Chapter 157: Meticulous Planning
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Having known each other for quite some time, Dr. Ye was aware that Cheng Hui always regarded him as a friend. He kept his feelings deeply hidden, never letting Cheng Hui notice. But seeing Cheng Hui’s recent behavior now, Dr. Ye began to doubt his long-held assumptions.
After seeing them off, Dr. Ye returned to the ward. Ye Ruoruo asked, “Brother, is Cheng Hui really getting married?”
“Seems like it,” he replied calmly.
Dr. Ye knew little about it, but judging by the situation, it was probably true.
Ye Ruoruo coughed lightly, her face still pale, and asked, “Brother, what will you do then?”
Dr. Ye gave a comforting smile, patting her hat gently. “Right now, I just want you to get better. Nothing else matters.”
Ye Ruoruo smiled back. “But brother, I want you to be well, too.”
She didn’t have much time left. Even if he hid it from her, she could feel her physical decline and her own will to survive.
“Brother, I know you feel differently about Cheng Hui. Try to fight for it. There’s still a chance.”
The siblings had depended on each other since childhood, so her intentions were naturally for his own good. She didn’t want him to give up just because he found someone somewhat interesting.
In life, one must always make a try.
Dr. Ye pinched her cheek. “Don’t worry about things unnecessarily. Right now, nothing is more important than your health.”
“You have to get better,” Ye Ruoruo said, her chest rising and falling with difficulty. They both knew well that her condition was only being prolonged by medication; there was no cure.
Even the specialist who had recently examined her advised against holding onto too much hope, recommending only conservative treatment.
That specialist was the one Xin Gan had found.
They had searched every hospital in the country. If there had been a solution, she wouldn’t be waiting here, counting down the days of her life.
Ye Ruoruo wanted to say more, but Dr. Ye urged her to rest.
...
Back in Yong City, Cheng Hui’s fiancé asked if she was hungry, suggesting they find somewhere to eat first and fill their stomachs.
It was already dark. Cheng Hui stared blankly at the street outside. “Not hungry.”
“Then how about a drink? Do you want some milk tea?”
“Okay, milk tea then.”
They parked and went to a famous milk tea shop known online. Whether it was good or not was unclear, but it was quite popular.
Cheng Hui didn’t care for milk tea and had only had it a few times, so she didn’t know which flavor was best.
Her fiancé saw the menu and said, “Let’s get the signature drink. Usually, the signature is a safe choice.”
“Alright,” she nodded.
He wanted to take a photo and, a bit embarrassed, said, “Shall we take a picture together?”
Cheng Hui considered it and agreed. She forced a smile, but her eyes bore no warmth; it was a smile squeezed out with effort.
After finishing their drinks, Cheng Hui wanted to go rest. He offered to take her home, and she didn’t refuse.
Actually, her fiancé had noticed she was distracted and not in a good mental state—she seemed somewhat despondent.
He assumed it was due to work stress and lack of rest.
“Are you under too much work pressure? Not resting well?”
Cheng Hui knew her condition was poor and used concealer to hide the dark circles under her eyes. He probably didn’t notice them but sensed her lack of enthusiasm and thought it was work-related.
She shook her head. “No, it’s for other reasons.”
“What reasons? Can you tell me? Cheng Hui, since we’re together, I hope you won’t keep things from me. Marriage is about honesty; no deception.”
He paused. “I want you to open up to me. Whatever it is, we can discuss it together.”
His words were sincere, but Cheng Hui couldn’t respond. She only smiled, feeling the weight in her heart grow heavier.
After getting out of the car, she waved to him, and once his car left, the smile vanished, replaced by an expressionless face—completely different from before. She stood for a moment, then feeling weary, went upstairs.
Next week, the company planned a team-building event at a hot spring resort.
It was the same place He Chuan had taken her to before, not far away.
Everyone was expected to attend, including Cheng Hui.
The trip was scheduled for Saturday morning departure and returning Sunday afternoon, a full day and night.
Cheng Hui disliked group activities, especially lately. She felt restless and somewhat uncontrollable. Aware of her poor condition, she brought her medication and took mood-stabilizing pills before leaving.
They were to stay overnight, sharing a room with a female colleague. She chose to room with a colleague who had interned at the same time.
She informed her fiancé about the trip. He reminded her to stay safe and to call him when she returned so he could pick her up.
She agreed.
During a call with her fiancé, a female colleague overheard and asked mysteriously who it was.
“A boyfriend,” Cheng Hui replied, acknowledging his existence.
The colleague exclaimed, “When did you get a boyfriend? Is he handsome?”
“He’s okay.”
Generally, “okay” meant pretty good.
As they chatted, someone called them to go soak in the hot springs.
Cheng Hui didn’t want to go but was forcibly dragged along by the female colleague.
...
