Chapter 76: The Three Beauties of the Xu Family

  The registration procedures for the Nuwa Company would still take some time to complete, but the development of Nanxing One was progressing rapidly. In just three weeks, it had already reached the crucial stage of gene suppressor implantation.

  Zhang Yang had already provided all the theoretical groundwork. The remaining work was up to the highly skilled Liu Zixuan and Qiao Xier.

  If nothing went wrong, the first thirty milliliters of Nanxing One’s prototype reagent would be ready within a week. Theoretically, that dosage could cure three late-stage cancer patients. However, the precious reagent would first be tested on fifty lab mice. Only after observing their clinical reactions and side effects would it be considered successful.

  Even if the reagent passed validation, it would still be a long road to market. There would need to be four more phases of testing—from small volunteer groups to clinical patient groups. It could take months or even years. Only after large-scale trials proved its effectiveness would the Drug Administration issue approval.

  The validation date for the reagent was set on the day Qiao Xier had originally promised. Major global news outlets and UICC experts would be present at the event.

  Two days before the reagent’s debut, Zhang Yang encountered an unexpected situation.

  To be precise, it wasn’t Zhang Yang himself—it was Xu Danlu’s father.

  After twenty-seven rounds of radiotherapy and five cycles of combined Taixinsheng-TB chemotherapy over thirty-five days, Xu Maogen’s primary cancerous lesion in the hypopharynx was completely eliminated. However, the lymph node metastasis that had initially shrunk relapsed, and this time even worse—the tumor tissue had encased the carotid artery.

  This meant that radiotherapy and the current chemotherapy plan had failed. And since the tumor enveloped the carotid artery, surgery was impossible. The blocked blood vessels led to insufficient blood flow to the brain. Xu Maogen suffered unbearable pain and was at risk of stroke or sudden death from the tumor’s pressure.

  Experts in Shanghai advised Zhang Yang and Xu Danlu that only two options remained: change the chemotherapy regimen or attempt radioactive seed implantation therapy.

  “We’re sorry. We thought this regimen might at least slow the progression, but his cancer cells don’t respond to it. We could switch chemotherapy plans, but I’m afraid his body can’t handle it. The other option, seed implantation, is a last resort.”

  Upon hearing this, Xu Danlu was completely stunned.

  “When your father arrived in Shanghai, it was already late-stage with bilateral lymph node metastasis. The primary lesion was under control, but the lymph nodes weren’t responsive to radiation. If you switch chemo or try seed implantation, be mentally prepared—he could pass away at any time.”

  The experts gave a grim and deeply regretful prognosis.

  That same day, Zhang Yang accompanied Xu Danlu to Shanghai. Her mother had lost ten pounds in a month, and her father had dropped from 158 to barely 100 pounds. The side effects of radiation had become severe—difficulty speaking, painful neck swelling, sleeplessness, mouth ulcers, and lung infection.

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  Xu Maogen’s immune system was at its lowest point. The cancer could spread to other parts of his body at any time.

  With his immune system weakened and malnutrition worsening, even changing chemotherapy could be fatal.

  The same dilemma faced by countless late-stage cancer patients now loomed over the Xu family.

  Treatment offered hope—but it might also kill him faster. Doing nothing might let him live slightly longer, but with no chance of recovery.

  Xu Danlu’s mother was too frightened to make a decision and summoned all three Xu sisters to Shanghai.

  The three sisters were indeed biological siblings—they looked nearly identical and were about the same height. The second sister, Xu Dantong, was the most beautiful and, interestingly, majored in nuclear physics at Huaxia University of Science and Technology—one of the country’s top universities in that field.

  A girl studying nuclear physics was rare enough, but a stunning one like her? Legend had it that within three days of her enrollment, the roses stacked outside her dorm could’ve filled Yang Guifei’s bath for a lifetime.

  The youngest, Xu Danying, was a shy, classical beauty. She looked delicate and soft—like a girl who’d major in literature or arts—but instead studied computer science. Last year, she was admitted to Tsinghua University’s Computer Science Department as the top science student in her province. She dreamed of exploring quantum computing—a true sci-fi-obsessed prodigy.

