Chapter 2: Annual Visit

"Sir, I've got the information on your grandchild, here are the medical files on his diagnosis" Ji Hanwu's secretary told the old man as he handed the medical files onto the man's table.

"Thank you for the work, you are dismissed" the secretary had turned around, Ji Hanwu quickly skimmed over the entirety of the medical report.

[ Patient Name and Number: Gao Yan 3432#

Birth Date: August 8 20XX

Symptoms: Difficulty breathing, pain in areas ( Can't be described as the patient can't speak ) which results in crying often, coughing resulted in a mixture of spit and phlegm, oftentimes fast breathing, wheezing, fatigue... Blah blah blah medical speak

Pre-emptive diagnosis; Pertaining to the patients symptoms: Severe case of asthma, results from pathology will confirm if the patient's condition is worse than previously thought ]

Just as the secretary was leaving the room Ji Hanwu's voice interrupted him "I need you to do one more thing, speed up the tests in pathology and give me the report", "Of course sir" the secretary nodded once again calling the various departments as to complete the task.

( A couple days later )

"Sir and Ma'am, there's something we need to tell you about your child Gao Yan, he's been born with one of the most severe cases of Cystic Fibrosis, what's been perplexing about his case is that fact neither of you have the gene required for Cystic Fibrosis and so the manner in which he gained it is still a mystery to us. We of course ran paternity and genetic testing on both of your blood samples which we had asked of you yesterday and he is both of your son which further perplexed us..." A doctor said to the shocked couple both of them sent worried looks towards one another before looking back towards the doctor for the further explanation.

"Well, Cystic fibrosis affects the protein that produces mucus, sweat and digestive juices. It causes these fluids to become thick and sticky rather than thin and slick. These fluids can end up plugging up air tubes, the digestive tract, and a whole slew of other things." He paused making sure they were still listening

"The symptoms may vary but are usually just coughs, repeated lung infections, inability to gain weight and fatty stools, but in his case we have no idea what his symptoms could be as it's so vastly different from what anyone has seen before" he looked at their saddening faces and his eyes shined with sympathy, the chances of something like this ever happening were truly infinitesimal and it was really unfortunate.

"There are treatments that may ease his symptoms and reduce complications, and there are many treatments to help alleviate the symptoms and effects of Cystic Fibrosis, that his however for normal cases, in this case of your son these treatments may not work to the full extent or not even work..." the doctor further began explaining the special case of their son, both parents emotions turned from shock, worry, expectancy and disappointment. ( Author Note: Literally just copied from google )

"I'm sorry, but at this point his life expectancy is between 10-20 years, he might reach the age of 23 if you have him on a constant treatment with the best specialists and the highest grade of equipment even the best hospitals in this China don't have..." This was what caught them truly off guard, all of their hopes of their son living a fulfilling life were vanquished

"It was stated within your history that the both of you are currently middle-wage workers, the treatments are going to be very expensive however most hospitals have a charity system or you can set up a GoFundMe page if that doesn't work out" This had been a metaphorical kick to the balls while you are unconscious from a being beaten up by a UFC fighter.

"Can… Can you give us some time to think alone?" Ji Yuxie asked the doctor who stood up and opened the door slightly and said "If you need anything, just knock on the door, again I'm sorry for not being able to provide the proper care" he said as he fully opened and closed the door leaving the room.

"I think we need to ask your father for help" Gao Dongguo started

"Yes, I'm going to call him right now" Ji Yuxie replied instantly after, Gao Dongguo was shocked however he thought that his wife would have more pushback when it came to her father and his money. Ji Yuxie had pulled out her phone which she had bought and never told her father her new number and began to dial her father's personal number which she had memorised long ago in case of emergencies

Ji Hanwu stared at his grandson's diagnosis and life expectancy, his face fully in deep solemn thought which he snapped out of when his personal phone began ringing, however the number calling was unknown nevertheless he picked it up.

