Bo Xichen chuckled softly. "Oh, have I?"

The sweet kid listened to his laughter. It sounded so pleasant that her small face grew a little warm.

After a moment, she remembered Lin Hua’s invitation. "Lin Hua has a concert the day after tomorrow in the evening. She sent two tickets. Little Uncle, you’ll have time, right?"

Bo Xichen smiled. "I don’t have anything planned for that evening."

The sweet kid was relieved. She then stammered a few more words shyly before hanging up.

Bo Xichen hung up the phone and chuckled softly. Just then, his junior assistant came over and whispered, "Director Li wishes to see you."

Bo Xichen put his phone away and looked up. "Let her in."

The assistant left, and a short while later, Director Li entered, her expression somewhat grave. Bo Xichen asked her directly, "Is it about Ms. Tang’s condition?"

Director Li nodded. "Yes. It’s not looking good."

She placed the medical records before Bo Xichen and sat down opposite him. "The patient’s mood has been consistently poor. These past two days, she seems even worse. It might be more serious than I initially anticipated..."

She didn’t finish, but Bo Xichen understood. He immediately stood up and put on his white coat. "I’ll go with you to see her."

A smile appeared on Director Li’s face. "It would be excellent if Professor Bo went personally. You have more experience in this area than I do."

Bo Xichen led the way, and she followed. Soon, they arrived at Tang Yuan’s hospital room.

Tang Yuan sat quietly, her face gaunt and pale. Gu Mingzhu was with her. Mother and daughter weren’t speaking, just sitting in silence.

When Bo Xichen entered, Tang Yuan immediately tried to sit up straighter. "Xichen, you’re here."

Upon seeing Bo Xichen, Gu Mingzhu recalled the day Gu Anxi had disciplined her. She silently stood up, keeping her distance, not daring to take a step closer. Tang Yuan saw this and understood, but for the sake of her daughter’s pride, she said nothing.

Truthfully, she was acutely aware of her own body’s condition; it had been overdrawn for a long time. Bo Xichen coming personally signified that she probably didn’t have much time left. She was someone who clung to glory and riches; logically, she should have been terrified of death. Yet now, she had almost nothing. Mingzhu also had someone to rely on. Furthermore, she believed that if Mingzhu ever truly faced hardship, Anxi wouldn’t stand idly by... She had truly misjudged that child, Anxi. Anxi was actually so good, so kind-hearted. It was she herself who had been unworthy.

Seeing her state, Bo Xichen knew she had likely lost her will to live. He offered a gentle smile, as if the incident with Gu Mingzhu had never occurred. "Mingzhu, please step out for a moment."

Gu Mingzhu was afraid of him. Hearing his words, she hesitated for a moment before silently exiting the room.

Once Gu Mingzhu had left, Tang Yuan humbled herself. "Xichen, Mingzhu is still immature. I apologize on her behalf. Please don’t hold it against her."

Bo Xichen smiled, not seeming to mind greatly, then said, "Director Li mentioned you haven’t been feeling well these past two days. Let me give you a comprehensive examination."

Tang Yuan faltered, her voice hoarse. "I know my own condition... There’s no need to trouble yourself."

As she spoke, she smoothed her hair with her hand and added softly, "Director Li, could you please allow me a few words alone with Xichen?"

Director Li was aware of their connections; it was common knowledge throughout Yunxi Hospital. Thus, she felt a mixture of pity and a strange sort of sympathy for this former Mrs. Gu. Little Dr. Gu is so lovely, and the Bo family treasures her. How could this Mrs. Gu have borne to abandon her back then?

After Director Li left, Tang Yuan looked up, her eyes filled with a sorrowful expression. "Min Xin visited yesterday. He said he’s willing to look after Mingzhu and that it was Anxi’s idea. I... I’ve misunderstood Anxi all this time. Xichen, please help me tell her I’m sorry."

Bo Xichen smiled. "Why don’t you tell her yourself? She comes here almost every day."

Tang Yuan’s eyes lit up, and she couldn’t help asking, "She comes every day?"

