Rebirth 1983: Building My Business Empire

Chapter 88: Chapter 82: Falling Ill

Teacher Zhang looked at her frail body and pale face, “A painting like this, the market price is around twenty thousand.”

Lu Jiaxin was not satisfied; the amount was far from what she had in mind.

She knew that there were appraisal fees for getting an item appraised. To her surprise, Teacher Zhang didn’t ask for the appraisal fee and stuffed the envelope back into her hand, “Many cultural relics are being lost to the outside world. Miss Lu, I know you’re in a tough spot, but I still hope you won’t sell the painting rashly. Otherwise, once it falls into the hands of those who value only profit, if it’s sold and can’t be found again, that would be a pity.”

Knowing that Lu Jiaxin was struggling, he found it difficult to outright tell her not to sell the painting, but it truly pained him to see so many treasures treated as commodities for profit.

Lu Jiaxin saw the sorrow in his eyes and spoke solemnly, “I won’t sell the painting rashly. When I have money in the future, I will do my best to redeem those treasures that have been lost abroad.”

Teacher Zhang revealed the first smile since they had come in, and although he felt that Lu Jiaxin might not be able to do it, it was good enough that she had the intention.

When leaving, Lu Jiaxin gave Teacher Zhang a deep bow, “Professor Zhang, thank you.”

Teacher Zhang was initially startled, then smiled and said, “It was just a small favor for you, no need for such a grand gesture.”

After speaking, he added meaningfully, “Child, once you sell this painting, hurry back to your studies. You’re still young, the most important thing now is to get an education, to go to university and learn valuable skills.”

Lu Jiaxin nodded vigorously.

Professor Zhang was also tired and went back to his room to rest. It was already past three in the morning, and it was very cool outside. Considering Lu Jiaxin’s health, Gu Wenfeng didn’t take her back immediately and waited until daylight before departing.

Outside, Gu Wenfeng saw that she still looked worried and couldn’t help but ask, “The painting has already been authenticated as genuine, why aren’t you happy?”

Lu Jiaxin shook her head and said, “I knew it was real without the appraisal; the Sun Family ancestors wouldn’t go to such lengths to hide fake paintings in a secret passage. Brother Gu, Professor Zhang and the others are great people. I feel somewhat, somewhat ashamed.”

In her eyes, antiques and paintings were all money; even if she was involved in purchasing antiques in the future, it would be for their appreciation in value. Unlike Professor Zhang and the others, who were dedicated to protecting cultural relics and guarding cultural heritage.

Gu Wenfeng understood, the young girl was impressed by Teacher Zhang’s personal charm, he smiled and said, “You can do it too.”

Lu Jiaxin was very clear that she could not. She was rather self-centered, only wanting to live a good life and enjoy herself, without the possibility of making a selfless dedication. But once she earned money in the future, she planned to recover cultural relics from overseas and donate them to museums.

When they reached the guesthouse, Lu Jiaxin couldn’t help but sneeze loudly, feeling somewhat groggy. Sensing that something was wrong, she immediately poured herself a cup of hot water upon returning to her room, but it was in vain as her body quickly succumbed to a fever.

Gu Wenfeng, worried, stood in front of the window and called out a couple of times. Receiving no response, he knocked on the door. As there was still no answer, he grew anxious and called for a service worker. Because the door was locked from the inside, it eventually had to be kicked in.

Seeing Lu Jiaxin burning up with fever, delirious, Gu Wenfeng felt both regret and frustration. He shouldn’t have let her tag along the previous day, and now, she was down with sickness.

The service worker exclaimed, “Hurry, take her to the hospital!”

Gu Wenfeng placed Lu Jiaxin’s suitcase and canvas bag in his room, then hurried back to carry her to the hospital. While carrying her, he realized how light Lu Jiaxin was.

Normally, a cold and fever would just require some medicine, but upon reaching the hospital and after the doctor took her temperature, which was at 40 degrees, she was immediately admitted for IV fluids.

