Light Up the World

Heather folded her hands across her chest and thought for a moment, "Give me the bad news."

Renly couldn't help but smile; this choice wasn't surprising. Choosing pain before embracing happiness. Despite her young age, Heather was mature beyond her years. Her progressive disease had gradually robbed her of her vitality. But as an observer, Renly couldn't truly feel Heather's pain. The only help he could offer was the companionship of a friend.

"I'll be leaving New York for a while, probably not as long as last time, but at least a month or two," Renly carefully observed Heather's expression. Last time, his sudden departure had been a blow to her, so this time he chose to inform her in advance, hoping to provide some psychological preparation.

Unexpectedly, Heather simply nodded, looking calm and composed. "So, what's the good news?" she asked.

Now Renly was a bit puzzled, but he continued, "I'm about to star in a new project. This time, it's a movie."

"So, you're leaving to go on location for this movie?" Heather immediately understood. Having watched "The Pacific," she realized that Renly's departure wasn't abandonment; it was the pursuit of a dream, which was a good thing, wasn't it? At least one of them was still striving relentlessly. So, upon hearing Renly's impending departure again, Heather felt a bit of loss in her heart, but more than that, she felt happy.

"Yeah, we'll be shooting 'Buried' in Spain," Renly could discern the mixed emotions in Heather's eyes—subtle excitement mingled with a hint of disappointment. But at least it was a positive sign. "The budget for the production isn't sufficient to rent studios in Los Angeles or Toronto, so we have to go to the investor's base. There, we can rent all the necessary equipment at the lowest price."

The filming location for "Buried" was in Barcelona. Although Renly and Rodrigo would have to fly to Europe, incurring travel expenses, it was still much cheaper than renting a studio in Burbank. Next week, Renly and Rodrigo would be flying to Spain together.

"Ha-ha, does this mean I'll get to see you on the big screen?" Heather, being only fifteen, couldn't contain her excitement. "Seeing a friend I know on the big screen? Oh God, this is the coolest thing in my life! I have to post it on Facebook to make my classmates jealous."

Renly didn't burst Heather's bubble of dreams. "Buried" was an independent film, and finding a distributor was still a question mark. Even if they found one, it was likely to have limited screenings, making it difficult to achieve a widespread release. The most realistic outcome would be landing in art-house cinemas.

However, all of that was for later. Now, seeing Heather's excited smile, why bother analyzing all the uncertain future events?

"I'll show my most handsome side and make your friends jealous to the point of stomachaches!" Renly clenched his fist, displaying a determined look, which made Heather burst into laughter. "Alright, let's put off the boasting for now; we should head back," Renly pointed to the two figures still lingering at the entrance. "I'm not sure if your parents are worried about your health or worried about me doing something out of line?"

When it came to talking nonsense seriously, Renly was definitely a genius. Heather laughed so hard she couldn't speak.

Renly stood up and extended his right hand to Heather. "So, what do you say we let them keep worrying? Keep the suspense until the end?"

Heather's smile paused at the corner of her mouth. She knew Renly was giving her an out.

Her legs were already a bit swollen, having stood for too long today, exceeding her limits. But she didn't want to admit her weakness because she hadn't been this happy in a long time, whether it was flying kites or listening to music.

Now, Renly was extending a helping hand in a semi-joking manner, resolving her dilemma. But looking at Renly's eyes, tainted with a smile, Heather couldn't help but blush and feel her heart race.

Carefully lifting her right hand, she placed it in Renly's palm and attempted to stand up. Unexpectedly, her first attempt ended with her sitting back down on the bench. The pain in her legs overwhelmed her weak muscles, and all her emotions vanished in an instant, leaving only pain, unbearable pain.

Heather couldn't help but tightly close her eyes.

"Come on." Heather heard Renly's voice again. She reopened her eyes and saw Renly's broad back facing her, the guitar now in front of him. "Although I don't want your parents to misunderstand, it seems that the prince charming has to step in."

Renly's jest made Heather laugh again, and though she wanted to refuse, the words stayed unsaid. Then she slowly leaned forward, resting her entire body on Renly's back. His sturdy and warm back felt like a calm harbor, causing her to let out a soft sigh.

