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Her Son Is Critical, Yet She Trusts Her New Love?
墨書 Inktalez
I stood in front of the podium at her banquet, feeling trapped.
A few hours ago, she had signed the divorce agreement. Now, she was adorned in sparkling jewels, standing next to her new boyfriend. Her face was ashen.
"Acute Leukemia, infection, critical condition," I said urgently.
"They're waiting for your signature for the surgery," I added.
Her boyfriend stepped in front of me. "Shen Fang, let's talk calmly."
Wen Wan's voice was cold and hard. "Are you trying to pressure me with our son?"
"That's enough, Shen Fang," she snapped.
I thrust my phone toward her.
On the screen was the critical condition notice.
She glanced at it, dismissing it like junk mail. "Contact my lawyer."
"Security!" I shouted. "The doctor said if we delay any longer, there will be no hope!"
"That's your son!"
Finally, she looked at me directly, but her eyes held nothing.
Then she shouted again, "Security!"
The security guard's hand was already gripping my arm tightly.
Wen Wan looked at me with an icy stare. "Shen Fang, stop causing a scene."
"If Lele is really in trouble, my lawyer will notify me immediately," I insisted.
The man beside her, Qin Hao, a lawyer who made his fortune through mergers and acquisitions, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses.
"Mr. Shen, if you continue to disrupt public order, we may have to call the police."
I shook off the security guard's hand.
They stumbled back, taken aback by my strength.
"Call the police?"
"My son is in the ICU fighting for his life, and you want me to call the police?"
I pointed at Qin Hao, "Who do you think you are? You have no say here!"
A small crowd of guests had gathered around us, whispering among themselves.
"Isn't that Shen Fang? Wen Wan's ex-husband."
"I heard their divorce was messy, fighting over the child?"
"By the looks of it, he’s probably here for money."
Wen Wan's composure began to crack.
She stepped forward, lowering her voice, but each word cut like a knife.
"Shen Fang, I’ll say it one more time: leave."
"Don't force me to make this uglier."
I looked at her, my heart feeling like it was being squeezed by a vice, struggling to breathe.
"Uglier?"
"Is there anything more humiliating than watching your son possibly die?"
"Wen Wan, have you lost your humanity?"
Qin Hao's expression darkened as he stepped in front of Wen Wan.
"Watch your words."
The two security guards moved in again, this time directly restraining me.
I struggled against them.
"Let go!"
"Wen Wan! Lele said this morning he wanted to eat your strawberry pudding!"
"He's hooked up to all sorts of tubes right now!"
"He’s only five years old!"
Wen Wan's body seemed to sway slightly, almost imperceptibly.
But she quickly steadied herself.
She turned to the security guards and ordered, "Take him out."
Those two words floated lightly in the air but felt like a boulder crashing onto my heart.
I was being dragged outside.
As I passed by Qin Hao, he whispered, “Shen Fang, times have changed; entanglements are useless.”
The heavy door of the banquet hall closed behind me, cutting off the clinking of glasses and laughter within. It also severed my last thread of hope.
I slumped against the cold wall. My phone screen was still lit up, displaying a solitary photo from outside the ICU.
The cold wind brushed against my face, bringing me back to my senses a little. I pulled out my phone, my fingers trembling violently as I dialed Doctor Zhang’s number.
“Mr. Shen? Has Ms. Wen not arrived yet?” Doctor Zhang's voice was laced with impatience. “The infection markers are still rising; we need to perform surgery immediately to clear the infection site.”
“If we delay any longer, it could lead to organ failure, and then…” He didn’t finish his sentence, but I understood.
“She doesn’t trust me,” I said, my voice dry. “She thinks I’m causing trouble and wants me to sign… it’s difficult.”
There was silence on the other end for a few seconds. “Mr. Shen, according to regulations, a direct relative's signature is mandatory.”
“Given the current situation, every minute is crucial.”
“Think of another way.”
After hanging up, I slid down the wall to the ground. I scrolled through my contacts again and again. Wen Wan's parents? They had long been brainwashed by her into thinking I was a scumbag who manipulated her after our divorce. Her close friends? They would only advise Wen Wan to stay far away from me.
My gaze landed on one number: Qin Hao. He had given me his business card during the divorce settlement discussions regarding asset division.
I hesitated for only a moment before dialing the number. It rang for a long time before being answered. The background noise was still the clamor of the banquet.
“Shen Fang? What do you want?” Qin Hao's voice carried the arrogance of a victor.
“Lawyer Qin, Lele's condition is serious.”
“I'll send you the ICU and critical condition notice.”
“Please inform Wen Wan to come over immediately to sign.”
There was a light chuckle on the other end.
“Mr. Shen, playing the same trick twice is no fun.”
“Wen Wan has entrusted me to handle your harassment completely.”
“If you continue to pester, I will apply for a restraining order.”
“Additionally, let me remind you, defaming Wen Wan or using the child to extort will have consequences.”
