This meant there was always a chance. Gu Xueqiang really was a woman who was harsh in speech but soft at heart.
Ming Li hadn’t rested well the previous night, and she couldn’t bring herself to leave Gu Qingshuang’s side all morning. She watched over her until ten o’clock, when Sun Xihan sent a WeChat message reminding her it was time to leave.
Before heading out, Ming Li took Gu Qingshuang’s temperature one last time: 38.9 degrees.
The temperature was climbing steadily. This wasn’t a good sign. The IV drips and the medicine seemed to have no effect on Gu Qingshuang whatsoever.
Ming Li frowned and called Gu Xueqiang, asking if they should transfer Gu Qingshuang to the hospital for a full examination, as this didn’t feel like a simple fever anymore.
While Ming Li was on the phone, Gu Qingshuang, who had been motionless, suddenly rolled onto her side. She clutched her chest and gagged several times, throwing up all the water and medicine Ming Li had painstakingly fed her while she was semi-conscious.
She looked as though she were trying to vomit up her very soul.
Ming Li hurriedly hung up to pat her back. Seeing the blood backing up into the IV tube in Gu Qingshuang’s hand, she immediately pulled the needle out. The fluid from the IV bag began to drip onto the floor, mixing with the vomit.
It was clear Gu Qingshuang hadn’t eaten much the night before; she was throwing up mostly bitter bile.
Shortly after, Gu Xueqiang arrived with staff. She had been worried about Gu Qingshuang as well and had stayed home to work rather than going to the office. With her usual efficiency, she arranged for Gu Qingshuang’s transport. Turning around and seeing Ming Li still standing there, she frowned. “Didn’t you say your flight was at noon? It takes half an hour to get to the airport. Why aren’t you gone?”
“But Shuangshuang…” Ming Li said worriedly.
Gu Xueqiang said coldly, “I have made arrangements. Go tend to your own business.”
She then ordered the family driver to rush Ming Li to the airport.
As Ming Li carried her suitcase out of Gu Manor, she looked back at Gu Xueqiang’s tall, straight silhouette. With her hair perfectly in place, the Elder Madam looked as unshakeable as ever. Ming Li suddenly felt a strange emotion toward this place.
It finally felt like home.
The driver drove like the wind, delivering Ming Li to the airport.
It wasn’t even eleven o’clock yet. As soon as she entered, she saw Sun Xihan waiting nearby. Sun Xihan visibly relaxed upon seeing her, though she immediately put on a grumpy face. “I’ve never seen anyone care about their wife as much as you do.”
Ming Li shook her head helplessly. “I’ve just never seen her this sick before.”
In all the time they had known each other, this was the first time Gu Qingshuang had been in such a state.
“Oh, please. Everyone who eats gets sick eventually,” Sun Xihan said. “I didn’t see her getting all worked up when you were sick.”
Ming Li was used to her friend’s bluntness. She smiled faintly. “I don’t get sick often.”
Sun Xihan studied her, swallowed the retort she had ready, and instead urged, “Let’s go. Time to check in.”
Since they were special guests for this trip, the university had booked them business class seats. Checking in through the priority lane was quick and easy. Within ten minutes, it was done, and Ming Li’s luggage was checked through.
Once that was over, Sun Xihan became excited again. “Now you can’t run away.”
Ming Li said, “Where would I run? It was just a special situation. I was just worried.”
“It’s a fever. She won’t die,” Sun Xihan said. “By the time you get back to the country, she’ll be bouncing around again.”
“I hope so,” Ming Li said softly.
Despite her words, the worry persisted, dampening the excitement of going abroad. But Ming Li had no way to get updates, except through Gu Xueqiang. Even if Gu Xueqiang had softened toward her, contacting her still required a significant amount of mental preparation.
Seeing Ming Li’s worried expression, Sun Xihan suggested she make a video call. Maybe as soon as Ming Li left, the fever would break. Anything was possible.
Ming Li decided to call. Gu Xueqiang answered.
The Elder Madam’s tone was unpleasant. “Just focus on your own business. I’m handling things here. I gave birth to her; do you think I’d harm her?”
Ming Li said sheepishly, “That’s not what I meant.”
“Focus on whatever you are doing,” Gu Xueqiang lectured.
Ming Li hadn’t expected another lecture, but she knew she was being indecisive. She couldn’t cut through the mess with a sharp blade the way Gu Xueqiang could. She listened like a scolded child.
“Especially at a time like this, a soft heart is your greatest weakness,” Gu Xueqiang said coldly.
She told Ming Li that once she made a choice, she had to stick to it firmly. Looking back and hesitating would ensure she never achieved anything.
Initially, Ming Li felt she was right, but as the lecture continued, it felt like an exaggeration. She murmured, “It’s not that serious. I was just worried about Shuangshuang.”
Gu Xueqiang snorted. “And what if this were a trap set by an opponent?”
Ming Li was stunned.
“Using the people closest to you to set a trap is the easiest way to deal with someone like you,” Gu Xueqiang said. “The business world is a battlefield. You cannot be soft on anyone—including yourself.”
Ming Li had never thought of it that way. Gu Xueqiang didn’t give her time to process, hanging up immediately after telling her not to call again.
Ming Li stood there staring at her phone. The impact of Gu Xueqiang’s words was immense. Even ten minutes after the call ended, she hadn’t quite recovered.
Sun Xihan waved a hand in front of her face. “What happened? Is something wrong?”
Sun Xihan’s voice trembled slightly as she asked, terrified that Ming Li might change her mind at the last second.
Ming Li slowly shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
Nothing is good, Sun Xihan thought.
“Good,” Sun Xihan said with a smile. “We’re about to board. You look exhausted. Try to get some sleep on the plane.”
The flight would take thirteen hours. They would arrive at their destination in the early morning, which would be daytime there. They would have to aggressively fight jet lag to stay in peak condition. Sun Xihan handed Ming Li an eye mask.
Ming Li took it and thanked her.
On the other side of the city, at the high-end Huaxing private hospital, Gu Qingshuang lay on a bed, retching uncontrollably. There was nothing left in her stomach, but she continued to dry heave.
Gu Xueqiang stood outside the patient room, her brow furrowed into a deep “V” shape. The atmosphere in the hallway was tense and solemn.
An assistant, hearing Gu Xueqiang’s mutterings, whispered, “Miss Gu was calling for Miss Ming when she was conscious earlier… Under these circumstances, wouldn’t it be better to call Miss Ming back?”
Gu Xueqiang shot him a sideways glance. “Ming Li has her own things to do.”
Her tone was irritable, but the assistant didn’t seem to notice. He continued to flatter her. “The things Miss Ming is doing aren’t exactly important; they don’t benefit the Gu Corporation. On the other hand, Miss Gu has shown incredible talent at the office lately. In time, she will surely become the person you want her to be. Weighing the two options…”
Gu Xueqiang interrupted him before he could finish. “How many years have you been with the company?”
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