Orphan’s Heartbreak: A Story of Unrequited Love and Redemption

Chen Du, an orphan, dropped out of school and started working at the age of eighteen to support his sister Lin Yitang’s education.

He regarded Lin Yitang as the whole of his life.

Even if he could only afford to eat two steamed buns a day, Chen Du would still sell his blood to raise money and buy birthday gifts for Lin Yitang.

He thought that Lin Yitang would understand his feelings, but unexpectedly, on the day she graduated from university, she directly brought her rich second-generation boyfriend home and told Chen Du that she was getting married.

That night, Chen Du couldn’t suppress the sadness in his heart. Taking advantage of the alcohol, he kissed Lin Yitang on the lips.

However, Lin Yitang slapped Chen Du and even humiliated him like a dog in front of everyone later.

She disgust him, saying he was disgusting and cursed him to die.

Later, Chen Du, who was suffering from stomach cancer, made up his mind to leave.

But then Lin Yitang regretted it deeply.

“Is my illness really only curable in Hai City?”

Listening to the doctor’s answer on the other end of the phone – “Only the most advanced medical team in Hai City can save you. You are still young, you must think clearly.”

Chen Du was silent for a moment, lit the last cigarette in his hand, and said:

“I will go to Hai City for treatment in a month.”

“Give me a little more time to say goodbye.”

The call was hung up, and the screen saver lit up again.

It was a collection of all the photos of Chen Du and Lin Yi Tang from the age of seven to twenty-five.

Chen Du gave a wry smile, neatly changed a new screen saver for himself, as if determined to say goodbye to the past.

He and Lin Yi Tang grew up together in an orphanage since childhood. Lin Yi Tang was three years younger than Chen Du and always followed behind Chen Du like a little follower, sweetly calling him brother.

At the age of eighteen, Chen Du dropped out of school to work, not willing to buy a new piece of clothing for several years, and even a day’s food was only two steamed buns bought for one yuan.

All to save money to support Lin Yi Tang to go to college.

Chen Du slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air. In the lingering smoke, he still clearly remembered the day Lin Yi Tang became an adult. He secretly used the money earned from selling blood to buy her a luxury necklace she had wanted for a long time.

Lin Yi Tang affectionately put her arm around Chen Du’s arm, and her smile was so pure.

“Brother, you are the best person in the world to me. No matter what happens in the future, I will always be with you.”

The fragrance of the girl competed to enter Chen Du’s nostrils, and Chen Du immediately felt as if his heart was about to burst out of his chest.

At that moment, Chen Du suddenly realized that over the years, he had given everything to Lin Yi Tang, and even his feelings had changed.

His feelings for her were no longer those of a brother for a sister, but a desire to grow old with her.

Chen Du tried his best to endure, telling himself over and over again, it’s not too late to reveal his true feelings after Lin Yi Tang graduates from college.

However, on the day of her college graduation, Lin Yi Tang brought a rich boyfriend home and told Chen Du that they were getting married.

That night, under the influence of alcohol, Chen Du hugged her and couldn’t control but kiss her.

“Yi Tang, I have been in love with you for a long time. For all the sacrifices I’ve made for you, please don’t leave me, okay?”

Lin Yi Tang pushed Chen Du away in shock, scolding him for his dirty thoughts and wishing he would die sooner.

Seeing her panicked and disgusted appearance, Chen Du trembled with his lips, wanting to hold her hand as before and explain to her.

But she waved him away.

“Don’t come near me, you make me feel sick.”

“Do you think you’ve spent money on my education? I’ll have my boyfriend pay you back in full! From now on, we are even!”

At that moment, Chen Du seemed to hear his heart shattering into two pieces.

After that, Lin Yi Tang not only rarely lived at home but also always posted photos of her and her boyfriend’s love on social media, as if deliberately drawing a line with Chen Du.

Chen Du also understood that his sister, who he had raised hard, had found her own life, and it was time for him to leave and live for himself.

Over the years, Chen Du, an orphan with no support, had developed a stomachache from enduring hunger and constant drinking for so-called human relationships, which had developed into stomach cancer.

The doctor said that if Chen Du went to Hai City and actively cooperated with the treatment, there was still a possibility of recovery.

Looking at the latest dynamic in Lin Yi Tang’s social circle – they were kissing in a high-end restaurant, Chen Du casually threw the instant noodles on the table into the trash.

Then he put out his cigarette, and he finally made up his mind to let go and leave.

Just then, the door was pushed open, and the dazzling sunlight shone into the room, making Chen Du unable to help but shed tears.

Dressed in beautiful clothes, Lin Yi Tang walked into the room and saw Chen Du’s beard, and she was stunned on the spot.

But she quickly recovered and said with a stern face,

“Don’t take what I said before to heart. I didn’t mean it, it was just angry talk.”

After speaking, she put an exquisite gift box on the table.

“Your birthday is coming up in a few days, and this is the birthday gift I prepared for you.”

Chen Du looked up at her, and hope immediately ignited in his eyes.

He shakily stood up, and as soon as he approached, Lin Yi Tang quickly stepped back, and even her eyes became disgusted.

“Yi Tang, listen to my explanation.”

Lin Yi Tang took the lead and said, as if notifying me.

“You are just my brother. I am very grateful for your care for so many years,”

“I came back this time to pack my clothes. I am going to move to Huai Zheng’s house to live, and you don’t have to contact me in the future.”

Hearing this, Chen Du laughed at himself sarcastically, thinking that Lin Yi Tang came home to reconcile with him, but she didn’t expect to break up completely.

I nodded abruptly and said politely:

“Go ahead, if you are not happy at the Lu family, come back, brother will always wait for you.”

Lin Yi Tang’s eyes flashed with surprise. She might be wondering why Chen Du’s reaction today is so cold, clearly before, Chen Du would be jealous to the point of madness when he saw her being slightly intimate with Lu Huai Zheng.

But Chen Du had already let go.

Even if he opposed Lin Yi Tang and Lu Huai Zheng living together, Lin Yi Tang would not listen to him, but would deepen her disgust for him.

Lin Yi Tang looked at Chen Du strangely, without thinking deeply, turned and went upstairs to pack up her things.

After a while, she came down with a basket of miscellaneous items.

“Brother, help me throw away these things you don’t need.”

In the bamboo basket lay a broken necklace, which was the birthday gift Chen Du bought for her by selling blood. At that time, Lin Yi Tang wore it on her body almost every day.

I didn’t expect that now, even it would be discarded.

Chen Du trembled and responded, and asked again, “Is your luggage a lot, do you need me to take you there?”

This time, Lin Yi Tang did not refuse him, but said coldly:

“Huai Zheng is waiting for me outside the door, just move the things to his car.”

Chen Du nodded calmly, looking at Lin Yi Tang’s room that was swept empty, suppressing the sadness in his heart, and moved all her luggage onto Lu Huai Zheng’s car.

Just when moving the last box, the heavens were not cooperative, and suddenly a downpour poured down.

Lu Huai Zheng hurriedly ran from the car, opened an umbrella to cover Lin Yi Tang.

“Tang Tang, it’s not good to catch a cold from the rain, you get in the car first, your brother should be done moving soon.”

So Lin Yi Tang bypassed Chen Du and got in the car directly.

After the co-driver’s door was closed, Lu Huai Zheng walked around the rear of the car, preparing to get back in the car when he stumbled and tripped over Chen Du.

Chen Du fell flat on his back in the heavy rain, and the back of his head was also cracked.

Seeing this, Lu Huai Zheng hurriedly helped Chen Du get up, but Chen Du saw a flash of provocation in his eyes.

As soon as Lu Huai Zheng touched Chen Du, he felt like he had lost all his strength and fell straight to the ground.

The heavy rain covered all the sounds outside the window, and Lin Yi Tang in the car was oblivious to all of this, wondering why Lu Huai Zheng hadn’t gotten in the car yet.

When she got out of the car, she saw Lu Huai Zheng in pain in the rain.

She even forgot to take an umbrella and rushed over.

“Huai Zheng, are you okay?”

Lu Huai Zheng shook his head.

“I just thought Chen Du was working too hard moving the luggage by himself and wanted to help him, but I didn’t expect to slip first.”

“It’s not Chen Du’s fault.”

Hearing this, Lin Yi Tang turned her head and glared at Chen Du fiercely, ignoring the cracked back of Chen Du’s head and the blood on the ground.

She didn’t speak, but the endless blame in her eyes had already robbed Chen Du of all his ability to explain for himself at that moment.

Not being loved is not being loved.

Chen Du will never be Lin Yi Tang’s first choice, not even an option.

Lin Yi Tang only threw him a sentence, “Go back and take a hot bath, if you have a fever, I don’t have time to take care of you,” and left with Lu Huai Zheng in the car.

Chen Du lowered his head, his eyelashes trembled, and he suppressed his sadness.

The car’s bright red tail lights were like a demon from hell, tearing Chen Du’s heart to pieces.

Chen Du got up in a mess and went back to the house, letting the hot water soak himself, but his heart was left with only one thought.

In this month, no matter whether he can forget Lin Yi Tang or not, no matter whether he still loves her or not, when the time comes, he will definitely leave.

In the middle of the night, when he was drowsy, Chen Du felt as if his whole body was on fire, and his throat was so thirsty as if he had swallowed magma.

He shakily tried to drink some water but accidentally broke the glass on the bedside table.

Chen Du sighed silently, just about to get up and clean up the mess, but a sudden dizziness hit his head, causing him to lose his balance in an instant.

His hands plunged into the broken glass, causing Chen Du to hiss in pain, and his stomach also began to ache faintly.

Helplessly, Chen Du could only barely support his weak body and knock on the neighbor’s door, asking her to take him to the hospital.

The window flashed with the scene of lights and wine, and neighbor Aunt Zhang looked at me with a pale face, full of sweat, and sighed helplessly.

“It’s really not me talking, your sister is a wolf that can’t be tamed.”

You worked hard to support her in school, but she chased after a rich second generation for money and ran away.

“You used to stay up all night when she was sick, and now you have such a high fever, and she doesn’t even come to see you. She really has no conscience.”

Chen Du smiled weakly, “I can’t delay her from moving towards a better life.”

Aunt Zhang glanced at Chen Du strangely, hesitated, and finally said:

You two are not even blood-related. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking.

Chen Du, it’s time for you to let her go and live your own life.

Chen Du didn’t speak anymore.

When they arrived at the hospital, they ran into acquaintances in the emergency department.

Lu Huai Zheng, with a flushed face, lay on Lin Yi Tang’s lap, and he seemed a bit confused.

Beside him, Mrs. Lu was anxiously asking the doctor:

“Doctor, my son has a high fever that won’t go down. What should I do?”

The doctor calmly said, “Take some medicine and it will be fine,” but Mrs. Lu obviously didn’t buy it.

She angrily slapped Lin Yi Tang and shouted:

“If it weren’t for you, this fox spirit, luring my son, he wouldn’t have insisted on moving out and living with you, and he wouldn’t have caught a cold from moving for you and having a fever!”

Almost at that moment, all the blood in Chen Du’s body solidified, and his dizzy head began to clear up.

After all, he has protected Lin Yi Tang as his life for 22 years. Even if he knows in his mind that she is no longer his and he must stay away from her, Chen Du’s body still subconsciously wants to protect her.

As soon as Chen Du rushed out, he saw Lu Huai Zheng struggling to sit up and block in front of Lin Yi Tang.

“Mom, this has nothing to do with Tang Tang. If you dare to bully her again, I will never go home.”

Lin Yi Tang was moved to tears, and Mrs. Lu could only hum in anger and follow the nurse to get the medicine.

At that moment, Chen Du suddenly understood the gap between himself and Lu Huai Zheng.

