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Chapter 592 Hands Up! (Two Chapters Combined)

Zhang Yan's appearance surprised all three people present.

Chen Yao frowned, while Chen Jinlong subconsciously avoided her gaze.

A flicker of undisguised panic flashed in Zhou Hui's cloudy eyes. "Ayan, you... how did you get here? Get up, don't cry, don't cry, it's nothing serious..."

As she spoke, she pulled her daughter up with all her might.

Chen Shuangshuang, who had run up behind her, stood there stunned, her hands and feet ice-cold, muttering to herself, "Cancer...cancer..."

In her mind, cancer equals death.

Chen Yao looked at Zhang Yan, her eyes flickered, but she quickly regained her usual indifference. "Zhang Yan, I was going to have Mom call you, but since you're here, it's perfect."

After a while, Zhang Yan's sobs gradually subsided.

She wiped her face haphazardly with her sleeve, her eyes red and swollen as she looked at her mother. "Mom, what exactly happened?"

Looking at her daughter's concerned gaze, Zhou Hui opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

She felt she owed her daughter too much and really didn't want her to get involved in this kind of thing, which is why she had kept it from her all along.

It was only after the follow-up examination results came out last Tuesday that she knew she might not live much longer, and she couldn't help but run to her rented room to see her.

Chen Yao, however, didn't hold back and handed her a thick stack of medical reports. "Zhang Yan, she is your mother after all, and you have the right to know. She was diagnosed with lymphoma a few months ago and has been undergoing first-line treatment ever since. It has already cost tens of thousands of yuan, and I only just found out about it myself."

Zhang Yan took the thick stack of examination reports, her hands trembling.

She frantically flipped through the pages; she recognized every single word, but when put together, it seemed like she couldn't understand anything at all.

She really didn't want to believe it, nor did she want to accept it.

“Ayan.” Zhou Hui reached out her rough, withered hands and grasped her daughter’s arm, trying to take the form from her hand. “It’s not certain yet… Continue chemotherapy, maybe, maybe it can cure her.”

"What chemotherapy?" Chen Yao suddenly interrupted, "BR has developed resistance! In this situation, we can only switch to second-line treatment!"

Zhang Yan's gaze froze instantly, and she asked nervously, "What do you mean?"

Chen Yao seemed too lazy to explain further, saying, "Forget it, I can't explain it to you clearly, lest you think I'm trying to scare you. Just go in and ask the doctor yourself later! The test results from last week are all in, so you'll definitely get the most accurate answer if you see the doctor today."

She only recently found out about it and doesn't know the specific details, only the general idea.

But one thing is clear: Zhou Hui's condition is worsening and there is even a risk of transformation. Once she needs treatment, it will be a bottomless pit.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan bit her lip hard and remained silent.

She took out her phone and began searching for the unfamiliar terms on the medical report, one by one.

Her mind was buzzing, and she had no idea what she was doing.

I did it subconsciously, as if I had grabbed a piece of driftwood, trying to keep myself from being overwhelmed by despair.

Chen Shuangshuang came over at some point and hugged Zhou Hui, sobbing softly.

People came and went around the clinic, and people came and went from the clinic.

Zhang Yan kept her head down, lost in her own world.

I waited for a good half hour.

The voice broadcast system in the clinic clearly called out "Zhou Hui's" name.

Zhang Yan suddenly looked up and immediately grabbed her mother's arm. "Come on, Mom, let's go in and ask the doctor!"

Zhou Hui looked at her daughter, took a deep breath, and finally followed her into the consultation room.

Zhang Yan handed the form to the doctor.

Her voice was filled with undisguised panic, "Doctor, I want to ask again, what exactly is my mother's condition?"

Seeing her completely lost and confused, the doctor pointed to the PET-CT image on the computer screen.

He patiently explained, "The patient has follicular lymphoma (FL) and has not responded well to first-line treatment..."

Through the other party's professional explanation, Zhang Yan and Chen Shuangshuang gradually understood.

If the first-line BR immunochemotherapy regimen can control the disease, it is indeed possible to remain relapse-free for a long period and achieve "clinical cure".

Many patients are even able to live like normal people.

Unfortunately, Zhou Hui's mother developed drug resistance during chemotherapy, which carries the risk of transforming into aggressive lymphoma.

It is necessary to switch to second-line treatment immediately.

One approach is the R regimen, which is targeted therapy.

Given Zhou Hui's situation, if no transformation occurs, her progression-free survival period could exceed 3 years, and there is a chance it could exceed 5 years.

After reimbursement through the urban and rural residents' medical insurance, the out-of-pocket expenses are around 15 yuan per year.

Another option is CAR-T cell therapy, which is currently the most advanced and effective treatment.

