章 86: Too tired to act

"Mom…" Qi Jianyi whispered, her voice barely audible, a fragile breath more than a sound. Her eyelids trembled as if waging a battle to open, her body sluggish and weak. 

Mrs. Qi, who had been sitting vigilantly by her daughter's bedside, caught the faint murmur instantly. The sound sent a jolt through her. She stood up abruptly, her chair scraping softly against the hospital floor as she leaned over to grasp Qi Jianyi's hand. Her grip was firm yet tender, her fingers pressing gently against her daughter's palm in a desperate bid for a response. 

"Jianyi? Can you hear me, dear? It's Mom. Please, wake up," she pleaded softly, her voice breaking as silent tears traced paths down her cheeks. 

She raised her head, glancing toward her husband with watery eyes, searching for confirmation, for hope that she wasn't imagining the faint sound.