He Chuan had just finished his work and suddenly remembered he hadn’t contacted Cheng Hui for a while. Neither of them took the initiative—their relationship seemed indifferent. Cheng Hui had even changed the locks at home.
He Chuan hesitated, then called Cheng Jiu out for a drink.
Cheng Jiu was married with a family and preferred staying home after work, so he declined without hesitation.
He Chuan said, “Then come to my place to see the kid.”
Cheng Jiu agreed and invited him over.
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Putting aside the connection with Cheng Hui, they could still maintain their friendship.
Cheng Jiu’s boundary was that He Chuan should no longer pursue Cheng Hui; as friends, they could still get along.
He Chuan brought a gift when he came.
Cheng Jiu opened the door and said, “Don’t mention drinking in front of Xin Gan. I don’t want her upset.”
“Bronchitis,” He Chuan replied flatly.
“You’ll get it soon, too. Same here.”
Xin Gan was resting in a room. Xiao Manle had just woken up. She was well-behaved, quietly playing with toys on the sofa, perhaps feeling secure knowing Xin Gan was nearby. She didn’t cry or fuss.
Cheng Jiu, not wanting to disturb the child, asked He Chuan to go to the study.
He Chuan’s gaze lingered on Xiao Manle as she played, her small figure captivating. She had fair skin, big bright eyes, and wore a little bear sweater. She focused on her building blocks without looking up.
Cheng Jiu turned back. “What’s up?”
“Nothing. Your daughter looks a lot like you.”
“Of course.”
“Don’t you watch her?”
“No need. There’s a monitor in the living room that shows what she’s doing anytime.”
Because Xiao Manle had mild autism, she wasn’t close to Cheng Jiu. If left alone with him, she would cry and throw tantrums. Now, she was much better, able to move freely at home, but still distant from him.
In the study, Cheng Jiu brewed tea and served He Chuan.
He Chuan spoke about recent project troubles, mainly approval delays. Cheng Jiu was high-ranking in the system and had internal information, but he remained tight-lipped.
...
Xin Gan woke and, not finding Xiao Manle in the room, hurried out to find her sitting on the sofa, relieving her anxiety.
Suddenly, Xiao Manle pointed toward the study, signaling someone had arrived.
Xin Gan picked her up, kissed her cheek, and said, “Visitors at home?”
She nodded.
“Why didn’t you call for Mommy when you woke? So good.”
She was undoubtedly a biological daughter; the more Xin Gan looked at her, the more she adored her. Xin Gan carried her to the kitchen to get some water.
Xiao Manle said nothing but rested her head on Xin Gan’s shoulder, staring toward the study.
Xin Gan didn’t know who had come. Glancing by the entrance, she saw a pair of men’s shoes—likely He Chuan’s friend.
She set Xiao Manle down and prepared fresh fruit for comfort.
Xiao Manle’s eyes lit up at the sight of peaches. “Mommy, peaches.”
Xin Gan fed her a piece.
Afterward, bending down, she asked, “Sweet?”
With her mouth full, Xiao Manle nodded happily, mumbling indistinctly, “Mmm… not as sweet as Mommy.”
Hearing this, Xin Gan laughed heartily; indeed, her daughter was her little sweetheart.
Just then, He Chuan and Cheng Jiu came out of the study. They both caught that tender scene. Cheng Jiu, settled in his life, took it in stride; He Chuan was momentarily lost in thought, his gaze distant, as if struck by a sudden pang.
He and Cheng Jiu were about the same age, but Cheng Jiu’s daughter was over three, walking, running, and even saying, “Mommy is sweet.” He felt like a lonely man, the contrast painfully stark.
Xin Gan’s expression darkened when she saw He Chuan. Though subtle, he noticed her unwelcoming vibe.
It was understandable. Xin Gan was Cheng Hui’s sister-in-law and naturally not fond of He Chuan. Only Cheng Jiu had come to escort him.
As they reached the parking lot, He Chuan sighed, “If I’d married when you did, the kids would have run off by now, huh?”
“Too late now,” Cheng Jiu coldly shot down. “Even if you and Cheng Hui were still together years ago, marriage and kids weren’t going to happen then.”
Cheng Jiu didn’t mean to bring up Cheng Hui but said it without regret. “Anyway, Cheng Hui is engaged, you’re getting married by year’s end. Let’s not dig into the past; people should look forward.”
He Chuan acknowledged.
...
After seeing He Chuan off, Cheng Jiu returned home to find Xin Gan and Xiao Manle eating fruit on the sofa.
Xin Gan asked, “Why did he come?”
“To see Xiao Manle.”
Xin Gan nodded silently.
Cheng Jiu knew Xin Gan disliked He Chuan. They had been childhood friends, but Cheng Hui’s situation had complicated their relationship. Cheng Jiu had grievances but, as friends and with Cheng Hui settled, he let it go.
Still, he wouldn’t ignore his wife’s feelings about his friend. As he prepared to speak, Xin Gan cut him off.