By modifying the patient's own immune cells to kill tumors, the complete remission rate is about 50%, and some patients may achieve functional cure.

However... the total treatment cost is around 150 million.

Zhang Yan stood behind her mother, biting her lower lip tightly and gripping the hem of her clothes with both hands.

The good news is that there are comprehensive treatment options and hope for survival for my mother's type of cancer.

But... 150 million...

This number was like an insurmountable mountain, weighing her down and making it hard for her to breathe.

Even the 15 yuan annual targeted therapy cost is a huge sum for her.

……

Fuli Yingkai Plaza, Xingyun International Group (Yangcheng) Branch.

Lulu, dressed in a little suit, sat gracefully on the sofa in the reception area.

My palms were slightly sweaty, and my heart was filled with anxiety.

She knew that she would most likely be a runner-up today.

Among the previous interviewees were former ByteDance strategy staff and high-achieving returnees from overseas.

They are all excellent and confident.

Indeed, Nebula International Group is an undisputed giant in the domestic advertising and media industry, and it is backed by Tangzong Entertainment.

It is said that it is already preparing for an IPO, and it is very attractive to top talents.

People like myself, who come from humble backgrounds and work for small companies, are among the very few who have been lucky.

I opened my phone and sent Zhang Yan another message on WeChat, expressing my concern.

There has still been no response.

From 9 a.m. until Zhang Yan went to the First Affiliated Hospital of China Pharmaceutical University, the other party never replied to her messages again.

Lulu had a vague feeling that something was wrong, but it wasn't convenient for her to call and ask.

At this moment.

The HR lady's voice rang out: "Zhang Lu, this way please."

Lulu took a deep breath, put away her phone, stood up, and followed her into the glass-partitioned interview room.

After a self-introduction, the interview officially began.

The questions were professional and incisive.

The interview process was not long, and her performance was only average.

When the interviewer finally said that standard "We'll contact you later"...

Lulu's anxiety finally died.

She knew it was hopeless.

If the second interview is truly satisfactory, the interviewer will definitely inform you of the follow-up arrangements, and even specific timeframes.

She thanked them politely and followed the pretty HR lady out, a hint of disappointment on her face.

I had just stepped out of the conference room and was about to turn left.

At the end of the left-hand corridor, several men in suits walked towards them.

There were men and women, all exuding elegance and walking with a confident stride.

Lulu recognized one of them; he was the HRD who had appeared in the reception room before, and he was now standing respectfully to the side.

Next to HRD were a man and a woman.

The woman is tall and sexy, with an absolutely stunning figure.

And that man—

Tang and Song Dynasties?!
"Ah!" Lulu exclaimed, her feet instantly rooted to the spot.

He blinked hard, thinking he was hallucinating.

Today, Tang Song is wearing a well-tailored custom-made suit, and he has a tall and slender figure.

He exuded an overwhelming and powerful sense of pressure that was impossible to ignore.

This person is completely different from the gentle and kind "junior high school classmate" I saw in Zhang Yan's dilapidated neighborhood two days ago!
"Shh—" The HR lady next to her was startled and quickly reached out to block her way, lowering her voice nervously as she said, "It's a big boss from head office. Let's wait here for a moment and let them go first."

Lulu's eyes widened, and her heart began to pound wildly.

Tang and Song Dynasties? Leaders of the Nebula International Group?

My God? No way?
She felt that her brain was no longer capable of handling it.

That night, they were just like ordinary friends, sitting together eating barbecue, talking about work and life!

My goodness! I never expected him to be a hidden master!

The footsteps grew closer, and so did the powerful aura emanating from them.

Just as Lulu was so nervous and at a loss, not knowing whether she should greet him or pretend she didn't know him...

A deep gaze fell upon her, a hint of surprise flashing across his eyes.

Immediately, Tang Song slowed down, and the others followed suit.

The HR lady was quite startled by this sudden turn of events. She quickly bowed and respectfully greeted, "Chairman Wen, General Manager Tang..."

Tang Song stopped in front of the two of them, a handsome smile on his face.

Good morning, Lulu, what are you doing here?

As he spoke gently, all eyes immediately turned to Zhang Lu.

Lulu felt a rush of heat to her head, and her cheeks instantly turned bright red.

Her voice stammered, "I...I'm here for an interview today."

Upon hearing her words, Tang Song raised his eyebrows, surprised by the coincidence.

However, this is a good opportunity.

Zhang Yan is too introverted. If she had someone she knew with her in a new environment, she would definitely adapt better.

Thinking of this, he smiled and reached out to gently pat Lulu's shoulder.

He encouraged her, saying, "Nebula International Group is a great platform. Keep it up!"

Lulu was so excited that she felt dizzy and like she was floating.

"Thank you for your encouragement, I will definitely keep working hard!"

