Second Take On Romance - The A-List Actor Wants Me
Chapter 269 : Yan Renzhong’s Illness (4)

Chapter 269: Chapter 269 : Yan Renzhong’s Illness (4)

A grade three brain tumor.

The words "brain tumor" had always given Yan Renzhong nightmares.

The memory of his father’s valiant but futile struggle against the disease was etched into his soul, a constant reminder of the disease’s merciless grip and the fragility of life.

Although he conducted regular check-up to catch it in time, he still ended up with a grade three brain tumor so suddenly.

It was a nightmare.

It had to be.

But the fingernails clawing into his arms told him it was not.

This was the reality.

The nightmare had finally taken form, and it bared its grotesque teeth at Yan Renzhong, who was powerless to stop it from going rampage within his own head...

"Mr. Yan..."

When Yan Renzhong opened his eyes, Dr. Kang already sat next to him. The seasoned neurologist had faced countless patients, but the weight of delivering devastating news never lessened.

That’s why he always came prepared with treatment options.

"Do not despair. There is still some chance of recovery."

"... There is?"

Yan Renzhong could hardly believe his ears.

Back when his father received the news, he was told that he had only one year to live, and that he should take care of his worldly affairs as soon as possible.

"Yes. In fact, I have contacted the best neurosurgeon I know. He happens to be a trusted friend of mine. I’ve taken the liberty of forwarding your scan images and test results, and he’s expressed a high degree of optimism about the possibility of a successful tumor removal surgery."

Yan Renzhong’s eyes narrowed at the word "possibility".

"How many percentage of success are we talking about here?" He queried. "Fifty? Sixty?"

The lines on Dr. Kang’s face grew taut when he heard the question.

"Around twenty."

"....."

Yan Renzhong’s face suggested that he might as well go buy a coffin. Dr. Kang added in a hurry, "But with adequate preparation, it is possible to raise the success percentage. Mr. Yan, this surgery is your best bet of survival. If you don’t go through the surgery, your condition is going to deteriorate very quickly. Nosebleed, by that time, will be your least source of concern."

"..."

Yan Renzhong let out a heavy sigh.

"I still have a lot of jobs to do this month..."

The fifth shooting period of "Dance Of The Dragons" was starting almost as soon as the fourth ended.

And then there was this movie he needed to complete.

And then there were a string of commercials which contract he signed months ago, pending the actual shoot.

Not to mention the fan meetings, the autograph session, and countless appointments with the social media team to promote his new clothing brand...

"Ugh."

"Mr. Yan, your health takes priority. If you must cancel all the jobs, then so be it. I will give you one month tops to complete the urgent affairs you need to tend to. Afterward, we will proceed with the surgery."

"..."

"You should inform your loved ones about the situation."

There was only one person whom he needed to tell, if any.

But...

"... Why?"

"We don’t know what is going to happen, Mr. Yan," Dr. Kang pointed out. "Your loved ones will need to take care of matters when you are lying around for recovery.

It will take months before you are back on your feet again."

The neurologist was tactful enough not to mention it, but he also meant for Yan Renzhong to prepare his loved ones in case the 80% failure rate came through and he passed away on the operating table.

Yan Renzhong raised a hand and rubbed at his forehead.

"I understand."

Yan Renzhong did not recall leaving Dr. Kang’s office. When he snapped back from his trance, he already stood in front of his apartment door, staring at the cream-colored surface with empty eyes.

The door clicked open and Shen Jingwei rushed toward the door with a bright smile across his face.

"Yan Renzhong, guess what!"

Yan Renzhong forced a smile upon his lips.

"What is it?"

"Director Ma made me an amazing offer! He is probably worried that I might lose my touch if I miss out on the fifth shooting period, so he offered me a role in a xianxia movie he’s directing!"

"... Oh?"

"The filming is going to take approximately two months, just in time before we proceed with the fourth season of ’Dance Of The Dragons’. Isn’t that amazing?"

"It is."

Yan Renzhong pulled Shen Jingwei into a hug.

"It really is."

"Let me tell you about the role. It is about a young cultivator who descended into demonhood at a young age..."

Shen Jingwei could not stop talking about the role for the next half an hour.

He was so excited.

He was so happy.

Seeing him landing one role after another successfully, how could Yan Renzhong not be happy for him?

And how could he ruin his happiness with a piece of bad news?

Just like that, the secret he wanted to share with Shen Jingwei was tucked away again in utmost discretion.

The problem was that the secret, however well-kept, was no different from a ticking time bomb.

Yan Renzhong was well aware that he still needed to say something.

He couldn’t just disappear for months without giving his lover an explanation.

Not to mention the 20% surgery success rate, hanging like the Sword of Damocles above his head.

But what to say?

How to tell Shen Jingwei about his illness without interfering with the former’s upcoming shooting schedule?

The more Yan Renzhong thought about it, the more severe his headaches grew.

The next morning, he woke up even earlier than usual.

With a cup of steaming coffee in his hand, he sat on a lounge chair at the pool area, mulling about his options.

There was no other way.

Truth to be told, he was not expecting Shen Jingwei to do anything in regard to his illness.

Shen Jingwei simply had the right to know, that’s all.

Unfortunately, Shen Jingwei did not wake up until much later that day, and Yan Renzhong had to leave for work.

Just like that, another window of opportunity closed, leaving another day pass before they had the chance to sit together and talk in private.