Fu Chenxuan received a call from Uncle Peter two days before Brother Hao’s surgery.

"Uncle Peter, are you joking with me?" Fu Chenxuan couldn’t believe what Peter had told him. Brother Hao seemed perfectly healthy, how could he need surgery all of a sudden?

On the other end of the phone, Peter rolled his eyes, "Do I look like someone who would joke about this? Believe it or not, I’ve told you anyway." If Peter didn’t know he was Fu Chenxuan’s friend, he wouldn’t have bothered to make the effort. Peter and Uncle Allen were actually similar people, very cold-blooded. Uncle Allen cared about Shen Qinglan and Shen Qinglan’s children, while Peter genuinely cared about Uncle Allen and his medical research. Fu Chenxuan was another consideration, since Peter had watched him grow up since he was a child, so there was some affection there.

"How is his condition?" Fu Chenxuan asked in a grave tone. This news was too sudden, and he had not yet returned to his senses.

"It’s not good; it’s been dragged on for too long. If surgery had happened when it was first discovered, he would have already recovered. I don’t know what kind of quack treated him back then, saying that surgery wasn’t possible and he could only rely on medication. After delaying for two to three years, we’re just now trying to treat it, tsk tsk tsk..." Peter didn’t finish the last half of his sentence, but Fu Chenxuan understood what he meant.

It was purely coincidental that Peter knew about Brother Hao’s illness. Two years ago, Peter had performed brain tumor surgery at the same hospital Brother Hao was now in. His superb medical skills left the doctors there in awe, treating Peter like a deity. Unfortunately, Peter was not willing to teach or interact with them much. It was only because Brother Hao’s attending doctor remembered Peter that he made the call to consult him.

Peter wasn’t originally planning to pay any heed, since they weren’t even friends. But when he saw the patient’s medical record he glanced through, he recognized the person as Fu Chenxuan’s relative, and a close one at that, which prompted him to make the call to Fu Chenxuan.

"Uncle Peter, if you perform the operation, are you confident?" Fu Chenxuan’s voice was very heavy; his heart had sunk to the bottom.

"Chenxuan, I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I’m not confident. I’ve seen his medical record myself. The tumor is in a very peculiar spot, and if I’m not mistaken, he must have received a head injury in the past year, which is why his condition has suddenly worsened. Even if I personally undertake the surgery, my success rate is less than ten percent."

Less than ten percent, Fu Chenxuan’s face turned somewhat pale. He remembered that many years ago, Uncle Allen had suffered from a similar condition, and then Uncle Peter had returned.

"Uncle Peter, is there really no other way?"

Peter’s eyes flickered, "It’s not entirely hopeless."

Fu Chenxuan’s eyes lit up slightly, "What way?"

"Bring Eden here, and if the two of us work together, the success rate could reach around forty percent."

Forty percent didn’t sound high, but it was a significant ray of hope. However, Eden had been out of contact for four to five years now, and nobody knew where he was.

"Uncle Peter, won’t someone else do?" He couldn’t guarantee that he could find Eden in a short time, nor did he know if Brother Hao’s condition could wait until Eden was found.

"Chenxuan, I’m giving you what I believe is the best solution. It’s not that others can’t do it, but I don’t have the same understanding with them. With Eden, although we’re not close comrades, we’ve cooperated a few times. For such a delicate surgery, the coordination between doctors is very important. And can anyone else’s medical skills really compare to Eden’s?"

That’s right, for over twenty years, Eden had been traveling around the world, studying various complicated diseases, and his medical skills were even better than Peter’s.

"Uncle Peter, how long can my brother hold on? I need to know how much time I have to find someone."

"One month, I suppose. I can’t say much since I haven’t seen him in person. All my conclusions are drawn from his medical records."

"Understood, thank you, Uncle Peter. Please keep a close watch on my brother. I’ll go find Uncle Eden right now."

Peter knew he couldn’t escape this responsibility in the end. If it were someone else, he might not have helped, but how could he refuse when Fu Chenxuan asked? The boy was like a child he had watched grow up, like a half-child of his own. "Fine, I’ll take good care of him. I’ll fly to M country tomorrow."

Fu Chenxuan hung up the phone, still with a look of worry. He tried calling Eden, but the number went unanswered, which was often the case—Eden’s cell phone was practically for show, reaching him maybe once in ten attempts.

Eden was definitely the most carefree person he had ever met—unmarried, without children, dedicating all of his passion to the medical field, spending most of his time traveling the world.

Fu Chenxuan thought for a moment and then called Brother Hao, who was in M country. At first, Brother Hao didn’t understand why. But after Fu Chenxuan spoke a few words, he realized why.

"Brother Hao, why didn’t you tell the family?" With something so crucial at stake, why keep it a secret from the family? If the surgery were to fail and he didn’t make it off the operating table, what would they tell his mother? Pei Yinong would be devastated.

