: Guaiguai

2

Only my little sister and I were left in the room.

I waved her over. "Bon-Bon, come here. Sister has a treat hidden for you."

My little sister's eyes lit up, and she ran toward me, her eyes shining.

"Sister..."

I made two fists and held them out.

"Alright, Bon-Bon, guess which hand it's in."

My little sister answered without hesitation, "Your left hand."

I opened my left hand. Inside was a piece of liqueur chocolate.

"Bon-Bon guessed right. The prize is a liqueur chocolate."

Seeing the worried look in her eyes, I quickly explained, "Sister didn't eat any. I asked one of the young nurses to buy them, just for Bon-Bon."

Only then did my little sister's face light up, but her brow furrowed a moment later. "Sister, I won't eat it."

I remembered what Mother said—that my little sister wasn't allowed to touch anything I couldn't eat. She'd said, 'If you can't enjoy it, what right does she have to?'

Even the clothes I'd bought for her online, splurging out of love, she rarely wore around me.

That was because Mother had once said that if my little sister dressed up so nicely and looked so healthy, it would upset me.

I looked at my little sister seriously. "Bon-Bon, you are you, and I am me. You don't have to be sad about what Mother says. Sister loves seeing you eat happily and dress beautifully. More than anything, I want you to live your own life, not in my shadow. Otherwise, Sister won't be able to rest easy in the afterlife."

My little sister's eyes immediately reddened. She threw her arms around my waist like a child and said through her sobs, "Sister, you'll be okay. You have to live."

I didn't answer, just gently stroked my little sister's hair.

"Little Sister, is the candy good?"

I asked curiously.

My little sister quickly took it out and took a bite. "Mm, it's a little sharp, and the chocolate is a bit bitter, but together, it's delicious."

I nodded, already thinking about what to ask the nurse to buy next time.

: 3

3

My condition deteriorated, and I was admitted to the ICU again.

While I was unconscious, I could see the terror in Mother's eyes and Little Sister's tear-streaked face.

I opened my mouth, wanting to tell them not to cry.

But I couldn't get the words out.

I don't know how much time passed before I woke up again. I saw a slap mark on Little Sister's face and stroked it, my heart aching.

I raised my hand and slapped myself across the face.

The act startled Mother and Little Sister. It didn't actually hurt much. In my weakened state, I didn't have the strength to hit hard.

I smiled gently at Mother. "Mother, if you hurt Little Sister again, then whatever you do to her, I'll do to myself. I know you dote on me the most, and I can't bring myself to resent you, so I'll just have to be the one to suffer instead."

Mother hugged me, sobbing as she let out all her pent-up anguish.

I patted Mother's back.

"Mother, Little Sister is your daughter too. I'm so glad you gave me a little sister. I hope you'll treat her well."

Tears streamed down Little Sister's face as she looked at me, her lips silently forming the word "Sister."

I gave her a reassuring smile.

'I hope my smile wasn't too ugly.'

: The Plan

4

To avoid upsetting me, Mother's attitude toward my little sister had improved quite a bit recently. At least she wasn't lashing out at her anymore.

I was happy. I hoped my little sister could have a happy life after I was gone.

But I was getting ahead of myself. When I was finally strong enough to take a walk outside, I overheard some patients discussing a mother who was forcing her younger daughter to get tested as a bone marrow match for her older sister. They said she had already scheduled the procedure for the day of the College Admissions Exams.

"The day of the College Admissions Exams? Wouldn't that ruin the younger daughter's future? How could a mother be so cruel!"

"Exactly!"

A wave of panic washed over me, and I hurried back toward my room. I walked so quickly that I was gasping for breath.

I looked up to meet Mother's anxious gaze. "Ellie, where have you been? You were all alone! What if something had happened? You should have had Bonnie Sterling with you. What's the use of her going to school, anyway?"

I caught my breath and took a sip of water.

"Mother, my little sister is a great student. School is obviously useful. If my health wasn't so bad, I'd want to be in school too, making good friends."

A flustered look crossed Mother's face. "Let's not talk about that. Ellie, how are you feeling today?"

"I'm doing great today. I even took a walk in the garden by myself. Oh, and Mother, I heard a funny story from some of the other adults here. They said there was a mother who wanted her younger daughter to be a donor match for the older one, so she stopped the younger girl from taking her College Admissions Exams. She even scheduled the procedure for that very day. The College Admissions Exams are so important… don't you think, Mother?"

Mother's face went pale, and she guiltily stammered in agreement.