The sunset's afterglow spilled into the room, its faint light falling on Gu An, who lay propped up on the bed, his breathing weak.
Gu An slowly opened his eyes. Watching the sun gradually sink outside, he struggled to reach for the window, but no matter how he tried, he could not touch it.
Zhao Yingfang returned home just then, her face full of pain and exhaustion. Seeing the boy lying on the bed, she hesitated, wanting to approach but afraid to draw near. Just seeing his pale face caused her unbearable pain.
Gu An glanced toward her and gave her a weak smile, saying softly, "Mom, come here."
Zhao Yingfang's eyes grew damp. She approached the bedside carefully, as though afraid the slightest carelessness would shatter this stillness.
She sat down gently and asked, her voice choked, "An'an, what would you like to eat today? I'll make it for you."
But the boy could no longer eat anything. Feeling the life steadily draining from his body, Gu An knew he did not have much time left.
Gu An smiled faintly and leaned into his mother's arms as he had as a child, feeling her embrace.
Zhao Yingfang's throat tightened. Pain and despair surged relentlessly through her heart, and tears kept spilling from her eyes onto the side of the boy's face.
Gu An tried to raise a hand to wipe her tears, but the torment of his illness had left him without the strength. He could only gently stroke the back of her hand, trying to comfort her.
Suddenly, Zhao Yingfang felt wetness on the back of her hand. Looking down, she saw Gu An's eyes brimming with tears as he spoke with some difficulty. "If my existence makes you suffer so much, don't give birth to me again