Michael and Nicole happened to meet at the university. During the three years, they’d known each other; they had developed a close relationship. They helped each other whenever in trouble. After graduation, they both came to work in the city of Lanzhou.

One day, in her office, Nicole collapsed in an abrupt coma. Immediately, she was sent to the hospital and thorough examination showed that she had suffered such renal failure that her kidney should be transplanted.

No doubt, a large amount of money would be needed. Michael tried to borrow money from every possible friend but the sum was still small. To make matters worse, both the families were very poor and neither could even make ends meet. How could he manage the money for the transplant?

Soon an idea occurred to Michael.

He went to a nearby hospital to sell blood, but a month later, when he counted all the money he had made, it was still not enough. As time went by, she became worse and worse. He had no choice but to pick Nicole’s sister up to look after her. Two days later, he disappeared. At first Nicole thought he needed to get away from all the stress, but when he didn’t get back after weeks, Nicole suspected that he had dumped her. She began to hate him.

A month or more later, however, to her great joy, a large amount of money was deposited to her account. The operation was successfully done and she became better and better. After she recovered, she went on working. She could not forget him, but the more she thought of him the more she hated him. Soon she met a new lover，Jack and got married.

Four years later, Jack came home one day after work and told Nicole he had read an interesting story in an old daily newspaper. When she asked what it was about, he told her it was about a man who helped the woman he loved, who was very sick. Hearing that, her heart gave a throb. Then she asked her husband to continue.

“The man once worked in a big city.” Her husband raised his voice. “Unfortunately, his lover suffered from a serious disease, needed an expensive operation, but she did not have such a large amount.”

“It seems very interesting, go on, please!” Nicole said.

“He tried every friend for money, but in vain.”

“What a pity! She must have had no choice but to die!”

“Don’t be in such a hurry dear! I am coming to that.”

“One night, he figured out a way to get the money. He went to another big city and broke into a bank and managed to open the custody. He took some money and left, without being noticed.”

“Oh, God! He might have been arrested!”

“Yes, but first he was able to post the money to the girl's account!” Jack explained.

Nicole seemed lost in deep thought. She sat there quietly, eyes fixed on the floor in front of her. Seconds later, she looked up at Jack.

“What happened to him next?” she asked suddenly.

“After he had posted the money, he felt slightly guilty. What he had done began to worry him. He wanted to give himself up to the police, but he could not find a wise excuse for where the money had gone, for he swore that he would never tell the truth about it. An idea came to him that he should find a way to kill himself. Before he was able to do it, the police caught him.”

“I am sorry for him, but what happened to him next?” Nicole asked eagerly.

“When the police asked him about the money, he said that he was robbed. Unable to find further evidence, but knowing that he committed the crime they threw him into prison.”

“When did that happen?” Nicole frowned.

“I can’t remember now, but it was about five years ago.”

No sooner had Jack finished than Nicole let out a sharp cry, “What’s his name, dear? Is it Michael?”

“Just Mike.”

Nicole became silent, her eyes in tears. Moments later, she said, “Did he ever speak of posting a large amount of money to someone in prison?”

“No, he didn’t.”

“It must be him, my dear!” She rose up quickly. “Where is the newspaper, please?”

“I put it in a dustbin after having read it.” Jack looked rather puzzled. “It must be who?”

“Michael!” Nicole replied without any hesitation. “He is the very person I have been looking for for years!”

Jack was even more puzzled. “How was that, dear?”

“Do you remember that I had a kidney transplant before we got married?” She turned to him, a bit excited.

“Yes?” Jack frowned.

“It was to save me that he was thrown into prison!” Nicole started to weep. “I will never forget him!”

Jack made no response at first, but soon became furious. “Do you still love him? A prisoner?”

“But I do!” replied Nicole, after a long silence. “I can’t let him stay there alone.”

That night, Nicole left home. Jack didn’t stop her. Instead, he stood at the window, smoking hard when she stepped out, in the moonlight.

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