Born in the 1980s, she was remarried and became a stepmother; a cold, rough man doted on her, pinchi

The ambulance siren pierced the silent night sky, sharp and urgent, as if it were a warning from fate.

The flashing police lights were particularly glaring in the darkness, amplifying the fear and worry of Qin Yishen's family.

Shi Ning lay quietly on the stretcher, her face as pale as paper, devoid of any color. Her tightly closed eyes made her family's hearts clench.

Qin Yishen and Jiang Man stayed close to the stretcher, their hands always holding Shi Ning's, as if this could transmit strength and awaken their sleeping daughter.

Jiang Man's tears flowed uncontrollably, dripping onto Shi Ning's hand. She kept murmuring to herself, "Baby, you must be alright. Mom can't live without you."

Qin Yishen tried to remain calm, but his trembling hands betrayed his inner panic. His eyes were full of anxiety and worry, and he would look at the doctor from time to time, hoping to get some comfort.

Chen Yu followed at the back, his steps heavy and slow, each step feeling like he was dragging a thousand-pound burden. His lips were bloodless and trembled slightly, his heart filled with self-reproach.

He kept replaying the scene from that night in his mind. If he hadn't asked Shi Ning to help him with his studies, she wouldn't have been so tired and wouldn't have fainted.

The idea was like a sharp knife, stabbing his heart again and again.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Shi Ning was quickly taken to the emergency room.

That tightly closed door shut out the family and also cut off their hope.

Qin Yishen's family could only wait anxiously at the door, each second feeling incredibly long.

The hospital corridor reeked of disinfectant, and the harsh white lights shone mercilessly on them, adding to the oppressive atmosphere and fear.

Jiang Man leaned against the wall, covered her face with her hands, and tears kept flowing out from between her fingers.

Qin Yishen stood to the side, gently patting Jiang Man's shoulder with one hand, trying to comfort her, but his own voice was also choked with emotion: "Don't worry too much, Shi Ning will be fine, the doctor will definitely cure her."

Although his words were firm, his eyes revealed a deep unease. His gaze remained fixed on the tightly closed door, as if he could see through it to the inside.

Chen Yu sat alone in the corner, his hands covering his head, his body trembling slightly.

The image of Shi Ning tutoring him kept flashing through his mind; her patient explanations and encouraging smiles became the source of his self-blame.

He felt like a sinner, that his selfishness and dependence had put Shi Ning in danger.

He secretly vowed that if Shi Ning was safe and sound, he would never trouble her again and would rely on his own efforts to study.

Time passed second by second, and each minute felt like an eternity.

Qin Yishen kept glancing at his watch, then anxiously looking towards the emergency room door.

Jiang Man's crying gradually subsided, but her eyes remained empty and lifeless, as if they had lost their focus.

Her body trembled slightly, as if all her strength had been drained away.

After an unknown amount of time, the emergency room door finally opened slowly.

The doctor came out, took off his mask, and his expression was inscrutable.

Qin Yishen and his family immediately surrounded the doctor, their eyes filled with anticipation and fear—hoping for good news but also afraid of hearing terrible results.

"Doctor, how is my daughter?" Qin Yishen's voice was a little hoarse, and his hands clenched unconsciously, his nails digging into his palms. The doctor looked at them and then said, "The patient is out of danger. She fainted due to hypoglycemia caused by overwork and malnutrition. She needs to be hospitalized for observation for a period of time and take good care of her health."

Upon hearing the news, Jiang Man's tense nerves finally relaxed. She collapsed into Qin Yishen's arms and burst into tears.

The cries contained both relief at her daughter's safety and pent-up fear and worry.

Qin Yishen also breathed a sigh of relief. He gently patted Jiang Man's back, tears welling up in his eyes. Chen Yu, upon hearing that Shi Ning was out of danger, finally felt a huge weight lifted from his heart.

But his face was still filled with guilt. He walked up to the doctor, his voice choked with emotion, "Doctor, it's all my fault. I've made her so tired..."

The doctor looked at him and said gently, "Child, this is not your fault. She is like this because of long hours of fatigue and insufficient nutrition. You need to pay more attention to rest and improve your nutrition in the future."

Chen Yu nodded silently. He walked to Shi Ning's bedside, looking at her pale face, his heart filled with heartache.

"Shi Ning, I'm sorry, it's all my fault."

His voice was low and filled with self-reproach.

Shi Ning slightly opened her eyes and saw Chen Yu's face full of guilt. She forced a smile and said, "Don't be silly. This has nothing to do with you. Don't blame yourself."

Her voice was weak, but full of warmth. Qin Yishen and Jiang Man also came over. Jiang Man held Shi Ning's hand and said with heartache, "Baby, don't work so hard in the future. Your health is the most important thing."

Shi Ning nodded, her heart filled with warmth as she looked at her family's concerned eyes.

After two days of intravenous treatment at the hospital, Shi Ning gradually recovered, and her pale face regained some color.

After the doctor's examination, she was discharged and allowed to recuperate at home. As soon as she got home, Shi Ning started thinking about her studies.

She knew she had missed a lot of classes due to her illness, and she was extremely anxious, insisting on returning to school immediately.

"Mom, I'm fine now. I want to go to school tomorrow, otherwise I won't be able to keep up with my studies."

Shi Ning held Jiang Man's hand, her eyes filled with urgency.

Jiang Man gently patted Shi Ning's head and said gently but firmly, "Baby, you've just been discharged from the hospital and your body hasn't fully recovered yet. You need to rest well. We won't be going to school for now."

Qin Yishen chimed in, "Yes, studying is important, but your health is even more important. It's not too late to go back to school once you're fully recovered."

Shi Ning was somewhat disappointed. She sat on the sofa, her brows furrowed, still pondering how to persuade her family.

At this moment, Shi An walked over and patted her on the shoulder: "Sis, just listen to Mom and Dad and stay home to recover. I'll come back tonight and explain everything I learned today to you in detail. It's the same whether I teach one or two people, so don't worry about it."

Shi Ning looked up at Shi An, her eyes glistening with tears of emotion: "Really? Brother, then thank you for your hard work."

“It’s not hard at all, we’re family.”

Shi An said with a smile, her smile full of doting affection.

On the second day of class, the teacher's voice echoed in the classroom.

Chen Yu, unlike his usual lively self, sat quietly in his seat, listening intently, his pen constantly scribbling in his notebook, thinking to himself: Once I've finished writing, Shi Ning can see it. (End of Chapter)