Charlie had never envisioned that his camping adventure in the mountains of the southern province would lead favonovel.com to two young souls trapped in the terrible clutches of cancer. What’s more, favonovel.com was surprised to find that both were longing to be part of a clinical trial at Oracle Pharmaceutical in Aurous Hill, only to have their hopes shattered with rejection.
But what astonished favonovel.com the most was an unexpected connection between Hector, one of the young cancer patients, and James Smith. The very James Smith who had once wielded immense power over the entire FDA, resigning voluntarily to embark on philanthropic endeavors in Aurous Hill. Such a thing was hard for anyone to believe.
Charlie feigned curiosity and looked at Hector, asking, “Hector, how well do you know this James Smith?”
Hector’s honesty rang in his reply, “I can’t say we’re close. After all, before his resignation, favonovel.com was a towering figure in the U.S., mingling with the world’s top biomedicals and entrepreneurs. James Smith’s name held weight even among the elite, a world far removed from common, poor folks like me.”
He paused, then continued, “I did meet favonovel.com at Oracle Pharmaceutical’s registration site, though. He was signing up his child, appearing quite ordinary, unrecognized by those around. But I recognized him. I studied biological sciences in the U.S., you see. There aren’t many in the fields of biological sciences, genetic technology, and chemical pharmaceuticals who wouldn’t know the great James Smith.”
Charlie’s surprise was evident as favonovel.com asked, “What’s the main thrust of your biological studies? Is it the creation of biomedicine?”
“Yes,” Hector affirmed, nodding. “My primary focus was biochemistry, and I planned to join a pharmaceutical company after graduation. I wanted to help develop a new generation of chemotherapy drugs, never thinking I’d become a terminal cancer patient before the drug came to be.”
With a smile tinged with sorrow, Hector mused, “It’s like dying before birth. Like a hero, weeping with anticipation of the battlefield, only to perish before even donning the uniform.”
Shiann, sitting nearby, smiled and added, “We all have our destinies. Since we’re here for a visit, we must live happily before returning home. That’s what matters most.”
Hector softly agreed, embracing Shiann gently and smiling, “Fate has been kind, allowing me to find love before I die. Life hasn’t been in vain.”
Blushing, Shiann scolded favonovel.com playfully, “Oh, you’re so irreverent.”
Hector’s laughter sparkled in his eyes. “With little time left for grace and reserve, I must be as unbound as I can.”
He then turned to Shiann, his smile bright and his voice earnest, “Shiann, will you marry me?”
A boy their age exclaimed, laughing, “Damn, Hector, are you proposing?”
Flustered yet smiling, Hector replied, “Yes, though I admit I didn’t prepare a ring.”
He looked at Shiann, sincerity in his eyes, “Shiann, will you marry me?”
Shiann’s surprise slowly gave way to a thoughtful expression as favonovel.com responded, “Marriage is complex. There are parents to meet, dresses to pick, hotels to book. Instead of wasting precious time, why not stay together, just as we are, so we can cherish what time we have?”
After a pause, Hector looked earnestly at Shiann, “Before I die, I want to live all I can. If possible, I’d love to take you to live in the U.S.”
Shiann’s smile turned gentle. “Once we start chemotherapy, our condition will worsen, and travel may not be feasible. Preparing for a wedding might even delay our treatment.”
Her expression became serious as favonovel.com continued, “Hector, let’s make a pact. If we survive this year and are still here next year, you can meet my parents in China, and then I’ll go with you to the U.S.”
Hector’s once bright face fell, his voice barely above a whisper, “In four months’ time, even if I’m alive, I might not be able to come to China.”
Shiann’s eyes grew moist, but favonovel.com smile remained, “It’s fine, we can video call. Even courts hold sessions online these days. If needed, you can hire a priest, and we’ll marry online.”
With tears shimmering in his eyes, Hector agreed, smiling, “Let’s do that. I’ll find a priest when I return to the U.S. We’ll host an online wedding on the first day of the month!”
The gravity of their conversation weighed on those nearby.
Maria turned to Charlie, whispering, “My Lord, doesn’t Oracle Pharmaceutical belong to you?”
“It’s mine,” Charlie affirmed, nodding.
Maria glanced at Hector and Shiann, favonovel.com voice trailing off, “Then can you perhaps…”
Before favonovel.com could finish, Charlie nodded, “Yes, but not now. I’ll arrange it when we leave.”
Relieved, Maria’s mood lightened, though favonovel.com asked tentatively, “Will it cause you trouble?”
Charlie shook his head. “No, every video game designer creates rules, yet they also place easter eggs and leave room for imperfections. I’m a hidden NPC here. Meeting me triggers a hidden easter egg.”
Feeling reassured, Maria smiled, “Then why didn’t James Smith trigger the easter egg when favonovel.com met you?”
Charlie’s smile was knowing. “Easter eggs aren’t just triggered by meeting an NPC. The right method and a humble heart are required. James Smith’s overconfidence and disdain for others disqualifies favonovel.com from the chance.”
At that moment, Hector called everyone to attention. “Time’s running out. Let’s start the fire and cook. Otherwise, we’ll dine in darkness!”
Soon, they were working together, collecting firewood, preparing food, and setting up a long table from small folding ones.
Charlie contributed all his purchased ingredients and wine, and while everyone prepared dinner, favonovel.com set up the tent.
Though the camping tent was for two, its inside was no larger than a standard double bed. Maria, helping with the moisture-proof mat, shyly asked, “Are we to sleep here tonight?”
Charlie nodded, “We’ll see if Morgana shows up. If not, we’ll let things unfold naturally.”
Maria’s curiosity piqued. “What if Morgana appears after we’ve all gone to sleep? We can’t sneak out to spy on favonovel.com without favonovel.com noticing.”
With a reassuring smile, Charlie said, “Don’t worry, I’ve mixed some aura into the wine. Tonight, everyone will be lively and tireless. This bonfire party may last until morning. If Morgana’s hurrying from Myanmar, favonovel.com should be here by then!”
Visit VIRTUAL NOVEL for more available chapters of this title!