She knew that with Tang Song's words, her job interview was definitely going to be a sure thing.

"I'll be going now, let's talk again sometime."

"OK Bye Bye."

After a brief farewell, Tang Song and his group continued on their way.

The HR lady next to me breathed a sigh of relief, her expression becoming warm and eager.

"Zhang Lu, please wait a moment. I'll go talk to my supervisor again and see if I can give you an answer as soon as possible. To be honest, we're really afraid that someone as talented as you will be snatched up by another company."

Lulu suppressed her excitement and nodded, "Okay."

The HR person quickly returned to the interview room, and the door clicked shut.

Lulu could vaguely hear hushed, hurried conversations coming from inside.

A moment later, the door was opened again.

The HR lady stood at the door with a smile and respectfully gestured for us to enter.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. You can come in now. Next, let's discuss your salary and future career plans again."

"Thank you!"

……

In the consulting room.

The doctor closed the medical record and said with a serious expression, "There's one more thing that must be made clear: once lymphoma recurs, it becomes even more aggressive. You need to be admitted to the hospital immediately for a comprehensive evaluation of second-line treatment."

"Okay, okay, we understand."

Zhang Yan and Chen Shuangshuang walked out of the consultation room in a daze.

In the corridor, the smell of disinfectant mingled with a stifling silence.

The group walked out of the oncology department and came to the rest area in the lobby on the second floor.

Seeing her two daughters' distraught state, Zhou Hui felt as if her heart was being torn apart. She forced herself to speak, "Ayan, you should go to work, and Shuangshuang should go back to school..."

"Mom! What do you mean by this?" Chen Yao interrupted sharply, "So my job isn't a job anymore? I'm still on probation! Since we're both here today, let's just clear things up and avoid trouble later!"

Zhang Yan's lips trembled as she turned her gaze to the middle-aged man who had remained silent.

"Uncle Chen, what... are you thinking?"

"Dad..." Chen Shuangshuang cried out, her voice filled with pleading.

Chen Jinlong finally raised his head, his face filled with hesitation and an undisguised desire to escape.

He and Zhou Hui came to Guangzhou to rent a place and work, but their real roots were still in their hometown, a county-level city in northern Guangdong.

To say that selling the house in my hometown that I prepared for my son's wedding, and then borrowing money from all over the place to make that 150 million CAR-T... is simply impossible.

His ex-wife and son also contributed money to that house, and his son is about to get married. If this gets out, the wedding will definitely fall through.

But he and Zhou Hui have been married for so many years and have a daughter named Shuangshuang. To say that they have no feelings for each other would be a lie.

Looking at Zhou Hui, whose face was pale beside him, and then at his youngest daughter, Chen Jinlong clenched his dark hands tightly.

He mumbled, "This matter...this matter can't be resolved in a short time, so perhaps..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Hui said bluntly, "Old Chen, let's get ready and get the divorce done in the next couple of days."

"I..." Chen Jinlong lowered his head in shame, "You know Bingwen is getting married soon. How about... how about we keep this a secret until after his wedding..."

"Dad! How can we possibly keep this a secret?!" Chen Yao said anxiously, afraid that her father would soften his heart. "This isn't a cold or fever! Even if we delay treatment, complications will arise one after another. What won't need someone to take care of it? What won't take time?"

Chen Jinlong opened his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing, but he couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

Zhou Hui slowly shifted her gaze from her husband, who had always chosen to run away from her, a look of sorrow flashing in her eyes.

Her life and relationships have always been unlucky.

He met Zhang Yan's father while working in another city when he was young. For love, he traveled thousands of miles to marry Zhang Yan's father in a rural area of ​​Yan Province, only to be cheated on and abandoned.

After remarrying Chen Jinlong to make a living, their family life was always disharmonious, and the two often quarreled.

But at least she had her daughter Shuangshuang, so she always thought that she could just endure it and get through the rest of her life without having to go through with a divorce.

She had already prepared herself for this; even if Chen Jinlong said he would spare no expense to treat her, she would not agree.

But his attitude really chilled her heart.

Her only wish now is that her two daughters can have a better life in the future.

Especially... Zhang Yan.

This poor daughter is introverted and has had a difficult life; she owes her daughter far too much.

At this moment.

Chen Yao looked at Zhang Yan, her tone suddenly softening, "Zhang Yan, look, this is your own mother. Over the years, she has scrimped and saved to send you so much living expenses. Now, how do you feel about this situation?"

She knew Zhang Yan's personality and hoped that the other party would take the initiative to take over this mess.

However, upon hearing this, Zhou Hui suddenly stood up.

Because the movement was too sudden, his body swayed violently.

