## Chapter 4:The Price of Saving Mom

The next day,Douyi visited the hospital early in the morning.

After spending some time with his mother, he went to speak with the doctor.

The doctor looked serious as he opened her medical reports.

"Please sit down, Mr. Douyi."

A bad feeling settled in Douyi's chest.

"Is something wrong?" he asked nervously.

The doctor sighed.

"Mr. Douyi, your mother's cancer has reached the final stage. We need to perform surgery as soon as possible."

Douyi felt his heart sink.

"Surgery...?"

"Yes."

He clenched his fists.

"How much will it cost?"

The doctor told him the amount.

Douyi's eyes widened.

The number was far beyond anything he could afford.

For a moment he couldn't even speak.

His hands trembled.

How am I supposed to get that much money?

But he couldn't give up.

Not when it was his mother.

Taking a deep breath, he stood up.

But he quickly forced himself to stay calm.

"Please prepare for the surgery."

The doctor looked surprised.

"You can arrange the money?"

"I'll find a way."

The doctor nodded.

"Very well."

After leaving the office, Douyi took a deep breath before entering his mother's room.

His mother smiled the moment she saw him.

"My son is here."

Douyi sat beside her and started peeling an apple.

"You always come to see me even though you're so busy."

"You must be tired from work."

"I'm fine, Mom."

"And it's because I miss you."

She laughed softly and looked at him carefully.

"What did the doctor say?"

Douyi froze then he forced a smile .

"He said you'll be healthy after the operation."

"Really?"

"Of course."

His mother relaxed a little.

"How much money will it cost?"

Douyi quickly shook his head.

"Don't worry about money, Mom."

"But—"

"I got a new job. The salary is good."

It was a lie, but he couldn't let her worry.

His mother nodded.

"Then I'll trust you."

Douyi smiled.

"Just focus on getting better."

After talking for a while, Douyi kissed her forehead and left.

By the time he reached the bus station, it was already dark.

The streets were almost empty.

As he waited for the bus, a black luxury sports car suddenly stopped in front of him.

The window rolled down.

Jahiyuk was inside.

"Hyung."

Douyi blinked.

"You?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for the bus."

Jahiyuk nodded.

"Get in."

"What?"

"I'll take you home."

"No thanks."

Before he could refuse again, Jahiyuk grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the car.

"Yah!"

"Stop complaining."

Douyi crossed his arms.

"You're unbelievable."

Jahiyuk grinned.

"I hear that a lot."

Jahiyuk laughed.

The car started moving.

After a few minutes of silence, Douyi opened the window.

The cool night breeze brushed against his face.

His soft hair swayed gently.

Jahiyuk couldn't stop looking at him.

Beautiful.

"So, how old are you?" he asked.

Douyi told him - 19.

Then he asked Jahiyuk's age.

After hearing it, Douyi smirked since he is one year younger.

"Then you should call me hyung."

"No."

"What?"

"You don't look older."

Douyi glared at him.

"Excuse me?"

"You look younger than your age."

"Yah!"

Jahiyuk laughed loudly.

The atmosphere became lighter.

A few moments later Jahiyuk asked softly,

"What were you doing in that area?"

Douyi stared outside the window.

"I was visiting my mother."

"Hospital?"

He nodded.

"She's sick."

Normally he never talked about his problems.

But for some reason he found himself telling Jahiyuk everything.

About his mother's illness.

About the debts.

About the pressure he carried every day.

Jahiyuk listened quietly without interrupting.

When they arrived near Douyi's neighborhood, he got out.

"Thank you for the ride."

As he turned to leave, Jahiyuk grabbed his hand.

"Can I walk you home?"

"No."

Jahiyuk looked at him with exaggerated puppy eyes.

Douyi sighed.

"Fine."

They walked together up the stairs leading to the small neighborhood.

Halfway up, Douyi sat on the steps.

"My house is up there."

Jahiyuk sat beside him.

The night was quiet.

Douyi suddenly looked at him.

"Why are you so nice to me?"

