The caregiver skillfully helped the mother adjust the bed and cover her with the blanket.

Soon, the attending physician responsible for them came in, holding a schedule for the tests.

"Both the enhanced CT and ultrasound exams are completed today. From the preliminary images, the situation is much like we anticipated. The specific results will need to wait for the imaging department expert to review them in detail and inform you during tomorrow’s consultation. Tomorrow morning, we will arrange for a bone marrow biopsy..."

Zhang Yan nodded forcefully, memorizing every word the doctor said.

The doctor offered a few more reminders about resting and relaxing before turning to leave.

The ward returned to silence, with only the medical equipment emitting a faint and rhythmic "beep beep" sound.

The sky gradually turned dark.

Zhou Hui soon fell into a deep sleep from exhaustion.

Zhang Yan just sat by the bedside, motionlessly watching her mother.

"Knock, knock knock."

A gentle knocking sound came from the door.

Zhang Yan lifted her head, her eyes trembled suddenly, and she almost instinctively stood up.

Tang Song carried a large bag, walking quietly into the room.

He gave her a warm smile and silently mouthed, "Time to eat."

Then, the two moved to the quiet adjacent lounge.

Each food box opened revealed delicacies she had casually mentioned enjoying during earlier chats—honey-glazed char siu, steaming wonton noodles, and a chilled mango pomelo sago...

"I didn’t know what you’d want to eat, so I bought a little bit of everything." Tang Song handed her the chopsticks.

"Thank you." Zhang Yan lowered her head, her eyes slightly moist, trying hard not to show it.

This dinner proceeded with unusual silence.

Whenever Tang Song served her food, her body would instinctively tense up, and she would quietly say "thank you," but unlike yesterday, she didn’t serve him back.

The nascent intimacy and flirtation seemed to have vanished without a trace.

Tang Song’s eyes flashed with some confusion, yet he did not inquire further.

He merely slowed down his eating pace to prevent the silence from becoming too awkward.

After dinner, they tidied up together.

Using a light-hearted joking tone, Tang Song began, "Star Cloud International Group is currently forming a new AI marketing content team and is in dire need of talent, particularly someone like you with experience in traditional media and good writing skills. The integration of AI with content creation is the biggest trend. Lulu has already seized the opportunity; you, as her good friend, shouldn’t fall behind."

He had managed to "persuade" the elder sister, and now he was trying to get Zhang Yan to agree.

"Tang Song, you... you must be very busy, right?" Her voice was soft, laced with a hint of cautious probing, "Someone like you surely has many important matters to handle each day."

Tang Song paused, unsure why she suddenly mentioned that.

Zhang Yan kept her head down, continuing, "I’ll take good care of my mom here. As for work... I’ll make efforts to find something myself. You... you don’t have to worry about me, really, I can’t keep troubling you. I’m sorry."

Her speech was very slow, seeming to take immense effort for each sentence.

"Zhang Yan." Tang Song straightened up, looked at her, "Have you forgotten what I told you at noon?"

Upon hearing his words, Zhang Yan trembled, her long eyelashes fluttered, tears almost immediately threatening to spill.

"... I remember."

"So, stop saying sorry to me again."

She bit her lower lip hard, slowly stood up and said: "Well... my mom should be waking up soon, I need to go take care of her. You... you’re leaving for Yan City the day after tomorrow and surely have lots to handle, so feel free to focus on your tasks."

Tang Song furrowed his brows, wanting to say something, but seeing the plea and evasion in her eyes, he ultimately remained silent.

He could clearly sense that Zhang Yan’s current mood was very off.

It wasn’t just simple inferiority or shyness, but a deeper layer of fear.

Considering her character, Tang Song could vaguely make some guesses.

He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, feeling somewhat helpless.

"Alright, you’d better go. Auntie does need someone to be with her now."

Tang Song stood up, watching Zhang Yan’s fleeing back disappear.

...

The light in the special care ward was soft.

Zhou Hui had just sat up, the caregiver carefully placing the dinner on the small table. After an afternoon of professional care and rest, her complexion had visibly improved, no longer as pallid as before.

"Ayin, have you eaten?"

"... Yes."

"Did Tang Song bring you the food?"

Zhang Yan paused momentarily, softly replied "Mm," and sat down on the chair beside her mother.

She began to recount the doctor’s previous advice.

Seeing her daughter appearing distracted, a faint and barely detectable worry flashed in Zhou Hui’s eyes.

Past eight in the evening.

Zhou Hui finished today’s IV.

Zhang Yan stood up and said, "Mom, I need to go home for a bit, Orange still needs to be taken care of, and... there are some things at the company that need handling."

"Okay, don’t worry, go ahead. Li and Xiao Zhang are here, and they’re very professional." Zhou Hui nodded, then cautiously asked, "Will Tang Song come to pick you up?"

Zhang Yan’s expression tightened, she took a deep breath and said, "Mom, Tang Song is very busy, we’ve already troubled him enough, and... besides, he’s only here in Yang City for a business trip and will soon leave."

"Oh? Well..." Zhou Hui’s heart skipped a beat, that ominous premonition surged again, "So between you two..."