Chapter 42: Ye Xi, the Beloved Sister

The summer sunlight sneaked into the ward through the pale blue curtains, with pure white as the room's main theme. On the bed, Ye Xi leaned against the headboard, quietly reading a book in her hands.

Her delicate face, almost pale due to illness, was shaped like a melon seed. Her clear, sparkling eyes, like black pearls set in white jade, were tightly focused on the book, her attention so concentrated that the rest of the world seemed to fade away. Her beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her fair, soft hands occasionally gently massaged her abdomen, indicating that the illness was still troubling the beautiful girl.

Though her skin had turned somewhat pale due to her illness, it was still smooth and delicate, almost like cream. The simple blue and white checkered hospital gown she wore somehow accentuated her stunning beauty, causing hearts to flutter.

Creak

The door to the ward opened, and Ye Xi abruptly raised her head, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. But upon seeing the nurse walking in, her expression dimmed again.

"Ye Xi, your hospitalization fees are almost used up. You better think of something quickly. The special care ward is fully booked these days, and the director won't allow you to delay payment," said the slightly plump nurse, removing Ye Xi's IV drip while speaking with a heavy heart.

"Sister Yu, has my brother not come yet?" Ye Xi pressed the bandage on her arm, her eyebrows furrowing.

Hearing Ye Xi's words, the nurse's face showed a hint of disdain and disgust. "Still thinking about your brother? During your long stay in the hospital, he's only visited you a few times. I think that heartless guy has probably forgotten he even has a sister like you!"

"Sister Yu!" Ye Xi, her face puffing up in anger, retorted, "Don't talk about my brother like that."

"Alright, alright, I won't say anymore!" The nurse, with a knowing look, sighed and continued, "Even if your brother comes, what can he do? He doesn't even have a proper job. I suggest you think of other solutions."

Ye Xi fell silent upon hearing the nurse's words. After a long pause, she bit her lip and said, "Sister Yu, I want to be discharged. I don't want to stay in the hospital anymore."

"How can that be!" exclaimed the nurse. "Your condition is not just a cold or cough. It was already quite severe when it was discovered. If you don't stay in the hospital, how can you be treated?"

"Then don't treat it! It's hopeless anyway. What's the difference if I live one more year or two?" Ye Xi said calmly, her pale face showing a serene and indifferent beauty that was heart-wrenchingly beautiful. The room fell into silence.

"What are you saying!" Ye Tian pushed the door open and rushed in, saying, "Are you trying to kill me with worry? Now, you're my only family. If you leave, what am I supposed to do? How can I face our deceased parents?"

"Brother!" Ye Xi, seeing Ye Tian come in, leaped out of bed and threw herself into his arms. "Brother, you finally came to see me!"

Hugging his sister tightly, Ye Tian couldn't help but smile, but his expression soon turned serious as he thought of Ye Xi's earlier words. "What did you mean by what you said just now? Are you asking for a spanking?"

"Hmph! Stinky brother, I'm already so big, and you still want to spank me. Shameless!" Ye Xi, seeing Ye Tian, lost her serene and ethereal demeanor, instantly transforming from a lady back into an immature child. She clung to Ye Tian like a koala, tightly wrapping her arms around his neck.

The nurse, apparently used to such scenes, smiled politely at Ye Tian and left the ward.

"Crazy girl! Get down! Don't you know you're grown up? What kind of grown-up girl still hangs on her brother like that?"

"Who says no? I am!" Ye Xi retorted arrogantly, but she still got down from Ye Tian and sat on the bed.

"How have you been feeling lately?" Ye Tian sat next to his sister, putting his arm around her shoulder.

"Brother..." Ye Xi's smiling face faded, and looking up at Ye Tian, she hesitated before mustering the courage to speak, "Let me be discharged, don't waste money here anymore."

"Okay, if you don't want to stay, I'll arrange for your discharge in a few days."

"Brother, it's useless, I have a terminal illness. Even if I continue to stay... Huh? Brother, you agreed?" Ye Xi's eyes widened in surprise. She was prepared to argue or even endure a beating to stand her ground, but she

 didn't expect Ye Tian to agree so easily.

This confused Ye Xi, and she asked in astonishment, "Brother... you're not being sarcastic, are you? I've made up my mind, even if it means getting beaten, I won't stay here."

"Don't worry, some things have happened recently, and I've found a better way to treat your illness."

"You didn't get some folk remedy or hire some Taoist priest or monk, did you?" Ye Xi looked at Ye Tian skeptically. Annoyed, Ye Tian gave her a noogie and said, "What are you thinking? Am I such an unreliable person? I'll tell you the specifics when we get home. Also, I have good news. I found a job as the head of the security department at Meishi Cosmetics Company."

Ye Tian didn't intend to hide anything about the system or any other secrets from his sister. He had no worries about her revealing any secrets, especially considering how she had kept a secret for him since she was five, even when she was punished for breaking a teapot.

"Really?" Ye Xi first showed joy upon hearing this, then quickly became doubtful, "Brother, with a company as big as Meishi, how could they hire someone with a small build like you as the head of security? You're not joking with me... Ouch! Stinky brother, why did you hit me again!"

Ye Xi, rubbing the spot where Ye Tian had just hit her, glared at him with tearful eyes.

"Serves you right for underestimating your brother! Let me tell you, I'm pretty awesome now. Ever heard of martial arts masters? That's me!" Ye Tian loved to show off in front of his sister. If it weren't for being in a hospital room, he would have even bragged about the dog food system.

"Cut it out!" Ye Xi obviously didn't believe Ye Tian's words. Without the dog food system, she knew her brother too well and disdainfully curled her lip, "Stop lying. If I weren't sick, I could beat three of you with my brother's small build."

Ye Tian's face turned green at her words. Ye Xi wasn't bluffing; she had learned some moves from the elderly in the village when she was younger, and if it weren't for her illness, the old Ye Tian really wouldn't stand a chance.