Lu Huai Zheng is not only a rich second generation, who can give Lin Yi Tang everything she wants, but he can also bravely protect Lin Yi Tang in front of his family.

And he is just a poor boy with nothing.

If marrying Lu Huai Zheng can make Lin Yi Tang’s life safe and sound for the rest of her life, then it’s time for Chen Du to prepare some dowry for her as a brother.

Chen Du awkwardly retracted his hand, which was hanging in the air, and smiled awkwardly at Aunt Zhang, saying, “I’m sorry for the trouble today, Aunt Zhang. I suddenly remembered that I didn’t bring enough money, and I can just buy some medicine from the pharmacy and be fine. Let’s go back.”

Aunt Zhang looked at Chen Du, and then at Lin Yi Tang, who buried her head in Lu Huai Zheng’s arms, looking pitiful, and sighed silently.

“How about I lend you some money first? Let’s still see a doctor, it’s important.”

Chen Du refused tactfully, “No, Aunt Zhang, if I spend thousands of dollars on a hospital visit for a little cold, I’m afraid I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

Aunt Zhang was amused by Chen Du’s words, and seeing that she couldn’t persuade Chen Du, she turned around and walked back.

But suddenly, a strong sense of dizziness surged in her heart, and Chen Du could no longer support her heavy body and fell straight down.

In the moment of fainting, Lin Yi Tang suddenly raised her head, and their eyes met in the air.

Seeing Chen Du faint, she was subconsciously anxious in her eyes, but she did not rush to Chen Du, and did not even spare a word of extra care for Chen Du.

She just hugged Lu Huai Zheng’s hand tighter and tighter, fearing that he would also faint from a high fever like Chen Du.

When Chen Du opened his eyes again, he saw the white ceiling of the hospital, and the unpleasant smell of disinfectant made his stomach churn.

Aunt Zhang, who had been guarding Chen Du all night, saw him wake up, and her anxiety turned into care in an instant.

Chen Du looked around, but he never saw the figure of Lin Yi Tang.

It was ridiculous.

The sister he had sincerely treated for 22 years did not even care as much as the neighbor’s concern for him.

Aunt Zhang awkwardly stammered:

“Your sister didn’t come.”

“Do you know about your stomach…”

Chen Du understood in his heart that ever since she started dating Lu Huai Zheng, she hardly talked to him, and even more so after knowing about his feelings, she despised him to the extreme, how could she have the time to care about his condition?

Chen Du shook his head, “She doesn’t need to know, she has her own life.”

“But what about you, what are your plans for the future?”

Chen Du looked up at the bright sun outside the window, it was a sign of rebirth.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, “I know she doesn’t like me, and even thinks that she has always regarded me as a brother, but I had indecent thoughts, making her feel disgusted.”

“But I have only had her as a family member for so many years, how could I just let go?”

“Once I prepare the dowry for her, I will go to Hai City for treatment and start my own life.”

Aunt Zhang wanted to persuade Chen Du further, but in the end, she couldn’t say anything, only silently supporting Chen Du’s decision.

When Chen Du finally got out of the hospital and returned home, he saw his luggage scattered haphazardly at the door.

Chen Du, a little angry, picked up his phone and called the landlord to question, “Didn’t I pay the rent? Why did you throw my things out?”

The landlord responded nonchalantly, “Someone paid a lot of money to buy this apartment from me; I can pay you some liquidated damages, but you have to get out today.”

Chen Du clenched his fists, and Aunt Zhang also stood by his side to call for justice.

“You, the landlord, are too much!”

But at this point, what right does Chen Du have to change the facts? He could only resignedly squat on the ground and pack his luggage.

Aunt Zhang, with a kind heart, couldn’t bear to watch and quickly came up with a solution for him.

“I’m going on a business trip tomorrow, you can stay at my place until you find a new home.”

For now, Chen Du couldn’t think of any other good solutions, so he had to move all his luggage to Aunt Zhang’s house.

After settling Chen Du in the guest room, Aunt Zhang hurriedly left for the airport with her suitcase.

Chen Du felt a bit embarrassed; over the years of being neighbors, Aunt Zhang had helped him and Lin Yi Tang a lot, and he had nothing to repay her with.

In his memory, Aunt Zhang always said with a smile that they were about the same age as her daughter, and helping them was a matter of course.

Chen Du silently rubbed his aching head, thinking that one day he would repay Aunt Zhang.

Lying on the soft bed, sleepiness quickly overwhelmed Chen Du’s body, and as he was about to fall asleep, there was a frantic knock on the door.

Chen Du, groggy with sleep, opened the door and first heard Lin Yi Tang’s voice with a crying tone.

“Aunt Zhang, have you seen my brother?”

Just that moment, Chen Du’s dormant chest began to beat frantically.

Was Lin Yi Tang concerned about him?

But when Lin Yi Tang saw Chen Du’s face clearly, she gave him a slap in anger.

“You actually did such a despicable thing!”

Chen Du didn’t understand, looking at her in confusion.

Lu Huai Zheng, who had arrived, quickly took Lin Yi Tang into his arms, gently soothing her restless emotions.

“Chen Du, Yi Tang said you were used to living here, so I bought it for you to settle down.”

“But why did you run to the neighbor’s house and come out in pajamas? Isn’t the neighbor old enough to be your mother?”

Chen Du immediately understood that Lin Yi Tang had misunderstood him.

He slightly turned to the side, and in the living room, Chen Du’s messy luggage was in full view.

“The landlord threw out all my luggage, Aunt Zhang happened to be on a business trip, so she temporarily lent me her house to stay in.”

Lin Yi Tang glanced at Chen Du, was silent for a moment, and then said:

“It’s my fault for not explaining clearly to the landlord. It’s not a solution for you to stay at someone else’s house like this, go back.”

Chen Du shook his head, “I’m really too tired today, I can’t move the luggage.”

“You guys go back first.”

This was the first time Chen Du refused Lin Yi Tang.

Lin Yi Tang, who used to get whatever she wanted from Chen Du, looked at him in disbelief, and finally snorted angrily, saying:

“I’m doing this because I’ve taken care of you for so many years, and I asked your brother-in-law to buy this house to make your life easier. What do you mean by this?”

She especially emphasized the word “brother-in-law,” warning Chen Du to recognize his identity, not to disgrace her, and not to have any ulterior motives.

Chen Du shook his aching head and croaked, pleading, “Can we talk about everything else tomorrow? I just want to rest well now.”

Lin Yi Tang nodded playfully.

“Chen Du, you’ve changed.”

“I just forgot to tell the landlord not to clean out your luggage, do you have to be so angry?”

When Lin Yi Tang spoke, her ears were bound to turn red.

Chen Du sneered, looking at her red ears, and his heart was more than clear.

No matter whether Lu Huai Zheng deliberately threw out all his things or not, Lin Yi Tang would only choose to stand on his side.

Chen Du immediately gave the order to leave, “Yi Tang, you and Lu Huai Zheng go back and rest first.”

“He just recovered from an illness, if he catches a cold again, what if it gets worse?”

Hearing Chen Du say this, Lin Yi Tang’s expression immediately became nervous.

She completely forgot that her brother had also just recovered from an illness.

Even though Chen Du had long given up on her, he would still find it hard to breathe for a moment.

Saying not to love, to let go in an instant, was all self-deception.

Before leaving, Lin Yi Tang looked at Chen Du with a complicated look in her eyes, and finally left a sentence, “Remember to look at the gift,” preparing to leave with Lu Huai Zheng.

Lu Huai Zheng stopped, “Tang Tang, I want to thank your brother in person, after all, he has taken care of you for so many years.”

“You go back to the car first.”

Lin Yi Tang nodded obediently, her obedient appearance was just like when she used to pester Chen Du to attend her parents’ meetings, and she cooed not to let Chen Du see the low scores in her desk.

Lin Yi Tang walked back and forth, looking back from time to time, and still glared at Chen Du, her warning in her eyes was self-evident.

If you dare to bully Huai Zheng, I will never finish with you.

Chen Du gave her an understanding look.

It wasn’t until Lin Yi Tang’s figure gradually disappeared into the night that Lu Huai Zheng spoke:

“Chen Du, thank you for taking care of Yi Tang for so long. The house was bought at Yi Tang’s suggestion because she was used to living there, and if you want to live there, you can.”

“But… there is a difference between men and women, and you are not blood siblings.”

Chen Du met Lu Huai Zheng’s eyes; although his words seemed to be considering Lin Yi Tang and himself, his eyes were full of blatant provocation.

That’s right, as men, we understand each other’s thoughts all too well.

Chen Du feigned composure and asked him with a smile:

“When are you getting married?”

But Chen Du didn’t expect that the time Lu Huai Zheng replied would be the same day he was leaving.

Seeing Lu Huai Zheng ask when he would set Lin Yi Tang free, Chen Du sneered and responded in a deep voice:

“Once I’ve prepared the dowry for Yi Tang, I will leave.”

Lu Huai Zheng couldn’t help but chuckle, “But do you really think this kind of family is what Tang Tang wants?”

“Aren’t you afraid that because of your presence, Tang Tang will be embarrassed at the wedding?”

“Do you really think Tang Tang needs a family like you?”

Lu Huai Zheng spoke very bluntly, and even Chen Du wavered for a moment.

He patted Chen Du on the shoulder, “I heard that tomorrow is your birthday?”

“Tang Tang still respects you as a brother. Tomorrow afternoon at 5 o’clock, at Delancy’s restaurant, Tang Tang has booked a birthday banquet for you.”

He emphasized the word “brother” as if daring Chen Du to overstep, threatening to crush him like an ant if he dared.

Watching him return to the car, Lin Yi Tang hurriedly got out of the car and hugged his neck, standing on tiptoe to give him a kiss.

Chen Du’s heart ached fiercely, snorted coldly, and slammed the door shut.

07

Chen Du put on his most formal attire, but as he stood outside Delancy’s restaurant, looking at the well-dressed men and women coming and going, he felt out of place in an instant.

Just as Chen Du hesitated whether to go in or not, a luxury car slowly stopped in front of him.

Lin Yi Tang got out of the car, looked at Chen Du with a complicated expression, and couldn’t hide her disdain.

“Why are you here?”

Chen Du was puzzled. Lin Yi Tang had asked him to come; why did she make it seem like he was uninvited?

Seeing Chen Du at a loss, Lu Huai Zheng appeared polite and courteous.

He approached Chen Du with a smile and his voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, “Ah Du, why don’t you go in when you’re here?”

Chen Du stammered, unable to utter a word. His voice, long hoarse from years of drinking and socializing, was rough and mocking.

At that moment, endless inferiority enveloped Chen Du.

Lin Yi Tang walked up and scanned Chen Du, who was dressed in an inferior suit, turned her head away, pinched her nose, and her tone was full of disdain.

“Go back quickly, this is not a place for you.”

Chen Du lowered his head, but his heart was full of unwillingness.

Lin Yi Tang, do you really hate me so much that you don’t even want to look at me?

Lu Huai Zheng, however, spoke nonchalantly:

“All guests are welcome, why not invite Ah Du in to broaden his horizons?”

As soon as Lu Huai Zheng spoke, Lin Yi Tang immediately put on a docile appearance, “Today is your birthday feast, as long as you are happy, everything is fine.”

Chen Du jerked his head up; was it also Lu Huai Zheng’s birthday today?

Associating this with what Lu Huai Zheng had said to him last night, Chen Du almost immediately understood Lu Huai Zheng’s intentions.

Lu Huai Zheng had used the excuse of Lin Yi Tang throwing a birthday banquet for him to invite him here, undoubtedly intending to humiliate him at the birthday feast and make him realize the reality and the gap.

