Chapter 123
Upon hearing the doctor's words, Subordinate Number One and Subordinate Two, standing on the side, one reddened their eyes, while the other could not bear to look and lowered their head.
The entire room seemed to be shrouded in an invisible heavy shadow, pressing down on everyone to the point of struggling to breathe.
Subordinate Number One still did not want to give up and looked up at the doctor: "Is there no other way?"
The doctor shook his head in shame: "...There is no precedent for Chen Mo's illness. To have lasted until now is already a miracle."
Subordinate Two couldn't bear to look at Chen Mo's expression, lowering her head with trembling lips.
How could this be...
These past few days, Chen Mo's condition has been evident to all.
Ever since learning of Ji Nian's existence, Chen Mo's entire demeanor changed. Before, he would sit in his wheelchair by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the scenery outside, undisturbed, and could spend an entire day like that.
His life seemed only to revolve around revenge.
Then he encountered Ji Nian, and even before knowing she was his little niece, he began to take an interest in her after returning from work. He even researched her old essays. Subordinate Two occasionally glanced at him and saw the faintest hint of a smile on his lips.
After discovering Ji Nian's true identity, he suddenly channeled an astonishing surge of vitality. Even upon learning that he had been pursuing the wrong culprit all these years—a revelation that would have crushed most people—it did not defeat him.
During this period, Chen Mo's mood visibly improved. He even went to the supermarket to buy snacks for the child himself.
The three of them, having never raised a child, had no idea about children's tastes. On the suggestion of Subordinate Number One, Chen Mo practically cleared out the entire snack aisle.
He even visited children's clothing stores, daily necessities stores, and checked out furniture stores.
Subordinate Number One and Two observed all this and felt a sense of comfort.
Ji Nian had also mentioned that she would come to play with Chen Mo, and they had made plans, prepared activities that would delight a young girl, and chose the best-lit room in Chen's home for her. If she came to stay, she would have the best of everything.
But now, instead of anticipation, the first to arrive was the news of Chen Mo's deteriorating health.
Like a heavy mountain, it pressed down on everyone's hearts.
"I understand. You can all leave now."
The tension in the air was broken by Chen Mo's voice.
He appeared calm and collected, as if he had accepted this devastating news with equanimity.
Subordinate Two wanted to say something but was stopped by Subordinate Number One, who shook her head.
Subordinate Number One then led everyone out, leaving Chen Mo alone with his thoughts.
At this moment, no one could feel the pain more than Chen Mo himself.
After everyone left, Chen Mo sat on the bed where he had spent so many years.
Not only was his lower body numb, but he felt his heart had lost all sensation.
Was it still beating?
He found himself questioning this, repeating the action twice before placing his palm in the correct position to feel his heartbeat.
"Perhaps it's retribution..."
Bringing a poison not meant for this world here, amassing wealth through it, boosting his own power, believing he was justified, allowing himself to sink into depravity, blaming everything on vengeance.
In the end, he had even found the wrong person to blame.
Chen Mo's illness started five years ago. At that time, he thought it was due to excessive stress. It wasn't until one day when he suddenly collapsed on the street, unable to feel his legs, that he realized something was seriously wrong.
No matter how much he investigated, he couldn't find the cause, and his body visibly deteriorated.
Back then, Chen Mo felt this might be his retribution.
However, at that time, he was solely focused on revenge. Even if it meant his own demise, as long as Ji Tingzhou paid the price, it didn’t matter.
But fate always has a twisted sense of humor.
He wrongfully targeted the wrong enemy and met Ji Nian.
Chen Mo no longer wanted to die.
He wanted to be a good uncle, wanted to find the true culprits that had toyed with him for so long, and someday, when he had the courage, to apologize to those he had harmed.
Yet, just as he had the strongest will to live, death was knocking at his door.
"Cough... cough... cough cough cough..."
Chen Mo clutched his chest, coughing heavily, his eyes filled with a sense of deep grievance.
Half an hour later, Subordinate Number One received a call from Chen Mo.
"Call an attorney."
At these words, the subordinate felt a complex mix of emotions.
"Yes, sir..."
Once receiving the news, the attorney quickly arrived at the scene.
In a very short time, Chen Mo's aura had shifted completely.
From him, you could no longer sense any emotional fluctuations; it was as if he had resigned to his fate.
"After my death, all my assets shall be transferred to my niece, Ji Nian."
Everyone realized at that moment that Chen Mo was preparing his affairs.
Some foreign assets, he left entirely to Subordinate Number One and Subordinate Two.
Surprised that they themselves were beneficiaries, they moved their lips to speak, wanting to refuse, but Chen Mo simply looked at them: "After serving me for so many years, go live the lives you’ve always wanted."
Tears involuntarily welled up in the eyes of Subordinate Number One and Two.
After spending an hour settling the estate, Chen Mo summoned the doctor again.
"Can I stand up? Tomorrow, I need to go to school to teach."
The doctor hesitated: "The medication's effect is insignificant now."
Chen Mo dismissed it: "Then increase the dosage."
One injection not enough? Then two. Two not enough? Then three. It will always work.
After all, he had little time left, and the side effects on his body could be dismissed.
The doctor, understanding, chose, under professional duty, to respect the patient’s wishes.
"Understood."
...
Ji Nian returned to school and, while with Shen Qingtang, learned that Chen Mo had also taken a leave on Monday when she hadn’t come. The class had conducted their lessons under a stand-in teacher.
"That's why..."
Just moments ago, when she tried to visit his office, she discovered he wasn't there.
Speaking of this, Ji Nian revealed to Shen Qingtang that Chen Mo was actually her uncle.
The girl almost dropped the tissue she held in shocked astonishment.
"What?"
Her expression full of surprise.
"Mr. Mo... is your uncle? Your mother's younger brother?"
Ji Nian nodded, not intending to conceal it, and recounted the story briefly.
Upon hearing that Ji Nian's biological mother had died in an accident, Shen Qingtang felt deep sorrow.@@novelbin@@
She held Ji Nian's hand, comforting her: "Don't be sad. She loved you."
Ji Nian nodded: "I know."
Learning this secret, Shen Qingtang felt a new closeness to Ji Nian and leaned in, whispering softly: "Don’t worry, I’ll keep your secret!"
Ji Nian patted her hand: "Good, ah, that stall's empty, you can go in."
Nodding, Shen Qingtang hurried over, opening the door, her thoughts pondering how nice it was for Ji Nian to have an uncle now.
She thought of herself, wondering if there was anyone waiting for her too.
Chi Yi once mentioned she knew her father wasn't an orphan; that he was separated from family at a young age, implying the existence of grandparents.
Shen Qingtang shook these thoughts off.
She was at it again...
But everything is fine as it is now. She shouldn’t be greedy.
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