The line went dead with a series of beeps.
I slammed my phone down onto the ground. The screen shattered.
A nurse rushed over.
“Sir, you can't make such a racket here!”
Seeing my red eyes and the broken phone on the floor, her tone softened slightly.
“You're… Lele's father, right?”
“Doctor Zhang asked me to inform you that the child's blood platelet count is dropping rapidly and needs urgent transfusion.”
“However… the hospital's special blood platelet supply is tight, and you may need to think of a way, or… consider an alternative plan.”
“The alternative plan carries high risks.”
I stood up abruptly.
“What alternative plan?”
“How high are the risks?”
The nurse jumped back in surprise at my sudden outburst.
“It’s just… the success rate isn’t high, and there are side effects…”
She didn’t finish her sentence because Doctor Zhang hurried over, his expression grave.
“Shen Fang, come to my office.”
“The worst-case scenario might be happening.”
Doctor Zhang's office was small, with just a desk and two chairs. He gestured for me to sit down but remained standing, leaning against the edge of the desk.
“Shen Fang, the situation is worse than before.”
“Lele's coagulation function is rapidly declining, and the standard Blood Platelet treatment is not effective.”
“We need a very special type of Blood Platelet: CMV negative, irradiated, and it must match Lele's blood type.”
“This type of Blood Platelet is extremely rare. It will take time to call from the blood bank—at least 24 hours, possibly longer.”
“Lele can't wait that long.”
He paused and looked at me.
“So, we either perform immediate surgery to remove the infection site, taking on the high risk without sufficient Blood Platelet support, or…”
He left the sentence hanging.
I interjected, “Or we initiate that high-risk backup plan?”
Doctor Zhang nodded, his expression grave.
“The success rate is less than thirty percent, and there could be severe side effects.”
The only sound in the office was the faint noise from the air conditioning vent. I remained silent for a few seconds. Then I took out my backup phone—the previous one was broken. I found a number and dialed it. The call connected quickly.
“It’s me.”
“Children's Hospital, we need an emergency allocation of special Blood Platelet: CMV negative, irradiated, matching Lele's blood type… Yes, immediately.”
“Use the special channel and airlift it over as fast as possible.”
“Authorization code?” I recited a string of alphanumeric characters.
“Okay, stay in touch.”
I hung up the phone and looked at Doctor Zhang. He stared at me in disbelief.
“Shen Fang, you…”
“Blood Platelet will arrive within two hours,” I interrupted him.
"Cold chain air transport, delivered directly to the hospital rooftop helipad."
"What you need to do now is prepare to receive everything and start the pre-surgery preparations immediately."
Doctor Zhang clearly didn't grasp the situation.
"But... how did you..."
"How it was arranged isn't important." I stood up.
"What matters is that the Blood Platelet can arrive."
"But, Doctor Zhang," I looked into his eyes.
"The surgical consent form still needs Wen Wan's signature."
"I haven't resolved that issue."
With that, I turned and walked out of the office, leaving Doctor Zhang standing there, a mix of shock and disbelief on his face.
In the corridor, the nurse from earlier saw me and seemed to want to say something but swallowed her words instead.
I headed straight for the closed door of the ICU.
Through the viewing window on the door, I couldn't see what was happening inside.
But I knew Lele was waiting in there.
Waiting for the Blood Platelet.
Waiting for his mother's signature.
I sat on the floor outside the ICU door.
Time passed second by second.
The elevator doors at the end of the corridor opened.
Wen Wan and Qin Hao stepped out, accompanied by someone in hospital administrative attire, their expression serious.
Seeing me sitting on the floor, Wen Wan's brows furrowed even tighter.
She ignored me and directly asked the administrative staff,
"Director, what's going on?"
"Why do I have to make another trip?"
The director glanced at me before turning to Wen Wan and said,
"Ms. Wen, it's an urgent situation."
"Mr. Shen has managed to arrange a batch of very rare special Blood Platelets, which are currently en route by air and are expected to arrive within half an hour."
"Once the Blood Platelet arrives, the surgery must be performed immediately."
"The surgical consent form needs your signature right now."
Wen Wan was taken aback.
Qin Hao also seemed surprised, but quickly regained his composure.
He stepped forward and looked at the director.
"Director, is the source of this batch of Blood Platelet reliable?"
"As far as I know, the dispatch of medical resources at this level is very complex."
"Does Mr. Shen have a legal channel? Has the hospital verified it?"
The director appeared somewhat troubled.
"Lawyer Qin, we cannot verify the source in such a short time."
"But the delivery method is through legitimate emergency medical air transport."
"The most important thing now is to save the child."
I stood up and walked over to Wen Wan, standing across from Qin Hao.
"Wen Wan, did you hear that?"
"The Blood Platelet will arrive soon."
"Sign it."
She looked at me, her eyes filled with scrutiny and confusion.
"Shen Fang, what exactly have you done?"
