The Gentle, Sickly Beauty Is Won Over By The Loyal Big Shot - Chapter 24

Gu Han’s heart rate had reached the absolute limit of human endurance. Yet, he desperately maintained his composure, suppressing the trembling in his fingers as he micro-adjusted the steering wheel. At high speed, he navigated around the accident site, narrowly avoiding a catastrophe.

Only after Gu Han had safely driven the car out did he let out a massive sigh of relief. As he breathed, he choked and began to cough violently. The sound of his coughing woke Qi Ran. Worried, Qi Ran asked in a hoarse voice, “Baby, what’s wrong?”

Qi Ran had vomited so severely that the stomach acid had scorched his throat, making it impossible to speak normally, most of his words were barely audible breaths.

“Ranran, you’re awake?”

Gu Han glanced at Qi Ran in the passenger seat. Even though he looked away quickly, Qi Ran could see the deep concern in his eyes. Gu Han’s hands were still shaking from the intense tension, and his heart was still racing, making his voice unsteady as he spoke. “Ranran, you have a stomach hemorrhage. It’s very serious. We’re on the way to the hospital. Don’t sleep, you have to hold on. Promise me, okay?”

Qi Ran nodded slightly. “Okay.”

“Ranran, please, you must hold on,” Gu Han said, tears falling as he drove. “I can’t lose you.”

Qi Ran desperately wanted to wipe away Gu Han’s tears, but he didn’t dare reach out and touch his face recklessly.

Although Qi Ran had briefly lost consciousness, he was fully aware of his surroundings now that he had woken up. He knew Gu Han was driving very fast and that he shouldn’t touch him and risk affecting his driving. He could only use words to comfort him: “Baby, you won’t lose me. I will… always stay with you.”

Qi Ran’s throat hurt terribly and was incredibly raspy, but he still wanted to speak. He wanted to respond to every word Gu Han said.

After exiting the highway, they still had to drive through a section of the main road. Gu Han waited through a one minute red light, during which he called Xu Rongxuan, asking him to arrange for staff to meet them at the emergency room.

About seven minutes later, Gu Han drove the car into the hospital parking lot. He picked up the weak Qi Ran and ran toward the emergency room.

The registration for the ER was in the main building, quite far from the parking lot. Gu Han ran all the way holding Qi Ran as if he knew no fatigue. The thick, metallic taste of blood rose in his throat, but Gu Han refused to slow down even a fraction.

Gu Han only wanted to save Qi Ran, he didn’t care about his own safety at all.

“Hurry, Rongxuan,” Gu Han shouted as he ran into the main hospital building. “Save my wife.”

Hearing the word “wife,” Qi Ran’s eyelids flickered.

Gu Han was so anxious he had forgotten that Qi Ran was currently awake.

Xu Rongxuan had already arranged for doctors to wait at the entrance. Gu Han placed Qi Ran onto the hospital bed prepared by the medical staff and helped push him toward the operating room.

Gu Han was stopped outside the operating room doors. Until the red light above the door lit up, he stood there dazed, staring through the two glass windows.

Gu Han knew he couldn’t see anything from there and knew that all he could do now was wait for news. Perhaps a stomach hemorrhage wasn’t a major event for modern medicine or for Xu Rongxuan’s top-tier private hospital.

But for Gu Han, Qi Ran was his everything. Even a small bump or bruise on Qi Ran would make Gu Han’s heart ache for a long time.

“Gu Han, come sit for a while. You’re exhausted,” Xu Rongxuan said, leading Gu Han to a chair in the hallway outside the OR. He comforted him, saying, “He’ll be fine. I saw his vitals, they looked okay. He’s likely just in a lot of pain, which makes him look weak. Don’t worry too much.”

“I’m scared,” Gu Han’s eyes suddenly turned red. “He is my baby. I love him so much.”

“No wonder… Not only did you pay his hospital bills, but you also took him out of a place like Ruihao. I’ve never seen you put this much effort into anyone. It turns out your world isn’t just about weighing pros and cons.”

