Yibo moved closer, crouched down beside Zhan, and asked softly,
"What do you want, Baby?"
Zhan stayed quiet, staring at him while breathing shallowly. Lan Yi rose from her chair and walked to the window, turning her face away. Her worry had made her lose weight...she could hardly eat, watching the condition her son was in.
When Zhan still didn't respond, Yibo took his hand.
"Talk to me, Baby. What is it? What do you want?"
Tears welled in Zhan's eyes. His voice trembled as he whispered,
"Gege… I just want to ask Dr. Kexing for forgiveness. I feel like I'm going to die…"
Yibo leaned in to catch the words, then froze, staring at Zhan. He shook his head in panic.
"No, Baby, don't say that. Stop calling death to yourself. If you die, what will happen to us? I can't lose you. You're strong....you'll get better, I promise."
Zhan rested his head on Yibo's shoulder, crying softly.
"I'm always struggling to breathe, Gege. I can't do anything by myself. My body gets weaker every day. I can't even stand… I feel like I'm dying. I want everyone to forgive me…"
Lan Yi's tears flowed silently as she watched them from across the room. Yibo said nothing, only held Zhan tighter. Zhan didn't realize Yibo was forcing himself to be strong for his sake. Inside, Yibo felt like collapsing too, but he couldn't let his pain show. He had to stay by Zhan's side.
Zhan wept, his chest heavy, while Yibo tried to steady him, gently patting his back. After a long silence, Yibo finally managed to whisper,
"You'll recover, Baby. I promise…"
Zhan shook his head weakly. "But I want to speak with him, Gege. Even my friend Ji Li…"
Yibo couldn't bring himself to answer. He helped Zhan lie back down, then stood abruptly and walked out of the ward.
Lan Yi remained, watching her son with aching helplessness. If she could take away all his pain and bear it herself, she would. Tears kept falling. She knew they would survive this trial the way they had survived others before.
The door opened and the MD stepped in. He glanced at Lan Yi wiping her eyes, then at Zhan crying on the bed. Lowering his voice, he said,
"Ma'am, may I have a word with you outside?"
Lan Yi followed him into the corridor, still brushing away tears.
He looked at her seriously. "Crying constantly like this doesn't help him. You need to be strong. He will recover fully...you must believe that."
Lan Yi broke down again. "Doctor, how can I stop crying? He keeps saying he's going to die. How can I rest? He's all we have, my son!" She sobbed harder.
The MD leaned against the wall, watching her silently until she calmed a little. Then he said gently,
"He won't die. This is happening because he spent too long in ICU. His body is adjusting, but he will gradually regain his strength. What he needs now is peace of mind. If possible, let an aunt or one of his brothers stay with him while you rest. You're exhausted too."
Lan Yi shook her head quickly. "No, I'll stay. I can handle it. I'll be with my son."
The MD paused, then nodded. "Alright. Then let me speak with him."
She agreed softly, then sat down in the corridor with her face in her hands.
The MD returned to the ward, closing the door behind him. He walked to Zhan's bed. Zhan turned his eyes away, breathing unevenly.
The MD leaned closer, speaking gently.
"Other than your chest pain and weakness, is there anywhere else you feel discomfort?"
Zhan shook his head without meeting his gaze.
"Then why do you keep saying you're going to die?" the MD asked quietly. "Your brothers need you. Your parents can't live without you. And me....who would I scold if you're gone?" He ended with a playful smile.
Zhan finally lifted his big eyes to look at him, pouting a little. The MD chuckled softly.
"Listen, people don't die until their time comes. You didn't die in the ICU, and you won't die here either. You're not leaving us. Think about your parents, your brothers, your relatives, your friends… and...."
He broke off deliberately. Zhan just kept staring at him.
The MD straightened slowly. ".....and your new pesky…"
Zhan brushed away the tears on his cheeks but said nothing.
The MD lowered his voice with a faint smile.
"You'll grow stronger. You'll live to get married, raise your children, and fulfill all your beautiful dreams."
Zhan lifted his head briefly to look at the MD, then lowered it again. The MD turned and left the ward. As soon as Lan Yi saw him step out, she rose to her feet. He walked closer to her and said gently,
"Please, Ma'am, try to reduce the crying in front of him. Always speak encouraging words....those will help him more than tears."