Seeing Chen Du’s stunned expression, Lin Yi Tang snorted coldly, saying:

“When you go in later, just stay老老实实 in the corner and don’t go anywhere, understand?”

Lu Huai Zheng naturally also understood that Chen Du had discovered the truth. He appeared humble on the surface, “Ah Du, what’s wrong, aren’t you coming in with us?”

But behind Lin Yi Tang’s back, he had a cold smile on his face, provocatively mouthing the word “trash” to Chen Du.

As if he was sure that Chen Du was too timid to go in, a victorious smile appeared on his face.

Seeing Lu Huai Zheng’s triumphant expression, a trace of stubbornness suddenly arose in Chen Du’s heart.

The more Lu Huai Zheng wanted to crush his self-esteem, the less he wanted to admit defeat.

Moreover, now that he has learned the truth, if he does not go in, what is the difference between him and a deserter?

Chen Du said firmly, “Go in,” and Lin Yi Tang’s eyes immediately widened, her warning in her eyes was self-evident.

At the same time, a trace of luck also arose in Chen Du’s heart, what if Lin Yi Tang still cared about me as a brother?

Seeing Chen Du walking in with determination, Lin Yi Tang said impatiently, “Bad luck,” “If you dare to run around and talk nonsense and shame me when you go in, I will never be done with you,” and walked in without looking back, holding Lu Huai Zheng’s arm.

Lu Huai Zheng smiled on his face, but his heart hardened.

Chen Du, I just wanted to give you a setback at the restaurant door, make you realize the gap between us, and leave obediently.

But since you chose to enter the banquet hall, don’t blame me for being ruthless.

08

The banquet hall was luxurious and gorgeous, and for a moment, it dazzled Chen Du’s eyes.

Watching Lu Huai Zheng introduce Lin Yi Tang to his friends generously, a tear suddenly fell from the corner of Chen Du’s eye.

If she could always be so happy, then he would be at ease.

Before Chen Du could react, a flamboyantly dressed woman splashed red wine all over him.

She mouthed “I’m sorry,” but there was no trace of apology in her words.

“Ah? Look at him, he’s wearing a knockoff; no wonder he reeks of poverty.”

The woman’s shrill voice immediately attracted the attention of everyone in the banquet hall.

They cast contemptuous glances at Chen Du, discussing how he had managed to infiltrate the party.

“Ah, I remember Miss Lin has a brother, right? You wouldn’t be bringing him to the banquet to eat and drink for free out of sympathy, would you?”

Lin Yi Tang, now mentioned by name, became nervous and instinctively exclaimed:

“I don’t have a brother, and I don’t know who this person is.”

The woman looked at Lu Huai Zheng and cooed:

“Brother, don’t you hate women who lie the most? If this man is not Lin Yi Tang’s brother, then how did he get in here?”

Lu Huai Zheng pulled the worried-looking Lin Yi Tang into his arms, gently kissed her forehead, and said in a deep voice:

“It doesn’t matter who this man is, what’s important is that I only believe in Tang Tang. If she says she doesn’t know him, then she doesn’t know him.”

“Lu Jiao Jiao, you scared Tang Tang, apologize to her quickly.”

Chen Du then realized that the domineering woman in front of him was Lu Huai Zheng’s biological sister, Lu Jiao Jiao.

Lu Jiao Jiao frowned and mumbled an apology to Lin Yi Tang, then vented her anger on Chen Du.

She raised her foot, and the thin high heel kicked Chen Du, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground, wincing in pain.

“Get out of here! Can’t you see that I’m in a bad mood?”

People around him whispered about Chen Du’s embarrassment, and even Lin Yi Tang’s eyes were full of undisguised disdain.

She frowned at him, “I don’t know you, so get out of here quickly and stop embarrassing me.”

In that moment, the last trace of luck in Chen Du’s heart was also extinguished.

It turned out to be true as Lu Huai Zheng had said, that he, as a brother, had long become a shackle and burden for Lin Yi Tang, an existence that made her lose face completely.

Chen Du lowered his eyes, trembling as he got up, and walked out in a disheveled manner. Lu Huai Zheng suddenly called out to him.

Lu Huai Zheng’s eyes flickered with malice; his original intention was to humiliate Chen Du thoroughly at the birthday banquet, but he didn’t expect Lu Jiao Jiao, the arrogant woman, to intervene.

But now that things had come to this point, Lu Huai Zheng saw no need to pretend to be polite with Chen Du anymore. He might as well use Lu Jiao Jiao’s hand to crush Chen Du completely, to extinguish any undue thoughts he had towards Lin Yi Tang.

“The birthday gift Tang Tang gave me is missing, that limited edition watch she saved up her allowance for, sacrificing her own new bag for it,” Lu Huai Zheng said, feigning distress.

“Sir, I don’t mean to make things difficult for you, but that watch truly means a lot to me.”

With a wave of his hand, several bodyguards surrounded Chen Du.

Chen Du, now angry, declared, “I’ve done nothing wrong, go ahead and search me!”

“Found it!”

When Chen Du saw the bodyguard pull out the watch from his own pocket, his heart sank.

How could the watch be in my pocket?

09

Chen Du forced himself to calm down, trying to recall everything that had happened in the banquet hall.

Finally, he remembered that before entering the hall, Lu Huai Zheng had bumped into him, asking “Are you alright?” as a distraction, while secretly placing the watch into his pocket.

Furious, Chen Du looked up, disregarding Lu Huai Zheng’s condescending gaze, and almost pleaded with Lin Yi Tang, stuttering:

“The watch really isn’t mine. I don’t know how it ended up in my pocket.”

“I just need you to believe me.”

But Lin Yi Tang clearly didn’t believe Chen Du; her eyes were filled with disappointment.

At that moment, Lu Jiao Jiao spoke with a teasing tone:

“Lin Yi Tang, you said you didn’t know this man, so why is he looking at you so pitifully?”

“Did you steal the watch and ask him to help you get it out?”

You and your orphan brother have been relying on each other since you were kids. If life is really tough, just speak up. Why resort to selling your body and deceiving my brother’s feelings?”

Feeling the ridicule and suspicion from the crowd, Lin Yi Tang became agitated.

“I said I don’t know this man!”

She quickly approached Chen Du and, gritting her teeth, slapped him resoundingly across the face.

“Why did you steal the watch I gave to my boyfriend?”

Chen Du endured the buzzing in his head and a self-mocking smile played on his lips. In a voice only audible to the two of them, he whispered:

“I’m sorry, sister. I shouldn’t have come here to embarrass you.”

Lin Yi Tang’s expression softened for a moment, but Lu Jiao Jiao didn’t want to miss the opportunity to continue mocking:

“What, are you feeling sorry for your brother now?”

“Should I set an example for you on how to punish a thief?”

With that, Lu Jiao Jiao poured an entire bottle of chilled champagne over Chen Du’s head.

The biting cold in winter caused Chen Du to shiver, and his stomach began to cramp.

Lin Yi Tang, however, observed coldly as if she were an outsider.

“Lin Yi Tang, if you’re feeling soft-hearted, just speak up,” Lu Jiao Jiao said, and others around her echoed.

“Afraid to punish a thief, really timid. A woman like you doesn’t deserve to be by my brother’s side.”

“In our business circle, everyone is decisive and resolute. A wishy-washy little white flower like you, my brother is just interested in you for novelty.”

“No wonder my mom doesn’t like you.”

Recalling the slap at the hospital and hit where it hurt, Lin Yi Tang, in an attempt to prove she could fit into the upper circle, grabbed a bottle of champagne and smashed it on Chen Du’s head.

Lu Huai Zheng, who approached, only glared at Lu Jiao Jiao warning her to “stop talking nonsense,” then looked at Lin Yi Tang with heartache, rubbing her hand, and caring if she hurt her hand slapping him.

The blood in Chen Du’s eyes dyed his vision red, making him see these people as no better than beasts in fine clothes, with a stench of decay like meat and wine behind the vermilion gates.

Chen Du feared they would corrupt the innocent sister he remembered, but he never expected this is what Lin Yi Tang wanted.

He struggled to get up from the ground and said in a hoarse voice:

“I’ve come to the wrong place. I sincerely wish you happiness.”

But Lu Huai Zheng didn’t plan to let Chen Du go so easily.

Soon, the police arrived at the scene and hurriedly took Chen Du away in cold handcuffs.

10

When Chen Du came out of the police station, a ray of sunlight shone on him, but there was no warmth.

This was already the dawn of the next day, but Chen Du’s heart was like a bottomless pit of sorrow, with no end in sight.

When he returned home in a mess, he saw the gift from Lin Yi Tang on the table, and then Chen Du remembered that yesterday was also his birthday.

He took a deep breath, trembling as he opened the gift box to find a credit card and a letter inside.

The letter read:

“Brother, this is the last time I will call you like this. The money on this card is enough to repay all the expenses you’ve covered for me over the years. I am going to marry Huai Zheng. His mother doesn’t like you to be in contact with me, so don’t contact me anymore.”

After going through so much, Chen Du thought he had already let go and wouldn’t be affected by Lin Yi Tang anymore, but at this moment, he still couldn’t help but feel sad.

Because from beginning to end, he was wrong.

Chen Du thought Lin Yi Tang despised him for having feelings for her, thinking his thoughts were obscene, making her feel disgusted.

He didn’t expect that she wanted to cut off all relations with him, not even willing to call him brother anymore.

Even though Chen Du foolishly gave up his own chance to study, willingly wasting his eighteen years of life on a construction site, supporting her until she graduated from university.

It was only at this moment that Chen Du realized that Lin Yi Tang had long become a stranger to him.

Chen Du wanted to vent fiercely, but the house belonged to Aunt Zhang, and he couldn’t act recklessly.

He could only take out all the spare change he had and buy the cheapest cigarettes and beer, trying to numb himself.

It seemed that if he got drunk and fell asleep, he could forget all the pain.

When Chen Du woke up again, his stomach was really uncomfortable, and even when he hugged the toilet and vomited, it was a bunch of blood.

Looking at his haggard appearance in the mirror, he irritably scratched his head, only to find a large clump of hair falling out. Chen Du then remembered that he was still a patient.

He roughly calculated all his savings, which were only enough for the initial treatment.

Chen Du then looked at the credit card and property deed that Lin Yi Tang had given him, and in an instant, he dismissed the idea of using this money to treat himself.

Since it’s a clean break, then it should be a thorough one.

He tidied himself up, and with his superior physique, he could still be considered handsome.

So Chen Du planned to earn some medical expenses while he was still able to move.

With his excellent physical condition, Chen Du successfully applied for a job as a luxury cake delivery person, with a decent salary.

At the same time, he moved out from Aunt Zhang’s house and rented a cheap basement room for himself.

Aunt Zhang, though regretting Chen Du’s young life, couldn’t help him much after all, as everyone has their own destiny. She just told Chen Du to take good care of himself and said that if he had any difficulties, he should speak up.

The saying “close neighbors are better than distant relatives” became tangible at this moment. But fate always likes to play tricks on people. Unexpectedly, Chen Du’s first cake delivery was to Lu Jiao Jiao’s place, and Lin Yi Tang was also present.

“Turns out you’re just a stinky cake delivery guy, no wonder you reek of poverty,” Lu Jiao Jiao noticed Chen Du’s malice and before she could start teasing him, Lin Yi Tang’s lips curled into a cold smile.

“Hey, if you drink up this glass of baijiu, I’ll let you off, how about that?” Lin Yi Tang clearly knew about Chen Du’s stomach condition and couldn’t consume alcohol, yet she used this method to humiliate him.

Lu Jiao Jiao looked at Lin Yi Tang with appreciation and said coldly, “You have a heart, but do you think by doing this we will fully accept you?”

