“Tick—tick—tick—”

The mechanical wall clock slowly rotated, emitting a steady ticking sound.

Zhang Yan sat dazedly on the bed, as if her soul had been drained away.

The warmth and tenderness Tang Song had just brought her were completely washed away by the cold, harsh reality of her mother’s serious illness.

Her parents had divorced when she was in the third grade of elementary school because her father had an affair while working away from home.

Her mother had married far away originally, so this blow was devastating to her. In a fit of anger, she had rushed back to Yang Province, thousands of miles away.

Because of this, Zhang Yan had never blamed her mother.

Although her life became unstable and she was forced to depend on others, her mother, after giving birth to her younger sister and securing a stable income, began secretly sending her living expenses every month.

She also occasionally took long train rides just to visit her.

It was precisely this support that allowed Zhang Yan to smoothly retake exams, attend university, and find a job.

From the bottom of her heart, her feelings for her mother far exceeded those for any other relative;

that gratitude had long been ingrained in her bones and blood.

That was why, after leaving the Imperial Capital, she chose to come to Yangcheng.

Perhaps because in this unfamiliar, enormous city, there was at least one person she could mentally rely on.

Although for various practical reasons, her mother could not be by her side all the time, just occasionally visiting and talking to her could bring a moment of comfort to Zhang Yan’s restless heart.

She had never really had a “home.”

And now, the person closest to her in this world seemed... to be slipping away.

She didn’t know how much time had passed.

“Knock, knock knock—”

There was a steady, moderate knocking at the door.

“I’m back.” Tang Song’s voice came through the door.

Zhang Yan’s body trembled violently, like a startled bird as she stood up.

She quickly wiped away the dried tear stains on her face, took several deep breaths, forcing herself to suppress all the shattered emotions, and stumbled over to open the door.

The door slowly opened, and Tang Song walked in.

He was carrying delicately packed dishes in exquisite lunch boxes, along with two bottles of what looked like fancy cocktails.

To avoid him noticing anything wrong, she kept her head lowered, not daring to meet his gaze.

“The kitchen was just painted, the smell is still strong. It’s not suitable to cook there,” Tang Song said casually, pointing to the bag in his hand. “I bought some food outside. Let’s eat something simple together.”

“Thank you.” Zhang Yan nodded lightly, her voice inevitably trembling slightly.

Tang Song immediately sensed something was wrong and asked with concern, “What’s wrong?”

“N-nothing.” Zhang Yan shook her head vigorously, her lips tightly pressed together.

Tang Song looked at her for a moment, then didn’t press further. Instead, he softened his tone and said gently, “Go get a few plates and bowls. I’ll wash my hands.”

He knew Zhang Yan was extremely sensitive inside and not good at expressing herself.

Too many questions would only make her retreat further into her shell like a frightened snail.

If he was going to ask, he needed to wait until she calmed down and gently guide her to open up.

“Okay.” Zhang Yan nodded and silently walked into the kitchen.

She tidied up and set the tableware.

The two of them sat facing each other at the small tea table.

Tang Song opened a bottle of apple-flavored cocktail and placed it in front of her with a gentle smile. “I remember you liked apples back in middle school.”

This sentence was like a small stone dropped into an icy lake, sending faint ripples through Zhang Yan’s heart.

She secretly glanced at him, took the cold bottle, and gently clinked it with his.

“Cheers, to your little house, freshly painted.”

“...Thank you.” Zhang Yan whispered back, lowering her head to take a sip of the sweet and sour drink.

They ate quietly. Tang Song picked up a piece of roasted goose for her.

Zhang Yan looked down at the shiny piece of meat in her bowl, mechanically eating it in small bites.

Soon, Tang Song started talking about her high school and university days, mentioning some details that had been rearranged by the “Feather of Memories” and previously overlooked by him.

Listening to him, Zhang Yan’s eyes gradually softened.

A faint smile finally appeared on her tense face.

She carefully picked up some vegetables and offered them to him.

Back and forth like this, amid the aroma of food and the quiet night, the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

After finishing dinner, they cleaned up together.

