135: Chapter 135 Elder Ye Awakens

After waiting for about two or three minutes, he chanted silently in his heart.

"System, is the longevity pill ready?"

[Ding! The longevity pill has been retrieved and placed in the host's right palm. Please confirm usage.]

Wang Yang felt a warm object in his right palm, like a candy pill, small and round.

He opened his hand and looked down.

It was a pale golden pill, the size of a soybean.

It had a faint luster and emitted a subtle, elusive medicinal fragrance.

Without hesitation, he gently pried the old man's mouth open and placed the pill inside.

The pill melted upon contact; no swallowing was necessary.

Wang Yang pulled his hand back, stood by the bed, and stared at the old man's face.

The ECG monitor was still beeping, slow and faint.

He asked the system.

"How long until he wakes up?"

[Ding! Please remain calm, host. The potency of the longevity pill is spreading, and the target will wake up within three minutes.]

Wang Yang felt reassured, a smile slowly creeping onto his lips.

He turned, walked to the door, and opened it.

Ye Xueying and Ye Hongqiang looked up at him simultaneously.

Ye Xueying's eyes were red, her voice trembling.

"Brother Wang... how is he?"

Wang Yang smiled.

"He's fine."

Ye Xueying was stunned.

Ye Hongqiang was also stunned.

"He's fine?"

Ye Hongqiang frowned and glanced at the wall clock.

Less than five minutes had passed from the time Wang Yang went in until he came out.

That was it?

Ye Xueying also reacted, opening her mouth.

"Brother Wang, so fast?"

Wang Yang nodded and stepped aside.

"You can come in. Ye Lao will wake up within a few minutes."

Ye Xueying practically rushed in, ran to the hospital bed, and took the old man's hand.

Ye Hongqiang followed quickly, walking to the other side of the bed, looking down at his father.

The old man's complexion was still sallow, thin as a rail, no different from before.

Ye Xueying's heart tightened again.

"Brother Wang, why hasn't Grandpa woken up yet..."

Wang Yang walked over and stood beside her.

"Don't worry. Wait a little longer."

Ye Xueying bit her lip, staring at the old man's face, not daring to look away for even a second.

Ye Hongqiang also watched, his fingers gripping the bed rail until his knuckles turned white.

The ward was so quiet that one could hear the beeping of the ECG monitor.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

Suddenly, the old man's fingers moved.

Ye Xueying's eyes instantly brightened.

"Grandpa!"

The old man's eyelashes trembled, then trembled again.

Then, he slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze was cloudy and confused, as if he had slept for a very, very long time and didn't know where he was.

Tears gushed from Ye Xueying's eyes, and she threw herself onto the old man, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Grandpa! You're awake! You're finally awake!"

Ye Hongqiang stood to the side, his eyes also red.

His lips trembled, wanting to say something, but he couldn't utter a word.

He just looked at his father, watching those eyes slowly clear up, his throat feeling blocked by something.

The old man slowly turned his head, looking at Ye Xueying, then at Ye Hongqiang, his lips moving.

His voice was as hoarse as sandpaper rubbing against wood.

"Qiangzi, Xueying... why are you crying."

Ye Xueying smiled through her tears.

"Grandpa, we aren't crying. We're happy."

The old man looked at her, then at Ye Hongqiang, his lips moving again.

It seemed he wanted to say something but lacked the strength.

Ye Xueying quickly helped him, letting him lean against the headboard, propping up the pillows.

Ye Hongqiang poured a cup of warm water and handed it over.

Ye Xueying took it and fed it to the old man bit by bit with a small spoon.

The old man drank a few sips, his throat moistened, and his voice wasn't as hoarse as before.

"How long have I slept?"

Ye Hongqiang's eyes were still red.

"Dad, you were in a coma for three days and three nights. You scared us to death."

The old man was stunned for a moment, then slowly turned his head to look at Wang Yang standing at the foot of the bed.

"Who is this?"

Ye Xueying wiped her tears and held the old man's hand.

"Grandpa, this is Wang Yang. He was introduced by Uncle Cao. He saved you."

The old man looked at Wang Yang, his gaze lingering on his face for a few seconds.

Wang Yang stood there, his back straight, hands hanging by his sides.

He nodded slightly, his posture respectful but not servile.

"Hello, Ye Lao."

The old man didn't speak, remaining silent for a while.

Then, he did something no one expected.

He braced himself against the edge of the bed and slowly sat up.

Ye Xueying was startled and quickly went to support him.

"Grandpa! You just woke up, you can't move!"

Ye Hongqiang also panicked, reaching out to support his other side.

"Dad, don't move around, the doctor said your body is weak..."

The old man ignored them, pushed their hands away, and insisted on sitting up.

His legs dangled off the edge of the bed, his feet touched the floor, and he slowly stood up.

His legs were shaking, his body swayed, but he quickly steadied himself.

Wang Yang was a bit surprised to see this—was the longevity pill that powerful?

Ye Xueying was so scared her face turned pale, her hands shielding him, not daring to let go.

Ye Hongqiang was also sweating nervously, his hands spread out, ready to catch him at any moment.

The old man stood firm, pushed their hands away, and looked at Wang Yang.

Then, he bent over and bowed deeply.

Ye Xueying was stunned.

Ye Hongqiang was also stunned.

Wang Yang quickly stepped forward, reaching out to support the old man's shoulders, his tone filled with sincere respect.

"Ye Lao, what are you doing? You are an elder and an old soldier who has been on the battlefield. I cannot accept this bow."

The old man's body paused slightly, he looked up, and a glimmer of light appeared in his eyes as he looked at Wang Yang.

Wang Yang helped the old man sit back on the bed, stepped back, and stood straight.

His gaze fell on the old man's face, his tone light but earnest.

"My grandfather was also a soldier. Since I was young, he taught me that soldiers spend their whole lives protecting their country, their spines are the hardest, and they cannot be bent."

The old man's eyes reddened slightly, his lips moved, but he didn't say anything.

He reached out and patted the back of Wang Yang's hand; the pat was light, but heavy.

Ye Hongqiang watched from the side, his estimation of Wang Yang rising even higher.

He had seen many young people who, with a little ability, would get cocky and want the whole world to know.

But Wang Yang was different; he saved someone, didn't take credit, didn't show off, and wasn't even willing to accept the old man's bow.

This composure, this indifference to fame, this respect for soldiers—it wasn't something a twenty-something-year-old should have.

Ye Xueying stood to the side, looking at Wang Yang, her eyes shining.

Her heart was beating fast, her face slightly flushed, her fingers gripping her clothes until her knuckles turned white.

Ye Xueying's heart seemed to have been gently nudged by something.

The old man leaned against the headboard, holding Wang Yang's hand, and patted it.

"Little Wang, I heard from Xueying that you were introduced by Secretary General Cao Yun?"

Wang Yang nodded.

"Uncle Cao takes good care of me."

The old man sighed.

"That child, Secretary General Cao Yun, he is thoughtful. I'll have to thank him properly another day."

Ye Hongqiang said from the side.

"Dad, you just woke up, don't think about these things. Rest well."