Lu Qiang's fears came true. He shuddered as he saw his mother's figure sleeping on that bed again, but this time, he could clearly see she was injured. He couldn't stop his tears from falling as he pulled on his father's clothes.

"I-Is Mom gonna die?

" He asked in a shaky voice. His emotions at the moment could be clearly felt by anyone nearby that could hear him.

"No, your mother's going to be fine.

" Lu Chen could only comfort his son and hugged him into his arms. He stroked his back as he comforted him while he was crying.

Since that day, Lu Qiang never left her mother's side. He was like a child with his lollipop forcibly taken away, and once he got it back, he never let go of it again.

Lu Qiang made his resolve. He would grow up well just like what his mother always wished for. And then when he gets stronger, he'll be the one to protect her next along with his father.

For the past two months, while Xiu Mei was asleep, he worked hard on his studies. Even though he wanted to physically go to school just like what his parents wanted, Lu Qiang was still afraid that the moment he gets separated from her, then something would happen to his mother again.

And now, his mother has woken up. But… she did not call for him at all.

Lu Qiang bit his lower lip and lowered his head, getting depressed all on his own.

A few minutes later, Lu Chen entered the room and found his son's gloomy mood. He didn't need to ask him at all because he can easily read what was running in his son's mind.

He sat down beside him and glanced at his workbook that Lu Qiang didn't touch at all.

"Was Mommy angry at me? Because I was being a bad kid before she… slept? Is that why she's not calling me anymore?

" Lu Qiang couldn't help but ask.

Lu Chen shook his head and corrected him.

"No, it's not like that. Your Mom loves you very much and you know that as well, right?

"

Lu Qiang's mood turned gloomier instead.

"But mommy didn't call me at all back there.

" He whined.

Lu Chen took a heavy sigh, trying to think of the best way to break the news to his son that his mother... was having some small problems.

He stroked his head and pulled him closer to him.

"Look, uhm, about that. You know how your mother just woke up after sleeping for a long time, right?

"

Lu Qiang nodded.

"So Dad took Mommy to get checked. Tests and with the doctors, all of that. And mommy currently has this small problem, you see.

"

Lu Qiang blinked in confusion as he earnestly continued to listen to his father.

"Is Mom's life in danger?

"

Lu Chen shook his head.

"No!...no, she'll be safe because we won't let your mother out of our sights anymore.

" Lu Chen tried to find his way around his words.

He didn't want to lie to him that his mother is not in danger when she really is. All of them are. He knew Lu Qiang's capability, and he always finds a way to find the information that he wanted to know even without his help. So lying to his son would just affect their relationship in the long term if he persisted to lie to him.

But as a parent, he couldn't exactly tell him that they are all still in danger. He still wanted his son to enjoy his innocence—if he still does have it because he's kinda similar to him and his biological father when it comes maturing too early—and keeping him in the dark about that danger, for now, would make it easier for him to be just a normal kid.

"Listen, I know that you're quite disappointed with Dad for the past few months because I promised you and your mother that I would protect you but I failed. That's why you're mother has been lying on that bed these days. And I want to make up for that mistake of mine.

" Lu Chen pulled the little kid into his lap and made him face to face with him.

He felt the tight grip of a small hand on his clothes as he continued to explain to the little kid.

"Lu Qiang.

" He uttered his name softly.

"Yes, Dad?

"

"Your mother… w-won't be able to talk for a while.

" He stammered as he slowly mumbled the words out of his mouth.

Lu Qiang sniffed. He grew more confused.

"What do you mean, Dad?

"

Lu Chen continued stroking his hair as he continued his words.

"Your mom won't be able to speak, temporarily. It's not forever, okay? But for the meantime, she'll be communicating with all of us through writing or when we all learn the sign language, understood?

"

Lu Qiang blinked as he tried to understand his father's words. His mother won't be able to talk?

His mother's figure flashed in his mind. She could see the twinkle in her eyes when their eyes met, and how she smiled while holding his hand.

All his previous worries were now wiped away when he finally connected the dots.

His mother was very happy to see him, but since she couldn't speak his name at all so she tried to send her message through actions. It's not that she didn't want to call him, but she couldn't.

She… did his mom lost her voice?

He was still a bit unsure but he nodded obediently and listened to his father.

If it was going to make his mother better, then he won't mind that problem at all. He would gladly learn sign language as fast as he could if he has to.

"Please be understanding of mommy for the next days, okay?

"

"Mhm. I promise I'll be a good boy.

"

"No whining and tantrums for the meantime?

"

"I promise.

"

"Then will you listen to mommy and daddy obediently? For example, if mom tells you to go attend school, will you listen to her?

"

"...Okay. I will, if mother wants me to.

"

"Good, then I'll leave you here for a moment. I'll meet with your grandparents and uncle outside.

"

"Mhm.

"

After making a deal with his father, Lu Qiang finally started doing his homework that was already due for tomorrow. In his mind, he was already planning how he would sneak some of his time to learning sign language and other stuff that would help him entertain his mother. Of course, he is a filial son who just wants his mother to be happy.

Meanwhile, Lu Chen stood a few meters away from Xiu Mei's door while waiting for Xiu Mei's parents to arrive. He wasn't able to inform early because he was too stunned to see that Xiu Mei finally woke up and then finding out that Xiu Mei might probably have some selective mutism or something along those lines just like what Doctor Lee explained.

Xiu Mo Ruo arrived after half an hour.

"How is she?

" Xiu Mo Ruo asked as he stopped in front of his sister's door and saw her sleeping through the small glass window.

He didn���t make a move to enter at all lest he disturbs her rest. He was already briefly informed by Lu Chen on the phone about Xiu Mei's status and giving her some space and peace to let it all sink in would be the best course of action for him to do at the moment.

"She acts fine.

" Lu Chen frankly replied.

"So she tried to act fine in front of you huh.

"

"Yeah. I just went along with her trying to distract her temporarily since she just woke up and she can't handle so much at the moment.

"

"I agree with you on that. What about Doctor Lee?

"

"He's yet to give the final diagnosis so I'm still waiting.

"

Xiu Mo Ruo fell silent for a moment as he kept staring at his sleeping sister, separated by a door. He breathed heavily.

"How bad is it?

"

Lu Chen paused before opening his mouth.

"Doctor Lee says that her case doesn't seem to be so bad. There's still hope for her to recover but, because of her recent experience and all, we really won't know how much blow it really was for her.

"

"...I know.

"

"You arrived quickly. Weren't you busy?

"

"I am.

" Xiu Mo Ruo turned to his side and glanced at Lu Chen.

"This mystery guy has been trying to reshuffle some officials behind the scenes. It's getting a real pain the ass in trying to catch this guy when it's like he will always run away as soon as he dangles a bait for us to bite on.

"

"What about Xiu Min?

"

"No clue. But I think Grandfather and Uncle are also overseeing it on the military side. Any movements down there?

"

"Yeah. It's not the large-scale stuff but he's doing something. I'm still having some of my men check into the past records. We're still looking for a link that could possibly lead us to that mystery person or any of his close associates.

"