Orlan Medical Center, located in A City of the Eastern Continent, is the largest and most authoritative comprehensive medical system in the world, and a sacred place of medicine in the hearts of countless doctors.
Backed by the support of the major financial conglomerates of the Eastern Continent, its medical technology and treatment protocols are also the most advanced. Especially in the fields of oncology, cardiovascular disease, and neuroscience, Orlan Medical Center has achieved exceptionally outstanding research results over the years.
There is a saying that circulates throughout the medical community: if Orlan can't solve a problem, no other hospital can possibly solve it either.
Orlan Medical Center has saved countless patients who had been declared terminally ill, and has resolved numerous rare and complex diseases from around the world. It could be said to be the last hope for countless patients and their families who have nowhere else to turn.
Of course, precisely because of this, the treatment costs at Orlan Medical Center are astronomical. Those who come here for treatment are either wealthy or powerful, because ordinary people simply cannot afford such terrifying prices.
But even in a place that burns money like paper, there are still those who treat money as nothing and stay at Orlan as if it were a hotel. Not only does Orlan provide them with the best care, but it even arranges strict security measures to guarantee their absolute safety.
A black luxury car slid quietly into the depths of the lush greenery. Beads of water like pearls sprayed from a crystal egret fountain, scattering fragments of golden light across the ground as they refracted in the sunlight.
Compared to a hospital, Orlan was more like a beautiful estate, appearing sacred and serene under the sunlight. But upon entering the main building, the cold, pungent smell of disinfectant served as a reminder to visitors that this was no paradise—it was a cruel place where life and death were decided.
Today's visitor was no ordinary person, personally escorted by the head of Orlan Medical Center. Behind him followed a group of bodyguards in black suits, and only after passing through multiple layers of identity verification procedures were they permitted to enter the core ward.
The director spoke with eager deference: "Mr. Gu, current research on coma arousal is mostly focused on neuromodulation techniques. We have already attempted treatment through deep brain stimulation, but the results have been minimal. However, going forward, we—"
The golden-haired young man waved his hand wearily: "I've heard this spiel from you people for so many years now, and I'm tired of it. All of you, get out. I want to spend some time alone with my brother."
The director and bodyguards readily withdrew from the ward.
The golden-haired young man walked to the bedside. This time, when he came to see Gu Ran, he hadn't bought any flowers—he'd just casually picked a few small white wildflowers from the roadside.
He'd originally planned to put the wildflowers in the vase, but seeing the fresh, delicate lilies and daisies already in it, the few wildflowers in his hand suddenly seemed too shabby to offer.
The golden-haired young man thought for a moment, then simply helped himself to a few stems from the vase, replacing them with his own wildflowers. He immediately felt satisfied with the result.
"Brother, I went through the trouble of coming all the way to see you, so it's only fair I take a few flowers with me. You won't be mad at me, will you?"
He said.
The person in the bed didn't answer him.
Well then, that meant he wasn't mad.
Gu Xingye thought.
He felt a bit like laughing. Sometimes he thought he was pretty heartless himself—usually he wouldn't even think to come see Gu Ran once in a month or two, but now that he had something weighing on his mind, he suddenly remembered he had a brother lying in a coma.
"But honestly, coming to see you isn't much use either. You can't give me any advice—you managed to end up in a coma just from being a third wheel."
Gu Xingye said bluntly.
He was especially unrestrained with his words in front of Gu Ran these days. After all, even if Gu Ran was unhappy about it, there was nothing he could do to him.
Gu Xingye could still recall the day he heard the news—the utter bewilderment and disbelief he'd felt.
Among the group who had grown up together, Gu Xingye, Jiang Heng, Duan Lingze, and Yan Yao were the ones who never gave anyone peace of mind, while Gu Ran and Duan Mingxuan were the quintessential "other people's children."
Compared to Duan Mingxuan's cold and arrogant personality, Gu Ran was far more gentle and refined. Although his name contained the character for "fire," he never acted impulsively or let emotions cloud his judgment. He could even set aside emotional interference entirely, always making only the "right" decisions.
Gu Ran was exactly the image of an heir that all the adults favored most.
In Gu Xingye's impression, his cousin had always been indifferent—nothing he particularly liked, nothing he particularly disliked. He was perpetually courteous in his dealings with others. Gu Xingye could hardly recall ever seeing him especially happy or especially angry. He was a thoroughly detached person.
If he appeared in a shoujo manga, Gu Ran would be that classic, flawless "prince-type" protagonist that no one could find fault with.
Then one day, the immaculate "prince" decided he didn't want to be a prince anymore and went off to poach his friend's partner instead.
Gu Xingye had never met the girl, so he'd never been able to understand how the two of them could have turned against a lifelong friend over a woman.
He looked down on such people and would never become one himself.
After all, she was just… a woman.
Thinking this, Gu Xingye lowered his dark lashes slightly, concealing the gloom that flickered through his eyes.
