"Not just the group, but the Xie Corporation is also eyeing soaring now, and that Sasha, I don't know what tricks she'll play against Susu. I have to hold on. I want to protect Susu and the children!"
Seeing how stubborn he was, An Jing brought up Susu again. "Fine, if you don't go to the hospital with me today, then I'll have Susu accompany you! How long do you think you can hide it from her? Will she not know when you can't see anymore? By then, you'll be blind, who can you protect then!"
Tian Yi grabbed his collar and said nervously, "Xiao An Jing! What do you want to do! I already told you not to let Susu know!"
"Susu isn't as fragile as you think!" An Jing shouted. "Think about it, when you were dealing with Lu Yuanhong for those two years, Susu managed to get through it. If anything, I can help her! If you really go blind, she'll have to take care of you for the rest of her life!"
Tian Yi let go of him, feeling conflicted. He realized that if things continued like this, he might actually go blind.
An Jing held his arm, his tone softening as he persuaded him, "Let's put everything aside today. Just go to the hospital for a check-up and see what the doctor says, okay?"
Tian Yi finally nodded. "You still shouldn't let Susu know about this for now."
"I respect your wishes. If it needs to be said, it should be you who tells her." An Jing had only mentioned Susu to make him take his condition seriously; he certainly wouldn't go and tell Susu himself.
Tian Yi told his secretary that he was going out with An Jing to discuss business and wouldn't be returning to the company today.
They went to a private hospital with strong confidentiality. An Jing accompanied him through all the necessary examinations. By the afternoon, some of the results were out.
The neurologist repeatedly reviewed Tian Yi's brain CT scans and some of the preliminary test results. He discovered that the blood clot in his brain had not only failed to dissipate but was also located in an extremely dangerous position near the brain's nerves. He recommended immediate surgery.
An Jing, listening from the side, couldn't help but ask, "Is the surgery very risky? What's causing his intermittent blurred vision?"
The doctor replied, "That's caused by the blood clot pressing on the optic nerve. The clot's position in the brain isn't fixed; it moves, which is why his vision is only blurred at times. However, if this continues, it will be very dangerous. It's best for you to have the surgery abroad."
Tian Yi asked in confusion, "Can't they perform brain surgery at the hospitals in Lancheng? Why do we need to go abroad?" He didn't want to be too far from his family again.
The doctor pondered for a moment and said, "Your surgery is very risky. Forget about Lancheng; there isn't a neurosurgeon in the country who can guarantee success. Therefore, having the surgery abroad would be safer."
An Jing gasped involuntarily upon hearing this. It seemed that even if he could persuade Tian Yi to have surgery, the risks were still very high.
He fell silent for a moment.
Tian Yi calmly said, "Thank you. I need to go back and consider it before making a decision."
"Mr. Qin, given your current condition, you should decide as soon as possible," the doctor urged him. "Your brain is like a time bomb. Every day you delay, the risk of it exploding increases. The sooner you defuse this time bomb, the better."
Tian Yi then asked, "Doctor, will the blood clot in my brain disappear on its own?"
The doctor shook his head and said, "Judging by its size, the possibility of it disappearing on its own is very small, though not entirely impossible. However, if you're hoping for it to dissipate naturally, that carries even greater risk than surgery. I advise you to..."
"Alright, I understand," Tian Yi interrupted the doctor, then stood up and walked out of his office.
An Jing quickly followed, unsure whether he should support Tian Yi in having surgery immediately or let him continue to endure.
Tian Yi also remained silent. After sitting into the car with a blank expression, An Jing spoke first, "Tian Yi..."
"Stop talking. Drive me back." He had actually made up his mind. He still didn't want to have surgery right away, and going abroad for surgery made it even more impossible.
"Are you tired of living? Didn't you hear what the doctor said?" An Jing felt he should still have the surgery, even if it was risky. "That blood clot will not only make you blind but is also a time bomb that could endanger your life!"
"People don't die that easily. Doctors always talk about the worst-case scenarios," Tian Yi said, feigning nonchalance. "I'm fine. Drive quickly."
"Are you just going to ignore what the doctor said..."
"If you're not going to drive, I'll drive myself," Tian Yi retorted impatiently. "If the surgery is unsuccessful, I'll still die, won't I? Let me spend more time with Susu and the children. Even if I have to have surgery, I need to arrange many things first!"
An Jing started the car and stepped on the accelerator.
He understood Tian Yi's feelings, of course, but the thought of his best friend facing such suffering made him feel an indescribable discomfort and sadness, yet also a sense of helplessness.
Tian Yi returned earlier than usual today; Susu hadn't finished work and come home yet.
Xiao Lin and Xiao Mei were chatting by the garage. As soon as they saw him, they hurried to greet him.
"Young Master, why didn't you notify me? I could have driven to pick you up earlier," Xiao Lin said, taking his bag.
Tian Yi said faintly, "An Jing drove me back. I wanted to walk a bit, so I didn't have him escort me in."
As Xiao Lin followed him to the door, he handed the bag to Xiao Mei and was about to return to the garage.
Tian Yi asked, "Did the Young Madam drive out by herself today?"
"Yes, she didn't ask me to escort her," Xiao Lin replied.
"Alright, then you're dismissed," he said, walking in to change his shoes.
Xiao Mei put his bag away and asked, "Young Master, is there anything you'd like to eat? I'll make it for you."
"Thank you, no need," Tian Yi replied. "Are the children doing well today?"
"Yes, they're fine. They slept this afternoon, and the nanny is watching them in their room."
Tian Yi said nothing further and headed straight for the bedroom on the second floor.
Back in the room, without changing his clothes, he sat wearily on the chaise lounge by the bed. Thinking that his life could be in danger at any moment, he felt there were many things that needed to be arranged and handed over.
He actually didn't know how to tell Susu about this without causing her too much grief and breakdown.
Outside, the sun was setting. The dim yellow sunlight streamed through the window, casting a glow over him.
He not only had a headache but also felt a pain and tightness in his chest.
At this moment, Susu pushed the door open. Xiao Mei had told her downstairs that Tian Yi had already returned.
She had originally tiptoed upstairs, intending to surprise him and play a joke on him, making him both startled and delighted.
However, she inadvertently glimpsed a rare sadness on his usually resolute face.
She immediately abandoned her original intention, walked up to him, touched his forehead, and asked, "What's wrong? Are you sick?"
Tian Yi grabbed her hand and looked up at her, saying, "The bidding project didn't go too smoothly, so I came back early today."
Susu then said with relief, "The Xie Corporation's own projects are so poorly made. Don't those people care at all, letting the Xie Corporation participate in the bidding?"