Ch13 "I will reward you tonight"
After Xia Yang left, Xia Wan stayed downstairs for a little while longer.
He took a moment to calm down and read the diagnosis again. This time, he searched online for medical terms in the report that he didn't fully understand.
Based on his own experience from his past life, he had a general understanding of Xia Chengzhang's condition.
Afterward, he quickly downloaded a medical app, found a well-known lung cancer expert in China, and sent Xia Chengzhang's information to him.
Once that was done, he made his way upstairs.
Upstairs, the game of chess had already finished. Xia Chengzhang was working while talking to Zhang Ruicheng. Both of them looked somewhat serious.
When they heard the door open, both men turned to look.
"Didn't Xia Yang call you down to get some fruit?" Zhang Ruicheng asked, noticing that Xia Wan had come back without anything in his hands.
"Oh, right. We were talking, and I completely forgot to take it," Xia Wan said with a smile.
"This kid," Xia Chengzhang chuckled. "he is always forgetting things."
At this, Xia Wan just laughed and didn't say nor asked anything else.
It wasn't until evening, when Zhang Ruicheng's nephew, Zhang Nan, came to pick him up, that Xia Wan suddenly stood up. "I'll walk Uncle Zhang down."
Zhang Nan's car was parked downstairs, not far away, with the headlights on. Xia Wan couldn't see clearly inside the car but still waved in greeting.
Zhang Nan would usually come to pick up and drop off Zhang Ruicheng whenever he visited this area.
Since parking was a hassle in the old neighborhood, he rarely came upstairs with his uncle. Instead, he would stay in the car, which was always parked nearby.
So he had only seen him once or twice; he seemed like a calm and composed young man.
"Uncle Zhang, I'll walk you down," Xia Wan said, walking alongside Zhang Ruicheng as they headed towards the car.
"Uncle Zhang, please tell me the truth," Xia Wan asked as they walked, his voice quiet but urgent. "How is my dad really doing? What's his condition?"
Although he knew the chances were slim, he spent the entire day hoping that Xia Yang had been lying to him, wishing that everything was just a false alarm.
But the expression on Zhang Ruicheng's face instantly shattered that last bit of hope, confirming that he had not been deceived.
"Son, how did you find out?" Zhang Ruicheng asked, his voice gentle yet filled with a hint of surprise, as he placed a hand on Xia Wan's shoulder and gave it a comforting pat.
"So, it's true?" Xia Wan asked softly.
Zhang Ruicheng nodded.
Xia Chengzhang had been diagnosed with the disease for some time, and it had already spread. Fortunately, it wasn't at the serious stage. The doctor's plan was to start with chemotherapy and then see if surgery could be possible later on.
"Your dad didn't want you to know," Zhang Ruicheng spoke quietly. "He hoped you could stay happy and didn't want this illness to affect you or your life. Most importantly, he doesn't want you to be influenced or manipulate by others because of his condition. That's why he's kept this secret."
Xia Wan knew he was referring to Xia Chenglin and Xia Yang.
Xia Chengzhang doted on the original owner and had a resolute stance on protecting original owner's well-being. Because of this, he was very cautious and didn't trust Xia Chenglin, more so than he did Xia Yang.
Xia Yang knew this well and used it to his advantage.
He frequently resorted to threats and manipulations to control orginal owner, all the while making sure that Xia Chengzhang never found out. This allowed him to maintain control over the original owner while keeping the old man oblivious to his actions.
"Where is the money for my dad's treatment coming from?" Xia Wan asked. He knew the family's financial situation well enough to understand it couldn't cover Xia Chengzhang's medical bills.
"Xiao Wan, you just focus on your studies," Zhang Ruicheng said. "Don't worry about the rest. Your dad can still afford treatment for now."
"Uncle, did you help with the advance the payment for my dad's treatment?" Xia Wan asked after a brief pause.
"If that's the case, could you please write down the account details for me? I'll make sure to pay you back little by little, as soon as I can."
Hearing this, Zhang Ruicheng sighed deeply.
"When I was younger, I did some things that deeply hurt your dad. I've regretted it ever since. Now, I'm doing everything I can to make up for my past mistakes."
Waving his hand, he added, "Since your dad didn't want you to know, just keep it to yourself. Don't let him get stressed. I'm here to help. Got it?"
Xia Wan nodded as he watched Zhang Ruicheng get into the car. A lump formed in his throat, and his nose tingled with the onset of tears, though he held them back.
Thankfully, the expert he had consulted online earlier in the day responded, providing some clarity and easing his worries little bit.
The doctor said that Xia Chengzhang's condition wasn't too bad. If he could get the chance for surgery, his chances of survival would be greater than 50%.
This response boosted Xia Wan's confidence, and he sent Xia Chengzhang's current treatment plan. The other person replied promptly, confirming that it was the standard treatment plan for the type of condition.
It was only at that moment that Xia Wan truly felt relieved.
After hesitating for a moment, Xia Wan picked up his phone and sent a message to Huo Yu:
[Big bowl of sweet tea: Are you free to meet in the next two days?]
