Chapter Eight: Get Lost

"Oh dear," the old man shook his head with a look of regret. "Linzhou spent ages picking that dog out at the kennel yesterday; he was certain you’d love it."

Certain she’d love it?

Had anyone asked if she even wanted a dog?

"It’s alright, Grandfather. If it’s really too much trouble, I can take it," Xu Nannan said softly from the side. "I can take good care of it."

Gu Linzhou finished the wine in his glass, cast a sidelong glance at the unmoved Fu Luoning, and curled his lips. "Sure, if you like it, take it."

"Thank you, Brother Linzhou," Xu Nannan said, her voice brimming with delight.

The old man’s gaze shifted back and forth between Fu Luoning and Gu Linzhou, and he silently refilled Gu Linzhou’s glass.

Fu Luoning lingered at the dinner table for a while longer, but as the grandfather and his two grandchildren seemed intent on continuing their wine-fueled conversation, she excused herself and headed upstairs. It seemed the old man had no intention of letting anyone leave tonight.

She returned to her room to catch up on some work. After some time, the door pushed open. Fu Luoning glanced up to see Gu Linzhou entering with a unsteady gait. She ignored him. Gu Linzhou stripped off his hoodie, tossed it aside, and headed into the bathroom.

He emerged wrapped in a bathrobe, his wet hair still dripping. He sat on the sofa, only to find Fu Luoning intently focused on her laptop. He leaned in; the screen was filled with dense English text—likely a contract. She was so engrossed that she didn't notice until a few drops of cold water hit her hand. She turned her head, looking at him with displeasure. "What are you doing!"

The impatience in her eyes wasn't feigned. Gu Linzhou looked at her with a cunning smile and abruptly shook his wet hair. Water droplets splattered everywhere—on her face, her hands, and the laptop. She let out a sharp "tsk" and kicked out at him.

Gu Linzhou dodged with agile grace, watching her with glee. "Missed me."

Fu Luoning couldn't be bothered with his childish games and returned her gaze to the laptop, checking the documents carefully.

"The old man didn't intend for you to work tonight," he said, circling behind the sofa. He leaned down over her, his presence hovering at her ear. "Are you really planning on staring at contracts all night?"

Droplets from his hair slid down onto Fu Luoning’s neck, dampening the chiffon blouse on her shoulder. The room fell into a sudden, heavy silence. Gu Linzhou reached out to grip her slender arm, his fingertips grazing her skin as he leaned closer. A faint, clean scent filled the air, and his lips brushed against her ear.

Fu Luoning’s voice turned icy. "Get lost!"

The quiet atmosphere shattered instantly. Gu Linzhou thought he must have misheard. "Say that again."

"Get out!"

Her cold, ruthless tone killed Gu Linzhou’s interest, and he rolled back onto the bed. His grandfather wanted him to have a child with her, and he had been proactive, but she was unwilling—he couldn't blame himself for that.

Fu Luoning grabbed a tissue to wipe the water from her face and neck, feeling thoroughly irritated. Just as she tossed the tissue away, her phone rang. The number on the screen made her eyes tighten. She answered quickly, her voice laced with tension. "What happened?"

As the person on the other end continued, Gu Linzhou watched her stand up in a panic, grabbing her coat and heading for the door. "I'm coming right now."

What could be so urgent?

Curious, Gu Linzhou got up and followed. Fu Luoning had already reached the ground floor. The old man was still on the sofa, playing with the dog. He widened his eyes when he saw her coming down. "Luoning, why are you coming down?" He had been banking on holding a great-grandchild by tonight.

"Grandfather, there’s an emergency I have to attend to," Fu Luoning said, her expression anxious. "I really have to go."

"Oh... well, go on then. Be careful on the road."

Fu Luoning nodded, and her silhouette vanished from the living room.

When Old Master Gu looked up again, he saw his grandson lounging lazily against the second-floor railing. His temper flared. "You useless thing! With your reputation, you can’t even keep a woman."

Gu Linzhou laughed in frustration. "Grandfather, don't blame everything on me."

Old Master Gu gestured toward the dog playing with a toy on the sofa. "You’re not even as good as a dog."

Having been rebuffed by Fu Luoning and now scolded by his grandfather, Gu Linzhou felt a surge of annoyance. He turned around and retreated to his room, slamming the door shut with a loud bang.

—

Shengjing Xiangrui Hospital.

Fu Luoning hurried out of her car. Shan Yue met her at the entrance. "Ms. Lin has already been taken into the emergency room. Xiao Li and Xiao Jin just arrived and are waiting outside the doors."

Fu Luoning’s face turned pale. "Understood."

"Let's wait in the lounge. The head doctor will come to inform you once the emergency procedure is finished," Shan Yue said.

"Alright."

The hospital was deathly quiet in the dead of night, making Fu Luoning feel frantic. Shan Yue stayed to keep her company, but she looked exhausted. Fu Luoning patted her arm. "You should go home; you can head to the office tomorrow afternoon."

Shan Yue was indeed sleepy, unable to suppress a yawn, but she hesitated, knowing Fu Luoning would be alone. "Boss, I’d better stay with you."

"I’ll be fine on my own. You’ve been busy at the office all day, go on home."

Shan Yue hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Call me if you need anything."

Fu Luoning nodded.

The clock ticked slowly. Fu Luoning didn't know how long she had waited when the lounge door opened. She leaped to her feet as the doctor entered. "How is she? How is she?"

"Ms. Lin is out of danger. Ms. Fu, you don't need to worry for now."

Her heart, which had been suspended all night, finally settled. She let out a sigh of relief. "Her chemotherapy has been going smoothly. Why did she suddenly end up in the emergency room this time?"

"Between Ms. Lin’s physical condition and the toll of the chemotherapy, she’s been severely weakened. She has also been very despondent. Fighting cancer this long is no easy feat..."

Dr. Li hesitated to continue. Ms. Lin was hanging on by a thread; it was a miracle she had been resuscitated at all. "Ms. Fu... you should be prepared for the worst."

Fu Luoning blinked, her eyes turning red. "Where is she now?"

"She’s asleep. Her son and daughter are watching over her."

"I’ll go take a quiet look."

"There is one more thing," Dr. Li added after a moment of thought. "A woman came to the hospital a few days ago and had an argument with Xiao Jin. Ms. Lin likely sensed something, though Xiao Jin tried to hide it. That woman said she would come back."

"Do you know who it was?"

Dr. Li hesitated, then said, "You’ll be able to find out."

People who frequented this high-end private hospital were no ordinary folks; anyone who could come and go freely must have a significant background. Fu Luoning understood the doctor's reluctance and nodded before slowly walking out of the lounge.

Her heels echoed through the quiet hospital corridor. She took them off, carrying them in her hand, and walked familiarly toward the patient's room. Through the small glass window on the door, she peered inside. She couldn't see the woman sleeping in the bed, only the thin, frail hand hooked up to an IV drip. Xiao Li and Xiao Jin sat by the bedside, silently watching their sleeping mother.

Fu Luoning watched for a while, her eyes burning as tears spilled over. She turned away, afraid to make a sound in the heavy silence, and walked away, covering her mouth to stifle her sobs.