Taking Care of Ling'er

The employees were still watching the interaction between the two with excitement.

Huo Shen, however, had a dark look in his eyes.

He couldn’t stand seeing Su Hua and Lin Xuan acting so intimately as if no one else was around.

Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to leave…

It was like he was torturing himself by watching them.

After lunch,

Lin Xuan had Su Hua rest in the break room while he sat at her desk, reviewing documents.

He handled whatever he could for her.

Suddenly,

He received a phone call.

Lin Xuan frowned, his face filled with worry.

“Alright, I’ll be right there.”

Grabbing his car keys and phone, he hurriedly left the office.

Not wanting Su Hua to worry, he said to Jiang Qing, “Secretary Jiang, I have something urgent to take care of. Let Hua Bao know when she wakes up.”

“Understood,” Jiang Qing replied respectfully.

She watched Lin Xuan’s retreating figure with confusion.

This was the first time she’d seen Young Master Lin in such a frantic rush—what could have happened?

Fifteen minutes later, Lin Xuan arrived at Yun City First People’s Hospital.

Chen Ling stood at the entrance, her eyes red as she paced back and forth.

The moment she spotted Lin Xuan, it was as if she’d found her anchor—her dull eyes brightened.

“Brother Lin Xuan, you’re finally here.” Chen Ling rushed toward him.

Tears streamed uncontrollably from her reddened eyes.

“Dad has cancer… terminal cancer. He hid it from me—I had no idea he was sick.”

“Just this afternoon, he collapsed while playing with the orphans. The doctors said… he won’t make it through today. His condition is really bad now.”

Her voice choked with sobs, she wiped away the tears that wouldn’t stop falling.

“Brother Lin Xuan, Dad keeps calling your name… like he has something important to tell you. Please, go see him.”

“Alright, I’ll go right now.”

Lin Xuan pushed open the hospital room door and strode inside, Chen Ling following behind.

The moment he entered, he saw Chen Hong lying on the bed—his face ashen, his breathing shallow and labored, his entire being devoid of vitality.

Lin Xuan stared at him, stunned.

In his past life, after marrying Qin Ruoyao, he had stopped visiting the orphanage, only occasionally sending money.

He never knew the director had passed away so early.

And when he and Hua Bao had visited the orphanage last time, he hadn’t even noticed Chen Hong was ill.

“Xiao Xuan… you’re here.” The director’s voice was weak, barely audible.

“Yes, Director, I’m here.”

Lin Xuan gripped Chen Hong’s hand tightly, his other hand pressing against the man’s wrist to check his pulse.

Suddenly, it felt as if all his strength had drained away.

It was too late—far too late. Even he couldn’t do anything about the director’s condition now.

If only he’d discovered it a year earlier, he could have cured him.

But he’d had no idea.

If, in his past life, he had still visited the orphanage occasionally after marrying Qin Ruoyao, he would have known the director passed away around this time.

Then, in this life, maybe he could have detected the illness sooner and treated it—maybe Chen Hong wouldn’t have had to die from this cancer.

Chen Hong smiled faintly, his expression oddly at ease.

“Xiao Xuan, it’s alright. Life and death… they’re just part of existence. I’m just leaving this world a little earlier than most.”

Lin Xuan’s eyes reddened, his heart heavy. He said nothing.

Chen Hong could feel his body growing colder.

He knew he didn’t have much time left.

He had to say what needed to be said—once he was gone, there’d be no chance.

“Xiao Xuan.” His lips trembled slightly. “I called you here… because I have a favor to ask.”

Lin Xuan’s voice was thick with emotion. “Director, just tell me. Whatever I can do, I will.”

“Xiao Xuan…” Chen Hong’s eyes glistened. “I have no regrets… except for Ling’er.”

“All these years, I poured most of my money into the orphanage… I couldn’t give Ling’er a good life. She’s suffered so much because of me.”

“Dad, don’t say that.” Chen Ling clutched her father’s hand, sobbing. “I never suffered. You’ve been so good to me—I’ve been happy.”

Tears slipped from Chen Hong’s eyes.

He reached up with rough fingers to wipe Chen Ling’s tears away.

“Ling’er, don’t cry. After I’m gone… you have to keep moving forward happily, understand?”

“Dad—” Chen Ling’s tears only fell harder.

Beyond the grief of losing her father, her mind raced with thoughts of the future.

She was still in school. She didn’t own a home.

If her father died, who would pay her tuition? Her living expenses?

She’d have to cook, clean, and do laundry all by herself now.

And once her father was gone, Lin Xuan would rarely visit the orphanage anymore.

She’d hardly get to see him.

If her father were still alive, maybe he could have even helped her and Lin Xuan get together someday.

With Chen Hong gone, Chen Ling felt like the sky was collapsing.

“Xiao Xuan.” Chen Hong turned his gaze back to Lin Xuan.

“All the orphans who grew up here… they’ve found their own paths now. The only one I worry about is Ling’er. After I’m gone… I’m afraid she’ll be taken advantage of.”

Lin Xuan tightened his grip on Chen Hong’s icy hand.

“So I’m begging you, Xiao Xuan… can you look after Ling’er for me? Make sure no one hurts her?”

He knew how Ling’er felt about Xiao Xuan.

He also knew it would be best for Xiao Xuan to keep his distance, lest Ling’er someday disrupt his relationship with his girlfriend.

But Xiao Xuan was now the CEO of Tianmu Group—powerful and influential.

If he agreed to help, he could ensure Ling’er lived comfortably, free from want.

And if Ling’er ever did something unforgivable… Xiao Xuan was a man of principle, but with this plea, he might still show mercy.

Forgive him—as a father, he couldn’t help being selfish.

Hearing this, Chen Ling’s eyes lit up.

Lin Xuan taking care of her? That would be perfect!

“Xiao Xuan… promise me, alright?” Chen Hong clutched Lin Xuan’s hand, pleading.

“This is my only wish. Xiao Xuan… you wouldn’t let me die with regrets, would you?”

“I’m begging you…”

Chen Hong had raised Lin Xuan for years. Seeing him like this, Lin Xuan couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

Finally, he nodded.

“Alright, Director. Don’t worry—I’ll take good care of her.”

“Good boy…” Chen Hong’s eyes welled up again. “Thank you.”

With Xiao Xuan’s promise, he could rest easy.

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