C13 Meeting in the Hospital

Dawn of the next day.

Pei Xiu stepped out the door, her long white dress billowing around her. She exuded an effortless elegance, reminiscent of a celestial being.

Lin Hao caught sight of her and was momentarily spellbound.

"Pei, Ms. Pei... Good morning."

He offered an awkward smile, his mind flashing back to the events of the previous night.

A blush tinged Pei Xiu's cheeks, though she maintained a composed demeanor and smiled. "After your call this morning, I took Ling to Mrs. Chen's place downstairs. She's kindly offered to look after her!"

"Great, we should get going then!" Lin Hao said cheerfully.

He turned to head downstairs but noticed Pei Xiu hadn't moved.

"What's up?" he asked, looking back at her.

Biting her lip, Pei Xiu hesitated. "Hao, this illness... it's going to be expensive, and I..."

"Don't worry about it, I've got it covered!" Lin Hao reassured her with a grin.

He wasn't flush with cash, but he could manage to scrape together a substantial amount. Besides, with the miraculous monitor in his possession, making money was hardly a challenge.

"But..."

Pei Xiu had been wrestling with her doubts all morning.

"Come on, let's get going!" Lin Hao urged, his patience wearing thin. He took hold of Pei Xiu's wrist and led her downstairs.

Trailing behind him, Pei Xiu felt her pulse quicken as Lin Hao clasped her hand.

Their descent and the drive that followed drew many curious glances.

Upon reaching the hospital, Pei Xiu's anxiety intensified.

She followed Lin Hao through a battery of tests. The results confirmed the monitor's diagnosis, yet the doctor's grave tone made it sound like a death sentence, causing Pei Xiu's heart to race with worry.

"People these days really lack health awareness. Don't they understand the importance of annual check-ups?"

"Lucky for you, we caught this early. It could have been much worse."

The attending physician gave Pei Xiu a once-over before turning his attention to Lin Hao.

"Here, go settle the bill. I'll have the nurse arrange her admission."

The doctor's directive took Pei Xiu aback. She asked anxiously, "Doctor, could I... perhaps just take some medication home instead of being admitted?"

"Hmm?" The attending physician furrowed his brow. "Do you think cancer is like catching a cold? To beat this, you need to follow my instructions!"

In his fifties, the attending physician's words might have carried a hint of alarm, but he was a competent and caring doctor. Noticing Pei Xiu's simple attire, he understood her concerns and reassured her, "Don't worry about the cost of hospitalization. It's affordable. I'll take your situation into account and ensure you get the treatment you need." Pei Xiu bowed in gratitude.

"Ms. Pei, I'll handle the payment. Just wait here for me, okay?" Lin Hao said before dashing off.

Pei Xiu, lacking social security, faced the higher upfront deposit required for cancer treatment. After Lin Hao put down a fifty-thousand-yuan deposit, he located Pei Xiu's private room. Upon entering, he caught her quickly wiping away tears with her sleeve, a private moment of sorrow.

"Ms. Pei..."

"Hao, how much did it cost? I... I'll write you an IOU. When I have the money, I'll..."

"Don't worry about it; it wasn't much," Lin Hao reassured her with a smile, approaching her bedside.

He gently patted her shoulder, "Ms. Pei, focus on getting better. I'll take care of Ling in the meantime. And as for the money, you've got me to rely on."

Overwhelmed, Pei Xiu turned and embraced him, her voice muffled, "How can I ever repay you? You should be saving for your future, not spending on me..."

"What future wife?" Lin Hao let out a wry laugh. "Lee Ruolan's gone. I'm on my own now, and the money I earn is just sitting there. Using it to help you get well—that's what gives it value."

"You two split up?" Pei Xiu asked, astonished.

"We did. It's over for good," Lin Hao confirmed with a bitter smile.

"Now that I'm a free man, I can spend my money however I please. So don't you worry about a thing."

"Just focus on your recovery. I need to head back, but I'll pick up Ling later. I've arranged for the nurse to bring you lunch, so there's no need for you to go anywhere. And later, I'll come by with some fruit for you."

Lin Hao rose to his feet, signaling his intent to depart.

As he neared the door, Pei Xiu's voice softly broke the silence, "Hao..."

"What is it?" Lin Hao turned back.

Pei Xiu's expression twisted with hesitation before she finally spoke, "Nothing, just... drive safely, okay?"

Lin Hao nodded, exited the ward, and gently closed the door behind him.

Pei Xiu let out a conflicted sigh, "If... if you wouldn't mind, I'd be willing to be your woman, even if only as your lover..."

...

Lin Hao had left the ward, unaware of Pei Xiu's whispered confession. As he was about to retrieve his car, a commotion nearby halted him.

"Uncle Lee?" The voice was unmistakable—it had to be Lee Guangrui's.

He followed the sound and shouldered his way through the onlookers.

"Mr. Lee, please calm down, there's no need to get worked up!"

Nurses were trying to soothe him.

Lin Hao spotted Zhou Ya on the ground, struggling to rise with one hand.

Lee Guangrui, wielding his cane, dismissed a nurse with a wave and pointed the cane at Zhou Ya, accusingly, "I've been good to you. Why do you want to harm me?"

"Everything you have—your food, your home, even your clothes—I provided for you. You... you ungrateful wretch, how can you treat me this way?"

Lin Hao quickly grasped the situation.

Zhou Ya managed a strained smile as she got to her feet, "Lee Guangrui, I don't understand what you're implying. The doctor said your condition is due to organ failure, not something I've caused!"

"Still denying it?" Lee Guangrui clenched his jaw, cane raised as if to strike again.

Lin Hao intervened without hesitation.

"Uncle Lee, stop—"

His concern wasn't for Zhou Ya's safety; it was that Lee Guangrui's condition remained undiagnosed, and any further violence would surely attract police attention.

Lee Guangrui, seeing Lin Hao, faltered, "You..."

"Uncle Lee, focus on getting better in the hospital for now. As for this matter... I'll return tonight with an answer."

Lin Hao glanced at the nurses and gave a subtle nod of his chin.

They caught on quickly and began assisting Lee Guangrui as they made their way to a more distant spot.

He watched Lin Hao with an intense, mixed look before finally speaking, "Hao, I'll be waiting for you."

Once Lee Guangrui had moved off, Lin Hao turned to Zhou Ya, "Sister Zhou, can we... step outside for a talk?"

Zhou Ya met his gaze, her eyes complex, a cryptic smile playing at her lips. After a moment, she gave a slight nod.

She trailed behind Lin Hao, weaving through the bystanders, until they reached the parking lot.

"You're the one who told him, aren't you?" Lin Hao ventured.

Out of nowhere, the clicking of high heels on pavement ceased. Then, a phrase floated back to him, prompting a wry smile to spread across his face.