"Chenxuan, it’s a life-and-death gamble for me to go on the operating table. I didn’t want my parents to worry about me."

"You’re too selfish, Brother Hao. You didn’t tell anyone, and if I hadn’t found out by accident this time, were you planning to go into surgery without letting anyone know?"

Pei Hao fell silent; he really had planned to do just that.

Fu Chenxuan could tell from the silence on the other end of the phone that his guess was right, his eyes cooling, "Brother Hao, have you considered how we all would feel about this? If something really went wrong with you, do you think we’d be okay? I’ve always looked up to you since I was young, because you’re smart, and you’re calm in everything you do, but Brother Hao, I can’t agree with or understand what you’ve decided to do this time."

Pei Hao remained silent, his faint breathing the only sign he was listening.

"Brother Hao, delay the surgery for now. I’ve already asked Uncle Peter, and if we can find Uncle Eden as well, the success rate of the surgery can be increased to forty percent. Just wait."

Pei Hao’s eyes suddenly lit up. He had come with a resolution to face death, gambling on the operation like a bet. If he won, he could live the rest of his life in peace; if he lost, he would be six feet under. He had made thorough preparations before coming, having even drawn up his will.

"Chenxuan, are you serious?" Pei Hao didn’t want to die; there was so much he hadn’t done yet. How could he wish for death? When he first received the diagnosis, he couldn’t believe the doctors and thought perhaps there was a mistake. He went to several hospitals, but the conclusions were similar. It wasn’t so serious back then, and although surgery wasn’t advisable, medications could control it, and indeed, his condition hadn’t worsened over the years, although treatment hadn’t shown significant results.

Who would have thought that a car accident a year ago would exacerbate his condition?

"Brother Hao, would I joke about something like this?" Fu Chenxuan said, displeased. He was still angry that Pei Hao had hidden his illness. If Pei Hao weren’t seriously ill and abroad, he was sure they would have come to blows.

He suddenly remembered the last time they celebrated his dad’s birthday, and Pei Hao was hiding in the kitchen taking medicine, claiming it was a vitamin. Heh, to think he had naively believed him.

Pei Hao knew he was in the wrong, and it was only natural for Fu Chenxuan to be angry; he didn’t argue back.

"Chenxuan, I hope you can..."

"Don’t even think about it. I won’t hide it for you. I’m definitely going to tell Auntie," Fu Chenxuan interrupted, effectively silencing him.

The risk of Pei Hao’s surgery was too high; one misstep and he might never come back. If he kept it a secret from his family and the surgery succeeded, it would be okay; but if it failed, then he, Fu Chenxuan, would be a villain for all eternity. He couldn’t bear such responsibility, nor did he want to.

Hearing this, Pei Hao fell silent for a moment before speaking softly, "I’ll call my mom myself about that. I was hoping you would keep it from Guoguo. I don’t want her to worry."

Fu Chenxuan was taken aback, "Brother Hao, you actually like Guoguo, don’t you?" He figured that must be why Pei Hao pushed Guoguo away.

Pei Hao didn’t deny it but only said, "If my surgery is successful, I’ll tell her myself."

"And if it’s not? Are you planning to hide it from her for the rest of your life? Brother Hao, have you thought about this? If Guoguo finds out you liked her but didn’t dare to be with her because of this illness, she would regret it so much. Even if she was married by then, this would become a lifelong regret for her."

More seriously, it might become a wound in Guoguo’s heart that never heals. Over time, instead of healing, it would fester and become inflamed.

"Brother Hao, Guoguo might seem cheerful and carefree on the surface but deep down, she’s delicate and sensitive, prone to brooding. I know you’re hiding this out of a kind lie, for her own good, but that’s just what you think is best for her. Have you ever asked Guoguo if she’s willing to be deceived by you?"

"Chenxuan, I’ve thought about all you’ve said. If she doesn’t know and I die, she’ll be sad for a while, but she’ll get over it." That’s what Pei Hao believed.

"Brother Hao, that’s your way of thinking; you shouldn’t make decisions for Guoguo."

Fu Chenxuan’s anger surged, and he was in no mood to argue any longer, quickly hanging up the call.

He tried calling Eden again, but it was still switched off. He sat in his office for a long time, peering through the glass door at Guoguo engrossed in her work.

Perhaps sensing his gaze, she looked up and gave him a small smile. Fu Chenxuan pondered for a moment, then stood up, took his keys, and left.

"Guoguo, I need to run home for a bit; if there’s nothing pressing, you should head off early today."

Guoguo nodded, without asking what he needed to do at home.

Fu Chenxuan went home to find his mother and told Shen Qinglan everything as it had happened. Shen Qinglan’s face went pale; she had never imagined that Pei Hao would contract such a disease. "How could he...?"