While prescribing the medication, the doctor also scolded Gu Wenfeng, “When someone has a fever, they need to see a doctor. If you had delayed for another two days, could the person have burnt up into an idiot?”

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A low-grade fever can be endured for a couple of days, but a fever this high, sustained for one or two days, could very well damage the brain. Some parents are just too careless, which ultimately leads to irreversible tragedies.

Gu Wenfeng didn’t explain, he just took the prescription the doctor had written and went to pay. When Lu Jiaxin was getting her IV, he stayed by her side.

The IV was very effective, and after one bag of fluids, Lu Jiaxin felt much better. In fact, she had been conscious before, just too groggy to speak.

“Brother Gu, I’ve troubled you.”

Lu Jiaxin felt sore all over, and it hurt to move, even the slightest motion caused pain, and she couldn’t even manage to sit up. In her previous life, she used to catch a cold once or twice a year, and occasionally she would get a fever, but it was never as unbearable as this time.

Gu Wenfeng didn’t blame her, but he did remind her, “From now on, take better care of yourself and don’t push too hard, or else if you end up with a lingering illness, it’ll be too late for regrets.”

“I won’t do it again.”

Lu Jiaxin felt she had made a mistake. If she had known it would take so long, yesterday she would have left the painting and had them go back to the hostel first, and then go get it this morning. Ah, it was her greed, wanting to build good relations and learn more to stay on, and look at how she ended up making herself sick.

Gu Wenfeng asked, “Hungry? I’ll go buy you something to eat.”

Just now, while Lu Jiaxin was semi-comatose, he didn’t dare leave. But now that she was clearer-headed, it was time to eat something. Nevertheless, just to be safe, he still asked a nurse to help keep an eye on her.

Gu Wenfeng returned in just over ten minutes with a pork bun and chicken and egg porridge for Lu Jiaxin. “Can you eat by yourself? If not, I’ll feed you.”

Lu Jiaxin definitely didn’t want him to feed her, it would be too embarrassing.

“We’re all at the hospital, where are the things?” Lu Jiaxin asked softly as she sipped her porridge. If the things were lost, it would be like cutting flesh from her body.

Gu Wenfeng reassured her, “Don’t worry, everything is in my room!”

After finishing her IV, Lu Jiaxin was preparing to go back but was informed that she had been admitted to the hospital: “The doctor says that even though your fever has gone down, it might recur. Stay in the hospital for observation for a day. If you don’t get a fever again today, we’ll take some medicine and go back to the hostel tomorrow.”

Lu Jiaxin didn’t dare to overexert herself anymore. She had felt the chill last night and suspected that she was going to catch a cold, but she never imagined it would be this severe. She felt much better after taking the medicine, but it turned out only to be a superficial improvement.

Leaning against the headboard, Lu Jiaxin asked with concern, “Brother Gu, are our things safe at the hostel?”

“Don’t worry, the hostel is well managed, and they won’t let anyone stay without a referral letter. We’re also dressed very simply, thieves won’t target us. But if you’re still worried, I can go in the afternoon and bring the things over.”

Lu Jiaxin seized the opportunity to say, “It might take some time to find a buyer. Brother Gu, let’s rent a place! It’s okay if it’s a bit more expensive, as long as it’s convenient and safe.”

Gu Wenfeng struggled a bit but then said, “Miss Lu, you shouldn’t go into business. You have no experience in it, and without anyone to support you, you won’t make money. If you save and use the money you get from selling the paintings carefully, it can last you until you graduate college.”

Lu Jiaxin didn’t hide anything, as she had come to fully trust Gu Wenfeng after spending time with him, “I’m planning to make a batch of leather shoes, waterproof, warm, and fashionable. There’s nothing like it on the market right now, and I’m sure they will be popular when they get made.”

“Waterproof and warm isn’t hard, but fashionable? Are you sure the leather shoes you make will look good?”

“Of course.”

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