Sacrifices!!

In the restaurant.

"Good evening, doctor Zhang. Sorry to keep you waiting." The man shook the woman's hand, who looked to be in her late thirties. She got up from her seat to greet him.

"No need! In fact, I should apologize for calling you here at such short notice, President Lu. I need to get back to England because of an emergency, so I wanted to meet you before returning," the woman said after returning to her seat.

The server served them coffee as they conversed.

"How's your younger brother doing?" Doctor Zhang asked.

"He is doing great, all thanks to you," Lu Qiang's eyes were filled with gratitude.

"He's lucky to have a brother like you." She sipped on her coffee and gave a deep sigh. "As a doctor, I can only give medicines and make suggestions. Getting success always depends on the patient and their family."

"But at that time, you were the only hope for me," Lu Qiang said.

She looked at him thoughtfully. "How is his behavior now? Are there any major changes?"

"No, for five years, he has behaved as a child of his age should," Lu Qiang assured.

"I saw the video you sent of him, and he looked extremely happy. I suggest you keep him away from things that can trigger him," she advised.

"I'll try my best," he replied. 

"It's a blessing that he has you as his older brother. I hope, when he becomes an adult, he will remember how much you have sacrificed for him. I truly respect you for that," she said with admiration.

"I just wish he would remain happy." 

The two finished their coffees and stepped out of the hotel. As they waited outside, Lu Qiang began to speak.

"I wish you could attend the celebration," he said.

"I, too, wanted to attend, but my flight is just in half an hour, and because of the emergency, I have to shorten my stay here in China," the doctor informed.

"I can understand."

As they finished speaking, their cars arrived. Lu Qiang bid her farewell and went towards his destination.

--------

At Jiang residence.

Everyone was getting ready for the party. Jiang Yuyan heard a knock on her bedroom door as she got out of the bathroom. The door opened, and her brother, Jiang Yang, peered in, wearing his blue suit and holding two ties.

"Right or left?" he asked, raising his hands in front of her face.

"Both look the same," she said, not even bothering to look at them properly.

"I know that, but look at the design. They are different types of crossed lines! Which one?" he asked again.

"Left," she said randomly.

"Thank you. I will wear the right one," Jiang Yang said, folding the tie in his left hand and starting to wear the other around his collar. 

"I knew it!" she screamed. "You always do the exact opposite of what I say. Why bother to ask me?" Actually, she was not surprised by his actions in the least bit.

"You are good at selecting the bad things," he said with a mischievous smile on his lips.

"You—" She just threw a cushion in his direction. He avoided it deftly and left with the same smile on his face.

Jiang Yang and his parents waited for Jiang Yuyan to come downstairs.

"I heard raised voices. What happened? She sounded so angry." Mo Ruolan asked.

"It was just a siblings' fight," Jiang Yang said lightly.

"Thank you so much." His mother suddenly thanked him.

"For bringing her back to China?" he asked, confused.

"We wanted to thank you for taking care of her when she was at her worst. Though we are her parents, you were the one who took care of her for all these years," the mother replied.

"Don't say it. I didn't do anything exceptional. It was my responsibility as her elder brother."

"Your mother is right, Jiang Yang. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't know what to do." Jiang Peizhi's eyes became a little moist.

"I never want to see her like that again," her mother swore to herself. "I just can't forget it."

"She is a different person now," Jiang Yang reassured. "Don't worry, mom."

"I know this, but I don't want anything bad to happen to her."

"Nothing will happen, mom. Rest assured." Jiang Yang patted his mother's 

shoulder affectionately.

"As long as you are here to annoy me, nothing can affect me." The voice startled the three.

"Y-Yuyan," her mother stammered, thinking her daughter must have heard what they talked about.

"Don't worry, mom. That is in the past. Don't think about such useless things anymore. I am not a kid," Jiang Yuyan said as she moved forward to stand in front of her mother.

"You look beautiful." Jiang Yang praised his sister to make the mood lighter.

"Are you trying to make up for the awkwardness, brother?" she asked, raising her brow in question.

"I mean it," he said firmly. "Isn't it, mom, dad?"

"You do look beautiful," Jiang Peizhi said.