She still couldn’t believe it. Was this simply the old saying coming true, that great wit must come with great risk?

Fu Chenxuan’s face was grim. "Mom, Uncle Peter said that we need to find Uncle Eden to be confident in keeping the surgery’s success rate at 40 percent, but I can’t find Uncle Eden."

Upon hearing this, without a second word, Shen Qinglan immediately called Jin Enxi. They had a special way of communicating among their group. Although she could also contact Eden, she was definitely not as fast as Jin Enxi. According to what Fu Chenxuan said, Pei Hao’s condition was urgent, and the sooner they found Eden, the more hopeful they would be.

These past few years, they had little contact with each other, even seldom gathering together, but their affection for one another remained deep and hadn’t faded with the passage of time or distances between them.

Upon receiving the call, Jin Enxi immediately reassured her, "An, I will find Eden within three days, don’t worry."

Shen Qinglan trusted Jin Enxi to handle affairs. After hanging up the phone, she finally turned to Fu Chenxuan, "Have you told your aunt about this?"

Fu Chenxuan shook his head. "Brother Hao said he would tell her himself."

Shen Qinglan nodded; such matters should indeed be told to Pei Yinong by Pei Hao himself.

After much hesitation, Pei Hao eventually made the call to Pei Yinong. She was so shocked that she slid off her chair onto the ground, staring blankly at the floor and giving Jiang Chenxi quite a scare.

Although Pei Hao was no longer her only child, he was still the son she cherished most. Now her precious child had told her that he was seriously ill, and once he was on the operating table, there was a high chance he might never come off. How could she bear it? Just a few days ago, he was still lively in front of her.

Pei Yinong felt weak all over; she had no strength left and couldn’t stand up. Pei Hao’s words had drained all her energy.

"Yining, what’s wrong with you?" Jiang Chenxi was anxious—why had she suddenly become like this? Pei Yinong snapped back to reality, grabbed Jiang Chenxi’s arm without controlling her strength, squeezing painfully, but Jiang Chenxi didn’t mind the pain, "Chenxi, save Haohao, please save him."

Jiang Chenxi was confused. "What happened? What’s wrong with Haohao? Speak clearly!" He was anxious.

Pei Yinong’s tears were already falling, and she couldn’t articulate her words. She got up from the floor; she needed to see her son now, immediately, right away.

Seeing her in such a state, Jiang Chenxi couldn’t let her go out alone and grabbed her, "Yining, first tell me what happened to Haohao?"

Pei Yinong looked at Jiang Chenxi with tears streaming down, her lips trembling, and she stammered out the situation. Jiang Chenxi didn’t say another word, ran back to the room to grab their passports, and headed straight for the airport, "Don’t panic, we are going to M country right now."

Jiang Chenxi comforted her along the way, assuring her that there must be a way, that modern medicine was so advanced, there must be a way to save the child.

But Pei Yinong couldn’t hear a word he said; all she wanted was to see her son, and she couldn’t delay for a moment.

When the plane landed at the airport, Pei Yinong dashed straight for the hospital, where Pei Hao happened to be sleeping in his ward. He woke up shocked when Pei Yinong embraced him tightly.

Pei Yinong held her son and began to cry. Pei Hao sighed; this was why he hadn’t wanted to tell his family—it would upset them. He patted his mother’s shoulder. "Mom, don’t be sad, I’m okay."

Pei Yinong hit him. "Okay, okay, you always say you’re okay, but how can you call this okay? You keep everything from me, you refuse to tell me anything, and now, with such a happening, you still keep it from me. Haohao is cutting up your mother’s heart!"

Pei Hao, feeling helpless, looked towards Jiang Chenxi, hoping he would say something in his defense, but this time, Jiang Chenxi didn’t help him. The kid was too audacious, daring to keep such a thing from his family.

After crying for a while, Pei Yinong calmed down, wiped away her tears, and thoroughly learned about Pei Hao’s condition. The more she understood, the paler her face became. The hand she held onto Pei Hao’s tightened with a heart full of bitterness. Why must her child’s life be so full of hardship? Being an unmarried mother, her son had carried the stigma of being born out of wedlock since birth. He was not very healthy and had grown up with many hardships, but finally, he had grown up healthy. He had found Jiang Chenxi, who treated him as his own, and just when she thought she could see him get married and have children, this disaster struck.

Pei Yinong’s heart ached as if someone was stabbing her heart with a knife repeatedly, turning it into a sieve yet not being satisfied, full of holes and bleeding profusely. She was trembling all over, holding Pei Hao’s hand, which felt cold and lifeless.

The hospital room fell into a deathly silence, with no one speaking. Eventually, it was Pei Hao who couldn’t stand it anymore and patted his mother’s hand, "Mom, there will be a way, believe in me."

