Chapter 4: A Ring, A Promise, and a Dream of 21 Kids!!

After visiting Liang Yue, Liang Chen went to the hospital's billing counter to settle the latest expenses. Meanwhile, Zhao Rui disappeared somewhere, returning a few minutes later with a small velvet box in his hands.

Liang Chen raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

Zhao Rui smirked. "A surprise for our little princess."

He walked back into the hospital room,

where Liang Yue was resting. With a dramatic flourish, he knelt beside her bed and opened the box, revealing a delicate silver ring with a tiny blue gemstone.

Liang Yue's eyes widened. "Rui… is that—"

"A proposal ring!" Zhao Rui declared proudly. "When you recover, we'll get married and have 21 kids!"

Liang Yue blinked. "T-Twenty-one?"

Liang Chen crossed his arms. "You're really planning to turn her into a baby-making factory, huh?"

Zhao Rui gasped. "Excuse me, dear! This is true love! We will have a massive family, raise a football team, and open our own dumpling restaurant!"

Liang Yue giggled. "And who's going to take care of all those kids?"

"You, of course! And I'll—uh—supervise!" Zhao Rui grinned.

Liang Chen shook his head. "More like eat all the food while she does the real work."

"Hey!" Zhao Rui pouted. "You're ruining my romantic moment!"

Liang Yue smiled and slipped the ring onto her finger. "It's beautiful, Rui. Thank you."

Zhao Rui's usual playful expression softened. "You'll get better, Yue. I know it."

Liang Yue nodded, holding his hand. "I will."

A secret Conversations

As they laughed and joked, the door suddenly opened, and a female doctor stepped in. She had an air of quiet confidence, her dark hair neatly tied in a bun. Her name tag read Dr. Lin Meiyu.

"Excuse me, Zhao Rui," she said, her voice calm but firm. "Can I speak with you for a moment?"

Zhao Rui's heart clenched, but he nodded and stepped outside the room with her.

Dr. Lin glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "I'll be direct. We have an advanced surgical procedure that could fully cure your sister's illness. But it requires a 20 lakh deposit for the operation."

Zhao Rui felt his stomach drop. "Twenty lakhs…"

Dr. Lin softened her voice. "I know it's a lot. But if we can do this surgery, she'll have a chance at a full recovery."

Zhao Rui clenched his fists. That was an impossible amount for him to gather alone. But… he had to find a way.

"Thank you for telling me, Dr. Lin," he said, forcing himself to stay calm. "I'll find the money."

Dr. Lin nodded, then hesitated. "I can see how much you and her brother care about her. Don't give up."

As she walked away, Zhao Rui exhaled slowly, his mind racing.

When he re-entered the room, Liang Yue noticed his expression and frowned. "What happened?"

Zhao Rui forced a smile. "Nothing. Just some updates on Yue's condition."

But Zhao Rui wasn't fooled. He could tell something was wrong. And he wasn't going to let Liang Chen carry the burden alone.