Sitting back on the small sofa in the living room, they resumed reading the unfinished comic book.

Juzi lightly jumped onto Zhang Yan’s lap, curling into a ball, purring contentedly, occasionally letting out a soft “meow.”

Outside, a gentle drizzle began at some unknown time.

The evening breeze blew through the half-open window, carrying the damp scent of earth, cool and fresh.

Raindrops tapped softly against the window, the lights bright.

A colorful comic book, two people, and a cat.

This scene was as quiet as a softly focused old film frame.

At nine-thirty in the evening,

Having finished volume six of the comic, Tang Song stood up to say goodbye.

“Tomorrow’s Monday. You have to work, right? Get some rest early.”

The words “work” made Zhang Yan’s heart tremble involuntarily.

Yes, the weekend was over.

He had to go back to handle his affairs. He certainly wouldn’t stay in Yangcheng for too long.

She looked at his tall, handsome figure.

In a barely audible, almost self-murmuring voice, she asked, “When... when will you go back to Yancheng?”

Tang Song thought for a moment and replied, “Wednesday or Thursday. There’s still a lot of work to handle in Yancheng.”

The Double Eleven shopping festival was about to start. It was related to his Growth Plan mission, so he definitely had to return.

This trip to Yangcheng was originally for the joint financing deal with Smart Chain Future and to secretly check on Zhang Yan, quietly paving a path for her.

But her letter had changed his plans.

Before leaving, he would make sure Zhang Yan was properly taken care of.

This middle school desk mate was just too fragile.

She was completely different from the “Cinderella” Lele at Yancheng Normal University.

Lele was somewhat insecure but only because she clearly understood the gap in reality, which reflected in her emotions.

In real life, she was very independent, steady inside, positive, and brave.

During university, she could run her own stall and take on various part-time jobs.

In comparison, Zhang Yan was truly fragile from the inside out.

Tang Song was afraid that if he pushed too hard, he might break her completely.

As for how to arrange for Zhang Yan, this matter would probably have to be handled by “Big Sister” Wen Ruan.

Luckily, Xingyun International Group was professionally aligned.

Of course, before that, he had to soothe Big Sister first.

After all, he had dumped another huge problem on her, and he felt a bit embarrassed himself.

Hearing Tang Song’s answer, Zhang Yan was silent for a long time.

She forced out a smile, “Tang Song, then... I wish you success at work, peace, and happiness.”

“Heh, thank you. By the way, it’s raining outside. I’ll take a cab home, no need to see me off tonight.”

Zhang Yan bit her lip and nodded lightly.

They walked to the door.

Tang Song squatted down to pet Juzi, then stood up and looked at Zhang Yan.

“Be careful on the way.”

Zhang Yan finally couldn’t help but lift her head to look into his eyes.

Those eyes were really beautiful, clear and bright, seeming to reflect the shadow of her wolf self.

These past two days, she had deliberately tried not to think too much, letting herself bask in this sudden, unreal happiness and joy.

But her mother’s sudden bad news was like a bucket of ice water, completely waking her up.

He was so outstanding, so remarkable, and by his side was the dazzling Liu Qingning.

Some people, some worlds, were destined to be very far away from her.

She shouldn’t harbor such unrealistic fantasies;

that way, when he left, her heart wouldn’t ache so much.

“Zhang Yan.” Tang Song suddenly called her name.

“Hmm.”

“Reach out your hand.”

Zhang Yan was stunned but still instinctively obeyed, extending her hand.

Tang Song took out an exquisite jewelry box from his pocket and gently placed it in her palm.

“A little gift for you. I hope you like it.”

Zhang Yan held the gift box, her gaze blank.

Then Tang Song stepped forward, opened his arms, and gave her a gentle, brief hug.

“You can message me on WeChat anytime, Zhang Yan.”

Feeling the slightly trembling, fragile body in his arms, Tang Song gently patted her back, then let go.

He grabbed the umbrella by the door, waved at her, and turned to leave.

Zhang Yan’s steps unconsciously followed him out the door.

Standing in the hallway, she watched his figure slowly descend and disappear.

