Ch 21: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

The emergency room lights stayed on for several hours. This was a private hospital under the Huo Group, and the director himself led the rescue effort for Huo Siheng, promising to do everything possible to save him. However, when the director finally emerged, he sighed apologetically and said heavily, “Madam Huo, Mrs. Huo, we did our best. While Mr. Huo still has vital signs, his brain has suffered severe trauma, and…”

Shen Yunxuan, shocked, asked, “Do you mean… Siheng has become a vegetative patient?”

The director sighed again, and Madam Huo immediately fainted. Shen Yunxuan quickly asked the director to check on her, holding back her tears and forcing herself to stay calm. “Kevin, go arrange for the hospitalization. Shu Yue, stay with my mother-in-law. I…I’ll go check on Siheng.”

“Got it, sister-in-law. Leave it to me,” Huo Siming replied, stepping up and heading to handle the paperwork.

Shu Yue hugged Shen Yunxuan and comforted her. “Don’t worry. I’ll stay by your side. Siheng has always been fortunate and strong; he’ll pull through.”

“Mm.” Shen Yunxuan nodded slightly. After they left, the nurses wheeled the unconscious Huo Siheng into the ICU. As the Huo Group’s leader, he would receive the best care in the most secure recovery environment.

When Huo Siming returned, he found Shen Yunxuan crying as she looked at Huo Siheng through the glass window. The nurses informed him that visits to the ICU were limited to 30 minutes a day, and today, given the critical nature of his condition, it was better to avoid any visits to prevent further complications.

Staring at the pale and heavily bandaged Huo Siheng, Huo Siming felt a surreal sense of disbelief. Was the man who had commanded universal respect, managing the Huo Group so capably at such a young age, really in this state? He had an impulsive urge to rush in and shake him awake, just to see if he would respond.

Just then, Shen Yunxuan wiped her tears and called Yang An. “Assistant Yang, Siheng is undergoing treatment at the hospital. News of his car accident and coma must not be leaked. Use all your connections to contain this information and prevent any disruption to the company. Contact me immediately if anything arises.”

Yang An’s voice was shaky but firm as he responded, “Understood, Madam Huo. I’ll take care of it right away.”

Huo Siming’s expression hardened as he turned away from the sight of his cousin. He knew the real battle was with Shen Yunxuan now. Madam Huo was clearly distraught and incapable of handling matters. He couldn’t let Shen Yunxuan take control of the Huo Group as Mrs. Huo—that would render him irrelevant.

Keeping the news under wraps worked in his favor, minimizing damage to the company and increasing his leverage. However, the shareholders needed to be informed so they could rally behind him. Shen Yunxuan wouldn’t anticipate the support he had within the Huo Group. He planned to catch her off guard while she was still grieving.

Wiping his face to compose himself, he said softly, “Sister-in-law, you stay with big brother. I’ll go call my father and let him know.”

Shen Yunxuan nodded, her gaze fixed on the ICU. She appeared vulnerable and lost, but there was a trace of resilience in her demeanor, as if she had already resolved to shoulder the family’s burdens.

As Huo Siming walked away, he smirked. The Huo family belonged to the Huo bloodline. With Huo Siheng incapacitated, the family’s power should naturally fall to him and his father—not to Shen Yunxuan.

When Madam Huo regained consciousness, she rushed to see her son, collapsing by the window in tears. Unable to accept that her healthy son had suddenly become a vegetative patient, her despair was palpable. Watching this, Shen Yunxuan felt deeply saddened but knew she had to stay composed. Huo Siming’s shrewdness and the presence of Aunt Lan by Madam Huo’s side meant they couldn’t reveal the truth just yet. She had to play her part and swiftly eliminate the threats to the Huo family.

“Mom,” Shen Yunxuan said gently, “we have to stay strong right now. We can’t afford to collapse, or who else will Siheng have to rely on? You must hold on.”

Madam Huo wiped her tears and nodded repeatedly. “You’re right, Yunxuan. You’re absolutely right. Please, go talk to the director and the specialists. We have to do everything to help Siheng recover.”

“Don’t worry, Mom,” Shen Yunxuan assured her before turning to Shu Yue. Gripping her hand firmly, she said, “Shu Yue, I trust no one but you right now. Please stay by Mom’s side and take care of her for me, okay?”

Shu Yue met her gaze and understood the gravity of the situation. She nodded resolutely. “I’ll stay with Madam Huo every second. Don’t worry.”

With everything arranged, Shen Yunxuan felt slightly more secure. She knew Shu Yue would prioritize her above all else, making it impossible for Lan or Huo Siming to exploit the situation.

The news of Huo Siheng’s accident was swiftly suppressed, but it wasn’t possible to keep everyone in the dark. Early the next morning, two shareholders arrived at the hospital to inquire about his condition—both staunch allies of Huo Siming: Mr. Liu and Mr. Li.

