Chapter 18 - perish together

**Mid-Levels Private Hospital - Chengdong Ward. 10 PM.**

Jiale entered the room and noticed Michelle sleeping next to the bed. He gently patted her shoulder.

"Michelle, you haven't eaten anything all night. I brought you some bread. Please eat," Jiale said.

"I'm not hungry. Thank you," Michelle replied softly.

"You look worn out from taking care of Chengdong. Do you regret marrying him?" Jiale inquired.

"I actually owe him a lot. Over the past seven years, he has constantly thought about me, worrying about everything. He never took a break for himself. I still remember our third anniversary when we went skiing in Korea. He promised to work hard to provide us a good life and to marry me soon. He proposed when we reached our fourth year together, but I turned him down repeatedly. I always made excuses about my studies or career. I know he felt heartbroken each time I rejected him. I was so foolish! I never realized just how seriously ill he was. He always masked his suffering with a smile. In truth, he was the one who endured the most," Michelle said, tears streaming down her face.

"Indeed, Chengdong was even more unfortunate before he met you," Jiale replied.

"How did you two first meet?" Michelle asked.

"Interestingly, he wasn't my patient initially. We crossed paths at the Star Ferry Pier when he was just a teenager. He was strikingly handsome back then—tall, with a charming smile, and very fit. He was a well-known model in Hong Kong. His Chinese was quite poor, heavily accented with Korean. Luckily, I was 26 and had worked in Korea, so I understood some Korean," Jiale explained.

"No wonder you found it easy to converse with him. Did you call him by his Chinese name?" Michelle asked.

**January 12, 1992. Hong Kong.**

**Star Pier. 12 AM.**

Chengdong stood alone at the pier, lost in thought.

"Hey, little brother, why are you out here by yourself?" Jiale asked.

"You... you don't need to worry about me! My parents are busy with the company, and I... I don't have any friends! Now... now the doctor is talking to me..." Chengdong said, before fainting, blood streaming from his nose.

Jiale swiftly carried him to a nearby hospital.

**Queen Elizabeth Hospital - Emergency Room. 12:30 AM.**

"What's the situation with this patient, Doctor Gu?" the nurse inquired.

"I was at the Star Pier when I saw this young man suddenly collapse with a nosebleed, so I brought him here," Jiale responded.

At that moment, Scott entered the emergency room.

"This guy!? He was just discharged today. He's quite notable—studying at an international high school and also an actor and supermodel. His name is Song Chengdong. Sadly, he was diagnosed with early leukemia today. It's tragic," Scott said, showing Jiale a magazine featuring Chengdong.

"How can someone so famous be alone at the Star Ferry? Where are his parents?" Jiale asked.

"He has frequently visited my clinic. He lives with his cousin in Hong Kong, and for the past six months, no one has accompanied him for follow-ups except his cousin. He tends to be very withdrawn. His Chinese is worse than mine, and he has a strong Korean accent, which makes communication challenging. He doesn't like talking to people," Scott explained.

"Has he not started treatment or is he lacking a suitable bone marrow donor?" Jiale inquired.

"How can he start? He has a very stubborn personality," Scott replied, frustration evident in his voice.

"Then I will speak to him," Jiale decided.

**8 AM the next morning.**

**In Chengdong's ward.**

"I don't want to eat breakfast! I want to be discharged!" Chengdong shouted.

Jiale entered the room...

"Annyeonghasibnikka! Nae ileum-Eun 'Gu Jiale'." Jiale greeted.

"Stop it! It's not like I can't understand Chinese! Why are you speaking Korean to me? I'm not interested!" Chengdong retorted angrily.

"Song Chengdong, you're only 16. If you don't plan on getting a transplant, you'll die," Jiale said.

"Let me die if I want! I have no family or girlfriend! Dying would be better!" Chengdong cried.

"I checked, and you have parents in Korea. Why did you come to Hong Kong to study and pursue acting without informing them?" Jiale pressed.

"They aren't my real parents! I told them I was sick, but they ignored me. They didn't even call! Just sent me texts! What kind of parents behave like that?" Chengdong sobbed.

**July 6, 2008. Hong Kong.**

**1 AM.**

"So Chengdong was already struggling back then," Michelle remarked.

Just then, Chengdong awoke, coughing severely.

"Water... I need water," he said weakly.

"Chengdong, are you awake? Let me get you a glass of water," Michelle offered.

Chengdong continued to cough as he drank.

"Xiaoxue, you should go home and freshen up. Scott and Jiale are here with me; I'll be fine," Chengdong insisted.

