Chapter 253 - 253 The Hidden Truth
253 The Hidden Truth
Old Lady Zhen recalled the events of the past and felt somewhat emotional.
The Zhen family and the Fang family had been friends for many years, so their youngest daughter, Zhen Yixin, and Fang Hongyi had a marriage agreement at a very young age.
Although their marriage was forced to be called off later on, Fang Hongyi did not mind at all. His attitude toward her and her husband, Zhen Yuanhua, was still the same as before, respectful and caring.
Fang Hongyi and the old lady’s son, Zhen Yiping, were as close as brothers. All these years, whether it was family or private, he had helped them a lot.
Speaking of which, Fang Hongyi was like half a son to the old lady. Many times, he was even more thoughtful than her own son.
In the end, it was her daughter who had let Fang Hongyi down. Alas, Fang Hongyi didn’t become the Zhen family’s son-in-law. Old Lady Zhen was not only regretful, but she also felt guilty.
Fang Hongyi’s elder brother had passed away early, leaving behind a son and a daughter. Due to this, Fang Hongyi treated his elder brother’s children as his own and never married them.
Fang Hongyi had treated the Zhen family well, so Old Lady Zhen naturally doted on Fang Lan from the bottom of her heart.
When Shen Hanyu was in the hospital, Fang Lan’s concern and anxiety were obvious. The old lady was happy to see it.
It could be said that Old Lady Zhen had watched Fang Lan grow up. Whether it was her family background or her temperament, Old Lady Zhen knew everything about her. Moreover, the two families were well-matched in terms of social status.
If Fang Lan could marry Hanyu, not only would the old lady be relieved, but she would also be able to fulfill one of her wishes from many years ago. The regret of that year could also be said to be fulfilled in another way.
Old Lady Zhen had asked Fang Lan in private whether she liked Hanyu and if she wanted to marry him.
This girl was usually carefree and always by herself. However, when she heard this question, her face turned red, which was rare.
This was still something that the old lady did not understand.
From then on, she became more and more interested in matchmaking Hanyu and Fang Lan. Every time Fang Lan came, she would create an opportunity for them to be alone. Almost everyone in the Zhen family knew that she was trying to get them together.
As soon as Fang Lan arrived, the servants would take her to Shen Hanyu without even asking. No one dared to disturb them whenever she entered the residence.
During this period, Fang Lan had been looking for Shen Hanyu a lot, and the two of them had spent time together for a long while.
The old lady was so happy that she couldn’t close her mouth. The marriage between the two families was officially put on the agenda.
—
“The new year is in two months. After the new year, Fang Lan and Hanyu will be one year older.”
The old Madam’s eyes were full of smiles. “Hongyi, discuss with Yiping and arrange a time before the new year. Our two families can find a day to sit down and discuss the marriage of these two children.”
Fang Hongyi’s expression was a little complicated. He didn’t know whether to respond or not.
The old lady had actually mentioned the marriage between the two families to him the last time.
However, Fang Hongyi knew that the girl called Sang Qianqian was the one Shen Hanyu loved. However, at that time, he had already found out that Shen Hanyu and Sang Qianqian had broken up, especially since Sang Qianqian had left the capital and had never contacted Shen Hanyu again.
Considering Shen Hanyu’s health, Fang Hongyi could not bear to see Fang Lan having a one-sided love, so he happily agreed to their marriage.
Shen Hanyu was there too, but he did not say anything.
However, when Fang Hongyi and Fang Lan left the house, Shen Hanyu calmly asked Fang Hongyi to invite Mr. Chen to the Zhen family’s residence for a meal when he had time.
Mr. Chen was the one who had saved Shen Hanyu from death. Besides Mr. Chen, only Fang Hongyi, Shen Shaofeng, Fang Lan, and Guo Muyang knew about Shen Hanyu’s condition.
Old Lady Zhen knew nothing about it. She thought that he had been discharged from the hospital with no more problems.
If Fang Hongyi was right, Shen Hanyu’s reason for inviting Mr. Chen was to tell Old Lady Zhen about his illness so that she would completely give up on the marriage.
—
Fang Hongyi was hesitating on how to reply to the old lady when he saw Shen Hanyu at the door.
“There’s no need to discuss marriage,”
Shen Hanyu said calmly, “There’s something that I really need to discuss with Grandmother.”
Old Lady Zhen was slightly surprised. “What is it?”
Shen Hanyu’s gaze fell on Mr. Chen, who was sipping his tea. The two of them looked at each other, and Mr. Chen nodded knowingly.
Mr. Chen put down his teacup and asked, “Does the old lady know why Hanyu was hospitalized?”
Of course, Old Lady Zhen knew. “I remember you saying that Hanyu was poisoned.”
As for the cause of the poisoning, the old lady had also heard about it.
On the day Ruan Cheng was arrested, Shen Hanyu went to see Ruan Cheng in person to cooperate with the police and rescue his friend who was held hostage.
At that time, the hostage was locked in the car, and the front half of the car was hanging off the cliff. The situation was very dangerous.
Shen Hanyu started the car in a hurry. When he was about to drive the car to a safe area, his hand was cut by a poisonous thorn on the car key.
Shen Hanyu did not care about the bleeding at that time. However, when he arrived at the hospital with his friend, he had passed out.
It was only later that he discovered he had been poisoned, and the source of the poison came from that poisonous thorn.
“You and Hanyu had just reunited. Hanyu didn’t want to disappoint you, so he hid the truth from you.”
Mr. Chen’s tone became serious. “The poison that Hanyu was infected with is not an ordinary poison. This poison originated from a type of plant in Africa. It will gradually destroy the motor neurons of the human body. Once the poison enters, it is difficult to completely remove it from the body.”
Old Lady Zhen was stunned. “What do you mean by that?”
“What I mean is, Hanyu is not as healthy as you look.”
“Moreover, he’s not in a good condition right now,” Mr. Chen said in a deep voice. “It’ll get worse day by day in the future, and gradually…”
He paused and didn’t continue. The old lady said anxiously, “Gradually what?”
Mr. Chen let out a long sigh. “Hanyu will gradually lose all of his body’s functions. It’s impossible for him to live past five years.”
This poison was one of the most terrifying poisons in the world.
At the early stages, it would bring the most intense pain and torture to the victim. Even if one could go through the pain and survive, it would still be very difficult for them.
The remaining virus in the body would also slowly eat away their body.
Eventually, the victim would have to maintain their most clear-headed rationality and watch as they gradually lost all their motor functions. In the end, other than breathing and moving their eyes, no other part of their body could move anymore.
This terrifying nibbling process would last for three to five years. Once the poison completely spreads, the victim would not be able to last long. Ultimately, they would die from multiple organ failures.
“So, Hanyu can only live for three to five years?”
Old Lady Zhen’s voice trembled. “Since you can detoxify the poison, don’t you have a way to cure him?”
Mr. Chen looked apologetic and remained silent.
“Is my life too hard or is the Zhen family too unlucky? I finally found Hanyu, but he ended up like this…”
Old Lady Zhen’s hands trembled badly, and tears fell from her old eyes.