Volume 1, Chapter 152: Gu of Passion

From the Lunar New Year until now, Chi Zhenghua had been enjoying a harmonious domestic life. Yang Jing suddenly seemed to have a change of heart; although she still harbored resentment about him having another woman outside, she no longer threw loud tantrums.

Upon learning that Yang Hui was in the terminal stage of brain cancer, Yang Jing was struck by profound grief, which filled Chi Zhenghua with an even greater sense of guilt toward her.

After all, they were a couple who had lived together for over twenty years, and watching Yang Jing cry herself to faint multiple times, Chi Zhenghua found it impossible to remain indifferent.

Consequently, he not only voluntarily dropped the lawsuit against Yang Hui but also helped secure a top-tier hospital for him, ensuring he could spend his final days free from pain.

Moreover, he had recently dedicated a significant amount of time to accompanying Yang Jing. The family's relationship had achieved unprecedented harmony, presenting the picture of a happy and complete household.

Chi Yueyao felt as though a fishbone was stuck in her throat. Upon receiving a phone call from Pan Shuyun informing her that the mother bug of the love gu had matured, a surge of excitement washed over her.

"Mom, I will find a way to make Dad go see you right now. You know how things are recently—Dad has been staying home with Yang Jing. You probably only have this single chance, and you must seize it."

On the other end of the line, Pan Shuyun sounded somewhat nervous, yet she reassured her daughter, "I know. Your father hasn't come to see me in a long time. As long as you can get him to come over, I will definitely manage to plant the child bug."

After hanging up, Chi Yueyao began plotting. Stepping out of her room, she happened to encounter Chi Qianyu emerging from the adjacent room, her eyes red and swollen.

Chi Yueyao immediately stepped forward to ask, "Qianyu, were you crying again?"

Unable to hold back any longer, Chi Qianyu embraced Chi Yueyao and wept anew. "Sister Yueyao, the doctor said my uncle's condition is deteriorating rapidly. He might not have many days left."

Inwardly, Chi Yueyao felt completely unperturbed, but on the surface, she had to feign sorrow. Squeezing out a few tears, she answered Chi Qianyu with a choked voice, "How could this happen? Is there truly no way at all?"

Chi Qianyu wept bitterly. "I wish there were a way, but the doctor said unless a miracle happens..."

She knew her uncle was not a good person, but he was still her blood relative, and in the past, he had always been generous to her and her brother. Chi Qianyu simply could not accept the news of his impending departure.

"Sister Yueyao, do you think there's any other way? Can you think of a solution?"

In truth, Chi Yueyao did know a way. Recently collaborating with Xiao Duo, she had learned a great deal about the mystical realm, and in particular, the love gu had been procured for her by Xiao Duo. Therefore, she was aware that a miraculous world existed in the shadows.

While Chi Xingwan belonged to that world, Chi Yueyao did not consider her to be anyone remarkable, but with her introduction, finding someone who could save a life might just be possible.

Yet, she had no intention of mentioning it. Yang Hui was a pillar of support for Yang Jing, and she could not allow him to live.

Thus, when Chi Qianyu posed the question, she refused without hesitation. "Qianyu, I only know a few medical students at school. At most, I can only ask them to help introduce us to their professors, but the doctor your uncle has found for you is already the best in the country."

The implication was clear: she was powerless to help.

Chi Qianyu had only asked casually and had not genuinely expected Chi Yueyao to have a solution. After venting her emotions, she said, "Sister Yueyao, I need to head to the hospital."

"Are you going alone?" Chi Yueyao asked.

Chi Qianyu nodded. "My mother and brother are already at the hospital. I'm heading over now. Sister Yueyao, could I ask a favor of you?"

"Go ahead."

"I bought a gift for my uncle, and the courier should arrive today. If you're staying home today, could you help me receive the package and bring it straight to the hospital for me?"

Chi Yueyao agreed, "I will—I'll bring it myself, or have the driver deliver it."

"The driver needs to attend to my father recently," Chi Qianyu replied. "My father hasn't been resting well, and Mother won't let him drive, so the driver has to ferry him around these few days."

A flash crossed Chi Yueyao's eyes. "Alright, I'll deliver it to the hospital personally."

As soon as Chi Qianyu left, Chi Yueyao immediately called the family driver. The chauffeur had long since been bought off by her, so she easily learned Chi Zhenghua's itinerary.

After finishing his work, Chi Zhenghua intended to head straight to the hospital.

Filled with resentment, Chi Yueyao sent a text message to the driver.

[Find a way to make him come home for a while later.]

After waiting at home for an hour, Chi Zhenghua finally returned. Surprised, she greeted him, "Uncle, why are you back at this hour?"

Pointing at his clothes, Chi Zhenghua explained, "A passing vehicle accidentally splashed dirty water on me when I went out. I came back to take a shower before heading to the hospital."

"So that's how it is." Chi Yueyao recounted her conversation with Chi Qianyu just moments before, then added, "Uncle, something has come up and I won't be able to go to the hospital. Could you help Qianyu take her courier package over instead?"

"I suppose I can." Noticing Chi Yueyao's poor complexion, Chi Zhenghua asked, "You don't look well. Is something the matter?"

Chi Yueyao bit her lip, holding back tears as she shook her head.

"Yueyao, you're like my own... Is there something you must keep from me?"

Lowering her head, Chi Yueyao said, "Actually, it's nothing major. It's just that my mother hasn't been well lately; she called me just now complaining of a stomachache, and I want to go check on her."

"What's wrong with her?" Chi Zhenghua asked. Having not visited Pan Shuyun recently, he was unaware of what had transpired.

Chi Yueyao replied, "It's not that something happened to her. A few days ago, she received news that a close friend of hers abroad passed away in an accident. That friend had always taken good care of her, so she's been very heartbroken, hasn't slept properly in days, and her health is taking a toll."

Recalling that Pan Shuyun had settled abroad for many years purely because of him, Chi Zhenghua felt a twinge of guilt.

Since he had been spending all his time accompanying Yang Jing lately and had neglected Pan Shuyun, he said, "Yueyao, you go to the hospital. I'll go check on your mother."

Delighted, Chi Yueyao asked, "What about Auntie, though?"

"She has Baiyu and Qianyu to keep her company; she won't miss me for a day or half."

As soon as Chi Zhenghua departed, Chi Yueyao immediately called Pan Shuyun. Upon learning that Chi Zhenghua was on his way, Pan Shuyun was seized by a wave of nervousness.

Following the apprehension, however, came a surge of anticipation and excitement.

Walking into the kitchen, she picked up a fruit knife, pressed it against her arm, and took several deep breaths.

The mother bug within her had fully matured; all she needed to do was slice open her arm, let the child bug emerge from her body, and have Chi Zhenghua consume it, and everything would be accomplished.

Steeling her resolve, Pan Shuyun hardened her heart, closed her eyes, and slashed a cut across her arm.

Pain followed instantly. Opening her eyes, Pan Shuyun was astonished to discover that although her skin was cut, no blood flowed out.

A tiny, transparent insect crawled out of the wound, moving around on her arm. Once the child bug completely left her body, the wound on her arm healed rapidly, leaving not even a scar behind.

Suppressing her terror, she picked up the child bug, dropped it into a cup, and poured in some freshly brewed coffee, wherein the child bug dissolved completely.

Now, she simply waited for Chi Zhenghua to drink it.