Qin Song sneered again, "You think I want to help you? If it weren't for Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother being busy watching over our brother, I wouldn't have come at all."
Gu Yan's heart skipped a beat. "What's wrong with Liang Feifan?"
"It's nothing," Qin Song said with his usual devilish smile, "I'm just about to die."
Hospital
"It's nothing," Chen Yubai said. "Working eighteen hours a day, with only a cup of black coffee for three meals a day, it's not easy to have lasted this long. It's really nothing, I didn't tell anyone, so just pretend you don't know." He casually fiddled with his silver cuffs, occasionally glancing at Gu Yan's expression, a profound smile on his face. "Besides, Liang's business has been booming these past two months, expanding into many new areas. It's rare to see you so career-minded, which is great. Don't worry, you're on IV fluids every day, you should be able to hold on for a few more weeks."
How could it not be a problem?! Gu Yan's face paled slightly. She wanted to ask, what is this? Is he torturing himself?
But it's no longer her place to ask about his affairs.
Last night, after I got home, I thought about it for a long time and still couldn't let it go. I cursed myself for being so pathetic while looking for Siji, but Chen Yubai answered the phone and said that my brother's blood type was special and Ji Nan was a perfect match. He gave my brother a blood transfusion and then went to rest.
She got dressed and went out the door. Remembering his ruthless expression that night, she hardened her heart. With so much energy, he wouldn't die anytime soon.
I arranged to meet Chen Yubai at noon today.
"I have to go back. He can't have IV fluids today. The doctor said he has to eat through his nose. I have to go see him. I heard it's very painful. They're too soft-hearted and might not be able to hold him down." Chen Yubai delivered a strong dose of medicine without leaving a trace.
Sure enough, Gu Yan caught up before they had taken two steps.
“I’ll go see him,” she said softly.
Chen Yubai wanted to tease her a little more, but his older brother's situation was indeed not optimistic, and he was the type to change his mind at any time, so he decided to take him there quickly.
"go out."
My hearing was indeed weak and feeble, but the atmosphere was still icy cold, and the entire floor was several degrees colder than other places.
Liang Feifan leaned against the bed, his white shirt yellowed and several buttons missing, seemingly the same one he had worn that day. His chin was slightly bluish, and there were dark shadows under his eyes; he looked more haggard than ever before.
Chen Yubai took her to the hospital, handed her over to Ji Nan, and then disappeared. He was probably afraid that Gu Yan would turn against him if she didn't see the nasal tube or something. Actually, she had a rough idea that they were lying to her, but she just wanted to come and see.
Even though it was a hospital, the bedside table was still piled high with documents. Gu Yan picked up a stack and cleared a space to sit down.
Liang Feifan felt the mattress sink and opened his eyes with displeasure. Upon seeing her, his expression shifted rapidly: disbelief, surprise, elation, hesitation, before finally settling into indifference. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Chen Yubai said you're dying, I want to see if you're really dead." Gu Yan's tone was anything but gentle.
"Big brother, Xiaoyan." Ji Nan knocked on the door, came in carrying a plate, and handed it to Gu Yan. "The doctor said that if you fast for too long, you can only drink this."
Gu Yan nodded silently.
"Take it away." Liang Feifan glanced at the white porridge with disgust, then closed his eyes again. "Call Rong Er in. Where did you get the documents from that place that took so long?"
"Do you have any candy?" Gu Yan ignored their conversation and asked Ji Nan.
Ji Nan was taken aback. "I'll go find it."
She actually found some white sugar, took it, and carefully mixed it into the white porridge. "Open your mouth," she commanded matter-of-factly.
Liang Feifan sat halfway down and gave her a cold look. She glared back without flinching.
After a while, the man on the hospital bed snorted and awkwardly turned his face away, "I don't want to eat sweets."
Ji Nan swallowed hard. What was this? —Huh? He realized what was happening and exclaimed, "I'll go get someone to make something salty. Wait a minute, brother."
