Donghai City.
Kanghui Hospital, Department of Neurology.
"Doctor, did the tests show anything? What kind of illness is this?"
Peng Jian's voice trembled as he stared fixedly at the specialist in front of him.
Beside him, Su Chen's eyes were hollow, his haggard face growing even paler.
Half an hour ago, Su Chen had been smoking with Peng Jian in the lounge area, but the doctor's words just now had plunged them both into an abyss of ice.
Looking at the figures on the report, Su Chen's heart sank lower and lower.
"Hermes Syndrome is extremely rare, both in our country and globally, and the recovery rate is exceptionally low."
"Currently, from the time of diagnosis to the end of the patient's life, the longest duration is four months."
"This disease causes the immune system to attack the body's own tissues..."
Su Chen raised his eyes, his voice dry. "Doctor, I understand. This disease is terminal."
The doctor in white turned stunned, then nodded.
"You could say that. Given the current level of medical science, for a patient to make a full recovery would indeed be a miracle. Moreover, Mr. Su is also experiencing dizziness, which will further increase the surgical difficulty."
After that, whatever else the other person said, Su Chen could no longer take in.
He stood up, put away the report, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he turned to walk out.
Peng Jian hurried to follow.
"Su Chen, shouldn't we call Lin Shiya over?"
"Lin Shiya? Forget it."
A bitter smile touched the corner of Su Chen's mouth, making his already bloodless face look even more haggard.
Lin Shiya was his girlfriend, and the two had gotten engaged just a few months ago.
They had attended the same university. Lin Shiya was fair-skinned, beautiful, and came from a prominent background—the universally acknowledged campus belle in everyone's eyes.
The Donghai Lin Family held a prominent business status, and some even compared Lin Shiya to a snow lotus blooming on the peak of Mount Everest: crystal-clear, holy, and completely out of reach.
As for Su Chen, he was another legend on campus.
With a cold, handsome face and boundless talent, this top scorer in the Donghai college entrance examination had utterly crushed the scores of all previous top scorers.
The two had met by chance on a rainy day and fallen in love at first sight.
After graduation, Su Chen had turned down repeated invitations from several well-known companies. Through his own hard work, within just two years, he had propelled Lin Shiya's Green Expansion Company into the top three enterprises in Donghai.
However, Su Chen came from a poor background, his parents had died when he was young, and he had neither backing nor connections in Donghai.
Upon learning that their daughter was associating with such a person, the Lin family had opposed it resolutely.
Yet Lin Shiya refused to be swayed, determined to be with Su Chen no matter the cost.
Fortunately, Su Chen's hard work eventually won the recognition of the Lin family.
Four months ago, the two got engaged.
On the night of their engagement, Lin's father accidentally hit a young man with his car.
Although it was only minor abrasions and a mild concussion, out of guilt, Lin's father offered the young man a job opportunity.
The shift began right at that moment.
The young man was named Xu Lang. He had just graduated from university and was worrying about finding a job; upon hearing he could join the company, he accepted on the spot.
Shortly after, Xu Lang was placed under Su Chen's command to learn and gain experience.
Before long, everyone in the company knew that Vice President Su had taken on an intern.
From negotiating business to signing contracts, Su Chen kept Xu Lang by his side, teaching him experience handsomely, step by step.
Xu Lang had "Brother Su" constantly on the tip of his tongue all day long.
He addressed Lin Shiya even more affectionately, calling her "Sister Yaya" at every turn.
Learning that Xu Lang's father had died early and his mother was mentally unstable, Lin Shiya also showed him deep concern.
From then on, Xu Lang not only frequently appeared in Su Chen and Lin Shiya's office, but also frequently showed up in their personal lives.
Lin Shiya went so far as to affectionately call Xu Lang her male best friend and soulmate.
Regarding this, Su Chen had warned Lin Shiya to keep her distance from Xu Lang, letting his displeasure show on his face.
Yet Lin Shiya didn't care in the least.
Lately, Su Chen had been frequently experiencing dizziness.
That very morning, Lin Shiya had said she would accompany Su Chen to the hospital, but because of a phone call before leaving, Lin Shiya had broken her promise... once again.
Suppressing the anger burning in his chest, Su Chen had called Peng Jian.
And that led to the scene of going to the hospital and seeing the doctor just now.
Although the conclusion had been reached, Su Chen's thoughts still lingered on that morning when he left the house.
Before leaving, Lin Shiya had kissed Su Chen on the cheek.
