The peaceful morning was suddenly pierced by the shrill ring of a phone. Emily, groggy from sleep, fumbled to answer it. The news on the other end made her instantly alert.
"Emily, where have you been? I've been calling you for ages. Your grandma had a sudden heart attack yesterday. I called an ambulance and she’s now in the People's Hospital. She needs surgery urgently, please come back soon," her mother’s voice was filled with anxiety and helplessness. Every word seemed to slam into Emily’s heart.
Emily had been raised by her grandmother and mother. She knew firsthand the hardships they endured. Without a father, it had always been just the three of them, leaning on each other to get through the toughest of times. Now, hearing that her grandmother's life was hanging by a thread, Emily was overwhelmed by helplessness and fear. She quickly requested leave from work, packed her bags, and booked the earliest flight, desperate to be by her grandmother’s side.
As the plane flew high above the clouds, Emily’s thoughts were already at the hospital. She silently prayed, hoping that her grandmother could make it through this ordeal. Every minute felt like an eternity as she waited. Her mind kept recalling all the beautiful memories they shared, praying those memories could somehow give her grandmother strength.
Finally, the plane landed at her hometown airport. There was still a distance from the airport to the hospital. Emily rushed out of the terminal, got in a taxi, and told the driver to head straight to People's Hospital. But fate seemed determined to make her journey more challenging. As the taxi drove along a secluded country road, a sudden loud crash echoed ahead. A car had been involved in a severe accident, overturned on the roadside, smoke billowing from the wreck.
Inside the car was Alex, his head bleeding, trapped inside. If Emily had a bird's-eye view, she would have realized this was her second unexpected encounter with this man.
Though Emily was deeply concerned for her grandmother, she could not ignore the scene in front of her. Without hesitation, she chose to save the stranger.
The taxi driver slammed on the brakes, stopping at the side of the road. Emily instinctively shouted, “Quick, call an ambulance!” Without a moment’s hesitation, she leapt out of the car and rushed toward the accident site.
Alex, inside the car, was bleeding from his head and appeared dazed, the seatbelt holding him tightly in place. Emily did her best to stay calm. She ran back to the taxi, grabbed the first-aid kit, and worked with the driver to cut through the seatbelt and drag Alex out, moving him to a safe area by the roadside.
Though the man was barely conscious, he opened his eyes briefly as Emily pulled him out, his blurred vision catching a glimpse of her face.
Soon after, the ambulance arrived, the medics swiftly lifting Alex onto a stretcher and taking him away. Emily watched the ambulance disappear in the distance. She took a deep breath, only then realizing that her whole body was drenched in sweat. She returned to the taxi, exhausted, and said to the driver, “Please, continue to the hospital.”
Upon arriving at the hospital, Emily saw her mother anxiously waiting outside the emergency room. Her mother looked utterly drained, worry etched across her face, as if she had aged several years overnight. Emily's heart sank as she rushed over, “Mom, how is Grandma?”
Her mother’s eyes were brimming with tears, her voice heavy with concern, “The doctor said she needs immediate coronary bypass surgery, but it’s going to cost two hundred thousand...”
Emily's mother worked as a cashier at a supermarket. Her monthly salary barely covered living expenses and Emily’s education. They had no savings, nor wealthy relatives they could rely on. Just as Emily had endured emotional devastation, now, the weight of her family’s burdens bore down on her shoulders.
Emily told herself to stay composed—she couldn’t afford to break down. She bit her lip, forcing herself to remain calm. She knew that the most important thing now was to raise the money for her grandmother’s surgery. “Mom, you rest tonight. Don’t worry about the money. I’ll figure it out.”
Emily pulled out her phone and called her company’s HR department. She tried her best to keep her voice steady, though the urgency in her tone nearly burst through.
“Hello, this is Emily. I have an emergency at home. My grandmother needs immediate surgery, but I don’t have enough money on hand. I remember the company has a serious illness fund. I’d like to apply for it. Could you please tell me what procedures I need to follow?”
The HR representative on the other end of the line was clearly moved by her situation and responded quickly, “Emily, I’m very sorry to hear this. You do meet the criteria for the fund. I’ll prepare the necessary documents for you immediately. You can email us the medical proof and family relationship documents. We will expedite the process, but it might still take about a week for approval.”
After hanging up, Emily felt a glimmer of hope. She quickly gathered the required documents and emailed them to the company. She knew that this money could be the key to her grandmother’s survival. During the waiting period for approval, she would do everything she could to raise the funds. She believed that as long as she didn’t give up, she would find a solution.