"Where did you get those Blood Platelet from?"
Qin Hao interjected, "Wen Wan, don't impulsively sign."
"Blood products from an unknown source carry significant risks."
"If they were obtained illegally, we could all get into trouble."
My phone rang.
It was the same number from earlier.
I answered it.
"Has it landed?"
"Okay, I'll have Doctor Zhang go to the helipad immediately for the transfer."
I hung up and looked at Wen Wan and Qin Hao.
"The helicopter has landed on the hospital rooftop."
"Bring the urgently needed Blood Platelet," I said, emphasizing each word.
"Wen Wan," I continued.
"Now, immediately, sign it."
"Otherwise, you will bear all the consequences."
Wen Wan's face turned pale in an instant. She instinctively glanced at the closed door of the ICU. Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something.
Qin Hao tried to interject.
I cut him off directly.
"Lawyer Qin, this is none of your business."
"This is between Wen Wan, me, and our son."
"If you say another word that interferes with my son's treatment..."
My gaze landed on Qin Hao, carrying an unprecedented chill. He swallowed back his words.
Wen Wan's hand trembled slightly. She looked at me, then at the ICU door, and finally at the serious-faced director beside her.
In the end, her gaze returned to me.
Her emotions were complex—shock, doubt, and a hint of something I couldn't decipher.
Finally, Wen Wan picked up the pen.
Her hand was still shaking.
Her eyes quickly scanned the text on the consent form before she wrote her name in the signature box.
The handwriting was somewhat messy.
The director immediately took the consent form and turned to the nurse beside him, saying, "Take this to the operating room right away!"
The nurse hurried off.
Doctor Zhang approached with two assistants, pushing a box marked for special refrigeration from the direction of the elevator.
Seeing the signed consent form, he visibly relaxed.
"Blood Platelet has been verified; prepare for surgery!"
Doctor Zhang didn't look at us; he led his team straight toward the operating room.
Only the three of us remained in the corridor, along with the slightly awkward director standing nearby.
The red light in the operating room lit up.
Wen Wan's gaze followed the light until it turned on. Then she turned her head to look at me. The coldness in her eyes seemed to crack open, revealing shock and deeper confusion.
“Shen Fang, you tell me,” she said. “What’s going on with those Blood Platelets? Such a level of resource isn’t something an ordinary person can mobilize.”
Qin Hao interjected, his tone laced with curiosity and a hint of caution. “Yes, Mr. Shen. While saving the child is urgent now, afterwards, regarding the compliance of this batch of Blood Platelets…”
I didn’t wait for him to finish. “Lawyer Qin,” I said coldly, fixing my gaze on him, “My son is in surgery, and you’re talking to me about compliance?”
“What identity are you asking from?”
“Wen Wan’s boyfriend? Or her lawyer?”
“If it’s the former, it’s none of your business. If it’s the latter, once my son’s surgery is successful, I’ll gladly welcome your legal consultation.”
Qin Hao's face shifted from pale to flushed, and he fell silent. I turned to Wen Wan. She was still waiting for my answer.
“What’s going on isn’t important,” I said. “What matters is that Lele can be saved.”
“Wen Wan, you just need to wait here.”
“Or if you feel uncomfortable, you can go back for now; I’ll notify you once the surgery is over.”
My tone was calm, devoid of reproach or warmth. Wen Wan seemed pricked by my words. Her lips moved slightly but ultimately no sound came out. She silently walked over to a nearby bench and sat down, her hands tightly clasped, her eyes fixed on the red light of the operating room.
Qin Hao stood behind her, his expression fluctuating between uncertainty and frustration; he opened his mouth several times but held back each time. The Administrative Director noticed this and found an excuse to leave as well.
The corridor fell silent once more. It was just me and Wen Wan, along with the man standing behind her.
In the operating room, a life-and-death battle was underway.
Time passed slowly.
The red light in the operating room remained lit.
The air conditioning in the hallway was set to a low temperature.
Qin Hao attempted several times to approach Wen Wan, wanting to whisper something to her.
Wen Wan merely shook her head slightly or ignored him altogether.
Most of the time, her gaze was fixed on the door of the operating room.
Occasionally, it would drift toward me, her eyes filled with deepening curiosity and confusion.
At one point, she seemed unable to hold back any longer and stood up to walk toward me.
Qin Hao tried to reach out for her but missed.
She stopped in front of me.
“Shen Fang, you said you would take Lele to Disneyland for his fifth birthday.”
“Then… we got divorced, and it never happened.”
Her voice was low, tinged with a barely perceptible tremor.
I didn’t look at her; my gaze remained fixed on that door.
“Once he’s better, take him there.”
My response was calm, even somewhat indifferent.
She seemed taken aback by my answer, pausing for a moment.
Her lips moved as if she had more to say.
At this moment, Qin Hao also approached and stood beside Wen Wan.
“Wen Wan, don’t think too much; Lele will be fine.”
