Chapter 5 Dad, the porridge is getting cold.

"Dad…" Shen Modi immediately used a tissue to wipe the blood from her father's mouth. The blood quickly spread, staining the entire tissue red. Her heart ached, and with trembling hands, she quickly took out his medicine and twisted off the cap. "Dad, take your medicine. You'll feel better after taking it. I'll call Mingze to come over, I'll get him to come." Her brother Xiaoguang, eyes red, quickly brought a cup of hot water. Shen Modi fed her father the medicine and hurriedly called Huo Mingze. She was worried it was too early and that he might have his phone off or not answer. To her surprise, he picked up immediately.

"Huo… Mingze, are you free now? My dad… he's not doing well, and he wants to see you," Shen Modi tried to stay calm, but her voice was thick with emotion. She knew it was a bold request, but she wanted to reassure her father.

"I'm free. I'll come over right now, wait for me!" Huo Mingze responded, trying to comfort her, "Don't worry too much. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your family."

"Okay, I've called an ambulance, it should be here soon. We're going to the city hospital," Shen Modi said. They had to go to the hospital, no matter what, she had to get her father to the hospital.

"Alright, I'll be there," Huo Mingze assured her before hanging up the phone. At that moment, he was in his study, participating in an international video conference. It was unrelated to the Huo Group, but to his overseas business. They were making final preparations to bid for the construction of base stations in the Revi region of Country D. Huo Mingze stood up and said into the mic, "Continue the discussion, I have something to handle."

The CEO, He Yichen, urgently said, "Boss, this project's final bidding round starts this morning. If we don't discuss it thoroughly, we might lose the project."

"Then we'll leave it to fate," Huo Mingze replied.

He Yichen helplessly reminded him, "Boss, this project is worth at least seven billion in profits."

"Continue the discussion," Huo Mingze said, then turned off the camera. He called his assistant, "Shen Modi's father is critically ill. She called an ambulance to the city hospital. Make sure to expedite it. Also, arrange for a specialist from the oncology department to consult. Don't let Shen Modi know that someone is helping her."

…

Overseas, He Yichen and Ke Yuchuan turned off their cameras, their expressions grim. They weren't worried about the project, but about Huo Mingze. In front of outsiders, they respectfully called Huo Mingze "Boss," but in private, they were sworn brothers who had faced life and death together.

He Yichen looked worried. "What do you think it could be?"

Ke Yuchuan replied, "What else could it be? Didn't you hear our brother on the phone saying to wait for him? With his lovesick nature, he's probably planning to fly to Country H to find Yao Yutong."

He Yichen sighed, "Why can't he see it? Yao Yutong is the most pragmatic woman in the world."

Mu Sen added, "It's always clearer from the outside. When you're in it, you're blind. After all, they've been together for six years."

...

At the Liyuan Residential Area, the ambulance siren wailed as it left for the city hospital. Shen Weiguo finally couldn't bear to see his daughter cry so heartbrokenly and agreed to go to the hospital. The doctor had already hooked Shen Weiguo up to an IV, but his face was still very pale. 

In the ambulance, Shen Modi quickly sent a WeChat message to Huo Mingze: My dad's condition isn't good. I told him you're my colleague, we've known each other for two years, we're in love, and we're planning to get married. Please help me deceive him. Please!

Huo Mingze replied: Okay!

Huo Mingze drove his Chevrolet to the city hospital. Considering Shen Modi had called him very early and probably hadn't had breakfast, he stopped along the way to buy several breakfast items. By the time he arrived at the hospital, Shen Weiguo had already been admitted to a ward. To avoid making Shen Modi suspicious, Assistant Lu had arranged a standard room. A nurse had already come to draw Shen Weiguo's blood and informed Shen Modi that the hospital would routinely arrange for a specialist consultation. Shen Modi was greatly relieved to hear about the specialist consultation and told her father that with the specialists' help, he would surely get better.

Shen Weiguo was still on the IV drip, his face as pale as before. When Huo Mingze entered, Shen Modi immediately stood up, looking anxious and hesitant. Huo Mingze gave her a reassuring look. Shen Modi nodded and then, pretending to be very familiar with him, called out, "Mingze, you're here."

Hearing his daughter's call, Shen Weiguo instantly opened his eyes, looking noticeably more spirited. He struggled to sit up. Shen Xiaoguang immediately helped him. Huo Mingze quickly set down the breakfast and walked over, "Uncle, please lie down and rest."

"Okay, okay…" Just that little movement had left Shen Weiguo short of breath. Leaning against the headboard, he panted for a moment, then looked at Huo Mingze. At first glance, he felt that this young man looked really good and was a perfect match for his daughter. Wearing a suit, he looked very sharp and had a great demeanor, matching his daughter's quality. He reached out his hand toward Huo Mingze.

Huo Mingze immediately took Shen Weiguo's hand. It was a bony, frail hand, bearing the weight of life and illness. "Uncle, I should have come to see you earlier…" Huo Mingze said.

Fearing their story would be exposed, Shen Modi quickly interjected, "Dad, I'm sorry, I didn't ask him to come sooner."

"I understand," Shen Weiguo said, sympathetic. He knew his daughter well; after experiencing heartbreak, she wouldn't trouble someone unless things were certain.

"Uncle, I apologize for coming empty-handed in my hurry," Huo Mingze said.

"That's alright…" Shen Weiguo looked at Huo Mingze with a gaze filled with fatherly affection. "Xiao Huo, how long have you and my daughter known each other?"

Although he thought the young man in front of him and Xiaodi were a good match, he still feared Xiaodi might be comforting him just to put his mind at ease. 

"Uncle, we've known each other for two years. Uncle, you haven't had breakfast yet, right? Let's eat breakfast first and talk while we eat," Huo Mingze said.

Shen Modi thought Huo Mingze was afraid their story would fall apart, so she immediately cooperated, "Yes, Dad, let's have breakfast first." She quickly went to get the breakfast. Xiaoguang pushed the small dining table over, and Shen Modi placed the breakfast on it.

Shen Weiguo had no appetite; he felt like he wouldn't be able to hold on much longer. He wanted to ask a few more questions and said, "Xiao Huo, are you also a jewelry designer?"

Huo Mingze replied immediately, "No, Uncle, I'm in business."

"Oh, business... Business is good, very good... Do you and Xiaodi work together often?"

"Uncle, we work together quite a lot."

"Then do you understand my daughter well?" 

Hearing her father's question, Shen Modi felt an inexplicable panic. She feared their story would be exposed and her father would be heartbroken. She quickly said, "Dad, the porridge is at the perfect temperature; let me feed you."

Shen Weiguo shook his head, "I'm not hungry..." He then looked at Huo Mingze.

With a serious expression, Huo Mingze said, "I've known Modi for over two years, and I can say I understand her quite well. She is someone who is full of enthusiasm for life, kind-hearted, resilient, courageous, intelligent, and focused."

Shen Weiguo asked again, "Have you two had meals together or watched movies?"

"Yes, we often have lunch together," Huo Mingze replied, knowing from Shen Modi's profile that before her father was hospitalized, she worked hard and usually ate work meals at the company canteen.

"Then you must know what Xiaodi likes to eat, right?" Shen Weiguo asked.

Shen Modi quickly interrupted, "Dad, the porridge will get cold."