Chapter 63 The Engagement Party on 18th
Chapter 63 The Engagement Party on 18th
Johnson Xia felt guilty about being absent from Linda's childhood. So he wanted to give Linda some
profitable subsidiaries of the Xia's Group as her dowry. But when Linda offered to take the ill-run one to
hone her managerial skill, Johnson Xia felt moved and said, "Linda, I know you are a thoughtful girl.
But the one you mentioned was in the red and about to be closed by the end of this year. I may give
you a subsidiary that ran well. How about that?"
Linda shook her head with a smile and answered, "No, Father. It would not be much of a challenge if it
were a profitable company, would it?"
What Linda had said further reinforced her image as a thoughtful daughter.
"You are a good girl, Linda. Since you insist on having that one, I'll let you have it. But don't lose heart if
you couldn't turn it around. Our Xia Group has been focusing on traditional sector. We've only just
begun to dabble in the internet sector, a little setback is to be expected"
"Thanks, Father. I won't fail you." Linda bent her head down and chuckled. "Is it really because they are
not familiar with the internet sector that the subodiary went under?"
"Don't worry, Lord Xia. I'll help her, " said Charles Mu as he reached for Linda's hand and held it tightly.
Clenching her hands into fists, May Shen forced herself to resume her usual gentle smile, a smile that
made her look pretty friendly.
But the smile was all too fake to Linda's eyes.
If people really felt happy, they tend to narrow their eyes while turning the corner of their mouths
upward.
May Shen only did the latter.
After dinner, Linda, Charles and his father took their leaves.
James Mu went fishing, which was part of his life in retirement.
Charles Mu and Paul went to the company to deal with businesses. Linda left for the private hospital of
the Mu clan with Bun to visit Donna Xie, her foster mother.
When Linda arrived, it started drizzling. Without a umbrella, she and Bun were soaked.
After they got in the ward, the sight of Linda being soaking wet ached Donna Xie's heart. She hurried to
take a towel to dry Linda's hair and said, "You silly girl, you don't have to visit me in such a rainy day. I
am well looked after here. You might catch a cold after getting wet in the rain."
Hearing Donna Xie's mild reproach, Linda's nose twitched. She missed living with her foster parents.
She'd rather not know that she was a long-lost child of the Xia clan.
At least, she had Donna Xie, a person who really concerned for her.
"It's OK, mom. I am simply stopping by." Linda smiled and held back her tears.
Anna opened the door and walked in. She looked at Linda with a frown and said, "You are there, My
Lady."
"Right, how's my mom?"
"Could I talk to you outside? Mrs. Xie might need a good rest."
"Fine."
A bad feeling loomed over Linda as she followed Anna to her office.
"Dr. Xu, how's my mom? ..."
Anna handed Linda a medical report and said, "Well, Mrs. Xie seems to have suffered multiple
diseases, including a benign tumour. But don't worry about it. The tumour can be cured after an
operation since it's discovered early. If not, it would have developed into a malignant one. But the
largest cause for concern is that she has some myocardial problems, namely, severe myocardial
ischemia and coronary artery stenosis. She needs a stent implantation."
"Myocardial ischemia?" Linda was taken aback by what Anna had said. "Why wasn't it found out by
other hospitals before?" She thought.
"Well, having myocardial ischemia means there is not enough cardiac blood perfusion, leading to
reduced oxygen supply of the heart and abnormal myocardial energy metabolism. So she has a weak
heart."
Linda did what every family remeber of a patient would do. She asked, "Can it be cured?"
Anna shook her head and smiled, "My Lady, currently myocardial ischemia can only be contained, not
cured. But long-term medication can help with the containment and remission of the disease. If well-
contained, this disease would not pose life-threatening danger to the patients."
Linda nodded and said, "Thank you, Anna."
"The pleasure is all mine, My Lady. I've read her previous records. So she was admittd for food
poisoning earlier?"
"Yes, It was right around the time of my commencement ceremony when my mom called me and said
she had vomiting and diarrhea and felt all dizzy. Then I went home and took her to hospital. She was
diagnosed as suffering from nitrite poisoning. My mom have been frugal. She will eat leftovers even if
they were cooked many days ago."
Some leftovers, especially those leafy greens cooked the day before, not only offer little nutritive value,
but also produce a certain amount of nitrites.
It's OK for people to take in a bit of nitrates because all plants have it.
However, high intake would lead to methemoglobinemia. In other words, it will cause a lack of oxygen
in human's brain and even endanger their lives.
Thinking of this, Linda rubbed her temples with resignation.
Donna Xie had always been this frugal since Linda was a child. But at that time, Linda was too little to
change it. After she grew up, Linda worked very hard to make money and help her foster parents
supply their family while she was in college.
She had once tried persuading Donna Xie not to eat leftovers on the grounds that eating leftovers was
unsanitary and would casue some diseases.
But Donna Xie never took her advice. She would hide those leftovers somewhere secret and cooked
fresh foods for Linda.
Linda was pretty worried about it in the past.
But things had changed now. Linda was capable of helping her foster mother lead a better life.
"I've read your mother's blood test report and its serum test result. What she suffered was probably
food poisoning. You better watch out as it might cause cancer. If that happened, it'll be too late for her."
While in hospital, there was no need to worry about Donna Xie's diet, as those leftovers were not
accessible to her. But Anna worried she would eat them again after returning home.
"Fine."
Linda discussed Donna Xie's condition with Anna for a while. As things were, the Stent Implantation
could only be arranged after half a month.
Linda's engagement party was due to be held on 18th of this month. Being raised by Donna Xie, Linda
hoped she could attend the party.
After getting back to the ward, Linda saw Donna Xie peeling an apple. Donna Xie simled at Linda and
said, "This is for you, Linda. Come on, eat up."
Linda sniffed and said, "OK."
"Mom, my engagement party is due at the end of this month. At that day, I will have someone pick you
up in the morning."
Donna Xie was startled a bit by what Linda had said, dropping the fruit knife on the ground. "Linda, now
that you have found your biological father, I better not come to your party. I am afraid that my
appearance might embarrass you. All I want is for you to have a happy life."
"Mom? How can you not attend my engagement party?"
"I am in poor health. Besides, I have already met your Fiancé. There is no need for me to come."This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.