Patient Lily Wu

Sun Mei's heart, which had been beating like crazy a few moments ago, suddenly missed a beat.

"What happened?" she asked hoarsely while turning to look at Michael in terror.

He looked back at her in confusion. "What's going on?" he mouthed soundlessly.

"Lily had an allergic reaction at the party," said Mr. Wu. "I'll explain more in person. Could you grab some clothes for her before you come here?"

"Of course, sir, but… Where exactly am I supposed to come?" Sun Mei asked tentatively. She had no idea how many hospitals there were in the area or which hospital had been the closest to the birthday party venue.

Mr. Wu sighed. "I've completely lost my mind, Sun Mei. I'm so sorry. I'll text you the address. You can take a taxi and I'll pay for it when you get here."

"Okay, sir. I'll be there as fast as I can!"

Sun Mei hung up the phone and immediately got out of the car.

"Wait!" Michael caught up with her at the front door. "What's wrong?"

"I have no time, Michael," Sun Mei said as she unlocked the door in a rush. "Lily is in the hospital. I have to pack some clothes and go right away!"

"How are you getting there?" he asked her.

"Mr. Wu told me to take a taxi."

"Give me the address and I'll take you," Michael offered kindly.

"Thank you! Go start the car. I'll be down in a second!"

Michael obeyed without asking any questions. Sun Mei ran up the stairs and put a couple of clothes in Lily's favorite backpack. Before she left, she grabbed Jennifer and stashed her in the backpack as well.

"Ready?" Michael asked as soon as she got back in the car and fastened her seatbelt.

"Let's go!"

All sorts of ominous scenarios flashed by Sun Mei's mind as Michael followed the GPS's instructions to the address Mr. Wu had given her.

When he pulled over in front of the emergency room, Sun Mei hesitated.

"Thank you for bringing me," she said awkwardly.

"Don't worry, I won't come in," Michael replied. "I know your boss must be under a lot of stress. The last thing he needs is to see me again. Just go. We'll keep in touch."

Sun Mei smiled gratefully at him. "Thank you. You are very nice, and Mr. Wu will realize this when he gets to know you better."

Before she could think twice about it, she kissed him lightly on the cheek and ran out of the car.

"Hi! I'm looking for Lily Wu. She must be here with her father, Charles Wu?" Sun Mei told the lady at the front desk.

She was immediately directed to a room on the second floor of the hospital. She tried not to walk too fast, in case she bumped into a doctor doing their job or, even worse, a sick patient.

On her way there, she started thinking optimistically. If Lily was in a room, things had to be good, right?

If her condition was really serious, wouldn't she still be in the emergency room or some kind of operating room?

Sun Mei really wished she was right....