Terminal Illness

Taking advantage of the break while Jiang Manman was dancing, Li Yang took out his phone and called Yue Xiaodan. The two of them chatted sweetly on the phone for a while. Yue Xiaodan had secretly run into the office and had endless sweet talk with Li Yang.

They talked for almost half an hour before an employee from outside came to find Yue Xiaodan to deal with a clothing quality issue. Finally, they reluctantly hung up the phone.

"Darling, I'm exhausted," Li Yang sat there, just recovering from his earlier excitement. Then, Jiang Manman rushed into Li Yang's arms with a fragrant breeze, her forehead covered in sweat.

Li Yang quickly took out a tissue from Manman's bag and wiped her face. Look at you, silly. Why don't you rest for a bit?

"Let's rest for a while, then we'll go wander around again." Jiang Manman took a sip of the water she brought, then lay on Li Yang's legs, enjoying the breeze and resting comfortably.

Afterward, the two of them held hands and strolled around the top for a few laps before planning to go down the mountain. When they reached the last steps down, Jiang Manman playfully clung to Li Yang's back and wouldn't get off. Finally, Li Yang had no choice but to let her, carrying Jiang Manman all the way down the mountain.

"Hehe, good job, here's a reward for you." As soon as Li Yang put Jiang Manman down, her passionate kiss immediately followed.

After a passionate kiss between the two, oblivious to their surroundings, they went to a large supermarket nearby to browse. When they passed the men's clothing section, Jiang Manman insisted on pulling Li Yang to buy him a set of clothes. Unable to resist Jiang Manman's gentle persistence, Li Yang finally chose a light-colored short-sleeved shirt and jeans. Jiang Manman nodded happily, saying he looked very handsome.

Finally, they bought some fruit and snacks, and Li Yang took her back to the residential area.

"Send me up," Jiang Manman pouted, looking reluctant to part.

"Let's go, silly girl," Li Yang playfully slapped Jiang Manman's perky bottom. The latter also retaliated by sneak attacking Li Yang, and the two of them giggled non-stop.

Going up to the third floor, they were about to exit the stairwell when, like a snake, Jiang Manman immediately pulled Li Yang and wrapped herself around him. Li Yang had to hold her up to prevent her from falling.

Under Li Yang's passionate kisses, it wasn't until Jiang Manman's face was flushed like a peach blossom that they reluctantly parted their lips...

Finally, Jiang Manman gave Li Yang's neck several "muah muah muah" kisses, putting a cute end to their parting.

"Come down quickly, don't you know how much you weigh?"

"Hmph, annoying," Jiang Manman jumped down reluctantly.

"Alright, Niu Niu, go home and sleep. I should go too. You've been exhausting me every day!" Li Yang said with a smile, stroking Jiang Manman's face.

"Then you have to remember to miss me!" Jiang Manman walked to her doorstep, looking back three times, waved goodbye to Li Yang, and went home!

"Got it, rest early, bye-bye."

Li Yang also gave her a handsome smile in return, standing there watching Jiang Manman enter her home before turning to leave.

Lao Zhao had been feeling unwell from time to time recently, but he was always busy with work and life and didn't have time to see a doctor. Until one day, he finally made time to go to the hospital for a comprehensive physical examination. The result shocked him: Late-Stage Liver Cancer!

This news was like a bolt from the blue for Lao Zhao; he couldn't accept such a cruel reality. After careful consideration, he made a difficult decision – to hide his illness and not tell anyone. He didn't want to burden his family with worry and pain. He just wanted to quietly spend the remaining days and enjoy his last moments.

However, fate did not seem to favor Lao Zhao. After detailed examination, the doctor found that his physical condition was far worse than imagined. Due to years of erosion from bad habits such as excessive smoking and drinking, almost all of his organs had developed problems, big and small, and the situation was very serious. The doctor told him that if he had come for treatment earlier, there might have been hope, but now it was too late, and even if Hua Tuo were alive, it would probably be difficult to save his life.

Lao Zhao felt a sense of desolation in his heart after hearing these words. He knew his days were numbered, but he still chose to remain silent, unwilling to tell others about his condition. He hoped to leave this world quietly, without bringing too much pain and sadness to those around him.

Following the doctor's advice, Lao Zhao was told not to have any psychological burden, to live well, and to bravely accept this fact.

Lao Zhao sat under the shade trees at the hospital, smoking a cigarette and reflecting on his life's journey.

He felt that his life had been worth it. He married Wang Jingjuan, a wife as beautiful as a celestial being, and had two daughters who inherited their mother's genes, both of whom were beautiful young girls like flowers. When the villagers mentioned them, they all said that Lao Zhao must have done great good deeds in his previous life to live such a happy little life.

The more Lao Zhao thought about it, the happier he became, and he couldn't help but laugh out loud. But then he sighed again and muttered to himself, "It's just that I won't be able to accompany them anymore..."