Only when Juzi meowed did she wake from the daze.

Returning to the living room, she closed the door.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the exquisite gift box.

Inside was a pair of small iris-shaped earrings, sparkling brilliantly under the light.

She looked at the earrings, her eyes gradually losing focus.

Recalling everything that had happened these past days—from the dreamlike reunion, eating together, painting walls, to reading comics...

All the suppressed helplessness, sorrow, and emotion finally erupted completely at this moment.

Her lips trembled, and low, restrained sobs echoed through the small living room.

Juzi came over and rubbed its head against her legs, seeming to comfort her.

Zhang Yan crouched down and hugged Juzi tightly.

The sobbing drifted out of the living room, past the freshly painted balcony, and out the window.

Finally, it was shattered by the deep autumn night rain.

Four Seasons Hotel Presidential Suite.

The door was slowly pushed open. Tang Song changed into slippers and walked toward the brightly lit living room.

“Yo, President Tang is finally back?” A lazy, teasing mature female voice floated over.

Looking up, he saw Big Sister sitting on the sofa.

She seemed to have just finished evening exercise, wearing a set of fitness clothes that perfectly outlined her powerful, voluptuous curves.

Her face was covered with a thin layer of sweat, and a few strands of hair at her temples were damp and stuck to her fair cheeks.

They glimmered under the light, making her appear even more alluring and enchanting.

Tang Song came to her side and asked with concern, “When did you get back?”

Earlier, when he asked on WeChat, Big Sister had not told him the exact time, clearly somewhat annoyed.

“Pfft.” Wen Ruan’s peach blossom eyes scanned him mockingly. “Look at our President Tang, so full of himself. Looks like your weekend trip to Yangcheng was quite fruitful!”

Tang Song smiled awkwardly. “Not bad.”

“Heh, I’m the one who’s suffering,” Wen Ruan sighed playfully. “Working hard to ‘console’ his pure and flawless Bai Yueguang in Deep City, only to be openly and covertly tested by her, making me feel like the mistress easily controlled by the legitimate wife.”

“Sorry, Ruan Ruan, thanks for your hard work.”

“Sorry for what?” Wen Ruan feigned surprise and blinked. “Our President Tang is busy running the world. Occasionally, during breaks, he ‘appreciates’ local culture and boosts the local GDP and emotional consumption. It’s a good thing! How could I blame you? I’m proud of you!”

“Heh...” Tang Song looked guilty at her sarcastic remarks.

Of course, mainly because he was still hiding Zhang Yan’s matter in his heart. If he said more...

He really wouldn’t know how to explain.

Seeing Tang Song’s guilty expression, Wen Ruan’s mockery faded into a proud smile.

She lazily leaned back on the sofa, stretching her body. Her breathtaking curves looked like a snow-covered mountain range under the warm yellow light.

She extended one smooth foot and lightly tapped his lower belly with her toe, her voice suddenly turning cold.

With a commanding tone, she said, “President Tang, you’re so eloquent. Why are you suddenly playing dumb now?”

Then she slowly spread her long, well-shaped legs and raised her eyebrows teasingly at him.

Tang Song’s throat moved. Looking at this naturally seductive Big Sister before him, his reason instantly collapsed under the flood of desire.

He pounced directly.

“Hey! What are you doing! Get off!”

“You shameless...”

Wen Ruan wanted to play some role-playing fun but quickly realized Tang Song was acting weird tonight.

He was like a crazed warrior.

Outside, the rain had grown heavier, pattering loudly against the glass window.

Wen Ruan’s eyes grew wider and wider, gradually losing focus.

Her mouth spewed incoherent, broken nonsense.

In her daze, she vaguely heard Tang Song’s suppressed, hurried voice near her ear, as if asking for help and mentioning the Yangcheng branch of Xingyun International Group, wanting to introduce some talent to her.

But she couldn’t hear clearly or think, only instinctively responded with “uh-huh, ah-ah.”

November 6, 2023, Monday, overcast.

Early morning, before dawn.

The rain had stopped at some unknown time, leaving only a thin layer of condensation on the glass.

