Sister, Please Have Mercy on Me - Chapter 2

Life carried on in its usual rhythm.

Xu Tingshen found someone new.

This time it was an intern.

My own days continued as they always had—work, meetings, home—with not a ripple to disturb my peace.

At least, that was what I could have said if Wen Lichu’s file had not been lying open on my desk.

Ever since that dream, I had thought about her often.

She had cried so pitifully when we met. Had she managed to resolve her family’s troubles?

If not, I would not have minded helping. Her problems seemed like the sort money could solve.

And money was the one thing I had in abundance.

My secretary pushed open the door. “President Song, University A has invited you to give a speech. Should I decline for you as usual?”

University A?

My eyes lit up. Wasn’t that Wen Lichu’s school?

“No. Tell them I’ll be there.”

My secretary looked faintly surprised but nodded.

Before leaving, she glanced at Wen Lichu’s file spread across my desk. Understanding dawned in her eyes.

As expected, she handled everything beautifully without further instruction.

Wen Lichu sat in the front row, smiling up at me. Her glossy black hair fell over her shoulders, making her pale skin look even more luminous.

That dream flashed through my mind. Wen Lichu had been just as pale in it.

When my speech ended, she came forward to present me with flowers.

I took the bouquet and gave her a light embrace. Close to her ear, I murmured, “Wait for me in the lounge afterward.”

Her spine went visibly rigid. She looked at me in fear, but nodded anyway.

We were alone in the lounge.

Wen Lichu must have assumed I had come to make trouble for her. Before I could speak, she blurted, “I haven’t contacted Mr. Xu again. I really haven’t!”

I laughed softly. “I know.”

Xu Tingshen was currently consumed with his intern. Why would he still be contacting Wen Lichu?

“Don’t be afraid. I happened to see a familiar face while visiting your school, and it made me happy. I only wanted to talk.”

She did not look entirely convinced, but when she realized I wasn’t there to punish her, the tension drained from her face.

We chatted for a while. Then an urgent work call came in, and I had to leave.

Before I went, I looked at her and repeated the last thing I had said when we first met.

“If you ever run into trouble, call me.”

I had not expected trouble to find Wen Lichu so quickly.

She called me on the afternoon of the third day. I could tell at once that she had been crying.

“Sister Song… no, President Song. You said I could call if I was ever in trouble. I really don’t know what else to do…”

I soothed her gently. “Don’t panic. What happened?”

“My mother…” Her voice caught. “She’s very sick. The doctor says she needs a kidney transplant, and we have to raise the money. I…”

Money?

The corner of my mouth lifted soundlessly. It felt as though every hour I had spent working over the years had led to this moment.

“Which hospital are you at? I’ll come now. Don’t worry.”

She gave me the address through her tears. I stood and left immediately.

The moment Wen Lichu saw me at the hospital, she rushed into my arms as if I were her last hope.

I caught her securely and murmured, “It’s all right. I’m here.”

Her sobs shook her whole body. “The doctor said we need three hundred thousand…”

My lips twitched. Only three hundred thousand?

“Don’t worry. I’ll pay it.”

She froze and stared at me in disbelief. “Really?”

I smiled. “Really.”

Her eyes flooded. “President Song, I’ll treat it as a loan. I promise I’ll repay you one day.”

I did not answer. I simply had her take me to the payment counter.

Once the bill was settled, I brought her out for a meal.

Somewhere in the middle of our conversation, she started crying again.

Was Wen Lichu made of water?

Without warning, I asked, “Were you with Xu Tingshen because he was rich?”

She sniffed and nodded.

“I’m rich too.”

She blinked. “What?”

I repeated myself evenly. “I’m rich too.”

“I’m every bit as rich as my husband.” I paused, then corrected myself. “No. I’m richer.”

Under her astonished gaze, I leaned across the table and wiped away her tears.

“Whatever he can give you, I can give you.”

“And whatever he can’t give you, I can give you that too.”