Chapter 80: Who Is the One Who Donated Bone Marrow to Me?

Reasons such as maintaining a marriage because of illness were not what Wen Zhixia desired. That would make her feel cheap, something she could not accept.

“President Gu carried you to the hospital, Sister Wen. When you were in the emergency room, he was very nervous,” Hua Qianjiao said, pouring her a glass of water. “Have some water first.”

Wen Zhixia took it. “Did you call him?”

Hua Qianjiao shook her head and looked over at Ye Lanzhou. Seeing this, Ye Lanzhou smiled and explained, “Qianjiao was too frightened at the time and called me... I happened to be on a video call with Pingsheng.”

Whether it was truly a coincidence was impossible to verify; apart from those involved, who could say for sure?

In the director’s office.

Gu Pingsheng stood by the window, gazing outside as he quietly smoked. He was not addicted to cigarettes, but for men, apart from alcohol, only cigarettes remained to ease one’s troubles. Too much alcohol could cloud the mind, yet right now, he needed clarity.

Director Zhang said, “There’s no need to be too anxious. Fainting is unlikely to become a frequent occurrence, and now that a suitable candidate for the surgery has been found, the chances of success are much higher compared to other patients.”

The bluish smoke curled around him, blurring his features.

It was another half an hour before Gu Pingsheng finally left the office.

Hearing footsteps at the door, Wen Zhixia lifted her gaze.

Gu Pingsheng looked at her exquisite face, but found himself unsure how to broach the subject of her illness. He glanced at Ye Lanzhou. “You should both head back.”

Hua Qianjiao looked at Wen Zhixia, visibly worried. “But—”

“Let’s go. There’s nothing more you can do here. Let them talk.” Ye Lanzhou put an arm around her shoulders, coaxing softly.

Wen Zhixia nodded at Hua Qianjiao as well. “Go on, I’m fine.”

After the two had left, Gu Pingsheng sat by Wen Zhixia’s hospital bed. “There’s nothing to worry about. It’s not serious, I—”

“If President Gu finds it hard to speak about my leukemia, there’s no need. I already know,” Wen Zhixia said.

Gu Pingsheng’s eyes paused. “Since when?”

Wen Zhixia tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “The day I was kidnapped.”

Gu Pingsheng fell silent at this, and after a long pause, he said, “It’s alright, don’t be afraid. All we need is a surgery. I’ve already found a suitable bone marrow donor. Director Zhang and the other doctors have already prepared the plan. You don’t need to worry. Just think of it as taking a nap.”

He gripped her hand tightly.

Yet within his words, Wen Zhixia caught something else. She asked, “Finding a suitable marrow donor requires a massive data screening. It’s not something that can be concluded in a day or two. When did you find this person?”

Even if he had extraordinary means, from the moment she was brought to the hospital, it would be impossible to find a match in just two or three hours, let alone speak so certainly that the donor would agree.

Gu Pingsheng’s gaze deepened. “Zhixia, not everything needs to be explained in detail. You only need to know that I will protect you. Isn’t that enough?”

“So, when was it?” she pressed.

Because she sensed that Gu Pingsheng must have known even earlier than she did. But just how much earlier? If he knew, why hadn’t he said anything until now?

Gu Pingsheng gave no answer.

Wen Zhixia speculated, “Was it after the physical examination? Or even before that?”

Gu Pingsheng asked, “Does it matter?”

“Who is the donor?” Wen Zhixia changed her line of questioning.

This, however, was an answer Gu Pingsheng could not give. With her temperament, if she knew who the donor was, she would never agree to the operation. She always appeared gentle and easygoing, but in truth, she only hid her pride beneath the surface.

“You can’t tell me that either?” Wen Zhixia suddenly laughed. “Then what can you tell me, President Gu?”

Gu Pingsheng frowned slightly.

“Forget it. Please leave. I don’t want to see you right now.” She pulled the blanket over herself and turned away.

