Shao Yiping didn’t speak for a long time, then she finally said, “It’s all in the past.” Suddenly, tears welled up in her eyes. Xu Ke was still puzzled but didn’t dare to press further, fearing to upset Shao Yiping, and only whispered comfort, “Mom, you’re sick now, the worst thing is getting too emotional. Do you know, when I got Aunt Meng’s call, I was so scared my legs went weak.” As she spoke, Xu Ke’s nose started to sting, she leaned her face on Shao Yiping’s hand, and sobbed, “Mom, you’re my only family, you have to get better.”
Shao Yiping’s fingers moved slightly, her fingertips gently caressing her daughter’s smooth skin, whispering, “Xiao Ke, I’m afraid I won’t make it, there are things I need to settle.”
“Mom, what are you talking about?” Xu Ke was panicked and scared, tightly gripping Shao Yiping’s hand, “The doctor said you’ll be fine after the heart bypass surgery.”
Shao Yiping weakly smiled, “What if I don’t come off the operating table?”
“There’s no ‘what if’.” Xu Ke’s tears immediately streamed down, covering her cheeks. Shao Yiping sighed, squeezing her daughter’s fingers. The room was very quiet, Xu Ke tightly held her mother’s hand, as if trying to transfer her strength and vitality to her. She had lost her father in childhood, and her relationship with Shao Yiping was one of dependence, especially deep and profound.
“Water’s here.” Yin Wancheng came in with a smile. Xu Ke quickly wiped her tears, got up to make a call to Lin Ge. Strangely, Lin Ge’s phone was busy. After a while, she tried again, still busy. Xu Ke found it odd; Lin Ge didn’t have many calls, and being introverted and rational, he always kept calls brief. Finally, on the third attempt, the call went through.
“Lin Ge, have you contacted Xiao Xiao today?”
“Yes, but her boyfriend was in a meeting, his phone was off. I was about to call him again tonight.”
“Oh, no need. It seems their hospital specializes in women and children. For heart issues, it’s better to go to the Provincial Hospital. I think we should transfer there.”
“Have you made arrangements?”
“Yes.”
“Xiao Ke, there’s something…” Lin Ge hesitated.
“What is it?”