She grabbed Zhang Yan's hand, pulled her behind her, and glared at Chen Yao with red eyes, "Chen Yao, what do you mean by this?!"

Although she was usually very polite and warm to her stepdaughter for the sake of family harmony, Zhang Yan was, after all, her own daughter and her Achilles' heel.

She didn't want to be a burden on Chen Jinlong's family, and naturally, she would never be a burden on her own daughter.

"I just hope we can come up with a solution." Chen Yao's gaze darted away.

"That has nothing to do with her! I'm telling you, none of you are allowed to lay a finger on her!"

Looking at the thin, backless figure blocking her way, Zhang Yan's tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

This was the first time she had seen her mother defend her so fiercely.

The figure before me overlapped with the warm, all-powerful figure from my childhood.

From as far back as she can remember, her father worked away from home year-round, and she grew up with her mother.

She spent her entire childhood on her mother's warm back and in her soft embrace.

Until the fourth grade of elementary school, there was that sudden divorce.

In her heart, she always had the deepest dependence and affection for her mother.

Hearing Zhou Hui's words, Chen Yao became somewhat embarrassed and angry.

Her words turned sharp and sarcastic. "How much living expenses have you secretly sent her all these years? She's scrimped and saved every month! What? Now you can't even ask your own daughter to do something? My brother and I aren't your biological children, why should we bail out this bottomless pit for you?"

Zhou Hui was trembling with anger, pointing at her, "Don't you dare be so sarcastic! Haven't I made money for your family?"

"That's the tuition and living expenses you earned for Chen Shuangshuang!" Chen Yao retorted without backing down. "What expenses did my brother and I have? Didn't our parents pay for them? Besides, your chemotherapy in the early stages already cost the family sixty or seventy thousand yuan. Do you really want to drag our family down with you?!"

"Yaoyao, say less!" Chen Jinlong finally stood up, tugged at his daughter's arm, then turned to look at his wife, about to speak to comfort her.

Zhou Hui stared intently at Chen Yao, her voice unusually resolute: "I'm not getting treatment for this illness! I'm just suffering anyway! Don't worry, I won't be a burden to any of you!"

"Mom!" Zhang Yan couldn't listen anymore and stepped forward to grab her mother's hand.

Her voice was choked with emotion but unusually clear: "I'll take care of you, and I'll find a way to pay for the targeted therapy."

Zhou Hui reacted as if she had been stabbed, "I won't get treatment! Don't you understand? I only have a few years left to live! Why waste this money!"

Zhang Yan wiped away her tears and said with unprecedented stubbornness, "I have to try, otherwise I will regret it and blame myself for the rest of my life."

Looking into her daughter's eyes, Zhou Hui stood there stunned, tears streaming down her face, not knowing what to say for a moment.

An indescribable sense of guilt and sorrow welled up inside me.

Looking at her "older sister," Chen Shuangshuang bit her lip and started crying as well.

Chen Jinlong's face was full of shame, but in the end he could only sigh heavily.

Chen Yao, on the other hand, seemed to have found a way out.

He said, "Don't worry, even if we really need treatment, we won't let Zhang Yan pay for it all herself. We will definitely do our part."

She didn't want to push too hard, because if things really escalated to divorce proceedings, property division would be a huge hassle.

The ideal situation now is to properly divide the responsibilities, so that Zhang Yan, the biological daughter, can naturally take over this most burdensome "mess".

Zhang Yan nodded silently, not wanting to argue with them about these verbal promises anymore.

Chen Yao's tone returned to its usual calm, "Dad, I'll call my brother and tell him about the situation here. We can discuss how much money we should contribute later."

Chen Jinlong lowered his head, sighed repeatedly, then stood up and walked towards the corner.

Chen Shuangshuang gritted her teeth, quickly jogged after him, and grabbed her father's hand as if pleading for something.

Zhou Hui leaned weakly against the bench, her cloudy eyes tightly closed.

Zhang Yan lowered her head, her mind filled with thoughts of her mother's illness and how to raise money.

Her mother will be hospitalized for a full range of tests, and she will definitely need to stay with her throughout the process, so she won't be able to continue working.

However, since I won't be able to work for much longer today, I'll most likely be one of the first employees to be "optimized" by the company.

Of course, before that, she had to get back every penny of the three months of performance bonuses owed by the company, as well as the expenses from her last business trip.

Fortunately, the annual cost of 15 yuan is not a lump sum payment. As long as we can get through the initial stage, there is still hope.

……

Nebula International Group, in the restroom.

Lulu looked at herself in the mirror, her cheeks flushed and her eyes shining, and pinched her thigh hard.

A distinct pain shot through me, and I repeatedly confirmed that this was not a beautiful dream I had conjured up out of resentment after failing the job interview.

A huge, uncontrollable wave of ecstasy instantly overwhelmed her!

