Lan Hai’s years of relentless hard work had finally paid off.
When the official results of the college entrance examinations were announced, the news sent shockwaves throughout Beijing.
He had not only claimed the top rank in his own school but had also secured the Number One rank across the entire capital.
Overnight, Lan Hai became a celebrated scholar, and his name was discussed among every prominent family in the city.
Before long, offers began pouring in from elite families and major corporations.
Each of them was eager to recruit the brilliant young scholar, offering enormous salaries and promising him a prestigious future.
However, Lan Hai’s ambitions lay elsewhere.
He had no intention of working under anyone else.
His dream had always been to build something of his own, so he politely declined every offer that came his way.
Life soon returned to its familiar rhythm.
During the day, he continued helping his mother at their humble food stall, and at night, he stayed awake until dawn, carefully planning the business he hoped to establish one day.
One evening, after finishing another busy day at the stall, Lan Hai was stacking the chairs and cleaning the utensils before closing for the night when his phone suddenly rang.
It was Mu Chen.
The moment he answered, the two friends immediately slipped into their usual banter.
Mu Chen: “Hey, you absolute clown! What are you up to?”
Lan Hai: “Nothing much, brother. I was just thinking about your family… especially your aunt.”
Mu Chen: “You bastard! Can you seriously not go a single day without asking for a beating? I’m trying to have a serious conversation here.”
Lan Hai chuckled.
Lan Hai: “Then stop asking me what I’m doing every time you call. You already know I close the food stall at this exact hour every single day.”
The laughter on the other end of the phone suddenly disappeared.
Mu Chen’s voice grew noticeably heavier.
Mu Chen: “Alright… enough joking. Listen carefully. There’s something important I need to tell you.”
Hearing the sudden change in his friend’s tone, the smile on Lan Hai’s face gradually faded.
Lan Hai: “What happened?”
Mu Chen remained silent for a brief moment before speaking.
Mu Chen: “Xia Qinue’s engagement has been finalized.”
He paused.
“…It’s on November 10th.”
The words struck Lan Hai like a crushing blow.
The cleaning cloth slipped from his frozen fingers and fell silently to the floor.
It felt as though a bomb had exploded beside his ears.
Filled with shock and sudden anger, he demanded at once,
Lan Hai: “What nonsense are you talking about? What kind of sick joke is this?”
Mu Chen’s voice remained calm but unusually serious.
Mu Chen: “I’m not joking, you idiot. I’m holding her official engagement invitation in my hands right now. She said she was too busy inviting influential families, so I took it upon myself to inform all our friends. I’m telling you now so you can prepare yourself.”
Everything Mu Chen said after that became meaningless noise.
Lan Hai could no longer hear him.
His mind went completely blank.
The girl he had loved since childhood…
The girl he had silently cherished for years…
…was about to marry another man.
Suppressing the unbearable pain tearing through his heart, he forced himself to ask in a hollow voice,
Lan Hai: “Who is he?”
Mu Chen: “He’s from the prestigious Hua Family. His name is Hua Tian. From what I’ve heard, he’s very handsome.”
After a brief silence, Lan Hai asked one final question.
Lan Hai: “So… his family’s status matches that of the Xia Family?”
Mu Chen: “Yes. Their influence and social standing are practically equal. Honestly… you’re far better looking than he is, but what can any of us do now? You were the one who refused to stand by her side. You were the one who kept running away.”
Lan Hai no longer had the strength to continue the conversation.
Without saying another word, he ended the call.
That night, sleep completely eluded him.
His heart wept in silence as wave after wave of regret crashed through his mind.
He lay awake until dawn, trapped in an endless cycle of painful memories, wondering how everything had slipped beyond his reach simply because he had lacked the courage to speak.
The following afternoon brought an even crueler test.
Xia Qinue arrived at the food stall…
Accompanied by her fiancé, Hua Tian.
Standing behind the counter, Lan Hai felt a surge of anger boil within him the moment he saw the man.
Yet, bound by the choices he had made himself, he could do nothing but suppress it.
The instant they stepped inside, Xia Qinue called toward the kitchen with a warm smile.
Xia Qinue: “Auntie! Where are you?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Lan Xiuan walked out from the kitchen with a welcoming smile.
Lan Xiuan: “Qinue, my dear! What a wonderful surprise. It’s been such a long time.”
Qinue smiled gently before turning toward the young man standing beside her.
Xia Qinue: “Auntie, I came today to introduce you to my fiancé.”
She looked at Hua Tian.
“This is Hua Tian.”
Standing a short distance away, Lan Hai felt a burning jealousy consume him.
For the first time in his life, a wave of bitter resentment rose within his heart.
A cynical thought echoed relentlessly in his mind.
So this is how quickly a woman’s heart can change…
That night, beneath the stars, she told me she loved me.
She said she would give up everything to stand beside me…
and now she’s preparing to marry someone else.
Meanwhile, Lan Xiuan looked at Hua Tian with a warm smile.
Lan Xiuan: “Oh, Qinue! You and Hua Tian make a wonderful couple. The two of you look absolutely perfect together.”
