For several days after that, Luo Yuan didn't see Ye Zhe'an again.

That day, Ye Zhe'an hastily left after answering a phone call. From Ye Zhe'an's expression and the conversation, one could roughly tell that his younger brother must have fallen ill. If it were any other matter, Luo Yuan could playfully use the contract to keep him around a bit and throw a tantrum, but his brother falling ill was a big deal. In terms of both emotion and reason, he couldn't possibly do such a thing.

During the break, Luo Yuan made a trip to the school. After taking care of the matters for the long vacation, he wholeheartedly stayed at home to rest and recuperate.

In the meantime, Mama Luo asked him several times if he had told Ye Zhe'an about the pregnancy. He always used Ye Zhe'an's younger brother's illness as an excuse. After numerous occasions, Mama Luo stopped asking and sighed, saying, "You're grown up now, so think carefully and don't end up losing both people and wealth."

How could one be left with nothing, Luo Yuan thought to himself, isn't there still one more in the belly?

After the meal, Luo Yuan half leaned on the bed to rest. Lately, there has been a nanny at home cooking soup to nurture him, so his complexion has improved a lot, but he is still thin.

Luoyuan didn't think there was anything wrong with being thin. Being thin was better than being fat. He lifted up his shirt, feeling the soft, pale lump on his belly. It had only been a little over a month, and his abs were already gone. If a few more months passed... Luoyuan shook his head, not daring to imagine.

After being idle for a while, he absentmindedly picked up his phone and started scrolling through it, opening the WeChat conversation with Ye Zhe'an. The last message in the conversation was still the one sent by Ye Zhe'an. It was the first time Ye Zhe'an had ever messaged him, but he didn't reply, so Ye Zhe'an never messaged again.

Luoyuan counted the days on his fingers and realized that a week had already passed since Ye Zhe'an left. Today was Friday, and theoretically, they should have planned to spend the night at the apartment together. However, given the current situation, that was probably unlikely. Should he send a message to ask?

Luo Yuan bit his lip, contemplating how to ask. Should he remind him that today was Friday and inquire whether he wanted to stay overnight?

It seems a bit heartless, after all, the brother still doesn't know what's going on.

By the way, little brother!

Luoyuan's fingertips landed on the input box. After a moment of contemplation, he typed out a line of text: "How is my little brother doing? Do you need any help?"

I'm sorry, but it seems that the paragraph you provided is missing. Could you please provide the paragraph you would like me to translate?

Ye Zhe'an had been guarding the hospital for a whole week.

A week ago, Aunt Liu called him, saying Xiaoxi fainted at home and showed signs of shock when taken to the hospital. By the time he arrived at the hospital, Xiaoxi had already been taken to the intensive care unit for rescue.

Fortunately, he was eventually saved and brought back. After being critically observed for six days, on the seventh day, Xiao Xi was transferred to a regular hospital ward.

Ye Zhe'an took half a month off from school to personally take care of his younger brother at the hospital. In the morning, the doctor found him and got straight to the point, saying, "The patient's current condition is very bad. Compared to others with the same symptoms, his situation has deteriorated rapidly. Currently, his hemoglobin has dropped to below 30, making him no longer suitable for blood transfusions. I suggest that a kidney transplant surgery be carried out as soon as possible, otherwise..."

Ye Zhe'an's pupils contracted, his voice deep and low as he asked, "Do you have a suitable source for the kidney?"

The doctor said, "Coincidentally, yesterday afternoon the hospital just received a car accident patient. His condition is very poor. Based on his previous organ donation agreement, we have performed a match between him and your younger brother. The results show that his kidney is a perfect fit for your younger brother. If possible, we hope your younger brother can undergo surgery as soon as possible because the patient may not survive beyond 48 hours. If you haven't made a decision by then, we will give the organ to the next patient."

Ye Zhe'an clenched his teeth, his voice trembling, "Alright, thank you."

