**Arima Onsen Resort - Room Bathroom, 5:45 PM**
"How about we enjoy a hot spring bath here? No one can see us, alright?" Michelle suggested.
"Sure," Chengdong responded.
**Outside the Room Hot Spring**
"Chengdong, please sit down for a moment. I'll join you after my shower," Michelle instructed.
Left alone outside, Chengdong overheard a conversation from the adjacent room.
"I just saw a man heading to the hot spring area. He resembled the renowned Korean model and actor, Song Chengdong. He was strikingly handsome, but his hands and feet were all bruised. The sole of his left foot was inflamed and red, making him look quite unfortunate. I wonder what affliction he suffers from. My heart goes out to his wife," remarked Person A.
"Indeed, that Song Chengdong was so frightened that he ended up squatting on the ground. His wife and a friend, Gu Jiale, had to carry him back to their room. He was so terrified that he lost control. How embarrassing! If he's like this, he really shouldn't be out in public," replied Person B.
Chengdong, upon hearing this, couldn't hold back his tears and rushed into the hot spring, forgetting how hot the water was. The sudden heat made his nose run, which soon turned into a nosebleed. As he wiped his nose, blood stained his hands. Michelle emerged just in time to see him in this state.
"Chengdong! Get out immediately! You can't handle the heat! Your nose is bleeding!" Michelle exclaimed, filled with concern.
"Don't worry about me! If you let me soak, I might as well perish right here due to my heart condition!" Chengdong replied, his voice filled with distress.
Michelle quickly assisted him out of the water.
She tended to him while Chengdong continued to weep. Afterwards, she helped him to bed for some rest.
"You haven't had your injection today. I'll give you one now. Then you can relax. Don't overthink things," Michelle reassured him.
Jiale knocked on the door.
"Michelle, is Chengdong alright?" he inquired.
Michelle shook her head.
"What's wrong with him? I noticed he has a nosebleed. Is it serious?" Jiale asked anxiously.
"He was in considerable pain during his shower, so I administered a morphine injection," Michelle explained.
"I'll order some food to be delivered. We can take turns caring for him," Jiale suggested.
"Brother Jiale, why don't we return to Hong Kong or Korea first thing tomorrow? He's in such a bad state and is suffering greatly. I'll persuade him to undergo injection treatment," Michelle replied.
"But injection treatment can have severe side effects. I fear he may not endure it," Jiale cautioned.
"That may be the only option left. I can't bear to watch him suffer so much," Michelle insisted.
"If it were me, I would opt for euthanasia, as the treatment itself can be excruciating. Many terminal cancer patients feel that death is more dignified. We asked Chengdong, but he declined, saying he wanted to be with you," Jiale remarked.
Michelle checked on Chengdong and realized he was burning with fever and sweating profusely.
"It hurts... so much," Chengdong murmured weakly.
"Jiale! Chengdong has a high fever! What should we do?!" Michelle cried out in panic.
"I'll fetch the medical kit right away!" Jiale responded.
He administered fever-reducing injections to Chengdong.
"Why not give him fever-reducing pills?" Michelle questioned.
"He can't take medication because he can't absorb it. The same goes for food; he tends to vomit soon after eating," Jiale explained.
"But that's not accurate! He's been eating the same as us lately and seemed fine," Michelle argued.
"That's because he vomits ten minutes after eating. His liver has lost its function, and he can't digest food. Stay with him; I'll handle dinner," Jiale said before leaving.
"Chengdong, hang in there. For yourself and for me," Michelle said through tears.
Chengdong, in a daze, grasped Michelle's hand.
"Wife... please don't leave me. I need you so much," he mumbled before drifting off to sleep.
Michelle embraced him tightly.
"Silly! I'll never let go of your hand. It was true before, it's true now, and it always will be," she said, torn between laughter and tears.
The following day, the three of them boarded a flight back to Hong Kong.
**Jiale Villa, Mid-Levels, 6 PM**
"It would be best if you moved to the city," Jiale suggested.
"I... I need to use the bathroom first," Chengdong replied.
"Brother Jiale, how can I feel comfortable with that?" Michelle asked.
"Don't worry about it. Chengdong has a room here, and I'll arrange for him to receive treatment at Mid-Levels Private Hospital. I'm the attending physician there," Jiale assured her.
"Congratulations on your new role. I'm heading to see Chengdong," Michelle replied.
In the kitchen bathroom, she found Chengdong collapsed on the floor, surrounded by blood.
"Jiale! Brother Jiale! It's terrible! Chengdong has vomited blood and fainted!" Michelle shouted.
Jiale rushed over immediately.
"Chengdong! Can you hear me? We're going to the hospital now!" he urged anxiously.
Jiale helped Chengdong into his sports car.
**Fifteen Minutes Later, Hospital Emergency Room, 6:45 PM**
"Michelle, please wait outside. The other doctors and I will take care of him. Chengdong will be fine," Jiale reassured her.
"Okay," Michelle replied.
**Two Hours Later, 8:45 PM**
As Chengdong was wheeled out, Michelle hurried to meet him.
"How is he?!" she asked, concerned.
"Mrs. Song, Dr. Gu and Dr. Scott would like to speak with you. We're taking Mr. Song to his ward, so please don't worry," the nurse responded.
**In Jiale's Office**
"Jiale, Scott, what's going on with Chengdong?" Michelle pressed.
"Michelle, as Chengdong's wife, the decision rests with you. If you believe injection treatment is best, we can proceed with an examination and prepare for treatment once you sign. If he prefers not to, he'll spend more time here managing his pain with drips," Scott explained.
"I need to know the potential side effects of the injection treatment," Michelle stated.
"Given his dire condition, the cancer cells are spreading rapidly. During the recent procedure, we discovered numerous small tumors in his liver, and his lungs are starting to show signs as well. The dosage for injection treatment will be double that of standard cancer patients, resulting in heightened adverse effects, including vomiting, bleeding gums and nose, increased bruising, fatigue, decay of lips, and mental confusion," Scott elaborated.
Michelle was taken aback by the information.
"That sounds no different from his current state. Why should he endure that?" she asked, tears streaming down her face.
"At the very least, it can halt the progression of his cancer cells. But injection treatment can only manage the tumor growth. During the procedure, we removed half of his liver and left lung. He may require a respirator upon discharge. Injection treatment could extend his life by a year or two, whereas without it, he may not survive the year," Scott clarified.
"I will sign the consent form for the injection treatment," Michelle determined.
"Xiaoxue! Are you certain?" Jiale asked, concerned.
"I at least want to spend another year or two with him," Michelle replied, tears in her eyes.
With that, she signed the consent form.
"We'll begin the examination today," Jiale confirmed.
**-End-**