Lan Yi nodded faintly. "Alright, Doctor. Thank you."
He gave a small smile and walked away, leaving her to return to the ward.
- - - -
That evening, around five o'clock, Zhan was sitting up while Hai Kuan sat beside him, helping him drink tea from a cup. Lan Yi was seated quietly on a chair nearby when Lee and Granny Ai entered the ward.
Granny Ai pulled off her scarf and tossed it onto a chair. She hurried toward Zhan and exclaimed,
"Oh, my poor boy! A whole week I've been here in this city, and they wouldn't let me come see you. Even today, I had to sneak along with Lee.... nobody knows I'm here."
Her voice cracked as she burst into tears, clutching her head.
"It's too much! I swear, if not for Yibo's cleverness in handling Min to the authorities quietly, who knows what would have happened? If it had been someone else, he might have beaten her half to death and twisted the blame on him!"
Zhan lowered his gaze. The noise was pounding in his head, making him dizzy. Since leaving the ICU, he couldn't stand loud voices....every burst of noise brought stabbing pain to his skull. Lan Yi wanted to hush Granny Ai but didn't know how to begin.
Lee, meanwhile, had moved straight to the far end of the ward and sat down silently. Granny Ai had dragged him here forcebly, and even Aunty Marquis and the others had no idea she was coming.
Hai Kuan, still holding the half-full teacup, looked at Zhan and asked softly,
"Enough?"
Zhan nodded faintly. Hai Kuan set the cup aside, adjusted his pillows, and helped him lie back. Then he turned toward Granny Ai, who was still crying loudly.
"Please, Granny Ai," Hai Kuan said firmly. "Lower your voice. This is a hospital....there are patients here. That's why visitors aren't allowed freely."
She snapped her head around to glare at him, lips pressed tight in disapproval. Before she could answer, the door opened.
Yibo walked in. Everyone turned to watch him cross the room. Lan Yi looked at the person trailing behind him with surprise, while Granny Ai blinked rapidly, certain her eyes weren't deceiving her. Even Zhan, pale and weak, stared intently until the figure stepped fully inside.
The woman walked first to Lan Yi, bowing her head slightly in greeting. Lan Yi returned the greeting with a searching look. Then she moved toward Zhan's bed, greeting Hai Kuan.
"How are you, Gege?" she asked softly.
"I'm well," he answered politely.
She shifted her gaze to Zhan. "How are you feeling now?"
Zhan dipped his head slightly, avoiding her eyes.
But Granny Ai, already at her limit, dragged a chair over noisily and sat down.
"So tell me, Shu, who on earth guided you here? Did you come just to parade yourself among us? Do you want people whispering in the hospital corridors, pointing fingers at our family? Why couldn't you stay where you belong?"
Shu kept her silence, eyes fixed on Granny Ai, unblinking.
Granny Ai smacked her lips. "Now I won't even know how to walk out of this building. Everyone here has seen you come into this ward....what do you expect them to think? That you're part of our family? While you're not!"
Shu's eyes brimmed with tears. She lowered her head, then suddenly collapsed to her knees before Zhan's bed, sobbing.
"I know I'm the reason for everything that happened to you," she cried. "Because of my selfishness, I ruined your peace. I wish I'd never done those things to you, Zhan. I don't deserve your forgiveness, and I won't even ask for it. I only wish you healing. I hope your life continues to rise and shine. I regret everything, with all my heart. I destroyed your happiness for my own gain…"
Zhan kept his head down, tears slipping from his eyes. Granny Ai suddenly broke into heavy sobs, wailing loudly. Shu, who was already crying hard, stood up abruptly and rushed out of the ward.
Only then did Zhan lift his head, tears still streaming down his face. Lan Yi, seated nearby, held her head in her hands. Slowly, Zhan leaned against Hai Kuan's shoulder, his quiet sobs shaking him. Hai Kuan kept his eyes fixed on the ward's door, not even blinking, but hearing Zhan cry pulled at his chest. At last, he turned and looked at him, lowered his gaze, and wrapped an arm around him in a side hug....silent comfort.