He turned to me, “Mr. Shen, regardless of what happens, thank you for everything you’ve done for Lele.”
His words sounded polite but felt somewhat insincere.
I didn’t respond.
Wen Wan glanced at Qin Hao with a complex expression before retreating back to her chair.
Silence fell over the hallway once more, broken only by the occasional sound of nurses pushing carts past us.
Another hour passed.
The door to the operating room remained tightly closed.
Wen Wan's face grew paler.
She took her phone out of her bag, unlocked it, then locked it again, repeating this several times.
I could tell she was anxious.
I was anxious too.
But I couldn't show it.
At least, not in front of her.
Suddenly, the red light outside the operating room turned off.
The door opened.
Doctor Zhang stepped out, removing his mask, his face weary but his eyes shining with light.
Wen Wan almost immediately sprang up and rushed to him.
Qin Hao followed closely behind.
“Doctor Zhang, how is Lele?” Wen Wan's voice trembled, tinged with tears.
Doctor Zhang offered a reassuring smile.
“The surgery was very successful.”
“The infection site has been thoroughly cleared, and vital signs are temporarily stable.”
“That batch of Blood Platelets was extremely timely and crucial; it almost immediately controlled the bleeding tendency.”
“Without that special batch of Blood Platelets, the consequences would have been unimaginable.”
Wen Wan's legs buckled, nearly collapsing, but Qin Hao caught her.
She covered her mouth, tears finally streaming down her face as she cried silently.
Qin Hao supported her while addressing Doctor Zhang:
“Thank you, Doctor. The efficiency of the hospital is truly remarkable.”
“We will fully cooperate with the hospital's arrangements for subsequent treatment and rehabilitation.”
His words emphasized “hospital,” as if he wanted to credit the entire medical system for the success.
I stood still, not moving.
Doctor Zhang glanced at Qin Hao but did not respond to him; his gaze shifted to me.
“Mr. Shen, we need to closely monitor for any complications moving forward.”
“Lele's body is relatively weak due to previous chemotherapy, so the recovery period will be longer.”
"However, the most dangerous hurdle has been crossed," I said.
I nodded, "Thank you, Doctor Zhang. You've worked hard."
At this moment, Wen Wan seemed to have calmed down a bit. She wiped her tears and looked at me with a complex expression.
Zhang opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately held back.
It was Qin Hao who spoke up then, his tone returning to a professional demeanor. "Since the surgery was successful, regarding the issue of... um, the source of medical resources that was mentioned earlier, is it..."
He didn't finish his sentence because I had stepped right in front of him.
The distance was close enough for me to see the calculating glint in his eyes behind his glasses.
"Lawyer Qin," my voice was low but clear. "You seem quite interested in the source of Blood Platelets."
"Are you planning to take credit for it later with Wen Wan?"
"Or are you looking for some leverage to continue controlling her?"
Qin Hao's expression shifted slightly. "Mr. Shen, please watch your words."
I ignored his warning. "Or," I continued, glancing between him and Wen Wan beside him, "are you simply curious about who I really am?"
"And what I am capable of?"
My question hung in the air.
Qin Hao's face darkened further, but he remained defiant. "Mr. Shen, I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just concerned about Wen Wan and the child's safety."
Wen Wan said nothing, merely gazing at me with eyes full of inquiry.
I chose to disregard Qin Hao again. I pulled out the backup phone—the one with a functioning screen.
In front of them, I brought up a contact.
The name was simple, just one character: "Yuan."
I pressed the dial button.
The phone was answered almost immediately.
“Shen Fang, how is the Blood Platelet situation?” A calm male voice came from the other end.
“It’s in use; the surgery just finished and is temporarily stable,” I replied.
“That's good to hear. If the hospital has any needs, coordinate as necessary. The Life Bridge fund is on standby.”
“Understood,” I said.
“Also, look into Qin Hao, a partner at Hui Chen Law Firm.”
“I need all his business records from the past three years, along with his personal financial transactions.”
“As soon as possible.”
There was no hesitation from the other side, just a simple reply: “Okay.”
I hung up the phone.
The corridor was eerily quiet.
Qin Hao’s face had drained of color, and for the first time, fear flickered in his eyes.
Wen Wan stepped back in disbelief, her lips trembling.
“Life Bridge… it’s you…”
“That organization you mentioned… you said it was just a small-scale charitable mutual aid…”
She remembered.
Before our divorce, I occasionally handled some matters for the foundation.
When she asked about it, I casually mentioned it was just helping a friend with a small organization that assisted critically ill patients.
At that time, she scoffed, thinking I was wasting my time on something trivial.
Even during our discussions about divorce assets, she and her lawyer (who wasn’t Qin Hao at that time) dismissed the foundation entirely, considering it insignificant.
Now, this “small organization” had summoned life-saving Blood Platelet using a private helipad and emergency air transport.
And with just one phone call, I could have them investigate a well-known law firm partner’s background.
