As night fell, Yuzhou City remained busy. To achieve a better life, everyone worked diligently, and even the City Lord's mansion was no exception.
After Chu Yangtian returned home, the nanny immediately inquired, "Mr. Chu, what would you like to eat? I'll prepare it for you right away."
Chu Zhaoyan had to work late every day and couldn't always take care of her elderly grandfather. Furthermore, Professor Chu's health was deteriorating. If he wasn't cared for, something could happen. Therefore, Chu Zhaoyan hired a nanny to look after him.
Chu Yangtian glanced at the sky; it was already late. Not wanting to trouble the nanny, he directly said, "No need. I've already eaten outside. It's getting late, let's go back to sleep. I'll read for a while in the study."
Upon entering the study, Chu Yangtian found a packet of instant noodles in the drawer. He discarded the seasoning packet and began to chew on the noodle cake. He knew it was high in calories and not healthy, but it was late, and it wasn't worth having the nanny cook a meal just for him. He would just make do.
Chu Yangtian never cared for ostentation and never treated people differently based on their status. Because of this, he commanded great respect in the hearts of many, a respect that was genuine and heartfelt.
While chewing on the noodle cake, Professor Chu suddenly felt a tightness in his chest. He then remembered that he hadn't taken his medicine. He had been so busy with the day's events that he had forgotten to take his medication on time. He suffered from coronary heart disease, and after the Doomsday Natural Disaster Descends, his body had deteriorated significantly due to the prolonged lack of medication.
"I almost forgot to take my medicine. This won't do. I need to take it quickly, or my body won't hold up." Chu Yangtian put down the half-eaten noodle cake and went to get some water. He took a cup of warm water and prepared to return to his desk.
However, on his way back, the water in Professor Chu's cup spilled. He stepped on it and immediately slipped, falling to the ground.
Professor Chu's head struck the ground heavily, and he immediately lost consciousness.
With a "crack," the ceramic cup hit the ground, making a clear sound before shattering into pieces.
The nanny was about to rest when she suddenly heard a noise from the study. She hurried to investigate, thinking, "Did the old man accidentally knock over a cup? I hope nothing has happened!"
But when the nanny discovered Professor Chu lying unconscious on the floor in the study, she was stunned. She hadn't expected the old man to have an accident at this moment. He had been fine just moments ago; how could he have suddenly fallen?
The nanny then urgently notified Chu Zhaoyan. Upon receiving the call, Chu Zhaoyan told the nanny to quickly take her grandfather to the hospital, and she followed shortly after by car.
The doctors immediately began resuscitation efforts, but they were not very confident in their ability to treat Professor Chu's condition.
"Miss Chu, the professor is already old, and his health is not good. On top of that, he fell at home and suffered a head impact. It's hard to say if his brain vessels will be affected. We can only do our best, and please prepare for the worst." The doctor said gravely to Chu Zhaoyan.
Hearing this, Chu Zhaoyan was dumbfounded. In her anxiety, she could only choose to call Chang Jianyi, hoping for her advice at this critical moment.
However, Chang Jianyi could do nothing but rush back. She could only ask Chu Zhaoyan to notify Shen Feng and have him return as soon as possible.
When Chang Jianyi returned to Yuzhou by helicopter, she saw Chu Zhaoyan sitting outside the ward, looking terrified. Even when facing many dangers before, she had never been so nervous or lost her composure. This was because she knew she still had her knowledgeable grandfather, her only remaining family. But now, her only family was about to leave her.
"Don't worry, Zhaoyan. The professor will be safe. Let's wait outside the operating room," Chang Jianyi comforted her.
As she spoke, Chang Jianyi took Chu Zhaoyan's hand. Chu Zhaoyan's hand was cold and seemed to tremble slightly. Facing a life-and-death situation, she couldn't calm down.
Inside the operating room, the doctors began to treat Professor Chu. They were all well aware of Professor Chu's importance to Yuzhou; he was like a stabilizing force. He not only commanded high respect among the general populace but was also a teacher to City Lord Shen Feng. Shen Feng and Chang Jianyi often sought his advice on matters. If such a person were to die on the operating table, it would be a disaster.
The hospital director personally participated in the surgery. He knew how difficult it had been to establish this hospital. Even before the apocalypse, there was a severe shortage of clinical doctors, and during the apocalypse, many doctors had turned into zombies, leaving the remaining clinical doctors as rare as phoenix feathers. After the hospital was established, there was a dire shortage of doctors. He had even allowed specialized students to begin learning surgery due to the extreme lack of talent.
If Professor Chu, such a significant figure, were to die in his hospital, and if Shen Feng and Chu Zhaoyan were to become angry, the entire hospital might be disbanded. The responsibility was immense; there could be no mistakes!
"I must save this hospital and not let the wish to heal and save lives be unfulfilled," the director thought to himself.
Cultivating clinical doctors was an undertaking that required immense effort. Each clinical doctor represented over ten years of dedication: four years of undergraduate study, two to three years of postgraduate study, and sometimes a doctoral degree. After graduating, they needed three years of standardized training. It took ten years to train a qualified clinical doctor, and doctors could not be successfully trained in a short period.
Yuzhou only had one hospital, which was established by gathering doctors from millions of people. Although there were many small clinics in the city, their surgical capabilities were incomparable. Therefore, this sole hospital represented the hope of countless people.
The director assembled excellent doctors for a consultation, and surgery commenced immediately afterward. Even if the doctors were still asleep, they had to come to the hospital; the hospital's survival was paramount.
The surgery lasted for over four hours. By the time it concluded, the sky outside had gradually brightened.
The director, along with the weary doctors, emerged from the operating room to face Chang Jianyi and Chu Zhaoyan, who had waited all night without sleep until dawn.
