City Hospital, Inpatient Ward.
"Doctor, how is my grandfather doing?" Outside a private VIP room, a young woman dressed in smart casual attire asked the white-coated physician beside her.
"Miss Qiao, Mr. Qiao’s condition isn’t very optimistic. None of his vital indicators are within the normal range," the doctor replied, shaking his head slightly as he reviewed the medical report.
"You’re an expert in this field—is there really no other way?" Qiao Xin’s face tightened with worry. "What about other hospitals, or medical institutions abroad? Are there more advanced treatments available?"
"Based on my experience, neither domestic nor international medicine currently has a mature solution for your grandfather’s condition. At best, we can only delay further deterioration." The doctor hesitated for a moment, as if recalling something, but ultimately remained silent.
"What is it, Doctor? Do you know something else?" Qiao Xin immediately caught the flicker of hesitation in his expression. "Please, any method at all—I need to know."
Sighing, the doctor relented. "A few days ago, I admitted a female patient with the same condition as your grandfather, though her case was milder. Recently, her indicators suddenly improved significantly. When I asked why, her family mentioned they’d been using a traditional family remedy."
A… traditional remedy?
Qiao Xin was taken aback. What kind of ancestral medicine could treat such an illness?
"Do you have the patient’s contact information?" she pressed urgently.
"I do, but I can’t guarantee it was the remedy that caused the improvement," the doctor cautioned.
"That’s alright. Even the slightest hope is worth pursuing."
"I’ll send you the details later. The rest will be up to you, Miss Qiao."
"Thank you."
After the doctor left, Qiao Xin took a deep breath and stepped into the hospital room.
Lying on the bed was an elderly man in his seventies or eighties, resting with an oxygen mask over his face. A caregiver sat quietly beside him. Hearing the door open, the old man’s eyes fluttered awake, settling on Qiao Xin.
"Xin… don’t worry… Grandpa’s just old… useless now," he rasped weakly.
"It’s alright, Grandpa. The doctor said your condition has stabilized, and there might be a special treatment—it just needs time." Qiao Xin forced a smile, gently squeezing his hand.
But the exhaustion and worry on her face didn’t escape his notice.
The old man patted her hand lightly. "No need… to lie to me… I know my body…"
"Your father… and uncles… they’re no good… the company… depends on you…"
"I promise, Grandpa. I’ll take care of everything," Qiao Xin assured him.
"Good…"
Once her grandfather drifted back to sleep, Qiao Xin glanced uneasily at the oxygen monitor before sighing deeply.
Just then, her phone buzzed—the doctor had sent the patient’s contact details. She stood and headed out.
I hope that medicine works.
For some reason, her thoughts wandered to the young man who had saved her the night before.
Shaking her head, she pushed the memory aside.
---
Afternoon, Silver Mountain Academy.
After classes ended, Luo Xi headed to her club activities, while Ye Chuan checked the time and decided to wait for her on campus.
Since it was Luo Xi’s birthday and they were supposed to have dinner at her place later, there was no point going home early.
Ye Chuan ordered a birthday cake via an app, then sat on a bench scrolling through his phone. Soon, boredom set in.
This is dull.
If Luo Xi were here, he could at least rest his head on her lap. Alone, staring at his phone just wasn’t the same.
After a moment, he decided to visit the Broadcasting Club.
Not knowing where it was, he stopped a long-haired girl passing by. "Hey, do you know where the Broadcasting Club meets?"
The girl, wearing a mask and with strikingly pretty eyes, glanced around before silently leading the way.
"You’re taking me there? Thanks." Ye Chuan followed her.
A few minutes later, they arrived at an office. The girl turned and stood quietly, as if waiting.
"Uh… this isn’t the Broadcasting Club’s room, is it?" Ye Chuan blinked at the "Faculty Office" sign.
The girl’s voice was barely audible. "I don’t know the way… but the teacher… can help."
Ye Chuan: "…"
Wait, so you had no idea either?
"Appreciate it," he muttered.
"You’re welcome…" With that, the girl walked off, leaving Ye Chuan rubbing his temples.
"Whatever."
He stepped inside and asked a teacher for directions. After some hassle, he finally found the Broadcasting Club’s activity room.
The door was open. Inside, Luo Xi was laughing with a few classmates, clearly enjoying herself.
"Ah!" Spotting Ye Chuan, Luo Xi immediately rushed over. "Chuan, what are you doing here?"
"Got bored waiting. Thought I’d keep you company," he said. "Got a ‘family seating’ section for me?"
"Stop it!" Luo Xi’s cheeks flushed at the word family. "We’re almost done—just cleaning up, then we can go."
"I’ll wait outside."
"Okay!"
As Luo Xi returned to the club, Ye Chuan leaned against the railing, scrolling on his phone. Soon, the club members started tidying up.
While Luo Xi wiped down tables, a voice interrupted Ye Chuan’s idle browsing.
"If you’re waiting for Luo Xi, why not help out?"
The voice was familiar. Ye Chuan looked up to see Luo Hao holding a mop. "Come on, mop the floor for us."
"…" Ye Chuan scoffed.
How is that my problem?
"Not interested."
"Too lazy to even lift a finger. No idea why Luo Xi bothers with you," Luo Hao said loudly, drawing glances from others in the room.
Unfazed, Ye Chuan smirked. "Do you know what a barber’s mom is called?"
Luo Hao frowned. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Tony’s mom."
It took Luo Hao a second to realize he’d just been insulted.