Page 146

After countless hardships, Xie Tingsi's acting finally earned recognition. He won his first Best Actor award, carving a path through endless abuse and ridicule. But just as his career took a turn for the better, his kidneys began to fail...

"I want to rest." Xie Tingsi closed his eyes. He had no wish to continue the conversation.

After that conversation, Xie Tingsi's condition deteriorated rapidly. The notice that his brother was critically ill trembled in Xie Zhiyu's hand. He held his body rigid, trying to keep his voice steady.

He could not fall apart.

"The patient's remaining kidney has been under too much strain. It has now failed to the point where it can no longer sustain normal bodily functions. His condition is very dangerous. Medication can only ease his pain. You should prepare yourselves."

The doctor's words were all but a death sentence for Xie Tingsi. Xie Zhiyu's heart clenched. "There has to be a way. I've found a matching donor kidney. My brother can have the surgery right away." He wanted to bargain with death for a little more time. Just a little. Just a little.

"Doctor, please save him!" He dropped to his knees, his voice pleading.

The doctor hurried to help him up. "The patient's condition is too severe for a kidney transplant. It would only cause him more pain."

"Take this time to say goodbye."

Doctors were not gods. They could not defy fate.

Xie Zhiyu sat outside Xie Tingsi's hospital room, afraid to go in.

Was there really... nothing they could do?

Shen Baili's breath caught. Just reading those words made her heart ache with a lingering, needle-sharp pain.

She could not reconcile the Xie Tingsi and Xie Zhiyu described in the extra chapter with Second Brother and Eldest Brother in real life.