  In short, all three sisters studied STEM fields, each at top-tier universities. Zhang Yang couldn’t help but be amazed. What the hell—wasn’t their dad a street vendor?

  Maybe they just inherited their mother’s genes—she was a math teacher.

  Still, how could an elementary math teacher raise three scientific prodigies?

  Usually, beautiful women prefer majors like trade or arts—liberal fields. But the Xu family had three beauties, all studying monk-level technical programs.

  Maybe their father wanted them to marry early and have kids to make up for the lack of sons. After all, it’d be hard to find boyfriends in those male-dominated majors.

  Ironically, to his frustration, his three daughters had made the family proud—each of them beautiful, brilliant, and single.

  Xu Danlu’s mother had kept the truth of her husband’s condition from the other two daughters, fearing it would affect their studies. She only called them now because it might be their last chance to see him.

  She even subtly told them to bring their boyfriends along.

  But whether they didn’t understand or pretended not to, both sisters showed up alone with their handbags.

  When Xu Danlu’s mother saw them, she was furious. She immediately pulled Zhang Yang, Xu Danlu, Xu Dantong, and Xu Danying outside the VIP ward to scold them.

  “Didn’t I tell you to bring your boyfriends? Your father’s biggest wish is to see his daughters married before he goes. And you all come back single? Weren’t you the ones saying your schools had more boys than girls?”

  The eldest, Xu Dantong, glanced at Xu Danying, bit her lip, and said softly, “Mom, Dad’s condition is already this bad. Can we not talk about this now? And look, Sis already found her husband. He’s so capable—you should be happy.”

  Xu Dantong was clever. Using the word “husband” worked wonders. Hearing it, He Zhen’s expression softened, and a trace of pride appeared as she glared playfully at her daughter. “Hmph, you’d better know it. Your sister’s no prettier than you—how come she found such a good man while you, just a year younger, haven’t even dated?”

  Xu Dantong glanced at Zhang Yang. “Mom, you said it yourself—if I could find someone like my brother-in-law, I’d bring him home already. Now let’s go see Dad.”

  He Zhen sighed, glaring at her daughters again. “We’ll talk about this later.”

  Then she reluctantly went back inside. Xu Dantong followed, giving Zhang Yang a quick pat on the arm. “Thanks, brother-in-law.”

  Zhang Yang knew she meant for being her excuse. He nodded in response. Brother-in-law, huh? Fine, he’d take it.

  Xu Danying was more reserved. She glanced shyly at Zhang Yang, her cheeks turning pink, then quietly followed inside.

  Xu Danlu hugged Zhang Yang’s arm and looked up proudly. “Yangzi, how about my two sisters?”

  Zhang Yang shrugged. “I never comment on other men’s wives.”

  “You little rascal! You probably want all three sisters to marry you, huh?” Xu Danlu rolled her eyes and went in.

  Zhang Yang watched her back and smacked his lips. What a thing to say.

  To be fair, the most beautiful of the three was Xu Dantong. She looked a bit like a famous model surnamed Zhou with the same name character Tong—same stunning figure, same perfect face. Xu Danying was more of a petite type, looking even younger than Liu Zixuan—but definitely a beauty in the making.

  Thinking about Xu Maogen’s face, Zhang Yang couldn’t help but shake his head. How the hell did he have such gorgeous daughters? Were they even his?

  Ahem, how dare he think that about his future father-in-law—shame on him!

  Once everyone gathered, the doctor called them to the consultation room and went over Xu Maogen’s condition again, concluding with:

  “We can’t delay any longer. At best, he has a week. At most, a month. Time is precious—you must decide soon.” Vice Dean Wang gave them a sympathetic look before leaving.

  The rest of the Xu family stayed behind. He Zhen was mentally prepared, but the newly arrived Xu Dantong and Xu Danying immediately burst into tears. Their mother hadn’t told them how bad it really was.