96. The Turning Point of Fate

At the emergency department of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, the rhythmic beeping of medical equipment sounded steadily throughout the room. Cai Shinan lay on the hospital bed, his face pale, with gauze taped to his forehead and abrasions bandaged in several places on his body. He had already lost sensation below his right leg. The medical staff had just completed the amputation surgery. He was still unconscious under the effects of the anesthesia, his breathing heavy and slow.

Beside the hospital bed, Cai Shifen stood watch over her brother, her eyes red from crying. Looking at Shinans haggard face, she was filled with anxiety and unease. She picked up her phone and called Shi Meilin. Once, twice, but no one answered. A cold automated message came through the phone: "The number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later..." Cai Shifen frowned and could not help complaining softly, "Whats going on? It keeps going to voicemail... What on earth is Meilin so busy with?"

She glanced at her still-unconscious brother, took a deep breath, and had no choice but to leave a voice message first. "Meilin, this is Shifen... My brother was seriously injured in a car accident. Hes unconscious and just underwent a lower-leg amputation. Hes currently in the emergency department at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. If you have time, please come to the hospital..."

After hanging up, Cai Shifen held her brothers hand, her eyes reddening. "Brother, you have to wake up..."

At the same time, the atmosphere in the conference room at Focus Fashion Company was completely different. Bright lights illuminated a large projection screen. Shi Meilin stood in front of the screen, explaining the design concept for the winter collection to the companys executives and design team with a focused expression.

She wore a sharp, tailored suit and held a presentation pointer as she displayed the design sketches one by one.

"The main concept behind this plaid pantsuit is elegance and comfort."

She pointed to the clothing design projected on the screen, her tone calm and professional.

"Taiwanese winters arent as cold as those in Europe and the United States, and the climate in northern Taiwan is humid while the south is relatively dry. Therefore, when designing these clothes, we cant focus only on heavy warmth. We also have to consider the comfort of working women who will be wearing them for long periods of time."

Several department managers sat around the conference table, listening carefully and occasionally taking notes.

At that moment, Shi Meilin was completely immersed in the world of work. She had no idea that, in a hospital far away, a man was lying between life and death.

At the same time, outside the obstetrics and gynecology department of the hospital, Zhang Yahui slowly walked out of the examination room with her medical report in her hand. The people coming and going in the hallway, the cries of children, and the footsteps of nurses all seemed very far away from her. Her face was pale, and she looked as though all her strength had left her.

The doctors words from moments earlier kept echoing in her mind.

"Ms. Zhang, the tumor in your ovary was determined to be malignant after the biopsy. To treat it completely, your ovary must be removed as soon as possible, and you will need to undergo the full course of treatment."

She lowered her head and looked at the report in her hand, her fingers trembling slightly.

"Could it... be that I really have no choice?"

Just then, her phone suddenly rang. She took it out and saw that the caller was Cai Shifen.

"Shifen?"

An anxious voice came from the other end of the line.

"Yahui, my brother was in a car accident!"

Zhang Yahui froze for a moment, and her face instantly changed.

"What?"

"Hes seriously injured... They had to amputate one of his lower legs."

Zhang Yahuis hand holding the phone went rigid as she stood in the middle of the hospital corridor.

"When did it happen?"

"Yesterday evening. My brother was accompanying his former girlfriend, Lin Daihua, on the way north to Taichung."

When she heard the name "Lin Daihua," Zhang Yahuis heart jolted. Everything Cai Shinan had once told her immediately resurfaced in her mind, along with that photograph from the future. The woman in the photograph—the woman who might change the course of fate.

"Shifen, Im coming over now. Where are you?"

"Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital."

"Okay. Ill be there right away."

After hanging up, Zhang Yahui did not think twice. She hurried outside the hospital and hailed a taxi.

"Driver, please take me to Pingtung Station. Hurry."

The moment the taxi door closed, she stared at the streets rushing past outside the window.

On one side was the illness she knew nothing about. On the other was Cai Shinans sudden accident.

