Chapter 263: Chapter 263

Ji Rui never thought there would be such a day, where the person accompanying him through the hard times would be the little secretary he had once doubted and ridiculed, Le Tong.

During the few days at the hospital, he watched with his own eyes as she tended to his precious son with care and gentleness.

The hospital staff initially thought Le Tong was the baby’s mother. Later, after learning that she was just an outsider with no relation to the baby, they expressed their surprise, saying that even a biological mother might not do as much as Le Tong did.

Frankly speaking, ever since Le Tong came to the hospital, she’s been working harder than he has as the child’s father.

Cooking for the baby, feeding him, helping him bathe, accompanying him for walks, telling him stories—it’s Le Tong, this outsider, who has been doing these repetitive and tedious tasks every day.

It’s not that he, as the father, was unwilling to take on these responsibilities, but rather, both the baby and Le Tong refused to let him handle these matters.

Previously, Ji Rui thought his son was very attached to him, but now, with Le Tong around, he truly understands what attachment means.

Moreover, it’s a different kind of attachment.

The baby’s attachment to Le Tong is more of a pure, instinctive reliance and trust. Furthermore, he’s afraid of making Le Tong upset, and even if he notices a hint of displeasure in her eyes, the little one immediately acts all adorable to apologize and ask for forgiveness.

To be accurate, in front of Le Tong, the baby acts more like a genuine five-year-old child, full of innocence and completely without any scheming.

But towards Ji Rui, despite being attached, he still throws tantrums and exhibits moods without any reduction. In front of Ji Rui, the baby is a willful little guy who occasionally shows some cunning; however, Ji Rui usually just turns a blind eye.

To be honest, whether it’s the unscheming good baby in front of Le Tong or the cunningly willful baby in front of himself, both are his beloved son.

Nonetheless, he hopes the baby can have a simpler life without having to constantly think and scheme about the complexities of the adult world; he only needs to live happily and simply like a five-year-old child.

Originally, these thoughts weren’t clear in Ji Rui’s mind, but after the baby got sick, these thoughts grew stronger day by day.

However, the baby’s illness made Ji Rui realize that letting the child live simply and happily seemed to be increasingly difficult.

All the results sent back from major hospitals were invariably, "Mr. Ji, sorry, we’ll try harder to find out for you..."

Ji Rui was well aware that the so-called effort from these hospital directors was no different from searching for a needle in a haystack. The hope for a successful match seemed to become slimmer and slimmer as time went on.

Ji Rui grew more silent with each passing day, and Le Tong seemed to be no better off.

She smiled brightly when accompanying the baby, but the moment she was out of the baby’s sight, Ji Rui had seen her hide in the bathroom for ten to twenty minutes, emerging with red eyes and her head hung low.

Every time Ji Rui saw Le Tong , his heart felt as if something was choking him, suffocating and uncomfortable. But at this moment, Ji Rui had no time to analyze these changes within himself.

That day, taking advantage of the baby’s nap, Ji Rui went to the director’s office, but Le Tong sensitively sensed something and insisted on going with him.

In the director’s office, besides the director, there was the baby’s attending physician, a man in his forties named Dong, whom the baby always called Doctor Uncle.

"Mr. Ji, the baby’s condition is worsening day by day. Although he’s optimistic, continuing will only lead to further deterioration."

Doctor Dong looked worried, the baby having stayed in the hospital for ten-plus days, charming the doctors and nurses, his allure being unrivaled.

"Doctor Dong, please arrange for a marrow test for me tomorrow." Ji Rui seemed to have made this decision after serious consideration.

Doctor Dong and the director remained silent for a while, eventually nodding in agreement.

When Ji Rui returned with his marrow test result from the director’s office, Le Tong could tell from his stern expression that the results were disappointing.

In the end, she didn’t ask Ji Rui, nor did he bring up the matter to her.

On the afternoon of the day when Ji Rui’s marrow match results were released, Le Tong took advantage of the baby’s nap, called Ji Rui out to the balcony, and carefully locked the door.

Ji Rui leaned against the railing, watching her, eyes lowered and lips pressed together, as if there was something difficult to say.

Already having a rough idea, "Le Tong, are you planning to return to D Province?"

Although Ji Rui hoped Le Tong would stay with the baby until the child conquered the illness, such hope was indeed too selfish.

Le Tong had left her budding career for nearly twenty days for Ji Rui and the baby, despite being neither relative nor spouse. Discover more novels at NoveI(F)ire.net

Such selflessness is something many couldn’t do, yet she had always done it without a single complaint.

Le Tong suddenly looked up, surprised at him, then shook her head vigorously, hurriedly clearing up.

"No, Mr. Ji, I have no plans to return to D Province."

Ji Rui was puzzled by Le Tong’s response; if she wasn’t planning to return to D Province, then why was she hesitating ?

As Ji Rui pondered deeply, he heard Le Tong hesitantly ask him,

"Mr. Ji... does the contract you mentioned earlier... still stand?"

Ji Rui suddenly lifted his head to look at her.

"Le Tong, what do you mean?"

Ji Rui frowned and stared at her intensely!

Her mentioning the contract now—did she intend to ask him for five million?

No wonder she was so quick to volunteer to stay with the baby; turns out, she was playing this clever game!!

Ji Rui’s heart seemed as if stirred by a stone, waves of suspicion and thoughts overwhelmed him.

As if in an instant, the good image Le Tong had built in his mind during this time crumbled completely due to her hesitant question.

Ha, desiring five million? It would have been better to be upfront from the beginning. Why bother with concealments?

For the sake of his beloved son, Ji Rui was willing to pay not just five million, but even five billion!

It’s just unfortunate for his precious son, who trusted and relied on this woman so much; turns out, all she did was for the money!

Le Tong seemed startled by Ji Rui’s sudden change in demeanor, and hesitated for a moment. Just when Ji Rui wanted to spit out some venomous words to mock her, he heard her speak.

"About that contract, I’m willing to unconditionally fulfill the part concerning being the baby’s mummy and taking care of him. As for the other half about being your woman, I believe neither of us has that intention, so I won’t fulfill that part, and I don’t want any money. Is that acceptable?"

[Chapter Four, ladies, good night.]