Chapter 99: Is There Still Hope?

Her meaning was clear enough.

Yet Lu Sinian acted as if he had not noticed, started the engine, and drove on.

A flicker moved through Mu Yinyin’s eyes. In the end, she could only turn back helplessly and sit properly in her seat.

But...

Before they could even make it back to the company, Mu Yinyin’s phone suddenly began vibrating nonstop. She took it out and saw that it was a call from Jiang Ling. She did not hesitate and answered at once.

At this hour, if he was calling her, something must have happened.

“Yinyin, something’s happened to Xiaoqi.”

Mu Yinyin’s expression changed sharply. “What is it?”

“Come to the hospital first. I’ll send you the address.” With that, Jiang Ling hung up.

Mu Yinyin immediately looked at WeChat.

Lu Sinian had also sensed that something was wrong. He looked at her. “What is it?”

“Can you take me to the hospital? Something’s happened to Xiaoqi.” Mu Yinyin’s voice was grave.

If it were merely an ordinary matter, Jiang Ling would not have called her with such seriousness. Something serious had definitely happened.

And since she knew medicine, she had to get there at once.

Mu Yinyin gave him the address. Lu Sinian immediately changed lanes and turned the car around. On the way, he drove at extreme speed, even running several red lights. When life was on the line, there could be no carelessness.

What should have been more than an hour’s drive took Lu Sinian only half an hour.

Mu Yinyin had already confirmed the location with Jiang Ling on the way. She glanced at Lu Sinian and said, “Thank you for bringing me here. I’ll handle the rest myself, so I won’t trouble you anymore. I may still have some things to take care of.”

The matter, naturally, referred to checking on Gu Xiaoqi’s condition.

Lu Sinian knew she would not need his help any further, so he nodded. “All right. If you need anything, just say the word.”

Mu Yinyin nodded and said nothing else. She hurried straight to the top floor.

By now, Gu Xiaoqi was still unconscious. When Mu Yinyin arrived, she saw two people waiting outside the corridor.

“How is Xiaoqi now?”

Li Chuan’s eyes were faintly red. At that moment, he looked as though he had not slept well for days. He said directly, “She’s still unconscious. The doctor said she has severe sepsis, and there’s nothing more they can do.”

Mu Yinyin’s face darkened. “Have all the tests been done? Let me take a look at her condition.”

Li Chuan’s expression was exceedingly grave. Seeing Mu Yinyin about to step forward, he drew in a breath and said, “Yinyin.”

Mu Yinyin paused and looked at him.

Jiang Ling had said nothing the entire time, but his expression was equally solemn.

Then Li Chuan said in a heavy voice, “Please. Save her.”

Mu Yinyin’s eyelashes trembled slightly. She knew just how important Gu Xiaoqi was to Li Chuan. Even though the two of them had not yet confessed their feelings, she and Jiang Ling both knew they would end up together sooner or later.

Besides, even if Li Chuan were not there, she and Gu Xiaoqi were sisters for life. They would never part, and she would save her no matter what.

Mu Yinyin said solemnly, “I’ll do everything I can.”

With that, she went inside.

Li Chuan pressed his lips together and followed immediately.

But then, afraid he might disturb something, he clenched his fists and stopped where he was.

After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Ling stayed outside with Li Chuan as well. He raised a hand and patted Li Chuan’s shoulder, saying slowly, “Xiaoqi is one of the most important friends we have. Now that Yinyin is here, nothing will happen to her.”

Li Chuan’s eyes darkened, but he still nodded without saying anything.

Five minutes later, Mu Yinyin came out. Li Chuan immediately looked at her. Though he said nothing, his eyes made his meaning plain: he wanted to know what she had to say.

Mu Yinyin’s expression was grave. After a pause, she spoke softly. “I’ve looked at her condition, but I still need to review the test data. I’m going to the doctor’s office.”

Several doctors were already discussing Gu Xiaoqi’s condition. In the end, all they could do was keep her alive; they could not cure her. Everyone was still studying what to do next.

Neither Li Chuan nor Jiang Ling said anything. They followed at once, their eyes filled with deep concern.

Soon, the group entered the office. When the doctors saw Mu Yinyin, none of them looked surprised.

After all, Mu Yinyin was the leader of Starfall, and she was very close to Gu Xiaoqi. It made perfect sense that she would be worried about a friend.

The chief physician immediately greeted Mu Yinyin and the others.

Mu Yinyin nodded and said gently, “Please let me see all of Xiaoqi’s test results.”

The chief physician gave one of the doctors a look. The doctor handed all the test reports to Mu Yinyin without speaking.

Everything that needed to be said had already been said. To say more now would be like picking at a wound.

Jiang Ling and Li Chuan had no intention of speaking either. They did not even look at the reports. Instead, both of them kept their eyes fixed on Mu Yinyin, hoping to read something from her expression.

Mu Yinyin’s face remained stern as she carefully studied every item on the reports. Ten minutes later, she finally spoke. “I’ve heard about Xiaoqi’s condition. For now, I need you to keep her alive. As for what comes next, I’ll find a way. We will not abandon the conservative treatment she has been receiving in the early stage.”

The chief physician nodded at once. “Of course. That is what we should do. Please rest assured.”

As for anything beyond that... they might already be powerless.

Mu Yinyin nodded, then looked at Jiang Ling and Li Chuan, signaling for them to come out with her.

Soon, they returned to Gu Xiaoqi’s ward.

Looking at Gu Xiaoqi still sleeping on the bed, Li Chuan could no longer hold himself back. He turned to Mu Yinyin and asked hoarsely, “Is there any hope?”

Just those few words—who knew how hard they were for him to say. Even though his tone was steady, Mu Yinyin and Jiang Ling could both hear the pain beneath it.

Jiang Ling did not feel any better. The four of them had known each other for so many years; not one of them could be missing. None of them could endure such a blow.

Mu Yinyin frowned tightly and said in a low voice, “There is hope, but one ingredient is missing. A very important ingredient.”

“What ingredient?” Li Chuan and Jiang Ling asked in unison.

Mu Yinyin pressed her lips together. “Blue Bamboo.”

Blue Bamboo was only its name; it was not actually a blue bamboo plant. It was just that its shape resembled bamboo somewhat, so that was the name it had been given.

“Blue Bamboo?” Jiang Ling looked puzzled.

Mu Yinyin paused before slowly saying, “Blue Bamboo is extremely rare, something you might not even encounter in a thousand years. If we can get it, I can guarantee Xiaoqi will become a normal person. But this ingredient...”

Li Chuan’s eyes suddenly lit up. He said immediately, “I have it. I know what you’re talking about.”

Mu Yinyin froze, then looked at him in surprise. “You... know it?”

If he knew where it was, that would be even better.