Chapter 24 - wedding and divorce

**Jiale's Office – 10:30 AM**

Scott inquired, "When do you plan to get married?"

"We've scheduled it for January 10, 2009. Be sure to mark your calendar," Jiale replied.

"Will Chengdong be invited?" Scott asked.

"I'm still undecided. We haven't spoken since our argument," Jiale admitted.

"Chengdong still thinks about you; he occasionally asks how you're doing. You should visit either the orphanage or the old house to find him. Here are the addresses," Scott suggested.

"Thank you. I'll make an effort to find him. I've been on a month-long break, but I'm returning to work soon," Jiale said.

"By the way, Chengdong's birthday is coming up in two months. Miqiang and I are planning to celebrate it. He has no friends or family besides us," Scott added with a hint of sadness.

"Does he really have no relatives? What about his parents?" Jiale questioned.

"After you and Michelle left for Japan, he nearly attempted suicide. His parents appeared soon after. He's actually from Hong Kong, not Korea. His mother passed away from cancer on the day he gave birth, and his father committed suicide a year later," Scott explained.

"I had no idea. Chengdong tends to keep things to himself. It makes sense why he hardly smiles; only Michelle could bring him joy," Jiale reflected.

"However, since Miqiang encouraged him, he has been open to treatment, and his mood has improved. While his mobility is slowly returning, he will never fully recover due to the effects of radiation therapy. He faces the possibility of being bedridden soon, which is truly unfortunate," Scott replied.

**October 31, 2008 – 10:30 AM**

*Inside the Dressing Room at a Nursery Home*

"Mr. Song, are you feeling okay today?" the director asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. Just a bit fatigued from an injection yesterday," Chengdong responded softly.

"This is a birthday present from our orphanage for you. We learned you lived here as a child," the director continued.

Chengdong fell silent, tears streaming down his face. The director offered comfort.

"Mr. Song, are you unwell? Do you need to take a leave today?" the director asked with concern.

"I... I'm alright. I'm just overwhelmed with happiness. I haven't received a gift in such a long time," Chengdong replied.

Following Chengdong's performance, a birthday celebration was organized at the orphanage, where a girl named Chen Xuefen was present.

*Playground – 12:30 PM*

"This is Mr. Song Chengdong, our clown performer. Miss Chen is here to tell stories for the children in place of Miss Wang," the director introduced.

"Hello, Mr. Song. I'm Xuefen," she said.

In reality, Xuefen was Michelle. Chengdong was taken aback when he heard her voice.

"Michelle! Is that you?" Chengdong exclaimed excitedly.

Xuefen (Michelle) looked at him in surprise, memories flooding back.

"Michelle! It's me, Chengdong! I've missed you so much!" he exclaimed.

The dean and some staff quickly restrained Chengdong.

"Mr. Song, please calm down. She isn't Michelle," the director said.

Overcome with emotion, Chengdong fainted, his nose bleeding.

They rushed him back to the hospital.

*Outside the Emergency Room at Mid-Levels Private Hospital – 1 PM*

Xuefen and the director waited outside the emergency room. Jiale and Scott hurried to join them. Upon seeing Xuefen, Jiale exclaimed, "Xuefen, what brings you to the hospital?!"

"A boy from the orphanage fainted and had a nosebleed, so we brought him here," Xuefen explained.

"Jiale, we need to head to the emergency room," Scott urged.

Xuefen and the director remained outside the emergency room.

"Mr. Song seems familiar," Xuefen remarked.

"He used to be quite famous, a supermodel and actor before his battle with cancer. Unfortunately, he is now in the terminal stage of his illness, and the treatment is arduous. The saddest part is that he has no family and very few friends. His wife lost her memory and hasn't visited him since leaving the hospital," the dean explained.

Xuefen excused herself to the restroom.

*In the Restroom*

Suddenly, Xuefen felt a sharp pain in her head, triggering memories of the car accident.

"Cheng... Chengdong! Was he trying to kill me!?" she gasped in realization.

She exited the restroom in tears, and Jiale, who had just come out of the emergency room, noticed her distress.

"Xuefen, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" he asked anxiously.

"Jiale! I'm scared! I remembered! He was the one who tried to kill me! The car accident was his doing!" Xuefen replied in a panic.

Scott and Dr. Jiang arrived on the scene.

"Did Michelle regain her memories?" Scott pondered aloud.

Seeing the concern in Jiale's eyes, he quickly pulled Michelle into his office.

*In Jiale's Office – 1:30 PM*

"Michelle, do you recall anything?" Jiale asked.

"I only remember that he deliberately caused the accident, which made my steering wheel go haywire. After that, I lost control, unbuckled my seatbelt, and pushed him out. But I never saw his face," Michelle disclosed.

"Do you truly not want to know more about your past? I have something important to tell you before our wedding: you are not actually my fiancée. You merely resemble her. However, you were someone I once cared for. You loved the clown from the orphanage, Song Chengdong, who is now a terminal cancer patient with limited time left. He is your real husband," Jiale said somberly.

"What!? Are you saying Song Chengdong is my husband!? How can that be!? I have no memories of him!" Michelle responded, bewildered.

"Let's not dwell on that for now. How about lunch? I just finished helping a few patients and haven't eaten yet," Jiale suggested.

*In the Hospital Cafeteria – 1:45 PM*

Jiale purchased two lunch sets.

"I... I don't have much of an appetite," Xuefen stated blankly.

"You should eat something. At least try a little," Jiale encouraged.

Xuefen nodded.

"Michelle, you only remember Chengdong's role in the accident. Do you recall anything more?" Jiale inquired.