Wen Wan’s gaze towards me had completely changed.
It held shock, regret, and an unfamiliarity even she couldn’t comprehend.
Qin Hao opened his mouth as if to say something but couldn’t make a sound.
I didn’t look at them again.
I turned and walked towards the mobile bed that had just been wheeled out of the operating room.
Lele's small face was still covered by an oxygen mask as he slept, but he looked much better than before.
The nurse quietly explained the precautions for transferring him to ICU for continued observation.
My attention was now entirely focused on my son.
As for Wen Wan and Qin Hao, I don't have time to deal with them right now. But some debts will have to be settled eventually.
I followed the moving hospital bed all the way to the isolation area outside the ICU. Through the glass wall, I could see busy nurses and various instruments inside. Lele was placed on a small hospital bed, connected to several lines. Doctor Zhang reiterated a few precautions, mainly about visiting hours and family cooperation. I took note of everything.
Wen Wan and Qin Hao were lingering far behind, not approaching. Qin Hao's face still looked grim; he attempted to pull Wen Wan away a few times, but she didn’t budge. Her gaze was fixed on the ICU, or rather, on me. I could feel her eyes on me, filled with confusion, fear, and a vulnerability I had never seen before.
Once the doctors and nurses had settled everything and temporarily left, Wen Wan finally walked over. Qin Hao hesitated for a moment but followed her at a distance.
"Shen Fang..." Wen Wan began, her voice hoarse. "I'm sorry."
"I was wrong before... I shouldn't have doubted you, I shouldn't have..." Her words trailed off as her eyes reddened again.
I didn’t look at her; my gaze remained fixed on Lele through the glass. "It's meaningless to say these things now."
"Lele needs peace and quiet to recover." My calmness seemed to wound her again. She took a deep breath as if summoning courage.
"Life Bridge... and that phone call you made earlier..."
"What exactly..." She still wanted to ask about my identity.
I turned my head and finally faced her directly. "Wen Wan, we are divorced."
"My matters have nothing to do with you."
The words struck her like an invisible wall, pushing her away. She staggered slightly, her face turning pale. Qin Hao immediately stepped forward to support her, glaring at me with anger.
“Shen Fang! Don’t go too far!”
I ignored him. At that moment, my backup phone vibrated. It was a new message. The sender: “Yuan.” The content was brief, containing a document link and a note: “Preliminary results. Dirtier than expected.”
I clicked the link and quickly skimmed through the first few lines of the document. It involved illegal asset transfers, proxy agreements, and even manipulation of lawsuits through abuse of power… All fingers pointed directly at Qin Hao and some people behind him.
I lifted my gaze, locking eyes with Qin Hao. Upon meeting my stare, he instinctively shivered, releasing his grip on Wen Wan’s hand. Wen Wan also noticed the shift in my expression and Qin Hao’s reaction. She followed my gaze to Qin Hao, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
I put away my phone, keeping my focus on Qin Hao. He tried to maintain his composure, but cold sweat began to bead on his forehead. Wen Wan glanced between me and Qin Hao, the color draining from her face bit by bit.
“Qin Hao,” I began, my voice calm. “The overseas trust you handled last year had quite a good return.”
Qin Hao’s pupils constricted sharply. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about,” he forced out, trying to appear composed.
“Is that so?” I took a step closer. “The shell company registered in the Cayman Islands, the account transactions…”
“Enough!” Qin Hao interrupted sharply, but his voice was shaky. “Shen Fang, you’re illegally obtaining trade secrets; I can sue you!”
I smiled coldly, devoid of warmth.
"Tell me?"
"How about you pull yourself out of the mud first?"
I took out my phone and tapped the screen.
Qin Hao stared nervously at my actions.
Wen Wan held her breath.
I forwarded the document link I had just received directly to Wen Wan.
Then, I turned the phone screen towards her.
It displayed "Sent Successfully."
Wen Wan's phone chimed almost simultaneously, indicating a new message had arrived.
She instinctively glanced at her phone screen.
Then she suddenly looked up at me, her eyes filled with disbelief and… immense fear.
Qin Hao also saw what I had done, his face instantly turning ashen.
"You…" He pointed at me, his finger trembling with anger and fear.
I ignored him and focused on Wen Wan.
"Wen Wan," I said,
"This is the last bit of dignity I can offer you."
"Take a look at the person you've chosen; see what kind of scum he really is."
"After you see it, you can choose whether to call the police or run away with him."
Wen Wan held her phone, her hands shaking uncontrollably.
She didn't open it but stared at me intently.
Qin Hao seemed to have lost all his strength, leaning against the wall with a look of despair in his eyes.
At the end of the corridor, the elevator doors opened again.
This time, two uniformed police officers stepped out.
They walked straight towards us.
The leading officer scanned the three of us before finally settling his gaze on Qin Hao.
"Mr. Qin Hao?"
Qin Hao's body stiffened noticeably, and he didn't respond.
