Chapter 30
Jianghai Hospital
Inpatient Payment Window
"What… what did you say?"
Wang Yulan stared at the nurse behind the counter, her voice trembling in disbelief.
"You're saying… all the medical expenses I owed have been paid?"
"That's right, Ms. Wang."
The nurse smiled and nodded as she checked the system. "According to our records, everything was cleared about two hours ago."
She paused, her tone softening.
"You're the family member of the patient in Room 302, right? Everyone here knows your situation. Honestly… you really met a kind-hearted benefactor."
Wang Yulan's fingers tightened around the edge of the counter.
"For someone to pay off all the arrears and prepay another two million yuan for future treatment…"
The nurse sighed lightly. "That's no ordinary kindness."
"T-this…"
Wang Yulan's breathing quickened. "Can you tell me who paid it?"
She wasn't someone who could accept help without knowing its source.
If she could find that person—no matter what they asked of her—she would repay it.
"I'm sorry," the nurse said apologetically. "The colleague who handled the payment isn't on shift now. And generally, we don't record the payer's personal information."
She hesitated, then added, "But yes—your mother's treatment fund now has two million credited to it."
"Ms. Wang?"
The nurse frowned slightly. "Are you feeling unwell?"
Wang Yulan stood frozen.
Two million.
Her mind went completely blank.
"N-no… I'm fine."
She shook her head quickly. "I just… need some air."
She turned and walked out of the hospital in a daze.
---
At the hospital entrance, sunlight poured down.
Wang Yulan raised a hand to shield her eyes, squinting up at the clear blue sky.
For the first time in half a year, the weight pressing on her chest felt… lighter.
It was a beautiful day.
Unbeknownst to her—
High above, behind a floor-to-ceiling window, Gu Yan stood with his hands in his pockets, gazing calmly downward.
From this height, Wang Yulan looked small. Fragile.
And relieved.
"So you're happy now?"
Gu Yan murmured softly, his expression unreadable.
"You'll be even happier later."
He smiled faintly.
"Consider this… compensation for taking away your original fate."
He lifted his phone.
"As planned," he said into the receiver. "Begin."
Click.
The door behind him opened.
An elderly man in a white coat walked in, holding a stack of documents.
Pu Songlin paused when he saw Gu Yan's back.
For a moment, the image of Gu Tianming in his youth overlapped perfectly.
…Just like his father.
Gu Yan turned around, the coldness vanishing instantly.
A gentle, sunny smile appeared on his face.
"Good afternoon, Grandpa Pu."
"I came to visit my teacher today," he said politely. "Since I haven't seen you in a long time, I thought I'd stop by as well. I hope I'm not disturbing you."
Pu Songlin laughed warmly.
"Disturb me? I'm about to retire—what is there to disturb?"
He waved him over. "I didn't expect you to still remember this old man."
"You used to hate me the most when you were little," Pu Songlin teased.
"I was the scary doctor who made you cry."
Gu Yan smiled helplessly.
"I was ignorant back then. Please forgive me."
He paused, then added naturally,
"My father often mentions you. He wanted to visit personally, but family matters kept him busy. So I came on his behalf."
Pu Songlin's eyes softened with emotion.
"Well… Tianming raised a good son."
Then he seemed to recall something.
"By the way, Xiao Gu—your teacher… Wang Lan from Room 302?"
"The one whose fees you asked me to waive?"
Gu Yan's expression dimmed immediately.
"Yes."
He turned back toward the window, his voice low and restrained.
"She was in a car accident. Her husband passed away. She only has one daughter who just graduated a few years ago."
"Life hasn't been kind to them."
He took a quiet breath.
"She once pulled me out of my worst years. This is the least I can do."
"To repay her kindness."
Pu Songlin felt his heart stir.
He placed a heavy hand on Gu Yan's shoulder.
"Good boy."
"Your father would be proud."
He frowned slightly, clearly irritated.
"People out there really talk nonsense—calling you unfilial, calling you useless."
"Ridiculous."
Gu Yan simply nodded.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he added carefully,
"Grandpa Pu… please don't tell her daughter that I paid the fees."
"I don't want to… complicate our relationship."
Pu Songlin laughed knowingly and nodded.
"Don't worry. I understand."
Not arrogant.
Not impatient.
Filial. Grateful.
Pu Songlin watched Gu Yan leave, eyes filled with approval.
At the next family meeting…
My vote will go to Gu Yan.