Chapter 29

"Do you still want her to continue using that medicine?" Li Xi stared at Song Zhicheng in disbelief.

"We need to collect accurate data to improve the medication," Song Zhicheng replied calmly.

"That medicine is completely useless!" Li Xi shouted. 

"Look at what happened to the two people before her."

Song Zhicheng remained silent. This hospital was owned by the Li family, and the medication was developed by their organization, all aimed at treating the young master in front of him. 

A year ago, an accident resulted in the death of over two thousand people. Of the final five survivors, one gave up treatment, one died during a clinical trial, and another was on the brink of death. 

Apart from Li Xi, the only other survivor was Yuan Chu. Yuan Chu was currently the only hope for Li Xi's survival. 

Whether it was him as the attending physician or the patriarch of the Li family, they both hoped the experiment would continue. 

Although it sounded selfish, to them, Li Xi's life was far more important than that of the girl.

"The new drug is not entirely ineffective; it just has severe side effects," Song Zhicheng tried to comfort. 

"If she can endure it, there's a good chance she will recover."

"Nonsense!" Li Yu scoffed. 

"Two adults couldn't endure it; how could a seven or eight-year-old girl?"

"Li Xi, calm down."

"I am calm. I just don't want to spend my remaining time in such pain!" Li Xi's voice was strained, and his bloodshot eyes were deeply sunken.

"What are you all doing?" Just then, Yuan Chu, sitting in a wheelchair, was pushed back by a nurse.

"Nothing." Ignoring Song Zhicheng, Li Xi walked over, took the wheelchair from the nurse, and pushed Yuan Chu into a hospital room.

"I bought you a lot of delicious food." Li Xi placed the food, including candies, bayberries, cakes, and more, which he had placed on the bedside table, one by one in front of her. 

There was a large pile of them. After looking for a while, Yuan Chu said seriously, "I can't eat these. The doctor said I can only have liquid food."

"Who cares what the doctor says?" Li Xi rudely tore open a candy wrapper. 

"Eat if you want to."

"No, we have to listen to the doctor." Yuan Chu held his hand, looking serious. "Not only can I not eat, but you also can't eat!"

"The doctor's words are all lies." Li Xi grabbed a piece of candy and was about to put it in his mouth, but it was snatched away by Yuan Chu.

She neatly gathered all the snacks on the bedside table and swept them into a bag, then quickly tied a knot, admonishing, "If you don't listen to the doctor, our condition will never improve."

"Naive child." A hint of mockery flashed in Li Xi's eyes, "Do you really think we can still get better?"

"Of course." Yuan Chu raised her arm and declared with confidence, "I have already started to improve."

Li Xi looked at her thin, needle-marked arm and felt an inexplicable pain in his heart.

"It won't get better." He muttered softly to himself, "It's impossible to get better..."

Their lives were counting down, one day less with each passing day, perhaps one day they would never wake up again after sleeping.

Yuan Chu watched as the energy around him slowly dissipated, like twinkling fireflies, illuminating her eyes.

"Promise me, stop taking that medicine." Li Xi gently said, "For the remaining time, I will always be by your side."

"I'm sorry, brother." Yuan Chu patted her chest, smiling, "I want to get a bit healthier, so I can't stop taking the medicine."

"That medicine won't make you healthier; it'll only make you suffer!" Li Yu cruelly shattered her illusion.

"Brother, do you want to make a bet with me?" Yuan Chu was indifferent to his attitude, making a firm proposition, "If I get better, you will obediently accept treatment and follow the doctor's advice."

Li Xi: You won't get better, you'll never get better.

He denied it in his heart but couldn't bring himself to say it out loud.

"I won't make such a foolish bet with you." Li Xi stood up abruptly, "Since you're seeking trouble on your own, I can't be bothered with you anymore."

After speaking, he turned around and headed out.

"Weren't you going to stay with me?" Yuan Chu called out from behind him.

"I don't want to stay anymore!" His fading voice disappeared outside the door, and his footsteps grew distant.

Li Nian kept his word; if he said he wouldn't stay, he wouldn't. It seemed like he had completely forgotten about her.

Yuan Chu didn't insist. Her body was deteriorating under the rejection of the heavenly laws, but no matter how painful it was, she continued to take the medicine. 

Even though Li Xi didn't come to see her, she knew he was always watching over her. She didn't need words; actions spoke louder.

Three days later, the second volunteer left as well. He committed suicide, unable to bear the pain from the side effects. He jumped from the rooftop, breaking his neck and dying a gruesome death.

Li Nian witnessed the entire process with a blank expression on his face. It wasn't until he caught sight of the little girl sitting by the window that a wave of emotion appeared in his eyes.

He quickly approached the door of Yuan Chu's room, gently pushing it open just a crack. 

He saw her pushing her wheelchair back to the bedside, struggling to climb onto the bed by herself. There was no fear or panic on her face, only a calmness that seemed to accept life and death.

Blood oozed from her skin. She tried to wipe it away with tissues, but no matter how much she wiped, it wouldn't stop. In the blink of an eye, dozens of tissues were stained red. 

Only when she realized she couldn't stop the bleeding by herself did she press the call button by the bed.