Zhang Yan sat up on the bed, hugging her knees, quietly lost in thought.

Outside, the sky gradually shifted from dark blue to grayish white.

“Ding ding ding—”

A WeChat voice call notification suddenly sounded.

Her body trembled violently, almost instinctively grabbing the phone from the pillow.

[Zhang Lu]

She sighed in relief, but also felt inexplicably lost, and answered the call.

“Hello, Lulu.”

“Hello, Zhang Yan. Did you have a good weekend? I’ve been careful not to bother you.” Lulu’s voice teased lightly.

Zhang Yan bit her lip and softly replied with a “Mm.”

“I have a second interview at Xingyun International this morning. Not sure when it will end.” Lulu continued, her voice brimming with excitement and nervousness. “By the way, I’ve organized the report from the last business trip and put it in the shared cloud drive. If you have time this morning, you can hand it over to the chubby guy.”

Zhang Yan hesitated, her voice dry, “I... Lulu... I need to take the morning off too.”

“Ah? You already asked for leave?” ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by NovєlFіre.net

“No, not yet.”

“I took sick leave yesterday with a salary deduction. That fat guy grudgingly approved it. If you suddenly ask for leave now, he probably won’t approve it and will find ways to make things difficult.”

Zhang Yan pressed her lips, “It’s okay.”

“Then... Zhang Yan, it’s best to keep your options open. At least stay until the 15th of this month and pay social security before leaving, right? Don’t be too impulsive.”

“I really have something urgent.”

“What is it?”

Zhang Yan hesitated for a moment, then quietly said, “My mother is sick. I have to accompany her to the hospital for tests.”

“Ah?! Auntie is sick? What kind of illness? Is it serious?” Lulu’s voice instantly grew anxious.

“I don’t know yet.”

Hearing the obvious trembling in her voice, Lulu seemed to understand.

She decisively said, “Then just take leave. This is a huge matter! Don’t care if he approves or not! If necessary, we’ll quit this lousy job!”

“Mm.”

“I won’t disturb you then. Keep in touch. If you need me, I’ll come find you right after my interview.”

The call ended.

Zhang Yan looked at the time, opened DingTalk, and expressionlessly submitted her leave application.

Then she began to numbly prepare herself.

Washing up and changing clothes, she didn’t even eat, just mechanically fed Juzi cat food and water.

When she grabbed the half-worn backpack, her gaze couldn’t help but fall on the bedside table, on the exquisite jewelry box.

Her footsteps echoed hollowly in the dilapidated hallway.

Going downstairs, the moist breeze blew in her face.

She looked up at the gloomy sky, didn’t pause for a moment, and strode forward.

The breeze lifted the hair at her collarbone, outlining her slender, lonely silhouette against the gray background.

Yucai Middle School East Campus, Junior High Section.

Zhang Yan handed her ID through the small window of the guard’s room and wrote her information and the name of the person she was visiting, Chen Shuangshuang, in the visitor log.

She entered smoothly.

She had been here several times before, having earned some money and wanting to improve her relationship with this “younger sister,” buying her gifts.

The campus was quiet, with only the sound of reading drifting from the windows.

Passing through the tree-lined corridors, she found the second-year teaching building and came to the classroom where her sister was.

She quietly stood in the shadow of the hallway waiting.

After an unknown amount of time, the harsh bell rang for class dismissal.

The classroom door opened, and students in blue and white uniforms poured out in small groups.

Zhang Yan’s gaze quickly searched through the noisy crowd and soon found the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar figure.

Chen Shuangshuang had grown taller since the last time they met. Her hair was tied in a simple ponytail, and her face still bore traces of childhood innocence.

She wasn’t laughing or playing with classmates but silently walked out alone, clutching her backpack.

Their eyes met in the air.

Chen Shuangshuang’s steps paused, and she quickly approached Zhang Yan. Her lips were tightly sealed, not saying a word, but her eyes gradually reddened.

“Let’s go. We need to ask for leave.”

Zhang Yan accompanied her to the homeroom teacher’s office, explained the situation, and used her own ID as guarantee to successfully get Chen Shuangshuang’s leave approved.

