Wakefulness

Both Long Mei and Jin Qing were silent, but the youngest Long sibling had stepped forward and said. "I'll do it. But I don't want to pressure Mr. Jin. It's a lot to ask of him." 

Jin Qing was stunned by her response, but something like conflict and wariness clouded his expression. He ran a palm over his face. "Fuck. I'm in for it too, and perhaps people can stop looking at me like I'm some abandoned puppy." Jin Qing hated the pity. The rumours and the press too. 

Long Ken smiled at his response, as if he had won an argument and got everything he wanted on his fingertips. 

"You know you can be a bit of an ass, big brother," Long Xia said with a strangled voice from the bed. 

"Yet you all love me anyway," he said before he stalked across the room. "Glad you're better, sis. I will visit you again soon." Then Long Ken made his exit.