When Jiang Ci left the hospital, it was past eight in the evening, and a light drizzle had started. She took the bus back to the company.


    As soon as she entered the company lobby, she saw Lu Yudong standing tall and elegant, one hand in the pocket of his trousers, the other holding a phone as he spoke to someone at the front desk. The spotlights in the lobby shone brightly, making him appear even more distinguished yet distant.


    Jiang Ci''s heart suddenly tightened.


    In the past few months, she barely encountered him once, so why did she keep seeing him lately?


    He brushed past Jiang Ci while on the phone, and she wasn''t sure if he heard her soft "Mr. Lu."


    After Jiang Ci got into the elevator, she turned around and saw that Lu Yudong''s figure had already disappeared into the vast night.


    The rain tonight was heavy; she wondered if he had brought an umbrella.


    Her father used to go out without an umbrella too, and Jiang Ci would always chase after him to hand him one. Her father would pat her head, saying, "Little Ci has grown up and knows how to care for her dad."


    Tears blurred Jiang Ci''s eyes.


    ***


    Jiang Ci worked overtime until four in the morning.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    She didn''t plan to return to her rented apartment and wanted to nap at the company while waiting for the workday to start.


    Just as she lay her head on the desk, her phone rang, waking her up.


    Seeing it was Dr. Fu calling, Jiang Ci quickly answered.


    For the past two years, whenever Dr. Fu called, it was either because her mother''s condition had worsened or to remind her to pay the hospital fees.


    "Jiang Ci, after you left yesterday, your mother developed a fever. We suspect it''s due to mucus accumulation in her lungs..."


    "Is it serious?" Jiang Ci asked anxiously, standing up from her seat.


    "Don''t worry just yet. We''ve already taken emergency measures, and for now, she''s stable. But yesterday''s surgery fees plus this month''s hospital fees amount to about sixty thousand. You should pay it all at once. If you keep delaying, it''s hard for me to speak on your behalf with the hospital... Also, Jiang Ci, your mother''s condition is special. Since both you and your brother are working, could you hire a caregiver for her? Regular turning and cleaning can prevent many infections..."


    Jiang Ci stood there, dazed. After working all night, her eyes were already lifeless, and now she faced this sudden blow.


    Forget sixty thousand, even six thousand was beyond her reach right now.


    She was fully experiencing the saying "a penny can stump a hero."


    Her internship salary at New East was only six thousand five hundred a month, and she had rent to pay. Her salary wouldn''t be paid for another half month.


    Even if she could get her CPA certification and earn big money, that was still a year away.


    She knew Dr. Fu had already done his utmost for her. If it weren''t for him speaking on her behalf, her mother might not still be in the hospital.


    Sixty thousand was a lot of money. They had borrowed from all their relatives, and now no one was willing to lend them any more.


    Just when Jiang Ci was at her wit''s end, she suddenly remembered what Lu Yudong had said last night.


    Compared to five million, sixty thousand was a drop in the bucket.


    Jiang Ci''s heart wavered.


    She once thought she could earn that "five million" herself, but now it seemed like a pipe dream.


    Her mother needed a caregiver, something Dr. Fu had mentioned before, but she never had the money. Now, the downside of not hiring one was apparent. Her mother''s improper care had led to mucus accumulation in her lungs, making it imperative to hire a caregiver.


    Jiang Ci knew that with Lu Yudong''s status, finding a woman to marry would be quite easy. He even mentioned last night that he had "looked around." She wondered if anything had changed after last night.


    With this thought, Jiang Ci felt very anxious and went to Lu Yudong''s office door.


    It was just past five, and no one was in Lu Yudong''s office yet. Jiang Ci stood at the door, waiting for the "rabbit" to come.


    Just as she was struggling to keep her eyes open, Lu Yudong arrived.