However, Lin Yi Tang indifferently continued, “One glass for a thousand, let’s see how much you can drink.”

Chen Du didn’t say a word, he just drank glass after glass, but Lin Yi Tang’s face never showed a hint of heartache. The burning sensation in his stomach made Chen Du’s brows furrow, and in the end, he couldn’t hold back and vomited all over the floor.

The group of socialites screamed, calling Chen Du disgusting and cursing him to die. Lin Yi Tang was no exception.

She looked down at Chen Du and threw a stack of money directly onto his face, shouting, “Get out of here now!”

Lu Jiao Jiao also picked up the ice cubes used to chill the wine and threw them at Chen Du.

“Isn’t this cake delivery service known for its male models? How could they hire someone as disgusting as you? I must complain about you!”

The sister who once needed Chen Du’s protection now acted like an older sister, comforting Lu Jiao Jiao tightly in her arms while cursing at Chen Du, disregarding their past kinship.

“I warn you, never show up in front of us again, or I’ll have the bodyguards beat you up every time I see you. You’re just wasting air by being alive!”

Chen Du didn’t say a word, he just silently picked up the soaked money from the mess on the floor and forced himself to walk out.

11

When he woke up again, it was in the hospital.

His phone was flooded with dozens of 60-second voice messages from his boss—unsurprisingly, Lu Jiao Jiao had reported Chen Du, and as a result, he lost his hard-earned job.

Ignoring the doctors and nurses’ objections, Chen Du pulled out the IV and ran out.

The attending physician grabbed him tightly, his eyes filled with regret for a young life about to slip away.

No matter how much Chen Du struggled, he couldn’t break free, as if letting go would mean his life would dissipate like clouds in the wind.

“Young man, do you know you have stomach cancer? Running out now is a dead end!” the doctor warned.

Chen Du gave a bitter smile; even strangers knew to cherish life, yet the sister he had suffered for for years was forcing him to die.

“Doctor, I know about my condition, and I’ve contacted specialists in Hai City. Don’t worry, I’m not foolish enough to give up on my own life,” Chen Du reassured him.

Hearing this, the doctor slowly released his grip.

He sighed and then sincerely wished Chen Du, “May your wishes come true and may you overcome the illness soon.”

After being discharged, Chen Du found a job as a kitchen assistant.

The long hours of hard work rapidly deteriorated his health, to the point where he couldn’t eat and had to numbly stuff his mouth with handfuls of medication.

Thus, Chen Du had to bring forward his trip to Hai City; there was nothing left in this city worth reminiscing about.

He first bought a hard seat train ticket to Hai City for the next day and took out some of his savings, along with the credit card and property deed given by Lin Yi Tang, and put them all into a metal box.

Wasn’t it said to make a clean break? After delivering this dowry, Chen Du would fulfill his last duty as a brother, and from then on, he and Lin Yi Tang would have no more connections.

Chen Du found a same-city express delivery service and instructed them to deliver the dowry to Lin Yi Tang’s hands.

After doing all this, Chen Du returned to the home he had lived in for several years. He wanted to unlock the door and take one last look, to remember the happy memories, after all, having a positive and optimistic attitude is most important for cancer treatment.

Chen Du didn’t have the confidence that he, a poor guy, could succeed in fighting cancer. Maybe halfway through the treatment, he would be kicked out of the hospital due to too many unpaid fees.

But he had to give it a try, right? What if the condition could be cured in the early stage?

But when Chen Du tried to unlock the door, he found that the password had been changed.

Chen Du suddenly laughed, with a hint of relief and self-mockery.

Looking through the window, Chen Du saw that everything in the house was unchanged, except for the absence of his belongings, as if he had never existed.

Turning away from the home, it seemed he could still hear Lin Yi Tang’s pleasant laughter from before, but Chen Du never looked back.

Upon receiving the box, Lin Yi Tang was momentarily stunned, a strong sense of unease tightly enveloping her, making it hard for her to breathe.

When she opened the metal box with trembling hands and saw the two prominent characters — “dowry,” the box fell to the ground.

Seeing the cash, credit card, and property deed scattered on the floor, Lin Yi Tang’s tears burst forth instantly.

Hearing the commotion, Lu Huai Zheng hurried out from the bedroom and, upon seeing the mess, immediately understood what had happened but still pretended not to understand and asked:

“What’s wrong, Tang Tang?”

Lin Yi Tang stubbornly raised her head, repeating to herself that she hated and despised Chen Du.

Even if Chen Du did more for her, what did it matter? They could no longer be siblings once he revealed his indecent thoughts.

She thought his actions could make up for everything, which was ridiculous!

Lin Yi Tang slowly wiped away her tears, nestled in Lu Huai Zheng’s arms, and coldly watched the mess on the floor.

“It’s nothing, just twisted my wrist,” she said.

“You should go back to the room and rest. Our wedding is in a week, and the most important thing for you now is to rest well and look handsome at the ceremony.”

Lin Yi Tang stuffed the items back into the box and casually discarded them aside, then followed Lu Huai Zheng back to the room.

Soon after, the sound of a woman’s panting came from the room.

12

The next morning, when Lin Yi Tang woke up with dark circles under her eyes, the image of the metal box lingered in her mind.

“Housekeeper Wang, where is the metal box I left by the door yesterday?”

Housekeeper Wang thought carefully for a moment, then suddenly realized:

“That box? I thought it was something you didn’t want, so I threw it out with the trash this morning.”

Lin Yi Tang nonchalantly nodded, thinking that since she hated Chen Du so much, it didn’t matter if it was thrown away.

But throughout the day, she was absent-minded.

Didn’t Chen Du still have a stomach condition? He gave me the money, so what would he do?

Didn’t I ask Huai Zheng to buy that house for Chen Du? Why wouldn’t he accept it? If he didn’t have a house, where did Chen Du sleep last night?

Two voices in Lin Yi Tang’s heart kept struggling, one saying that Chen Du was her brother who raised her and she couldn’t be so heartless; the other saying that Chen Du’s thoughts were obscene and he didn’t deserve to be her brother, and she had already done her best.

In the end, after much struggle, Lin Yi Tang decided to go back and take a look, and also to warn him not to play any new tricks or interfere in her new life.

But when she returned to the familiar home and entered the password several times, it was incorrect, and she realized that the password had been changed to her birthday.

She subconsciously thought that all of this was done by Chen Du, as a shameless pursuit of her, a new way to show his love.

Lin Yi Tang stormed into the house with a dark face, only to find that all of Chen Du’s belongings had vanished.

Had Chen Du not returned home since his luggage was thrown out the last time?

She began to desperately search for traces of Chen Du’s life, trying to prove that this was a trick he was playing.

But it was in vain.

After failing to find anything, a bold idea suddenly occurred to Lin Yi Tang.

She angrily knocked on Aunt Zhang’s door and shouted:

“Aunt Zhang, I know my brother is in your house, come out quickly!”

Aunt Zhang, who had just returned from a business trip and was catching up on sleep, opened the door with an angry face. Upon seeing it was Lin Yi Tang, her expression became even more unsightly.

“Aunt Zhang, is my brother in your house? How could he do this just to make me angry!”

But as soon as she finished speaking, Aunt Zhang slapped Lin Yi Tang across the face in anger and shouted:

“Lin Yi Tang, you also know he is the brother who raised you with his own hands, how dare you think like this!”

Lin Yi Tang no longer had her former meek appearance; in order to integrate into the so-called upper circle, she had become a spoiled and domineering person.

She said angrily:

“If you two don’t have any relationship, why would Chen Du stay at your house? To put it bluntly, you are harboring Chen Du, aren’t you?”

Aunt Zhang’s face suddenly became ugly, and she pointed at Lin Yi Tang, unable to say a word for a while.

“Is that what you think of your brother?”

“Do you know how much hardship he has endured for you over the years? Do you know he has stomach cancer and is about to die?”

At first, Lin Yi Tang’s expression remained arrogant, “You are all unclear with him, of course, you speak for him,” but when she heard what Aunt Zhang said, her expression changed in an instant, standing there in disbelief and asking:

“What? Who has stomach cancer?”

13

Seeing Lin Yi Tang’s disbelief, Aunt Zhang snorted coldly, her voice filled with boundless compassion.

“Xiao Chen has been dealing with livelihoods everywhere for so many years, and his stomach has been damaged long ago. You know he has a stomach condition, but you have never cared about it. Even when you were at the hospital last time, you saw him; you thought he was just like your rich boyfriend, just had a cold, but in fact, he was suffering from stomach cancer and fainted.”

“Your good boyfriend threw Xiao Chen’s things out of the house and changed the lock password. How could he go back? I just let him stay for a few days, and you slander the brother who raised you with his own hands.”

Aunt Zhang narrated the events of these days, and Lin Yi Tang’s tears spread from the corners of her eyes. The kinship of many years turned into countless painful tentacles in an instant, tightly penetrating her whole body, even her heart was burned in half.

Aunt Zhang glanced at Lin Yi Tang indifferently, but there was not much emotion, as if looking at a sinner who deserved it, and continued:

“When you were a child, you clung to him and whined that you didn’t want a sister-in-law, and that your brother could only be yours.”

“So Xiao Chen has devoted everything to you over the years, and he has never even been in contact with any other girl. Isn’t it normal for him to have such feelings for you?”

“But how did you treat him? You humiliated him, trampled on his dignity, and even said he was disgusting and wished he would die!”

“Yi Tang, you were also a child I watched grow up. You were once so innocent and romantic, but now you have become this way for money and status. It makes me feel cold-hearted.”

Lin Yi Tang could no longer control her emotions and squatted on the ground, crying her heart out with her hands covering her head.

“No, I have to find my brother. He has been so good to me; he must not want to abandon me, to leave me.”

Lin Yi Tang trembled as she tried to get up, but her legs buckled, and she fell straight to the ground, scraping her knees until they bled.

Even so, she stubbornly tried to crawl from the ground, muttering, “I have to find my brother.”

Seeing Lin Yi Tang’s heartbroken appearance, Aunt Zhang sighed silently.

“It’s meaningless to seek what you should have cherished when you had the chance.”

“Since Xiao Chen has prepared the dowry for you, it means he has truly let go of you. You don’t need to look for him. I believe he won’t give up on his own life easily.”

“Yi Tang, go back. It’s time for you to have your own new life.”

But Lin Yi Tang obviously couldn’t take in these words. Even when her thoughts were pulled back, she could only desperately cling to Aunt Zhang’s pant leg on the ground, crying and gasping for breath, begging her:

“Aunt Zhang, you must know where my brother is, right? I beg you, tell me his address, I will make up for him.”

Then, she started taking out credit cards from various banks from her bag, “I have money, I can save my brother.”

Aunt Zhang only glanced at Lin Yi Tang with disappointment and indifferently pulled away her hand and closed the door.

The last ray of light in the room was also submerged, and Lin Yi Tang was like someone immersed in darkness, decadent and heartbroken, unable to extricate herself.

Even the persistent buzzing of her phone, a call from Lu Huai Zheng, Lin Yi Tang unusually did not answer.

She was thinking about when she lost her brother.

Was it when her brother confessed his feelings after drinking, and she thought he was disgusting?

Was it when she, in order to protect Lu Huai Zheng, spoke ill of her brother?

Was it when she humiliated her brother in front of everyone and trampled on his dignity?

Or was it when she self-righteously gave her brother a property deed and a credit card as a birthday gift, and declared that she wanted to cut off their relationship?

Lin Yi Tang was like a soulless person, walking aimlessly on the street, and in the end, it was Lu Huai Zheng, full of anxiety, who found her.

14

“What’s wrong with you, Tang Tang?”

Lin Yi Tang lifted her bloodshot eyes and looked directly at Lu Huai Zheng, “Huai Zheng, I’ve lost my brother, he doesn’t want me anymore.”

