At that moment, I felt like my heart had come to a stop. Trembling, I called out Xinran’s name urgently, "Xinran… Are you awake, Xinran!?"

Nearly everyone had turned around at the same time. They also saw Xinran clutching my hand tightly.

……

"Close the blinds now! Her eyes can’t stand too much sunlight since this’ll be the first time she opens her eyes!" Xu Ning shouted. Two employees immediately did as they were told, causing the lighting in the room to dim considerably.

Xinran’s tears were still flowing beneath the lamplight. She said in a small voice, "Big bro… I don’t want you to go, big bro, I…"

I hurriedly knelt beside the bed and wrapped another hand around her small palm. "Don’t worry, Xinran. I will always be here. Are… are you really awake? If you are, why don’t you open your eyes and look at me? Please?"

Xinran continued to shut her eyes as she shook her head fearfully, "I’m scared, big brother… I’m scared I won’t see you if I open my eyes, and I won’t ever be able to return to the world where you exist anymore…"

Still holding her hand tightly with my left hand, I cupped her cheek with my right hand and said, "Can you feel my touch, Xinran? I’m right next to you. You have nothing to worry about,...