Chapter 22 - Treatment under pressure

**8:30 PM**

*Private Hospital, Mid-Levels - Chengdong's Ward*

Dr. Wang and the nurse entered the ward.

"Why do we have to conduct treatment at night? Isn't it usually done during the day?" Mr. Song inquired.

"Today marks the first day. We need to perform a physical examination first," Dr. Wang explained.

"Mr. Song, the injection treatment won't commence until tomorrow morning," the nurse added.

After Mr. Song left the room, Dr. Wang conducted a series of tests on Chengdong and arranged for him to undergo a scan.

**Five Days Later**

Chengdong had been receiving injection treatments for four days. That day, after completing his session, he was wheeled back to his room and woke up an hour later.

"Cough, cough," Chengdong said, struggling.

"Son, are you awake?" Mrs. Song asked gently.

Chengdong nodded weakly. "Dad, what's wrong? Why does my hand feel like it's been pricked by a needle? It hurts."

"Because you lost a significant amount of blood from your suicide attempt, the doctor performed a blood transfusion while you were unconscious," Mr. Song replied.

"Then why didn't you just let me die and give me a transfusion to keep me alive?" Chengdong whispered.

"Son, there's some bad news. Your liver has lost its function, and starting tomorrow, you'll need medication to support it," Mrs. Song said softly.

"Whatever, do as you wish," Chengdong replied, his expression blank.

**The Next Morning, 9:00 AM - Osaka, Japan**

Jia Le and Michelle arrived at Osaka Airport and took a bus to Nihonbashi.

On the bus, Jia Le asked anxiously, "Michelle, how are you? Where do you feel uncomfortable?"

"I'm fine, just a bit tired," Michelle replied.

"Go ahead and rest for a while. I'll wake you when we arrive," Jia Le said.

**Ninety Minutes Later - Arrival at the Apartment**

At 11:00 AM in the Nihonbashi-Meile Apartment, as they entered their room, Michelle nearly fainted, but Jia Le caught her just in time.

"Are you okay? Let's get you to your room to rest. You might just be exhausted," he said, concerned.

"I'm a little tired," Michelle admitted.

She retreated to her room to sleep.

**10:00 AM - Private Hospital, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong**

In the injection treatment room, Chengdong was wheeled in by a nurse. Several patients recognized him.

"Isn't he the model, Song Chengdong? Why is he here? I heard he got married, left the entertainment industry to manage the Song family business, and now he has cancer," one patient remarked.

Chengdong felt uneasy hearing this and sat quietly during the treatment.

"Mr. Song, you'll feel more comfortable if you lower the chair," the nurse instructed.

Chengdong lay back, recalling a similar treatment he had undergone a decade ago. It lasted three hours, and throughout he felt increasingly fatigued. To cope, he tried to sleep as much as possible. During a break, he overheard nurses discussing his past scandals.

"Oh, Mr. Song is so unfortunate. His situation mirrors that of the Huang couple, who both died after jumping off a building. He lost his wife in a car accident and is now left all alone," one nurse commented.

Chengdong pretended to be asleep, tears streaming down his face.

**One Week Later - Osaka, Japan, 2:00 PM**

In the kitchen of the apartment, Michelle woke up to find Jia Le cooking.

"I fell asleep," Michelle said.

"You didn't just fall asleep; you fainted from exhaustion and fever. I gave you a cold shot, and you should be feeling better soon," Jia Le replied.

"Thank you, dear," Michelle said gratefully.

Jia Le embraced her. "You're my wife and a wonderful doctor's wife. This is just a small matter."

"When are we going to the beauty clinic?" Michelle asked.

"I've booked it for 10 AM tomorrow. It's close by," Jia Le answered.

"Okay," Michelle nodded.

"Don't worry, you're recovering. We'll travel around Japan; I've taken a few months off," Jia Le reassured her.

Michelle smiled in agreement.

"Come, it's time for lunch," he said, and they enjoyed a meal together.

Michelle ate a little before stopping.

"What's wrong? Are you still not feeling well? Why aren't you eating?" Jia Le asked, checking her forehead.

"I'm sorry; the food is delicious, but I just don't have an appetite," Michelle replied.

