Without waiting for Zhao Hang to speak, Su Li hung up the phone.

The beeping sound of the call disconnecting felt like a merciless sword piercing my heart.

It was a painful, twisting sensation in my chest, as if it had stabbed me repeatedly.

In her eyes, did she truly not care about my life or death?

Zhao Hang turned around and saw that I was awake. A hint of embarrassment flashed across his face, quickly replaced by a mask of composure.

"Mr. Lu, do you feel any discomfort right now?"

"No."

"Then I'll go call the doctor."

Zhao Hang's gaze darted away, his eyes reddening, as if he was hiding something.

"You already know."

He didn't respond but fidgeted, unsure of where to put his hands, unable to shove his phone back into his pocket.

"Don't tell anyone else."

My words left Zhao Hang stunned for a few seconds. He looked at me in surprise, unable to suppress his emotions, and turned to leave the room.

It had been a while since he arrived, and all the necessary tests had been done. He must already know about my condition.

That's why he took the initiative to call Su Li, but Su Li didn't care whether I was in a car accident or if I was dying.

I touched the bandage on my head. Thankfully, there was an airbag, and since I wasn't driving fast, my injuries weren't too severe.

Aside from a persistent headache and a sprained ankle, the other injuries were minor.

I propped myself up, preparing to get out of bed. I had to find Su Li to get the money to save my adoptive father.

But as soon as I stood up, a wave of dizziness forced me back onto the bed. I simply couldn't get up right now.

Dr. Jiang walked in and scolded, "Where do you think you're going? Are you trying to throw your life away?"

"Just stay here and get your IV. I've already asked the nurse to notify your family to come to the hospital."

Jiang Xun was someone I had met by chance, and he knew about my situation with Su Li.

Not only was he skilled in medicine, but he also had a way of comforting people. I often teased him about his compassion and his empathy for all beings.

However, after learning about my condition, he had become a bit more irritable.

I knew he was just worried about me, so I quickly grabbed the hem of Jiang Xun's shirt.

"Can you not tell her for now? I'm afraid she isn't ready to accept this outcome."

Jiang Xun paused for a moment and sighed helplessly. "Then promise me you'll cooperate with the treatment."

I obediently nodded.

In truth, she would probably be very happy to hear that I had little time left.

After all, she had repeatedly told me that she hoped I would die.

Only then could I repay the foolish decision I made back then.

But even if I died, it wouldn't bring Chen Nuo back.

I lay back down to get the IV and fell into a deep sleep.

When I groggily woke up, Su Li was not in the ward.

I felt an immediate emptiness inside; even with the doctor's notification, she still wouldn't come to see me.

When I took out my phone again to call Su Li, it was Gu Jiang who answered.

They were still together this late; I didn't need to think to know what was happening.

I suppressed my anger, "Put Su Li on the phone!"

Gu Jiang chuckled softly, "Sorry, Su Zong is a bit tired and has already fallen asleep."

"If you have something to say, you can tell me to pass it on, or you can wait until next week to say it in person."

I was a bit surprised. "Why next week?"

"Because Su Zong said she came to Hainan to relax with me to cheer me up."

Perhaps sensing my breathing had quickened, he continued, "This afternoon, the nurse called Su Zong to inform her about your car accident. Since she knew you weren't seriously injured, we came here."

Su Li could spend millions to make him happy, but when I had a car accident, she didn't care and still took him on vacation.

A wave of suffocation hit my chest, and a surge of anger rose within me.

But I also knew that if I made a scene, I would get even less money.

I clenched the blanket beside me, suppressing my anger.

"Please tell her that I urgently need money and ask her to unfreeze the account as soon as possible."

I explained my adoptive parents' situation to Gu Jiang, urging him to relay the message.

"When she wakes up, tell her immediately that this is a matter of life and death."

Gu Jiang replied dismissively, "Okay, I'll let her know."

However, the next day, I didn't see any transfer; the account remained frozen, and the doctors' plans had already been laid out.

The medications to boost immunity and chemotherapy were much more expensive than regular drugs.

If the money didn't come through, those costly medications couldn't be administered, and many treatments couldn't be arranged.

My adoptive mother was in the ward chatting with my adoptive father, telling him that he would be discharged soon.

They fantasized about their life after returning home, sharing meals and seasons, living together as a couple.

Watching their backs, my eyes gradually moistened, and I quietly left the room.

I called Su Li and Gu Jiang again, but Su Li had blocked my number.

Not only that, but Gu Jiang's phone also went unanswered.

It dawned on me that I shouldn't have shared this information with Gu Jiang last night.

Perhaps he wouldn't tell Su Li.

I took out all the money I had on me, but even then, it wasn't enough.

Jiang Xun was just an ordinary doctor; he had a family to support, and so did Zhao Hang.

After scraping together what I could, I still fell short. I decided to put the money down first, hoping to start treatment as soon as possible.

With Su Li unreachable, there was only one other place I could try.

It was the place I once longed for, the place I had endured countless beatings to escape back to.

But now it had become the last place I wanted to return to.

That's how people are; sometimes, the things you desperately want aren't what you imagined.

Conversely, the things you scoff at may turn out to be your only salvation.

When I stood in front of the Lu family's gate, I could hear the laughter of the Lu family inside.

The servant at the door saw me and immediately led me in.

When Lu Jinnan saw me, the smile on his face instantly froze, his gaze as cold as ever.

"What are you back for?"

Sitting at the dining table was my biological mother, Chen Ru.

My biological sister, Lu Ping, who didn't like me.

And my half-brother, Lu Yu, with whom I had no blood relation.

It seemed my appearance had shattered their previous harmony. Chen Ru awkwardly stood up and asked, "Lu Xiao, why didn't you let us know you were coming back? Have you eaten?"

Lu Yu quickly stood up, "Bro, it's rare for you to come back. Why not sit down and eat something? We can chat."

Lu Ping muttered, "He's old enough; doesn't he know when it's time to eat?"

I forced a smile, "I've already eaten. You all go ahead; I'll wait over here."

Chen Ru had no choice but to sit down. "Then you sit for a bit; we'll be done soon. If you have something to say, wait until later."

I nodded slightly and sat in the living room, feeling like a stranger.

I remembered back in the countryside, my adoptive mother would always leave a pair of chopsticks for me, no matter how late it was or whether I was hungry.

Whether I was sick or sad, whether I was starving or full.

My adoptive mother always said, "Eat something; you need strength to live well."

Behind the dining table were my real family, yet they had never left a pair of chopsticks for me.