"We received a report regarding economic crimes and need your assistance with an investigation," the officer said in a formal tone.
"Please come with us."
Another police officer stepped forward, signaling for Qin Hao to cooperate. Qin Hao's legs went weak, and he was almost half-supported by the officer as they moved toward the elevator. As he passed by me, his eyes were filled with resentment and unwillingness.
Wen Wan stared blankly at the scene until Qin Hao's figure disappeared behind the elevator doors. Throughout the entire process, I didn't say a word. The police didn't ask me any questions, as if their target had been clear from the very beginning. The corridor returned to its previous silence, but the atmosphere felt even more oppressive.
Wen Wan's gaze shifted from the elevator to her phone. The screen was still lit up, displaying the document link I had sent her. Her finger hovered above the screen, hesitating for a long time. Finally, she tremblingly clicked on the link.
The document loaded quickly. She lowered her head and scrolled rapidly through the screen. Her face turned pale inch by inch as she read. From initial shock to disbelief, and then to an expression mixed with nausea and fear. I had no idea what exactly she was seeing, but that document likely contained not only Qin Hao's financial issues but also details about how he had exploited Wen Wan and possibly schemed against her assets. After all, "Yuan" was known for its efficiency and thoroughness.
After a long while, Wen Wan suddenly looked up. Her eyes were bloodshot as they met mine—not with confusion or terror as before, but with a near-collapse despair. "He mortgaged my apartment before we got married?" Her voice was raspy, as if it had been scraped by sandpaper. "Using a forged... signature of mine?"
I watched Wen Wan's face, pale as paper, and the deep-seated fear in her eyes. She already had an answer to that question in her heart. "Forged signatures for a mortgage loan of a substantial amount."
"The bank will be coming for you soon." My voice remained steady, merely stating a fact that was about to unfold.
Wen Wan's body swayed, as if she could not bear the weight of this confirmation. She suddenly grabbed my arm, her nails nearly digging into my flesh.
"It’s impossible… How dare he…"
"That house is the only memory my parents left me…"
Her voice shattered, laced with a sob, but more so with a kind of hysteria born from complete betrayal.
"Shen Fang, tell me this isn’t true…"
"You must have a way, right?"
The look in her eyes was filled with desperation and reliance. She was a stark contrast to the proud and cold Wen Wan from just a few hours ago in the banquet hall.
I gently pulled my arm away from her grasp.
"Whether there’s a way depends on you."
She froze, not understanding my meaning.
I looked at her and asked slowly, word by word:
"Wen Wan, what do you want to do?"
"Do you want to reclaim your house and make Qin Hao pay?"
"Or do you want to find a way to distance yourself and pray that you won’t get dragged into this?"
"After all, forging signatures for loans could lead the bank to hold you accountable as the homeowner."
My questions stripped away her last glimmer of hope, revealing the harsh reality.
She stared at me, her expression shifting from pleading to confusion, then deeper despair. It seemed she was finally realizing that she faced not just emotional betrayal but also tangible legal risks that could ruin her reputation and even land her in jail.
Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. Her body slid down along the wall until she collapsed on the floor, her gaze vacant.
Wen Wan sat on the cold ground, her eyes unfocused. She had lost all vitality. I looked at her. The radiant hostess from the charity gala just moments ago now appeared utterly disheveled.
"Wen Wan," I began, my voice devoid of emotion.
"I warned you last year."
"I told you to check the mortgage records of your assets when you had the chance."
She suddenly lifted her head, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes as if she were trying hard to remember. Then came the realization, followed by a deeper despair. She recalled it all.
It was after our divorce, during a brief phone call about Lele's child support. I had casually mentioned that she should check on the safety of her assets, particularly regarding the mortgage situation. Her reaction had been one of extreme impatience; she thought I was cursing her or trying to pry into her privacy. She hung up on me immediately.
Now, that reminder she had dismissed as junk information had become a reality.
My backup phone vibrated again. It was another message from "Source."
"The Bank Risk Control Department has initiated an emergency review of the mortgage loan. Relevant accounts are expected to be frozen within two hours, and the property owner will be contacted."
After reading the message, I tucked my phone back into my pocket and approached Wen Wan, looking down at her from above.
"You don’t have much time left to hesitate."
"Two hours."
"The bank will officially notify you that your house has been illegally mortgaged and the loan's whereabouts are unknown."
"At that point, it will be difficult for you to distance yourself from this situation."
Wen Wan's body trembled violently. Two hours. This was the final deadline, pushing her to the edge of a cliff.
She looked at me, her lips quivering as if she wanted to plead for help, to grasp at the last glimmer of hope. But what met her gaze were my calm, even indifferent eyes. There was no trace of pity in them, nor any hint of assistance. Only a silent pressure urging her to make her own choice.
Wen Wan's breathing quickened, her chest rising and falling sharply. The coldness of the ground seeped through her thin clothing. She stared at me, the last flicker of desperation in her eyes slowly extinguishing, transforming into a struggle before making a decision.