Suddenly, Zhan buried himself against Hai Kuan and broke down completely, crying uncontrollably. Yibo, who had been watching, dropped his gaze and quietly left the ward, the sound of Zhan's cries following him deep into his soul.
Moments later, Dr. Han entered the ward, taking in the scene.
"Please, please," he said firmly. "He doesn't need all this noise around him. Given his condition, only one person should stay inside with him. The ward shouldn't be this crowded, and visiting hours ended long ago."
Granny Ai wiped her tears and glared at him.
"What kind of nonsense hospital is this? I've never seen such unfair treatment in my life! Since when do people treat others like nobodies, throwing us around as if we don't matter? Don't you know who Qiren is in this city? We are not people you can just brush aside. We're upset because of everything that's happened, and instead of understanding, you insult us. Eight whole days I've been in this town, begging to see him, and now that I finally get inside, you tell me to leave? Who do you think you are? Since when do hospitals treat people like prisoners? What is this nonsense?!"
Dr. Han, staring at her in silence, finally turned and left. Lan Yi, already on edge, felt so embarrassed she could hardly breathe...she didn't know where to put herself. Hai Kuan looked away, while Granny Ai clicked her tongue, fuming.
"Imagine that useless doctor daring to talk back to me! What, does he own this hospital?"
Dr. Han walked straight to the MD's office. At the doorway, he met the MD coming out.
"What time is his injection scheduled?" the MD asked.
"Sir, you need to talk to his family," Dr. Han replied, clearly frustrated. "If they keep stressing that boy like this, he won't recover. They're traumatizing him instead of helping. And why are security even letting so many people in? Visiting hours ended at three, yet I could hear that old woman's voice all the way in the corridor as if it were a marketplace. What if the CEO had shown up?"
The MD frowned. "I'll talk to his mother. From now on, no more visits until he fully recovers. The CEO is actually on her way here right now."
Dr. Han, standing by, nodded. "That's best, Sir. Please speak to the mother." With that, he left.
The MD headed downstairs to check on a patient who had undergone surgery that morning. On his way, from a distance, he spotted Dr. Kexing. They locked eyes, neither blinking, until Dr. Kexing drew closer. He adjusted his cap and walked past the MD.
"Good evening," he said casually without stopping.
"Where are you coming from?" the MD asked, his voice sharp.
"Beijing," Dr. Kexing replied as he kept walking.
The MD's eyes widened when he saw the woman entering the reception area. He hurried toward her, surprise all over his face.
"Mom? What are you doing here?"
Wu looked him up and down. "Daddy, you told me you were in Chengdu when we talk on the phone earlier…"
He rubbed his forehead. "Yes, Mom, I came back earlier. But what are you doing in this city?"
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Author
Surprise or confuse? 😂 Let me explain : MD was Daddy, Dr Kexing elder brother, same mother and father. I hope you remember him, the one doesn't approve of Dr Kexing marrying Zhan, earlier part 1 chapters.
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Wu let out a long sigh. "We came for a visit, Daddy. I was surprised when I found out it was this hospital. That's why I called you earlier, asking if you were in Guangzhou, and you said you went to Chengdu."
The MD rubbed his forehead. "Let's go to my office first so you can have some water, Mom."
Wu's eyes, however, were on Dr. Kexing, who was seated in reception, dialing Yibo's number. "No, Daddy. Let's see the patient first."
"All right," the MD said. "What ward number did they give you?"
Wu replied, "Kexing will call his brother now. It was difficult enough to get in....visiting isn't allowed until two days from now. They only let us through because Kexing insisted we had to see a doctor. He even tried your number, but you didn't answer."
The MD glanced at Dr. Kexing. "Oh, I see. My phone is in my office. So… he still has my number."
Wu frowned. "What kind of thing is that to say, Daddy?"
The MD sighed. "When was the last time he even called me? He's been cold to me ever since that broken engagement, as if I was the one who ruined it. Why didn't he try to investigate the background of the boy family before blaming me? You see, Mom, we're not the ones at fault."
Wu shook her head. "This isn't the place to have that conversation. Whatever the case, he's your younger brother, and nothing can change that. You should've at least shown some sympathy back then. He told me you never once called after everything happened...and that's really not good of you. If his own brother doesn't stand by him, then who will?"
