My Alleged Husband

Chapter 542 - 521 Strong Support_1

Time flew by in the blink of an eye, and Old Master Zhang’s pathology report was about to be released. He waited with anticipation for a good outcome, yet she feared how devastating the results might be to him. But he had no choice, as certain experiences can only be faced personally.

After he had his lunch, the doctor called her to the office to discuss the results. He knew the news with just one look, torn between telling and keeping it to himself, wondering whether it might cause his patient too much psychological burden. Yet, if he didn’t disclose, how could the patient make peace with his illness and focus on recovery?

"Doctor, I would like to inquire about the actual state of my health. I hope you can be as honest with me as you were before, without any concealment, because you can hide the truth from me for a while, but not for a lifetime. Regardless of whether the outcome is good or bad, it’s something I need to face myself. Only by accepting the consequences that belong to me might I lead a different life.

I am well aware of whether such an outcome is good or bad. No matter the outcome, I have to accept it myself. This is the result I desire. I don’t want to reach the moment of death without knowing what took my life. I want to die with a clear understanding. You know, I am a person with both pride and self-respect, and these qualities outweigh everything else..."

The doctor understood very well that he was speaking with a formidable figure of the business world and felt somewhat inferior.

Still, the doctor was conflicted. He didn’t know what to do. If he went through with it, how would he live with himself? But his Uncle Shi...

"Uncle Shi, since you so wish to know about your condition, I can only tell you the truth. The results of your tests are somewhat bad. The tumor has been confirmed to be malignant, and it is uncertain how much time you have left. However, I hope that in this last period, you can enjoy the life you want to live. You could opt for chemotherapy, and who knows, there might be a chance of recovery, but it all depends on the decision you ultimately make..."

Although Old Master Zhang had braced himself for such an outcome, he was still shocked to hear it confirmed by the doctor. He hadn’t expected his once healthy body to have deteriorated to its current state.

"Now that things have come to this point, there’s not much to care about. But I would still like you to keep it a secret, don’t tell my grandsons about it. They have their own happy lives to live, why should they be panicked by news of an old man’s imminent departure?

Your father and I were close friends, and you’re someone I regard highly. Though we’ve had no unforgettable moments in these years, I know your father has always been in touch with me. I’ve never returned his letters because I understand that choosing not to respond is often the best answer. If one day I leave you and see your father, please apologize for me on my behalf, sorry that I let down all his expectations of me!"

"Uncle Shi, don’t say that. Clearly, there’s still hope for recovery, yet you insist on foregoing treatment. Are you really so worried that your grandsons would become anxious upon learning about your condition? That’s only one aspect of the situation. Most importantly, you don’t want your son to come back to your side because of your illness. You have your pride, and you can’t bear the thought of your own flesh and blood trampling on it repeatedly. If you truly have your son’s best interests at heart, you should tell your family the truth. The outcome may be hard for your loved ones to accept, and it might cause them day-to-day distress, but it’s better than keeping them in the dark. If you tell them, at least they won’t feel so heartbroken after you’re gone for not knowing your condition. All they want is the honest presence of their loved one. But if you conceal this from them, you’ll only make it harder for them to accept and increase their distress."

"You should know that once I was diagnosed with this condition, my body could only persist step by step, enduring a torture almost akin to chronic pain. That kind of torment can weaken a person’s spirit to the point where they can no longer go on. Do you understand? When I first suspected that I might have a malignant tumor and couldn’t stay in this world for long, I had a hard time coming to terms with it. Though outwardly I may not seem affected, taking everything casually, is that really what my heart feels? Wouldn’t anyone’s heart weaken and long for comfort after such a diagnosis? But I cannot let my need for support distract from the happiness of my family. Their joy means more to me than my own health. If I were to begin treatment, it would mean that I could no longer hide my illness from my family. I can’t bear to have them suffer because of me. I’d rather bear all the pain alone than see them in sorrow...

If you truly regard me as a friend of your father’s, as an elder, then please keep this secret for me. If this comes out, my life will only become more unbearable. I can’t let my descendants suffer fear and anxiety over a dying man’s condition. I cannot allow them to live with such difficulty, to smile at me while hiding their tears. I’ve lived that life enough on my own. I don’t want my descendants to live like that. Even if my son can’t come to see me when I die, I accept it, for this is the path I’ve chosen, and I must bear the consequences alone..."