She did not know that this storm of fate was about to push everyones lives in another direction.

97. The Scars Left by Fate

Late at night, only the steady sound of medical equipment remained in the general surgical ward of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. The city lights outside the window were gradually thinning, while a heavy atmosphere filled the hospital room.

Cai Shinan slowly opened his eyes. As the anesthesia gradually wore off, his consciousness slowly returned. He felt as though his entire body were being crushed beneath a huge stone. His left leg felt strangely empty and unfamiliar. He tried to move his body, and the next second, his heart jolted.

He looked down.

Beneath the blanket, the left lower leg that should have been there was gone.

At that moment, his entire body froze.

The blinding white light in the tunnel came back to him, along with the image of Lin Daihuas motorhome disappearing into the temporal wormhole. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"So... this is the price I paid for staying behind."

Beside the hospital bed, Cai Shifen and Zhang Yahui were speaking quietly, unaware that he had already awakened.

"This Shi Meilin really is something..." Cai Shifen sat in a chair and could not help frowning. "My brother was in such a serious car accident. No matter how busy she is with work, she should at least return the call, right? Why does it feel like... shes so practical?"

Zhang Yahui sat on the other side and gently shook her head.

"Shifen, maybe she really is busy. Dont jump to conclusions so soon."

As she spoke, however, her eyes could not help drifting toward Shinan on the hospital bed. This man had actually jumped from a speeding vehicle without hesitation in order to protect the person he wanted to cherish.

Just then, she noticed that Shinans eyes were open.

"Shinan is awake."

Cai Shifen stood up in surprise. The two women quickly walked to the bedside.

Zhang Yahui bent down and gently caressed Cai Shinans pale face, her eyes filled with tenderness and concern.

"Shinan, youre awake."

Cai Shinan looked at them, the corners of his mouth barely forming a faint smile.

Zhang Yahui spoke softly. "The doctor said the tissue in your left lower leg had died. If they hadnt treated it, it could have led to sepsis. Shifen had no choice. She didnt want your life to be in danger, so she agreed to let the doctors amputate your leg."

Cai Shinan was silent for a moment. A bitter smile appeared on his face.

"As long as I got my life back, Im already grateful."

Cai Shifen held her brothers hand, her eyes reddening.

"Brother, how exactly did you get hurt? What about Daihua? Werent you riding in her car with her on the way to Taichung?"

Cai Shinan stared at the ceiling, his thoughts returning to that terrifying accident.

"When we were approaching the mountainous area of Miaoli, there was suddenly a violent thunderstorm." His voice was low. "When Daihua drove into the tunnel, I discovered that there was a temporal wormhole inside. I told her to brake and back the car out, but she didnt respond at all."

He paused for a moment.

"I didnt want history to repeat itself. So... I pushed open the door and jumped out."

Cai Shinan closed his eyes as he recalled what had happened.

"Then Daihuas motorhome disappeared into the tunnel right in front of my eyes."

Silence filled the hospital room.

Cai Shifens eyes widened in disbelief.

"Brother... what did you just say?" she asked in a lowered voice. "What temporal wormhole?"

Cai Shinan looked at his sister, knowing that he could no longer keep this secret.

"Its a time tunnel," he said slowly. "I traveled through the time tunnel from September 21, 2019, and returned to the present."

Cai Shifen stared at him with her mouth open, unable to speak for a long moment.

She looked at her brother, then at Zhang Yahui.

"How... how is that possible?"

Zhang Yahui, however, showed no surprise. She already knew what had happened. She lowered her head, a complicated mixture of emotions rising within her.

Zhang Yahui thought, "I see... At the critical moment when the course of space and time was about to change, Shinan chose to risk his life and stay behind. And all of this... was because he didnt want to lose Shi Meilin."

At the thought of this, she felt both deeply moved and touched by an indescribable bitterness.

Cai Shinan suddenly turned to Zhang Yahui.

"Yahui, Im sorry."

Zhang Yahui froze for a moment.