"I only remember him deliberately bumping into me. Nothing else comes to mind," she replied.

"To be fair, you need to remember Chengdong. He never meant to hurt you. He loves you deeply. Before we marry, we must secure his agreement for a divorce," Jiale explained.

"I understand. Let me think it over. After we eat, we should visit Chengdong," Xuefen replied.

"Alright. It's crucial you see him again; his time is running out," Jiale said.

*In Chengdong's Ward – 2 PM*

Dr. Jiang and Scott entered Chengdong's ward to administer an injection. Chengdong had just woken up but pretended to be asleep, listening to their conversation.

"I thought Chengdong was awake. I dread telling him about his condition when he wakes," Dr. Jiang said, looking troubled.

"The report just came in!?" Scott exclaimed in shock.

"It seems he is concealing something from us. His condition is dire, regardless of the treatment. I took a blood sample, and the results are concerning. His white blood cell count is rising rapidly, indicating a significant risk if there are any bacteria present. Given the bruises on his face, I fear he may only have six months left. Even with more vaccines, it won't change the outcome. I'm sorry, Scott; I've done all I can. We should encourage Chengdong and Michelle to divorce. This way, she can find happiness with Jiale," Dr. Jiang said quietly.

Chengdong suddenly coughed violently.

"Chengdong, did you hear everything?" Scott asked.

"Jiale and Michelle are together?" Chengdong inquired.

"Yes, they are set to marry in January next year. Michelle has changed; she now goes by Xuefen," Scott replied.

"Could you... could you ask her to come in? I have something to discuss with her," Chengdong requested.

"Sure. They might still be having lunch in the cafeteria. Michelle was the one who brought you here," Scott informed him.

"I want to see her alone," Chengdong insisted.

Scott stepped out to call Michelle.

*In the Hospital Corridor – Outside the Cafeteria – 2:10 PM*

"Doctor Scott, you wanted to see me?" Michelle answered the phone.

"Not me; Chengdong wants to see you alone right now. Are you available?" Scott replied.

"Yes, I'll come up immediately," Xuefen said.

Jiale approached her.

"Michelle, what does Scott want to see you about?" he asked.

"Chengdong is awake and wants to speak with me alone," Xuefen explained.

"Be cautious with your words; he's very weak, and we must tread lightly. If he refuses to divorce, we'll need to consider other options," Jiale advised.

"Don't worry; I understand. You should head back to work," Xuefen replied.

They took the elevator to the fourth floor and parted ways.

*In Chengdong's Ward – 2:30 PM*

As Xuefen approached the ward, she heard Chengdong coughing violently. She gently opened the door and saw him coughing into a handkerchief, which he pulled away to reveal it stained with blood.

"Why... why is there so much blood!?" Chengdong muttered to himself, fighting back tears.

Xuefen overheard and knocked on the door.

"Can I come in?" she asked.

"Please... please do," Chengdong managed weakly, quickly hiding the handkerchief.

"You don't need to hide; I saw everything. Let's be honest: your condition has worsened. Do Scott and Jiale know?" Xuefen pressed.

"It's not serious; it's just the side effects from my recent treatment," Chengdong replied softly.

"Who are you trying to fool!?" Xuefen retorted angrily.

She approached the bedside, causing Chengdong to anxiously attempt to push her away.

"Don't come near! Ahem! Please don't!" Chengdong pleaded.

Xuefen noticed the bruises covering his face and gasped.

"Your face!? What happened?! I saw our photos at the villa in Discovery Bay yesterday, and you've changed so much!" she exclaimed.

"Your appearance has changed too, and your name has changed. It's understandable that you'd forget me. After all, I'm the husband who nearly killed you. I'm truly sorry. In that moment, I wanted us both to perish, but I didn't expect you to push me out of the car. I apologize," Chengdong said, tears streaming down his face.

Xuefen slapped him hard across the face.

"I've started to regain my memories over the past few days. Thank you for helping me remember everything!" she cried.

"Let's just get a divorce. My life is ending anyway; I can't offer you anything. You and Jiale are happy now. But I have one condition for the divorce—please forgive me. Only then can I leave this world in peace," Chengdong begged, trembling and weeping.

"You expect me to forgive you for attempted murder!? And just erase our seven years of memories? Don't be ridiculous!" Xuefen shouted in anger.

Chengdong knelt before her, bowing his head.

"Please!" he pleaded desperately.

Xuefen was taken aback by his gesture.

"Chengdong, please, get up," she said softly.

As she reached out to help him up, she noticed he was shaking uncontrollably and sweating profusely. His face was pale, devoid of color.

"Do you think I truly want a divorce? Without you, I have nothing! When I was 16, I ran away to Hong Kong not because of my illness, but because I discovered I was not my parents' biological child. They were friends of my real parents, who took me for adoption. When I was diagnosed with leukemia, I contemplated jumping into the sea to end it all. But when I met Jiale and he encouraged me, I found the strength to keep going. Yet, I remained in darkness until I met you at the subway station. You made me feel less alone. But after the accident, I realized I had lost everything—friends, love. This is my retribution. I never imagined that despite working hard since I was 16, cancer would leave me with nothing. I plan to sell the villa in Discovery Bay and use the funds to live in a nursing home for the remaining two months of my life. I can't endure any more treatment. I'm exhausted," Chengdong confessed in despair.

"I will handle the divorce paperwork, and I forgive you. But you must continue your treatment until Scott advises otherwise. This is the least you can do to atone for your mistakes," Xuefen replied firmly.

Chengdong nodded in agreement.

**-End-**