Power and Wealth

Lunchtime arrived.

The dishes were almost ready.

Although everyone was deeply concerned about Senior Xie's condition, the atmosphere on this Chinese New Year's Eve was somewhat subdued. After all, at his age, Senior Xie couldn't be expected to be as healthy as a young person. Everyone had grown accustomed to this reality. Moreover, they had spared no effort in seeking out top doctors, both domestic and international experts renowned in the medical field. Yet, despite their efforts, there was little they could do. They could only hope that Senior Xie would recover soon. The doctors advised him to rest quietly for one or two months, and all they could do was to take care of him attentively.

"Madam Han, lunch is ready."

"The dishes are all prepared."

"Yes, everything's ready."

"Alright, let's serve the food then. Thank you for your hard work."

"Madam, you're too kind. It's our duty."

A nanny approached and directly discussed the matter with Han Jing. As the eldest daughter-in-law of the family, Han Jing handled everything from top to bottom.

Han Jing waved her hand, "We won't wait for that kid. He's fine everywhere else, just disobedient. Let's eat without waiting for him." Actually, among everyone here, Han Jing was the one who cared the most about Dong Xuebing. After all, he was her son-in-law. However, the more she cared, the more she couldn't show any signs of favoritism. Everyone had prevented Dong Xuebing from disturbing Senior Xie's rest, but Dong Xuebing hadn't listened. Han Jing had to maintain the proper attitude.

Xie Hao idolized his brother-in-law the most and immediately said, "Brother-in-law will cure Grandpa. If my brother-in-law takes action, what problem can't be solved?"

Han Jing looked at him, "Another idol worshipper."

Xie Hao replied confidently, "My brother-in-law is amazing. Anything he says he can do, he has never failed once."

Indeed, no one refuted that.

Dong Xuebing had a rather tricky personality and a mixed reputation, but he never failed whenever he said he could handle something. The whole Xie family naturally knew about this. Otherwise, such a young outsider wouldn't receive significant attention from the Xie family. Senior Xie liked him, and Xie Guobang, Han Jing, and several other elders liked him. Xie Hao, Xie Jing, and the other younger generation also admired him because Dong Xuebing seemed capable of anything.

Xie Guoliang said, "Why don't we wait a bit?"

Ci Lifen also said, "Let's have a reunion dinner together as a family."

Xie Guoyue added, "I'll go upstairs to check. It's a good time to bring Xiao Bing down."

"With your loud voice, forget it," her husband Hou Xing'an grabbed her, "Maybe Xiao Bing just went up to check. If you shout like that, you might wake up Grandpa."

Xie Guoyue stared at him fiercely, "Who are you talking to?"

Hou Xing'an chuckled, "It's New Year's. I'm not arguing with you."

Their son, Hou Ming, quickly interjected, "Dad, Mom, please say less."

Just then, footsteps were heard from upstairs. Surprisingly, the attending physician came downstairs with a helpless expression.

"Where's Senior Xie?" Xie Guojian was taken aback, "Why are you alone?"

The physician chuckled helplessly, "Xuebing woke Senior Xie, insisting on treating him. Senior Xie asked me to come out."

Xie Ran sweated, "Really treating him?”

The physician said, "I told them. So many doctors couldn't do anything. This illness isn't something that can be cured with a few massages. It requires rest and recovery. But Senior Xie insisted, so I had no choice but to come out."

Han Jing asked anxiously, "What's happening now?"

"I don't know either," the physician replied. "Senior Xie and Xuebing are still in the room."

Han Jing immediately said, "We can't let this kid cause trouble. Xiao Jing, go upstairs and bring your brother-in-law down. Don't let it disturb Senior Xie's rest or cause any more issues."

Xie Jing replied promptly, "Okay, leave it to me."

The physician complained, "Xuebing caused a bit of a stir this time. Senior Xie had just fallen asleep for two hours. If his condition worsens..."

The atmosphere became tense.

Han Jing glanced at the physician.

The physician caught a hint of unfriendliness in Madam Han's eyes and coughed awkwardly, refraining from saying anything more.

Xie Jing couldn't help but smile inwardly. She knew that despite Aunt Han's constant complaints about Dong Xuebing, she cared deeply for her son-in-law. Aunt Han could criticize him herself, but she wouldn't tolerate others doing so. Despite the symbolic criticisms of Dong Xuebing by the family elders, none blamed Dong Xuebing for anything. Everyone knew Aunt Han was fiercely protective. In the current Xie family, nominally, Xie Guobang was the eldest of the second generation. Still, everyone understood that Xie Guobang didn't like to talk much, and Han Jing, the eldest sister-in-law, decided most family matters. No one dared to challenge her, not even Xie Guojian, who had a bad temper. The elder sister-in-law was like a mother, as they said.