He decided to use the little time he had left to do more things for his family.

Then Lao Zhao took out the last cigarette from the pack and used a lighter to light the late-stage liver cancer examination report in his hand. Watching the small flame burn from large to small, and finally gradually extinguish, it seemed to also symbolize Lao Zhao's short but happy life...

In the following days, Lao Zhao acted as if nothing had ever happened. He ate and drank as usual, and his work was not delayed every day. However, he worked harder and more actively than before, taking the initiative to take on any dirty or tiring work. No matter where the delivery orders were, Lao Zhao accepted them all without a single complaint.

He was quietly waiting for the not-so-distant countdown of his life.

At noon that day, Lao Zhao still called Wang Jingjuan and told her not to cook for him, saying he was delivering goods outside and couldn't come back.

In fact, Lao Zhao didn't want Wang Jingjuan to see any superficial symptoms of his physical condition.

He tried to avoid close contact. Fortunately, they had been sleeping in separate rooms for several years. After dinner in the evening, they would each be busy with their own things. Lao Zhao liked to play mahjong, but he didn't play for high stakes in the village. After dinner, Wang Jingjuan would go out for a run, dance square dances, and sometimes sing a few songs at home, just like usual.

For so many years, except for a few close girlfriends, Wang Jingjuan basically never socialized with others in the village. They would gossip behind her back, being idle and bored. Wang Jingjuan was too lazy to do such things!

At noon that day, Li Yang came again after work. After finishing dinner, Li Yang quickly tidied up. Wang Jingjuan's soft body walked into the kitchen and hugged Li Yang's strong waist from behind like a gentle kitten.

Without a word, Li Yang kissed the full red lips he had been looking forward to for a long time, and also entangled Wang Jingjuan's small fragrant tongue...

After a moment of pleasure, Li Yang picked up the limp Wang Jingjuan and walked into her bedroom. The two of them lay on the bed, hugging tightly, unwilling to be separated for a moment...

"Do you like it?" Li Yang kissed Wang Jingjuan for a long time tirelessly before letting her go.

Wang Jingjuan didn't answer. She actively kissed Li Yang, not wanting to stop for a moment...

Forty minutes later, Li Yang slowly released Wang Jingjuan, who had fallen asleep in his arms, gently kissed her, and finally got dressed and left the house swaying.

Oh, my old back!

Walking on the street, Li Yang sighed in his heart. As expected, older women were the most lethal. He had truly experienced it!

Yue Xiaodan and Jiang Manman never made Li Yang feel overwhelmed.

Lost in thought along the way, Li Yang slowly walked back to the store and happened to see Lao Zhao looking like he was about to go out for a delivery, his face still as happy as ever.

"Little brother, why are you late?"

"Hehe, I overslept," Li Yang said casually, pretending to be nonchalant.

"Be careful with your little girlfriend. Don't regret it when you reach my age."

"Lao Zhao suggested to Li Yang in a carefree manner.

"Got it, Older Brother. I'm heading to work. You be careful too." The two brushed past each other on the stairs, never imagining that this encounter would be their last chance to see each other in this lifetime.

Lao Zhao was going to Yanshi in the afternoon to deliver to a few households. He usually took the regular road, but for some reason today, he suddenly turned onto the highway toll booth in the New District and would get off there to reach Yanshi.

He usually drove the company's logistics truck for long trips. Lao Zhao drove steadily the whole way. The back of the truck was loaded with appliances that a customer had just bought for their wedding, a complete set.

Perhaps everything was fate...

If Lao Zhao hadn't taken the highway, would his outcome have been different? If... there were no ifs...

Suddenly, the sky opened up with a torrential downpour. Lao Zhao had to slow down and turn on the windshield wipers. His vision became blurry, and he had to concentrate even harder.

However, at that moment, not far from Lao Zhao, a horrific traffic accident occurred...

A car lost control while trying to avoid another vehicle and crashed into the guardrail, with thick smoke billowing from the front. Lao Zhao didn't hesitate to pull over to the emergency lane and rushed towards the accident scene.

He found a driver and a passenger trapped inside the car. The driver was unconscious, and the passenger was seriously injured. Lao Zhao tried to open the car door, but it was jammed. He searched around for tools and finally found a fire extinguisher, which he used to smash the car window and rescue the passenger.

However, when he returned to the car to save the driver, the car suddenly caught fire, and the flames spread rapidly. Lao Zhao disregarded the danger and rushed back into the car, trying to drag the driver out. But just as he was about to succeed, the fire became even more intense, and Lao Zhao was engulfed by the flames.

Finally, firefighters arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire. But Lao Zhao had tragically sacrificed himself. His heroic act moved everyone present. People said that Lao Zhao was a true hero, and his deeds would forever be etched in people's hearts.