The feeling is like winning the lottery, no, it's even more exciting!

Not only did he successfully enter the top company he had always dreamed of, but he also found a powerful backer! This is practically an "adventure" straight out of a TV drama!

Screw you, you fat white guy! I'm not putting up with you anymore!
Hahaha!
She took several deep breaths to calm her wildly beating heart, then suddenly remembered something and immediately took out her phone.

As soon as I unlocked the phone, an unread message popped up.

[Zhang Yan: "Lulu, I'm sorry, I've been busy and just saw your message. Could you please take care of Ju Zi for me after get off work? I probably won't be able to go home tonight. Also, I might need your help with a few of the previous articles..."]

Upon seeing the long message, Lulu's heart skipped a beat. She immediately realized that something terrible must have happened to Zhang Yan!
She knew a little about Zhang Yan's complicated family situation, and now her mother was sick.

Now Zhang Yan is needed to stay with him and take care of him, and judging from her tone, this might not be a matter of just a day or two, and she might even lose her job because of it.

Given Zhang Yan's personality, the fact that she would say "please" and "trouble" basically means she is truly desperate.

Without the slightest hesitation, she quickly walked outside and dialed Zhang Yan's cell phone number.

The phone rang for a very long time, until it was automatically disconnected by the system, and was never answered.

Lulu was so anxious that beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her heart clenched with worry.

She originally wanted to share this immense joy with her best friend as soon as possible, and also tell her about Tang Song's situation, but who would have thought that something like this would happen.

Just then, that familiar and gentle voice came to my ears again.

"Lulu, are you done with your interview?"

Lulu suddenly looked up and saw Tang Song, who had appeared in the corridor at some point.

She quickly greeted him, "Mr. Tang... yes, I just finished the interview."

Noticing the undisguised anxiety on his face, Tang Song asked in surprise, "What's wrong? Have you run into some trouble?"

Lulu hesitated for a moment, looking at the man in front of her with a powerful aura that also made her feel inexplicably at ease, and thinking about his relationship with Zhang Yan.

He said urgently, "It's...it's Zhang Yan who's in trouble."

Tang Song's relaxed smile vanished instantly, and his gaze turned tense. "What is it?"

……

A series of disordered footsteps approached from afar.

Chen Jinlong and the other two returned, each with a complex and unreadable expression on their faces.

Chen Shuangshuang lowered her head and sat back down next to her mother without saying a word, wiping away tears with sobs.

Chen Yao walked straight up to Zhang Yan and looked down at her. "I just contacted my brother. He needs money right now. The bride price, the banquet, the renovations—everything costs money. He really can't come up with any."

She paused, seemingly realizing that her words were too cold and might anger the other person.

She added, "Of course, we're not ignoring you. Once my brother's wedding is successfully completed and things have calmed down, we'll try to scrape together some money for you."

You've been working for almost three years now, so you must have saved up a lot of money. Use that to cover the initial cost.

You need to understand that the family has already spent all their savings on your mother's initial chemotherapy treatments, and we're even in debt.

Zhang Yan kept her lips tightly closed and did not answer Chen Yao's question.

They just silently endured it.

Her work has always been unsuccessful; from Beijing to Guangzhou, she has always lost her job due to various problems.

To date, all my savings amount to only 17,000 yuan.

The initial hospitalization costs for my mother were approximately 30,000 to 40,000 yuan.

She was silent for a moment, then took out her phone from her pocket.

Only then did I realize that there were already two missed calls on the screen.

One is Lulu's, and the other... is Tang Song's.

Because her phone's vibration was very weak, and she had been distracted, she didn't notice it at all.

Looking at the name "Tang and Song".

Zhang Yan felt as if her heart had been squeezed.

An indescribable emotion welled up in her heart instantly.

Images flashed uncontrollably through her mind.

She has been pushed forward passively by the tides of life.

At this moment, what she was most grateful for was that on Friday night, she mustered the greatest courage of her life to write that letter to Tang Song.

Otherwise, I probably would never have had the chance in my lifetime.

At this moment.

"Buzz buzz buzz—" The phone suddenly vibrated again.

[Director - Bai Rui]

Zhang Yan quickly stood up and walked to the corner.

I took a deep breath and pressed the answer button.

"Zhang Yan, what do you mean?!" As soon as the call connected, Bai Rui's voice, filled with suppressed anger, came through. "It's Monday! You didn't even call to tell me you wanted to take the day off, you just skipped work. That's absenteeism, do you know that?!"

“I…” Zhang Yan’s voice was low and a little hoarse, “Brother Bai, I’m sorry. I’m in the hospital now, my mother is sick.”