Afterward, Renly stood up and walked steadily towards the hospital.

Renly didn't speak because Heather was indeed very light, as if she had little weight. At fifteen, she was at an age where she should be growing taller and gaining weight. This made Renly's mood settle down; although he had grown accustomed to the ups and downs of the hospital, it was a lesson he could never fully learn, with every heaviness and sorrow never diminishing.

Despite the short fifty-yard distance, Heather fell sound asleep on Renly's back.

Heather's father, Derek Cross, came forward to take over Renly's duties, but seeing Heather asleep, Renly insisted on seeing her back to her room, escorting her with Derek's assistance.

Ellie Cross called the doctor to conduct a simple examination of Heather. Luckily, there was nothing serious, just some swelling. A massage and rest would solve the problem.

"Thank you, Renly," Ellie accompanied Renly out of the room, expressing her gratitude with a smile. "Thank you for the kite you gave to Heather; she loves it. In fact, if it weren't for that kite, she wouldn't have been willing to try getting out of bed today."

Renly waved his hand, denying repeatedly, "The kite was just an excuse. What really helped her was everyone's efforts together." Putting aside his usual banter, Renly scratched his head, "I hope Heather's physical therapy progresses well."

The disease of progressive paralysis was too cruel, with no cure. Currently, only physical rehabilitation could maintain muscle function and slow the progression of the disease. Heather had been refusing rehabilitation before, so her condition had been deteriorating rapidly. However, today, Heather was willing to get out of bed, which was a positive sign.

The Cross couple had to work long hours to pay for Heather's medical expenses. However, they had never lost sight of their priorities, dividing their time between work and being with their daughter, always guarding her side. Honestly, Renly couldn't imagine they could do any better.

"Thank you," Ellie expressed her gratitude once again.

Renly and Ellie walked to the nurse's station together. Ellie went to inquire about dinner arrangements; Heather was still asleep, so dinner was likely to be delayed. Renly walked to the elevator and pressed the button, but couldn't help but turn back to look at Ellie's figure. She was asking about all the relevant details with care and seriousness. Her elegant face seemed unaffected, but her slightly curled fingers betrayed her concern as a mother.

This reminded Renly of his mother. Not Elizabeth Hall, but Ding Yanan from his past life.

Noble families demanded restraint and reserve; emotions were not easily displayed in any situation, even arguments were endured silently, often suppressed before they even began. Thus, every member of their family seemed distant and formal, or one could say, indifferent.

But Ding Yanan was different. Her emotions were passionate, intense, and openly displayed. After the accident, he had complained to his mother about all her arrangements, how they had bound his wings, robbed him of his childhood, his youth, and ultimately, his future. But Ding Yanan never complained; she silently bore all his emotions, persistently accompanying him, day after day—truly, throughout the literal sense of the word.

Once, waking up thirsty in the middle of the night, he saw his mother sitting by the window, staring blankly into the darkness. Her lost and bewildered expression seemed to find no direction, no support, and her faintly hunched figure exuded loneliness.

It was only then that he truly understood his mother's deep love. Perhaps she had made wrong choices indeed; perhaps he had indeed lost his childhood and youth, but at least they still had each other.

Ding Yanan, like Ellie, was a mother, but she was also an ordinary person who made mistakes, regretted, got excited, got angry, and got hurt.

"Beep," the elevator arrived.

Hearing the sound, Ellie turned around and waved goodbye; Renly nodded with a smile and entered the elevator. The elevator doors slowly closed.

"Renly, Renly!" just as the elevator doors were about to close, a clear voice called out, prompting Renly to quickly press the door open button. Anne Silliman's petite figure appeared, her entire being jumping with excitement, her face beaming with a brilliant smile, her bright eyes outshining the North Star, her joyful voice filled with delight, "I had bowel movement! I bowel movement!"

"Great job, kiddo!" Renly also laughed heartily, raising his right hand; Anne rushed forward and accurately slapped Renly's palm. Renly raised his thumb, "See, who's the toughest now?"

"Anne! Anne!" the little girl jumped excitedly and then, like a whirlwind, rushed out, shouting loudly, "I'm the toughest!" The whole world seemed to brighten at that moment.