed, taking a deep breath to regain her balance. But at that moment, her body could no longer support her, and she collapsed without warning. Just as she was about to fall, her assistant, who was standing to the side, rushed forward and caught her. The auditorium erupted into chaos—gasps and shouts filled the air. Staff members quickly rushed onto the stage, carefully laying Lin Xi flat on the ground. Someone immediately called for an ambulance, while others retrieved a first-aid kit from backstage to provide initial medical assistance.

Lin Xi’s consciousness gradually blurred. She could only hear the distant echoes of chaotic voices around her. Her vision became hazy, and she could barely make out the moving figures. Amidst the commotion, she was carried onto a stretcher and urgently transported to the emergency room. The ambulance sirens wailed through the streets, breaking the night’s silence. At that moment, Lin Xi’s journey of glory came to an abrupt halt.

Lin Xi was rushed to the hospital, the sirens echoing in the night. Her consciousness faded in and out, her ears filled with the commands of medical staff and the beeping of monitoring devices. Her body trembled from the intense pain, yet she struggled to stay awake.

The sharp smell of disinfectant filled the air. Wen Jia Le slipped her stethoscope into her white coat pocket and strode quickly through the emergency hallway at 3 a.m. The beeping of monitors and the quiet sobs of family members formed the usual background noise of her battlefield. Then, a familiar name rang out from the nurse’s station—”Patient Lin Xi, 37 years old, ventricular fibrillation caused by acute myocarditis, currently in the emergency room!” Jia Le’s steps halted abruptly. A wound from fifteen years ago suddenly tore open. She saw the medical records handed over by an intern, and in the section for the family member’s signature, there it was—”Lin Xi (Self).” The handwriting was exactly the same as the love letters hidden in her textbooks all those years ago.

When the emergency staff pushed the stretcher into the ER, Jia Le’s eyes landed on the patient. Her heart pounded violently—she could hardly believe her eyes. That familiar face was now twisted in pain. A sharp ache shot through Jia Le’s heart. Wasn’t she fine just this morning?

Inside the ER, time seemed to stretch endlessly. Lin Xi’s breathing was rapid and weak, the monitor alarms blaring, a stark reminder of life’s fragility. Forcing herself to focus, Jia Le quickly checked Lin Xi’s vital signs and issued an order: “One milligram of epinephrine, IV push!” The nurses executed her instructions swiftly, the air thick with the smell of disinfectant and tension.

Jia Le’s fingers trembled slightly, but she knew this was no time for memories. She regulated her breathing, forcing herself to stay calm. Defibrillation was crucial; she had to concentrate. The electrode pads were placed on Lin Xi’s chest, and an electric current surged through her body. She jerked slightly, but the ECG still showed ventricular fibrillation. Gritting her teeth, Jia Le commanded, “Increase to 100 joules—prepare for a second shock!” Silently, she prayed for success.

After the third defibrillation, the ECG finally displayed a sinus rhythm. Jia Le exhaled deeply, removing her gloves, her forehead damp with sweat. The tension in the room eased slightly.

“Breathing is rapid, heart rate is too fast, initial assessment indicates rib fractures causing complications—possible lung compression,” Jia Le reported calmly, despite the storm raging in her mind. She looked at the nurse beside her and said firmly, “Immediate X-ray, prepare oxygen and emergency medication.”

Jia Le followed closely behind as Lin Xi’s stretcher was rushed into the examination room. As the X-ray results appeared, Jia Le scrutinized the images. The rib fractures were more severe than expected, and a mild pneumothorax was evident. She took a deep breath and issued her next command: “Prepare for closed-chest drainage. I’ll perform the procedure myself.”

Lin Xi’s breathing finally stabilized as the excess air was released from her chest cavity. Jia Le, wiping the sweat from her forehead, gazed at Lin Xi with a mixture of emotions. Lin Xi had survived, but recovery would be a long road ahead.