While Dai Shenqiang and Ye Zhong were immersed in the 'hero drawings', Li Caiyi trudged to the bedside and observed Dai Bolin's sunken face.
It felt like he had lost more vitality since the last time she saw him. Her heart aches thinking about the ordeal that Huang Zhen had made him go through.
Li Caiyi wanted to prevent Dai Zhiqiang from further involvement with Ye Wang. Still, at this juncture, she felt like it was impossible. Not when Dai Zhiqiang refused to meet her, and Huang Zhen was still out there and could threaten his family anytime.
However, although Li Caiyi couldn't prevent him from walking on this path, she still wished to stop him from making a drastic choice like in his previous life. If Huang Zhen was one of the reasons for that, Li Caiyi would cooperate with Ye Huizhong to get rid of him.
Even if she had to put herself at risk by doing so.
"Ugh."
Li Caiyi was surprised to hear Dai Bolin groan. When she looked up, she saw Dai Bolin opening his eyes slowly.
"Uncle!"
Li Caiyi's exclamation made Dai Shenqiang spring from his seat and hurriedly walk over to the bed. "Father!"
From his half-lidded eyes, Dai Bolin stared at Li Caiyi and Dai Shenqiang. In a barely inaudible voice, he uttered, "Where is Zhi?"
The voice was weak like it could disappear anytime soon. Dai Shenqiang looked pained to see his father in such a vulnerable state, so Li Caiyi took it upon herself to answer.
"Zhi is currently out. But he is fine and will come back soon, Uncle." Li Caiyi smiled.
Dai Bolin looked visibly relieved. "Thank goodness. I have a dream. Zhi is badly injured, and no one can help him."
Li Caiyi suppressed the sourness in her heart and gently held his hand in hers. "It's only a dream, Uncle. He is okay, so you have to hold on and see him again."
"Little Yi, can you call him here? I will try my best, but I feel like I don't have much time anymore."
"What are you talking about? Please don't say ominous things like that!" Dai Shenqiang retorted in a choked voice.
"Shen, you must help your brother and protect Little Yi well. Go to your Mother's place if there's no choice left."
"Please stop. Don't speak as if this is going to be your last!"
Li Caiyi could feel Dai Bolin's energy depleted from his body the more words he spoke. The hand which she held shook terribly and was as light as a leaf.
"Uncle, it will take time before Zhi can return here. Don't you want to ensure that he is alright with your own eyes? Until then, you can't give up. Please, I'm begging you." Li Caiyi's voice became smaller towards the end as if a lump blocked her throat.
"That's right, Father. You still have a long way ahead of you. We will be here by your side the next time you open your eyes again. And I will drag Brother with me next time!"
Dai Bolin chuckled. "I'd feel happy….if that's the case."
The strength was leaving his hand, and soon the hand slipped from Li Caiyi's grasp and fell to the bed. Both of them were stunned as if they had just been struck by lightning.
"Father!" Dai Shenqiang called out when he finally snapped to his senses. He leaned forward and grabbed Dai Bolin by the shoulder. His bulging eyes were reddened, and his body trembled hard. "Don't scare me like this!"
Li Caiyi was calmer compared to him. Instead of panicking, she immediately ran towards the door. "I'll call the doctor to check on him!"
Soon, she returned with the doctor rushing behind her.
Li Caiyi comforted Dai Shenqiang as they waited for the doctor to finish his job. When the doctor stepped out of the room, Dai Shenqiang quickly rushed to him.
"Doctor, how is his condition?" He asked him in an urgent tone.
The doctor gave him a regretful look before saying, "His condition deteriorated so quickly. I'm sorry, but at this rate, I'm afraid there's not much to be done. He will be lucky if he can safely make it through this autumn."
Dai Shenqiang staggered back while Li Caiyi covered her mouth in disbelief.
"That can't be…."
The doctor bowed respectfully before giving them some privacy.
Li Caiyi was as shocked as Dai Shenqiang but tried her best not to cry. At this moment, she needed to support this boy first.
She gently put her hand on his shoulder before offering some comforting words. However, it didn't seem like he could hear her at all.
"Father is going to die, and my brother isn't here. What should I do?"
"Shenqiang…."
She bit her lips in frustration. Ye Huizhong said Dai Zhiqiang was okay but was he really going to distance himself from his family at crucial times like this? Was he really okay for not seeing his father for the remainder of his lifetime?
Ye Zhong, who had been watching from the beginning, didn't know what to say. He could tell the situation was terrible since both had grave and mournful facial expressions.
Ye Zhong had never had any parents for as long as he could remember, so he couldn't relate to their sadness. However, he realized they both needed Dai Zhiqiang, so he slipped out and quickly ran to Ye Huizhong's office.
"Brother Zhi's father is in danger. I have to tell Grandpa and make him come back so he can save him!"
***
Li Caiyi had a gloomy mood for the rest of the week until graduation.
The news about Dai Bolin shook her to the core, and she couldn't concentrate on anything. She would return to Ye Wang several times, but Dai Bolin never opened his eyes.
Dai Shenqiang didn't fare any better. Every day, he would stick to his father's side. Sometimes he even forgot to eat or sleep.
Surprisingly, he got along pretty well with Ye Zhong. The little boy would make sure he ate on time or talked to him from time to time. Li Caiyi was somewhat surprised when she heard about it.
At least she was relieved that Dai Shenqiang wouldn't be alone, although she was concerned Ye Zhong would throw some tantrums again.
The hallway was filled with students running back and forth. Some had delighted faces, and some were in tears.
The graduation event of S International High School would begin shortly, but Li Caiyi wasn't in a hurry.
Unlike the other students, she didn't know any third-year students besides Meng Renshu and Li Junjie. They would often meet in the future, so she had no reason to feel sad.
Rather than this event, her mind was preoccupied with many other things. Like Dai Bolin's health, the investigation of Li Quan, Huang Zhen, and Dai Zhiqiang.
In the end, Li Chunhua couldn't make it to the graduation. It has been almost a month since she collapsed. The doctor had examined her and found no abnormality in her body. They assumed that the reason she didn't wake up yet was highly psychological and decided to watch over her longer.
Everyone was already gone to the auditorium, including her friends. She was the only one left behind.
Li Caiyi couldn't guess what would happen in the future anymore. Everything has changed significantly, and there was no telling where her fate would lead her.
She didn't feel like joining the graduation event and wandered aimlessly on the school grounds.
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