Her mind raced back to what Fu Yanshi had told her. He had offered to cover her mother’s medical bills, to find her the very best doctors! It was her only option now. Frantically, Xu Qinghuan scrambled through her contacts, searching for the number of a junior high classmate. She finally found one and begged him to add her back to their old group chat, only to discover a crushing reality: Fu Yanshi had also left the group right after she did. “Does anyone have a way to reach Fu Yanshi?” She quickly typed the message into the group, past caring what anyone would think or whisper about her. Soon, a classmate, Wang Zhong, replied, “Huh? Wasn’t he in here just a few days ago? I swear I saw him. Why would he leave?” “What’s so surprising? He's the CEO of the Fu Corporation now. He's in a different league. Nothing to discuss with us nobodies.” “Haha, sounds like sour grapes to me!” The conversation quickly veered off-topic, and Xu Qinghuan’s question was soon buried under a flood of new messages. Just as she was frowning, trying to think of another way, her name was suddenly tagged in the chat. “Xu Qinghuan? I have Fu Yanshi's number. It's been years, so I don't know if it's still active, but I saved it when he called me asking to be added to this group.” The message was from their old junior high class president. A moment later, he sent her the number in a private message. Xu Qinghuan clutched the number like a lifeline and immediately dialed. But all she got was a cold, automated female voice: “The number you have dialed is currently switched off…” The voice was a bucket of ice water to the face, snapping her back to reality. In a daze, she left the group chat. What was she doing? Had she actually taken Fu Yanshi’s words seriously? He had someone he loved. His offer of marriage was probably just a rash decision made after a fight with her, nothing more. How could she have forgotten the chasm that separated them? She couldn't even get in touch with him now, yet she’d deluded herself into thinking that after turning him down, he would still be willing to help. Lowering her phone, Xu Qinghuan returned to the ICU. Her mother lay on the bed, so still Xu Qinghuan couldn't tell if she was asleep or unconscious. The silence was terrifying. Behind her, a doctor checked Zheng Qiuzhi's vitals. He lowered his voice. “Have you made a decision about the surgery?” “Doctor… is it possible to pay for it in installments?” Her voice came out as a dry rasp. She hadn't had anything to drink all day, and a thin line of blood had cracked across her lip. She looked utterly drained. “I'm afraid not,” Dr. Wang said, his tone apologetic. “I wish I could help, but given your mother's condition, and the fact that you have no collateral, the hospital can't approve the surgery without payment upfront. I hope you understand.” “…” The answer didn't surprise her. It was true. She had nothing. “You should go get something to eat,” the doctor advised. “I'll keep an eye on things here. Your mother will be in the ICU through the night, and you’re no good to her if you collapse.” Xu Qinghuan managed a nod. “Thank you,” she whispered. But how could she eat? She just bought a bottle of water. As she was paying with her phone, the screen lit up with an incoming call—from that number. It was Fu Yanshi! Xu Qinghuan jabbed the answer button. “Fu Yan—” “Hello, who’s calling, please?”