After the doctor left, Ye Zhe'an sat down in the chair. He bent over, his elbows resting on his knees, and covered his face with both hands.

Finally, after waiting for so many years, there is a kidney source. Xiaoxi is finally saved. However... However, how are we going to manage the expensive surgical costs...

Ye Zhe'an stayed by the hospital bed for a whole day, until it was dark. Ye Chengxi finally woke up, and he looked at his brother who was resting with his eyes closed by the bedside, softly coughing.

Ye Zhe'an opened his eyes and quickly asked, "Awake? Is there any discomfort anywhere?"

Ye Chengxi's throat felt dry and uncomfortable, making it difficult for him to speak. He could only move his lips and say, "Water."

Ye Zhe'an understood and first helped him raise the bed. Then he picked up a cup and filled it halfway with warm water, inserting a straw and bringing it to his lips, saying, "Drink slowly, be careful not to choke."

Ye Chengxi obediently sipped water in small sips. After finishing, Ye Zhe'an asked him if he was hungry and if he wanted to eat something.

Ye Chengxi cleared his throat, finally able to speak. He took Ye Zhean's hand and said, "Brother, please have a seat. Let's have a talk."

Ye Zhe'an looked at his younger brother's yellow and emaciated face, a wave of bitterness rising in his heart. He held his brother's hand and sat down on the chair beside the bed, saying, "Go ahead, I'm listening."

"Brother, I saw Mom and Dad," Ye Chengxi said, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, "but I couldn't make out their faces. Brother, did Mom used to have long hair?"

When Ye Zhe'an's parents passed away, he was already 12 years old. Although many years have passed, he can still vaguely remember their appearance. He nodded and replied, "She had long hair."

Ye Chengxi's face showed nostalgia. "My mom has long hair, and my dad is very handsome. They used to call me Xixi too."

Ye Zhe'an felt a sour bitterness rising in his nasal cavity. He lowered his head and pressed his eyes, muttering, "Oh, what did they say to you?"

Ye Chengxi said, "Mom said that An An is working too hard. Xi Xi, come to Mom and Dad's place and let An An have a few happy days."

"Stop talking," Ye Zhe'an covered his face.

"Brother, I miss Mom and Dad," Ye Chengxi's voice trembled with a hint of tears. "I want to go find Mom and Dad."

"Don't say anymore!" Ye Zhean said softly.

"Brother, please let me go, and also free yourself. You've already made me live for so many years, it's enough. I'm tired, I don't want to go back and forth between the hospital and home every day anymore. I don't want to watch you... " Ye Chengxi choked up, he sniffed and said in a voice so tight that he could hardly breathe, "Brother, let me go, okay?"

"I told you to stop talking!!"

Ye Zhe'an suddenly stood up and knocked over the chair behind him, making a loud noise.

Ye Chengxise trembled slightly. Ye Zhe'an snapped back to his senses and hastily wiped his face, casting a fierce gaze at his younger brother. "I won't let you die. Don't let me hear those words again... I'll go call the doctor. You lie down and rest for a while."

After finishing his words, Ye Zhe'an left, leaving behind Ye Chengxi a strong and resolute figure. The figure disappeared outside the door, and Ye Chengxi lifted his arm to cover his eyes, feeling a coldness at the corner of his eye.

After stepping out, Ye Zhe'an headed straight to the public restroom at the end of the corridor. He turned on the faucet and washed his face, vigorously rubbing his cheeks as if he wanted to peel off a layer of skin.

He pulled out his cell phone. Today was Friday, the day he usually went to the apartment. Originally, he had a reason not to go, but now he had another reason to go.

The message sent by Luo Yuan was displayed on the phone screen. He clenched it in his hand and, before the tempered glass protector could be shattered, he accessed Luo Yuan's number and pressed the dial button.

The phone rang for two seconds and then someone answered, "Teacher Ye?" Even through the screen, the surprise in the voice could be heard.

"Um, it's me," Ye Zhe'an said, "I'll come over today."