Jiamei Appliances Luoyang Company and Wang Jingjuan both received phone calls after the incident. After listening to the police's narration, Wang Jingjuan, who was at work, went blank. Then, instinctively, she picked up the phone and called Li Yang, telling him everything in detail.

Everyone was busy non-stop after that. Li Yang immediately had Wang Jingjuan drive him to the relevant department handling the traffic accident.

The car Lao Zhao was driving was also brought back.

Relevant personnel from the company also arrived to handle the aftermath of the accident.

Li Yang accompanied Wang Jingjuan through the entire process of handling the matter. At this critical juncture, no one cared about their relationship. Just like that, Li Yang, as a man, still took responsibility.

Although Lao Zhao had a biological older brother who was a village head, the two families had little contact due to the old man's favoritism issues back then. They would greet each other when they met. A few years ago, after Lao Zhao's old man passed away and the funeral was over, Lao Zhao and his brother equally divided the assets left by the old man.

The older brother voluntarily took over some businesses. He cashed out Lao Zhao's share, a full one million yuan, showing that the old man, who had been a village cadre his whole life, left behind quite a bit of inheritance.

In the following days, Wang Jingjuan also told her two daughters about the matter. They both returned home, and the whole family was immersed in sorrow.

The subsequent handling was quickly concluded with Li Yang and Wang Jingjuan's diligent follow-up.

Jiamei Appliances used Lao Zhao's story as promotional material, which caused a strong reaction nationwide. Their reputation also soared to the leading position in the same industry. For a time, the company's stock also rose sharply, which was truly unexpected.

Soon, the headquarters made a decision to compensate eighty thousand yuan as compensation for Lao Zhao's courageous act, which also served as positive publicity for the company. The insurance Lao Zhao had paid for was quickly settled for a full forty thousand yuan with the company's follow-up. After finding out about Lao Zhao's family, the family he saved all took action, bringing their only thirty thousand yuan in savings and giving it to Wang Jingjuan, insisting that she accept it, otherwise they would feel sorry for the Older Brother who lost his life for them.

Lao Zhao's illness thus gradually and forever disappeared with his life!

His total compensation was one hundred and fifty thousand yuan, which was composed of money from the company, insurance, and the rescued family. Wang Jingjuan, as Lao Zhao's family member, received this compensation with a heavy heart. As she held the guarantee for the rest of their lives that Lao Zhao left for them, the orphans and widow, tears welled up in Wang Jingjuan's eyes.

The two daughters also seemed to have a telepathic connection, hugging each other and crying heartbreakingly. Lao Zhao had never laid a hand on his two daughters in his life. On the contrary, when Wang Jingjuan got angry and hit them because they were disobedient when they were young, Lao Zhao would laugh and hold her back. Sometimes, Wang Jingjuan would vent her anger on Lao Zhao, but Lao Zhao had thick skin, and hitting him was like scratching an itch. Wang Jingjuan would soon be exasperated and amused by Lao Zhao, and the family would return to a harmonious atmosphere.

Wang Jingjuan knew that although this money could alleviate the family's financial pressure to some extent, it could not make up for the pain caused by Lao Zhao's departure. She thought of every little detail of Lao Zhao's life and was filled with endless longing and grief.

After receiving the compensation, Wang Jingjuan decided to do something meaningful with the money for Lao Zhao. She first took out a portion of the money to hold a grand funeral for Lao Zhao so that he could rest in peace.

Wang Jingjuan knew that although Lao Zhao had passed away, his spirit would forever remain in her heart. She would continue to live strongly with Lao Zhao's love and care.

A week later, everything calmed down. Lao Zhao's funeral arrangements went smoothly. He was buried in a public cemetery with good feng shui, close to home and convenient.

"Zhao Ge, rest well. You were always tired when you were alive. This time, you have to be obedient!"

On this day, Li Yang accompanied Wang Jingjuan to the cemetery alone. They stood under the shade of a tree, and he spoke quietly to Lao Zhao in a relaxed manner.

"Zhao Ge, don't worry. I will take care of Sister-in-law for the rest of her life. If you agree, I'll marry her another day. If you don't agree, then I'll stay with her for the rest of my life. As long as I'm alive, I will definitely keep my word. Rest in peace, Zhao Ge!"

Wang Jingjuan stood there elegantly, wearing large sunglasses, a black dress, and high heels, silent for a long time, letting Li Yang babble beside her.

When it was almost time, the two walked down the mountain from the cemetery together. The scenery here was pleasant, with birds singing and flowers fragrant, a good place for humans to rest in peace!

Wang Jingjuan's mood was unreadable. From the time they left the cemetery until now, driving on the road, she hadn't said a word to Li Yang. Li Yang sat in the passenger seat and worriedly held the hand she wasn't using to drive, looking at her with heartache.