Bai Rui paused for a moment, then said, "I don't care whether what you're saying is true or false. I'm calling you to inform you that since your mind is no longer on your work, you should resign as soon as possible. Hand over your work properly in the next couple of days and don't cause me any more trouble."

Zhang Yan gripped her phone slightly tighter, and her breathing became a little rapid.

Shucheng Technology is the company she has worked for the longest since graduation, more than a year ago.

This is also the fundamental reason why she was able to establish herself in the unfamiliar city of Guangzhou.

Although she had already prepared herself mentally, when the words "resignation" were actually uttered so lightly, she still felt an overwhelming sense of panic and confusion.

She looked back at her mother, who sat blankly in the corner, needing her to lean on her.

All fear and hesitation were replaced by immense pressure.

She set aside her reserve and pride, and pleaded nervously, "Brother Bai... could you please have the company lay me off? I... I just need the company to compensate me with one month's salary."

"Heh." Bai Rui interrupted directly, "So you already found another job, huh? Got an offer today? No wonder you were so tough last Friday! Forget about the compensation, that's impossible."

“I didn’t…” Zhang Yan wanted to explain, but in the end she gritted her teeth and gave up the useless explanation. Her voice became firm, “Brother Bai, the company owes me three months of performance bonuses, as well as the previous business trip expenses. I must get every penny back when I leave.”

Bai Rui was silent for a moment, then his tone became extremely perfunctory: "This... let's talk about it later. The company's finance department is currently conducting an audit, and it can't be approved for the time being. Not only you, but everyone's performance bonuses haven't been paid. You can go through the resignation process first."

"No, you have to give me this money." Zhang Yan's tone was more serious than ever before.

She has been working overtime like crazy for the past three months, and has written two viral articles. In addition to other miscellaneous achievements, the bonus listed on the performance evaluation form should be more than 3 yuan.

Adding in the business trip expenses that have been withheld and not yet reported, the total comes to nearly 20,000 yuan.

Although the company has indeed run into problems recently and the money has not yet arrived, it is what she deserves.

As long as we can get this money, my mother's initial hospital deposit and preliminary examination fees will be covered.

For her, who is currently mired in difficulties and feeling lost, this is more than just a sum of money.

It is also the only hope she can grasp at the moment.

Bai Rui seemed to be angered by her tough attitude and shouted, "Zhang Yan, what kind of attitude is this?! I didn't say I wouldn't give it to you, I just said it would be postponed for a while!"

"Then I'll apply for labor arbitration!"

"Fine!" Bai Rui was so angry he laughed. "Then go ahead! I'll be waiting!"

The phone was abruptly hung up.

Hearing the busy tone from the receiver, Zhang Yan's arm holding the phone fell limply to her side.

Her mind was blank, yet she thought of so many things.

Hospital deposit, targeted therapy drugs, rent, oranges...

The emotions that had been suppressed for so long burst forth at this moment.

A wave of bewilderment and fear instantly engulfed her.

She stood blankly in the corner of the bustling first-floor lobby, her whole body ice-cold.

All the sounds rushed toward her like a tide, yet seemed so far away.

"elder sister."

A slightly hesitant, timid shout rang out beside me.

She slowly turned around and saw Chen Shuangshuang, who had somehow appeared beside her.

Chen Shuangshuang's eyes were red-rimmed. She pointed to the phone Zhang Yan was holding and whispered, "Your phone keeps ringing."

Zhang Yan slowly lowered her head and looked at her phone screen.

The names of Tang and Song dynasties shine brightly.

It was like a scorching flame, so hot that she could barely hold the phone.

She quickly regained her composure, her nerves on edge.

She dared not answer, dared not let him hear her voice at that moment, and dared not have any interaction with him whatsoever.

The phone stopped ringing, but after only two or three seconds, it stubbornly started ringing again.

The names of Tang and Song dynasties once again came to mind.

"Bang bang bang-"

Zhang Yan's heart was beating faster and faster, as if it were about to burst out of her chest.

Finally, my finger moved uncontrollably to press the green answer button.

Tang Song's anxious voice came through the receiver: "Zhang Yan? Why haven't you been answering the phone? Are you alright?"

"I...I'm fine..." Zhang Yan bit her lip tightly, using all her strength to squeeze out these words.

Quickly noticing the unusual tone in her voice, Tang Song asked directly, "Where are you at the First Affiliated Hospital of the Pharmaceutical University?"

"me…"

"tell me!"

"Outpatient building, second floor... lobby."

"Wait for me there, don't move, and don't hang up!"

I could hear rapid breathing and the sound of wind coming through the receiver.

Zhang Yan remained in the position of answering the phone, completely panicked.

He's coming over? How did he know I was here?!

A strong urge to escape instantly seized her entire being.

At this moment.

