CHAPTER 158: CHAPTER 158: PROFESSOR ZHOU PASSES AWAY

Qin Xiao lay down as instructed, embracing Xiao Li and falling asleep together. Xiao Li thought she wouldn’t be able to sleep, but after lying in Qin Xiao’s arms for a short while, she fell asleep.

Seeing Xiao Li asleep, Qin Xiao closed his eyes and fell asleep as well. However, he did not sleep well; he had that dream again.

Qin Xiao suddenly opened his eyes, feeling the weight on his arm, and turned his head to look at Xiao Li, who was sleeping soundly. Qin Xiao lifted his other hand and gently stroked Xiao Li’s face.

In the dream, Xiao Li’s face was full of scars, and a deep pit was punctured in her left cheek by shattered glass. Touching Xiao Li’s now smooth face, Qin Xiao found it hard to imagine if everything in the dream had really happened, how much pain his Nini would have suffered...

No, as long as he’s there, he will never let such a thing happen to Nini; it is just a dream.

Qin Xiao gently kissed Xiao Li on the forehead, then closed his eyes to rest. But he dreamed again and couldn’t fall back asleep.

The next day, after a night’s rest, Xiao Li felt her stomach was much better. Though there was still a slight pain in her lower abdomen, it wasn’t as painful as yesterday.

The doctor came for rounds to examine Xiao Li and prescribed medicine for her to take intravenously.

Xiao Li could only obediently receive the infusion. While Xiao Li was receiving her infusion, Qin Xiao called home; he left abruptly last night without leaving a message.

Qin Xiao first called Aunt Wu, asking her to go upstairs to see if Mianmian had woken up, then called Qin’s mother and explained the situation.

Upon hearing the news, Qin’s mother came to the hospital. When Xiao Li saw Qin’s mother, she quickly said, "Mom, why did you come?"

Qin’s mother walked to the bedside, "How are you feeling?"

Xiao Li said, "Much better, my stomach doesn’t hurt as much."

Qin’s mother nodded, "That’s good; you should rest well in the hospital. I will take care of Mianmian, don’t worry."

Xiao Li smiled, "Mom, I know."

After saying a few words to Xiao Li, Qin’s mother turned to Qin Xiao, "Ah Xiao, Xiao Li must have been scared by you in the past few days. From now on, don’t worry about anything else and focus on accompanying Xiao Li, alright?"

Qin Xiao nodded, "I understand, Mom. I also plan to devote myself to accompanying Nini from now on."

Qin’s mother stayed at the hospital for a while and went back, saying that Aunt Wu would deliver food.

Xiao Li stayed in the hospital for three days; since her symptoms disappeared, the doctor allowed her to be discharged to rest at home.

Back at home, Xiao Li took a deep breath, "Home is more comfortable!"

Qin Xiao laughed and carried her to the bed, "Although you’re discharged, the doctor said you should lie down as much as possible, so you still need to lie down obediently."

Xiao Li nodded, "Okay, I know."

While they were talking, Mianmian was brought back by Aunt Wu, she trotted in with her short legs, "Dad, Mom..."

When Qin Xiao saw Mianmian coming in, he carried her onto the bed to play. Just as he did, Qin Xiao’s phone rang, he answered it; after chatting for a bit, his face turned grim.

Xiao Li noticed and asked, "What’s wrong?"

Qin Xiao said in a low voice, "Today, the police announced the cause of the laboratory explosion accident. The teacher saw the news and knew it was all done by Gou Feng; he got too angry.

His health wasn’t good to begin with; now it’s even worse. Junren just called me, saying he’s hanging on his last breath."

Hearing this, Xiao Li hurriedly said, "We must go to the hospital to see him!"

As Xiao Li spoke, she was about to lift the covers to get up; Qin Xiao pressed her hand, "You can’t go; you forgot you need to stay in bed.

I’ll go; it’s just that we’ll have to be apart again, and I’ve broken my promise."

Xiao Li shook her head, "This is different; you should go!"

Qin Xiao nodded, "I’ll go then, wait for me to come back."

Xiao Li nodded.

At the hospital, as Qin Xiao approached the ward, he saw Mrs. Zhou and her daughter, daughter-in-law wiping tears at the door. Qin Xiao walked over, "Madam Zhou."

Mrs. Zhou looked up at Qin Xiao, "Ah Xiao, you are here; go ahead, say goodbye to Old Zhou..."

Qin Xiao nodded and entered the ward. Inside, the three Zhou brothers were there; Qin Xiao walked to the bedside, Professor Zhou was awake and reached out his hand to Qin Xiao...

Seeing Professor Zhou’s condition, Qin Xiao’s heart sank; it was the last radiance before sunset.

Qin Xiao walked to the bedside, holding Professor Zhou’s hand, "Teacher..."

Professor Zhou grasped Qin Xiao’s hand, "Ah Xiao, it’s the teacher’s inability to read people correctly that brought great disaster to the laboratory!"

Qin Xiao shook his head, "It’s not true, Teacher; you gave him a chance, but he didn’t understand your good intentions..."

Professor Zhou shook his head, "When I first met Gou Feng, I could tell he had a bad temper, but I valued his ability and his innate toughness.

Ultimately, it was my failure to guide him properly.

I’m old and frail; Gou Feng must pay for all he has done. The only regret is the casualties caused by this explosion."

Qin Xiao comforted, "We’re already coordinating with the families of the casualties to make compensations.

Even though no compensation can bring back lives, we will try to secure their families, ensuring they won’t face difficulties due to their loved ones’ passing."

Professor Zhou nodded, "The teacher knows you are a good person, you’ll surely handle it well.

Oldest one, you three come over..."

The three Zhou brothers approached.

Professor Zhou looked at the three Zhou brothers, "Children, Dad’s health is failing. The mistakes made toward the laboratory and the casualties, I am unable to amend.

When I am gone, I hope you can fulfill my wishes; eldest, second, you must collaborate with the Qin family to handle the aftermath, and third, help Ah Xiao to rebuild the laboratory..."

The three Zhou brothers nodded.

Seeing them nod, Professor Zhou released Qin Xiao’s hand and said faintly, "Go call in your mother and the others, tell them not to cry behind my back, but come in to cry. There’s no need to avoid it at this time; let them in so I can see them a few more times..."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Junren’s eyes reddened, and he hurriedly went to open the door and call them.

Mrs. Zhou and the others came in with red eyes, gathered around the bedside. Mrs. Zhou took Professor Zhou’s hand, "Old Zhou..."

Professor Zhou lightly patted Mrs. Zhou’s hand, looked at everyone, "Actually, I have no regrets in my life. A harmonious marriage, successful children, it’s enough.

If there’s a regret, it’s not seeing grandchildren born or seeing the youngest one’s future spouse; yet it’s alright, I can still watch from the heavens later on..."

Professor Zhou’s voice grew smaller and smaller, until it faded away completely, the hand holding Mrs. Zhou also dropped weakly...

Mrs. Zhou cried out in agony, "Old Zhou... Old Zhou..."