"Ji Hanwu, what can I help you with?" his voice sounded over the phone

"Pa, it's me Ji Yuxie, I… we need your help, Gao Yan he's sick... and we can't afford the treatments... and... and I really need you, can you just please come over, I know I wasn't the greatest daughter and I rejected your money many times but please just help me…." The once stubborn woman who rejected her fathers money at all possible costs was now a sniveling mess, she needed her father for comfort and support right now.

"Of course, and don't say that you were my greatest gift I could have ever had, and I'm coming over right now, Ji Yu" Ji Hanwu's solemn voice sounded over the cellphone as he hung up and began making his way towards the hospital.

( 7 years later, Ages: Gao Yan 7, Gao Peng, 11. Cataclysm Countdown: 4 years ) ( Author Note: So the story in the novel begins when Gao Peng is 18 thats when he gets the system, and since 3 years had already past since the cataclysm had occurred we can do the math and Gao Peng is 15 when it begins so yeah the mc will be 11 when the cataclysm happens )

Gao Yan had been looking out of the window of the private hospital in Switzerland, the entirety of his memories had him here, he couldn't even view the outside world apart from the windows in the hospital or the various nature documentaries he had watched during his exhausting stay here, his eyes focused on the window built in his room, even then this isolated view on a single window plane had showed him the beauty of the world, he had seen the different seasons and animals -Though he could never touch or have as a pet, most pets would have fur or feathers that would cause irritation to his lungs- but now the world was being covered in a thin layer of soft snow causing the once lush greenery and animals to be hidden, even then this view was beautiful to him.

"Xiao Yan, we've got a present for you" Ji Yuxie's excited voice entered the ears of the boy who looked away from the window and looked towards the entrance of the room, as she entered Ji Hanwu, Gao Dongguo and Gao Peng entered the room after her.

"I know, how hard it's been for you and since you always wanted to touch the animals you see we decided to get you a pet" Gao Dongguo said, this had caused the boy to visibly perk up "Is it a Red panda? Turtle? Snake? Dog? Cat? Giant Panda, did you get me a Giant Panda?" Gao Yan had rapidly said in excitement.

"Ahm, not exactly, since the doctors said you couldn't get a pet that produced any waste -which could result in the worsening of his condition, the vast amounts of infections he's had to his digestive and respiratory have caused his immune system to do a 360° flip off the empire state building and then body slamming into a pool of water, that is to say, it crashed and broke into a thousand pieces-, or produce or have any fur as it would irritate your lungs…" Ji Hanwu's voice swiftly cut apart the boys excitement

"Jeez pa, don't ruin my baby's emotion's" Ji Yuxie said in mock anger.

"Anyway, we got you this'' she pulled out a box from within her bag and slowly began to unravel it "It's a rock" Gao Yan's deadpan had been noticed by the entire family causing them to laugh which had caused Ji Yuxies face to flush red.

"No, it's a Pet Rock!" she shouted, causing them to laugh harder. ( Author Note: You guys remember them? Just google search it and you'll find out what I'm talking about )

"You have to care for it and everything…" The family soon began to converse, however the sun soon began to set and the family slowly began to take leave, Ji Yuxie stayed in the room a little longer.

"How are you holding up? I know it's been hard on you, and I'm sorry for being such a terrible mother that you have to suffer like this" Her voice began to crack as she talked.

"It's okay ma, I really don't mind, the trips You, Peng and Pa make always brighten my birthday" Gao Yan began to comfort his sobbing mother, however the last sentence had caused her to further weep this in turn made Yan confused.

"Why are you crying? Is it something I said? Is Yan in trouble?" Yan said. ( Author Note: Talking in the third person? Who does that? Every Chinese little brother in every novel… I don't know why, it's the same as the Xiao *Name* thing just one of their things )

"No no honey, everything's alright, everything's going to be alright" she stopped crying, smiled towards her son and began to leave not before patting the small boy's head, this caused the boy to smile.

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AN: Literally just changed a bit and reposted this, sorry if you are upset cause of the bait...