Chapter 7 - The Truth

Jiale noticed a disturbance and promptly headed to Xueer's room. Upon entering, he found Michelle lying unconscious on the floor. Without a moment's pause, he helped her onto the bed.

"It appears she has a fever," Jiale observed. He quickly fetched his stethoscope to assess her condition.

"She's probably distracted by thoughts of Chengdong, especially after putting in extra hours today," he contemplated.

Jiale then made his way to the study to get some antipyretics, grabbing a bottle of mineral water from the kitchen on his way back. He set the items on the bedside table before going to the bathroom to fill a basin with cold water and retrieve a towel.

At Michelle's bedside, he gently wiped her forehead, noting the beads of sweat that continued to form.

"I'm so hot! Really hot!" Michelle murmured, caught in a state between sleep and consciousness.

"This pajama set is too heavy; I should help her into something lighter, like a sleeveless top," he thought.

After covering Michelle with a quilt, he assisted her in changing her clothing. During this process, he accidentally knocked his medical kit to the floor, causing his former doctor's name tag to fall onto the hanger beside the bed. He placed his hand on Michelle's forehead...

"Fortunately, her fever seems to have decreased. Wow! It's already three o'clock. I should get some rest," Jiale muttered softly.

Just as he was about to rise, Michelle grasped his hand.

"Chengdong, don't leave! I'm so tired!" she called out in her sleep.

In response, Jiale settled down on the other side of the bed and drifted off beside her.

The next morning at 7 o'clock, Michelle awoke to find Jiale sleeping next to her.

"Oh no! What happened last night? Why is Jiale beside me?!" she thought, her heart racing.

Her eyes landed on Jiale's doctor name tag on the floor, which she picked up.

"Gu Jiale, cancer specialist. Wait, Chengdong also left a note for me," she recalled.

Opening her purse, she found Chengdong's note...

It read: "Gu Jiale is my godbrother and personal doctor. Here's his contact number."

When Michelle checked Jiale's mobile number in her phone, it matched exactly.

"This… this can't be! Is Chengdong battling cancer? This can't be true," Michelle exclaimed, panic rising within her.

Jiale stirred awake, noticing Michelle holding his name tag and note, and quickly snatched it from her hands.

"How did you come by my name tag?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

"Why are you so worried? What are you and Chengdong keeping from me?" Michelle pressed.

After a brief silence, Jiale replied, "I'll get something from my study to explain."

Ten minutes later, Jiale returned to Xueer's room with a photo album.

As Michelle flipped through it, she gasped at a photo of Chengdong at seventeen.

"This is Chengdong at seventeen. You must have met him after October when he was sixteen. He was diagnosed with leukemia in August. I was his attending physician, and his condition was considered terminal. Fortunately, his cousin donated bone marrow, and he made a full recovery," Jiale explained.

"What about that pill?" Michelle asked.

"That was a restricted painkiller, only given by cancer specialists. I fear Chengdong's cancer may have returned," Jiale responded solemnly.

Tears filled Michelle's eyes as Jiale wrapped her in a comforting embrace.

"I understand your feelings. Let it out; I'm here for you. I'll talk to Chengdong. Don't worry, everything will be alright," Jiale reassured her.

"Oh! I'm sorry! It wouldn't look good if Chengdong saw us like this," Michelle said, suddenly aware of their closeness.

"Speaking of which, it's amusing. He used to come to the hospital frequently for meals and swimming. That was six years ago when he was 21," Jiale reminisced.

Six years prior, in Hong Kong, 2002

At Elizabeth Hospital - Cancer Department, 3 PM, Chengdong waited outside Jiale's office when he noticed Jiale and Xue chatting and holding hands. Anger surged through him as he approached.

"Xiaoxue, what are you doing in Hong Kong? Do you know Jiale?" Chengdong asked, frustration evident.

"I'm sorry, I don't know you. I'm not Michelle," Xue replied, her voice tinged with a Japanese accent.

Jiale intervened, "Let go of her hand! You're frightening my fiancée. She's not Michelle; her name is Xue, and she's Japanese."

"Ah, sorry! I thought you were my girlfriend," Chengdong said, embarrassment creeping in.

May 4, 2008, Hong Kong

Michelle chuckled, "Is it really that similar? How funny! No wonder Chengdong mentioned there's another me out there."

As she turned the pages of the album, she saw a picture of herself with Chengdong.

"Where did you get this photo?" Michelle exclaimed in surprise.

"Chengdong gave it to me as a keepsake," Jiale replied.

"We were so in love back then, but now it feels like he's hiding so much from me," Michelle lamented.

"From now on, you can call me Brother Jiale. You must be hungry; I'll whip up some breakfast," Jiale offered.

After breakfast, Michelle wore a dress that Xue had adored in life. When she came downstairs, Jiale was taken aback.

"Xue!" he exclaimed in surprise.

"I'm sorry, my clothes were dirty. I thought this dress was lovely, so I wore it. I'll wash it and return it to you," Michelle explained.

"No worries at all! I'm just surprised you and Xue have the same taste. Let's go; I'll take you shopping in Tsim Sha Tsui," Jiale suggested.

"No! It's too expensive there; I can't afford it!" Michelle protested.

"Don't fret, the company will cover the expenses; they'll deduct it from your salary," Jiale whispered in her ear.

Soon after, Jiale drove them in his sports car.

Tsim Sha Tsui - Harbour City, 11 AM

They entered a Chanel store.

"Mr. Gu! What a surprise to see you here so early!" A Lin greeted them.

"A Lin, please help this lady achieve a star-like look. She's got a press conference tomorrow," Jiale instructed.

"Oh! So, she's the rumored girlfriend featured in the magazine. She's stunning! Miss, please follow me," A Lin said, leading them to a private makeup studio.

In the studio,

"Ms. Chen, welcome! You're quite fortunate. Mr. Gu rarely brings newcomers here. You're the first," A Lin declared cheerfully.

"A Lin, stop with the nonsense. Miss Chen is my good brother's fiancée; there's no ulterior motive," Jiale clarified.

"Understood! I'll need four hours to make you look angelic! Is the press conference today or tomorrow?" A Lin asked.

"Tomorrow!" they both replied in unison.

"Oh! You two are so in sync; it's adorable! What time is the conference?" A Lin smiled.

"Tomorrow afternoon at 2 PM," Jiale replied.

"Today, we'll focus on her outfit. Unfortunately, we can't finalize the headdress today. Miss Chen, please return at 11:30 tomorrow," A Lin instructed.

She stepped into the closet and emerged with five outfits for Michelle.

"Try these on," A Lin encouraged.

"Thank you!" Michelle replied, taking the clothes into the dressing room.

"Wow, such a beautiful lady!" A Lin remarked.

"Do you remember the famous Asian model, Song Chengdong? She's his fiancée," Jiale mentioned casually.

"What a pity! I thought I had a chance with him," A Lin mused.

"I'm heading to the restroom," A Lin said before exiting.

Jiale approached the dressing room, hearing Michelle's voice from within.

"Is everything alright? What do you need?" he asked.

"I… I can't zip this up," Michelle admitted.

"Open the door," Jiale instructed.

Inside the dressing room,

"Here, let me help you with your hair. There, all done," Jiale said.

"Thanks, Brother Jiale," Michelle replied, their eyes locking. She wore a low-cut dress that accentuated her figure, and in a moment of impulse, Jiale leaned in and kissed her. To his surprise, Michelle didn't pull away.

They embraced until A Lin knocked on the door...

"Is everything okay, Miss Chen?" A Lin inquired.

- The End -