As I sat there, lost in thought, Tang Mu suddenly looked at me.
"By the way," he said casually, "we've been talking for quite a while now. I've told you everything about myself… but what about you?"
I looked up.
"Do you have any family?"
The question caught me off guard.
I stared at him a second longer than necessary. My fingers tightened slightly against the bedsheet before I forced a smile—one that even I could feel was fragile.
"My name is Zhi Long," I said quietly. "Hao is just a nickname."
I paused.
"I'm an orphan."
The word felt heavier than I expected.
"As for family…" I took a slow breath. "I did have someone once."
My eyes drifted toward the window.
"But he left me too."
I didn't say anything more.
Tang Mu didn't push. He simply nodded, the usual confidence in his eyes softening just a little.
"I see," he said.
And for the first time since waking up in this hospital, the silence between us didn't feel uncomfortable.
Then—suddenly breaking that quiet—Tang Mu placed a hand on my shoulder.
He leaned in, staring straight into my eyes with the most hilariously awkward trying-to-comfort-someone expression I had ever seen.
"So," he said seriously, "wanna be friends, junior?"
I stared at him for a moment—
Then burst out laughing.
"What's wrong with your face?" I asked between laughs.
"Hey!" he protested. "I'm trying to be nice!"
I raised my hands in surrender, still laughing. "Okay, okay—sorry!"
Tang Mu laughed as well before shaking his head.
"Hao, you don't look like someone who was seriously injured just last night."
Before I could respond, the door opened.
Doctor James walked in, a warm smile on his face.
"Well, well," he said, glancing between us. "I see you've already made a friend. And not someone from an ordinary background either."
He turned his attention to me.
"I've checked all your reports this evening. You're cleared to leave."
Then he handed me a small bottle filled with a faintly glowing green liquid.
"Here. A healing potion. Take it once you're settled."
Doctor James then looked toward Tang Mu.
"Sir Tang, your father has arrived outside to pick you up. I've reviewed your reports as well—you're free to go."
Tang Mu turned to me immediately.
"You don't really have anywhere to go, right?" he said. "So why don't you come live with me? My mansion is huge, and I live alone anyway."
I froze.
I stared at him, completely dumbfounded.
He said it so casually—like inviting someone over for a meal. Not temporarily. Not as charity. As long as I wanted.
As I struggled to respond—
A voice echoed inside my mind.
Accept it.
Accept it, kid.
No more sleeping on the streets. No more hunger.
And Ming is dead. There's no one left for you to take care of.
A mansion. An influential family. Endless opportunities.
You'll grow faster. Live better. Become stronger.
For a moment, my thoughts went blank.
Then I clenched my fists and shook my head.
No.
I had already lost Ming.
I couldn't risk losing another friend—
Not because of this thing inside me.
"Hao?" Tang Mu said, pulling me back to reality. "Why are you silent? Come on, it'll be great!"
I looked at him and forced a bitter smile.
"No," I said softly. "I can't."
The smile on his face faded.
"…Why?" he asked.
Inside my mind, I laughed bitterly.
He was right.
I had nowhere to go.
Not a single coin to my name.
But I spoke anyway.
"I have some savings," I lied. "Enough to rent an apartment for a year. So you don't need to worry."
Tang Mu studied my face carefully.
"Are you telling the truth?"
"Yes," I replied without hesitation.
After a long moment, he nodded.
"Alright. Then I guess I won't force you."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a smartphone, handing it to me.
"I've already set everything up. My contact number is there. If you ever need help—or anything at all—just call me."
I took it, my grip tightening.
Tang Mu stood up and turned to Doctor James.
"Alright, Doctor. Let's go."
Before leaving, he looked back one last time and waved at me playfully.
"See you again, junior."
Then he walked out of the room.
The door closed.
And just like that—
I was alone again.