After a few seconds, as if she had exhausted all her strength, she finally spoke up.
The voice was soft, yet unusually clear.
"What... what should I do to... clear my name?"
She chose self-preservation.
Her priority was to find a way out of Qin Hao's mess, rather than holding him accountable or protecting that house filled with memories.
I looked at her, my face devoid of any expression.
Inside, I couldn't quite articulate what I felt.
Expected? Perhaps.
But hearing it firsthand still made something sink within me.
I didn’t answer her question.
Instead, I took out my phone and fiddled with it for a moment.
Wen Wan watched me anxiously, thinking I was trying to help her find a solution or contact someone.
I turned the phone screen towards her.
It didn’t show any contact information or solutions.
What she saw was a countdown timer I had just set up.
The bright red numbers displayed: 01:58:30.
"Your time has begun," I said, putting the phone away and turning away from her.
I no longer looked at her.
Wen Wan was stunned, completely unprepared for this outcome.
She stared at my back, her gaze shifting from the last glimmer of hope to sheer despair and disbelief.
"Shen Fang!" she called out, her voice tinged with tears and a sharp edge.
I didn’t stop walking.
At that moment, my phone rang again.
Not a vibration, but an urgent ringtone that pierced through the quiet hallway.
The caller ID showed a number I rarely contacted voluntarily, but when they called, it usually meant big trouble.
I answered the call.
The hallway was silent, and the voice on the other end came through clearly.
"Shen Fang, there’s been an issue with the mine in Southeast Asia."
It was Old Xu's voice, responsible for some of my overseas business connections, and his tone was unusually urgent.
"The Third Mining Area has experienced a large-scale collapse. Preliminary reports indicate... casualties are unknown, but we’ve lost contact on-site."
"The local partners are trying to seal off the information; the situation is chaotic."
My brows immediately furrowed. The Third Mining Area was my largest investment, crucial for the raw material supply of several important production lines downstream. More importantly, there were hundreds of workers inside.
"I'll head over right away," I decided without hesitation.
"Arrange for a plane, as quickly as possible."
"Got it. I'm coordinating the flight routes; a private jet can be on standby at the nearest airport in two hours," Old Xu replied.
"Have your people find a way to get on-site first, secure the rescue route, and control the situation until I arrive."
"Understood."
After hanging up, I turned to leave. Time was of the essence; every minute wasted could mean lives lost.
Wen Wan noticed my grim expression after the call and heard terms like "unknown casualties" and "collapse," causing the last trace of color to drain from her face. She instinctively stood up and blocked my path.
"Shen Fang, where are you going?"
"Is it... something serious?"
Her voice carried an unrecognized concern and fear. I looked at her, my previous indifference softening slightly.
"I have an urgent matter that requires me to go abroad immediately."
"For Lele, I'll arrange for the best people to watch over her 24/7."
"And at the hospital, you can contact Doctor Zhang anytime."
I sidestepped her and quickly walked toward the elevator. Wen Wan watched me leave without hesitation, her mouth opening slightly as if she wanted to say something—perhaps asking what she should do or about the two-hour countdown—but ultimately, nothing came out.
The elevator doors opened, and I stepped inside. Under her complex gaze, the doors slowly closed.
The metallic panels reflected no expression of mine, only leaving behind Wen Wan's gradually diminishing figure, lost and despondent.
I didn't press the elevator button.
A few seconds later, the elevator doors opened again.
I remained standing in place.
Wen Wan suddenly looked up, and I saw a fierce desire to survive explode in her eyes. She rushed over without hesitation, grabbing my arm with surprising strength.
"Shen Fang! You didn't leave?"
"Do you… do you have a way? Please tell me! I'm begging you!"
Her words tumbled out in a rush, her grip on my arm tightening as she clung to this last glimmer of hope.
I looked at her. I saw her tear-streaked face, her expression twisted by fear and despair. I watched this woman, who just hours ago had looked down on me, now reduced to such a pitiful state.
Slowly, I pried her fingers off one by one. My movements were devoid of any emotion.
"Wen Wan," I said. "I really didn’t leave."
Hope reignited in her eyes.
"Because," I continued, locking my gaze with hers, "I've changed my mind."
"The two-hour countdown is canceled."
Wen Wan's breath caught in her throat, overwhelming joy nearly crashing over her. She thought I had softened and was going to help her.
"But," my next words plunged her into deeper fear.
"I've decided to handle this myself."
"To deal with you, to clean up the mess left by Qin Hao, to address… everything between us."
"In my own way."
Wen Wan was pinned in place by my final words, her face pale, her eyes filled with terror and uncertainty.
"Your… your way?" Her voice trembled, "What does that mean?"
I didn’t answer her question. Instead, I turned and walked to the glass wall of the ICU, looking at the small figure inside.
The nurse was adjusting the IV drip for Lele. I watched for a few minutes before turning to Wen Wan.