She then murmured, "What does she come here for every day?"

Bo Xichen coughed lightly. "She picks me up after work."

This answer greatly surprised Tang Yuan. How... How could Anxi be picking Xichen up from work? She...

Bo Xichen’s smile was faint. "She doesn’t go to the company much, maybe once a week. The rest of her time is free."

Tang Yuan nodded. "Then she must usually be busy writing scripts or conducting experiments. That child is truly hardworking and diligent."

Bo Xichen felt Tang Yuan had misunderstood, and since it was a misunderstanding, it was best to clarify. He coughed lightly again. "Not exactly. She usually sleeps in during the morning and gets up for lunch around noon. Lately, with the hot weather, she typically stays at Si Garden until five or six, just in time to come pick me up."

Tang Yuan listened, utterly dumbfounded. After a long moment, she couldn’t help but ask, "Won’t this neglect her studies too much? Shouldn’t she be working harder? Her film achieved great success; shouldn’t she strike while the iron is hot and produce another one?"

Bo Xichen said nothing.

Tang Yuan asked again, "And your parents? Don’t they have any objections?"

Hearing this, she actually started to feel a bit worried. With Anxi lacking such career ambition, would she be looked down upon?

Bo Xichen smiled again. "My mother wishes Anxi would keep her company 24 hours a day and do nothing else. She even thinks going to the company once a week is too tiring for Anxi and wishes my father would just continue working. As for a career for Anxi, my mother doesn’t care about that."

His mother only worried if her precious little one got a tan, if she was enjoying herself, if she’d gained any weight, or if she was eating well. Even he himself would be reprimanded if he were a bit too indulgent and it affected Anxi. With all these concerns, how could his mother possibly care about career ambition for Anxi?

Tang Yuan was once again dumbfounded. After a moment, she tried to console herself: Actually, even if Anxi is idle, her career is already doing exceptionally well. An Pu is making money, and Yunxi’s profits are continually rising...

Realizing this, she understood her earlier words had been somewhat superfluous. Feeling a little awkward, she pressed her lips together and said no more. Bo Xichen, naturally, wouldn’t make someone feel uncomfortable, especially not Anxi’s biological mother.

He naturally felt a sense of indignation on Anxi’s behalf for past wrongs, but subconsciously, he didn’t want to make this woman uncomfortable, especially now, at the end of her life. He said calmly, "That’s just her messing around; her luck has always been quite good."

Tang Yuan nodded, which eased her unease.

In the end, Bo Xichen still didn’t conduct the examination. It was Tang Yuan’s insistence, likely for the sake of her dignity. Bo Xichen didn’t press her. As he was walking out, Tang Yuan called out to him, "Xichen."

Bo Xichen slowly turned his head.

Tang Yuan sat there, her face sallow, and said very softly, "Treat Anxi well in the future."

A faint smile touched Bo Xichen’s lips. "I will."

Tang Yuan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, then gave a very faint, soft smile.

When Bo Xichen stepped out, Director Li approached and asked in a low voice, "She wasn’t willing to have the examination?"

Bo Xichen nodded, then turned to Gu Mingzhu, who was standing nearby. "Spend some good time with your mother."

Gu Mingzhu’s face was blank with bewilderment. After a long pause, she finally asked in a hoarse, hushed voice, "Does she... really not have much longer to live?"

Director Li felt a pang in her chest. It wasn’t for any particular reason, just that the little princess of Beicheng suddenly seemed so utterly alone and without support. Come to think of it, fate is indeed fair... she mused.

She followed Bo Xichen to his office. They were both silent for a good while before Director Li finally spoke. "Professor Bo, should we have Little Dr. Gu come see her?" Tang Yuan truly might not have much time left.

Bo Xichen opened the window, lit a cigarette, took two slow puffs, and then extinguished it. "Anxi knows the situation. It’s up to her to decide."

Director Li nodded and departed, her mind occupied with various thoughts.

After she left, Bo Xichen lit another cigarette. He intended to finish this one, but then he remembered they were trying for a child, so he extinguished it once more.