"We have found the blood source. Please pay the surgery fee of 200,000 yuan as soon as possible, otherwise, the patient's life is at stake!"
The doctor's weighty words landed heavily on 20-year-old Lin Xiangwan's shoulders, pressing her already weary self even more, making it even more difficult for her to take a step.
The surgery fee of 200,000 yuan and 100,000 yuan for follow-up care were like a bolt from the blue, plunging Lin Xiangwan, who had just seen a glimmer of hope, back into gloom.
Lying on the hospital bed, Song Yichen, who had just undergone chemotherapy, struggled to stand up. He walked over to her and embraced her from behind. "Xiangwan, let's stop the treatment. Let me go just like this!"
Lin Xiangwan wiped her tears, turned around in anger, supporting his weak body, and shouted. "What are you talking about? Having found the blood source with great difficulty, how can we possibly give up on treatment now? How can you just be okay with leaving? Do you really want to leave me alone in a world without you?"
By the end of her speech, Lin Xiangwan was sobbing uncontrollably.
Since she was ten, she was adopted by the parents of Song Yichen. She and Yichen grew up together. Yichen was two years older than her and had always taken care of her and spoiled her.
She had decided since a very young age that she would be his bride in the future.
But tragedy struck one day not too long ago when Song Yichen suddenly fainted and had a nosebleed. He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic aplastic anemia, commonly known as leukemia, at the hospital.
"But where are we supposed to get the 300,000 yuan treatment expense?" Song Yichen gently caressed her cheek. "We have no options left, you should know that!"
The cost of treating his disease had already drained the few thousand yuan they had saved up.
Lin Xiangwan closed her eyes hopelessly, and they had no way of getting help.
Her foster father, who was also Song Yichen's father, was once a leader of a department in Kyoto. He was arrested for corruption and his reputation was now in ruin.
Relatives and friends from the past have all cut ties with them. Now, they would not even lend them money, let alone giving it to them. Everyone was avoiding them like the plague.
Even getting help from the public seems impossible.
But even without hope, she couldn't give up!
Because Yichen really loved her. Even during their hardest times, he took care of her and ensured she was well, preferring to do manual jobs himself rather than letting her tire a little bit.
How could she not repay such a man with her all?
Lin Xiangwan held him in her arms, encouraging him and pleading with him. "Yichen, you are the closest person to me in this world, I can't live without you. Please be strong for me, okay? As for the money, I'll try to ask for help from some friends, shall we give it another shot?"
"Okay!" Song Yichen replied weakly, moved to tears. "Xiangwan, if you really can't find someone, try asking Ni Shanshan!"
"Okay!" Lin Xiangwan nodded.
They made a promise to each other, relying on each other closely.
Was it a coincidence, or was it mercy from the Buddha? Soon, an elderly and well-maintained lady sought out Lin Xiangwan and gave her an opportunity to save Song Yichen—-
That day, with a drizzle falling from a gray sky, she was stopped by a middle-aged man in a suit and leather shoes as she walked out of the hospital entrance. "Miss, could you wait a moment, my wife has something to discuss with you!"
"Me?" Lin Xiangwan, who was preparing to go to work, pointed to her own nose unsurely.
"Yes, my madam is in the car ahead! Don't worry, we mean no harm!" The middle-aged man raised his hand and pointed towards a business car parked not far away.
As the man was well dressed and had a decent look, Lin Xiangwan followed him involuntarily.
As she got into the car, she saw a well-dressed elderly lady. Although she had grey hair due to her age, her hair was neatly combed, beautiful and dignified. Her expensive outfit, precious jewelry, everything was meticulously put together.
It was clear that the lady was from an elite family.
"Who are you? What can I do for you?" Under the old lady's sharp gaze, Lin Xiangwan asked helplessly.
"Lin Xiangwan, 20 years old. High achiever from B University. Entered B University at the age of 18 as the fifth top scorer in the city. Haven't had any plastic surgery. Height, 1.69 meters. Weight, 45 kilograms..." The old lady recited Lin Xiangwan's detailed information fluently, and then criticized. "Only 90 pounds. Too thin!"
The stranger knew her well, which startled Lin Xiangwan. "Who are you? Why do you know all this?"
The lady slowly hooked up the corner of her mouth. Her stern face now wore a look of kindness. "Rest assured, I won't harm you. I just want to do business with you."
"Business?"
The lady put away her smile, replaced by melancholy. She declared clearly, "I want you to help me give birth to an heir!"
An heir?
"Are... are you joking?"
Lin Xiangwan, who was just 20 years old, immediately refused. "Impossible!" She got up to leave the car.
"Wait, there's no harm in hearing me out first!" The old lady stopped her calmly, and when Lin Xiangwan sat down again, she said, "Besides you and I, the only person who knows about this is my assistant. As long as you don't say anything, no fourth person will know! If you agree, I can give you 100,000 yuan upfront, another 100,000 after the first night, and another 100,000 when it's confirmed that you're pregnant. After ten months, there will be an additional 500,000..."
When Lin Xiangwan heard the 300,000 yuan, her heart was moved.
This was precisely the lifesaving money for Song Yichen. After so long of pleading and seeking help to no avail, Lin Xiangwan knew that if she rejected this offer, Song Yichen might be really beyond saving.
"Can you tell me why you chose me? After all, you offer very good conditions, and I think many girls would be willing to accept them!" She had to know why.
The lady smiled resignedly. "Because you're excellent enough. Your height is passable, your figure standard, your legs long enough, you're very beautiful. You haven't had any plastic surgery or minor tweaks. Your countenance is deemed lucky in layman's terms, your physical looks meet my requirements. As for your brains, you're pretty smart. It's indeed rare to find someone with looks and brains that catch my eye. Most importantly, I know you need money right now!"
Lin Xiangwan realized she was more than adequate after hearing the lady's explanation. She had never noticed before!
There was no hesitation. She nodded, "Alright, I agree."
Overjoyed, the lady nodded in return, "Good, sign the agreement and I'll give you the money right away!"
Next thing, a contract with two copies was placed before Lin Xiangwan. Her slender fair fingers picked up the pen and hesitated for a moment before she decisively signed her name.
Thereafter, she received a check for 100,000 yuan, and she also came up with a reason for her disappearance for the next ten months.
On the night of the third day, her eyes were covered with a red cloth as she was led into a room—-