Chapter 40: He had calculated everything long ago; he would never withdraw the divorce petition!

Everyone turned their gaze toward the butler. "What did you say? Lu Fan could tell the young master was ill just by looking at him?"

"How is that possible? Even authoritative experts require imaging and biopsies to make a diagnosis. Is Lu Fan’s vision an X-ray? Can he scan the human body directly?"

Facing the skepticism of the Jiang family, the butler looked helpless. "Sir, I am only telling the truth. The son-in-law did indeed say something to that effect. At the time, the young master was very angry, saying he was cursing him."

Jiang Ruxue, standing to the side, thought back to Lu Fan’s expression a short while ago and the words he had spoken to her grandmother. When linked together, everything pointed to the fact that Lu Fan had seen it all along.

"Grandfather, Father, we may have misunderstood Lu Fan."

They turned to look at her. "What do you mean?"

Jiang Ruxue said every word clearly: "It was no coincidence that Lu Fan treated the third master of the Qin family. Even if the third master hadn't been suffering from that strange ailment but some other terminal illness, Lu Fan would certainly have been able to cure him."

"How can that be? If he possessed medical skills comparable to an authoritative expert, how could he have spent the last five years contentedly living as a live-in son-in-law in the Jiang family?"

Jiang Ruxue shook her head. "Although I don't know why he spent five years in our home without a word of complaint, Lu Fan definitely has medical expertise. Lin Ziyu must have known this long ago, which is why she could guarantee he would cure the third master."

"Because he showed a glimpse of his ability and produced that premium medicinal pill at Grandmother’s birthday banquet—and the Qin family is not foolish—they wanted to win over this talent. That is why they had their daughter approach Lu Fan, hoping to take him in as a son-in-law."

"When you put it that way, it does make some sense. So this brat knew all along that Rushan was sick, which is why he deliberately agreed to Mother’s request, promising her a condition as a birthday gift?"

Jiang Ruxue bit her lip. Though she did not want to admit it, that was the reality.

Lu Fan had planned it all out; he would leave her no possibility of rescinding the divorce!

"He is waiting. Waiting for us to come and beg him, trading my little brother’s life for this condition, thereby shutting the door on any chance of reconciling with me."

Jiang’s mother’s expression changed. "Is this really the good-for-nothing we once knew? He actually calculated everything from the start."

"Mother, even today, do you still think Lu Fan is truly a good-for-nothing?"

Jiang Ruxue recalled the day she told him her heart felt unwell and he reached out to treat her; it was proof enough that he truly possessed medical skill!

It was only that she had never looked at him properly, causing her to overlook his brilliance.

Jiang’s father slapped the armrest. "He isn't a deity; how could he calculate everything? Your little brother’s illness can be treated at the hospital. Since he is someone the Qin family wants to poach, our Jiang family must not let him go."

"But Father, aren't you afraid that Little Brother’s life is in danger?"

"The test results aren't finalized yet. Perhaps things aren't as bad as they seem. Besides, medicine is so advanced these days; your little brother will surely be blessed with good fortune."

Holding onto this thought, the Jiang family put Jiang Rushan through a battery of tests.

The final diagnosis was a malignant tumor, stage four. Furthermore, the tumor was located in such a precarious position that it was impossible to perform craniotomy surgery.

"Doctor, if we bring in the most authoritative tumor specialist in the capital to operate, what are the odds of success?"

The doctor shook his head. "One in ten, perhaps."

"A ninety percent chance of success?"

"Ninety percent chance he becomes a vegetable, ten percent chance he dies on the table."

"Then what if we forgo surgery and opt for radiotherapy and chemotherapy?"

"That will depend on his fate. Given how rapidly his tumor has deteriorated in such a short time, you as family members should prepare yourselves. He may not live past three months."

Upon hearing this, the hearts of the Jiang family shattered.

Not living past three months—how could that be? Jiang Rushan was still so young.

Jiang Ruxue remained silent. She held her grandmother’s hand. "Grandmother, I truly regret it. I don't want to divorce Lu Fan."

She had an intuitive feeling that this was her final chance to reconcile with Lu Fan—to use her grandmother’s name to coerce him into being with her.

Lu Fan was a man who valued both sentiment and honor; he would surely agree.

But if she did that, her brother’s life would be in jeopardy.

Her marriage and her brother’s future had become a thorny dilemma for the Jiang family.

Her grandmother squeezed her hand, eyes red. "My poor child."

It had rained the night before, and the entire city had cooled down. When Lu Fan left the house, he added a coat.

After dropping off his child, he prepared to take his needles to the Qin residence to treat the third master. Just as he pushed open the door, amidst the dim, drizzling rain, he saw her.

Jiang Ruxue was wearing a beige trench coat, holding an umbrella, standing beneath a ginkgo tree.

A cold wind blew, and withered leaves fell desolately around her.

With reddened eyes and a choked voice, she called his name: "Lu Fan..."