In oder to quickly find a cure, Yuan Chu returned to the laboratory and began working day and night.
Li Xi made sure she ate and slept on time every day, and he insisted that she take a day off every week.
As their organs weakened, both of them began to experience various uncomfortable symptoms. Although nothing serious was expected to happen in the coming years, they had to pay more attention to their health than the average person.
Thus, their daily life became an endless cycle of caring for each other and keeping each other in check—a situation that could make anyone envious.
Li Xi: "It's getting colder; you should wear an extra layer."
Yuan Chu: "I'll ask the housekeeper to make you some chicken soup for lunch."
Li Xi: "It's going to rain tomorrow; don't go out. I'll give the servants the day off, and we can have a quiet day at home."
Yuan Chu: "Don't shower immediately after working out. Let me wipe off your sweat first, then take a break and drink some warm water."
Li Xi: "You stayed in the lab for an hour and twenty-five minutes longer than planned today. You're disobedient, so your punishment will be to warm my bed!"
Yuan Chu: "I haven't even washed up yet. Don't hug me... Fine, seeing that pitiful look on your face, I'll let you kiss my cheek. Happy?"
...
To outsiders, they looked like a couple deeply in love, always radiating sweetness wherever they went.
But who would have known that they were just cherishing their remaining time together, turning all their pain, stress, and fear into deep affection, infusing it into every detail of their lives?
They hadn’t told Grandpa Li about their condition, but after hiding it for two years, they could no longer conceal it.
Their bodies were getting thinner, they were vomiting more often, and the medication bottles they carried with them showed that their health was not in good shape.
“Get married soon,” Grandpa Li suggested with a heavy heart.
Li Xi replied calmly, “We’ll talk about it when we’re feeling better.”
Could they even have children in their current state?
"Artificial insemination is also an option," Grandpa Li added.
He was old and had long come to terms with life and death, but he didn't want Li Xi to leave this world with nothing left behind.
"No need. As long as I have Chu Chu, that's enough. She said she’ll stay with me until we’re 99."
Grandpa Li's eyes reddened, his heart aching unbearably.
Due to excessive worry, Grandpa Li also fell ill.
The three siblings of the Li family, who had previously been shut out by Li Xi, reappeared, feigning concern for Grandpa Li, visiting several times a day, and pretending to be very filial.
Grandpa Li had been disappointed in them, but seeing their actions during this time, he was somewhat comforted, wondering if they might take care of Li Xi and Yuan Chu after he was gone.
If they agreed, he was willing to leave all his inheritance to them. With a fortune in savings and real estate worth several billion, they would at least be able to live comfortably for the rest of their lives.
"No problem, Dad. We will take good care of Little Li," Li Wenhong promised.
"Yes, Dad. We are his elders, after all. We would never abandon him," Li Wenyi chimed in.
"We’ll cover all their medical expenses in the future. You don’t need to worry," Li Yingwei assured.
Grandpa Li knew what they were like, so he didn’t fully trust them but thought they might not completely ignore Li Xi and Yuan Chu.
As people age, they become softer, and past grievances no longer weigh so heavily on their hearts.
All Grandpa Li wished for was for Li Xi and Chu Chu to live out the rest of their lives happily.
Holding onto this hope, Grandpa Li did not realize that some people are inherently selfish and not to be trusted.
The three Li siblings, upon learning about Li Xi and Yuan Chu's illness, were secretly thrilled, though they had to hide it and endured the pretense with difficulty.
The fortune Li Xi had accumulated was no less than the original Lian Tian Group. If they could get their hands on his assets, their current troubles would disappear, and they could live a life of luxury.
As the saying goes, "No filial children at the sickbed."
After about a month or two of frequent visits, their visits became less frequent, from several times a day to once every few days, and their concern seemed to wane.
At this time, Grandpa Li really needed the company of his children. Though he didn’t say it, he missed them.
After not seeing them for a week, Li Xi reached out to the three siblings one by one.
Although he didn’t like them, he was willing to lower his pride for Grandpa Li’s happiness.
"Oh, Young Master Li, you actually called me?" Li Wenhong sneered when she received the call.
"What’s so important that you personally need to inform me? Grandpa? Haha, of course, I'll visit him. After all, he’s my father. But this project I'm handling is quite tricky, so I can’t make time right now… What? You’ll send someone to talk to me? Haha, I really appreciate that..."
Li Wenyi: "Little Li, what’s up? Visit Grandpa? Sure, I'll go after I finish this contract… What contract? Oh, it’s the real estate development contract with Mr. Wang… What, send the contract to you? Sure, sure, that’d be great..."
Li Yingwei: "I'm abroad right now, and there’s a typhoon, so all flights are canceled. Hmm? A private jet? Haha, how can I impose? Oh, if that’s the case, sure, send a plane to pick me up."
The three of them took advantage of Grandpa Li's condition, making all sorts of excuses to extract benefits from Li Xi, and he endured it all.
His life could be said to have been saved by Grandpa Li. As long as Grandpa still cared for his children, Li Xi was willing to pay some price, hoping they would treat Grandpa well.
