On the phone, it was Song Baiyan’s smooth and relaxed voice, with a hint of indulgence: "If you want to know how far apart the two places are, checking a map is more convenient than pinpointing locations."

"But what I really want to know is the distance between us." Tang Li had her own reasoning.

It’s not just Song Baiyan who is skilled at persuasion.

People become red by being close to vermilion.

Now, she also knows how to use sweet words to extract the information she wants: "Even though we’re separated by distance, seeing the blue dot on the location map feels like you’re right in front of me, and that makes me content."

Song Baiyan said, "Can you share location via text message?"

Realizing the cellphone Song Baiyan uses is different from regular ones, she kindly suggested, "You can download WeChat."

Not leaving room for excuses, she proactively instructed, "Download WeChat, register an account, add me as a friend, then click ’Location’ to send me your position."

At this moment, Tang Li was very clever.

Not easy to fool.

Song Baiyan didn’t seek any further excuse: "Just sending the location will do?"

Tang Li didn’t expect Song Baiyan would agree.

This made her feel even more like she was overthinking things.

However, she immediately thought of one possibility: Song Baiyan could completely register a WeChat account through someone in Jiang City, since she’s not physically there, the maneuverability is high.

Who can guarantee it’s truly Song Baiyan using the WeChat account?

Rather than wasting time in a battle of wits, Tang Li straightforwardly asked: "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

"Did you send Secretary Guo to Shangbu?"

Tang Li temporarily changed strategy, but it didn’t disrupt the other party.

Song Baiyan’s explanation coincidentally aligned with what Gao Wenlan said on the phone.

"An old leader was found to have a brain tumor, the medical level in his hometown can’t match Shangbu, he called me, and since I happened to be at the airport, I just had Guo Li run over."

As Song Baiyan spoke, he also asked her, "Did someone you know at the hospital see Guo Li and pass the news to you?"

Tang Li responded with a hum, then added: "As long as it’s not you who is sick."

This statement, truly is multifaceted.

Song Baiyan also replied to her: "If I were really sick, wouldn’t it be obvious when you come back?"

A tumor is not a minor illness.

In severe cases, it won’t get better for several months.

She’s returning to the country next week; if Song Baiyan is indeed sick, it’s not something that can be hidden.

Thinking so, Tang Li put aside her suspicions.

Since Song Baiyan is in the north, chatting on the phone with him during the day is somewhat thoughtless, so after saying "you get busy" she ended the call.

Ruihe Hospital.

Song Baiyan held his cellphone and turned around.

He instructed Guo Li by the door: "No need for further observation, inform Dr. Jian to schedule the surgery for tomorrow."

"Isn’t this a bit rushed?"

For the first time, Guo Li expressed dissent in front of Song Baiyan.

According to the original plan, there was to be a week of observation on your health status.

Currently, domestic treatment for brain meningioma still requires craniotomy.

The technique for minimally invasive brain tumor surgery is not fully developed.

Although Dr. Jian trained under a world-renowned neurosurgery specialist and has been a surgical doctor since his return to the country, having performed numerous minimally invasive brain surgeries without mishaps over the past two years, Guo Li felt that, regardless of Dr. Jian’s experience, those were other people’s surgeries.

You’re not an ordinary person.

Therefore, Dr. Jian’s pre-surgery preparation must be even more thorough.

Guo Li also understood why you would opt for advancing the surgery.

Blame him for being less cautious...

Guo Li looked up again: "Letting the lady know you’re having surgery actually doesn’t matter much."

Song Baiyan placed his cellphone back on the bedside table; instead of the usual steel watch, his left wrist now had two medical wristbands. Then he heard Guo Li say: "Dr. Jian suggested maintaining a good mood before surgery. You care about the lady so much, surely having her by your side would be pleasant."

Song Baiyan replied: "She’s an independent individual, not my accessory. Moreover, she has her own things to do."

Guo Li paused, then spoke again—

"But the lady is also your family."

Song Baiyan said: "Just consider it my personal vanity."

Guo Li didn’t understand, but you didn’t explain further.

Having decided on advancing the surgery, Song Baiyan didn’t retract his words.

After Guo Li left, Song Baiyan’s gaze fell on the bouquet on the bedside table, vibrant and beautiful like a young woman in her prime.

The ’personal vanity’ he told Guo Li wasn’t just fabricated.

It’s just that this vanity isn’t easily disclosed to outsiders.

When not paying attention, one might act indifferent.

Now he’s growing more timid as he lives.

Song Baiyan didn’t refrain from mocking himself inwardly.

Needing surgery, still wanting to hide it, in the end, just fearing the young lady’ll find out and dislike his hardware.

Not long since they got the marriage certificate, yet already a tumor was found in his brain.

In a normal family, such circumstances would cause concerns from the bride’s family.

Moreover—

As a groom, he is already a dozen years older than the bride.

If word spreads about this illness, he might be labeled as short-lived.

He always thought of himself as having a firm disposition.

Eventually, he hasn’t been able to break away from convention.

Previously, he didn’t care about being either short-lived or long-lived.

Now with attachments in his heart, and seeing the young lady daily like that, he can no longer easily let go.

——

An update on the finale will be posted early morning.

Suggest everyone check tomorrow morning, love you all!