ABOES 12: Life is Unpredictable

When Duan Zhiyan arrived at the hospital, he saw Chi Xiwen in the VIP ward hallway.

The expensive suit Chi Xiwen wore was wrinkled, dark circles hung under his eyes, his chin was covered in messy stubble, and he had a cigarette between his fingers as he leaned disheveled against the wall, exhaling smoke. He looked completely exhausted.

Catching sight of Duan Zhiyan approaching, Chi Xiwen stubbed out the cigarette and tossed it into a trash can.

“You’re here.” Chi Xiwen’s voice carried fatigue. He pointed at the nearby room and said to Duan Zhiyan, “Grandma’s resting inside, she just fell asleep. You’ll probably need to wait a bit.”

Duan Zhiyan had come in a rush, bringing only a bouquet of flowers. He glanced at the slightly open door and caught a glimpse of Grandma Chi lying in bed.

“What happened?” Duan Zhiyan frowned. “She was fine not long ago. Why is she hospitalized all of a sudden?”

Chi Xiwen hung his head, and after a long silence, his hoarse voice came out: “Acute myeloid leukemia…”

Duan Zhiyan’s face turned grim instantly. “What did the doctors say?”

“The best treatment is a hematopoietic stem cell transplant,” Chi Xiwen replied. “I’ve already contacted the top specialists. Everything else is manageable, it’s just…”

He didn’t finish but Duan Zhiyan already understood what he meant.

The attending doctor wasn’t an issue and a donor could be found, but the key lay with Grandma Chi herself.

Since Grandpa Chi passed three years ago, she had become increasingly withdrawn and lost much of her vitality. This year, her condition worsened.

Chi Xiwen had once brought a psychologist to the house, but before the therapist could even have a proper conversation with her, she burst into tears.

Chi Ling had scolded him harshly afterward for that.

Chi Xiwen never dared mention therapy again since then. Instead, he made time to visit her frequently.

He even had a friend find a purebred cat to cheer her up.

And for a time, Grandma Chi did seem much happier and more spirited.

But no one expected that cat to fall ill and die.

After that, Grandma Chi never recovered.

Her health had taken a turn lately with persistent headaches. Chi Xiwen had the family doctor check in several times, but the symptoms didn’t improve.

Chi Xiwen had planned to bring her to the hospital himself after finishing some urgent matters.

But life is unpredictable. Before he could wrap things up, she collapsed at home last night.

As he spoke, Chi Xiwen slumped to a squat, eyes bloodshot. “If only I’d brought Grandma in for a checkup earlier, maybe…”

“It’s not your fault,” Duan Zhiyan said evenly. “What matters now is getting her to cooperate with treatment.”

Chi Xiwen gave a bitter laugh. “I’m just afraid she won’t cooperate.”

Duan Zhiyan didn’t know how to respond, so he simply said, “We’ll keep trying to persuade her.”

Half an hour later, Chi Ling arrived as well.

He had been attending a meeting abroad when he got the call.

As soon as he learned of Grandma’s condition, he dropped everything and flew back on a private jet.

When father and son met, all they could see was the deep exhaustion in each other.

Duan Zhiyan only had time for a quick greeting. Seeing Grandma still asleep, Chi Ling went to speak with the attending physician.

He came out of the office ten minutes later and said to Chi Xiwen, “I’ve arranged for a specialist. We’ll take Mom abroad tomorrow. As long as the bone marrow is a match, surgery can happen anytime.”

Chi Xiwen frowned slightly after hearing that.

It was indeed the best plan, but the issue wasn’t what they wanted, it was what Grandma Chi wanted.

He sighed at the thought.

Chi Ling understood his son’s hesitation. After a pause, he asked, “Did you call your mom?”

Chi Xiwen nodded. “She said she’d be here soon.”

Just as he finished speaking, hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway.

All three turned and saw Tan Yao walking quickly toward them, eyes red-rimmed.

“What’s going on?” Her gaze swept over the father and son with a voice full of urgency.

Chi Xiwen spoke up, “Grandma just fell asleep. Don’t panic, I’ll explain everything.”

