People say that having a mental illness isn't terrifying, as long as one persists with treatment and doesn't give up, there will eventually be a day of recovery. Modern medical technology is so advanced that even mental illnesses can lead to recovery with consistent treatment. Yet, Ning Yuncheng used to appear as a perfectly normal person. No one expected Ning Yunhuan to have misjudged him so thoroughly; only now does she see the day he would go mad for love!

Inside the operating theatre, Gu Xian's surgery proceeded flawlessly. Gu Yingxi first waited by the operating room door for an entire day before finally entering Ning Yuncheng's hospital room.

Ning Yuncheng had been without a kidney for over ten hours and was long awake, though his complexion was somewhat pale. However, his spirits were excellent. Gu Yingxi picked up the soup placed nearby and fed it to him; Ning Yuncheng wore an expression of pure bliss.

"Yuncheng, you've suffered for me. Rest assured, I will remember everything you've done for me and will never fail you," Gu Yingxi felt at that moment as if she could tear out her own heart for him, truly believing heaven had gifted her this man with such sincere devotion, and she could die without regret.

Having received the confession from the woman he adored, the slightly pale cast on Ning Yuncheng's face was instantly replaced by a radiant happiness. Just as he was about to speak, a whole cohort of doctors on their rounds opened the door and entered. Interrupted just as he was about to voice his heartfelt confession, Ning Yuncheng's expression darkened considerably. Gu Yingxi also flushed with shyness, awkwardly rising while still holding the bowl of soup.

The expressions of the several doctors were grim. The middle-aged man leading the group, perhaps around forty, spoke with severe authority: "Has he passed gas yet?"

Gu Yingxi stiffened, feeling intensely embarrassed to discuss such private matters, yet the doctor waited for her answer. She genuinely had no idea if Ning Yuncheng had passed gas, as she had just come from Gu Xian's side. Seeing Ning Yuncheng’s distressed look, and not wishing to cause his beloved discomfort, he replied with a strained look, "No, why?"

"Since he hasn't, didn't anyone tell you that after surgery, you absolutely shouldn't eat anything?" The nurse behind the doctor shot Gu Yingxi a glare, her voice sharp with indignation, "I distinctly instructed you, Miss Gu, before." The chief physician’s face was very grim; she was responsible for Ning Yuncheng’s ward, and this round was supposed to be her last before finishing her shift. She hadn't anticipated such an issue arising with Ning Yuncheng.

"I, I..." Gu Yingxi's eyes began to water. She had been so focused on whether Gu Xian's operation was successful that she hadn't paid attention to Ning Yuncheng's needs. The nurse had indeed said something to her, but she had forgotten everything. Now, being accused, Gu Yingxi’s expression turned pitiful as tears streamed down her face. "It's all my fault! Yuncheng, Yuncheng, are you alright?"

Her voice carried a note of sorrow. The doctors and nurses who had just entered watched with troubled looks as she tearfully touched Ning Yuncheng's forehead, as if checking for fever, then touched his arms and legs. They were at a loss for words.

"It’s a good thing you only fed him soup. Do not let him eat anything until he passes gas. If he doesn't, his intestines could adhere. Surely you understand such a basic principle, Miss Gu?" The physician couldn't help but add another remark, unable to stand by. Everyone knew Gu Yingxi was dutifully devoted to her mother; her filial piety was renowned throughout the hospital. But even her devotion shouldn't lead her to act recklessly. Ning Yuncheng had donated a kidney, which meant his health would be compromised afterward, requiring careful recuperation to prevent complications.

The physician had only spoken out of concern for Ning Yuncheng, but the moment his words landed, Ning Yuncheng, seeing his beloved being scolded, grew displeased. He coldly lifted his chin, his gaze icy:

"We are well aware of these matters; there's no need for you to elaborate." His cool tone left everyone speechless. The doctor, having gained nothing from the exchange, lost interest. After taking his temperature and inspecting his incision, the medical staff exchanged a few quiet words among themselves, glanced at the pair one last time, and filed out.

Though Ning Yuncheng was short one kidney, he had now gained Gu Yingxi's love, a joy as immense as gaining the entire world.

When Ning Yunhuan heard the news, she was left utterly speechless, unsure how to react to his actions. She debated whether she should tell Father Ning and Mother Ning. Mother Ning had recently been persistent with her rehabilitation, and her condition had only slightly improved. If she were to discover that the son she had labored to bear and painstakingly raised had surgically removed a kidney to show respect for her mother-in-law, the shock might be devastating.

Concerned for Mother Ning's fragile health, Ning Yunhuan resolved not to tell Father and Mother Ning about the kidney donation, despite knowing about it. But Ning Yuncheng seemed unconcerned about such repercussions.

Recently, the Mu family had aggressively pursued Gu Yingxi for repayment. The remaining pittance—the last hundred thousand yuan—had already been spent on Gu Xian's operation. The Gu family could not produce any more money, and Gu Yingxi was driven to tears daily by the relentless pressure. Ning Yuncheng witnessed this, and the sight was agony to his heart. Therefore, despite his own surgery being barely ten days post-op, he was back at the Ning residence, standing guard outside.