Pei Yinong’s tears, which had just stopped, broke forth again, "You always ask me to believe you, but Haohao, how can I believe you this time?"

The doctors had said that the risk of this surgery was less than 10 percent. Wasn’t this tantamount to watching her own child march towards death? As a mother, she couldn’t face such a scenario.

Pei Hao relayed Fu Chenxuan’s words to Pei Yinong. "Chenxuan is already helping me look for a specialist. As long as we find that specialist, the success rate of the surgery can be raised to 40 percent. I’ve always been lucky since I was young. I’m certain that I’ll come through this safely." Pei Hao’s face bore a gentle smile as he softly consoled his mother.

Jiang Chenxi pursed her lips and stood aside, silent. After a moment, she walked out of the hospital room and called Shen Qinglan. At that time, Shen Qinglan had just finished speaking with Jin Enxi, and she honestly shared the purpose of Jiang Chenxi’s call.

She would definitely help find the person.

This was precisely what Jiang Chenxi needed to hear. Hearing Shen Qinglan say this, his worries were somewhat alleviated.

"Thank you," he said, sincerely and earnestly.

"No need." Pei Hao had been close to her since he was young, almost like her own half-son. It was only right and proper for her to do this.

Eden contacted Shen Qinglan voluntarily a day later when she had already arrived in the United States.

Eden was already on his way and would arrive by that evening at the latest.

Only Shen Qinglan and Pei Hao were in the hospital room. Pei Hao lay on the hospital bed, and if one judged by his complexion only, one could not tell he was ill; his face looked very normal.

"Auntie, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you all," Pei Hao initiated.

Shen Qinglan felt sorry for him, but still, she said what needed to be said, holding his hand. "Haohao, you’ve been a sensible and thoughtful child since you were little, and the things you do reassure others. I often envy your mother for having a son like you, but I cannot agree with what you’ve done this time."

"I know, auntie. I was selfish this time. I didn’t consider your feelings. I’m sorry." Being admonished, Pei Hao wasn’t annoyed; a gentle smile still graced his face. He took responsibility for his actions, never one to shirk blame.

Seeing his good attitude, Shen Qinglan couldn’t rebuke him further. The thought of Pei Hao’s illness made her heart ache subtly. Pei Yinong had already fallen ill, developing a high fever on the day she arrived, but, fearing for Pei Hao’s peace of mind, she hadn’t told him. In this respect, mother and son were remarkably alike.

"Haohao, your aunt will definitely find the best doctor for you, and I will make sure you walk out alive from the operating room." Shen Qinglan held Pei Hao’s hand. He was still so young; he shouldn’t have to end his life like this.

Pei Hao’s smile was tender. As for life and death, he truly had come to terms with it. When he first received the diagnosis, he didn’t throw a hysterical fit; instead, he methodically arranged his affairs. Now, he was even more composed.

"Auntie, it’s so good to have you."

Shen Qinglan wasn’t an emotional person and couldn’t say many sentimental words, just gently patting his hand.

Uncle Peter arrived at the hospital before Eden. His arrival ensured that Uncle Allen wouldn’t be far behind. Upon seeing Allen, Shen Qinglan took the initiative to greet him, and Allen returned the greeting with a warm smile. He stood outside the hospital room with Jiang Chenxi, waiting silently. Allen had no words to share with Jiang Chenxi, who was keen to talk to Allen but, thinking of Pei Hao’s condition inside, lost the desire to converse.

Inside the hospital room, Eden personally conducted an examination on Pei Hao and reached the same conclusion he had shared over the phone. Pei Hao’s condition was similar to, yet more dangerous than, Allen’s. Not only did he have a tumor in his brain, but also a small blood clot. His luck was truly bad; the locations of both were very sensitive. The fact that Pei Hao had held on until now was already a miracle.

After Eden’s arrival at the hospital, the two of them cleared the hospital room of everyone else, remaining inside to study Pei Hao’s condition.

"I have a new treatment plan that I developed not long ago, but I’ve only tested it on mice so far, not on humans. Do you dare to try it?" After the examination, Eden asked Pei Hao.

Pei Hao’s expression was indifferent as he asked, "Will it increase the success rate?"

"By 10 percent." But this was a conservative estimate, given that the anatomy of humans and mice is not the same.

"Okay, I’ll try." Pei Hao hesitated not a moment. He had thought his chances were only 50 percent, and he was willing to try anything that might grant him a sliver more hope of survival.

Eden nodded, exchanged a glance with Peter, and began discussing the surgery plan in front of Pei Hao in the hospital room. Although Pei Hao couldn’t understand the medical specifics, the brightness in his eyes was startling. If one could live, who would choose death? Although he had accepted the possibility of death, it didn’t mean he didn’t care about living or dying.

Fu Chenxuan hesitated for three days before he finally called Guoguo. "Guoguo..."