The sky gradually darkened. By the time he lifted his gaze again, he was surrounded by a scene of dazzling neon lights.
His ears were filled with the blaring, tacky dance music, mixed with noisy chatter and chaotic drumbeats. Multicolored lights flashed across the dance floor, turning everyone into grotesque monsters.
Gu Xingye rarely came to places like this. On one hand, because he was a big star and had to avoid crowded areas; on the other hand, even if he wanted to drink or have fun, there were plenty of high-end private clubs for Mr. Gu to choose from.
But tonight, he didn't care about any of that. He sat by the bar in the corner, several empty glasses of whiskey already beside him. Despite drinking this much alcohol, he felt not the slightest hint of intoxication.
He was naturally striking in appearance—even under the dim lighting of a bar, he stood out as exceptionally handsome. Good-looking men and women always drew attention, and a handsome man sitting alone in a corner drinking was even more likely to attract notice. Several young women had already been glancing repeatedly in his direction, probably having recognized who he was.
Sure enough, not long after, his phone rang. It was his manager: "Boss, what are you doing?! Fine, you didn't attend the awards ceremony, but why couldn't you find a private wine lounge to hang out in? Do you know your drinking at a bar is already trending on hot search? Netizens are all speculating whether you're drowning your sorrows—"
So annoying.
Gu Xingye hung up. His manager called again. Impatient, he thought about turning off his phone entirely, but hesitated at the last moment. In the end, he didn't turn it off—he just blocked his manager.
To prevent him from using other team members' numbers to harass him, Gu Xingye simply blocked the entire team.
He opened the hot search and, sure enough, his name was on there. But Gu Xingye couldn't care less. His gaze landed on the trending topic at the very top.
#Xia Cheng Actress Grand Slam#
Tonight was the Golden Flower Awards ceremony. She had already won Best Actress at three major international film festivals. If she took the Golden Flower Best Actress title, she would complete the Grand Slam achievement.
Clicking into the topic, the first thing that appeared was a video of an interview with her from a few days ago: "Miss Xia Cheng, do you think you'll be the Best Actress winner at this Golden Flower Awards?"
In the footage, the girl wore the latest haute couture gown from a top luxury brand—a pale blue princess dress covered in diamonds. She looked as beautiful as a little princess from a fairy tale.
Facing the reporter's question, she showed not a hint of false modesty. Looking straight into the camera, she said matter-of-factly: "Of course it's me. Who else could it be?"
Although it was the truth, it was far too blunt toward the other nominated candidates. The reporter laughed awkwardly and had to change the subject: "At the previous international film festivals, Mr. Gu Xingye didn't attend. There are rumors online that the two of you don't get along… Miss Xia Cheng, could you share what the situation actually is?"
"The previous film festivals…" The girl was silent for a moment. "Gu Xingye didn't come?"
Looking at her dazed, confused expression in the video, Gu Xingye was furious.
She didn't even know he hadn't attended the film festival with her. Was his presence really that low-key?!
This woman truly had no heart!
He gritted his molars, recalling his experiences over the past few days, and felt a surge of humiliation.
She treated him like her on-call boy toy—summoning him when she needed him and dismissing him when she didn't. When she needed him, she'd send a message telling him to come over. When she didn't, she'd forget him entirely, paying him no attention whatsoever, not even thinking of him for long stretches of time.
It had already been several days since she last thought of him, and yet she didn't even know he hadn't gone to the film festival.
Gu Xingye couldn't take it anymore.
Just then, the chat interface that had seen no new messages for a long time suddenly received one—just three simple words:
[Come to my place.]
After so long without contact, she didn't even give a reason, didn't even say hello first. She was this dismissive!
He was instantly laughed out of anger.
[You think I'll come just because you say so?! Who do you think you are?! When Duan Mingxuan was around, you never thought of me…]
Was that a bit too harsh?
He hesitated for a moment, then pressed delete.
[What do you want me to come for? You didn't contact me for so long, and now you think three little words are enough to make me come over? Don't you think you're taking me for granted…]
Would she misunderstand this as a rejection?
[The awards ceremony is about to start. How about I pick you up and take you to the venue first, and after it's over, we can have a proper talk…]
No.
The golden-haired young man sat with a cold expression, typing on his phone for a long time, revising over and over. In the end, only two words remained in the chat box—
[Okay.]
He fell silent, staring at that pathetic, spineless "okay." He fell utterly silent, reluctant to send it, when suddenly another message arrived from the other side.
【Forget it, you don't need to come over anymore.】
【Xingye, don't call me again from now on. I'm afraid Ming Xuan will misunderstand.】
Gu Xingye: "??"
He couldn't believe it: 【What do you mean?】
【It means Duan Mingxuan is about to come back, and we should stop contacting each other.】
Crack—
That was the sound of a phone being destroyed.
At that moment, he forgot what he had been thinking just a minute ago. Gu Xingye stared gloomily at the wreckage of his phone and sneered: "Trying to get rid of me? It won't be that easy."