Chapter 77 Less Than Two Months

Chapter 77: Less Than Two Months

One week after Chen Su received the letter of intent.

Old Master Sheng was maneuvering in all directions for Sheng Beiqing. The Sheng family still had some standing in the capital, and with Sheng Beiqing not having caused any serious consequences, they finally managed to create a window of opportunity.

Sheng Beiqing voluntarily signed the divorce agreement, resigned from his post, and settled the matter quietly.

The next time Chen Su saw Sheng Beiqing was at the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Sheng Beiqing looked haggard, his face thinner. When he looked up and saw Chen Su, his jaw tightened and he gritted his teeth: "Chen Su, just as you wished."

Chen Su said nothing and got the divorce papers with Sheng Beiqing.

After receiving the divorce papers, Sheng Beiqing grabbed Chen Su's left wrist: "You're so eager to sever ties with me, are you planning to marry Zhao Jinzong? Chen Su, you can't keep secrets forever. Your fate will be worse than mine."

Chen Su smiled, "Do you know why I like Zhao Jinzong?"

"............"

"Because the first time I saw him, I really wanted to sleep with him. Thanks to your study, I got my wish... Oh, and he made me feel incredible."

Every time Sheng Beiqing brought up Chen Su's secret, Chen Su would sleep with Zhao Jinzong an extra time.

Chen Su coldly shook off Sheng Beiqing's hand and walked out. Uncle Wen was waiting by the door early, stepping forward to ask, "Are you okay?"

Chen Su shook his head. "I'm fine."

Uncle Wen drove Chen Su back to the Drug Supervision Bureau. Chen Su changed into his lab coat and went into the lab. During his absence, Meng Suizhi had been pulling too many all-nighters, so Chen Su decided to stay later tonight.

Zhao Jinzong had been busy lately too, so they might as well head back together.

Meng Suizhi smiled and said, "Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"When are you planning to get married?"

"We'll talk later." Chen Su asked, "Do you still keep in contact with him?"

Meng Suizhi smiled bitterly, "No."

"Are you sad?"

"Just a bit unaccustomed. I'll slowly break the habit. He said he hates the Drug Supervision Bureau and Xiao An. In his mind, I should revolve around him. He's super immature. I couldn't go along with that, so I let him go."

Meng Suizhi said it casually, but if it were truly that easy to move on, Meng Suizhi wouldn't be living in the lab.

Meng Suizhi asked, "How's your gland doing?"

"Much better."

"Good. Let me know if you feel uncomfortable. I know a few top gland doctors."

"Thank you."

In the evening, Zhao Jinzong came to wait for Chen Su to finish work at 8:30. Chen Su was recording data with Meng Suizhi. Meng Suizhi looked at the tall figure outside the window and said, "Go ahead. I'll handle this."

"Just a few sets of data to record, it won't take long. You should head home and get some rest too."

"Alright, I'll head home early today."

After recording the data, Chen Su changed out of his lab coat and left.

Zhao Jinzong reached out, took Chen Su's hand, and hooked it through his arm.

They didn't go home that night. Zhao Jinzong took Chen Su to watch a movie.

Chen Su knew that Zhao Jinzong was stealing time from his busy schedule to date him.

On weekends, Zhao Jinzong took him to an art exhibition, a Chinese opera, and a musical. After dinner, they would go for a walk, watch the sunset, and hike.

Everything that couples normally do, Zhao Jinzong was doing with him one by one.

Chen Su began to take the initiative to hold Zhao Jinzong's hand, took lots of pictures as keepsakes, and felt very happy.

Many things were firsts for Chen Su—first time doing them, first time seeing them.

Being able to share these moments with the one he loved felt incredibly lucky.

Zhao Jinzong was a wonderful partner. He always carried candy with him, and at the end of each date, he would give Chen Su a piece of candy.

Chen Su's study drawer was stuffed with candy.

This happy streak lasted a month. A month later, Chen Su received a call from Xiao Li's school.

Xiao Li's homeroom teacher said that Xiao Li had fainted and was in serious condition.

Chen Su immediately asked for leave from the Tanzhou office and drove to the hospital near Rongcheng University. Xiao Li was lying pale in bed, unconscious.

The homeroom teacher said they were organizing an art exhibition recently and had Xiao Li helping. During work, Xiao Li suddenly collapsed. The teacher didn't know what happened and rushed him to the hospital.

The doctor said Xiao Li's gland was failing abnormally, life-threatening.

Chen Su called Meng Suizhi to ask about Xiao An's condition. Meng Suizhi immediately went to the special ward at Federal Hospital and got Xiao An checked out. Xiao An's gland was already failing, but it hadn't worsened and was still stable.

In a secluded spot, Meng Suizhi asked softly, "Your brother... is his condition serious? Do you need me to come over?"

"Okay." Chen Su hung up.

He told the homeroom teacher to go on ahead, and sat alone beside Xiao Li's bed. At eight in the evening, Xiao Li finally came to, his eyes teary. Xiao Li's eyes always got like that when he woke up in pain.

When Xiao Li opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Chen Su's anxious face: "Bro... why are you here..."

"You fainted."

Looking at Chen Su's grave expression, Xiao Li smiled and said, "Bro, I'm fine, don't worry. It's not like I've never fainted before. It's okay, I don't really feel that bad."

"Have you fainted recently?"

"No, just this once."

"Any other discomfort lately?"

"Hmm... my chest feels tight, and my gland sometimes feels hot."

Halfway through Chen Su's questions, the doctor on duty came in. He asked about Xiao Li's feelings and smiled, "Get some rest. Eat light meals for now."

The doctor looked at Chen Su: "Family member? Step outside. I need to discuss some precautions with you."

"Okay," Chen Su said, tucking Xiao Li in before leaving the ward.

The doctor told Chen Su that the patient's glands had failed so severely he wouldn't last more than two months; a replacement was necessary. But voluntary gland donors were scarce, and the resource is rare. Two months was too short; they likely wouldn't find one in time, but he would do his best.

After hearing this, Chen Su nearly lost his footing. Luckily, he reacted quickly and steadied himself against the wall, avoiding a fall.

The doctor left.

Chen Su stood frozen in the hallway. Meng Suizhi rushed over, startled by Chen Su's appearance. He helped him to a chair, handed him water, and asked, "What did the doctor say?"

"Less than two months."

"...How is that possible?"

"I don't know. Last time, after the injection, there was a clear improvement..." Chen Su didn't know where things had gone wrong. He slumped in the chair, clenching his hands so tightly that his nails seemed ready to pierce through his glove and dig into his palm.

"This isn't your fault."

Meng Suizhi had seen this happen too many times...

"I'm going downstairs to buy a pack of smokes." Chen Su stood up. Whenever he felt stressed or upset, he craved a smoke.

"Alright." Meng Suizhi went to check on Xiao Li.

Chen Su went downstairs, bought the cheapest pack of cigarettes, and put a cigarette between his lips. Then he remembered his promise to Zhao Jinzong. He didn't light it for a long time, just kept biting the filter to relieve stress.

He sat at the hospital entrance for a long time. A light drizzle began to fall.

A black umbrella was held over his head. Chen Su smelled the incense pheromones. The cigarette in his mouth felt as if it had been lit—he was smoking an impossibly expensive one.

The cigarette slipped from his lips and fell to the ground, soaked by the rain.

He didn't dare to look up. With trembling hands, he reached out and hugged the person before him, resting his head against his waist in silent dependence, without a word.

In the darkness, Zhao Jinzong gently wiped the rain-dampened strands of hair off Chen Su's face.