Gu Qichen froze.
Time could not be rewound. After Qin He finished speaking, she turned and walked towards her car.
She clenched her palm, trying to ignore the waves of pain that surged through her heart.
Before Qin He drove away, she glanced at Gu Qichen standing at the entrance of the alley.
He stood there like a stone, his gaze fixed in her direction.
Qin He's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly stepped on the accelerator and drove off.
On the way back, Qin He's mind was in turmoil, so she decided to call Xu Wanwan.
The approval of the drug was not yet public knowledge.
As Qin He drove, she explained the matter to Xu Wanwan.
"I plan to start preparing these two days and contact Director Shen. He will perform the surgery, and I will be his assistant," Qin He said.
Xu Wanwan sounded worried, "If you're just the assistant, will the success rate of the surgery—"
"No, this surgery isn't a major one. The main thing is that the drug will be effective," Qin He chuckled. "I haven't told my brother about this yet. I thought it would be most appropriate for you to tell him."
Xu Wanwan's voice was muffled, likely from crying tears of joy. After a few more words, she hung up.
Qin He drove towards home. She was genuinely happy for her brother and Xu Wanwan, but thinking of Gu Qichen made her heart sink again.
A fine pain spread through her heart, making it difficult for her to breathe.
Even though she still felt a flutter when she saw Gu Qichen, and she had been deliberately avoiding the matter, she still couldn't bring herself to go back to him.
Three days passed. Qin He took one day to visit Grandma Gu at the Gu family home when Gu Qichen was not there.
Grandma Gu talked to Qin He for the entire day, not even willing to take a nap.
When Qin He left, she also told Mrs. Gu that she would be unable to visit Grandma Gu for half a month due to important matters. Mrs. Gu seemed hesitant to speak as Qin He left.
The rest of the time, Qin He contacted Shen Bin and gave him her research results and drug data.
Shen Bin was extremely excited. Performing the first surgery of its kind would be of great significance to him!
Monday.
At Qingcheng First Hospital, Shen Bin, Qin He, Qin Yun, Xu Wanwan, and Zhou Yang gathered in the medical room.
Shen Bin spoke with a serious tone, detailing the precautions for the surgery.
"After the surgery, you will need to rest and be observed in the hospital for at least half a month," Shen Bin said, looking at Qin Yun. "You should arrange all your work. This is the first surgery of its kind in the country, and there may be unforeseen risks. Therefore, you will absolutely not be allowed to be discharged early."
Qin Yun nodded, a hint of excitement hidden in his handsome eyes.
"I've already arranged everything with the company. Zhou Yang will be in charge for me."
Xu Wanwan sat on the side, looking worried. "Director Shen, what do you mean by unforeseen risks? Can you give an example?"
Qin Yun held Xu Wanwan's hand. "Unforeseen risks, how can Director Shen give an example? Don't make it difficult for him. This drug was developed by He'er, and Director Shen will be performing the surgery. No matter what the risks are, I have to try!"
What could be worse than the current situation?
Qin He looked at Xu Wanwan. "Wanwan, don't worry. The drug has already been approved, and it has undergone several rounds of trials. The chance of risks is very small, and Director Shen is a renowned master. He's only saying this to prepare you for the worst-case scenario."
Xu Wanwan was still worried, her hand gripping Qin Yun's, making her restless.
At the end of the meeting, everyone confirmed the surgery time.
"The surgery will be performed tomorrow morning at eight o'clock."
On the way back, Zhou Yang was driving. Qin He looked at Qin Yun in the back seat. "Brother, have you thought about how you're going to tell Mom if you suddenly disappear for half a month?"
"There are some matters at the Xiangcheng branch company that need my attention. I'll tell Mom I'm going on a business trip for half a month. If anything unexpected happens, I'll have to rely on you to cover for me."
Qin He nodded. "Okay."
Xu Wanwan was extremely nervous. After the car dropped her off at the Xu residence, Qin He received a message from her in the car.
Xu Wanwan: [He'er, I've thought about it. Even if there's a one in ten thousand chance of danger, I don't want you to take the risk for your brother. Why don't we just not do this surgery? It's not like we can't have children for a lifetime! It won't affect our relationship!]
Qin He was touched, but she also understood her brother's personality.
Even if there was a fifty percent chance, Qin Yun would be willing to try. No one could take away his own will.
Qin He handed her phone to Qin Yun in the back seat.
"Brother, when you get back, call Wanwan and comfort her properly. I think she might not be able to sleep tonight because she's so anxious."
Qin Yun looked at Xu Wanwan's message and fell silent.
"The more she's like this, the more I want her to have the best."
The car drove back to the Qin residence. Qin Yun did not forget to instruct Zhou Yang, "Shen Yicong has been doing well at work lately. You can confidently assign him any tasks."
Zhou Yang nodded. "Understood, President Qin."
Today's matter involved Qin Yun's privacy, so Shen Yicong was not present.
Qin He and Qin Yun got out of the car and returned to the Qin residence.
In the evening, Qin Yun told Ming Yuzhu that he was going on a business trip to Xiangcheng. Ming Yuzhu, while feeding Lele, frowned. "Why so sudden? Do you have time to pack your luggage?"
"It's only for half a month, just a few clothes will do," Qin Yun said with a smile.
Ming Yuzhu nodded. "Your wedding with Wanwan is in two months. I was discussing with Wanwan the other day, and she wants to go to Bali for our honeymoon. You two will also be going abroad for quite some time then. It's indeed better to arrange company matters in advance."
Qin He smiled from the side. "When Brother and Wanwan go on their honeymoon, won't I be here? I'll be at the Qin Corporation then, and let's see who dares to cause trouble."
"You'd better not. When your brother injured his leg some time ago, you were in charge for a while, and the entire company was in a state of panic," Ming Yuzhu said, laughing as she recalled the past.
Lele, in her arms, also clapped his hands and giggled.
The four of them were in harmony, but Qin He felt an inexplicable tension.
She had confidence in the drug and confidence in Shen Bin's surgical skills.
But after all, this was her own brother.
While comforting Xu Wanwan, she had words to say, but when it came to comforting herself, Qin He could only pray to heaven for protection, and not let that one-in-ten-thousand chance fall upon Qin Yun.
The next day.
Seven in the morning.
Qin Yun carried his suitcase and left the house. Qin He found an excuse, saying she would drive Qin Yun to the airport, and also followed him out.
After leaving the house, the car headed towards Qingcheng First Hospital.
This time, Shen Bin had specifically allocated a former sanatorium building from the hospital's inpatient building for Qin Yun to have his surgery and reside in alone.
Xu Wanwan also arrived, holding onto Qin Yun tightly, but afraid to cry and make him sad.
Upon reaching the operating room in the small building, Shen Bin and Qin He went to change into their surgical gowns.
Qin Yun also changed into a patient's surgical gown and sat on the operating table, waiting.