"I promised to take you and your students on a trip to the sea for an outdoor painting excursion... Im afraid Im going to have to break that promise."

Zhang Yahui smiled faintly and shook her head.

"Its okay."

She paused for a moment.

"Actually, I just requested an extended leave of absence from the school, too."

Cai Shinan was startled.

"An extended leave?"

Zhang Yahui looked at him with gentle eyes.

"Didnt you want me to live a healthy and happy life? I listened to you. Im going to actively undergo treatment."

Cai Shinan looked at her and immediately understood what she meant. He knew that she must have already faced her illness. A surge of emotion welled up inside him.

A relieved smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

"Yahui... thank you."

Zhang Yahui stood up.

"You get some rest first. Shifen and I are going to buy a few things."

With that, she took Cai Shifen by the hand and led her out of the hospital room.

In the hallway, Zhang Yahui stopped and looked at Cai Shifen.

"Shifen, Im going to Taipei to see Shi Meilin."

Cai Shifen froze.

"See Meilin?"

Zhang Yahui nodded.

"Give me her phone number."

Although Cai Shifen was puzzled, she took out her phone and searched for it.

"Okay, let me find it."

A moment later, she handed the phone to Zhang Yahui.

"This is the number."

Zhang Yahui entered the number into her own phone. Her expression was calm, but her eyes were resolute.

Then she called Qiu Xiuduan.

"Aunt Xiuduan? This is Yahui."

An anxious voice came from the other end of the line.

Zhang Yahui quickly reassured her.

"Shinan is awake now, and hes out of danger. Dont worry too much. Shifen and I will take good care of him."

She paused, then continued, "Auntie, theres one more thing Id like to ask you to do."

"Please take the diary from Shinans desk in his study, along with the family photograph of Shinan and Shi Meilin that is tucked inside the diary, and send them by express delivery to me at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital."

After hanging up, Cai Shifen could not help asking, "Yahui, my brothers family photograph with Meilin?"

She frowned.

"When did they ever have that photograph?"

Zhang Yahui put her phone away and gave her a mysterious smile.

"Youll see in a day or two."

Night enveloped the hospital. No one knew that the photograph about to arrive would reveal another truth hidden by time.

98. The Choice of Fate

Night had fallen, but the streets of Taipei were still brilliantly illuminated. Neon signs reflected on the damp asphalt, pedestrians moved along the streets, and the sounds of traffic and conversation blended into the distinctive melody of the city at night.

However, Zhang Yahui, sitting in a corner of the café, had no interest in the bustling scene outside. She placed a dark-colored backpack beside her. Inside was a diary that would change the fate of three people—the diary of Cai Shinan.

Holding her coffee cup in one hand, she gazed out the window, but her thoughts returned to that family photograph from the future.

In the photograph, the figures of Shi Meilin and two children appeared faint and indistinct.

What exactly did it represent? A happiness that would come in the future? Or a tragedy that was about to disappear?

Just then, a soft bell sounded at the entrance of the café.

Zhang Yahui looked up.

A woman walked through the door. She wore no heavy makeup, only her natural face, and a simple yet elegant long dress. Even so, she radiated confidence and charm.

Zhang Yahui recognized her at once.

Shi Meilin.

The woman Cai Shinan deeply loved and was willing to protect with his life.

She immediately stood up and waved to her.

"Ms. Shi, over here."

Shi Meilin followed the voice and came over, taking the seat across from her.

The two women briefly met each others eyes.

One was Cai Shinans present. The other was Cai Shinans future.

Complex emotions were hidden in both womens eyes.

A server came over and politely asked, "Would you like to order something?"

Zhang Yahui opened the menu.

"A vegetable salad."

Shi Meilin thought for a moment.

"Mixed fruit juice."

"Certainly. Your order will be brought out shortly. Please wait a moment."

The server left after placing the bill on the table.

After a brief silence, Zhang Yahui was the first to extend her hand.

"Shi Meilin, its a pleasure to meet you."

