Chapter 0430

Though he knew they were likely already dead, what if there was a sliver of hope?

It wasn’t until a medical professional shook his head after a thorough examination that the truth sank in.

"He’s gone."

Lin Ran felt as if he’d been struck by lightning—was he really the one who had witnessed Wang Anjian’s tragedy with his own eyes?

When the ambulance drove away, the last person Wang Anjian had seen was Lin Ran… and a black cat.

After a moment’s thought, Lin Ran called Luo Yao to explain the situation before heading to the hospital himself. A brief inquiry revealed that Wang Anjian was undergoing tests.

Whether by sheer luck or fate, Wang Anjian hadn’t sustained life-threatening injuries—but it had been dangerously close.

Shrapnel from the shattered seat had pierced his body, stopping just two centimeters from a vital organ.

"If the truck had been lifted even a second later, the pressure would’ve killed him. That boy is incredibly lucky to have met a kind soul like you."

Lin Ran couldn’t muster a smile. Though Wang Anjian was physically unharmed, how deep would the emotional scars run?

By then, Granny Wang had been notified and was rushing to the hospital in grief.

Wang Anjian was placed in a ward for treatment. Lin Ran stepped inside, intending to see him one last time before leaving.

To his surprise, Wang Anjian was awake.

"Brother Lin Ran… where are my parents?" His voice was weak.

"They’re busy with something. Anjian, you need to be good here, okay…?"

Tears dripped silently down Wang Anjian’s cheeks. "Brother Lin Ran, don’t lie to me. I know… they’re never coming back for me, right?"

Lin Ran fell silent, letting the boy cry.

Maybe it wasn’t a bad thing—to let it all out.

"Anjian, your father was smiling when he left. He was happy because half of his wish came true."

Wang Anjian’s sobs paused. "What wish?"

"Your dad once told me he wanted you to grow up happy, for your grandma to live a long and healthy life, for your mom to always love him… and for you to survive."

"Even though they’re gone, your parents loved each other their whole lives. So, Anjian, can you help your dad fulfill the last two wishes? Grow up happy… and take care of your grandma. Be her little joy."

Wang Anjian stayed quiet for a long time before nodding firmly.

"Okay. I’ll help Dad look after Grandma. Brother Lin Ran… thank you for telling me about his wish. And thank you for saving me. I’ll never forget you."

Lin Ran’s heart ached. "Anjian, I’m about to lose my memory. It’ll take three years for me to remember again. Only then can I come back to you."

Wang Anjian didn’t fully understand but tried to.

"Brother Lin Ran, are you saying you’re sealing your memories and unlocking them later?"

"Something like that. I need to find my true self. There’s a sister who’s always loved me, but I hurt her. So, heaven is punishing me with three years of forgetting."

This time, Wang Anjian grasped it.

"I’ll tell her you love her."

Lin Ran smiled. "Good. When we get married, you’ll be our flower boy."

Wang Anjian nodded. "Deal. But… I’m sorry, I just—I can’t stop crying."

Lin Ran had thought the boy was calming down, but the tears returned in a sudden wave.

"Brother Lin Ran, I’m sorry. I can’t stop thinking about Mom and Dad. Every time I remember how Dad looked before he died, I cry. I’m not doing it on purpose, I swear… maybe my wounds just hurt too much…"

Lin Ran’s heart shattered. "Anjian, you’ve done nothing wrong. You can miss your dad whenever you want. But when you think of him, I hope you remember him happy."

Wang Anjian wiped his tears again. "Okay."

"Brother Lin Ran, don’t worry. Mom said I’m a man—I have to be strong. I’ll take care of Grandma."

In that moment, Lin Ran felt as if Wang Anjian had grown up overnight.

"Your mom was right. You’re amazing, Anjian." It wasn’t flattery—just pure admiration.

"Brother Lin Ran saved me. Dad said you repay kindness a hundredfold. Do you have a wish? While I’m taking care of Grandma, I can help you too."

How could a child be so wise?

Lin Ran’s eyes stung. "I don’t have any wishes. I just want to remember soon… so I can love the people who matter to me properly."

Wang Anjian recalled Lin Ran’s earlier words. "Brother, you said you love that sister—that you didn’t mean to hurt her, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then you’re a good person. I can find her and tell her you love her."

Lin Ran couldn’t let Wang Anjian approach Luo Yao.

Even if Luo Yao believed him, Wang Anjian was still a boy—a little one, but still male.

And Luo Yao despised men. What if she… eliminated him on the spot?

Lin Ran pulled out a photo and handed it to Wang Anjian.

"Write what you want to say to her here. Tell her one day I’ll love her. I’ll give it to her."

Wang Anjian took the photo, borrowed a pen from a nurse, and carefully wrote a few words.

Despite being barely seven, his handwriting was neat and graceful.

[One day, he will love you.]

Lin Ran froze when he read it.

Had he really used Wang Anjian’s hand to write this?

"Brother Lin Ran, give this to her. I know she’ll wait for you. And I’ll wait for you too."

Lin Ran took the photo, noticing the faint tear stains.

So that’s how it was.

Though the marks were light—Luo Yao must have cried over it too.

"Anjian, your grandma’s coming. I should go now."

"Goodbye, Brother Lin Ran."

As Lin Ran left the ward, he overheard doctors murmuring outside.

"That poor child… his parents just died, and now this diagnosis? We’ll have to break the news to his family when they arrive…"

Lin Ran sighed. Everything was unfolding exactly as it should.

Just then, he spotted Granny Wang rushing down the hall and quickly stepped aside.

This was for Wang Anjian to handle. He couldn’t bear to witness any more of this tragedy.

As he walked away, faint sobs drifted from the ward.

"I’m useless… I still can’t forget how Mom and Dad looked when they died…"

Wang Anjian cried quietly, careful not to disturb the nurses outside.

Lin Ran exhaled, realizing how much time had passed.

Returning to the estate, he left the black cat in the car and stepped out—only to run into Luo Yao.

"Yao, why are you still here?"