Then he gave Tan Yao a detailed rundown of the situation.

Tan Yao immediately lost her temper and shot him a glare. “Is this how you take care of your grandma? She’s been unwell for nearly two weeks, and you were still focused on finishing your own tasks?” Though she tried to keep calm, her voice still rose.

From inside the room came Grandma Chi’s voice, “Is that Yaoyao?”

Everyone turned toward the ward.

“Grandma’s awake,” Duan Zhiyan said.

Chi Xiwen said nothing more and stepped inside first. Duan Zhiyan followed close behind.

Chi Ling handed a handkerchief to Tan Yao before entering as well.

For once, Tan Yao didn’t reject his gesture. She quickly dabbed her tears, forced on a smile, and entered the room.

“Mom?” Tan Yao smiled. “You’re awake. Are you feeling any better?”

Then she looked at Chi Xiwen. “Call the nurse.”

“I already did,” Chi Xiwen replied.

Tan Yao personally helped Grandma Chi sit up and poured her a glass of water.

After sipping a little, Grandma looked around at everyone in the room.

She reached up to brush her white hair aside, then noticed the needle mark on her hand.

“Oh, looks like this isn’t a minor illness,” Grandma Chi said with a smile. “They’ve got me on an IV.”

She still had the spirit to joke, but everyone else in the room felt heavy-hearted.

Tan Yao lowered her eyes, held back her emotions, and finally said, “Mom, this time you really need to follow the doctor’s orders.”

Yet Grandma Chi acted like she hadn’t heard, turning to Duan Zhiyan instead with a smile. “When did Zhiyan get here? I haven’t seen you in so long, you’ve gotten even more handsome!”

Duan Zhiyan placed the flowers by her bedside, smiling too. “And you’ve gotten younger, Grandma.”

Grandma Chi was delighted. “Always the sweet talker!”

Chi Ling, who hadn’t slept all night, knew she was changing the subject on purpose. He rubbed his aching temples and said, “Mom, I’ve arranged the private jet. We’ll leave this afternoon. Don’t worry about the illness. As long as we follow the doctors’ instructions—”

“Go abroad? For what?” Grandma Chi gave him a sharp look.

Chi Xiwen gritted his teeth. “Grandma, going overseas for treatment is the best option.”

“What illness?” she shot back and tapped her leg with the hand that wasn’t hooked to the IV. “I’m perfectly fine!”

Chi Ling’s brows knitted tightly.

Chi Xiwen sighed, he’d known this would happen.

After thinking for a moment, Tan Yao chimed in, “Mom, how about I go with you? I’ll leave work for now and stay by your side every day, okay?”

Grandma Chi’s attitude toward Tan Yao was always gentler. Hearing that, she didn’t snap but instead smiled and said, “An old woman like me doesn’t need anyone tagging along. If you’re worried about me, you’d do better to…” She glanced at Chi Ling meaningfully. “Spend time with him or let him spend time with you. You two should be getting along. I don’t need anyone.”

“Mom!” Chi Ling finally lost patience. “We’re talking about your health, not my relationship with Tan Yao.”

The room fell silent for a moment.

Grandma Chi stared at Chi Ling for two seconds, then her eyes suddenly turned red.

Everyone panicked.

“Mom…”

“Grandma…”

But Grandma Chi wouldn’t look at Chi Ling again. She buried her head under the covers and refused to speak.

“Get out!” she said in a muffled voice. “I don’t want to see any of you! Out!”

Chi Ling tried to say something. “Mom, I—”

“Out!” Grandma Chi raised her voice.

Tan Yao glanced at him and waved. “You all go. I’ll talk to her.”

Duan Zhiyan hesitated, then said to Grandma Chi, “I’ll step out too, Grandma.”

She didn’t respond to him either.

Chi Xiwen looked helpless. Once outside, he turned to Duan Zhiyan and said, “Don’t take it personally. Grandma’s been like this for years.”

Duan Zhiyan shook his head. “She practically raised me. I could never be mad at her.”

Chi Xiwen nodded and fell silent.

Chi Ling paced the hallway impatiently, peeking into the room now and then.