"Alright. Just call me if you need anything," Michelle replied.

**8 AM the next morning.**

**In Chengdong's ward.**

The nurse entered with breakfast.

"Good morning, Mr. Song. Here's your breakfast. I'll turn on the TV for you," the nurse said.

As the news played, it reported on a couple who jumped from a building due to the husband's terminal illness.

"Such a tragedy for Mr. Huang," the nurse commented to herself.

"I'm sorry, Miss Nurse. Was he your patient?" Chengdong asked.

"Yes, Mr. Huang was a terminal lung cancer patient at my previous hospital. They were very poor and couldn't afford medical expenses, despite having insurance. They jumped to secure money for their children. Mr. Huang deeply loved his wife," the nurse explained.

Chengdong listened closely and suddenly had an idea.

"Miss Nurse, am I cleared for discharge?" he asked.

"It should be fine for you to step out for a bit," she replied.

"Thank you," Chengdong said.

Half an hour later, Jiale entered the room.

"Good morning, Chengdong. Did you sleep well?" Jiale asked.

Chengdong remained silent, not responding.

"What's bothering you? What news were you watching?" Jiale probed.

"News about death," Chengdong answered flatly.

"Chengdong, what do you mean? What death news? Do you know that person?" Jiale pressed.

"It would be wonderful if Michelle and I could be like that couple," Chengdong said with a strange smile.

Jiale grabbed Chengdong's shoulder anxiously. "Chengdong, what are you thinking!? Don't joke around!"

Chengdong continued to smile vacantly, saying nothing.

**10 AM.**

Michelle arrived at the hospital.

**In Chengdong's ward.**

"Xiaoxue, did you sleep well last night?" Chengdong asked.

"Not too bad," Michelle replied.

"How about we go to the Buddha and get some fresh air now?" Chengdong suggested.

"Sure, you seem full of energy. Let's borrow a car from Jiale," Michelle said cheerfully.

"No need. I have one at home," Chengdong responded.

They left the hospital discreetly and took a taxi to Chengdong's company to retrieve his car.

**Central - Song Group - Parking Lot. 11 AM.**

"I'll drive," Michelle said.

"I'm feeling good now, so I'll drive," Chengdong insisted.

**12:30 PM.**

**Big Buddha - Dining Hall.**

They ordered a set lunch.

"I'm not that hungry," Chengdong admitted.

"At least drink some soup," Michelle encouraged.

Chengdong managed a few bites but soon excused himself to the restroom.

**In the restroom.**

Some boys noticed Chengdong vomiting blood.

"Are you okay?! Do you need an ambulance?" one of them asked.

"No... I'll be fine after this," Chengdong replied, struggling.

Chengdong then made his way to the Buddha statue, praying fervently.

"Buddha, I'm sorry! Please forgive me! I love my wife too much! I can't live without her! I'm willing to endure whatever punishment you give me! Just don't take her away! Please!" he cried, kneeling with incense.

As Chengdong continued to pray, Michelle emerged from the restroom, searching for him in distress.

"Chengdong! Chengdong!" she called out.

Hearing her voice, Chengdong quickly wiped his tears and approached her.

"Xiaoxue, I'm here," he said softly.

"You scared me! You look terrible. Why don't we go back to the hospital?" Michelle urged, concerned.

Chengdong nodded.

**In the car. 1:30 PM.**

"Michelle, let me drive," Chengdong said.

"Are you sure you can handle it?! If not, I can take over," Michelle replied, worried.

"I'm fine, really," Chengdong assured her.

As they drove up the mountain, Chengdong suddenly grasped Michelle's arm.

"Michelle, why don't we just drive off the mountain together?!" he suggested excitedly.

"Chengdong! What are you saying?! Calm down! Pull over! Let me drive!" Michelle shouted.

"I refuse! I can't stand watching you suffer as I struggle! Just die with me! I know you love me! You'd sacrifice for me!" Chengdong pleaded.

"Chengdong! You're losing it! Pull over! This is a cliff; it's dangerous!" she shouted back.

At that moment, another vehicle approached from the opposite direction. Michelle quickly unbuckled both their seatbelts, climbed over to Chengdong, opened the door, and pushed him out of the car. Unfortunately, she was struck by the oncoming vehicle, while Chengdong was pushed out and the rear wheel grazed his back and foot.

The driver of the other car promptly called for help.

"Hello! 119! There's been a serious accident! A couple is severely injured!" the driver reported urgently.

Chengdong and Michelle were both transported to Mid-Levels Private Hospital simultaneously.

**-End-**