Xu Rongxuan patted Gu Han’s shoulder. “It’s okay. Relax a bit. You really are exhausted. Take a breath. My hospital’s gastroenterology department is the best in Litian. You don’t trust my medical team?”

“I trust them,” Gu Han wiped his tears, crying as he spoke. “But I’m just scared. I love him too much. Sorry, Rongxuan, I’ve lost my composure.”

“Everyone has people and things they cherish deeply. I understand.”

Xu Rongxuan took a tissue from his pocket and handed it to Gu Han. “Gu Han, dry your tears and wait to take care of your lover. I promise you, my medical team will take excellent care of him.”

“Yeah, thank you,” Gu Han took the tissue and wiped his eyes. “Knowing he’ll be safe makes me feel much better.”

An hour later, the doctor came out. “Patient’s family?”

Gu Han jogged forward, with Xu Rongxuan following closely behind.

“The patient’s vitals are good now. We need to observe him for at least a day to see his recovery.

Note: during the recovery from stomach bleeding, do not give the patient any food, not even water.”

The doctor continued, “Wait another half hour. Once the patient is awake, he can be moved to a ward.”

Gu Han thanked them repeatedly. Xu Rongxuan stood by Gu Han and asked, “To the usual place, right? VIP Zone, 9th Floor, Suite 19?”

Gu Han nodded. “Yes, my wife will be more comfortable there.”

“Then sit and wait for that half hour,” Xu Rongxuan said, taking a ballpoint pen from his lab coat pocket. “I’ll go handle the admission paperwork for you.”

Gu Han’s heart finally settled. He sat on the chair outside the operating room, checking his phone every few minutes. Waiting for Qi Ran to wake up felt like an eternity.

He couldn’t remember how many times he had checked the time when Yu Shen sent him a message:

[Did you make it to the hospital safely? How is Qi Ran?]

Gu Han replied: [Rongxuan says everything is fine. By the way, was that white car the one you called to help me?]

Yu Shen: [Yeah, why hasn’t that car returned yet? It’s been a while.]

Gu Han: [That car got into an accident. A black car tried to cut me off, and the white car forced it away. I don’t know if it was too much acceleration or what, but the rear of the car looked shaky and it crashed into the black car. It happened so fast I almost rear-ended them. It scared me to death, a highway pile-up is no joke.]

Yu Shen: [A crash? I’ll go check on it right now. I hope the person I hired is okay.]

After that, Yu Shen stopped replying. Gu Han put away his phone and continued to wait for news of Qi Ran.

Meanwhile, at the Jianchen Industrial Park, Yu Shen called Wu Hong. The first call went unanswered, but Wu Hong picked up the second one.

Wu Hong: “Brother Shen.”

Yu Shen was anxious: “Are you hurt? I told you to escort President Gu and just nudge the other car away. He was rushing a patient to the hospital. Why did you crash? Is a highway accident a joke to you?”

Wu Hong said: “Brother Shen, it wasn’t on purpose. I’ve already been to prison twice, do I look like I want a murder charge? That car was too old, the brake pads were almost gone. I accelerated too fast and couldn’t stop in time, so I hit them.”

Yu Shen frowned but didn’t ask for more details about the highway incident. He asked about the situation: “How are the people in the other car?”

Wu Hong: “We’re all at the hospital. The two in the car are being treated. I heard they’re doing okay, mostly severe concussions. I don’t know much about medicine, but they should be fine. Brother Shen, I might need to pay them some compensation.”

Yu Shen: “Money isn’t an issue. How are you?”

Wu Hong laughed: “Me? Just a few scratches. Even though the brakes were gone and the car was old, my bones are tough.”

Yu Shen breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s good you’re okay, Wu Hong. Your life is as tough as a rock. Also, you’re just like you were years ago, you never let me stop worrying. In addition to your payment, I’ll cover your medical expenses.”