A flash of fierceness crossed Lu Huai Zheng’s eyes. He didn’t expect Chen Du to be so important in Lin Yi Tang’s heart, but at the same time, he was relieved that Chen Du had finally left.

He pulled Lin Yi Tang tightly into his arms and gently patted her back.

“It’s okay, Tang Tang, you still have me.”

“Seeing you happy is what Chen Du wants, so he chose to leave. After all, he has his own life to live.”

“All we can do now is respect and bless him, not disturb him. Only if you are happy, will Chen Du be happy.”

After hearing this, a light reignited in Lin Yi Tang’s eyes, “That’s right, happiness helps stabilize the spread of the lesion. Only if I am happy, will my brother be happy, and he can overcome stomach cancer.”

“I must make the wedding lively and grand, so that my brother can see it on his phone.”

“Huai Zheng, after our wedding, will you accompany me to find my brother?”

Lu Huai Zheng was somewhat surprised, “Did Chen Du have stomach cancer?”

A sly light flashed in his eyes, and he instantly thought that only by making me disappear from this world, Lin Yi Tang would obediently stay by his side.

“Don’t worry, I will take you to see him…” the word “corpse” was silently read in Lu Huai Zheng’s heart.

At the same time, Chen Du, who had just arrived in Hai City, successfully found a job for himself, still as a luxury cake delivery person.

Just because this job is easy and the hourly wage is high. While he hasn’t started chemotherapy yet, he hasn’t been forced to shave his head, and hasn’t become emaciated due to cancer, he might as well earn some treatment fees.

At this time, there were only five days left for Chen Du to go to the hospital for treatment.

But Chen Du never expected that an accident would happen on his first day of work in Hai City – he accidentally collided with the host’s large dog while delivering, spilling the cake.

It is said that in wealthy families, pets are valued more than ordinary people’s lives. Looking at the dog lying on the ground and feasting on the cake, Chen Du’s mind was left with only two words, “It’s over.”

His brain raced:

Can dogs eat human cake? I spilled the guest’s cake and hit their dog. How much do I have to compensate?

The host, alerted by the commotion, came out. She was a well-maintained lady of indeterminate age.

The lady didn’t look at Chen Du, but looked at the dog gnawing on the cake, and couldn’t help but laugh:

“Million, knowing that I ordered a birthday cake for you, you can’t be so eager that you knock over the delivery guy and eat it on the ground.”

Then, she picked up the cake from the ground without any disgust and placed it on the dining table.

The dog just acted affectionately and then climbed onto the table to continue feasting.

Chen Du couldn’t help but tease in his heart, if he were reincarnated as a dog in a wealthy family in the next life, that would be pretty good too.

The next second, the lady looked up with a smile, “This cake is made with cream that I specially customized for pets to eat. You don’t have to worry.”

“Million hasn’t had cake for too long. Hearing the doorbell, the smart guy knew the cake was here, and he knocked into you in a hurry. I’m really sorry. Let me compensate you.”

But she was completely stunned when she saw Chen Du’s face clearly.

15

“Xiao Du, is that you?”

Chen Du was somewhat dazed. Xiao Du? Could this be a TV drama? Could he still be a child lost by a wealthy family?

But the next moment, the lady tremulously took out a photo from her bosom. It was a photo of a couple holding a child.

Chen Du took a closer look and was surprised to find that his eyebrows and eyes were very similar to the woman in the photo.

In an instant, Chen Du’s heart began to beat crazily, as if it was about to burst out of his chest. Could it be that the lady in front of him was his biological mother?

Finding one’s biological parents is one of the most important things in life for a child who grew up in an orphanage with no support.

But now, Chen Du has stomach cancer. He also knows that after delaying for so long, the possibility of cure is very low.

Chen Du seemed to regain a moment of childhood innocence that he had never had before, and also a youthful fearlessness, constantly imagining in his heart, if the lady in front of him was really his biological mother, then Chen Du would not admit it, and would not go with her for a paternity test.

To avoid causing her more sadness from losing me again.

After all, the brief possession, followed by loss, is the most painful.

But he only heard the lady say in a trembling voice:

“After your parents died in a car accident, their child was nowhere to be found at the scene. I’ve been looking for so many years, and I didn’t expect you to suddenly appear in front of me.”

“Child, I’m your aunt. Look at how much your eyebrows and eyes resemble your mother’s.”

As she spoke, Chen Du was certain that she was indeed his aunt, because even Lin Yi Tang, who grew up with him, was unaware of the birthmark. However, he couldn’t help but feel a moment of loss, realizing that his biological parents had passed away in a car accident, which was why they had not come to find him all these years. Yet, he was also relieved to know that he was not abandoned and alone in the world; he had an aunt who cared for him.

But unfortunately, he could not acknowledge her now.

With tears welling up in her eyes, his aunt reached out her trembling hands to touch Chen Du’s face, but Chen Du stepped back to avoid her.

Seeing the situation was not right, Bai Wan, who was eating the cake, jumped off the table and fiercely bit Chen Du’s trouser leg, tugging at it. In the scuffle, Chen Du’s stomach medicine fell out of his pocket.

His aunt quickly picked it up, her tears flowing even more freely.

“You also have stomach cancer?”

The word “also” made Chen Du stop in his tracks.

Chen Du looked at her in confusion, “Also?”

His aunt wiped her tears and, closing her eyes tightly, began to recall that painful period.

“Your mother was diagnosed with stomach cancer shortly after giving birth to you, and the doctor said there was a possibility of hereditary transmission. After learning that Hai City had better medical conditions and was the place with the highest hope for treating stomach cancer in the country, your father moved the whole family there.

“But I didn’t expect a severe car accident to happen on the way. By the time I arrived, your parents were gone, and you were missing, leaving only Bai Wan’s mother, Qian Wan behind.”

“Your parents left all their inheritance to me, and in order to find you, I settled in Hai City with Qian Wan.”

His aunt paused for a moment, gently placing her hand on Chen Du’s cheek, wiping away his tears as gently as his mother would have in his memories.

This time, Chen Du did not resist anymore.

His aunt looked at Chen Du and continued, “You have always been strong, but you must understand that family means caring for each other and being together forever. You are no burden at all.”

“Xiao Du, stay, and let your aunt accompany you to defeat the illness, okay?”

Aunt looked at Chen Du and continued:

“In my story, you also learned that I am not your mother’s biological sister. I was adopted, and in fact, I am only six years older than you.

After your parents passed away, I moved to Hai City by myself, studied, and even started an investment company.

“Aunt, you were only eleven years old when you lost your sister. Weren’t you scared to move to Hai City by yourself?”

Aunt just smiled faintly and said:

“I was scared, but I had Qian Wan with me, and Qian Wan left me a Bai Wan. Moreover, I was waiting for you to come home.”

“With you here, I am not afraid.”

Chen Du quietly nestled in Aunt’s embrace, feeling the warmth of family for the first time.

“By the way, where is the jade pendant you had? It was a talisman specially blessed by your mother at the temple.”

Hearing Aunt mention it, Chen Du suddenly remembered that when he first arrived at the orphanage as a child, he indeed had a jade pendant around his neck.

Chen Du felt a bit embarrassed and said:

“The jade pendant… it disappeared when I was at the orphanage.”

He thought Aunt would scold him for losing the only memento left by his mother, but Aunt just patted him on the back with a smile and choked back her tears to comfort him:

“Chen Du, you have suffered.”

“The jade pendant is gone, and it’s gone. Your mother won’t blame you, as long as you are safe, that’s all that matters.”

After talking about their experiences over the years, Aunt began to persuade Chen Du to quit his job, claiming that the family’s savings were enough for his treatment.

But Chen Du insisted on working, wanting to preserve his last bit of independence and dignity.

Seeing that she couldn’t change Chen Du’s mind, Aunt had to compromise and wait for him at home every day, preparing meals for him.

Before seeking medical treatment officially, Aunt personally shaved Chen Du’s hair off.

Looking at the shiny bald head in the mirror, Chen Du felt it wasn’t so hard to accept and even joked to make Aunt laugh.

“Aunt, I feel like I’m not inferior to Wu Yanzu even after shaving my head.”

Aunt didn’t concede and said:

“That’s right, if you look like me, you can’t be too bad.”

Chen Du mumbled:

“We’re not blood-related, and you’re taking advantage of me.”

Aunt poked my forehead with her finger and said:

“So what? Haven’t you heard that seniority is a weighty thing?”

“Family members come out for a moment, please,” a nurse was heard calling from outside the door.

Aunt quickly arranged two sentences for Chen Du and hurried out the door.

Bored, Chen Du opened his phone, and a short video platform was broadcasting the wedding of Lin Yi Tang and Lu Huai Zheng.

Watching Lin Yi Tang dressed more beautifully than he had imagined in his dreams, Chen Du felt no jealousy towards Lu Huai Zheng. He just silently congratulated and swiped the video away.

After all, on the day he left, Chen Du completely expelled Lin Yi Tang from his heart.

Soon, Aunt returned to the ward and began to accompany Chen Du with various examinations, but unexpectedly, Chen Du fainted during his first chemotherapy session.

Seeing that all methods failed to wake him up, the doctor could only ask Aunt if Chen Du had anyone he couldn’t let go or hated, which led to such a low will to live.

Aunt desperately started contacting Chen Du’s old friends and found out that his contact list was empty.

In the end, it was through Qian Wan’s investigation that they contacted Aunt Zhang.

Upon learning about Chen Du’s serious illness, Aunt Zhang indignantly sent a text message to Lin Yi Tang.

“Your brother is seriously ill. If you have any conscience, go to Hai City to see him.”

Lin Yi Tang, who received this message, dropped her phone in an instant, lifted her skirt, and disregarding the calls from behind, ran out of the wedding venue.

17

Lin Yi Tang booked the earliest flight to Hai City without hesitation.

She knelt by Chen Du’s hospital bed, clutching his hand and crying out:

“Brother, please don’t leave me, okay? I really know I was wrong. As long as you come back, I’m willing to do anything.”

Lu Huai Zheng, who arrived shortly after, was furious when he saw this scene, his heart filled with endless regret for not taking action against Chen Du earlier. Why hadn’t he simply eliminated him?

Lu Huai Zheng, seething with anger, grabbed Lin Yi Tang’s hand and bellowed:

“Do you know how many cold stares and jokes you’ve brought upon me by running away from our wedding?”

Seeing Lin Yi Tang indifferent, focused only on Chen Du, begging for him to wake up, Lu Huai Zheng slapped her across the face.

“I said, come back with me!”

Lu Jiao Jiao, as usual, was all too eager to add fuel to the fire:

“Brother, I told you, this woman never truly loved you. You’ve endured the ridicule of our circle and insisted on marrying her, and now you’ve been slapped in the face for it.”

Enraged, Lu Huai Zheng picked up Lin Yi Tang without a word, ready to leave.

Lin Yi Tang struggled desperately, “Put me down! I don’t want to leave my brother,” even biting Lu Huai Zheng in the process.

Lu Huai Zheng, in pain, released Lin Yi Tang, seeing her scramble back to Chen Du’s side, pleading for him to wake up. With a dark expression, Lu Huai Zheng asked:

“Lin Yi Tang, what do you mean by this? You ran away from our wedding to be with another man, saying you can’t live without him?”

“You didn’t used to despise him, thinking he was disgusting?”

Lin Yi Tang was silent for a moment before she raised her head stubbornly and said:

“Lu Huai Zheng, your sister is right, I only loved your money and power.”

“The night before our wedding, I couldn’t sleep, no matter how I tossed and turned, all I could see was Chen Du in my mind.”