The two expressed their condolences to Madam Huo upon seeing Huo Siheng’s state. Familiar with them, Madam Huo broke down in tears once more. After consoling her, the shareholders began discussing their concerns about the company’s stability.

Having experienced the chaos after her husband’s death, Madam Huo understood the stakes. Amid her grief, she said, “I’ll rely on you both to manage the company for now. I’ll reach out to top experts domestically and abroad to help Siheng recover. If… if it truly becomes impossible, we’ll make other arrangements for the company.”

The two shareholders thought for a moment, then shook their heads and sighed. “This won’t work. If it were a regular time, we could manage. But Siheng just closed an important deal abroad. He has several key meetings with major partners coming up. If he remains absent, the news will inevitably leak. When that happens, the fallout will be worse—possibly even causing the company’s stock to hit rock bottom, putting Huo Group in serious danger.”

Their timing was impeccable. After staying by Huo Siheng’s side for a day and night, Madam Huo was emotionally and physically drained, her reaction slower than usual. Hearing their concerns, she became anxious and instinctively asked, “What can we do?”

The two men furrowed their brows and suggested, “We must appoint an acting CEO immediately to handle all company matters. Madam Huo, given your stature, your presence would carry the most weight.”

Madam Huo glanced at Huo Siheng through the glass window, shook her head, and replied, “I have to stay by Siheng’s side. I can’t leave. What if I step away and… never see my son again?”

She paused to collect herself before grabbing Shen Yunxuan’s hand. “Yunxuan is Siheng’s wife. She understands the company’s operations. She’s the most suitable choice to take over.”

“Mrs. Huo?” The two shareholders exchanged glances, their faces feigning difficulty. “We don’t object, but the other shareholders and executives might. After all, Mrs. Huo only joined the family a few months ago. She hasn’t yet gained everyone’s recognition and trust. Even the business partners may not accept her.”

They continued, “We can go back and feel out the shareholders. Once we have some feedback, we’ll contact you again.”

Madam Huo understood their point and nodded, asking them to try persuading the shareholders. If necessary, she said she’d meet them in person to discuss matters further.

The two men left with grave expressions, heightening Madam Huo’s realization of the crisis Huo Group faced without Huo Siheng. She thought of how hard her son had worked to stabilize the company. Now, with her and Yunxuan taking over, others might see them as weak and try to exploit the situation. They’d have to be ruthless to quell opposition, but could they manage it?

Madam Huo looked dazed. Seeing this, Shen Yunxuan clasped her hand tightly and said, “Mom, the company is important, and we’ll do everything to hold it together. But if we truly can’t, it’s not the end of the world. The most important thing is Siheng. As long as he recovers, Huo Group will thrive again.”

This brought Madam Huo clarity. Yes, as long as Siheng survived, things would eventually improve. If he didn’t, nothing else mattered. What was the point of exhausting themselves for the company if it meant neglecting him? Relieved, she grasped Yunxuan’s hand and said, “You’re right. Let’s do what we can, but Siheng’s recovery is our priority.”

Meanwhile, Shen Yunxuan knew that the two shareholders would subtly steer the conversation toward supporting Huo Siming, ensuring the other shareholders rejected her as the interim leader. The following day, they’d likely return and claim her suggestion was unfeasible.

To counter this, Shen Yunxuan made a trip to Huo Group’s headquarters, entering Huo Siheng’s office.

The two shareholders were immediately informed. One discreetly monitored her actions, while the other went to meet with Huo Siming.

When informed, Huo Siming frowned. “Shen Yunxuan went to the company? What did she do?”

“She had Assistant Yang bring her the urgent tasks from the past two days and asked a lot of questions about the company’s affairs,” said the shareholder. “It seems she’s trying to prove herself capable to gain the trust of the shareholders and executives.” He snorted. “But what can she prove in just a day or two? She’s too naive.”

Huo Siming smirked. “She’s out of options.”

Then, the shareholder received a call reporting that Shen Yunxuan had left the company, telling Assistant Yang she was heading to the Shen family.

Huo Siming slapped the table lightly. “She’s going to ask the Shen family for support! The Shen family, eager to capitalize on their connection to Huo Group, will back her fully. They’ll mobilize all their resources and connections to help her take control of Huo Group.”

He rose and added, “We can’t wait any longer. The longer we delay, the more risks we face. Go to the hospital immediately and settle this while she’s away.”

The shareholder nodded and quickly made arrangements. Huo Siming also reviewed his plan, ensuring no details were overlooked. He then took Aunt Lan to the hospital, bringing along a care package of food and fresh clothing. While showing concern for Madam Huo, he deliberately displayed a more responsible and reliable side.

Later, Assistant Yang called Shen Yunxuan to report the shareholders’ movements. Smiling, she instructed, “Keep an eye on the company. Let’s see who’s loyal and who’s not.”

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