C14 Slow-graded Leukemia

Sure enough, Cheng Yuwei's face was etched with growing confusion as she gave Lin Tian an odd look.

She might not have been a car expert, but she was certainly no fool.

It was clear to her that the Porsche before her was far from inexpensive.

Lin Tian, feeling cornered, offered an explanation:

"Um... CEO Cheng, I noticed you were pressed for time, so I had a friend bring over a quicker car.

As it happens, my friend owns a rental service, so he brought this sports car."

The middle-aged man was clearly no dummy, quite the opposite, in fact. Seizing the moment, he chimed in, "Exactly, CEO Cheng. I didn't want to hold you up, so I chose a car that could get us there faster. Please, get in without delay."

Without overthinking it, Cheng Yuwei turned to the middle-aged man and said, "Thank you, sir. How much for the rental? I'll transfer the payment to you immediately."

"There's no need for formalities, CEO Cheng. Mr. Lin and I are close friends. We can settle the rental fee later.

You're in a rush, right? Let's get going." The middle-aged man's head bobbed emphatically.

Realizing he wasn't going to take the money, Cheng Yuwei didn't push further and instead turned to Lin Tian, "Lin Tian, make sure to thank your friend for me."

"Got it, now get going," Lin Tian replied with a nod.

Cheng Yuwei wasted no more time and briskly climbed into the Porsche 911.

But within seconds, she stepped back out, her face awash with embarrassment.

"What's the matter?" Lin Tian inquired.

A faint blush colored Cheng Yuwei's cheeks as she shyly looked down and murmured, "I... I've never driven a sports car before. I'm not sure how to handle it, and, honestly, I'm a bit afraid to."

"It's not much different from driving any other car. You'll get the hang of it," Lin Tian encouraged her.

Yet Cheng Yuwei remained hesitant, looking up at him to say, "I can't. This car is too nice. I'm afraid of damaging it. It would be a disaster if anything happened."

"Director Cheng, no worries. Just drive. If anything goes wrong, it's on me. Besides, the car's insured," the middle-aged man reassured her, stepping forward from behind Lin Tian.

With a slight quirk of his lips, Lin Tian moved in front of Cheng Yuwei and said with clear intent, "Take the passenger seat. I'll drive you."

Cheng Yuwei paused, then watched as the tall, broad figure slid into the driver's seat.

Suddenly, a sense of safety she hadn't felt in years welled up inside her.

It was a curious, comforting sensation.

Since her father's death, her pride had kept her from seeking help from any man, and none had ever inspired this feeling in her.

The engine's roar snapped Cheng Yuwei back to the present.

She quickly composed herself and took her place in the passenger seat without further hesitation.

The next moment, the fiery Porsche 911 became a streak of light, zooming off into the distance.

The force of acceleration and the howl of the wind were a physical presence against Cheng Yuwei.

The landscape whizzed by in a blur, the speed exhilarating yet terrifying.

Unaccustomed to such velocity, Cheng Yuwei's face tensed, her breaths coming fast.

Overwhelmed, she turned to the man at the wheel, silently pleading for him to slow down.

Cheng Yuwei's heart, which had been racing, settled the moment she glanced at the man beside her. His every move behind the wheel was masterful, fluid, like a dance. There was no hesitation, no superfluous gesture; his skill seemed to be something profound, etched into his very being.

She had never witnessed a professional racer at work, but Cheng Yuwei had no doubt that this man's driving prowess could rival any of them.

Curiosity piqued, she asked, "Lin Tian, did you ever train to drive sports cars?"

"No," Lin Tian replied, shaking his head.

"Then how are you such an incredible driver?" she pressed, even more intrigued.

With a slight smile, Lin Tian simply said, "Talent."

Cheng Yuwei's expression soured instantly. Any flicker of admiration she had felt evaporated. There it was again—his trademark arrogance, as insufferable as ever. She shook her head in resignation, no longer interested in engaging with Lin Tian.

Lin Tian felt a sense of helplessness. He was merely stating the truth. As the preeminent 'Sovereign Heavenly King,' he had an innate ability to master any tool, any machine with effortless grace. Practice was hardly necessary. But this wasn't something he could explain to Cheng Yuwei. Even if he did, she'd likely dismiss it as another boast. So, he chose to remain silent.

The red Porsche they were in became a streak of lightning, weaving through the traffic. What would have been a half-hour drive was cut down to just over ten minutes, thanks to Lin Tian's exceptional driving and the car's superior performance. They arrived swiftly at their destination—the East River City People's Hospital.

During the drive, Lin Tian had learned the basics of their urgent trip from Cheng Yuwei. Her younger sister, Chung Yuxin, was seriously ill, hospitalized with an advanced case of leukemia. Chung Yuxin's only hope for a cure was a bone marrow transplant, but neither her own nor her mother's marrow was a match. Now, she was dependent on costly imported medication while waiting for a compatible donor.

In a standard ward of the hospital's Hematology Department, a tense exchange unfolded.

"Bed 37, what's the situation? Will you be able to cover the hospital fees today?" a young nurse in a white isolation gown and glasses asked sharply. "Just so you know, if the payment isn't made by the end of the day, we'll have to stop the medication."

"Please, nurse, could we have a few more days? My eldest daughter will surely settle the full amount," pleaded a middle-aged woman, still retaining her youthful charm, as she tried to smile through her worry.

The nurse's expression turned stern. "Humph, those words do you no good with me. I'm not the one in charge. Go talk to Director Yang."

The woman reached out, grasping for the nurse's compassion. "Please, help us out... make an exception. Our family is facing real hardship."

With a look of disdain, the nurse pushed the woman's hand away. "Let go, don't waste my time. You think you can get imported medication without money? You're living in a fantasy."

The middle-aged woman was suddenly pushed, causing her to lose her balance and stagger, nearly tumbling to the ground.

"Mom..."

Just then, a cry of alarm pierced the air.

A tall, strikingly beautiful young girl quickly sprang into action, reaching out to steady the middle-aged woman.

She was none other than Cheng Yuwei...