“It’s only at this moment that I realize, for me, he is no longer just a brother; I love him, and I can’t live without him.”

Lu Huai Zheng nodded with a sardonic smile, “So you’re playing me, huh?”

He then prepared to kick towards Lin Yi Tang but was stopped by the bodyguards that Aunt Zhang had brought in.

“Sir, this is a hospital ward. No one is allowed to take Miss Lin away or cause a scene here while my nephew is unconscious!”

Lu Huai Zheng, a seasoned businessman, was not easily intimidated by this scene. He clenched his fists, making a cracking sound, “Alright, let’s fight. Who’s afraid of whom?”

Lu Jiao Jiao rushed over and ripped off my ventilator, “What a pair of adulterous lovers.”

She also cooed to Lu Huai Zheng, “Brother, I told you, you should have just played with Lin Yi Tang and left it at that. Now look at the trouble you’re in.”

“I’ve helped you vent your anger, you have to compensate me well when we get back.”

Aunt Zhang, realizing the situation, slapped Lu Jiao Jiao across the face in anger, causing her to spin and hit her head on the corner of a table, immediately swelling with a large bump.

“Who gave you the audacity to touch my niece?”

Even so, she suppressed her emotions and whispered:

“Lin Yi Tang, I ask you one last time, will you come back with me?”

After receiving Lin Yi Tang’s firm refusal, Lu Huai Zheng’s face darkened completely.

“Then don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Soon, Lu Huai Zheng was engaged in a fierce fight with the bodyguards, attracting many onlookers and even live broadcasts, making it to the top of the local hot search.

Seeing Chen Du’s complexion growing worse, Aunt Zhang realized that if they continued to make a scene in the ward, it could threaten Chen Du’s life.

As she contemplated how to expel Lu Huai Zheng and Lu Jiao Jiao, Mrs. Lu arrived.

18

“I dare anyone to touch my child!”

Mrs. Lu entered with a group of bodyguards, her presence as imposing as her son’s.

Her gaze met Aunt Zhang’s, and it seemed as if sparks flew between them.

Aunt Zhang was not to be outdone, snorting coldly:

“Don’t act with borrowed authority here. If you want to make a scene, take it outside and don’t interfere with my nephew’s treatment.”

Mrs. Lu’s confidence matched that of her son and daughter.

“As long as you hand over this woman to me, I will cover all the medical expenses for your nephew’s follow-up treatment.”

Aunt Zhang was naturally unwilling.

“I lack the least in money.”

“No one can take Miss Lin away before my nephew wakes up.”

Seeing that negotiations were not going well, Mrs. Lu gradually lost her patience and simply ordered her bodyguards to seize the woman.

“Mrs. Lu, if you dare to act recklessly, are you not afraid that I will halt the funding to your Lu Group?”

Mrs. Lu was puzzled, but she still boasted:

“Who cares who you are.”

Lu Huai Zheng, who had calmed down, quickly recalled where he had seen this woman before, and to his surprise, he realized that Aunt Zhang was the largest investor in Hai City. No project she invested in had ever failed.

He instantly regretted his actions, realizing he had been blinded by hatred and offended someone he shouldn’t have. He knew that the investment was something he and his father had begged for three days to secure in Hai City.

Lu Huai Zheng kept giving his mother signals to stop.

Even though Mrs. Lu was arrogant, she was a good mother and understood her son’s signal to shut up and retreat in a second.

Unable to save face, she still found a way to step down:

“Let’s go and appease the guests at the wedding venue first.”

Lu Jiao Jiao was confused, “Mom, they are so blatantly bullying my brother, why don’t you deal with them?”

The next moment, the security guards that Aunt Zhang had called in swarmed into the room and threw the three Lu family members out.

Lin Yi Tang was still kneeling in front of Chen Du’s bed, begging for him to wake up.

But strangely, no matter how much Lin Yi Tang called out, Chen Du showed no signs of waking up, and even his heart rate began to decrease, as if he was extremely disgusted by her.

As the heart rate monitor emitted a shrill sound, the medical staff rushed into the ward, racing against death, “The patient urgently needs resuscitation! All family members out!”

After the doctors finally pulled Chen Du back from the grasp of death, Aunt Zhang did not allow Lin Yi Tang into the ward anymore.

She had just learned from Aunt Zhang about what Lin Yi Tang had done to Chen Du.

Aunt Zhang, feeling miserable, slapped herself and stammered with tears:

“It’s my fault for causing this, I’m sorry.”

While Lin Yi Tang could only kneel in front of the ward, crying her heart out, praying for Chen Du’s safety, and saying “I love you,” which she had never spared for him before.

Aunt Zhang sat by the bedside and sighed silently, holding Chen Du’s hand against her warm cheek.

“Xiao Du, as long as you wake up, I’ll promise you anything.”

A drop of warm tears fell on Chen Du’s hand, and his fingers trembled in response.

“Aunt, I’m fine, don’t cry.”

19

With family by one’s side, one becomes childlike, as if shedding all heavy burdens, feeling light and free to act coquettishly and willfully.

Chen Du asked his aunt to arrange a transfer to another hospital, and she immediately understood his intentions.

“Do you not want to see Lin Yi Tang?”

Chen Du nodded, his voice hoarse:

“This path she chose for herself means she and I have no relationship anymore; I don’t want to be entangled with her.”

Auntie’s efficiency was impressive; she had Chen Du’s transfer formalities arranged that very night.

When Chen Du attempted to leave quietly under the moonlight, he still couldn’t escape Lin Yi Tang’s notice.

She first clung tightly to Chen Du’s transfer stretcher, preventing him from leaving, then took out the worn necklace that Chen Du had bought for her with his blood money, pleading with him, only for Auntie to snatch it away and throw it in the trash.

In the end, it turned into her chasing the car in the heavy rain.

Inside the car, Auntie looked at Chen Du with a worried expression, but Chen Du smiled knowingly:

“I don’t feel sorry for her.”

“Now, the only person I can’t bear to lose is you, Auntie. You are my hard-won family, and I can’t lose you again.”

However, Chen Du had clearly underestimated Lin Yi Tang’s determination to repent.

Even after he was transferred to a new hospital and admitted to a private room where no outsiders could reach him, Lin Yi Tang persisted in writing letters to Chen Du every day, asking the nurses to pass them on to him.

The contents of the letters were all trivialities like “get better soon” and “I love you.”

“What are you looking at?” Auntie asked as she entered the ward.

Chen Du quickly hid the letters under his pillow.

“Nothing.”

“By the way, Auntie, what delicious food did you prepare for me today?”

Chen Du’s condition had progressed to the point where he could no longer eat normal food; he could only barely maintain his vital signs by drinking some water each day.

Yet Auntie, undeterred, continued to prepare nutritious porridge for him daily, changing the recipes.

Auntie smiled温柔ly and took out the carefully prepared nutritious porridge from the thermos, then opened a WeChat video call.

“Bai Wan said he misses you. I’ve set up a phone at home that can answer calls automatically, do you want to talk to him for a while?”

In the video, a large dog was obediently squatting in front of the screen, and upon seeing Chen Du, it licked the lens a couple of times, which made Chen Du couldn’t help but chuckle, and even his appetite improved.

Auntie stood by the window, looking worriedly downwards, seemingly lost in thought.

“What’s wrong, Auntie?”

“Are you really not going to forgive Lin Yi Tang? She knelt downstairs for the entire night yesterday, attracting many onlookers, and it even became a small sensation online. There are already quite a few internet trolls starting to dig into your personal information.”

Hearing this, Chen Du was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Lin Yi Tang to go to such lengths to beg for his forgiveness.

Last night, it had rained and wind had blown outside the window all night.

But as the saying goes, a broken mirror cannot be mended.

Even if Lin Yi Tang knelt for a night, Chen Du would not forgive her again.

“Auntie, from the day I arrived in Hai City, you have been my only family. As for whether Lin Yi Tang kneels downstairs or not, what does it have to do with me?”

“Besides, you will protect me, won’t you, Auntie?”

Hearing Chen Du’s words, the gloom that had enveloped Auntie’s heart dissipated.

She playfully scratched Chen Du’s nose, her tone filled with undeniable doting:

“You, you.”

But love always drives people to the brink of madness. Neither Chen Du nor Auntie had anticipated that Lin Yi Tang would go to such lengths to see him.

20

Taking advantage of the deep night, Lin Yi Tang, in a disheveled state and even faintly smelling bad, rushed to Chen Du’s ward like a mad beast, unstoppable even by a dozen bodyguards.

She kneeled in front of Chen Du’s ward door, kowtowing on the ground, and in no time, she had smashed her forehead, bleeding profusely.

It was quite a disturbing sight.

“Brother, I really know I was wrong. I beg you to forgive me, okay?”

“Once you’re cured, let’s go home together and start over, okay?”

“You said you loved me, right? As long as you forgive me, we can be together forever.”

She kneeled outside the door, self-touchingly recounting the experiences of depending on each other over the years, but forgot that it was she who had pushed Chen Du away in the first place.

Chen Du sneered coldly, and with Auntie’s help, struggled to get up from the hospital bed.

Separate by a door, he responded to her indifferently:

“Lin Yi Tang, you should go back.”

“I gave up my chance to study for you, worked to earn money to support your education, but all I got was the news of your wedding.”

“I’m a normal man, I’ve given everything to you over the years, I just couldn’t control my emotions and revealed my true feelings, and you cursed me to die, humiliated me in front of so many people, and slandered me.”

“When you gave me a birthday gift and wanted to sever our sibling relationship, you should have known that we had no future.”

After hearing Chen Du’s words, Lin Yi Tang became extremely agitated.

“It’s not like that, brother, listen to my explanation!”

“I was just blinded by money before, and it wasn’t until you were critically ill that I realized, I’ve always loved you, I really can’t live without you, brother.”

“Look, as soon as I received Aunt Zhang’s text message, I ran to Hai City to find you, for you, I even abandoned my own wedding, causing Lu Huai Zheng to be humiliated in front of so many people, you should be satisfied, right?”

“Brother, as long as you forgive me, we can be happy forever.”

Chen Du sighed and shook his head, his voice filled with unmistakable disappointment.

“Lin Yi Tang, you’ve changed.”

“Let me ask you one question, do you like money or people?”

Lin Yi Tang answered without hesitation, but her ears turned slightly red.

“Of course, I like you, brother.”

Chen Du rubbed his aching temple, losing his last bit of patience with Lin Yi Tang.

“When you found a rich boyfriend, you could abandon the brother who raised you.”

“I can think that you came to Hai City to find me because you still have brotherly love for me, but why did you choose to stay? Isn’t it because you found out that my aunt is the largest investor in Hai City?”

Having her thoughts exposed, Lin Yi Tang still tried to argue, “I stayed in Hai City entirely because I care about you. How can you think of me like this, brother?”

Seeing her stubbornness, Chen Du didn’t want to deal with her anymore and directly ordered the bodyguards outside the door to remove her.

Lin Yi Tang screamed, “Brother, how can you drive me away?”

“I have you in my heart!”

Thrown out of the hospital, Lin Yi Tang winced as she lay on the ground, the mocking and teasing voices around her ringing in her ears.

“This is the woman who made a fuss online? Offending the rich, her days ahead are not going to be easy.”

“It’s said that the Lu family spent a lot of money to take down the hot search, being set up like this, the Lu family certainly won’t just swallow their pride. When the Lu family comes, this woman is going to suffer.”

“Some people are gloating, saying: ‘Aren’t you afraid? Didn’t you see that this woman kneels downstairs every day, calling out ‘brother’ so affectionately? Maybe someone in this hospital will stand up for her?'”

“I don’t think so. If someone in this hospital wanted to protect her, why would they throw her out like a dog?”

