Chapter 2800 - 2862: The Little Girl with Cancer

Li Yifei wasn’t exaggerating when he praised Wu Shuwei’s beauty because she was truly stunning. With the current atmosphere, she appeared even more beautiful, and Li Yifei watched admiringly, his eyes bright. Wu Shuwei lightly bit her cherry lips, her gaze wavering, as Li Yifei’s intense gaze made her heart flutter amidst the bustling crowd.

This sensation wasn’t fear; it was an emotion she couldn’t quite describe. She wanted to cover her heart to stop it from beating so fast, and a voice within whispered: This cunning man is looking at me like that – does he want to hold or kiss me?

These thoughts flashed by in an instant. Had Li Yifei embraced her now, he would find Wu Shuwei’s body tense, her muscles taut. Since Wu Shuwei was in high heels, they were eye-to-eye, gazing at each other, their eyes reflecting one another. After what felt like forever, Li Yifei grinned, asking, "Are you cold?"

The question arose because he noticed a slight tremble in Wu Shuwei’s lips and tonight was indeed chilly. Wu Shuwei, however, suddenly deflated a bit, shaking her head and replying, "No, I’m not cold."

"The night is so beautiful; should we take a walk by the river?" Li Yifei suggested.

Wu Shuwei glanced afar, nodded gently, and said, "Let’s go for a walk. I’ve never strolled here at night."

"Neither have I, although I’ve been to Haicheng several times," Li Yifei stated.

"Let’s go!" And with that, Wu Shuwei took the lead, blending into the crowd. The night in Haicheng was spectacular – neon lights everywhere, the surrounding buildings adorned with LEDs in vibrant colors. The riverside was filled with pedestrians. Opposite the iconic Pearl, many tourists came specifically to snap a photo, as if failing to do so meant not having truly visited Haicheng.

"I’ll take a picture for you!" Li Yifei noticed the crowd thinning a bit at a spot and asked Wu Shuwei to stand there. He then took out his phone, ready to take the photo.

"Okay." Wu Shuwei held her bag like before, standing elegantly. Li Yifei adjusted his angle and snapped several shots. Afterward, he felt a hint of anticipation, wanting to suggest a photo together. But before he could speak, a little girl nearby offered, "Big brother, shall I help take a picture for you? Sister is so pretty, you make a good couple!"

Li Yifei turned his head to see a petite girl standing about two meters away, wearing a knitted hat and bundled in thick clothes, appearing quite slender. Her complexion was slightly pale. Li Yifei smiled, "Sure, thank you."

"You’re welcome!" The little girl took the phone, while Li Yifei moved to stand beside Wu Shuwei. The girl tilted her head after a few seconds, "Big brother, get closer to sister; you’re too far apart."

"Oh? Okay!" Li Yifei was standing close to Wu Shuwei, but there was still some space between them, so they seemed not intimate enough. The girl assumed they were a couple, or at least seemed interested, thus offering a small help. Li Yifei quietly asked, "Is it okay?"

Wu Shuwei glared at him but didn’t say yes or no, essentially agreeing silently. Li Yifei then ’wisely’ extended his right arm to place it behind Wu Shuwei, who didn’t react, and Li Yifei said, "It’s done!"

"Get even closer, big brother; you have to cuddle sister for the photo to appear natural," the girl’s voice came. Li Yifei chuckled, replying, "Okay, let’s get closer."

So... Li Yifei directly embraced Wu Shuwei’s slim waist, his palm pressing against it, feeling wonderful, her figure just the right size. Wu Shuwei’s body instantly tensed, Li Yifei’s hand seemingly magical, its warmth penetrating even through thick clothing.

"Relax, smile," Li Yifei whispered. Wu Shuwei nodded slightly, and the camera clicked several times as the girl took multiple shots, granting Li Yifei some extra moments holding Wu Shuwei. Of course, the two had many more intimate moments before.

For Li Yifei, this was thoroughly enjoyable, distinct from life-and-death intimacy.

"Thank you!" After the shots, Wu Shuwei walked a few steps forward, took the phone from the girl’s hand, and nodded approvingly upon viewing the photos, saying, "They look great."