Wu Hong: “I don’t need medical expenses, I’m fine. Brother Shen, my car is wrecked. I just want a car I can drive, no matter how old. As long as I have a car, I can do things for you.”

Yu Shen agreed readily: “Wait until I get off work. Go to my garage and pick whatever you want. Take the keys. You don’t have to drive an old one. Since you’re working for me, we’ll do things like we used to… focus on efficiency, but also maintain a standard for food, clothing, and travel. Don’t be too shabby.”

Wu Hong’s tone suddenly changed: “Then thank you, Brother Shen. Also, I have good news: my mother’s surgery was a success. Thank you, Brother Shen. You saved my whole family’s life.”

“It’s what I should do, since I’m still your ‘Big Brother’,” Yu Shen said. “I should take care of this.”

“Big Brother, yes, you will always be our Big Brother,” Wu Hong’s voice trembled slightly. “Since I received that 500,000, I used some for my mother’s surgery. I had 300,000 left, so I called the brothers from Hong Kong to Litian. I rented a bigger house for them. Since I earned money from you, I’ll help them survive and let the kids live with dignity like human beings. So, in the future, if you need anything, more people will be ready to serve you.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I don’t need the men. Kids should do what kids are supposed to do. Send them to school, get them jobs, let them earn money. Don’t let them smoke or drink, that’s what it means to live with dignity.”

Yu Shen admired Wu Hong’s character and loyalty. Feeling the conversation was over, Yu Shen cautioned him: “I believe your story about the accident, but I won’t allow another ‘accident’ like this. If it happens again, don’t blame me for turning my back on you.”

After dealing with Wu Hong, Yu Shen told Gu Han everything. Few people knew about Yu Shen’s past, and he rarely mentioned it, but he wouldn’t hide it from Gu Han.

So Gu Han knew about Wu Hong’s existence. Aside from the rule Yu Shen set that Wu Hong was not to approach Gu Han, the two were aware of each other. With Yu Shen there, the boundary existed, and they weren’t supposed to have any overlap.

In the hospital, there were only five minutes left before Gu Han could take Qi Ran to the ward. At that moment, Yu Shen’s message arrived. Gu Han read it with a heart full of gratitude and replied:

[Shen, you’ve done so much for me. How can I ever repay you?]

Yu Shen only replied with one sentence: [Gu Han, a scholar dies for his confidant.]

Seeing this message, Gu Han cried again. When he had left his hometown in anger ten years ago to start a business in Litian, he never imagined that a decade later, he would be a successful billionaire with a partner who was willing to go through fire and water for him, and that he would find the love of his life.

Gu Han had no regrets. Life is lived in these moments.

“Qi Ran’s family,” the doctor called from a distance. “You can take the patient to the ward.”

Gu Han responded and ran over. When he reached Qi Ran’s bed, Qi Ran was already awake, looking at Gu Han with open eyes.

Gu Han walked to Qi Ran’s side, gripped the handrails of the bed, and as he pushed the bed, he spoke softly: “Ranran is so brave. The surgery is over. Was it very hard? It’s okay, I’m taking you away now. I’m taking my baby back, and I’ll comfort you slowly, okay?”

The anesthesia hadn’t fully worn off, but Qi Ran’s mind was clear. He saw that Gu Han was still wearing the bear pajamas Qi Ran had given him yesterday. His face was full of exhaustion, yet he had rushed him to the hospital just like this. Qi Ran’s eyes gradually filled with tears.

Qi Ran felt a bit dazed, dazed because he had truly received Gu Han’s full, intense love. To see a Chairman who valued his reputation as much as his life exposed to the layers of gazes in a hospital while wearing such childish pajamas… Gu Han’s mind was entirely on Qi Ran’s safety, with no room to care about himself.

“Why is Ranran crying? It’s my fault. I came too late. I should have come to get you sooner,” Gu Han reached out and gently wiped Qi Ran’s tears. “Ranran must be in pain from the surgery. It’s okay, we’ll be better soon, and once we’re better, it won’t hurt anymore, right? Don’t cry, Ranran. I love you the most.”

