Chapter Seventy: Relentless Until the Goal Is Achieved

“I still recommend proceeding with the surgery as soon as possible—this will increase the likelihood of your brother waking up,” Fan Xu said, turning to Wu Ketian. She bit her lip, her expression on the verge of breaking down.

“Doctor Fan, I understand, but half a million—I just can’t gather that kind of money in such a short time. Is it possible to do the surgery first? I promise I’ll pay it back, little by little!”

Wu Ketian pleaded desperately.

“This…” Fan Xu hesitated, troubled. “Miss Wu, the hospital has its rules and regulations. I have no authority to make an exception. You should try to gather the surgical fees as soon as possible.”

Wu Ketian clenched her teeth, her eyes clouding with despair.

“Go ahead with the surgery. I’ll cover the expenses,” Ruan Mianmian said calmly.

With that single sentence, everyone in the room froze in astonishment.

It was only now that Fan Xu noticed the sweet-faced young woman standing quietly behind Wu Ketian.

Wu Ketian was so shocked she could hardly form words. She stammered, “D—Director, you…”

“You don’t have to feel burdened,” Ruan Mianmian said with a gentle smile, patting Wu Ketian’s shoulder. “It’s not a gift, is it? Think of it as me paying your salary in advance.”

Since her family’s bankruptcy, Wu Ketian had grown used to the coldness of the world. Friends who once shared laughter with her now turned away as if they were strangers overnight. She never expected the first person to offer help would be someone she’d only known for a few days—a near stranger.

Wu Ketian knew there was no such thing as a free lunch, so Ruan Mianmian’s generosity made her instinctively wary.

“Director, why?” she asked, unable to believe how easily this help was being offered.

Ruan Mianmian smiled nonchalantly. “I told you, I trust my instincts about people. If you’re worried this is some kind of trap, you can write me an IOU right now, it’s no big deal.”

Tears spilled from Wu Ketian’s eyes, and she covered her face, unable to express her emotions.

Ruan Mianmian took a card from her bag. “Stay with your brother. I’ll go pay for the surgery.”

She turned to Fan Xu, smiling. “Doctor Fan, would you mind showing me the way? I’m not very familiar with this place.”

“Oh—of course, please follow me,” Fan Xu replied, flustered.

Ruan Mianmian followed Fan Xu to the hospital’s front desk to pay the fees.

“That young lady has a truly kind heart,” Fan Xu remarked sincerely.

Ruan Mianmian gave a soft laugh. “My surname is Ruan, Doctor Fan, there’s no need for thanks. To be honest, I do have my own motives.”

She remembered: Wu Ke was a rare computer genius. In the book, because of Wu Ketian’s connection to Jian Yanzhi, he eventually joined the Hanhai Group. Taking on the role of a hacker, he caused Starshine Group endless trouble, inflicting heavy losses on Jiang Ce. This time, Ruan Mianmian intended to strike first—she was determined to win over this computer prodigy.

Fan Xu didn’t quite understand what she meant, so he just smiled awkwardly.

After paying the fees, Ruan Mianmian looked at Fan Xu. “Please arrange the surgery as soon as possible. If there's any shortfall later, you can contact me.”

“Absolutely, absolutely,” he assured her.

Ruan Mianmian returned to the ward. Seeing the bright smile in Wu Ketian’s eyes, she could tell just how much happiness and relief the girl was feeling.

“Director, thank you so much,” Wu Ketian said, her gratitude overflowing, unable to express it in any other way than to repeat her thanks again and again.

Ruan Mianmian comforted her: “It’s nothing. Money can always be earned back slowly. Your brother’s surgery is urgent, and besides, I have a strong feeling he’ll wake up. My intuition is usually spot-on. I think you can trust me this once.”

Wu Ketian nodded forcefully, biting her lip.

In that moment, she felt as if Ruan Mianmian was a ray of light, suddenly illuminating the bleak, dark world her life had become.

When Ruan Mianmian returned to the company, she found an uninvited guest in her office—or rather, two.

She stared at the two figures seated on either end of her office sofa, the smile on her face freezing instantly.

As soon as Song Chenxi saw her, she jumped up, her face beaming. “Mianmian, you said you’d bring your boyfriend out for dinner today—don’t tell me you forgot?”

Damn it! Ruan Mianmian cursed inwardly. She knew Song Chenxi was up to no good.

“Did I say it was today?” Ruan Mianmian replied lazily.

Song Chenxi’s smile collapsed. “What’s with you? You agreed just fine before—why the sudden change?”

Ruan Mianmian looked up. “I haven’t changed my mind. I’m just not in the mood today. Another time.”

“Don’t!” Song Chenxi protested, pressing on. “I rarely get a chance to come by. With everyone here, isn’t today perfect?”

Ruan Mianmian fell silent. She could see now that Song Chenxi was determined not to give up until she got her way.

Leaning back in her chair, Ruan Mianmian’s gaze swept from Song Chenxi to Jian Yanzhi and back again.

“I say, could you two sort out your own issues without dragging me into it? I’m exhausted and have no time for these childish games.”

Song Chenxi’s face turned pale at that, embarrassment and anger mingling. “Mianmian, what’s that supposed to mean?”

Ruan Mianmian exhaled, impatience creeping into her voice. “Didn’t I make myself clear? Since you’re both here, let’s be honest with each other. There’s nothing between me and Jian Yanzhi, you can rest assured. I have absolutely no interest in him, and I’m sure he feels the same. Just think about how he treated me before, alright?”

She gave them no chance to interrupt, continuing, “So, whatever’s between you two, please sort it out yourselves and leave me out of it, alright?”

Her words were frank and unvarnished. Song Chenxi fell silent at once.

Jian Yanzhi’s eyes, on the other hand, burned with a strange, unfathomable anger.

Song Chenxi glanced at Jian Yanzhi and sensed something was off. He no longer seemed as cold and hostile toward her as before. In fact, after Ruan Mianmian’s speech, he seemed genuinely upset.

Song Chenxi suddenly realized something had shifted quietly between them.

Ruan Mianmian felt the change in atmosphere but didn’t want to explain herself further.

She looked at Song Chenxi and said coolly, “I’ve said all there is to say. I don’t think dinner is necessary, do you?”

Song Chenxi looked at her, then at Jian Yanzhi. “Yanzhi, what do you really feel?”

Jian Yanzhi let out a frustrated breath, stood up wordlessly, and left.

Leaving Ruan Mianmian and Song Chenxi staring at one another, the air thick with awkwardness.

Song Chenxi clenched and unclenched her fingers several times before calming herself. She looked at Ruan Mianmian coldly. “I hope you remember what you said today.”

“Of course,” Ruan Mianmian replied briskly, nodding her head.