"Of course," Li Yifei leaned over, remarking. Wu Shuwei gave him a sidelong glance, then addressed the girl, "Are you here playing alone? It’s late, not safe by yourself. You should head home early."

"No, my parents are nearby, they brought me here," the girl shook her head, pointing to a couple standing about ten meters away.

Li Yifei looked over to see the girl’s parents smiling in acknowledgment, Wu Shuwei waved in greeting. As the girl turned, Li Yifei frowned, detecting a strong medicinal scent from the girl earlier. Noticing something resembling a tube inserted into the girl’s neck as she turned, Li Yifei instinctively realized it was something bad. Who would have a tube inserted in their neck?

"Big sister, you’re so beautiful, like those stars on television," the girl beamed, eyes narrowing.

"Sweetie, you’re pretty too, just a bit thin. When you gain weight, you’ll be a beauty as well," Wu Shuwei consoled.

The girl seemed hopeful but quickly sighed, "I’m afraid I won’t gain weight. I used to be quite chubby, at one point I was even a hundred pounds!"

Wu Shuwei wanted to ask why, but Li Yifei patted her arm, saying, "I’ll go over to say hi."

"Oh, alright!" Wu Shuwei nodded, not quite understanding Li Yifei’s intentions but instinctively trusting there was a reason, nodding in agreement as Li Yifei walked toward the girl’s parents.

"Hello," the girl’s father greeted first. Li Yifei responded, glancing over the girl’s parents as he approached. Their attire was modest, the father still in a tracksuit in this cold season, uncertain if he wore anything underneath. If he didn’t, it was indeed cold. The mother dressed equally plain. Taking a stroll dressed like this hinted at an ordinary family.

"If you don’t mind me asking... is your daughter... not in good health?" Li Yifei lowered his voice.

"Well... sir, truthfully, our daughter’s health isn’t great. We brought her out for a change of scenery," the father admitted.

"Oh, I saw something like a tube inserted in her neck," Li Yifei noted.

The parents glanced at each other, sighing and nodding bitterly, replying, "Yes, it’s a tube used for chemotherapy."

"Chemotherapy?" Li Yifei immediately understood. No wonder the tube seemed unusual yet familiar. In late-stage cancer, chemotherapy is necessary. Thinking of the girl’s cheerful smile, Li Yifei couldn’t help frowning, asking, "Which cancer type? The chemotherapy’s already begun?"

Li Yifei didn’t intend to add to the parents’ agony, but he asked anyway. The father’s face darkened, sighing but responded, "It’s our fault. A year ago, our daughter complained of discomfort. Her mother and I didn’t take it seriously, only visited a small clinic where they said nothing was wrong, gave some medication, but she didn’t improve. This year, the pain worsened, and a major hospital diagnosed late-stage cancer, having spread. She’s had three chemotherapy sessions without improvement."

Spread... Generally speaking, once cancer cells spread, there’s no saving it. Cancer cells are regular cells, yet incompatible with the body’s healthy cells, vying for space, multiplying indefinitely, which damages the body’s normal functions, prompting various symptoms.

"Did the doctors say there’s nothing they can do?" Li Yifei asked.

The mother pursed her lips, nodding, while the father said, "There’s little to be done. Doctors suggested we... return home since there’s no saving her. But she’s our daughter! If there’s any chance... her mother and I won’t give up. We’ve sold our house for this trip..."

"Enough, it’s her fate, unfortunately we can’t switch places!" The mother tugged at the father, stopping him.

Li Yifei glanced back, seeing Wu Shuwei photographing the girl. Despite her illness, she laughed earnestly. By her appearance, she seemed ten or so years old, but judging by the parents’ ages, she was likely high school or college-aged.

Late-stage cancer, spreading in multiple locations, indeed often negates further treatment necessity. Globally, no drug can confidently cure cancer. Even extreme chemotherapy indiscriminately kills cells, causing additional pain for already fragile patients, and may not even work. Li Yifei sighed, pondering, then decided to lend a hand due to the girl’s sincere assistance and pure smile. He said, "Well, brother, I know one of Huaxia’s top oncology doctors. He’s in Haicheng for consultations these days. Rest assured, it won’t cost a dime. Tomorrow or the day after, I can arrange a meeting for a consultation. Consider this your last hope; I hope you won’t give up."