Jahiyuk answered without hesitation.

"Because I like you."

Douyi froze.

"...What?"

Jahiyuk smiled.

"I like you."

Douyi's heart skipped a beat.

But he quickly stood up.

Nobody was nice for free.

Everyone wanted something.

"You should go home."

Jahiyuk nodded.

Before leaving, he handed him his phone.

"Save your number."

"Why?"

"So we can stay friends."

After a moment, Douyi saved it.

As Jahiyuk started leaving, he turned around.

"If you ever need help, call me."

For the first time, a genuine smile appeared on Douyi's face.

Jahiyuk nearly forgot how to breathe.

After returning to his penthouse, he couldn't stop thinking about that smile.

The next morning, he called his secretary.

"I need information about someone."

A few hours later, a file was placed on his desk.

Jahiyuk opened it.

His expression darkened as he read.

His mother's illness.

His gambling stepfather.

The debts left behind.

Everything.

A slow smile appeared on his lips.

"So that's why you've been carrying so much alone."

Days passed.

Then one afternoon, Douyi received an urgent call from the hospital.

His mother's condition had suddenly worsened.

He immediately left work and rushed there.

When he entered the room, his mother looked weak and pale.

Tears streamed down his face.

The doctor approached him.

"We need to do the surgery today."

Douyi nodded desperately.

But he still didn't have enough money.

Yowan had already given him everything he could.

"Take it."

"No, Yowan—"

"Your mother is my family too."

Douyi hugged his friend.

"Thank you."

Even after adding everything together, it wasn't enough.

Then he remembered Jahiyuk.

With trembling hands, he called him.

The phone was answered instantly.

"Hyung."

"I... need help."

Jahiyuk smiled.

"Come to me."

An hour later, a black car arrived.

Jahiyuk's secretary personally picked him up.

When they reached the penthouse, Douyi stared in amazement.

Everything looked expensive.

The place was larger than anything he had ever imagined.

Suddenly footsteps echoed.

Douyi turned around.

Jahiyuk was walking downstairs wearing only workout pants.

His muscular body glistened with sweat.

Douyi immediately looked away.

Jahiyuk grinned.

His secretary rolled his eyes and threw a shirt at him.

"Put this on."

After the secretary left, only the two of them remained.

Jahiyuk handed him a glass of water.

"What happened?"

Douyi lowered his head.

"My mother needs surgery."

His voice trembled.

"I need money."

Without hesitation, Jahiyuk nodded.

"Okay."

Douyi looked up.

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"I'll pay you back."

"Take your time."

The secretary returned carrying documents and the money.

Douyi stared at the amount.

"This is too much."

Jahiyuk shrugged.

"Use the rest for your debts."

Douyi's eyes filled with tears.

"Why are you helping me so much?"

"Because we're friends."

Then he smiled.

"And because I like you."

The tears finally fell.

"Thank you..."

"Hyung."

"Thank you."

Again.

And again.

And again.

Jahiyuk watched him cry.

Something dark flickered in his eyes.

You're beautiful.

But don't cry because of pain.

One day...

I want every tear to belong only to me.

The thought startled even him.

Jahiyuk stepped closer and gently wiped them away.

"Don't cry."

But Douyi couldn't stop.

Months of pressure, fear, and exhaustion came crashing down all at once.

Without thinking, he hugged Jahiyuk.

For a second Jahiyuk froze.

Then he wrapped his arms around him.

"It's okay, hyung."

Douyi held onto him tightly.

"Thank you... thank you so much..."

Jahiyuk rested his chin lightly on Douyi's head.

Holding him close.

A small smile appeared on his face.

One that Douyi couldn't see.

"No need to thank me."

After a while, they headed toward the hospital together.

Douyi didn't know that the hospital belonged to Jahiyuk's uncle.

Or that Jahiyuk could have paid everything directly without ever giving him the money.

But Jahiyuk wanted something more important.

He wanted Douyi's trust.

And for that, he was willing to be patient.

No matter how long it took.

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