The nurse quickly entered the room. Under her supervision, Yuan Chu obediently took her medicine and received her injection without any fuss. She even smiled and thanked the nurse.

Seeing her behave this way, one would think nothing was seriously wrong. However, as soon as the nurse left, she immediately curled up into a ball, trembling uncontrollably. 

Faint whimpers, as delicate as a kitten's, could be heard, a silent but strong perseverance.

Li Xi leaned against the wall, clutching his aching chest, his eyes becoming dry and gritty. 

He had seen the reaction of the second volunteer after taking the medicine, a pain that pierced into the bone, resembling madness, pushing the person to the brink of despair.

Yuan Chu's side effects should have manifested by now, but she didn't cry or ask for help. She calmly resisted the disease. Her small body seemed to possess boundless strength, resilient and fearless.

Li Xi had always believed that this little girl was incredibly strong, until he accidentally overheard a conversation between her and Song Zhicheng.

"If it hurts, scream out, don't hold it in," Song Zhicheng comforted her gently while helping her endure.

Yuan Chu shook her head and replied with a dry voice, "I can't scream."

"Why?"

"I'm afraid that Li Xi will get scared if he hears me."

Song Zhicheng was stunned, "What?"

"I made a bet with him. As long as I get better, he will willingly accept treatment." Yuan Chu weakly smiled, 

"So, I can't scream. I can't scare him. Otherwise, what if he gets too scared to take his medicine when I get better?"

Li Xi covered his mouth, his eyes instantly turning red. He slid down the wall, crouching on the floor, burying his head in his knees, silently sobbing.

'Who promised to bet with you? Don't make decisions on your own, idiot!'

Since that day, Li Xi no longer avoided Yuan Chu. He reported to her room every day, watched her take her medicine, accompanied her for injections, and fed her porridge. 

Under the influence of side effects, she became thinner day by day, suffering each day. 

However, hope always shone in her eyes, a dazzling light that never dimmed, illuminating his heart like the sun, making him harbor some expectations.

However, life did not present any miracles.

Yuan Chu had only three hours left in this world.

Her hair had fallen out, her body had become emaciated, blood stains covered her, and she couldn't even speak anymore.

Yuan Chu gazed quietly at Li Nian, her eyes shimmering with silent encouragement: "Li Xi, you are the child of luck, don't give up hope."

"Xiao Chu, Xiao Chu..." Li Xi softly called out, afraid to startle her soul.

Feeling the force of rejection from the heavenly law, Yuan Chu closed her eyes wearily. A large amount of fresh blood seeped from her skin, and her body began to deteriorate.

Beep, beep, beep... 

Urgent alarms sounded from the machines. The doctors couldn't even attempt to save this fragile little body, only able to watch as the lifeline turned flat.

"Time of death: 15:35."

When Song Zhicheng regretfully informed Li Xi of the tragic news, he finally broke down.

"Don't die," His trembling voice was filled with unprecedented humility, "Please..."

"Weren't you supposed to get better? You little liar!"

A painful wail echoed in the room.

Li Xi regretted not enduring the pain of illness with this girl, letting her depart first.

Her smile, her resilience, her optimism, like the last surprise in his life, warm and shining. 

Even though he wouldn't admit it, he did gain the will to live from her. But he had done nothing for her, not even encouraged her.

"I promised you, isn't that enough? I will obediently accept treatment, follow the doctor's orders..."

"...Really?" A faint voice suddenly reached Li Xi's ears.

Li Xi looked up abruptly, meeting a pair of bright eyes.

At the same time, the lifeline on the machine showed signs of activity once again.

The medical staffs nearby were all stunned.

Just now, Li Xi completely let down his guard and successfully established a connection with Yuan Chu, forcibly pulling her consciousness back from the endless sea, creating a miracle of resurrection.

"Ha ha..." Li Xi laughed and cried, looking foolish.

Yuan Chu's eyelashes trembled slightly, showing him a brilliant smile.

Li Xi thought he would never forget this smile in his life.

After a thorough examination and treatment, the doctors confirmed that Yuan Chu had escaped from the life-threatening situation, and her weak body was slowly recovering.

The first and second volunteers only managed to hold on for seven or eight days after taking the medicine. 

Yuan Chu, on the other hand, persisted for a whole month. With her small and frail body, she endured the torment of illness and miraculously revived after her heart stopped for seventy-eight seconds.

What happened to her shocked everyone.

"See, I told you." With a bald head, Yuan Chu smiled at Li Xi, "I knew I would be fine."

"Yes, yes, you're amazing." Li Xi held a warm towel, carefully wiping her body.

"What about you?" Yuan Chu turned over, lifting her dress, making it easier for him to help wipe her back, "When are you taking your medicine?"

"Whenever you say to take it, I'll take it." Li Xi now wanted to hold her like a porcelain doll, accommodating her every wish.

"No, you have to listen to the doctor. Take it when the doctor says to take it."

"Got it!" Li Xi turned her over again, adjusted her pillow, making her more comfortable.

Seeing him so obedient, Yuan Chu finally smiled with satisfaction.

After successfully connecting with the child of luck, the rejecting force disappeared, the illness was gone, and she felt light, perfect!

-----

Previous  Chapter/Next Chapter

-----