Xia Wan thought it was late and that Huo Yu might not be able to respond, but I didn't expect the other party to respond so quickly:
[Huo Yu: I'll be available on Monday afternoon.]
[Big bowl of sweet tea: Shall we have dinner together on Monday?]
[Huo Yu: Okay.]
After a brief pause, Xia Wan touched the screen with his fingertips and typed:
[Big bowl of sweet tea: Good night.]
The phone vibrated beside the pillow. Xia Wan thought it was a reply from Huo Yu, so he picked it up. However, to his surprise, it was a message from Su Tang.
[Little Sweet Tangguo: Bao'er, you're trending, do you know that?]
Xia Wan:?
It's only been a few days since he transmigrated. How could he be trending so soon?
[Little Sweet Tangguo: Many people love your painting.]
Painting?
Xia Wan felt a bit puzzled. After a moment, he remembered that he had indeed uploaded a painting on his video account.
But shortly after uploading it, Xia Yang informed him of Xia Chengzhang's condition. How could he possibly care about the painting again?
Xia Wan could still hear Xia Chengzhang's cough in his ears. He listened for a while, then opened the video account until the coughing subsided.
He hadn't added any special effects to the painting, just some background music. Yet, there were already over 500 comments below, almost all of them praising the work. His fan count, which had been in single digits before, quickly soared into the triple digits.
Xia Wan was taken aback by the response; he hadn't expected so many people to appreciate his casually drawn painting. It was unexpected but also heartwarming to see such positive feedback from strangers online.
He had always been confident in his painting abilities. His mother often remarked that while God had closed the door to good health for him, He had opened a window of opportunity elsewhere.
This encouragement from his mother had always motivated him to pursue his passion for art despite any health challenges he faced.
It's just that he had never shared his artwork publicly before, and this was his first time doing so.
Xia Wan read through the compliments from internet users one by one, and gradually, a smile formed on his lips.
He had always felt that he was a useless person, but at this moment, he learned from this small sense of satisfaction that he could actually be very useful.
The cup of coffee had been emptied, but the person he was waiting for still hadn't arrived.
Huo Yu impatiently tapped the table with his fingers, his gaze shifting towards the window as he waited for the person to arrive.
It was dinner time, and couples and friends came out to eat together, but Xia Wan was missing.
He raised his wrist to check the time, noting that it was getting late. Then, he clicked on the messaging app to see if there were any updates or messages from Xia Wan.
On his screen, Xia Wan's profile picture was at the top of the address book. It was a cute Pikachu smiling up at him.
Pikachu's expression was somewhat similar to Xia Wan's when he looked at himself. Its eyes were either slightly squinted, emitting a gentle and non-threatening aura.
Huo Yu paused for a moment before clicking on the dialog box and entering a message in it.
[Huo Yu: It's been fifteen minutes since our agreed meeting time.]
As soon as the message was sent, the phone rang in his hand.
The tension between his brows eased slightly, and his face softened a bit before Huo Yu lifted his finger to tap on the screen and accept the call.
"Huo Yu," the voice on the phone was not Xia Wan's, but Shen Yan's.
"Why are you so late for an appointment?" Huo Yu asked casually, his eyes briefly flicking towards the window once more as if searching for someone.
The person on the other end seemed surprised for a moment: "You never said I had an appointment with you when I called."
However, after hearing the voice, Huo Yu's brows, which had just softened, were once again stained with a trace of impatience, evident in his demeanor.
Huo Yu looked at the screen before answering: "I was waiting for someone, I thought it was him."
"Oh-," Shen Yan deliberately drew out his voice, teasingly he asked. "Were you waiting for Xia Wan?"
"Yes," Huo Yu confessed calmly, without denying it.
"I heard you brought him back to the Huo house," Shen Yan asked, gossiping. "You're not actually interested in him, are you?"
"Maybe," Huo Yu responded nonchalantly, leaving some room for interpretation in his answer.
He didn't intend to share anything about Xia Wan and their possible agreement with anyone, including Shen Yan.
One reason was that Huo Yu believed it wouldn't have been beneficial for Xia Wan's reputation if their true relationship became public knowledge.
Additionally, he was wary that once one person knew about it, the news might spread to others, potentially causing unwanted attention and complications.
"Brother, you're making waves without making a sound," Shen Yan exclaimed, exaggeratingly.
"What?" Huo Yu inquired. "Do you have any objections?" He asked.
"How dare I?" Shen Yan retorted. "I just think your family backgrounds aren't compatible. Otherwise, why would Huo Lin get engaged to Qiu Qi?"
"What family background do I have?" Huo Yu asked calmly. Then, he continued, "If there's no further business to discuss, I'll end the call."
"No," Shen Yan finally got down to business. "The financial statements of Shenzhou and Langqiao Gallery have been sent to your email, along with plans for several new projects. Please review and sign them for me if everything looks good."
"Understood," Huo Yu replied before ending the call.
There was indeed a small envelope icon on the screen, but there was no response from Xia Wan.
Huo Yu hesitated briefly before clicking on the mailbox.
Engrossed in the file, he didn't raise his head until the sound of the door opening caught his attention.
Assuming it was Xia Wan who had arrived, he looked up, only to be met with the sight of an exceptionally gentle and handsome face.