Shi Meilin smiled and shook her hand.

"Shinan has mentioned you."

She looked at Zhang Yahui, her tone gentle.

"Youre his close female friend, Zhang Yahui."

Then her brows drew together slightly.

"By the way, how is Shinan now?"

She lowered her voice.

"Actually, after seeing the text message Shifen sent me yesterday, I was planning to go to the hospital to see him today."

Zhang Yahui looked at the woman sitting before her and remained silent for a moment.

"Shinan sacrificed one of his legs in order to stay behind and be with you."

Shi Meilin froze.

"What?"

Confusion filled her eyes.

"What exactly happened?"

Zhang Yahui took a deep breath.

"Its difficult to believe, but this is what happened."

She looked at Shi Meilin.

"Please believe me."

Shi Meilin nodded.

"Ms. Zhang, go ahead."

Zhang Yahui slowly recounted what had happened.

"Shinan couldnt refuse his former girlfriend, Lin Daihua, so he accompanied her to Taipei to find you. When the car was passing near Xindian... an accident happened. It wasnt an ordinary car accident. It was an accident involving space and time."

Shi Meilin listened quietly.

At first, her eyes were filled with doubt. But as Zhang Yahui continued, she gradually became shaken by everything Cai Shinan had done for her.

She remembered the things Shinan had once said.

She remembered the seemingly calm man whose life concealed countless secrets.

Before she realized it, her eyes had reddened, and tears glistened in them.

Zhang Yahui opened the backpack beside her and took out a yellowed diary and that special family photograph. She pushed them across the table toward Shi Meilin.

"Once you see these, youll understand why I had to come see you."

With trembling hands, Shi Meilin opened the diary.

Page after page recorded Cai Shinans feelings for her, his longing for her, and the pain and struggles he had endured along the way.

She then picked up the photograph and studied it carefully.

In the photograph, the once-blurred, translucent image of herself, along with the image of the twin children, gradually became clearer under her gaze.

Shi Meilin was completely stunned.

She reached out and gently touched the photograph. Tears silently rolled down her face, one drop after another, falling onto its surface.

Her lips trembled slightly.

Shi Meilin thought, "This must be fate... This must have been arranged by heaven."

She raised her head, her eyes filled with emotion.

Zhang Yahui remained silent for a moment, then took another document from the backpack.

It was a cancer diagnosis certificate and a letter.

She placed them in front of Shi Meilin.

The moment Shi Meilin saw the diagnosis, her expression changed.

She finally understood that Zhang Yahui had not come today merely to tell her Shinans story. She had also come to entrust to her the person she cared about most deeply.

Zhang Yahui reached out and gently held Shi Meilins hands.

She tried to remain calm, but her voice still carried a trace of emotion.

"For the rest of this life... please take good care of Shinan for me."

Shi Meilins eyes reddened. She held Zhang Yahuis hands tightly.

"I will."

She nodded solemnly.

"Yahui, thank you. Thank you for caring so deeply about Shinan."

Zhang Yahui stood up and turned to leave.

But after taking two steps, she stopped.

The tears in her eyes finally became impossible to hold back.

Just then, the server brought over two drinks.

Shi Meilin looked at her and suddenly smiled.

"Will you stay and finish this coffee with me?"

Zhang Yahui froze for a moment.

Then she gave her a gentle smile.

She nodded and sat back down.

Shi Meilin took out her phone and called Su Mingyu, the companys executive.

"Ms. Su, its me."

She glanced at the night view outside the window, her voice calm yet firm.

"Id like to resign."

The person on the other end of the line seemed extremely surprised.

Shi Meilin smiled.

"Its not because of any problem at work. I... am getting married."

She paused for a moment.

"Im going to settle down in Xiaoliuqiu. Thank you, Ms. Su, for your guidance and care all these years."

After hanging up, the two women looked at each other across the café.

One had let go of love. The other had accepted it.

There was no competition between them, and no hostility.

There was only a deep concern for the same man.