Yancy Shaw glanced at Aaron, who was chatting and laughing with Sean Snow, then composed himself. "Judging by Aaron’s tone, he doesn’t seem interested in working with us."
Sean Snow had been his close friend for years, but in the world of business, they were rivals. Yet, even in this tense situation, there was no sign of hostility between them today.
"Aaron knows Old Master Xue." Yancy Shaw took a sip of water.
Lauren Shaw nodded. "I just heard Mandy Snow mention that."
So really, today's negotiation was just a formality—they already had this in the bag.
Sean Snow and Aaron started walking their way, Aaron's laughter heard even before they reached them.
"Your grandfather always tells me about you," Aaron said, grinning. "He says you’re too playful and have no interest in taking over the family business. But I think he doesn’t really get you at all."
Under the shade of the sun umbrella, Fei Yi stood up and headed for the restroom as she saw them approach.
Lauren Shaw absentmindedly followed her with her eyes, lost in thought.
Aaron turned to Yancy Shaw. "Third Young Master Shen, I’ve read your proposal—it's flawless. But I’m sorry. We already have a candidate for the Ancheng agency. There’s a company willing to pay three times your offer for MK’s distributorship."
Business is business; profit comes first. Aaron was no exception.
Yancy Shaw’s face was calm. He had expected this outcome, so not winning the rights didn’t disappoint him.
Sean Snow patted Yancy Shaw’s shoulder, draping his arm around him. "When I left home today, Grandpa told me—no matter what, we have to get MK’s agency rights."
His determination was unmistakable—he would not fail this negotiation.
Yvonne Sung came over and handed a phone to Sean Snow. "Young Master Xue, your father is calling."
Sean Snow took the call and stepped aside to answer.
Yvonne Sung shot Yancy Shaw a meaningful look.
Yancy Shaw's gaze darkened, verging on a warning. Yvonne Sung quickly looked away.
Lauren Shaw stood there a moment, realizing she had drunk too much water and needed the restroom.
After telling Yancy Shaw, she headed off.
Just as she entered, Fei Yi came out. Fei Yi was cold toward everyone; when their eyes met, Lauren Shaw smiled, but Fei Yi gave no response.
What a strange person, Lauren Shaw thought, puzzled. There was certainly something aloof about her.
They brushed past each other. As Lauren Shaw stepped in, she suddenly heard a dull thud behind her—Fei Yi had collapsed. Lauren Shaw ran to help. "Are you alright?"
Fei Yi sat up slowly, clutching her chest, face contorting in pain as she was struck by an agonizing spasm.
Lauren Shaw panicked. "Wh-what’s wrong?"
Fei Yi started convulsing, her consciousness slipping. She mumbled incoherently. Lauren Shaw bent down, ear close to her lips, but couldn’t make out the words.
She fumbled with her phone, dialing Yancy Shaw.
She’d seen Yancy Shaw rescue people before—so even in a life-and-death emergency, she forced herself to stay calm, though her hand was trembling.
As the call connected, Lauren Shaw steadied herself. "Yancheng, come to the restroom, quick! Someone’s collapsed!"
Once he heard, Yancy Shaw broke into a run.
"Hey, where are you going?" Sean Snow called after him, then followed on impulse.
"Sheng Sheng, don’t panic. I’m on my way. Tell me her symptoms," Yancy Shaw said as he ran.
Meanwhile, the MK representative whispered something to Aaron, whose face changed instantly. He rushed for the restroom as well.
When Yancy Shaw arrived, Lauren Shaw was kneeling on the floor, performing CPR on Fei Yi. She wasn’t a medical professional, but Yancy Shaw had taught her some first aid at home, and at this crucial moment, it came in handy.
Aaron also burst in, heart lurching as he saw his precious daughter lying on the ground. "Fei Yi, what happened?"
"Does she carry any medication?" Yancy Shaw called loudly, repeating it before Aaron snapped to his senses.
"Y-yes, she does!"
He called for someone to grab the meds from the bag. Yancy Shaw took the pills, trying to give them to Fei Yi, but her mouth was clamped shut—unconscious, she couldn’t take them.
"Let me." Yancy Shaw motioned for Lauren Shaw to move aside, knelt next to Fei Yi, and performed CPR over and over, until her jaw slackened and she could swallow. Then he gave her the medicine.
—
Hospital.
Outside the operating room, Aaron looked at Lauren Shaw with gratitude. "Thank you for today."
His eyes were full of worry. Fei Yi was still in surgery. She suffered from severe heart disease. Aaron had always been too busy to care for her, and her condition had worsened as a result.
He had no choice but to keep her close, so he could look after her himself.
Thinking back to how she had looked today—downcast, clearly lacking joy—Aaron felt a pang.
Sitting outside the operating room, Aaron seemed to have aged years in a moment.
When the doors finally opened, Yancy Shaw emerged in his white coat. Aaron leapt up anxiously. "How’s Fei Yi?"
Yancy Shaw took off his mask, voice calm. "She’s out of danger. But you need to keep an eye on her mood. If she remains this withdrawn, it will worsen her illness."
Aaron breathed a long sigh of relief. "Thank you, all of you."
Yancy Shaw said nothing more, turning to head back to his office.
"Yes." Yancy Shaw opened the door, pulled up a chair for her.
"She has a very rare congenital heart disease. She’s had surgery abroad before, but the results weren’t great. It likely relates to some of her bad habits."
"Bad habits?" Lauren Shaw was confused. She’d thought Fei Yi seemed odd—the way she carried herself wasn’t like other girls her age, as if she’d gone through some calamity.
Seeing Lauren Shaw's knitted brows, Yancy Shaw flicked her forehead playfully. "Don’t worry about other people’s problems so much."
Lauren Shaw shrugged. "I just find it strange. Aaron seems to love his daughter dearly…so why is Fei Yi like this?"
Children raised in loving families are usually cheerful and confident. But not Fei Yi—she lacked the joy of her peers.
—
In the ICU, Li Qiuchi sat at the bedside in a sterile gown, staring at the unresponsive man lying there. Tears streamed down her cheeks like broken pearls.
"Bryce Shaw, why won’t you wake up? When you do, let’s get married, okay? You promised to marry me."
Bryce Shaw didn’t react at all, breathing through an oxygen mask; only the monitor’s beeping broke the silence of the room.
Li Qiuchi was crying so hard her face was streaked with tears. Seeing no response, she sniffled. "The doctor said talking to you might help you wake up. Why do I keep talking, but you’re still not waking up? If you never wake up, what am I supposed to do?"