Before the MD could answer, Yibo walked into the reception. Dr Kexing Ignoring the discussion between his mother and brother, he wave at Yibo, Yibo headed straight toward Dr. Kexing. They shook hands, silent but deliberate. Wu glanced at the MD. "I believe that's his elder brother."
The MD studied Yibo with confusion. Yibo then joined them, and after Dr. Kexing explained they had come with his mother, Yibo politely greeted her. Wu responded warmly, asking with concern, "How is he doing?"
Yibo replied, "He's improving. Come, let's go inside."
Wu gave the MD a meaningful look. He, still tangled in confusion, trailed after them as Yibo led the way toward Zhan's ward.
The moment they entered, Zhan's eyes locked on Dr. Kexing behind them. Slowly, he pushed himself upright, never looking away. Dr. Kexing, too, couldn't stop staring. The MD stood frozen at the door, unsure whether to step inside. Rarely in his life had he felt so unsettled...not since the day Zhan was first admitted.
Lan Yi rose to her feet as Wu approached with a bright smile. She offered her a chair and welcomed her warmly. Wu returned the greeting before turning to Granny Ai, who was perched noisily on her chair. Granny Ai muttered, "Well, you're lucky they even let you in. Visiting hours ended long ago, though of course they'll make exceptions for some people."
Wu smiled faintly. "It was indeed difficult to get through, Mama. How is he doing?"
Granny Ai sniffed. "Much better, as you can see. He can sit up on his own now. Though his speech is still faint, at least this is a proper hospital. If it had been one of those cheap clinics, you'd probably be visiting his memorial instead of visiting him."
Wu nodded politely. "That is true. I'm glad he's improving." She turned to Lan Yi, who showed her to a seat. Wu then walked closer to the bed, looking at Zhan with compassion. "Hello, Zhan. How are you feeling?"
He greeted her softly.
"And your strength?" she pressed gently.
He nodded. "Better."
Wu studied him closely, her hand resting lightly on the bedframe. It was her first time seeing him in person, and she couldn't help but stare. Zhan kept his gaze lowered, but Wu didn't look away.
Lan Yi smiled at Dr. Kexing. "How was your journey Dr?"
"With ease," he replied respectfully, before asking, "And how is he?"
"Better," she answered.
Hai Kuan stood and greeted Wu, then exchanged greetings with Dr. Kexing before leaving the ward. Lee also offered his respects from where he sat.
Dr. Kexing moved closer to Zhan's bedside. They kept looking at each other, both silent, the tension heavy in the air. Wu finally sat on the chair Lan Yi had placed for her.
In a low voice, Dr. Kexing asked, "How do you feel?"
Zhan lowered his gaze, unable to answer. Tears welled up in his eyes. Dr. Kexing's own gaze dropped to the floor.
Lan Yi, noticing the MD standing stiffly at the door, quietly approached him. "Doctor, I know this isn't standard hospital policy, but they came all the way from Beijing. If you need to examine him, please come in...we'll step out if necessary."
The MD lowered his eyes but didn't reply. Lan Yi returned inside, preparing to ask Granny Ai and Lee to wait at reception. At that moment, Wu noticed the MD at the door. "Oh, so you followed us, Daddy."
He said nothing and stepped inside. Wu looked at Lan Yi with a small smile. "He's my son. He works here."
At once, Zhan lifted his head, staring at the MD....just as Yibo and even Lan Yi turned to him in shock. The MD dropped his gaze. It was then Lan Yi noticed the striking resemblance between Wu and him. She sat back down slowly, stunned. "Is that true?"
Wu only smiled.
Lan Yi shook her head in disbelief. "What a revelation…"
Zhan couldn't stop staring at the MD, his heart racing. When the MD finally looked back at him, Zhan dropped his head at once. Without a word, the MD turned and left the ward.
Dr. Kexing followed him with his eyes. Lan Yi, still unsettled, muttered, "Unbelievable. He has truly done so much for us since we arrived...always watching over Zhan, making sure he's cared for…"
Dr. Kexing turned his gaze to Zhan, whose body felt cold as countless thoughts swirled in his head. In fact, he couldn't even decide what to think anymore. In a low voice, Dr. Kexing asked, "How are you feeling?"