The mocking laughter swallowed Lin Yi Tang’s last bit of sanity.

A fierce light burst in her eyes, and she realized she had to secure Chen Du’s favor before Lu Huai Zheng could find her; otherwise, she would be in danger.

21

In the hospital, Chen Du’s condition was well controlled, and the doctor said that as long as he continued to cooperate with the treatment, recovery was possible.

However, being in the hospital for long periods can make one feel gloomy and eager to go out for a walk.

With the consent of the attending physician, Auntie took Chen Du home.

Bai Wan, as usual, ran over and was about to pounce on Chen Du in an affectionate manner, but then stopped as if remembering something, and howled at Chen Du.

Chen Du looked at Bai Wan’s shaved body and couldn’t help but chuckle.

He suddenly realized that Bai Wan was complaining to him about how Auntie had shaved all his fur off.

Auntie subtly glared at Bai Wan and then innocently said to Chen Du:

“Bai Wan likes you, and he insisted that I give him the same hairstyle as you; it has nothing to do with me.”

Chen Du blushed slightly, touched his smooth bald head, and then gave Bai Wan a thumbs-up, praising:

“Handsome dog!”

Bai Wan happily spun around on the ground several times.

Auntie left the largest room in the villa for Chen Du, saying that the house was bought with Chen Du’s parents’ money, and Chen Du should naturally live in the best room.

Chen Du thanked her with a smile, but in his mind, the figure of Lin Yi Tang emerged.

In the past, when he was with Lin Yi Tang, he always gave the best to her and silently paid, neglecting himself.

But after arriving in Hai City and meeting Auntie, this was the first time someone had been so good to him.

Auntie made sure to prioritize the best for him, teaching him how to love himself.

Chen Du silently vowed to bravely live on and protect Auntie.

Late at night, Bai Wan was restless and refused to sleep, insisting that Auntie take him out for a walk.

“Auntie, you’ve been with me in the hospital for so many days, and Bai Wan has been locked up at home for so many days; you should accompany him, or he might get jealous and bite me.”

Auntie glared at Chen Du and cooed:

“Nonsense, our Bai Wan is the most obedient dog, right?”

Bai Wan happily howled a few times and followed Auntie out the door.

Before leaving, Auntie didn’t forget to tell Chen Du: “The wind is strong outside, go to bed early and don’t catch a cold.”

Chen Du nodded, waved goodbye to Auntie, and thought about taking a hot bath and going to bed early to get up early the next day to make breakfast for Auntie and show off his culinary skills.

But when Chen Du came out of the bath, he saw a figure in his room dressed in revealing clothing.

The figure was slender and familiar.

Chen Du’s breathing became tense.

Was it Auntie?

He was a normal man, and facing an aunt who was not a blood relative and who had been so kind to him for so many days, it was impossible not to be moved.

But precisely because she was his aunt, and with the precedent of Lin Yi Tang, Chen Du could only pretend to be an innocent person who didn’t understand anything.

Chen Du called out to the figure in a trembling voice, “Auntie,” and the figure jolted but still didn’t turn around or speak.

Seeing this, Chen Du questioned again, “Qiao Chu,” which was Auntie’s name.

The person still didn’t move, apparently pondering who this name belonged to.

Smart as he was, Chen Du immediately realized that this person must not be Auntie.

When he hesitantly and doubtfully called out, “Yi Tang,” the figure snapped back to reality and tightly embraced Chen Du.

22

The cold temperature of the girl made Chen Du shiver, followed by endless anger.

Even though Chen Du was ill, in the face of the absolute difference in physical strength between men and women, Lin Yi Tang was no match for him.

Chen Du pushed her away and his eyes were cold.

“How did you appear here?”

Lin Yi Tang, however, answered irrelevantly.

“Brother, don’t you love me? If you want, I am yours now.”

After speaking, she struggled to get up from the ground and, like a caterpillar, clung to him again.

She thought her tearful eyes were pitiful and said:

“Brother, I really love you, can you believe me?”

Under the control of emotions, Chen Du slapped her in anger and scolded:

“Lin Yi Tang, you’ve changed! How can you be so shameless now?”

She sat on the ground, her expression indifferent, and after a while, she let out two silly laughs.

“How did I become like this?”

Then she looked up and continued to play the victim:

“Brother, Lu Huai Zheng will kill me.”

She thought Chen Du would continue to protect her out of past affection, but Chen Du was no longer willing to be her brother, let alone a doormat.

Chen Du coldly squeezed out a few words from his teeth:

“It’s none of my business.”

“This path is the one you chose. Both Lu Huai Zheng and I are just tools for you to climb the social ladder, treasured when needed, and discarded when not.”

“Lin Yi Tang, you disgust me.”

Chen Du picked up his phone and started calling security, issuing a final order to Lin Yi Tang to leave.

“You can go now, I never want to see you again.”

Lin Yi Tang’s eyes were filled with shock, as if she couldn’t believe that Chen Du, who had cared for her for most of her life, could be so ruthless.

She knelt on the ground and crawled towards Chen Du, still muttering about her wrongdoings.

“I was just temporarily blinded by that man Lu Huai Zheng, brother, I really can’t live without you.”

“Let’s go back to the happy days before, okay?”

“I beg you to forgive me.”

Chen Du closed his eyes, standing coldly, letting the arriving security drag her out.

It was only now that Lin Yi Tang finally understood that Chen Du really didn’t want her anymore.

Before she could grieve, what occupied her heart more was hatred.

She didn’t understand why Chen Du couldn’t bear this little grievance after being good to her for so many years.

Lin Yi Tang’s heart-wrenching cries still lingered in the air:

“Chen Du, I only made one small mistake, why are you treating me like this?”

“Are you so petty that you can’t forgive me? You said you loved me, is your love so worthless that it can’t be brought out?”

With her makeup cried off and looking neither human nor ghost, Lin Yi Tang just so happened to meet Auntie who had just returned from walking the dog.

A cold smile rose at the corner of Lin Yi Tang’s mouth, and she thought she had found a trump card.

“You say you are Chen Du’s aunt? I don’t think so.”

“Oh, you probably don’t know that Chen Du was once kept by the old lady next door, and he shamelessly fell in love with me, the sister he raised himself.”

“How about you? Do you have a crush on cancer patients? Or are you attracted to his pretty face? Otherwise, why would you treat Chen Du so well for no reason?”

Auntie’s chest heaved violently. She only knew that Chen Du’s sister, who was raised by him, wanted to cut off their relationship for money, but she didn’t expect Lin Yi Tang to be so shameless, casually spreading rumors about Chen Du and herself.

And Lin Yi Tang thought she had found Auntie’s weak point and became even more outspoken.

But this time, before Auntie could do anything, Bai Wan angrily rushed forward, bared his fangs, and fiercely bit Lin Yi Tang’s calf.

After that, he wagged his tail at Auntie, asking for a reward.

Auntie happily took out a chew toy from her bag and rewarded Bai Wan, then coldly warned Lin Yi Tang:

“If you dare to speak nonsense again, believe it or not, I will tear your mouth apart!”

Then, Auntie had security throw Lin Yi Tang, who was grimacing in pain, into the hospital for bandaging.

23

Lying on the hospital bed, Lin Yi Tang’s eyes burst with fierce light, no longer having the innocent appearance from before.

She constantly schemed in her heart about how to avoid the Lu family’s revenge and how to make Chen Du change his mind about her.

Suddenly, an unwelcome guest appeared outside the ward.

“Lin Yi Tang, you’ve caused such a big disgrace to our Lu family, and here you are, living a carefree life.”

The visitor was Lu Jiao Jiao.

She smiled gently, but her eyes were full of malice.

“Unfortunately, my brother is such a romantic fool, and he hasn’t been able to lay a hand on you yet. Well, I guess I’ll have to take care of you first.”

Lin Yi Tang was about to scream for the doctors and nurses because once Lu Jiao Jiao took her, it would be a dead end.

But before she could make a sound, Lu Jiao Jiao ordered someone to tightly cover her mouth, and then everything went black.

When Lin Yi Tang woke up again, she was in an abandoned factory, her calf that had been bitten by Bai Wan was still oozing blood.

“Ah, you’re awake.”

Lin Yi Tang then noticed that Lu Jiao Jiao was holding a cold, sharp knife in her hand.

“You say, if I cut your flesh off bit by bit with this knife, would it be enough to vent my brother’s anger?”

Lin Yi Tang looked terrified, struggling on the chair to no avail, and finally, due to losing her balance, the back of her head hit the ground hard, making her see stars.

Lu Jiao Jiao snickered, her laughter like the whisper of the grim reaper:

“So scared, are you?”

“Did you ever think about the consequences of the day you became materialistic and clung to my brother? When you were trying to fit into our upper class, crawling on the ground like a dog to pick up money for Chen Du, did you think of today?”

After speaking, Lu Jiao Jiao’s eyes hardened, and she raised the knife and stabbed it into Lin Yi Tang’s calf.

“The rotten flesh that the dog bit, I’ll cut it off for you.”

“I’m helping you, why are you screaming? Shouldn’t you thank me?”

Lin Yi Tang couldn’t listen to any of this; the immense pain only let out a heart-wrenching scream.

“Quick, say, do you know you’re wrong?”

Lu Jiao Jiao had been the apple of the Lu family’s eye since she was little, and being willful and domineering were just her basic behaviors.

In her cognition, even if she wanted the moon in the sky, her family could pick it for her.

But ever since her brother fell in love with Lin Yi Tang like a fool, everything changed. Even she, who had never been wronged, had to be forced by her brother to accept this unworthy poor woman.

Lu Jiao Jiao silently vowed in her heart that she would drive Lin Yi Tang away one day, and her brother could only belong to her.

Unexpectedly, Lin Yi Tang, that despicable woman, dared to betray her brother.

Jealousy and anger made her see red.

For her life, Lin Yi Tang had no choice but to change her words and agree:

“I really know I’m wrong, I’m sorry for your brother, but I also love him.”

Lin Yi Tang was so frightened that she closed her eyes tightly, but the expected pain did not come.

Hesitantly, she opened her eyes and realized that Lu Huai Zheng had actually used the knife to cut the ropes binding her limbs.

She was puzzled and naively thought that maybe Lu Huai Zheng still had feelings for her.

But the next moment, she was doused with a bucket of cold water by his words.

“I’m letting you go, not wanting my sister to bear the crime of murder at such a young age.”

“Lin Yi Tang, I originally thought you were different from the rich girls around me, pure and kind, but I didn’t expect you to be so heartless and crazy.”

“You can leave now, and never appear in front of me again.”

Hearing her brother say this, Lu Jiao Jiao immediately became anxious.

“Brother, I went through so much trouble to bring her here, how can you just let her go like this?”

“You say you’re such a smart person, how can you be so lovestruck again? I almost suspect that this wicked woman has put a spell on you. Do you know how much money our family has lost because of her elopement?”

But as soon as Lu Jiao Jiao finished speaking, Lin Yi Tang’s heart ignited a shrewd light.

“I can go to Chen Du for investment for you.”

Lu Jiao Jiao stared at Lin Yi Tang suspiciously, almost unable to contain her anger and wanted to take action against her again.

“Before you make wild claims, can you at least make an outline, please?”

“Do you think I’m a fool? Chen Du drove you out of his house even when you were dressed like that. How can you possibly persuade him to invest in us?”

Lu Huai Zheng, however, had a playful smile on the corner of his mouth.

“Oh?”

Lin Yi Tang’s eyes were firm, as this was her last chance to enjoy wealth and honor.

“As long as I can bring investment from Chen Du to you, making up for your family’s losses, we can go back to the past, right?”

Lu Huai Zheng chuckled, “You’ve been with me for so long, and now your ambition is not to be underestimated.”

