Li Chunhua, who was already on the verge of losing consciousness, muttered, "Xiaoyi?"

"What happened to you? Are you alright?!" Li Caiyi quickly checked on her whole body for any injuries and was alarmed when she felt how cold her sister's body was. "Wait here! I'm going to call for help!"

Li Chunhua grabbed her arms before she could go anywhere. "No, please don't leave. I'm scared. I don't want to be alone."

"What are you saying?! You need to be taken to the hospital soon! I can't carry you by myself, so I'll come back soon, so wait here," Li Caiyi gently shook her sister's hand and took off.

Li Chunhua looked at her tiny back in loneliness. Was this how Li Caiyi felt when she shook her hand off and ran by herself? It was actually a very frightening feeling, seeing the only person by your side to leave you behind.

Thankfully, Li Caiyi soon came back with Su Suyin on her tail. Su Suyin gasped in shock when she saw Li Chunhua's pale and limp figure, sitting on the ground weakly. She hurried over and gathered her daughter in her embrace. Su Suyin's breath only became lighter when she held Li Chunhua in her arms. "Xiaohua, don't be afraid. Mom is here. You are going to be alright!"

Li Chunhua could feel the warmth of her mother's arm and her fast heartbeat. It soothed her nerves and made her feel sleepy. Now that her sister and mother were here, there was no need to endure it anymore. Li Chunhua soon lost consciousness.

***

When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was a familiar white ceiling. Li Chunhua was not a stranger to this view, so she immediately figured out where she was.

Beside her, Su Suyin was sleeping on her bedside, looking more haggard than usual.

"Mother.." Li Chunhua called her softly while tapping her hand.

Su Suyin, who felt the touch, slowly woke up as well. Looking at her daughter, who stared at her weakly, she let out a sad smile. "You have woken up, Xiaohua. Thank goodness."

"How long did I fall asleep this time?"

"Two days." Su Suyin lightly stroked Li Chunhua's hand with a guilty look. "I was so worried about you."

Li Chunhua looked around. "Where is Xiaoyi? Is she currently in school?"

Su Suyin's face stiffened upon hearing her other daughter's name. "She is still in school. She will come after her class is over."

"Mom, did you scold Xiaoyi again?'

"Let's not talk about her for now. What is important right now is your health. From now on, you are not allowed to go to a crowded place like that ever again."

Li Chunhua knew it would end like this, so she didn't argue. "Yes, Mom."

After that, her mother gently took care of her by feeding her and wiping her sweaty body. Perhaps because she was traumatized by that frightening feeling of being left alone, she was incredibly clingy to her mother that day. Li Chunhua was happily munching the apple her mother fed her when the door opened, revealing Li Caiyi, Li Junjie, and Meng Renshu.

"Everyone! You came to visit me?" Li Chunhua instantly brightened when she saw them. Li Junjie and Meng Renshu casually walked over and asked how she was doing, to which she replied with a big smile. However, Li Caiyi was the only one standing still in the doorway.

"Xiaoyi, what are you doing? Aren't you going to come in?" Li Chunhua asked her in confusion.

Li Junjie stared closely at Li Caiyi before pushing Meng Renshu's back. "I'm hungry. Let's go buy some snacks."

"Eh? Then, why don't you just go by yourself? Hey, don't push me!"

Then, Li Junjie also grabbed Su Suyin's hand. "Mother, I left my wallet at home, so please buy the snacks for me."

Su Suyin glanced at Li Chunhua's complexion, which was already much better than the previous one before she nodded her head. Li Caiyi lowered her head even more when the three walked past her. She was too afraid to look at her mother.

When they finally left, Li Caiyi trudged to Li Chunhua's bed and asked in a low voice, "How are you?"

historical

"I'm fine now. Why didn't you come in earlier?"

Li Caiyi: "...."

Li Chunhua was confused because her sister didn't answer her, so she leaned down to look at her closer. "What's wrong? Are you hungry?"

Li Caiyi said nothing and wrapped her arms around Li Chunhua's neck. The latter was surprised, and she could feel the warmth of her sister's breath on her neck. "Xiaoyi?"

"Thank goodness you are okay," Li Caiyi said with a trembling voice.

Li Chunhua was brilliant, so she quickly realized why Li Caiyi had hesitated earlier. She must have felt responsible for what happened to her. Li Chunhua didn't understand why Li Caiyi would think that, because no matter how you look at it, it was she who caused the trouble first. "I should be the one saying that. I don't even know how scared you are, but I left you alone there."

Li Caiyi released her sister and said with an apologetic tone. "No, it is my fault. It's because I bumped into that man that you were chased by him."

"So you knew?"

Li Caiyi nodded. "Mother and I met him not long after. He was furious, so Mother had to pay him so he would let us go. After that, I searched for you in the direction that man came from."

"But how did you know I was there?"

"I don't know either. I have a feeling you are calling for help, so I just go wherever my feet bring me."

Li Chunhua was astonished because she hoped someone would come to save her then. Was it because Li Caiyi was her twin, that was why she could feel her in trouble?

She hung her head low, feeling incredibly guilty now. "Xiaoyi, why didn't you tell Mom I was the one who left you first? She was angry at you because you covered for me."

Li Caiyi was stunned, and a moment later, she broke out in tears. Li Chunhua slapped her stupid mouth and quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, Xiaoyi. I will tell Mom everything after this. Don't cry!"

"No, it's not that..." Li Caiyi said while hiccupping. "When I remembered that time again, I was so scared I didn't know what to do. How could you leave me there just like that?"

"Aah, I'm sorry! You can take my pudding, so please don't cry!"

"Don't leave me alone again, Xiaohua. I can't do anything without you..."

Li Chunhua felt a sensation like an electric shock tickling her every vein. Li Caiyi's crying face and request somehow made her heart skip a beat. It was the first time anyone ever said they needed her, and to her, that line was so pleasing to the ears.

She was not useless, after all. Her birth had a meaning, and that was to protect her weak and crybaby sister from harm!

"Y-you need me?"

Li Caiyi nodded furiously as she reached out to take her sister's hand. "Of course. If you aren't there by my side, I don't think I can live anymore. So please don't be sick again."

"I promise!" Li Chunhua smiled brightly, and her grip on Li Caiyi's hand tightened. She had never felt so happy before. "You are a crybaby, so it can't be helped. I will always stay by your side and protect you from now on!"

"R-really?"

"Yeah! We will always be together!"

Li Caiyi stopped crying, and a soft smile crept up to her lips when she heard that. "En, it's a promise."