Zhan only nodded, unable to speak because he was completely unsettled. Gently, Dr. Kexing urged, "Please, say something."
Zhan forced himself to reply softly, "I'm better."
Dr. Kexing couldn't bring himself to say anything further, aware that every pair of eyes in the room was fixed on them....especially Granny Ai, who kept staring at him as if trying to recall where she had seen him before.
The Medical Director returned to his office, sank into his chair, and held his chin, looking utterly confused. His heart pounded as he tried to make sense of things. How exactly did his mother know Zhan and his family? Were they family friends? He finally convinced himself of that explanation...just family friends....and nothing more. For nearly fifteen minutes he sat lost in thought until his phone vibrated on the desk. Slowly glancing at the screen, he saw that it was his mother calling. He answered quietly, "Mom."
Wu's voice came through. "I just left the ward, where are you?"
"I'm in my office....you know where it is, Mom," he replied, lowering his eyes.
"All right, I'm coming up," she said.
Wu glanced at Dr. Kexing, who was waiting in reception because Zhan was scheduled for an injection. That was why she, Granny Ai, and Lee had been asked to step out of the ward. Granny Ai grumbled about how unnecessary it was to send them out just for that, as though they were strangers. Wu ignored her and leaned closer to Dr. Kexing. "Let's go to your brother's office."
"I'll stay here, Mom," Dr. Kexing answered firmly.
"Why? Do you have another brother more important than Daddy? Why are you always like this, Kexing?" Wu pressed.
He said nothing, but when he saw how sharply she was looking at him, he finally stood up and followed her. Together, they climbed upstairs to the MD's office. Wu knocked gently before stepping inside, with Dr. Kexing close behind. The MD watched them approach, then rose from his seat.
Wu settled into a chair. "Please lower the AC, it's too cold."
Dr. Kexing sat, picked up the remote on the small table, lowered the temperature, and set it back down. The MD crossed to the fridge, brought out two cans of drink and two bottles of water, and set them on the table. Wu asked, "How long have he been admitted here?"
"About a week," the MD replied, leaning against his desk with his arms folded. "But how exactly do you know them, Mom? Are they just family friends?"
Wu looked directly at him. "Family friends? No. That boy is the same one Kexing once wanted to marry before things fell apart."
The MD's heart pounded so hard that he gripped the edge of his desk for support. Wu, surprised, asked, "Are you okay?"
Dr. Kexing kept his eyes fixed on the TV in the office, though he was listening carefully. The MD quickly shook his head and forced a reply. "I'm fine, Mom. We've been busy since morning. I'm just exhausted."
"Maybe you should lie down," Wu suggested, still studying him.
He shook his head again and dropped into the chair beside him, resting his head against the backrest. "I'll be fine. It's just stress."
Wu gave a small nod. "All right, take it easy."
Only then did Dr. Kexing turn to glance at him. Wu, still curious, said, "I heard he was poisoned?"
The MD simply nodded, unable to say a word.
Wu sighed. "That poor boy… he has faced so many trials." Then, with sudden realization, she added, "Wait.... wasn't it with you who delivered the price money for his marriage? Don't tell me you've forgotten. If you see his brothers and his father, you'll recognize them don't you?."
The MD shook his head, speechless and confused, unable to form an answer. Seeing how tired he looked, Wu didn't press further. His eyes closed for a moment, head tilted back, his heart still pounding.
Dr. Kexing opened his drink and took a few sips while Wu unscrewed the bottle of water. Two minutes later, the MD's phone buzzed again. Checking the screen, he saw it was the CEO calling. His entire body went tense, as though someone had drained the strength from him.
Dr. Kexing finished his drink and stood. Wu asked, "Are you going back to the ward?"
"No. I'll step out to get something for Zhan first," he replied.
"Fine. But remember, my flight back to Beijing is after six. You'll use your brother's car to drop me at the airport.... thirty minutes from now."
"All right," Dr. Kexing agreed.
He glanced at the MD, who sat staring blankly at the phone call, absentminded, his mind clearly far away. Dr. Kexing stepped closer. "I'll need to use your car."
That finally pulled the MD out of his thoughts. He looked up sharply, then answered the CEO's call before it ended. The CEO said she had just arrived at the hospital and was in her office, asking him to meet her. Once the call ended, the MD grabbed his car keys and handed them to Dr. Kexing without even meeting his eyes.