Ethan sat in his dark leather ergonomic chair, sunlight streaming through the blinds, casting a dappled pattern across his desk. It was a warm autumn afternoon, yet his mood was anything but bright—a cloud of unease seemed to hang over him, keeping him restless. His fingers drummed against the table unconsciously, making a soft rhythm as if trying to beat away the thoughts cluttering his mind. Documents lay scattered across the polished surface, but he couldn't focus on them—his mind was elsewhere, somewhere that kept slipping from his grasp, and he had no power to bring it back.Ever since Emily had walked out of their engagement party, Ethan had been in a perpetual state of turmoil. Days had gone by without a single word from her, and the emptiness gnawed at him. He thought he'd be able to carry on with his life, to return to normal, to be the same old Ethan he always was. But whenever the world went quiet, his mind filled the silence with thoughts of her. He remembered the warmth of
The impending surgery loomed like a storm on the horizon—unknown and fraught with uncertainty. Emily’s mother was not in the best of health, and Emily herself could not afford to collapse, not now. The hospital lights continued to burn brightly as night fell. By ten in the evening, exhaustion and the necessity to rest finally made Emily relent. She agreed to Ethan’s suggestion of staying at the nearby hotel. It went without saying that they booked separate rooms.Emily returned to her room, taking a quick, hot shower before changing into fresh pajamas. Despite two days of relentless fatigue weighing on her body, she found herself unable to sleep. She lay in bed, twisting and turning, her mind wandering restlessly. Her thoughts inevitably drifted back to the memories she shared with Ethan. Those three years, though short, had occupied some of the most beautiful moments of her life.She remembered her early days at the luxury hotel, working as a front desk receptionist. It had been chao
The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains, painting warm, golden streaks across Emily's face. She slowly opened her eyes, letting the gentle light coax her awake. The peace and harmony of the early dawn wrapped around her, making her feel momentarily calm and refreshed, as if the troubles of the past few days were nothing more than an evanescent dream. Though the memories of last night's vivid dream lingered, she knew well that no matter how real the dream felt, it could not change her reality. She had to stay strong—for her grandmother, her mother, and most importantly, for herself.Emily quickly dressed, donning her most comfortable clothes, and set off for the hospital. She walked briskly through the hallways, her heart already at her grandmother's side. As she turned the corner to approach the room, she suddenly saw Ethan coming down the hallway from the other direction. He was here to visit her grandmother, just as she was. His eyes locked on hers, filled with concern
Emily stood at the hotel front desk, her smile warm and professional. As a front desk receptionist, she always greeted every guest with enthusiasm, giving her all no matter what. Her eyes were focused and determined, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she handled various tasks. Despite the deep pain she carried within, she never allowed her personal emotions to interfere with her work. She knew that this job was a symbol of her independence and the foundation for rebuilding her life.Today, like any other day, she worked diligently, managing her duties in an organized manner. She constantly reminded herself that no matter what happened in her life, she had to remain focused and keep moving forward.The phone ringing interrupted Emily’s work. She glanced at the caller ID—it was Ethan’s mother. She took a deep breath and picked up the phone."Emily, do you have time this weekend? It's my birthday, and you absolutely must come over to the house," the familiar, gentle voice came th
Chapter 008: The Inspection IncidentWith the year coming to an end, the hotel group’s headquarters had decided to send upper management for random inspections, ensuring that the quality of service and operational standards of their hotels were upheld. The hotel where Emily worked was among those chosen for inspection. Today was the day of the inspection, and a sense of tension and anticipation filled the entire building.Emily stood at the front desk, her smile brighter than usual. She knew that today was not just a test for the hotel, but also a personal challenge. She had to be on her very best behavior, showing the highest level of professionalism to handle anything that might happen.Her uniform was ironed to perfection, with not a wrinkle in sight. Her hair was neatly pinned back, and every detail of her appearance spoke of her dedication to her job and how seriously she took this inspection. Determination glimmered in her eyes as if telling everyone that no matter what happened
Emily followed Ethan’s mother into the café. The atmosphere here was a stark contrast to the tension of the hotel, with the rich aroma of coffee and the soft music filling the air. The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the cozy tables and chairs, adding a touch of warmth to the winter day.They chose a table by the window, and Ethan’s mother took off her coat, revealing her elegant outfit. Her graceful demeanor and every movement reflected her pursuit of quality in life. Even the way she folded her coat, with meticulous care, showed her attention to detail.The waiter approached them, smiling as he asked what they would like. Ethan’s mother ordered two lattes and then turned to Emily.“Emily, what kind of coffee do you usually like?” Her voice was gentle, tinged with care.“A cappuccino, thank you,” Emily replied, her voice calm, though her heart was a bit uneasy. She wasn't sure what this conversation would lead to, and the uncertainty gnawed at her
The Saturday morning sun peeked through the gaps in Emily's curtains, casting mottled patches of light across her bed. The quiet hum of her phone vibrating on the nightstand broke the peaceful silence, and Emily rubbed her eyes before glancing at the screen. Ethan’s name flashed across it, and she hesitated for a moment before finally deciding to answer.“Emily, can we talk? I’m waiting for you at the usual place.” Ethan’s voice came through the phone, laced with a hint of hope.Emily paused, considering for a few seconds before agreeing. She knew that they needed to talk, that she needed to hear him out. She needed to understand his side of the story, but more importantly, she needed to express her own feelings and gain some closure.She slipped into a simple dress and applied light makeup before heading out of her apartment. Her heart felt heavy with a mixture of emotions—she was uncertain of what this conversation would bring, but she knew it was something she had to face.Ethan wa
The morning sun filtered through the curtains, painting dappled patterns across Emily's bed. Her ankle still throbbed, a reminder of yesterday's misstep, but despite the lingering pain, there was a hint of anticipation in her heart. Ethan didn't know exactly which floor her apartment was on, so he arrived early, waiting patiently by the entrance of her building.“I’m here, you can come down,” Ethan’s voice came through the phone, carrying with it the coolness of the early morning air.Emily nodded as she hung up. She moved slowly, each step a painful reminder of her injured ankle, but she tried her best to keep a smile on her face. She limped towards the door, each movement a battle against the sharp pangs of pain that shot up her leg.When she finally reached the entrance, Ethan was standing there, holding a bouquet of fresh roses. His eyes softened with concern the moment they met hers. “These are for you. Let me help you,” he said, his voice gentle, though his worry was evident.“I