Huo Yu's eyes narrowed, a chill settling in his gaze as he swiftly turned off the phone screen with practiced calmness. He addressed the unexpected visitor with a composed demeanor, his voice firm as he inquired, "Who gave you permission to enter?"
"I have no ulterior motives," Sun Baijiang stood near the door, his fingers lightly gripping the brim of his baseball cap, his knuckles turning faintly white. "I simply noticed your car and thought come over to say hello."
"Is that all you came to say?" Huo Yu leaned back, raising his chin slightly with an imposing demeanor. "You can leave now."
"Xiao Yu," Sun Bai Jiang said softly, refusing to leave. Instead, he pulled up a chair and positioned himself across from Huo Yu. There was a hint of hidden pain in his eyes as he gazed at Huo Yu. "Are you waiting for Xia Wan?"
"Who I am waiting for is none of your concern," Huo Yu replied, his gaze shifting as he regarded Sun Baijiang differently.
"I just care about you," Sun Baijiang's voice softened. "Don't be with that Xia Wan."
His eyes held a mixture of concern and sincerity, pleading with Huo Yu to reconsider his relationship with Xia Wan.
"What does it have to do with you?" Huo Yu repeated, his tone unchanged, devoid of warmth as he met Sun Baijiang's gaze. "Your concern is unnecessary."
Sun Baijiang nervously twisted the brim of his hat between his fingers. Despite his experience performing on stage in front of large crowds, he couldn't maintain his usual composure when facing the man in front of him. He felt so anxious that he struggled to speak clearly.
"I heard you brought Xia Wan to Huo's house yesterday. You know Uncle Huo won't approve," Sun Baijiang continued, speaking quickly as if worried Huo Yu would cut him off. "Huo Lin was with Xia Wan. And his reasons for being with Huo Lin aren't genuine. He's not right for you. Others said he was really clingy to Huo Lin when they were
together. If Huo Lin wasn't engaged, he wouldn't have been able to get rid of Xia Wan at all..."
"Sun Baijiang," Huo Yu warned coldly, "Xia Wan is the one I love. No matter what, he's far cleaner and nobler than you."
Sun Baijiang paused, his
expression tightening as he remained silent, processing Huo Yu's words.
He knew that coming here might lead to humiliation, but he had already prepared himself for it and came regardless.
"Is this the sole purpose of your visit?" Huo Yu's faint smile remained as he retrieved a cigarette, lighting it while keeping his gaze lowered. "Once you're done, go back and report it to your Uncle Huo." His tone carried a subtle dismissiveness, indicating that the conversation was concluded.
Sun Baijiang was momentarily stunned before the realization of what Huo Yu Implied sank in. His face drained of color, betraying his shock and understanding of the situation.
"I'm not following you," he said. "My manager's child study here. I Just happened to see your car when I came with her."
"It doesn't matter," Huo Yu sald with a nonchalant shrug, his gaze unwavering as he blew out a puff of white smoke. "To put it plainly, I simply don't care about you." His tone carried a dismissive indifference, making it clear that Sun Baijiang's presence held no significance to him.
Sun Baijiang felt as if he were like a puff of white smoke in Huo Yu's heart, fading away and disappearing.
The door swung open once more, and Xia Wan leaned over, panting, as he held onto the handle
Xia Wan had a meeting planned with Huo Yu here, but since it was still early after class, he used the time to search online for cases and treatment plans similar to Xia Chengzhang's and also checked on the recovery progress afterward.
He was so busy that if Huo Yu hadn't sent a message, Xia Wan might have completely forgotten about their meeting.
He took a moment to catch his breath and was about to lift his head to apologize when he noticed there was another person in the room.
Even though Xia Wan didn't get a clear look at Sun Baijiang's face during their encounter in the imperial capital that night, he had become familiar with it over the past two days.
Sun Baijiang was a top figure in the entertainment industry, known for his handsome looks, wealth, and low-key demeanor. Despite his stature, he maintained a positive reputation within the industry, making him a notable figure in the public eye.
Xia Wan had seen Sun Baijiang's face several times on his phone screen over the past few days.
Considering Huo Yu's attitude towards Sun Baijiang in the imperial capital that day, Xia Wan recalled the saying "The enemy of my friend is my enemy" and promptly adjusted his approach.
"My dear,"
With a gentle smile on his face, Xia Wan looked at Huo Yu, his black hair slightly damp and sticking to his snow-white forehead, creating a striking
contrast.
Despite the rush, his eyes shone with warmth and softness as he spoke, conveying his genuine affection and eagerness to be with Huo Yu.
"I raced against time to get to you earlier." Xia Wan said.
"Come here," Huo Yu gestured, raising his hand.
Xia Wan pursed his lips playfully and walked over to Huo Yu, wearing a smile. He teasingly asked, "Is there a reward for me for my hard work?"
"Yes," Huo Yu replied with a smile, his deep eyes glowing with warmth and affection. He reached out, gently embracing Xia Wan, and tenderly wiped the faint sweat from his forehead.
"I'll reward you tonight," he whispered softly, his words carrying a promise of intimacy and affection.