If Gu Junxing saw his son in this state, he would probably be greatly comforted, regardless of how his son usually was, he could see the concern for his own father at such a crucial moment.
"Don't worry, the doctor said it's lung nodules. A surgery and regular follow-ups should do it. It's not a very severe issue. Let's go, come with me to the hospital." Nian Suian grabbed Gu Zhijing's arm, leading him out of the office.
"Teacher Cen, I'm sorry for the interruption." When Nian Suian came out and saw Cen Xi standing at the door, she knew that Cen Xi intentionally let them have a private conversation.
"No trouble at all, Mrs. Nian. You both should get to the hospital now."
"All right, in that case, Zhijing will be back in class in a few days." Nian Suian asked Gu Zhijing for three days off, which she had already discussed with Cen Xi.
"That's fine. Zhijing, don't worry too much. I'll mention it to the other teachers. When you come back, we'll make up the classes you've missed during your free time. Just accompany your father today and don't worry about school." Cen Xi gently reassured Gu Zhijing, even considering the classwork he might miss due to leave.
"Thank you, Teacher." Gu Zhijing was also very polite, bowing to Cen Xi before leaving with Nian Suian.
"I've asked Butler Su to pack your things. We will be staying at the hospital tonight."
"Hmm."
Gu Zhijing was quiet, quite unlike his usual talkative self. Therefore, once they got in the car, Nian Suian purposely said, "Let your friends know you're taking a leave. If you don't show up for a few days, they might start worrying about you."
Nian Suian thought, compared to adults, children are more likely to share their happiness or sorrow with friends. Sitting quietly in the car might make him feel better than staying silent the whole way.
Hearing Nian Suian's words, Gu Zhijing took out his phone and explained to his friends. His friends, usual jokers, became supportive and comforting.
The hospital was not far, and they arrived shortly. So, Nian Suian didn't call Gu Junxing in advance and directly went to his room after asking the nurse about his ward.
Gu Junxing was staying in a large suite and it was his assistant who opened the door for them.
"Dad!" Gu Zhijing called out 'Dad' with heartfelt concern and affection.
"Why are you here?" Gu Junxing was surprised. Not that he didn't want him there, but he didn't expect Nian Suian to pick Zhijing up from school.
"What, you don't want me here?" Gu Zhijing was upset by his father's lack of enthusiasm.
"I never said that."
Nian Suian stepped forward and scanned the hospital bed. There were several documents and a laptop on the table. "With you in the hospital, is the company going to collapse if you don’t work for a few days?”
Gu Zhijing also noticed and vented, "I shouldn't have come! He looks fine to me, still able to work."
When Butler Su came over after putting away the luggage, he also disapproved of Gu Junxing's actions.
"Cough! Gu Junxing felt awkward under the scrutiny of three pairs of eyes." He pushed the small table further away, indicating that he was not going to read anymore.
"I was not doing much here, so I just read a bit of the file. I have just started," he explained.
Upon hearing this, Gu Zhijing quickly picked up the remote from the bedside table and turned on the television.
"Umph, isn't it better now? Working while being ill, are you trying to kill yourself? If you die, mom and I will remarry!" Gu Zhijing jested.
Upon hearing this, Nian Suian was shocked, "Stop talking nonsense, I am not going to remarry." Why would I want to remarry? Being a wealthy widow seems like a good life too.
Observing the concern from his family, Gu Junxing felt happy. His son might be blunt but was genuinely caring. Yet, he said: "You guys don't need to worry so much; it is just a minor surgery."
"A minor surgery it may be, but it should serve as a wake-up call," Nian Suian remarked.
"I understand."
After seeing his father's situation and having a word-battle with him, Gu Zhijing visibly relaxed.
A while later, he and Nian Suian sat on the couch, watching a variety show on a tablet—a tablet they had confiscated from Gu Junxing, who planned to sneakily read some reports. He was caught red-handed by Butler Su, who informed Nian Suian and Gu Zhijing, they confiscated the tablet and downloaded a bunch of television applications on it.
In the evening, the doctor made another visit to check on Gu Junxing’s conditions and reminded him not to eat at night.
After the doctor left, Nian Suian said to Gu Zhijing: "Gu Zhijing, I believe there is a really good pizza place nearby; I'll treat you."
"Great!" Upon hearing about good food, Gu Zhijing sprang up ready to go. Blackguarding his dad on the way out he mocked, "Poor thing, someone is so sick they can't eat."
"Go on, hurry up, don't eye sore here," Gu Junxing pretended to be angry. Truly, he wasn't craving a slice of pizza that much; he just thought it was fun to tease his son.
"Butler Su, would you like to join us? It's about time for dinner," Nian Suian invited Butler Su.
Sensing Butler Su's hesitation, Gu Junxing reassured him, "Go on, I can take care of myself. If something comes up, I will call the nurse or doctor." That persuaded Butler Su to leave.
The pizza at this place was famous. Nian Suian had ordered delivery from there several times before, but never dined in.
"Smells so good. Too bad your dad can't have any," Nian Suian inhaled the delicious aroma as they walked in and gloated.
"Well, we can take it back home and let him smell it at least. He already feels so miserable not being able to eat!" Gu Zhijing suggested.
Butler Su had no objections, but he quietly felt sorry for his boss. Gu Zhijing was really skilled at teasing his Dad.
Both of them agreed easily, and ended up bringing back several 10-inch pizzas, plus a bunch of other snacks and drinks.
Enjoyment is better when shared, so they figured why not share with the nurses and doctors back in the hospital. They all could have some fun together.
They had bought a lot of stuff, so much so that the three of them had to hail two cabs. Butler Su took one of them, guarding the pizzas. Nian Suian and Gu Zhijing shared another, protecting the snacks and drinks. It looked as if they had nearly emptied out the pizza place.
Upon reaching the hospital, Butler Su had no choice but to call down Gu Junxing's assistant too because the three of them couldn't carry all of it themselves.
With armloads of food and the idea that distributing some items would lessen their load, they started to hand out the food, right from the ground floor nurse's station.
Li, a nurse, had only been working there a week. Seeing the pizzas, she thought: The senior nurse was right after all, the patients here are quite generous. The pizzas from that shop are not cheap, and looking at everyone around her taking them as if it's the usual thing, she was even more convinced that this was a good place to work.
They walked and distributed food all the way, and apart from what they had for themselves, they also handed out almost everything they had. They were about to deliver the last pizza and then head back to enjoy their own feast when they heard….
"Zhengxi can't do it, he can't donate!"