Chen Yao approached her, somewhat impatiently saying, "Zhang Yan, it's almost noon. Stop standing here in a daze. If you need to complete the hospital admission procedures, do it quickly. I have urgent business to attend to at the company this afternoon; I don't have time to waste here!"

Chen Jinlong also stood up and walked over, saying vaguely, "I'll go back later and pack up your mother's daily necessities and bring them over."

Zhou Hui coughed twice, looked at her daughter's pale face, and whispered, "Ayan, maybe... maybe we should go back first..."

Their voices were like a giant net, fixing Zhang Yan in place.

The sound of wind continued through the receiver.

Immediately afterwards, Tang Song's clear and strong voice rang out again: "There are too many people, I can't see where you are. Zhang Yan, put your hand up!"

Before Zhang Yan's brain could react, her body had already made the most instinctive move.

"I see you."

"Zhang Yan! Over here!"

The last four words came from outside the receiver.

Zhang Yan turned around abruptly and looked in the direction of the sound.

In the direction of the stairwell, amidst the surging crowd.

He wore a well-tailored dark suit, was tall and upright, and his slightly disheveled hair only accentuated his elegant and refined demeanor.

His expression still showed lingering anxiety, and his right hand was also raised.

He walked through the queue, past the anxious patients' families, and past the astonished gazes.

Walk towards her.

All the people and noise around him automatically turned into a blurred, faded background the moment he appeared.

His figure grew closer and clearer.

Zhang Yan could clearly hear her own heart pounding so hard it was almost out of control.

Finally, he stopped in front of her.

"Are you alright, Zhang Yan?"

A long, warm hand tightly grasped her raised hand.

The scalding heat emanated from their tightly clasped hands, instantly dispelling the chill throughout her body.

"Tang Song." Zhang Yan called his name subconsciously, her eyes brimming with tears.

Chen Yao, who was directly opposite, stared in astonishment with her mouth agape, looking at the unexpectedly outstanding boy who had suddenly appeared, and was somewhat taken aback.

Zhou Hui's heart skipped a beat as she looked at the strange man holding her daughter's hand.

Chen Shuangshuang's red and swollen eyes suddenly brightened.

"I heard from Lulu that your mom is sick and hospitalized? Don't worry, tell me slowly, what happened?"

As Tang Song spoke, his gaze swept over the people around him, quickly settling on a pale-faced middle-aged woman.

You can vaguely see Zhang Yan's shadow in her eyes and brows.

Zhang Yan looked at Tang Song, her lips trembling, her eyes brimming with tears.

Chen Shuangshuang, mustering her courage, stepped forward, her voice thick with tears and nasal congestion, "Mom...she's sick...it's...it's cancer..."

Then, she recounted in detail what she had just heard.

She was intelligent and precocious; seeing Tang Song's attire and demeanor, she knew he was no ordinary person.

Given the relationship between the other party and her sister, they might be her only lifeline.

Tang Song's eyes flickered, his mind reeling.

He knew about Zhang Yan's background, which is why he was so worried when he heard that her mother was hospitalized and hadn't been answering the phone.

I never expected it to be cancer!

Fortunately, lymphoma is a malignant tumor of the blood system, and this type of tumor can be treated with CAR-T cell therapy.

This revolutionary technology, hailed as "the beacon of hope for humanity to defeat cancer," is a "special weapon" targeting this type of blood cancer.

He is so clear about this because Guyu Bio, a star company under Smile Holdings, is the manufacturer of "Kaintai" injection, which has the best effect and the most impressive clinical data among the five CAR-T drugs currently approved for marketing in China.

Just a few days ago, when Rongliu Capital made a strategic investment in Guyu Bio, he heard Shen Yuyan give a detailed report on the latest Phase III clinical data of "Kaentai".

He felt Zhang Yan's slight trembling in his hand.

Tang Song took a deep breath, turned to look in Zhou Hui's direction, and introduced himself: "Hello Auntie, I am Zhang Yan's friend, Tang Song."

Zhou Hui paused for a moment, then nodded awkwardly and said, "Hello, hello."

“Auntie, don’t worry.” Tang Song said gently, “This disease is treatable. Modern medicine is very advanced. The most important thing for you is to stay calm and cooperate with the doctor.”

As he spoke, he lowered his head and squeezed Zhang Yan's hand, comforting her, "Don't be afraid. I've looked into it. For this type of lymphoma, there's a cell therapy called CAR-T, which has a very high cure rate."

Coming to her senses, Chen Yao couldn't help but say, "CAR-T therapy costs 150 million yuan. It's more realistic for us to get admitted to the hospital first and undergo targeted therapy."

Because of Tang Song's presence, her tone softened considerably.

But the main goal is to get things settled as soon as possible and get Zhang Yan to take responsibility.

