Having been confined so many times, Xiao Xiao no longer resisted. She would quickly beg for mercy, promising Alva she wouldn't act out again, that she would study diligently with her teacher and become the noble young lady he wished her to be.
This time, she was released after only half a day. However, upon her release, she no longer saw Brother Xingxing.
Her father, Alva, told her sternly, "That boy is gone. He knows your identities are different now, and he won't come looking for you anymore."
Heartbroken and despairing, Xiao Xiao believed Brother Xingxing had truly left and would never return.
She resumed her days, studying various subjects like a machine.
Brother Xingxing's appearance tonight gave her hope again. This time, she was determined to leave this wretched place with Brother Xingxing.
...
Little Xingxing finally contacted Xiao Xiao again, and he could see her.
The next night, he used the same method to arrive beneath Xiao Xiao's window.
This time, as soon as he threw a pebble, Xiao Xiao immediately opened the window.
They still dared not speak loudly. Little Xingxing gestured to Xiao Xiao.
Xiao Xiao crumpled the map she had drawn into a paper ball and threw it to him.
Little Xingxing received Xiao Xiao's map and left immediately. With the map of the castle, he planned to devise a detailed strategy for how to take Xiao Xiao away from here.
Moreover, he not only wanted to take Xiao Xiao away but also ensure her biological father, Alva, couldn't find them, so Xiao Xiao would never have to return here.
...
Qin Tianyi and Susu took turns accompanying Meng Yao outside the intensive care unit. After seventy-two hours, Song Jiaping still hadn't woken up.
However, the doctor said Song Jiaping had passed the critical stage and was temporarily out of danger. He was transferred to a regular ward, but if he remained in a coma for more than three months, his life would still be in danger.
The doctor advised them to do their best to help Song Jiaping wake up because his brain had suffered repeated severe trauma. If he couldn't regain consciousness and his brain couldn't function normally, it would lead to multiple organ failure.
This meant that in Song Jiaping's current condition, he could not remain in a vegetative state long-term.
Meng Yao sat by the hospital bed, tightly holding Song Jiaping's hand, filled with worry and sadness.
Seeing her like this, Susu also worried about Song Jiaping's condition, and even more so, she worried that Meng Yao wouldn't be able to bear it if something happened to Song Jiaping.
Tianyi comforted Meng Yao from the side, saying, "Don't worry too much. I'm contacting brain specialists abroad. Perhaps foreign experts can find a way to help Dr. Song wake up."
Hearing this, Meng Yao's eyes lit up with hope. She looked at Tianyi and said, "Thank you, thank you both. You've worked hard these past few days. I will stay in the ward and take care of him from now on."
"Okay," Susu still worried about her being too tired alone, asked, "Why don't we hire a caregiver? At least someone can take over when you need a break."
"No need," Meng Yao said with a faint smile. "Six months ago, in the field hospital, I was the only one looking after him. At that time, the neurologist also said he might become a vegetable forever, but he woke up later and recovered very well. It will be the same this time; he will be fine."
Susu quickly nodded and said, "Yes, Dr. Song always turns misfortune into good fortune. He will be fine."
Tianyi put his arm around her and said softly, "Let Meng Yao have some quiet time alone in the ward. Let's go back."
Susu hummed in agreement and left the ward with Tianyi, thinking they should let Meng Yao have some alone time with Dr. Song.
Dr. Song had been in the intensive care unit for three days and was now transferred to a regular ward. Meng Yao must have a lot to say to him.
Perhaps by constantly talking to him, Meng Yao could stimulate Dr. Song's brain nerves and help him wake up?
Seeing that Susu was still worried, Tianyi comforted her, "Don't worry. The person who loves him most is constantly calling out to him. He will definitely wake up."
Susu also hoped that would be the case. She looked at him and saw stubble on his chin. She reached out and touched it, saying, "Mr. Qin, you've worked hard these past few days. It's time to shave."
Tianyi glanced at his face in the rearview mirror and asked, "What if I stop shaving from now on and grow a full beard? Maybe a beard would make me more charming."
Susu objected, "No, no! It would look so strange if you had a beard. I don't want you to look like that; it's hideous."
"Alright, if you don't like it, then I won't grow a beard," Tianyi said, pinching her cheek. "But you haven't seen what I look like with a beard, so how do you know it's hideous?"
"I know, I just know!" Susu said, reaching for a pen in the car. "If you don't believe me, I'll draw a beard on your face first to see."
Tianyi quickly snatched the pen from her hand and said, "Stop messing around. I'm going to drive. I was just teasing you; you took it seriously."
Susu giggled and said, "That's because you were teasing me." She then sat properly, fastened her seatbelt, and stopped playing with him.
In the following days, they resumed their normal work and life, not going to the hospital.
Susu would call Meng Yao every day to ask about Song Jiaping's condition. It seemed there was still no progress.
Meanwhile, Tianyi had contacted foreign experts online and sent them Song Jiaping's medical records and examination reports. The experts proposed a surgical plan.
The foreign brain specialists replied to Tianyi, stating that given Song Jiaping's brain had suffered two severe traumas, it was almost impossible for him to regain consciousness and wake up on his own. Only through surgery could they help him recover consciousness.
However, this surgery carried risks. If the surgery was successful, he should regain consciousness, but if it failed, he could die. Therefore, it depended on the patient's family's decision.
After understanding the foreign experts' meaning, Tianyi told Susu.
Upon hearing this, Susu felt that Song Jiaping should undergo the surgery, as it would give him a greater chance of regaining consciousness and survival.
Tianyi, however, said worriedly, "This matter still needs to be decided by Meng Yao. Our thoughts and attitudes are not important. What matters now is how to tell Meng Yao so that she understands that Dr. Song can only opt for surgery. I'm afraid Meng Yao won't be able to accept the risks of the surgery, and making this decision will be very difficult for her."
Susu could understand Meng Yao's feelings at the moment and said, "Why don't we go to the hospital together tomorrow and talk to her? First, let her know about the surgical option, and then let her consider it carefully."
"Okay, that's how we'll do it. I'll also consult with other foreign experts. Perhaps there are other, safer methods," Tianyi said, starting to write new emails.
Susu stood behind him, helping to massage his shoulders, and said, "Don't work too hard looking for experts. Let's go to the hospital together after work tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll pick you up from the studio then," Tianyi said, feeling his shoulders relax a bit, and focused on writing emails.
Susu didn't disturb him further and left the study, returning to her room.