"Auntie, how have you and Teacher been lately?" Wren Wynter asked with a faint smile, handing the nutritional supplements to Linda Lynch.

"We’re doing great. But next time you visit, don’t buy all these things. It’s a waste of money."

Linda Lynch’s eyes were full of affection. She glanced at the indifferent Julian Hawthorne lying in the rocking chair and shook her head, amused.

"Your Teacher, on the other hand... he couldn’t sleep well for several nights after he heard you were injured. And now that he knows you’re better, he’s putting on his teacherly airs again."

Wren Wynter just smiled without saying a word.

’She knew her teacher had a sharp tongue but a soft heart.’

’In fact, he treated her the best out of everyone.’

"You should stay for dinner today. Oh, right, a few of your senior brothers are coming over later, too. It’ll be a nice reunion for everyone."

"Okay," Wren Wynter nodded.

After Linda Lynch left, she walked over to Julian Hawthorne, sat down, and skillfully poured him a cup of tea. "Teacher."

"Mm."

Wren Wynter was already used to Julian Hawthorne’s attitude. "Teacher, I came today not only to see you and Auntie, but also because there’s something I’d like to ask your opinion on."

"What is it?" Julian Hawthorne asked while sipping his tea.

"I want to join Doctors Without Borders, to refine my medical skills and save more people."

In her years as a flight surgeon, the number of patients she treated was limited, and she had fallen far behind others in many respects.

The moment she said this, Julian Hawthorne’s rocking suddenly stopped. The very air around them seemed to freeze.

After a long moment, he opened his eyes and sat up from the rocking chair, his expression grave.

"Do you have any idea what Doctors Without Borders is?"

"I do."

’It’s precisely because I know that I want to do it.’

"You’ve made up your mind?" Julian Hawthorne’s expression was serious—a kind of seriousness different from his usual demeanor.

"Yes." Wren Wynter nodded firmly.

"If you go, you must protect yourself. Nothing is more important than your safety." For a rare moment, Julian Hawthorne showed the kind of concern a father has for his daughter.

"I will, Teacher. You’re not against it?" Wren Wynter asked.

Julian Hawthorne raised an eyebrow, settled back into his rocking chair, and lazily bounced his foot. "I have no reason to object. As your elder, I’m reluctant; but as your teacher, I am proud of your decision."

Wren Wynter was the most outstanding of all his students, and the one most like him.

He knew perfectly well how many people, how many families, Wren could save by going there. And even more after she returned.

"Thank you, Teacher!" Wren Wynter was touched.

This was the first time her teacher had ever praised her to her face.

Just then, Shaun Quinn and a few of her senior brothers strode in. None of the four looked pleased.

Shaun Quinn, in particular, radiated an unapproachable aura.

"Teacher, being with Doctors Without Borders is too dangerous. It’s not right for our junior sister to go, especially as a young woman," a flicker of worry crossed Ho-ran Park’s brow.

Leo Crowe, beside him, chimed in, "That’s right, Teacher. Our junior sister just went through something major. She hasn’t even fully recovered. What if her immune system weakens over there and she gets infected with some virus? That would be a disaster."

"Old man, you can’t be serious about going along with her crazy idea. Isn’t she supposed to be your favorite student?" Leif Shaw grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest.

Shaun Quinn stood to the side, his brow tightly furrowed, saying nothing. But in that moment, he was the most furious of all.

’If Maximus Yates hadn’t introduced Wren to those people from the International Medical Association, she never would have gotten this idea.’

"If you don’t want to better yourselves, why drag your junior sister down with you? All of you, get out of my sight." Julian Hawthorne waved his hand dismissively, shooing Ho-ran Park and the others away.

"Teacher, Doctors Without Borders volunteers are usually assigned to war zones. Our junior sister will be all alone, and she doesn’t know how to protect herself. What if something happens to her there?" Ho-ran Park pleaded earnestly.

Shaun Quinn was nearly flayed alive by the time he came back. It would be even worse for Wren, a woman.

But Julian Hawthorne truly had a fiery temper. He shot up from his seat, snatched the tea set from the table, and hurled it at them.

"You bunch of disgraceful embarrassments! Your junior sister at least knows to think about the long term, while you lot only know how to limit yourselves to this country, showing no ambition at all! Now all of you, get the hell out!"

None of them moved. They simply stood where they were, letting Julian Hawthorne vent his fury.

Until he was done yelling.

Wren Wynter chose that moment to pour a cup of tea and hand it to Julian Hawthorne, gently patting his back with her other hand.

"Teacher, my senior brothers are just worried about me. They don’t mean to hold me back. Don’t work yourself up and harm your health."

After placating her teacher, she turned her steady gaze to her concerned senior brothers, her voice firm and resolute. "Senior brothers, I know you’re worried about me, but I’m not a child. I understand the consequences of my choice, and I am prepared to accept them."

’I plan to go sign organ donation forms tomorrow. If something really does happen to me, maybe some of my organs can still save a few lives.’

"Junior Sister, you’ve never been to a war zone. You don’t know what it’s like over there. It’s... far more horrific than you can possibly imagine." Ho-ran Park’s gentle tone couldn’t hide his profound worry.

Cathay had now become so powerful that no one dared to invade, so they had never had the chance to experience war, let alone witness its horror and cruelty.

But not all countries were like Cathay.

The people of some nations were living through war right now.

They were displaced, their families shattered, with nowhere to go on an entire continent.

Wren Wynter had never seen it, so she didn’t know the true dangers involved.

A defenseless woman like her, going to a place teeming with displaced people... she would probably be eaten alive, with not even the bones left to pick.

"Teacher, please reconsider. Our junior sister really isn’t suited to be a doctor without borders."

Before Julian Hawthorne could speak, Wren Wynter cut in, her gentle voice laced with unyielding conviction. "Eldest Brother, my mind is made up. Don’t worry, I’ll protect myself. After all, I’m still waiting to attend your wedding and take care of Teacher in his old age!"

She tried to use a lighthearted tone to dispel the oppressive atmosphere.

Shaun Quinn stared intently at Wren Wynter’s face for a long moment, then finally turned and left without a word.

"Second Brother, don’t go! Aren’t you going to help us talk some sense into her? Second Brother!" Leif Shaw watched Shaun Quinn walk further and further away, so angry he threw the lollipop in his hand to the ground.

Beside him, the good-natured Leo Crowe tried to calm him down.

Ho-ran Park stared into Wren Wynter’s eyes with utmost seriousness, his expression grave. "Junior Sister, have you truly made up your mind?"

"Yes." Wren Wynter lowered her gaze. Her voice was quiet, but her tone was firm.

Ho-ran Park sighed.

He knew he couldn’t change Wren Wynter’s mind. With a parting, "Think it over carefully," he also left.

Not wanting to further provoke their teacher, Leo Crowe gave Wren Wynter’s shoulder a solemn pat, then pulled Leif Shaw along to follow Ho-ran Park.

In an instant, only Wren Wynter and Julian Hawthorne were left in the courtyard.

"Teacher, my senior brothers are just worried about me. Please don’t blame them."