After who knew how long, he finally muttered, “If she really refuses to go abroad, I’ll have the specialist flown here instead.”

Chi Xiwen pressed his lips together.

He wanted to say, It’s not about going abroad, but that was a wound the whole family shared, and this wasn’t the time to open it.

Another half hour later, Tan Yao finally came out of the room.

Before anyone could speak, she shook her head. “She said she’s not going abroad.”

Chi Ling had expected it.

“I’ll make a call.”

With that, he turned and walked off down the hallway.

Tan Yao glanced at his retreating figure, then quickly looked away.

After a pause, she asked Chi Xiwen, “You didn’t sleep at all last night?”

Chi Xiwen nodded.

“I contacted a caregiver on the way here. You and Zhiyan go to rest. Leave this to me,” Tan Yao said.

Chi Xiwen frowned. “I’m fine—”

“Go. You’re not a kid. Stop making me worry,” she said.

Chi Xiwen suddenly lost all resistance.

Duan Zhiyan looked up at Tan Yao.

He hadn’t seen her in a long time, not since her divorce from Chi Ling.

He had hoped she’d look better after the split, but he spotted a few strands of white hair near her temple.

“Zhiyan, you go rest too,” Tan Yao said to him.

Meeting her smiling gaze, Duan Zhiyan nodded. He couldn’t help saying, “You take care of yourself too. I’ll come visit Grandma again.”

“Mm.” Tan Yao nodded with a smile.

They had spent the entire morning at the hospital and it was now lunchtime.

The driver asked Duan Zhiyan where to go. He glanced at Chi Xiwen, slumped beside him, and, knowing neither of them had eaten, said, “Take us to a restaurant first.”

…

Meanwhile, Ye Xinian was also on his way to a restaurant.

He had booked a high-end French place, which is Xia Huaiming’s favorite. Reservations were required in advance, and since Ye Xinian booked late, he only got a table in the main dining area.

But that suited him just fine. Private rooms were too secluded.

Ye Xinian arrived late. By the time he got there, Xia Huaiming was already seated.

The waiter led Ye Xinian in, and from a distance, he spotted the man by the window.

This was the first time Ye Xinian had seen Xia Huaiming since his rebirth.

Xia Huaiming wore a tailored suit and glasses perched on his nose. He didn’t look like a business elite, he’s more like a refined intellectual.

In his past life, it was this air that had drawn Ye Xinian to him.

Yet once the mask came off, he saw just how filthy the man really was.

The thought made Ye Xinian’s stomach churn.

He took a deep breath to hide the cold glint in his eyes and replaced it with a gentle smile.

“Huaiming?” Ye Xinian greeted first. “Sorry, traffic was bad. I’m late.”

He took off his hat and sunglasses. After sitting down, he didn’t look at Xia Huaiming right away, instead, he glanced to his front left.

The man nodded at him, and Ye Xinian smiled and turned back.

Seeing him, Xia Huaiming smiled too, visibly more excited than usual. He immediately reached across the table and took Ye Xinian’s hand.

His hand felt like a clammy snake, cold and clinging to the back of Ye Xinian’s.

Disgusted, Ye Xinian resisted the urge to yank it away, keeping a flawless expression.

“I missed you so much.” Xia Huaiming looked at him tenderly. “It’s been over two weeks, hasn’t it?”

Ye Xinian played along. “I missed you too but I had to go make money.”

“That stupid variety show won’t pay you much.” Xia Huaiming’s eyes roamed greedily over Ye Xinian, voice dripping with disdain.

Ye Xinian sneered inside but smiled sweetly. “Well, it’s so I can buy you a present!”

That finally earned a real smile from Xia Huaiming. “Oh? So what are you getting me? Tell me.”

Ye Xinian crooked a finger at him, beckoning him closer.

Xia Huaiming’s eyes darkened. He hadn’t expected Ye Xinian to act so affectionate. He leaned in immediately.

Ye Xinian leaned forward too, whispering into his ear.

From the side, it looked like they were kissing.

A few seconds later, Ye Xinian’s phone vibrated.

The corners of his lips slowly lifted.

Done.