"What are you picking and choosing for? Hurry up and eat!" Gu Yan urged impatiently, "Open your mouth—ah—"
Liang Feifan snorted again, and Ji Nan felt a chill run down his spine. Just as he was thinking of making things easier, Liang Feifan actually opened his mouth.
Ji Nan's eyes could only be described as horrified. Gu Yan finished feeding him a bowl of porridge with slight impatience, took a tissue and wiped his mouth casually. "Rest for a while." She pulled out the pillow behind him and laid it flat, then pulled the silent Liang Feifan down. "Go to sleep."
Ji Nan mechanically walked out of the room, and after crossing the corridor, Rong Yan grabbed him and pulled him over. Li Weiran was the most anxious and came up to him and asked, "How is it? Is everything alright? My wife told me to keep a close eye on Sister Yan."
"Damn it! All you ever think about is your wife, you never even ask if your brother has eaten." Qin Song complained.
Li Weiran glanced at him smugly, "You're thinking about my wife, aren't you? My wife doesn't care about you."
Qin Song was stung by his words and immediately attacked, the two of them wrestling. Even Chen Yubai, the most composed man, couldn't help but kick them both away, shouting, "What's going on! Fourth Brother?"
Ji Nan came to his senses and said, "Brother ate and went to sleep."
"What?!" Rong Yan was shocked. The five of them took turns knocking Liang Feifan unconscious, but they couldn't get him to eat a single grain of rice. This Gu Yan is a god!
"Just like that, she said—'Open your mouth, sleep.' My brother was like a switch had been flipped. He would open his mouth when Xiaoyan fed him, and lie down to sleep when she pulled him. He was already asleep when I came out." Ji Nan was also stunned and speechless. These past few months had driven them all crazy, but it turned out that it was such a trivial matter for Gu Yan!
Chen Yubai adjusted his glasses. He had said he was going to find Gu Yan, but these people just didn't dare. "Everyone, disperse. There's nothing to worry about for now. Sixth Brother, bring some easily digestible food later. I must be hungry now that I'm awake."
Pursue
Liang Feifan woke up twelve hours later. He had slept a long and deep sleep, without a single dream. Occasionally, he would regain a little consciousness, tighten his grip on the person in his arms, and then drift back to sleep.
Finally, he felt like waking up. He opened his eyes and saw Gu Yan glaring at him impatiently.
He held half of her body in his arms, and every time she struggled, he would try to wake her up. Ji Nan and the others were practically begging her on their knees, "Brother hasn't had a full night's sleep in so many days. Even when Lao Liu gave him half a bottle of sleeping pills, he didn't sleep as soundly as he does now. Please, just stay still. We'll bring you whatever you need."
What do I need? Sleeping, eating, reading, and going online are no problem, but what about going to the toilet?
In the end, they had to ask the nurse to bring in a bedpan. Gu Yan became increasingly angry. He, a patient, was sleeping soundly, so why was she the one using the bedpan?
"Awake?" She was initially furious, but seeing his unusually dazed expression after just waking up, she thought about how they had shared a bed for so many years, and how he was always the one to wake her first in the morning, prepare a delicious breakfast, and then wake her up. She rarely saw him like this.
Liang Feifan looked at her for a while, then smiled.
Gu Yan's grievances, resentment, and inner turmoil vanished with his smile.
"Eat something." She tried to pull away from his embrace, but he grabbed her arm and she couldn't free one hand. She glared at him helplessly, but he looked like a wronged and shameless child. She couldn't help but smile and reached for the call button on the bedside table.
After he finished eating, they urged him to wash up. After changing his clothes and shaving, the handsome, confident, and powerful Liang Feifan was back.
“That’s perfect,” Gu Yan smiled, her eyes crinkling. “Hmm, very handsome.”
After buttoning the last button, Liang Feifan walked up to her and looked at her intently.