“That’s right, as long as you can compensate for my losses, you will still be the glorious Mrs. Lu.”

Watching Lin Yi Tang leave with a limp, Lu Jiao Jiao pounded Lu Huai Zheng’s chest in frustration.

“Brother! Why do you believe this woman’s nonsense again? What if she’s lying to you?”

Lu Huai Zheng, however, gazed into the distance with a deep smile.

“You think Lin Yi Tang, who grew up with Chen Du, really has no leverage to threaten Chen Du?”

26

When Lin Yi Tang, covered in blood, found Chen Du, he had just finished his second chemotherapy.

“Why are you here?”

Chen Du turned his head, not wanting to deal with her, but she smiled mysteriously and said slowly:

“Aren’t you curious where the jade pendant went?”

Hearing this, Chen Du’s emotions suddenly became agitated, disregarding the IV still in his arm, he tried to struggle to get up.

“Did you steal my jade pendant?”

Lin Yi Tang nonchalantly replied:

“How can it be called stealing? You gave it to me when we were children.”

You forgot, you said that although the jade pendant was important to you, it was never as important as my happiness.”

Chen Du pondered and found that he had no memory of these words at all.

But what’s important now is not to dwell on whether what she said is true or false, but to retrieve his jade pendant.

“So, what are your conditions?”

Seeing her plan succeed, a smug smile finally appeared on Lin Yi Tang’s face after so many days.

“Brother, you know I don’t ask for much.”

“Just marry me, then take down Lu’s Group, and we can go back to our peaceful days.”

Chen Du didn’t speak, just looked at Lin Yi Tang playfully.

Seeing Chen Du looking at her like this, Lin Yi Tang was initially full of confidence, but as time passed, she felt increasingly uneasy.

“What are you looking at!”

“Have you decided yet?”

Seeing her getting anxious, Chen Du spoke leisurely.

“Lu Huai Zheng must have come to see you, right?”

“Let me guess, he could still let you go after such a big humiliation because you made a deal he couldn’t refuse, didn’t you?”

“You planned to use the jade pendant to threaten me into investing in Lu Huai Zheng to compensate for the losses of Lu’s Group?”

Seeing Chen Du had guessed right, Lin Yi Tang’s face turned completely dark, but she still tried to defend herself.

“We’ve depended on each other for so many years, you can’t just watch me fall into the wolf’s den of the Lu family, can you?”

Chen Du raised an eyebrow, “But you told Lu Huai Zheng that you clearly wanted to marry him.”

“You can’t please both sides like this. It’s not good to try to play both Lu Huai Zheng and me.”

He chuckled, took out his phone, and played the conversation between Lu Huai Zheng and Lin Yi Tang in the abandoned factory.

“You and Lu Huai Zheng teamed up to fool me!”

Lin Yi Tang’s face became ferocious.

“Chen Du, have you forgotten how Lu Huai Zheng played with you before? You actually chose to team up with him.”

Chen Du nonchalantly shrugged and said:

“I’m nothing more than that, I can’t compare with you who tries to please both sides, wanting to fool both Lu Huai Zheng and me, so no matter who wins, you can reap the benefits.”

Lin Yi Tang still wanted to talk back.

“Humph, you said I’ve changed? Then you, to get back at me, are now climbing the social ladder and being ambiguous with your so-called aunt.”

We are just the same kind of people, and in my opinion, you are even more disgusting than me!”

Now, Lin Yi Tang didn’t want to pretend anymore and simply broke the news to Chen Du.

“Isn’t this jade pendant important to you? Either you agree to my demands, or I’ll smash it!”

27

Chen Du looked at Lin Yi Tang with disappointment, gritted his teeth, and rose to his feet, pressing her step by step.

Seeing the hope igniting in her eyes, Chen Du sneered and slapped her directly in front of her shocked gaze.

“Lin Yi Tang, I warn you, do not slander my aunt.”

“Aunt is the kindest and most beautiful person in the world.”

Lin Yi Tang, who used to be protected by Chen Du in every way, was not spoiled but was raised with care.

She was dressed in thin clothing, already pained by the biting cold wind of winter, and after being tormented by Lu Jiao Jiao for so long, she was already delirious.

Chen Du’s slap broke the last line of defense in her heart.

“You hit me!”

She covered her face, her tears stinging the wounds on her face.

“I will fight you to the death!”

Chen Du, who had just undergone chemotherapy, was at his weakest, and Lin Yi Tang, at the end of her rope, showed a determination to fight to the death, pinning Chen Du to the cold tile floor, unable to move.

Her bony hands tightly gripped Chen Du’s neck, choking him, and in his daze, Chen Du even saw his deceased parents waving at him.

At the critical moment, Auntie, who had just fetched medicine, rushed in, pushed Lin Yi Tang away, and stood firmly in front of Chen Du, protecting him.

Lin Yi Tang first laughed loudly, then tears sprang out, making it unclear whether she was crying or laughing, looking like a madwoman.

“You know Chen Du is using your reputation and company to cooperate with Lu Huai Zheng behind your back, right?”

“He and Lu Huai Zheng are archenemies. If he can cooperate with Lu Huai Zheng today, he can stab you in the back tomorrow.”

Lin Yi Tang’s threats obviously had no effect on Auntie.

While nervously helping Chen Du to bed, she dealt with the situation:

“So what? As long as he wants it, everything I have is my nephew’s. Moreover, he just used legal means to join another victim in seeing through your hypocritical and money-worshipping true face and asking you to leave.”

Lin Yi Tang was stunned, still not understanding where she went wrong.

“Miss Qiao, then do you know how shameless your nephew is? He likes you, haha…”

Chen Du looked at Auntie in shock, fearing that she would leave him too.

But Auntie just casually said:

“I’ve heard that from you once, no need to repeat it.”

“Besides, such words mean nothing to me, I only trust Chen Du.”

Unaware, Chen Du felt his heart soar, but then sank again as Auntie gently tucked the blanket around him.

“He’s just had a tough life and can’t truly recognize his feelings, he’s just starved for love.”

At that moment, Chen Du’s heart, which had been elated, sank once more.

28

“Bodyguards! Throw this madwoman out right now!”

Seeing that her chances were gone and she would never be a rich person again, Lin Yi Tang slowly got up from the ground, grinning.

The wound at the corner of her mouth was torn, her appearance bloody like the legendary裂口女, and she spoke with conviction.

“I can’t go out, if I do, Lu Huai Zheng and Lu Jiao Jiao, those two madmen, will kill me.”

“Brother, look at me, I’m the sister you raised!”

“Lu Jiao Jiao, that bitch, has a brother to back her up even after she’s tortured me like this, why are you pushing me out to die!”

Auntie gently covered Chen Du’s ears, “Xiao Du, don’t listen to her nonsense, you’ve done your duty towards her.”

Watching the bodyguards close in, Lin Yi Tang’s last line of defense was torn apart.

“Since you’re heartless, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

“If you insist on pushing me to my death, then let’s die together, and we can still be siblings in the afterlife!”

Lin Yi Tang quickly broke free from the bodyguards’ encirclement, pulled out a sharp dagger from her sleeve, and rushed straight at Chen Du.

But the reality was that in the face of absolute strength, a frail woman like her, weakened and unarmed, could not get close to Chen Du at all.

Before she could approach, a bodyguard kicked her over and unceremoniously dragged her out.

Auntie patted Chen Du’s hand, signaling him not to be afraid.

“Attempted murder is enough to get her into trouble.”

Chen Du nodded, indicating that he didn’t take the matter to heart.

“Auntie, you’re right, I’ve given everything to Lin Yi Tang over the years, I owe her nothing.”

“I won’t feel sad because of her.”

Auntie smiled with relief and told Chen Du that his condition was very well controlled, and as long as he continued with the treatment, he would definitely recover.

Seeing Chen Du hesitate, Auntie chuckled and lightly kissed his forehead.

“Don’t be afraid, we’re not blood-related anyway.”

“I’ll go find a nurse to reinsert your IV, you rest well.”

Chen Du lay in bed all night, too excited to sleep, and only as dawn broke did he slowly accept the reality.

Suddenly, Chen Du felt more courage to face and defeat death.

But after calming down, Chen Du felt a lingering sense of unease, as if Lin Yi Tang’s matter wouldn’t end so easily.

29

When Chen Du’s condition had greatly improved and he was preparing for his last round of radiation therapy, he overheard the nurses whispering as they passed by.

“Hey, have you heard? A fisherman found a body in the lake last night. When he turned on his flashlight, he realized that the entire lake surface was dyed red with blood, apparently the female corpse hadn’t been dead for long.”

“I know! The coroner said it was a suicide, but I feel like there’s more to this story. This girl might have been threatened or forced, right?”

Another nurse had a unique perspective.

“Don’t you think this的背影 looks like that madwoman who often causes trouble at our hospital? I heard she snuck in yesterday, planning to stab the patient in the VIP ward.”

“I think she must have attempted murder and then didn’t want to go to jail, so she committed suicide out of fear of punishment.”

Hearing the nurses talk, Chen Du quickly picked up his phone and checked the latest news. Seeing the familiar photographer in the photo, he immediately confirmed that it was Lin Yi Tang.

The sudden appearance of Auntie said in a cold voice:

“I’ve already sent people to check it out. The day I let Lin Yi Tang go, she was kidnapped and thrown into a van.”

“It seems that Lu Huai Zheng is quite ambitious and holds grudges.”

Chen Du immediately understood and continued what Auntie said:

“He came to me with the recording of his conversation with Lin Yi Tang, hoping that I would continue to invest in Lu’s Group to compensate for their losses. I agreed and used this recording to make Lin Yi Tang face reality and completely drive her out of my world.”

“But I didn’t expect that Lu Huai Zheng would still hold a grudge and torture Lin Yi Tang every day, eventually forcing her to commit suicide.”

Auntie glanced at Chen Du and pretended to be angry.

“What, are you feeling sorry for her?”

Now it was Chen Du’s turn to smile and rub Auntie’s head.

“What are you thinking? Do you really think I’m destined to be a doormat?”

“Everyone has their own destiny. Lin Yi Tang wanted to court death, trying to play both of us men, unless I’m not sober, I won’t feel sorry for her.”

Hearing Chen Du say this, Auntie finally showed a relieved smile.

“That’s my good nephew!

Remember, love yourself first, the most important thing in life is to be happy. If it’s not right, just separate; there’s no need to burden yourself with so much unnecessary responsibility and pressure.

But I’ve done my best for Lu’s Group too, given that Lu Huai Zheng once had the intention to kill you. It’s time for Lu’s Group to collapse.

Seeing Auntie speak so confidently, Chen Du was not pleased.

He pouted and murmured:

“Who wants to be your nephew? We’re not even blood-related.”

Auntie rarely blushed and did not answer Chen Du’s words directly.

She held Chen Du’s hand tightly, lowered her head, and suppressed her emotions:

“Chen Du, today is your last chemotherapy, the success or failure hinges on this.”

Chen Du was silent for a moment, knowing that this last chemotherapy was also the most dangerous. If anything went wrong, he and Auntie could be separated by life and death.

But Chen Du still feigned composure and patted Auntie’s hand:

“Don’t worry, I will be fine. Bai Wan is still waiting for me to buy him cake to go home.”

Time seemed to pause at this moment as Auntie paced anxiously back and forth outside the radiation treatment room.

It wasn’t until the operating room door opened and Chen Du lay motionless on the hospital bed that her tears fell like broken beads.

The doctor quickly comforted her:

“Don’t worry! The treatment was very successful!”

And Chen Du, just like the first time they met, used all his strength to gently place his hand on her face and wipe away her tears.

“Qiao Chu, don’t cry, I’m here.”

(End of the story)