Gu Pingsheng let out a soft sigh. “...I did know about your illness earlier than you did, it’s true. I didn’t tell you because—” He paused, then lay down beside her, wrapping his arms around her from behind, his chest pressed to her back. “Do you remember how your grandmother passed away, Zhixia?”

At the mention of her grandmother, Wen Zhixia’s body trembled uncontrollably and she forgot to push him away.

Gu Pingsheng’s low voice came from behind her, “Your grandmother had leukemia too. You told me that the memory of her illness haunted you for years, and that you even saw a therapist for it. You said that if you ever had the same illness, you’d rather only know about it just before surgery. Otherwise—”

Otherwise, you’d rather only find out once your body could no longer bear it, just to have one more day of being ‘healthy.’

Gu Pingsheng could never forget her expression when she said those words. He truly felt her fear of this disease, knowing that it could be hereditary, even if only in alternate generations.

That was the first time he’d ever heard her confess to being afraid.

But so much time had passed that even she had forgotten their conversation.

Wen Zhixia stared at the window, as if recalling that moment.

“I once said that if this day ever came, I would find suitable bone marrow for you, no matter the cost, no matter the means.” He turned her over, bracing his hands on either side of her, his deep eyes shrouded in shadow.

Their gazes locked. His thin lips pressed down slowly. He murmured, “Zhixia, stop making things difficult for me. You know I can’t live without you. In this life, I have no intention of letting you go.”

His breath was heated, but she still turned her face away, so his lips only brushed her cheek.

Gu Pingsheng’s gaze darkened. He asked, “Why?”

“Gu Pingsheng, have you ever touched another woman?” she asked.

His lips parted. “If I say no, will you believe me?”

Wen Zhixia smiled, but there was no warmth in her eyes; instead, they only grew colder. “I’m tired. I want to rest.”

In the past, whatever he said, she believed. But now... she no longer did.

Gu Pingsheng sat on the sofa in the hospital room, gazing silently at the woman on the bed, his fingers pressed to his brow.

The whole night passed in silence for them both.

When Wen Zhixia awoke, Gu Pingsheng was not in the room. She didn’t know if he’d gone to the office or simply left for a while.

Aunt Zhao noticed she was awake and opened the thermos of porridge. “The toiletries are already in the bathroom, Madam. Freshen up first. Breakfast is ready.”

Wen Zhixia nodded. “He...”

“What?” Aunt Zhao didn’t quite catch her.

Wen Zhixia shook her head gently. “It’s nothing.”

After freshening up and eating a simple breakfast, Wen Zhixia found it suffocating to stay in the room and decided to take a walk outside.

“Miss Wen,” Li Yueting greeted her with a smile.

Wen Zhixia nodded. “Secretary Li.”

“Are you looking for President Gu?” Li Yueting smiled, “I just saw him speaking with a Miss Zhao. They seemed to be discussing a medical condition.”

Wen Zhixia, on the verge of leaving, stopped in her tracks. “What medical condition?”

Li Yueting shook her head. “I’m not sure, but it seemed to be about some surgery. I didn’t hear much. As subordinates, it’s not our place to pry into the boss’s affairs.”

Wen Zhixia turned back, having only been out for about five minutes.

Li Yueting watched her retreating figure, a slow smile spreading on her lips.

“Madam, why are you back so soon?” Aunt Zhao turned around to find Wen Zhixia, who had just left, already sitting on the bed in a daze, and was startled.

Wen Zhixia seemed not to hear, her gaze unfocused and blank.

Seeing this, Aunt Zhao didn’t disturb her further.

After finishing her tests, Zhao Fuhe was walking through the hospital when she received a text message with Wen Zhixia’s room number.

Sender: Li Yueting.

Inside the Bugatti.

“After we return to the office, postpone any tasks that can be delayed over the next two weeks. For those that can’t, prepare a summary for me,” Gu Pingsheng instructed.

Li Yueting put away her phone. “Yes, President Gu.”