Throughout the process, Chen Shuangshuang remained unusually silent.

The two walked out of the school gate, one after the other, in silence.

Only when they stood on the roadside waiting for a bus did Zhang Yan finally speak, “Which hospital?”

“The First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Pharmaceutical Sciences.”

“Which department?”

Chen Shuangshuang’s shoulders trembled violently, her voice breaking as she squeezed out three words, “Oncology department.”

Zhang Yan instantly felt cold all over. “Oncology? Cancer?”

“Mm.” Chen Shuangshuang nodded, choking back tears. “Yesterday Chen Yao came back. She said she’ll accompany Mom to the hospital today. She definitely... doesn’t want Mom to be treated! That’s why I called you.”

Chen Yao was her older half-sister who had just graduated from university.

Zhang Yan knew a bit about the conflicts in this blended family.

Because of the age gap and different mothers, those two older siblings were always wary of Chen Shuangshuang and her mother.

Especially since her mother often sent living and support money, even secretly sent her large sums after she had become an adult.

This had been discovered by the others.

Once, Chen Yao even called specifically to scold her.

Looking at the frightened Chen Shuangshuang before her, Zhang Yan’s sense of responsibility as an older sister immediately overpowered all her panic and fear.

She gritted her teeth and said firmly, “It’s okay. Tumors can also be benign. Let’s go and take a look first. It might not be that bad.”

Chen Shuangshuang looked at her silently, lowered her head, and followed her into a taxi.

She was a sensitive and intelligent girl, much more mature than her peers because of the complicated family situation.

She knew her brother Chen Bingwen was about to get married and the family was already financially tight.

If her brother’s fiancée found out about this, the wedding would definitely be called off immediately.

Her mother’s serious illness would be a disaster for their family. The father would definitely back down to protect his son’s major event.

Those two siblings with no blood relation would want to “cut ties” with her mother immediately.

She didn’t want to lose her mother.

But she was only a fifteen-year-old junior high school student, powerless, and nobody took her seriously.

At this moment, the only person she could think of and rely on was this “sister” who had always rejected her but shared the same blood.

The taxi crawled through the congested city traffic.

After more than ten minutes, they finally arrived outside the hospital’s main gate.

The two quickly walked into the outpatient building.

The hospital was crowded on Monday, the air filled with the smell of disinfectant and the noise of people.

Zhang Yan’s hands and feet were cold, lips dry.

She tightly held Chen Shuangshuang’s hand, consulted at the information desk, and took the elevator toward the oncology department.

Starting from the internal oncology department, they searched one room after another.

Soon Chen Shuangshuang grabbed her arm and said urgently, “There!”

Zhang Yan looked toward the voice and saw her mother’s thin and weak body slumped on the corner bench of the second department, coughing violently but suppressing it.

Uncle Chen sat beside her, head lowered, silent, his expression dark and frightening.

Fashionably dressed Chen Yao stood before them, holding a stack of test reports and CT scans, loudly talking.

Zhang Yan pushed through the crowded people, struggling to get closer.

As she approached, Chen Yao’s cold and harsh voice gradually pierced her ears.

“The doctor was very clear. Your condition, if you want the best CAR-T cell therapy, it will cost 1.3 million yuan, and it might not even cure completely. The follow-up costs are unknown.”

“Even if you take oral immunomodulators plus monoclonal antibody treatment, it will still cost around 100,000 to 200,000 yuan a year!”

“My brother is about to get married! The bride price and dowry have been negotiated. They are just waiting for the wedding banquet.”

“If they find out we have such a deadly problem, will the marriage still happen? Who will own the house then? Everything will be meaningless!”

“This is... cancer! Lymphoma!”

The two words “cancer” struck like a bolt from the blue, shattering Zhang Yan’s last shred of hope.

Her mind exploded with a loud bang, and she nearly fell to her knees.

She looked at her mother, weakened and tortured by pain.

Her rationality collapsed at this moment.

“Mom—”

She rushed forward fiercely, pushed past Chen Yao, and tightly embraced her mother’s frail body.