Chapter 9 - Quarrel

**Hong Kong North Lantau Hospital - Reception, 10 AM**

Mrs. Song hurried into the hospital, her anxiety palpable.

"Excuse me, could you tell me which ward Song Chengdong is in?" she implored, urgency lacing her voice.

"He's in the ICU on the fifth floor, Room 5," the receptionist replied.

They proceeded to the elevator.

**Inside the Elevator**

"Daddy, what are we going to do? Our child has never been this ill before, and now he's talking about suicide! It's our fault he's in this situation," Song Ci'en cried, her voice trembling with distress.

"Ci'en, please don't blame yourself. I share the responsibility," Song Zhengxian reassured her.

Upon exiting the elevator, they saw Jiale and Michelle waiting outside the ICU.

**Outside ICU, Room 5, 10:10 AM**

"Uncle Song, Aunty Song," Michelle and Jiale greeted in unison.

"Thank you for staying with our Xiaodong overnight," Mrs. Song expressed gratefully.

"Has Chengdong regained consciousness?" Mr. Song inquired.

"Not yet, he remains in a coma," Jiale replied somberly.

"You must be hungry too. Please, go eat something," Mrs. Song insisted.

At that moment, a reporter lurked outside the ICU, attempting to capture photos while chatting with his nurse girlfriend.

"I heard that Song Chengdong attempted suicide due to Michelle Chen. Gu Jiale is said to be the third party involved. I also heard he has stage two leukemia," Xiaocong whispered.

Jiale, overhearing the exchange as he left the ward, pulled Xiaocong into the corridor.

"Is it really necessary to be so unethical as a reporter? People are suffering, and you want to sensationalize this tragedy?" Jiale exclaimed, gripping Xiaocong's sleeve in frustration.

"Mr. Gu, you misunderstood. He's taking photos to raise awareness and help find a suitable bone marrow donor for Chengdong. The doctors mentioned that a match could save him," the nurse clarified.

Michelle, who had been nearby, overheard the conversation.

"Brother Jiale, Xiaocong's idea isn't bad. It might help us find a suitable donor for Chengdong. I'm willing to get tested as well," Michelle declared.

"Just ensure that the message focuses solely on seeking public help for bone marrow donations, and avoid any negative stories," Jiale cautioned.

"Don't worry, Mr. Gu. Chengdong has always helped me in the past, and I will do everything I can to assist him," Xiaocong promised.

After finishing breakfast, they returned to Chengdong's ward.

"Aunty, Uncle, please go back to the hotel and rest," Michelle urged.

"We can't leave Chengdong. We'll stay until he wakes up," Mr. Song insisted.

"Then at least grab a bite to eat; we'll keep an eye on Chengdong while you're gone," Jiale suggested.

Mr. Song stepped out of the ward.

"Brother Jiale, do you think it's too much to announce his illness publicly?" Michelle inquired.

"I spoke with the doctor last night. If we can't find a suitable bone marrow donor within a month, I fear..." Jiale's voice trailed off.

"What do you mean? Tell me!" Michelle urged, her eyes wide with worry.

"If we don't find a match, Chengdong may only have six months left to live," Jiale confessed.

"What?! That can't be true! Chengdong can't be that sick!" Michelle exclaimed, disbelief etched on her face.

"It's his second relapse; the situation is quite dire. Excuse me, my phone is ringing," Jiale replied, stepping away.

Michelle took Chengdong's hand, her heart heavy.

"Why are your hands so cold? Chengdong, please wake up! Don't you remember our wedding plans? You came to Hong Kong so quickly; it must be for our ceremony, right? Please wake up; your parents are here," she pleaded, tears streaming down her face.

Her tears fell on Chengdong's hand, stirring him from his slumber.

"Michelle, don't leave me!" Chengdong murmured weakly.

"Silly! I've been right here all along," Michelle reassured him.

"Michelle, can I ask you something? What do you think of Jiale?" Chengdong queried, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Why are you asking about this now, right after waking up?!" she replied, taken aback.

"I'm sorry, Michelle. I've kept so many things from you. I thought these secrets would die with me, but..." Chengdong admitted, guilt-ridden.