The last time he had come to the Ning home, it was before the nephrectomy. Even then, Father Ning had forbidden him from entering the villa community. Now, having just undergone major surgery, his poor health meant he couldn't possibly force his way in. So, he just stood watch by the complex's main gate, peering out. He refused to believe that with his daily vigil, he would never find an opportunity to confront Father Ning.

Perhaps it was due to Ning Yuncheng’s pale face and slender frame, but the security guard, Xiao Zhang—the same one who had once saved Father Ning—felt a surge of pity upon seeing him. After two days of watching him sit there, Xiao Zhang finally couldn't bear it and directly called the Ning residence.

Because Xiao Zhang had once saved Father Ning from Young Master Gu, Father Ning had given him his private mobile number as a token of gratitude. When he saw Xiao Zhang calling, Father Ning was quite surprised. Although Xiao Zhang had helped him once, Father Ning, not fond of owing favors, had repaid him handsomely afterward. Money had never been an issue. Xiao Zhang was sensible; even though he still worked as a guard at the complex, he had never proactively sought contact. Now, receiving this unexpected call, Father Ning answered with a touch of confusion.

"Xiao Zhang, is something the matter?" Father Ning's tone was initially pleasant, but as the guard began to speak, his expression immediately soured. "What did you say?"

At that moment, Father Ning was at the hospital accompanying Mother Ning through physical therapy. Recently, the rehabilitation results had become apparent; her speech was no longer the labored stutter it had been at the start, and she no longer trembled when holding a water cup. Ning Yunhuan stood nearby, holding her mother’s cup in one hand and a towel in the other. Seeing Mother Ning successfully take the cup to drink, she used the towel to gently wipe the sweat from her forehead, then tilted her ear, just like her mother, to listen to Father Ning’s conversation.

"Yuncheng is unwell?" Hearing this, Mother Ning’s expression immediately grew complicated. Though she felt deep disappointment in Ning Yuncheng, the news of her son's poor health made her instinctively turn her head to look. She gestured anxiously, clearly wanting to say something, but because she had recently suffered a stroke, her speech was still difficult. Despite weeks of therapy, in her agitation, not a single word would form.

Ning Yunhuan quickly patted her back and took the cup, placing it on the side table before reassuring her, "Mom, don't get anxious. Just listen carefully to what Dad is saying."

"He's clutching his waist?" Father Ning, not fully grasping what had happened to his son, felt his anxiety rise. Though he was deeply disappointed by Ning Yuncheng’s deceitful actions regarding Gu Yingxi, he was still his son. If something truly ailed him, Father Ning couldn't simply ignore it. If it were a serious illness, they would have to provide the funds for treatment.

The thought made Father Ning restless. After a few clipped words, he hung up the phone and stood up. "Huanhuan, you stay with your mother. I’m heading back to check on things. Your older brother—Xiao Zhang said he seems to be acting strangely after waiting for several days."

During Mother Ning's hospitalization, Father Ning had practically lived at the hospital with her, leaving only the housekeeper at home. Thus, he was completely unaware that Ning Yuncheng had been waiting outside the Ning complex for several days. Father Ning now began to speculate: perhaps Ning Yuncheng was in debt, and the creditors had come looking and beaten him up. The idea that his son might have been assaulted sent Father Ning into a complete fret.

"I... I'm coming too," Mother Ning immediately gestured with her right hand, the one that moved freely, and managed to force out two strained words. Father Ning knew she was worried about their son and didn't argue, simply nodding in agreement.

Since they would need to return to the hospital later, Ning Yunhuan didn't pack anything. Seeing that the couple intended to leave, she simply picked up a water cup. As they prepared to depart, she paused, deciding to bring along her mother’s blood pressure medication as well. She suspected that Ning Yuncheng’s current situation—having donated a kidney to save Gu Xian—would soon be impossible to conceal. Mother Ning was only marginally better, and Father Ning's health wasn't robust either. If any emergency occurred, she wanted to be prepared.

With that thought, Ning Yunhuan claimed that Mother Ning's condition was unstable and managed to arrange for a doctor to accompany them in the car. The vehicle then headed towards the Ning family residence.

In the car, Mother Ning clutched her chest, seemingly struggling to draw breath. Father Ning, initially panicked by the news of Ning Yuncheng's poor health, had calmed down somewhat once they were on the road. Recalling that his daughter had mentioned hiring someone to watch Ning Yuncheng, he quickly asked Ning Yunhuan:

"Huanhuan, you said you arranged for someone to keep an eye on your older brother—has anything unusual happened with him lately?"

Now less frantic, Father Ning began to feel a stirring of doubt. He knew his son’s health intimately; a major illness seemed unlikely. Moreover, Ning Yunhuan had people monitoring him. If Ning Yuncheng were truly sick, his daughter surely would have informed them. The fact that Ning Yunhuan remained silent now sent a bad premonition surging through Father Ning.