However, the three of them were insatiable. After gaining some benefits, their demands grew larger, asking Li Xi to help with projects that had little to no potential.
Li Xi wasn’t a cash cow; he only invested in reasonably good projects.
They became dissatisfied, feeling that he was too stingy. They pretended to be affectionate in front of Grandpa Li, but behind his back, they treated Li Xi with disdain, flaunting their authority as elders.
One day, after Li Wenhong left Grandpa Li’s room, she happened to see Yuan Chu returning to the villa.
“Chu Chu, you’re back. Have you eaten?” Li Wenhong greeted her with a fake smile.
As Yuan Chu changed her shoes, she replied, "I have."
"I haven't eaten yet. Tell the housekeeper to prepare dinner quickly," Li Wenhong commanded as she sat down on the sofa.
Yuan Chu frowned slightly, stared at her for a moment, ensuring that she was clean today and not carrying any germs, before looking away and heading upstairs.
"Hey, didn’t you hear what I said?" Li Wenhong snapped at her, displeased.
"The housekeeper went out to buy groceries and hasn’t returned," Yuan Chu replied without looking back.
“Wait, stand right there!” Li Wenhong ordered, walking over to her.
"I heard that you and Li Xi were both victims of that toxic gas leak. How pitiful, surviving only to have your bodies fail you, probably not living for much longer."
A dark light flashed in Yuan Chu's eyes. She was about to teach her a lesson, but then she hesitated and let her spew her venomous words.
Li Wenhong glanced at the ring on her finger and sneered, "You bewitched Li Xi, thinking you could marry into a wealthy family, but in the end, you’re just going to be a pair of star-crossed lovers. Haha, I told you before not to covet things that don’t belong to you."
"You should be saying that to yourself," Yuan Chu replied calmly. "Don’t covet things that don’t belong to you."
"How dare you talk to me like that?" Li Wenhong said arrogantly.
"What doesn’t belong to me? My father’s or Li Xi’s? When they die, everything they own will be mine. As for you, haha, since you’re not related to us, you should consider it a favor if you’re allowed into our family’s ancestral tomb."
"Shut up!" A voice suddenly roared from the staircase.
Li Wenhong was startled and quickly turned around, only to see Grandpa Li standing on the stairs, supported by a caretaker, glaring at her with angry eyes.
"Dad..."
"Get out!" Grandpa Li pointed to the door. Then he noticed a figure standing in the doorway—it was Li Xi, who had returned unnoticed.
His eyes were cold, and he exuded a chilling aura that frightened everyone. It was clear he had heard everything Li Wenhong had just said.
Li Xi walked slowly to Yuan Chu's side, pulling her into his arms, silently comforting her.
Li Wenhong's last words, "You should consider it a favor if you’re allowed into our family’s ancestral tomb," were like a stab to the heart.
Grandpa Li couldn’t believe that the daughter who had always been so obedient in front of him could say such venomous things.
"So this is what you’ve always thought," Grandpa Li said hoarsely.
"Wishing for me and Little Li to die early so you can inherit our things. All that talk about taking care of him was just lies! You never cared for him before, and you never will. I can’t believe I ever thought you might change."
"Dad, it’s not like that. I just don’t like Yuan Chu, so I was a bit harsh,” Li Wenhong tried to explain.
"Harsh?" Grandpa Li pounded his cane on the floor, his face livid with anger.
"Get out of my sight! I don’t want to see you ever again, and you won’t get a single cent of my estate."
"Dad!" Li Wenhong panicked.
At this moment, Li Xi spoke coldly, "Aunt, you don't need to concern yourself with my inheritance. I've already made a will; after my death, all my assets will be donated to charity."
"What?" Li Wenhong stared at him in shock. Hundreds of billions of assets, just donated like that???
"Originally, you could have received a share from Grandpa, but now, it seems you won't get that either." Li Xi's voice was chilling as he looked at her with the same detachment one might have when gazing at a dead person, without a trace of emotion.
Grandpa Li, looking dejected, seemed to age several years in an instant. With a deep sigh, he hobbled back to his room.
Watching this, Li Xi felt a pang of sorrow. He summoned the bodyguards and, ignoring Li Wenhong's tantrums and curses, had her forcibly removed from the villa.
After returning to his room, Grandpa Li asked his secretary, "During my illness, did those three ungrateful children make things difficult for Li Xi?"
The secretary hesitated for a moment before replying, "…Yes."
"Tell me everything," Grandpa Li said as he leaned against the bed, his tired eyes gazing out the window.
The secretary then detailed all the various demands the three Li siblings had made on Li Xi during this period.
Grandpa Li said nothing, his eyes brimming with tears. Those two children would rather endure grievances themselves than let him be heartbroken.
True familial love isn’t something money can buy.
After a moment of silence, Grandpa Li instructed the secretary, "Call the lawyer. I want to change my will."
His estate would only go to Li Xi and Yuan Chu. If they were to pass away prematurely, everything would be donated to charity.
The three Li siblings were entirely abandoned. Grandpa Li never saw them again before he passed away.