The physician fell silent.

Seeing this, Xie Jing was ready to call her brother-in-law down upstairs. But the situation unexpectedly developed in a way many people couldn't have predicted. Just then, they heard noise from upstairs before Xie Jing could even step up the stairs.

It was the sound of a door opening.

Then, two sets of footsteps.

And then, at the top of the stairs, everyone looked in astonishment as Dong Xuebing helped Senior Xie walk out and stand on the landing.

"Oh my."

"Dad."

"Grandpa."

"Why are you..."

"You shouldn't be out of bed."

"Oh my, why did you come out?"

"The doctor said you must rest quietly for a few months."

The younger ones below were a bit flustered. After all, Grandpa was the backbone of the family, and at his age, no one wanted anything untoward to happen to him.

But Senior Xie waved his hand, "I'm fine."

"Dad, you..." Han Jing was getting anxious and hurried forward.

"Don't come up." Senior Xie smiled, "Let me go down. Oh, I smell something delicious. Haha, I'm hungry."

Dong Xuebing tightened his grip on Senior Xie's hand, "Please take it slow."

"No need to hold on." Senior Xie decisively shook off Dong Xuebing's hand, "I'm not that old yet. I can walk on my own."

Hearing this, everyone below was shocked.

There was no other reason; just a moment ago, Senior Xie couldn't get out of bed or walk, but now, not only was he out of bed and walking down the stairs alone.

Was this asking for trouble?

Wasn't this dangerous?

Han Jing hurriedly said, "Quick, support your grandfather."

Xie Guoliang also hurried over and called Dong Xuebing "Xuebing."

Dong Xuebing had no choice but to come downstairs early and briefly protect Senior Xie downstairs symbolically.

However, Senior Xie didn't need his help at all. With swift and graceful steps, he descended the stairs step by step as if flying. His spirit was so high that he didn't resemble a patient. Even Xie Hao's casual walking posture was less steady than Senior Xie's. In the blink of an eye, amidst everyone's astonished gazes, Senior Xie had descended the stairs and reached the dining table.

"Grandpa."

"Dad, what are you doing..."

"How are you feeling?"

At the mention of this, Senior Xie burst into laughter, "I'm fine now. I never felt better! Haha." Then, he turned and called out to Dong Xuebing at the stairs, "Xuebing, come eat. You'll sit next to me today."

Next to Grandpa.

That was where Xie Guobang, the eldest brother of the Xie family, usually sat. The Xie family, being old Beijing, emphasized rules and etiquette. Even Xie Guoliang and Xie Guojian had never enjoyed this treatment.

Dong Xuebing hurriedly said, "No, I can't..."

Senior Xie insisted without hesitation, "If I say come, you come. Stop talking nonsense. Today, the two of us will have a good drink together."

The physician hurriedly interjected, "Are you sure you should drink?"

Han Jing's face turned stern, "Dad, what are you doing?"

"I'm feeling great today, so there's no need to worry. A couple of drinks won't hurt," Senior Xie said cheerfully. If you don't believe me, ask Xuebing if I can handle it."

Dong Xuebing chuckled, "A couple of drinks should be fine, but don't overdo it."

"You see?" Senior Xie sat down at the head of the table, pulling Dong Xuebing to sit beside him.

Everyone: 😲

Ask Dong Xuebing.

What's the point of asking him?

He said he could handle it, so he could.

Han Jing looked fiercely at her son-in-law, "What did you just say?"

Dong Xuebing proudly replied, "Mom, I told you I could cure Grandpa's illness. None of you believed me. After my meticulous treatment, Grandpa is fine now. A few drinks are no problem, especially during the New Year."

The physician couldn't believe it. Just a while ago, Senior Xie couldn't even get out of bed, and now he was walking around as if nothing had happened. Was this still a medical issue? Immediately, he went upstairs and brought down several instruments, checked Senior Xie's blood pressure, did an ECG, and conducted some routine tests. The results shocked everyone.

Normal blood pressure.

Normal heart function.

It seemed as if Senior Xie had never been ill in his life.

Now, he was truly and completely healthy.

The physician looked at Dong Xuebing, feeling amazed and incredulous.

This was beyond belief. Could the grandson-in-law of the Xie family be so miraculous? Many top doctors from China and abroad couldn't cure the illness, yet he resolved it with a wave.