"Director, how is it? How is my grandfather?" Chu Zhaoyan rushed forward to ask.
The director, with a haggard face, gently shook his head and said, "The surgery was successful, and the problem of cerebral hemorrhage has been resolved. However, Professor Chu's body is too weak, and he may not survive. When Professor Chu wakes up, please make arrangements for his final affairs. We have done our best."
After falling, Professor Chu suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, specifically intracranial bleeding. Furthermore, he hadn't taken his medication all day, and his heart condition had also flared up. It was already a miracle that he was alive after the rescue.
The director lowered his head and fell silent.
Chu Zhaoyan suddenly thought of something and quickly turned to Chang Jianyi, asking, "Sister, can I give Grandpa an evolution serum? Perhaps my grandfather can become an evolutioner."
Hearing this, the director quickly intervened, "Absolutely not! That must not be done. Professor Chu's body is already very weak and cannot withstand further stress. If he is forced to take the evolution serum, he may not survive the evolution and will die immediately. His heart can no longer bear greater pressure!"
For ordinary people to become evolutioners or ability users, their bodies are modified by viral proteins. The healthier a person is, the easier it is for them to withstand evolution. Conversely, the weaker a person is, the less likely they are to survive.
The reason is simple: the most crucial organ in the human body is the heart, as it is responsible for pumping blood. If blood pumping ceases, all parts of the body will lose oxygen and energy, leading to immediate death. Professor Chu's body could not withstand the pressure of evolution.
Chu Zhaoyan lowered her head in disappointment, her eyes vacant, as if all strength had been drained from her.
Chang Jianyi also quickly comforted Chu Zhaoyan. Everyone wished to avoid life-and-death situations, but fate was often contrary to wishes; what was destined to happen would eventually occur.
Professor Chu was moved to a private room for care. Various tubes were connected to him, including an oxygen tube and an electrocardiograph. The nurse continuously monitored Professor Chu's condition, ready to notify the doctor immediately if any dangerous situation arose.
An hour after the surgery ended, Professor Chu finally woke up. As he opened his eyes, he saw Chu Zhaoyan and Chang Jianyi by his bedside. Chu Zhaoyan's face was streaked with tears, indicating her deep sorrow.
"Grandpa, you're awake! You must hold on. You can recover," Chu Zhaoyan said to her grandfather.
Hearing this, Professor Chu shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "I suppose I am truly old. I am very tired. However, I am over sixty years old, which is considered a long life. I have seen prosperity and witnessed the turmoil of the world. Now, I am about to leave this world. I had long considered this, but I never expected it to come so soon."
Chang Jianyi quickly added, "Professor, please rest assured, you will surely endure. I have a lot of Northeast ginseng in my warehouse, and I've already sent someone to prepare a decoction. After you drink it, you will recover quickly."
Professor Chu continued to smile bitterly, his face pale. He looked at Chang Jianyi and said, "I know my own physical condition. I likely cannot survive this ordeal. My time is near. Chang Jianyi, I have one request, and I hope you will grant it."
Chang Jianyi nodded quickly and said earnestly, "Please tell me, Professor. I will surely do it."
Professor Chu raised his weak hand, pointed at Chu Zhaoyan, and said in a low voice, "Zhaoyan is my last remaining family. She is my greatest concern. I know no one wants to share their beloved, but given the circumstances, I hope you will take good care of Zhaoyan and not make things difficult for her."
Chang Jianyi hesitated for a moment, then nodded sincerely and said, "Professor, please rest assured. Once the palace is built, I will let Zhaoyan live there too. From then on, we will be sisters. She and I are family, and I will not let her suffer any grievances."
Chang Jianyi also knew that a dying person's words were often wise, and one should try to fulfill the wishes of an elderly person on their deathbed.
Professor Chu nodded, a smile appearing on his face.
Then, Professor Chu seemed to recall something and said, "I have some words I wish to tell Shen Feng about the future of Yuzhou. I worry he may not see the imminent dangers. I must remind him now. Please find paper and a pen to write them down."
Chang Jianyi started to get up to fetch paper and a pen, but Chu Zhaoyan asked her to sit down, saying she would get them herself and record her grandfather's words.
Professor Chu said in a low voice, "The world is in chaos now, and heroes are rising. The world will not be peaceful in a short time. The Yuzhou region is crucial. As long as it maintains peace, it can foster good relations with all sides. Therefore, Shen Feng, your most important task is to maintain regional stability. When the world is settled, you will undoubtedly have great achievements. Yuzhou's foundation is unstable, public and private interests are not clearly distinguished, and mutated beasts from the south continue to harass..."
Chu Zhaoyan diligently recorded her grandfather's words, while Chang Jianyi asked the nurses in the room to leave. At this moment, no one other than important individuals should hear the content.
Professor Chu spoke for about half an hour, outlining the general issues and offering Shen Feng many suggestions. Chu Zhaoyan continued to record, and Chang Jianyi listened intently. Only the three of them were in the room; outsiders had no idea what was being said within.
After Professor Chu finished his last words, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. However, he had only been able to speak by clinging to his last breath. Now that the breath had escaped him, his eyes became unfocused, and his chest suddenly began to ache.
"Take care of yourselves. This old man departs." Professor Chu uttered his final words with difficulty, then closed his eyes forever. The electrocardiograph showed a straight line, and the machine emitted a piercing sound.
Chu Yangtian's vision went black, and he lost consciousness forever. No one knew when their death would come, not even Chu Yangtian himself.
He had worked hard his entire life. His early life was full of success, and he became a widely respected and knowledgeable professor. But now, he lay on his deathbed, meeting a tragic end. Before his death, only two juniors were by his side, and Shen Feng, whom he most wanted to see, had not appeared.