Before this, Yuan Chu had been working tirelessly to extend Grandpa Li's life and had made some progress.
After some heartfelt conversations, Grandpa Li gradually came to terms with things, though he still worried about the two children and thus held on.
On Li Xi's 28th birthday, he said to Yuan Chu, "ChuChu, let's get married."
Yuan Chu replied, "Okay."
The next day, they obtained their marriage license, officially becoming husband and wife.
Life seemed unchanged, except for their increasingly deteriorating health, reminding them that their time was limited. But they didn’t despair, living each day as if it were a lifetime.
One day, while working, Li Xi suddenly received a call from Yuan Chu.
"Brother, come to the lab."
"Alright." Li Xi immediately put down his work and had the driver take him to the lab.
A few minutes later, just as he reached the lab entrance, a sudden dizziness overwhelmed him, and he collapsed to the ground.
His assistant quickly caught him, but before he could call for help, several medical staff members rushed out and took him to a hospital room.
In a hazy state, Li Xi could faintly hear voices, footsteps, and the beeping of medical equipment.
It felt like his body was being manipulated constantly; he wanted to resist, but he was too weak. This helplessness filled him with fear.
Was he dying? What about ChuChu? How was she?
He hadn’t even had the chance to say goodbye…
He didn’t know how much time had passed when his consciousness gradually returned. Li Xi slowly opened his eyes, first seeing the white ceiling.
He sat up abruptly, rubbing his dizzy head, and pressed the call button by the bed.
Within moments, a doctor entered the room. "You're awake."
Li Xi looked up and frowned. "Why are you here?"
The person was none other than Song Zhicheng, who had previously treated him and Yuan Chu.
"ChuChu asked me to come," Song Zhicheng said with a smile.
"From now on, your treatment will be in my hands."
"ChuChu? Where is she now?"
"Come with me." Song Zhicheng turned and walked out, with Li Xi following close behind.
Song Zhicheng led him to a special care unit at the research center and pointed to the glass wall, indicating for Li Xi to look inside.
Li Nian leaned in and saw a spacious, bright room with a two-meter oval-shaped device in the center.
It resembled a giant egg, with the lower half made of metal and the upper half transparent, connected by numerous wires.
Inside this "egg" lay a slender figure, none other than Yuan Chu.
Li Xi's expression changed dramatically as he demanded, "What’s happening to her?"
"She's fine; she's undergoing treatment." Song Zhicheng’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Treatment?" Li Xi looked at him skeptically.
"Yes, treatment! It's a brand-new method," Song Zhicheng said with enthusiasm.
"ChuChu is amazing; she developed this high-tech treatment device. It can increase cellular activity, modify physical conditions, kill various viruses, prevent multiple cancers, and greatly enhance the immune system."
Li Xi's eyes gradually brightened.
"ChuChu's experiment was successful?"
"There's a high chance it worked, but the final results depend on her treatment outcome," Song Zhicheng replied offhandedly.
Li Xi was stunned for a moment, then his expression darkened.
"Are you saying that no one has ever used this device before?"
Song Zhicheng hesitated.
"Uh… oops, I might have said too much."
"Is she the first user?" Li pressed.
"We did try it on animals before…" Song Zhicheng began.
"Animals!" Li Xi's voice rose sharply. She had tested drugs on herself for him before; now she was testing this new device on herself, too.
Did she expect him to just watch her endure it all alone again?
Li Xi clenched his fists, his eyes filled with a terrifying intensity that silenced Song Zhicheng.
After a moment, Li Xi slowly relaxed his grip and suddenly asked, "Is there another one?"
"Another one of what?"
"This device—do you have a spare?"
"We have one backup unit…"
"Prepare it for me."
This time, he wanted to face whatever came together with her, whether it was life or death.
Song Zhicheng couldn’t stop him and had no choice but to follow his instructions, setting up the spare treatment device next to Yuan Chu's.
Li Xi gently stroked the transparent cover of the device, looking at the girl lying quietly inside.
"I hope that when I open my eyes again, I’ll see your smiling face."
With those words, he lay down in the treatment device and closed his eyes.
---
Three days later, Li Xi 's eyelids twitched before slowly opening. The bright light felt somewhat harsh on his eyes, so he blinked a few times, gradually adjusting to the external light.
His vision slowly cleared, though his consciousness was still a bit fuzzy.
"Good morning, brother." A cheerful voice pulled Li Xi back from his daze.
Li Xi turned his head and saw that radiant smile, just as brilliant as ever, like a blooming summer flower, filling him with sweetness.
Li Xi smiled too, his eyes reflecting nothing but her.
ChuChu, seeing you again—it feels so good.
In a world with ChuChu, he wanted to keep living.
Even if he was plagued by illness, he didn’t want to close his eyes.
"I told you, I’ll live with you until we’re ninety-nine," Yuan Chu said as she opened the glass cover and smiled at him.
"I think I can keep my promise now."
Li Xi slowly reached out, intertwining his fingers with hers. "Alright."
Let’s live together until we’re ninety-nine.
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