He had regained his strength and his mind was clear. The fact that she was willing to come back and take care of him meant that things weren't beyond repair between them. After he had done such a cruel thing, she still cared about his life or death. He knew what that meant.
"I'm sorry," Liang Feifan said with utmost sincerity and earnestness. "Gu Yan, I'm sorry. I apologize to you."
Gu Yan smiled faintly, feigning ignorance as she asked, "Why?"
Liang Feifan remained silent for a long time before finally managing to say, "I'm sorry for being so rough with you..."
"Is this why you haven't been eating, drinking, or sleeping these past few days?"
"Liang Feifan, there's no need to apologize, really. You said it yourself, that night was in exchange for the kindness you showed me before."
Liang Feifan's face was filled with resentment and regret; those were the most regrettable words he had ever uttered in his life. He had no explanation to offer. "I'm sorry," he repeated over and over.
"Just because you apologize, does that mean nothing ever happened?"
"cannot."
"Me too."
Looking at her calm and resolute expression, Liang Feifan felt a sense of despair.
"Don't hurt yourself anymore. Eat and sleep well, okay?" Gu Yan said softly. "There's something I said to Fang Yicheng, and I'll say it to you now: I want to live independently, learn to think, and know what I want. So, don't let the past bother me."
Liang Feifan pressed her lips together, unsure what to say, her face growing increasingly somber. Was he going to become her past?
How could you do that!
"I truly cannot forgive you for what you did to me. However, I will never forget the kindness you showed me. You say it can be offset, but how can it really be offset between us?"
"Between us—so, do I still have a chance?" Liang Feifan asked in a hoarse voice.
"I don't know," Gu Yan smiled. "I haven't decided yet."
A glint flashed in Liang Feifan's eyes. After thinking for a long time, he gave a wry smile and said, "I'm so old, and I still have to learn how to chase girls."
Gu Yan chuckled.
Seeing her trying not to laugh, Liang Feifan took her hand seriously and pressed it against his chest. "Miss Gu Yan, can you feel it? I like you."
Gu Yan burst out laughing. This man!
The next morning, flowers were delivered as soon as I entered the office. Ninety-nine champagne-colored roses, a huge bouquet.
The little devil clutched her heart and cried out, "Falling in love with you is the greatest happiness of my life, missing you is my sweetest pain, I am devoted to only you—how romantic!"
"Where?" Gu Yan thought there was a card in the flower that said that.
"You don't even know the meaning of champagne roses..." Little Demon rolled her eyes, continuing to bask in her admiration, "Gu Yan, your boyfriend is so romantic!"
Romance? Gu Yan thought about him frowning as he said, "I'm so old, and I still have to learn how to pursue girls." She couldn't help but laugh.
Liang Feifan's call came shortly after.
"Did you receive the flowers?" Liang Feifan stood at the window. The weather was lovely today, and he was in an exceptionally good mood.
"Hmm. The flowers are beautiful, thank you."
"Well—for the sake of this beautiful bouquet of flowers, would Miss Gu do me the honor of having lunch with me?"
"But I made an appointment with Qin Sang—Li Weiran's Qin Sang. What a coincidence, she works with me."
"Oh, I see. So, what about dinner?"
"The company has a dinner party."
"Miss, you're busier than I am, the CEO."
"Sir, pursuing a girl requires patience."
The two laughed together on the other end of the phone. It was early summer, the restlessness of spring had passed, and everyone was making preparations for the upcoming summer. The weather was still cool with a hint of heat. People were happiest at this time, wearing light clothes and with expectant hearts.
"To accommodate Miss Gu's busy schedule, I need to revise my schedule. Well then, Miss Gu, goodbye?"
"Well, goodbye, Mr. Liang."
Gu Yan hung up the phone and raised her hand to touch the corners of her upturned lips. She hadn't experienced much love, but she knew what this heartfelt joy and anticipation was probably for.
Life is already so hard, why make it harder on yourself? Isn't it better to live and love according to your heart?
Okay, I'll give it a try.