"It's alright. If you can't eat, it's fine," Jia Le reassured her.

**One Week Later - Hong Kong, Mid-Levels Private Hospital, Chengdong's Ward, 6:00 PM**

Chengdong angrily threw his food onto the floor.

"I don't want to eat anything! What kind of treatment is this? My bed is covered in hair, and my lips are so dry they bleed!" Chengdong shouted.

"Mr. Song, please calm down. This is a side effect of the treatment," the nurse replied.

"What kind of liver treatment is this?" Chengdong demanded.

"This isn't liver treatment; your liver has lost all function. This is an injection treatment for terminal cancer," the nurse clarified.

"What injection treatment? When did I sign the consent form?" Chengdong asked, agitated.

"Your parents signed the consent form," the nurse explained.

"Those parents again! They've been trying to push me to death since I was a child!" Chengdong cried out.

In the days that followed, Chengdong continued with his treatments and physical therapy, while Mr. and Mrs. Song and Scott believed he was progressing well. In truth, Chengdong was secretly plotting something else.

**A Week Later - Osaka, Japan, 7:00 PM**

At the Osaka Beauty Hospital Clinic, Michelle had just exited the treatment room when Dr. Sorimachi encountered Jia Le.

"Dr. Gu, your wife's plastic surgery went very well. She is expected to be discharged in three weeks, though she may look slightly different," Dr. Sorimachi informed him.

"Thank you, Dr. Sorimachi," Jia Le replied.

After Dr. Sorimachi left, Michelle asked, "What did the doctor say?"

"She said you're recovering nicely, though you may appear a bit different. That's irrelevant; we'll take wedding photos in Osaka since we just got engaged," Jia Le assured her.

Michelle hugged Jia Le tightly. "Thank you, Jia Le."

**July 28, 2008 - Hong Kong**

*Private Hospital, Mid-Levels, Outside the Treatment Room, 3:00 PM*

Chengdong had just completed his treatment when the nurse wheeled him out.

"Mr. Song, I'll be right back after I grab some supplies," the nurse said.

"Okay," Chengdong replied.

He maneuvered the wheelchair toward the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor.

**On the Tenth Floor - Open-Air Garden, 3:10 PM**

Chengdong pushed the wheelchair to a secluded corner of the garden pavilion.

Steadying himself against the wall, he stood up from the wheelchair. Those in the garden noticed something was amiss. He climbed to the edge of the pavilion and sat down.

A nurse quickly alerted Scott. "Doctor Scott! It's urgent! Mr. Song is alone in the corner of the rooftop garden and appears to be contemplating jumping!"

Onlookers gathered below, including Mr. and Mrs. Song and Mi Qiang, who rushed to the top floor. Scott hurried after them.

"Chengdong! What are you doing? Come down immediately!" Scott shouted.

"Are my parents coming too?" Chengdong asked, tears in his eyes.

"Yes, they're on their way," Scott replied.

Suddenly, Chengdong burst into laughter.

"I'm so foolish! I forgot the treatment I received ten years ago! I doubted the side effects after a few days! Those two old folks have been pressuring me since I was seventeen! Ten years later, they still won't let me go even though I'm terminal! I have to obey them in everything! Enough is enough!" Chengdong exclaimed loudly.

At that moment, Mr. and Mrs. Song and Mi Qiang arrived.

"Chengdong! Please calm down! Don't do anything reckless!" Mi Qiang pleaded.

"Mi Qiang, I've made you feel ugly. Now I'll show you how ugly my life truly is. Do you know why I haven't returned to Korea in the last decade? Because of them! They're not even as good as my parents! Let me share a secret that neither Michelle nor Jia Le knows! They are not my biological parents! I'm an orphan!" Chengdong proclaimed, tears and laughter mingling on his face.

Chengdong was trembling and crying.

Seeing him lose his balance, Scott sprang into action while Mr. and Mrs. Song lowered their heads in sorrow.

"Yes, it's true. Chengdong was adopted. His mother was a dear friend of mine, and she passed away from cancer," Mrs. Song sobbed.

"When he was sixteen, he overheard the truth outside the study and ran away from home out of excitement," Mr. Song added.

Chengdong continued to cry, feeling the weight of his reality.

**-End-**