Zhang Yan pursed her lips and whispered, "I... I'll go and complete the hospital admission procedures right now."

Despite her lingering embarrassment and inferiority complex, his appearance gave her a sense of reliance during her most helpless moment.

Because of family misfortunes and living under someone else's roof, she lacked a sense of security from a young age and always spent her life wandering, never daring to truly rely on anyone.

"Wait a moment, I'll make a call." Tang Song tugged at her hand.

He took out his phone and quickly dialed a number.

"Hey, Zhao Fei."

"Please find out immediately which hospital in Guangzhou is the most authoritative for lymphoma treatment."

The person on the other end of the phone seemed to respond quickly.

"Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center? Okay, that's it."

Tang Song turned his head, looked at Zhou Hui with gentle eyes, and asked, "Auntie, can you tell me your full name?"

"...Zhou Hui".

Tang Song continued into the phone, "Please reserve a private single room for me at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. The patient's name is Zhou Hui. Also, I need an emergency consultation with the hospital's hematology and oncology expert team."

"Yes, do it right away! I'll take some people there now."

Hearing his conversation, the people around him were startled and stared at him in shock with an absurd look.

"Special needs wards", "expert teams", "emergency consultations"...

Any one of these is a privilege reserved for "big shots" that they wouldn't even dare to dream of.

The key point is that Tang and Song did not show off or put on airs, but calmly and earnestly stated these arrangements.

This had a significant impact on their understanding.

Zhang Yan's breathing became rapid, and that dreamlike feeling surged up again.

After this reunion, Tang Song always felt so unreal to her.

Whether it was his sudden appearance downstairs in the dim light, or how he filled all her fantasies with a gentle weekend.

At this very moment, in her most desperate and helpless moment, as if divine intervention had descended, everything was arranged for her.

Chen Yao's eyes twitched violently, feeling that the scene before her was like something out of a TV drama.

"You...you're saying...is it true?"

Chen Shuangshuang's incredulous voice broke the silence, and her eyes shone brightly.

"Of course." Tang Song nodded, his gaze returning to Zhang Yan, softening considerably. "Zhang Yan, Auntie's health is the most important thing. Let's go, we'll go to the hospital first. Don't worry, everything will be alright."

Zhang Yan bit her lip and nodded gently.

She's not stupid. Now that her mother has cancer, getting the best medical care is more important than anything else.

Immediately, Zhang Yan stepped forward and took her mother's hand.

Chen Jinlong and the others followed behind them instinctively, their expressions varying.

The group formed an odd procession, walked through the noisy hospital corridor, went downstairs, and exited the hospital.

Tang Song said directly, "My car can't fit so many people. I'll take Zhang Yan and Auntie over first. You can take a taxi and follow behind. We'll meet at the hospital entrance."

After saying that, he walked to the roadside.

Immediately afterwards, a Rolls-Royce parked not far away slowly drove up and stopped in front of everyone.

The driver, dressed in a black suit and wearing white gloves, quickly got out of the driver's seat, walked briskly to the back seat, and respectfully opened the car door.

In an instant, Zhang Yan, Zhou Hui, and Chen Shuangshuang, who were all in a daze, were completely stunned.

A look of trepidation and awe flashed across Chen Jinlong's weathered face, and he subconsciously took a half step back.

Chen Yao's eyelids twitched violently, and her expression became incredibly interesting.

Rolls-Royce Phantom...with a personal chauffeur...

Her throat bobbed, and her blank face turned pale.

It felt like I'd been hit hard on the head.

Immediately afterwards, endless regret welled up in my heart.

Now that things have come to this point, she naturally no longer doubts what Tang Song said on the phone.

This is further combined with the pomp and circumstance he displayed at that moment.

This is a true "big shot".

And this person is actually Zhang Yan's friend, which suggests that their relationship is quite extraordinary!

If they hadn't completely broken ties with Zhang Yan and her daughter before.

Perhaps they can seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to climb the social ladder and change their family's fate.

...

"Boom--boom--"

The heavy car door was gently closed, completely shutting out all the noise, chaos, and stares from the outside world.

Zhang Yan and Zhou Hui sank into the soft leather seats in the back row, feeling dizzy and disoriented.

The tranquil and upscale interior enveloped them, and the air was filled with a clean, expensive blend of leather and wood scents.

Zhang Yan sat there, her gaze somewhat unfocused.

Outside the car window lay Guangzhou, a city she knew well, a place where she struggled to survive.

Inside the car window lies a strange and unreachable world.

Her gaze fell on Tang Song.

He was sitting in the spacious passenger seat, turned to the side, and answering the phone in a low voice.

His profile appeared deep and focused in the light and shadow flowing through the window.

The boundary between reality and dreams has become blurred once again.

(End of this chapter)