Dr. Kexing responded and moved toward the door. Wu, still watching the Medical Director, asked, "Daddy, are you sure you're okay?"
He stood quickly, forcing a smile. "Mom, I'm just tired. Our CEO is around... she just called me."
Wu nodded. "All right."
He left the office slowly, his mind elsewhere. By the time he reached the CEO's office, she was on the phone. He lowered his head respectfully and waited until she finished. When she hung up, he greeted her politely. She looked him up and down.
"Are you okay Shen Yi?" she asked.
He nodded, forcing another smile. "Yes, Ma'am."
She picked up a sheet of paper, jotted something down, then handed it to him. "These are the new medications and injections for Zhan. They should begin tomorrow morning."
"Yes, Ma'am," he answered.
She studied him for a few seconds, then asked, "You said the DNA result would be ready today, Shen Yi."
"Yes, Ma'am. It's already out....it's in my office."
She was silent, just staring at him. He stood waiting for her next instruction. Finally, she set her pen down and said quietly, "Bring it to me."
"All right, Ma'am."
He turned and walked out, her eyes following him until he disappeared through the door.
Back in his office, he sat down, confusion written all over his face. Glancing at his Mom, he said slowly, "But Mom, Zhan has parents, even brothers. That other boy, wasn't it said he had no family, no background at all? And this Zhan lives here in Guangzhou…"
Wu, uncertain herself, stayed silent, watching him as though trying to piece something together. The MD shook his head. "Honestly, I think it must just be a resemblance, nothing more… it can't be the same person."
Even as he spoke, he realized how absurd he sounded. Shaking his head again, he stood, picked up the envelope containing the genetic test results the CEO had requested, and left the office. Wu stared after him in surprise until he was gone.
He returned to the CEO's office, placed the envelope on her desk, and said, "Here it is, Ma'am."
She didn't touch it immediately, only stared. "Anything else, Ma'am?" he asked.
"Just wait," she said softly.
"All right, Ma'am."
He moved aside and stood quietly. At last, she picked up the envelope, carefully unsealed it, and pulled out the papers. He watched as she put on her glasses and unfolded the result sheet. To his surprise, her hands trembled. Though she had said it was a family matter, he could tell she was deeply unsettled. Suddenly, she pushed back from the chair, gripping the edge of the desk for support.
Alarmed, he stepped forward. "Is everything all right, Ma'am?"
Tears welled in her eyes as she tore off her glasses. "I need privacy, Shen Yi."
He held her gaze for a moment, then nodded. "All right, Ma'am. Please take care."
He left, glancing back once to see her slip into the adjoining room. Outside, he closed the door, leaned against the wall, and shut his eyes, his heart racing. With effort, he pushed himself away and walked back to his own office.
The moment he entered, Wu stood. "Don't let me miss my flight, Daddy."
Quietly, he replied, "Okay, Mom, is Kexing is back?."
"Yes, he's outside. Let me go say my goodbyes first."
He couldn't bring himself to answer. Together, they returned to Zhan's ward. Wu went straight to the bedside and said gently, "I wish you a quick recovery, Zhan."
Zhan lowered his head without a word. The MD stood nearby, his gaze fixed on Zhan without blinking. Wu reached into her bag, pulled out 5,000 yuan, and placed it by his side. "Use this to buy some fruits."
Lan Yi protested, "You've already done so much. Just your visit alone is enough, Mrs. Wen."
But Granny Ai quickly cut her off. "Don't reject a kind gesture. Accept it with gratitude, that's how it should be."
Wu only smiled. "Exactly, Mama. I'm glad you said that."
In a soft voice, Lan Yi said, "Thank you very much. We are truly grateful. May our bond remain strong."
Wu nodded. "And may Zhan recover fully and be protected."
"Amen," Lan Yi murmured.
Zhan finally lifted his head and met the MD's eyes. The MD hadn't stopped staring at him the entire time. Their gazes locked for a fleeting moment before Zhan quickly looked away.
Lan Yi and Granny Ai then escorted Wu out, leaving Hai Kuan watching quietly as the MD continued to stare at Zhan.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