Chapter 38: Heartfelt Confessions

“Huh?”
Zheng Tiande hadn’t anticipated that Zhang Shen would suddenly ask him such a question. For a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.

“President Zheng, say something!”

“Um... I do.”
Zheng Tiande struggled for a long while before he managed to squeeze out a single word. Yet, with this affirmation, Zhang Shen knew that half his plan had already succeeded. Now, he just needed to deal with Zheng Ke.

“As it happens, Zheng Ke is also my patient. Since that’s the case, I do have a plan, but I’ll need your full cooperation, President Zheng.”

Hearing that Zhang Shen was willing to lend a hand, Zheng Tiande felt deeply grateful. In his heart, Zhang Shen was no longer merely a miracle doctor who could cure his daughter, but a sage who could save the masses.

What Zheng Tiande was thinking now was that if things truly unfolded as Zhang Shen said—if he could be together with Wei Xiaorong—then no matter what Zhang Shen requested, he would help him achieve it.

Off to the side, Jiang Muyun had felt neglected since her arrival—Zheng Tiande had only asked her an inconsequential question. Seeing Zhang Shen and Zheng Tiande whispering together, she suddenly felt a flash of irritation.

A woman’s anger often needs no reason; a single careless moment can ignite a storm.

“Zhang Shen, what are you scheming about so secretively?”

Caught off guard by Jiang Muyun barging into his plan, Zhang Shen worried that things might be exposed and quickly separated from Zheng Tiande.

He walked over to Zheng Ke, first putting on an act of examining her, then announced to those present, “It seems Zheng Ke’s condition has taken a turn. I’ll need to treat her carefully.”

At this moment, Zheng Tiande, ever the dramatist, was instantly in tears upon hearing the news that his daughter’s illness had worsened.

“Doctor, what’s going on? Didn’t you just say she was getting better?”

“Yes, didn’t you say Ke was recovering?”
Jiang Muyun, too, appeared anxious.

“Didn’t I say just now? There’s been a sudden change.”

“Is there still hope?”

Zhang Shen was growing weary of Jiang Muyun’s endless questions, so he gritted his teeth and said bluntly, “You all need to leave now. I must treat Zheng Ke.”

“No, I won’t go! I want to see how Ke is doing—”

Before Jiang Muyun could finish, Zhang Shen cut her off forcefully.

“Do you want Ke to survive or not? Get out, now!”
Zhang Shen nearly shouted the words.

At this, Zheng Tiande pulled Jiang Muyun from Zheng Ke’s room, with Mu Qiao naturally following after her mistress.

Afraid the plan with Zhang Shen might fail, Zheng Tiande first arranged for Jiang Muyun and Mu Qiao to rest in the rear courtyard. He himself went to the front to welcome Wei Xiaorong.

Meanwhile, Zheng Ke, aware that her condition seemed dire, appeared somewhat dazed. She turned to Zhang Shen and asked, “Doctor, is my illness truly hopeless?”

With a heavy heart, Zhang Shen replied, “In all my years of practicing medicine, this is the first time I’ve lied to a patient.”

Perplexed, Zheng Ke asked, “What do you mean?”

“Well, it’s not a complete lie. Your physical illness has long been under my control. But...”

The more Zhang Shen spoke, the more confused Zheng Ke became.

“Doctor, stop being so mysterious. But what?”

“But the illness in your heart is not something that can be cured overnight.”

“What does that mean?”

“Judging by your reaction to Wei Xiaorong, it’s clear you don’t care for her.”

Though Zheng Ke didn’t understand why Zhang Shen was linking her illness to that woman, since she’d been asked, she decided to speak her mind plainly.

“Yes, I don’t like that woman.”

…

Now, on the other side, Zheng Tiande stood outside the door and saw Wei Xiaorong. Unlike a typical young woman in love, she didn’t scold him for taking so long to open the door. Her first words were, “How is Ke?”

In her heart, Wei Xiaorong knew Zheng Tiande had devoted nearly all his energy to his daughter’s illness. Ever since Zheng Ke’s mother had passed, Zheng Tiande had single-handedly raised his daughter, shouldering both family and career responsibilities without ever backing down. Wasn’t such a man the very prince she’d been seeking?

In truth, Zheng Tiande felt a deep sense of guilt toward Wei Xiaorong. After all this time, he still couldn’t give her a clear answer. Yet Wei Xiaorong didn’t mind, and strove tirelessly for Ke’s recovery, something Zheng Tiande had always noticed, even if he’d kept his feelings hidden for his daughter’s sake.

“Well, it’s nothing. The doctor is treating her now.”

“Treating her? What’s wrong? Has her illness returned? I thought you said she was better...”

Wei Xiaorong’s string of concerns moved Zheng Tiande deeply. To soothe her, he decided to explain Zhang Shen’s intentions.

It turned out Zhang Shen wanted Zheng Tiande to come out and discuss matters with Wei Xiaorong, leaving Zheng Ke and Zhang Shen to speak privately inside.

“Xiaorong, have you truly made up your mind?”

Truthfully, Zheng Tiande himself didn’t know what answer Wei Xiaorong would give. After all, she was a public official; although there was nothing scandalous in this, public opinion could be harsh. Moreover, whether Ke could accept Wei Xiaorong was a great concern.

“Tiande, after all I’ve done for you, can’t you see it?”

“No, Xiaorong! I see and cherish everything you’ve done. Now I just want one word from you—are you willing to be with me?”

“I am!”

Although Zheng Tiande had guessed Wei Xiaorong’s answer, hearing her say the words himself filled him with elation. He knew this woman had always been by his side and had never let him down. Today, he would be bold and declare, “I love you!”

At this moment, Zheng Tiande and Wei Xiaorong were lost in the joy of happiness. Their feelings had weathered so many twists and turns; they no longer wished to miss their chance. The one they had each been searching for now stood right before them.

They didn’t want to let go, afraid that if they did, fate would once again play a cruel trick.

Inside, meanwhile, Zhang Shen continued his conversation with Zheng Ke.

“Ke, you have every right not to like Wei Xiaorong, but you can’t deny others the right to like her, nor her right to love someone.”

“Who does she love? You mean my father, don’t you? I absolutely oppose their being together.”