“I haven’t interfered with your social life these years, but I don’t like He Chuan. You can go out drinking with him, I won’t mind, but don’t let him into our home.”
Thinking of the hardships Cheng Hui endured in London, Xin Gan felt uneasy.
When his wife spoke so firmly, Cheng Jiu dared not object. “Alright, no next time, I swear.”
Xin Gan relented.
...
He Chuan couldn’t stop thinking about Xin Gan and Xiao Manle after seeing them. His mind was already scheming.
Meanwhile, Wen Liang was stirring things up. She noticed He Chuan’s growing coldness and had been silently enduring, searching for other solutions.
Since He Chuan refused to touch her, she wouldn’t just sit back. She had to act.
He Chuan wasn’t going to change their wedding date. It wasn’t yet the end of the year, but issues had already arisen. Wen Liang feared waiting until then, so she bought some medicine to boost vitality. If He Chuan wouldn’t come to her, she’d take the initiative.
...
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After soaking in the hot springs all afternoon, Cheng Hui felt dizzy and went back to rest.
She hadn’t taken her medication today; perhaps the hot springs made her more relaxed. She had hardly been asleep when a female colleague called out, saying her phone was ringing.
“Who is it?” she mumbled groggily.
He Chuan, on the phone, asked, “Just woke up?”
“...”
Her colleague was picking out clothes for the evening.
Cheng Hui sat up quickly, wide awake.
He Chuan heard the background noise stop and asked, “Where are you?”
“What does it matter to you?” she snapped.
He Chuan laughed, “Who made you mad? You’re so angry.”
Since her colleague was still in the room, Cheng Hui went to the balcony to take the call.
“Is something wrong?”
He Chuan said, “If someone upset you, tell me. I’ll make them pay.”
Cheng Hui truly thought he was crazy, always harassing her like back in the day.
“That someone is you. Just stay away from me, and I’ll be fine.”
She hung up without hesitation.
This time, He Chuan did not call back.
He found out she wasn’t home but was at the company team-building hot springs.
He drove there himself.
...
Cheng Hui’s headache worsened. She searched her bag for medicine, counted several pills, confirmed the amount, and swallowed them.
A female colleague noticed. “Cheng Hui, are you okay? You don’t look well.”
Cheng Hui put the bottle away. “Just a headache.”
“You should rest.”
“No, don’t want to keep everyone waiting. Isn’t it time to gather?”
There was an evening event too—a BBQ by the seaside.
Cheng Hui wasn’t enthusiastic. The weather was cool, autumn winds at the sea strong.
But with everyone excited and plans made, she went along.
The seaside wind was fierce. Wearing light clothes, the wind worsened her headache.
A female colleague warned, “You’re wearing so little, didn’t you bring a jacket?”
“No.”
“I thought you’d bring one, so I didn’t remind you. Aren’t you afraid of the cold?”
“Of course I am.”
But she needed to stay clear-headed.
Suddenly, Cheng Hui craved a cigarette. Not in the office, she could smoke freely. Several men were smoking, but no women. She licked her lips, looked for a quiet spot.
No one noticed her leave. She found a corner, lit a cigarette, and smoked deftly.
Checking her phone multiple times to confirm he hadn’t called, she was still thinking about it when the phone rang again—it was He Chuan.
Staring at the screen, she hung up immediately, not in the mood to talk.
He Chuan wasn’t angry. Driving at the time, after she ignored the call, he forwarded it to a friend at the resort, asking for her room number.
The friend, helpful and familiar with the place, quickly replied with the room number and warned him not to cause trouble.
He remembered the girl He Chuan had brought there years ago—that girl was Cheng Hui.
On the way, Wen Liang messaged him, asking why he wasn’t home so late. He glanced but didn’t reply.
Their chats were always routine, mostly Wen Liang asking questions, He Chuan replying briefly and perfunctorily—no real substance.
This time was no different.
Wen Liang asked if he was driving, explaining the lack of response.
He still didn’t reply.
He arrived at the resort, parked, glanced at the time, and went to find Cheng Hui.
Passing the hotel front desk, he booked a room for himself, conveniently right across from her room on the same floor.
He Chuan was more calculating than ever before.
...
At the seaside, Cheng Hui drank some wine and smoked. Her appearance was disheveled, dressed scantily, sitting beneath the light that made her skin look porcelain smooth. Her natural beauty, enhanced by the atmosphere, was alluring.
Cheng Hui attracted both men and women, though she felt nothing. She’d had a little to drink and felt drowsy, leaning against someone nearby, falling asleep.
Her female colleague thought she was drunk and called a helpful male colleague to carry her back to the hotel.
He Chuan waited in his room over half an hour before hearing noise in the corridor. Opening the door, he saw a man carrying Cheng Hui, who was slumped over his shoulder, unresponsive.
He recognized her at once.