Those simple words pierced Lan Hai’s heart like a poisoned arrow.
Hearing his own mother bless their relationship felt like another devastating blow.
Before long, everyone took their seats as the food was served.
Breaking the silence, Xia Qinue turned toward Hua Tian with a gentle smile.
Xia Qinue: “You know, Hua Tian, Lan Hai is no ordinary person. He’s the highest-ranked student in all of Beijing this year.”
Hua Tian smiled calmly.
Hua Tian: “Of course. Everyone in Beijing has heard of him. Prestigious families and major companies are all trying to recruit him.”
Lan Hai let out a faint, self-deprecating chuckle before replying,
Lan Hai: “Not really. Right now, I’m focused on starting my own business instead of working for someone else. It may take some time, but that’s the path I’ve chosen.”
Without the slightest hesitation, Xia Qinue spoke with absolute confidence.
Xia Qinue: “I have complete faith in Lan Hai. Whatever he sets his mind to, he always accomplishes it. I’m sure he’ll achieve great success in the business world.”
Hearing her defend him so naturally in front of her own fiancé eased the resentment that had been consuming his heart.
The anger he had felt moments earlier gradually faded, replaced by a quiet bitterness he could no longer describe.
After finishing their meal, Hua Tian and Xia Qinue prepared to leave.
As they stood up, Lan Xiuan smiled warmly.
Lan Xiuan: “Qinue, my dear, when is the engagement ceremony?”
Xia Qinue: “November 10th, Auntie. You must come… and make sure you bring Lan Hai with you.”
Before anyone else could respond, Lan Hai answered without hesitation.
Lan Hai: “I don’t think I’ll be able to make it. I’ve already accepted a large catering order for a wedding on that day.”
Qinue immediately pouted before turning toward Lan Xiuan like a child complaining to her mother.
Xia Qinue: “Look at him, Auntie. He’s already making excuses not to come.”
Lan Xiuan shot her son a sharp glare.
Lan Xiuan: “Quiet! Even if I have to drag him there by his ears, he’ll attend. Don’t worry, my dear.”
Lan Hai remained silent.
Slowly, his eyes met Qinue’s once again.
Neither of them spoke.
Yet the feelings they had tried so desperately to bury remained clearly visible in that silent exchange.
The love between them had never disappeared.
Only the distance between them had grown wider.
Just as the conversation continued, fate took a cruel turn.
Without the slightest warning, Lan Xiuan suddenly swayed.
The world around her spun violently, and a stream of blood began pouring from her nose.
Lan Hai’s face turned deathly pale.
Lan Hai: “MOM!! What’s happening?!”
Without wasting a single second, he rushed forward, caught his collapsing mother in his arms, and lifted her up.
Xia Qinue immediately understood the seriousness of the situation.
Xia Qinue: “Lan Hai! Bring Auntie to my car! Hurry!”
Hua Tian reacted just as quickly, throwing open the rear door of the car.
Lan Hai carefully laid his unconscious mother across the back seat while Xia Qinue climbed in beside her, desperately trying to keep her conscious.
Without hesitation, Hua Tian slammed his foot on the accelerator.
The luxury car sped through the crowded streets of Beijing, weaving through traffic at breakneck speed before finally arriving at the capital’s top hospital.
The moment they reached the entrance, doctors and nurses rushed over with a stretcher.
Lan Xiuan was immediately wheeled into the emergency room.
The news spread quickly.
The moment Mu Chen, Feng Hui, and Qin Shen heard what had happened, they abandoned everything they were doing and rushed straight to the hospital.
The four brothers gathered outside the emergency room, surrounding Lan Hai as he stood there trembling with fear.
Seeing his brother on the verge of collapsing, Mu Chen stepped forward and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
Mu Chen: “Lan Hai… listen to me. Don’t lose yourself. I’m right here with you. I don’t care how much money it costs or where we have to bring a specialist from. We’ll do whatever it takes to save Auntie. I’ll personally cover every expense. Right now, your only job is to stay strong for her.”
Lan Hai lowered his head, unable to utter a single word.
Just then, the doors of the emergency room slowly opened.
The attending doctor stepped out, removed his mask, and looked around the corridor.
Doctor: “Who is the patient’s family?”
Lan Hai rushed forward immediately.
Lan Hai: “Doctor… I’m her son. How is my mother?”
The doctor looked at him for a brief moment before speaking calmly.
Doctor: “Please follow me to my office.”
Without another word, Lan Hai, along with Mu Chen, Feng Hui, Qin Shen, Xia Qinue, and Hua Tian, followed the doctor down the quiet hospital corridor.
None of them noticed…
That their lives were about to change forever.
Inside the doctor’s office, an oppressive silence filled the room.
The doctor placed Lan Xiuan’s medical reports on the desk before letting out a heavy sigh.
His expression alone was enough to make everyone’s hearts sink.
Finally, he looked at Lan Hai.
Doctor: “Your mother is suffering from advanced blood cancer… and it has reached its final stage.”