"Lele's condition is temporarily stable, but we need to determine the subsequent treatment plan as soon as possible."
"Acute Leukemia is no small matter; it requires systematic and long-term treatment."
"Tomorrow at nine in the morning, Doctor Zhang will organize an expert consultation."
"Family members need to be present to hear opinions and make decisions."
My tone was calm, as if I were arranging a routine task.
Wen Wan stared at me blankly, seemingly unable to follow my shift in focus.
"I... of course I will go," she replied instinctively.
"Good," I nodded.
"Additionally," I paused, my gaze sweeping over her, "I have already sent someone to handle the mortgage documents for your apartment."
Wen Wan suddenly looked up, her eyes bursting with disbelief.
"You... you are willing to help me?"
"This is not helping you," I interrupted her hopeful expression.
"Qin Hao has meddled with things he shouldn't have; it needs to be cleaned up."
"As for whether the house can be retrieved in the end and who it belongs to afterward, it's too early to say."
I gently pressed down her rising hopes once again, making it clear that my involvement was not for her sake but because the situation itself needed resolution—or rather, because Qin Hao had crossed a line.
Wen Wan's expression grew complex once more. There was gratitude, confusion, but mostly an uncertainty about my intentions. She didn't know what I truly wanted to achieve—whether it was simply resolving a hassle or if there was a deeper purpose behind my actions.
"Tomorrow at nine in the morning, third floor conference room of the hospital," I reiterated the time and place.
"Don't be late."
With that, I didn’t give her another chance to speak and turned towards the elevator. This time, I pressed the down button, leaving Wen Wan standing alone, facing her son in the ICU and the chaotic, uncertain future that I had stirred up.
The next morning at nine o'clock, in the hospital's third-floor conference room.
I arrived early. Doctor Zhang and several experts were already seated, with Lele's medical records and test reports laid out before them. Wen Wan entered the room right on time. She looked as if she hadn't slept all night; there were noticeable shadows under her eyes, but she had made an effort to tidy herself up, trying to maintain her composure.
When she saw me, her gaze flickered momentarily before she took a seat at the farthest end of the table from me. The consultation began. The experts took turns speaking, analyzing the condition and proposing several different treatment options, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and the possibility of a Bone Marrow Transplant. They discussed the pros and cons, risks, success rates, and costs of each option in detail.
Wen Wan listened intently, occasionally jotting down notes in her notebook. When it was time for the family to ask questions and express preferences, Wen Wan looked at me. All eyes in the conference room turned to me as well. I remained silent, simply gesturing for her to go ahead.
Wen Wan hesitated for a moment, seemingly surprised that I was giving her the decision-making power. After a few seconds of uncertainty, she took a deep breath and stood up. Her voice trembled slightly, but she clearly articulated several questions regarding the side effects and long-term impacts of the different options. The experts answered each one in turn.
Finally, Wen Wan sat down again and looked at me once more. This time, her gaze held a question along with a sense of... tension as if waiting for a verdict. I finally spoke up. “Bone Marrow Transplant.” My voice was soft but clear. “Find the best match and arrange for the best team of specialists; cost is not an issue.”
“I have only one request: minimize the impact on Lele's quality of life as much as possible.” My decision was direct and resolute, dismissing other options that posed slightly lower risks but could lead to slower or more significant effects. I chose the most thorough option, even though it might entail more initial suffering.
The experts exchanged glances before Doctor Zhang nodded. “Mr. Shen’s opinion is very clear; we will immediately initiate matching and preparation work.” The consultation concluded, and the experts began to leave one by one.
In the conference room, it was just me and Wen Wan left. She stood up and walked in front of me.
"Thank you... for choosing the best for Lele."
"But... the cost of the Bone Marrow Transplant, and the subsequent recovery..." She hesitated.
"I told you, the cost is not an issue," I interrupted her.
"Wen Wan," I looked into her eyes. "Regarding Qin Hao's illegal mortgage of the house, the preliminary results have come in."
"The loan contract has been deemed invalid due to forged signatures, and the bank will pursue Qin Hao for repayment. Your house... is safe."
Wen Wan's eyes instantly brightened, a huge weight lifted off her shoulders.
"Really?"
"Yes."
She was so excited that she wanted to say something, but my next words interrupted her.
"However," I looked into her eyes. "I bought that house."
"At a price far exceeding market value, and I also cleared any potential fines you might face due to regulatory negligence from the bank."
"The property deed is now in my name."
The excitement and joy on Wen Wan's face instantly froze, replaced by complete shock and confusion.
"What... what do you mean?"
"What I mean is," I stood up and walked closer to her, closing the distance. "Wen Wan, you now have nothing."
"Except... you are still Lele's mother."
"And I," I looked down at her. "Am Lele's father, and your only support now."
"Do you want to stay by Lele's side to take care of him?"
"Do you want to get back the house your parents left you?"
"Then... learn again how to be my wife."
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