Chapter 133

When the group arrived, the butler hurried over, bowed, and said, "Sorry to trouble you."

"Not at all. How is Professor Yamamoto?"

Professor Bai saw Gu Jinshui standing there with his hands in his pockets and his lips pressed tight, clearly unwilling to speak, so he stepped forward to handle the conversation.

Grief filled the butler's eyes. His voice was hoarse. "The professor has been moved to a hospital room. The doctor said... said he doesn't have much time left. It may be a matter of days."

"What?!"

Professor Bai's mouth fell open in shock.

The butler turned to Gu Jinshui. "Professor Yamamoto has wanted to see you ever since he came out. I'm sure he'll be very happy you came."

Gu Jinshui tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I'm only here out of sympathy. Don't read anything else into it."

"Yes, I understand." The butler showed no surprise. He nodded and gestured down the hall. "Please, follow me."

Yamamoto's room was on an upper floor of the hospital. It was a private room.

It had a television, a refrigerator, a single bed, and air conditioning. A vase full of chrysanthemums stood on the table.

Yamamoto lay in the hospital bed, his lips purple and his face drained of color.

He opened his eyes when he heard them, but even that seemed to take effort. His eyelids trembled without stopping.

The butler hurried over to help him sit up and tucked pillows behind his back.

Even that slight movement set him coughing.

"Mr. Yamamoto, please, you should rest." Professor Bai was still angry about what Yamamoto had done before, but seeing him this ill, he could hardly be harsh. He had Li Xing translate.

"No. I... I still have some strength."

Yamamoto pressed a hand to his mouth and