Gu Han thought Qi Ran was still in pain or scared of the needles and equipment, or perhaps sad because he had waited so long for Gu Han to come. He decided he would comfort him properly once they were in the ward.

Xu Rongxuan, worried Gu Han might struggle to push the bed alone, sent Dabao to help. All the way to the 19th floor of the inpatient department, Dabao kept peeking at Gu Han.

“What is it, Dabao?” Gu Han asked, a bit puzzled. “Why do you keep looking at me?”

“President Gu, why are you wearing clothes like that?” Dabao laughed. “Do you like pajamas with that kind of pattern?”

Gu Han looked at Qi Ran on the bed with eyes full of doting. “The clothes? My wife likes them. He gave them to me. Cute, isn’t it?”

“So that’s how it is. It really is cute,” Dabao pursed his lips, remembering that Xu Rongxuan had taught him not to gossip about the private lives of VIP cardholders, especially Gu Han. Dabao obediently dropped the subject. “I see. President Gu, you really are so happy.”

Gu Han’s suite had a double bed, so there wasn’t room for another hospital bed. If they wanted to stay in the VIP suite, Gu Han had to carry Qi Ran in.

Gu Han asked the doctor for advice. The doctor felt that since the surgery was minimally invasive, as long as Gu Han was careful and kept movements small, it wouldn’t affect Qi Ran.

Relieved by this answer, Gu Han was happy. He wanted Qi Ran to sleep in a more comfortable bed. He carefully picked Qi Ran up, whispering to him: “Little Ranran, our Ranran gets to sleep in a soft bed now. Does your stomach hurt? I’ll hold you very slowly and gently, trying my best not to hurt you.”

Qi Ran couldn’t speak much yet, but he had regained some strength in his hands. He gently tugged at Gu Han’s sleeve.

Gu Han placed Qi Ran steadily on the bed. He watched Dabao leave with the empty hospital bed, then turned back to soothe Qi Ran: “Ranran baby, did you pull my sleeve? Do you have something to tell me?”

Qi Ran nodded. He moved his lips but made no sound, indicating his voice was too low. He signaled for Gu Han to lean in close.

Gu Han leaned over, his ear almost touching Qi Ran’s lips. Qi Ran’s voice was incredibly weak, mostly just breath, as he slowly whispered three words into Gu Han’s ear: “I… love… you.”

“Really?” Gu Han was overjoyed, his eyes lighting up. “Ranran loves me?”

Qi Ran looked at Gu Han and nodded gently.

“Thank you, Ranran,” Gu Han took Qi Ran’s hand and kissed it. “It’s so good that Ranran loves me.”

After the surgery, besides being hungry due to the fasting, Qi Ran didn’t have much of a reaction. Perhaps because of the pain relief in his IV, he didn’t feel pain in his stomach, though his throat still burned and his voice remained raspy.

By evening, Qi Ran could speak normally and chatted idly with Gu Han.

“Ranran, you just had surgery, so I won’t sleep in the same bed as you,” Gu Han pointed to a sofa not far away. “I’ll sleep there. I’m afraid of pressing against your wound. If anything happens at night, wake me up. Don’t suffer in silence.”

“Why don’t you want to sleep together, Baby Gu?” Qi Ran lifted his eyelids, looking at Gu Han with a hint of amusement. “Didn’t you call me your wife? Aren’t husbands and wives supposed to sleep together?”

Gu Han’s face turned red again. He bit his lip and stammered: “Ranran, at that time… were you awake?”

Qi Ran nodded. “Yes, I was awake.”

“Qi Ran baby, I really like you so much. I was afraid of scaring you, so I never dared to say it,” Gu Han gathered his courage to confess his heart. Taking a deep breath, he asked softly, “Can you… stay with me? I… I really want to marry you.”