The room fell deathly silent.
The doctor lowered his eyes before continuing.
Doctor: “To be completely honest, she has no more than one month left to live.”
Those words shattered Lan Hai’s world.
It felt as though the ground beneath his feet had vanished.
His legs gave way, and he stumbled out of the office like a man who had lost his soul.
The moment he reached the hospital corridor, he collapsed onto the cold floor.
Tears streamed uncontrollably down his face as his entire body trembled.
His world had fallen apart in a single instant.
A few moments later, Xia Qinue quietly walked out of the office.
Seeing Lan Hai broken beyond words, her own eyes filled with tears.
She slowly approached him and knelt beside him.
Xia Qinue: “Lan Hai… please… stay strong. You’re not alone anymore. We’re all here with you. Please… don’t give up.”
Hearing her trembling voice, the wall around Lan Hai’s heart finally crumbled.
He looked up through tear-filled eyes before instinctively wrapping his arms around her.
Like a helpless child, he broke down completely.
Qinue held him tightly without the slightest hesitation, gently comforting him as tears rolled down her own cheeks.
Witnessing the man she loved suffer such unbearable pain tore her heart apart.
Just then, Mu Chen stepped out of the doctor’s office while ending a phone call.
He immediately walked over, gently pulled Lan Hai away from Qinue, and spoke with unwavering determination.
Mu Chen: “Lan Hai, look at me.”
Lan Hai slowly raised his head.
Mu Chen: “I just spoke with my father. He’s already contacted the world’s leading cancer specialist. The doctor is boarding a private medical flight as we speak and will arrive here by tomorrow evening.”
He tightened his grip on Lan Hai’s shoulder.
Mu Chen: “Lan Xiuan isn’t just your mother…”
His voice became firm.
“…She’s my mother too.”
Lan Hai’s vision blurred once again.
He wiped away his tears, his voice trembling.
Lan Hai: “Thank you… thank you so much, brother.”
The moment those words left his mouth, Mu Chen’s face darkened.
Mu Chen: “You bastard! If I ever hear you thanking me again, I’ll slap you myself.”
He pointed toward the intensive care unit.
Mu Chen: “You’re my brother. The woman fighting for her life in that room is my mother too. If something happened to my own family, do you really think I’d stand by and do nothing?”
Those words struck Lan Hai far more deeply than he had expected.
For the first time since receiving the devastating news, the despair consuming his heart eased ever so slightly.
No matter how cruel fate had become…
He still had brothers who would stand beside him through everything.
Lan Hai slowly wiped away the remaining tears and nodded with unwavering resolve.
Lan Hai: “Yes… we are brothers.”
The following evening, the world-renowned cancer specialist, Dr.
Kim Lee, arrived at the hospital under strict security protocols.
Wasting no time, he walked directly into Lan Xiuan’s ward and carefully examined her medical records.
After reviewing the reports, he turned toward the medical staff.
Dr.
Kim Lee: “I want her complete medical history immediately. Also, ask her immediate family to come to my office.”
An orderly nodded respectfully.
Orderly: “Understood, Doctor. I’ll inform her son right away.”
Back at the quiet house, Lan Hai’s phone suddenly rang.
He answered immediately.
Lan Hai: “Hello?”
Orderly: “Am I speaking with Mr. Lan Hai?”
Lan Hai: “Yes. This is Lan Hai.”
Orderly: “I’m calling from Hospital 24×7. Dr. Kim Lee has arrived and would like to see you in his office immediately. Please come to the hospital as soon as possible.”
Without wasting another second, Lan Hai ended the call.
He grabbed his scooter keys and sped through the city streets as fast as he could.
Within minutes, he arrived at the hospital and hurried straight to Dr.
Kim Lee’s office.
The doctor looked up as Lan Hai entered.
Dr.
Kim Lee: “Please, have a seat.”
Lan Hai sat down, his heart pounding violently inside his chest.
Removing his glasses, Dr.
Kim Lee looked directly at him.
Dr.
Kim Lee: “Tell me… was your mother receiving any medical treatment before this?”
Lan Hai shook his head without hesitation.
Lan Hai: “No, Doctor. This is the first time she’s ever become seriously ill.”
Dr.
Kim Lee slowly closed the medical file and let out a long, heavy sigh.
He gently shook his head.
Dr.
Kim Lee: “That shouldn’t be possible.”
Lan Hai’s expression stiffened.
The doctor’s voice grew solemn.
Dr.
Kim Lee: “According to her reports and biopsy results, your mother has been living with this cancer for the past five years. It has now spread aggressively throughout her entire body. Her condition is extremely critical.”
He paused for a brief moment before delivering the final verdict.
Dr.
Kim Lee: “Even if I use every advanced treatment currently available… at best…”
He lowered his eyes.
“…she has only fifteen days left to live.”
Fifteen days…
Only fifteen days…
Those words struck Lan Hai’s mind like a devastating sledgehammer.
His vision blurred.
The world around him faded into darkness.
Thank you so much for reading the first five chapters!
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