"Ah-Chen, go see the doctor by yourself. It's not a big deal anyway. You know how it is, Xiao Lang's mother's mental state isn't quite normal, so I have to head over there."
"Ha! Not a big deal? I've got a damn terminal illness!"
Thinking of the expression on Lin Shiya's face as she left, Su Chen couldn't help swearing out loud.
"Old Su, don't get excited yet. Lin Shiya surely didn't expect things to turn out like this, otherwise, with the five years the two of you have spent together, wouldn't she be worried sick?"
"Don't be stubborn right now. Give her a call and see if she's finished handling things over there."
Su Chen frowned, but still took out his phone.
The call went through, but no one answered.
Su Chen dialed several more times, and it remained in the exact same state.
Puttng his phone back into his pocket, Su Chen's face grew so cold water could drip from it.
Peng Jian hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over. "Maybe she didn't hear it. Who knows, she might call you right back in a moment."
The moment those words fell, Su Chen's phone actually rang!
Peng Jian raised an eyebrow.
"See that? Didn't I tell you?"
Su Chen pulled out his phone, glanced at it, and hit speakerphone.
"President Zhou, what is it?"
"Brother Su, have you thought about the matter we discussed last time?"
"I genuinely want you to come over. How about this: I'll raise the annual salary a bit more, say, 3 million? Once my new company is established, you will have full authority, and the position of President is yours."
"In addition, as long as you're willing to come, I'll add 15% of the company's founding shares!"
A 3 million annual salary?
15% founding shares?
The position of President?!
Peng Jian's eyes glazed over as he listened.
Su Chen's expression was solemn, his voice slightly fatigued.
"Thank you for President Zhou's kind intentions, but..."
"Hang on, don't speak so absolute. Ah, I really don't know which ancestor's grave the Lin Family smoked green smoke from to keep a treasure like you. With you around, the Lin Family won't have to worry for generations to come. It really makes people envious!"
"President Zhou flatters me. Then, what about the cooperation between our two companies?"
"Cooperation continues. Your Brother Zhou isn't that petty. You come over first, and I'll sign the papers right after. I truly admire your talent, and no matter when, the doors of the Zhou Group are always wide open for you!"
Seeing the two of them start discussing business, Peng Jian retreated to the side.
By the time he came back over, Su Chen had already hung up the phone.
"Poaching you again? Old Su, with your ability, you practically have the new energy sector in the palm of your hand, don't you?" Peng Jian looked so envious his saliva was about to drip down.
Su Chen smiled bitterly and pointed a finger at his heart.
The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
Having the industry in the palm of your hand—so what?
Catch a terminal illness, and wouldn't you still die?
Unable to watch any longer, Peng Jian used his own phone to call Lin Shiya.
Finally, it went through.
"Peng Jian, are you with Su Chen? Put him on the phone."
"Su Chen, will you ever stop? I didn't pick up because it wasn't convenient, why are you having other people call me?"
"Xiao Lang and I are looking after Auntie, can you stop causing trouble? Once I'm done handling things here, I'll go back. What are you rushing for!"
"Sister Yaya, is that Brother Su? Today is the weekend, you should be keeping Brother Su company."
On the phone, a male voice sounded weak, carrying a hint of apology.
"Xiaoya, I saw the specialist at the hospital."
"So you saw them. If you're sick, get a prescription; if you're tired, rest for a couple of days. Can your illness possibly be heavier than Xiao Lang's mother's? Stop being so dramatic! By the way, if you're resting, get the proposal prepared in advance. I'm hanging up, I'm busy. And don't call me again!"
Lin Shiya's voice sounded irritated.
With that final remark, she hung up the phone.
Su Chen stood frozen in place, bitterness spreading through his heart bit by bit.
How had he and Lin Shiya reached this point today?
All the way until they got into the car, Su Chen kept thinking about Lin Shiya's complaints.
"Old Su, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Didn't the doctor just say you can opt for surgical treatment? A cure isn't out of the question."
"Wait for a miracle to happen?"
Su Chen shot back with a rhetorical question.
Peng Jian's hands on the steering wheel trembled slightly.
Neither of them spoke again.
The air in the car felt on the verge of freezing.
To distract himself, Su Chen took out his phone and casually opened his Moments.
Suddenly, Su Chen's eyes narrowed. A sense of suffocation mixed with pain washed over him like a tidal wave!
On the phone screen was a high-definition photo of a marriage certificate.
The bride was unmistakably... Lin Shiya!