Michelle pressed her finger to his lips.

"Song Chengdong! Don't talk like that; it's bad luck! I know everything. Jiale told me," she said, her voice quavering as she fought back tears.

Chengdong wiped her tears away gently.

"I won't allow you to cry, Michelle! I'm sorry for making you sad," he said, smiling through his pain.

Summoning all his strength, Chengdong attempted to sit up.

"Chengdong, what are you doing?!" Michelle exclaimed, panic rising in her voice.

"I've been lying down for nearly two days; my legs are going numb," he replied.

Just then, Jiale entered and saw the scene unfold.

"Chengdong, don't get up so quickly! You could hurt yourself!" Jiale urged, concern etched on his face.

Chengdong watched the two of them standing close together.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you two were the engaged couple," he remarked, a smile masking his discomfort.

"Song Chengdong! What are you saying? Michelle is your fiancée! If you weren't stuck in that bed, I'd have slapped you by now!" Jiale retorted, anger flaring.

Mr. Song emerged from the cafeteria, just having finished his meal.

"Lying in bed?! If I hadn't come to Hong Kong recently, you two would have been a couple ages ago, wouldn't you?!" Chengdong shouted, frustration spilling over.

Michelle, hearing this, dashed out of the ward in tears.

Mr. Song entered, visibly upset, and confronted Chengdong.

"Son! How could you say that about your fiancée?! You've gone too far!" he reprimanded.

"Song Chengdong! Do you realize Michelle fainted while donating blood for you? The nurses had to stop her, but she insisted on continuing! You know how deeply she cares for you!" Jiale added, his voice rising in anger.

Chengdong fell silent.

"Son, your words have deeply hurt Michelle," Mrs. Song said softly.

Jiale, infuriated, stormed out of the ward.

Chengdong, pulling out his IV, rushed out in search of Michelle.

"Son, where are you going?!" Mr. Song called after him, worry evident in his tone.

Chengdong spotted Jiale and Michelle huddled in a corner.

Michelle stood outside the ward, tears streaming down her face.

"Michelle, please don't hold it against Chengdong. I'm sure he didn't mean any harm," Jiale consoled her.

"I'm not angry; I...I think I might have feelings for you too," Michelle confessed, guilt and tears mingling.

Jiale embraced her tightly.

Chengdong, overhearing their conversation, felt his heart shatter. In a moment of desperation, he felt blood trickle from his hand and collapsed. The sound of his fall jolted Michelle and Jiale awake. The Song couple, just leaving the ward, witnessed the embrace.

Jiale rushed over.

"Chengdong! Chengdong! Quick, call for a doctor!" he yelled, panic taking hold.

**Outside the Emergency Room, 2 PM**

"Michelle, you should go home, shower, and change before returning," Jiale suggested.

"Okay, I'll head home first," Michelle agreed.

She took a taxi to the Tung Chung Bus Station and then caught a shuttle bus home.

**In Chengdong's Villa, 3:30 PM**

In the bathroom, Michelle wrestled with her emotions.

"Am I really that cheap? How could I develop feelings for my fiancé's best friend? No! I only love Chengdong; I'm certain of it!" she asserted.

Suddenly, her phone rang.

"Hello, is this Miss Chen Michelle? We're calling from the hospital to inform you that your bone marrow is a suitable match for Song Chengdong's transplant. Please come to the hospital immediately, as he has fainted again and requires a transplant urgently," the nurse said.

"Okay! I'll be there right away!" Michelle replied, astonished.

In less than an hour, she showered, changed her clothes, and packed her things before heading back to the hospital.

**North Lantau Hospital - Cancer Department - Outside Chengdong's Ward, 4:30 PM**

Michelle noticed Jiale speaking with several doctors.

One doctor, Scott, who had flown in from Korea, looked at Michelle in astonishment.

"Who... who are you?!" Scott asked, taken aback.

"I'm Song Chengdong's fiancée, Michelle Chen," she responded.

"She... she looks just like Xue! It's uncanny!" Scott exclaimed, amazed.

**-End-**