JFWCM Chapter 60

The Lingering Warmth of Love

After Yi Shang braved dangers to collect plant samples, successfully developing a medicine that improved Jiang Wan’yuan’s mother’s condition, life seemed to return to normal. The campus was once again filled with Jiang Wan’yuan’s lively laughter and Yi Shang’s gentle gaze. However, fate did not let them off so easily, and an even more cruel storm quietly descended.

Jiang Wan’yuan’s mother’s health, after a brief improvement, took a sharp turn for the worse without any warning. The rosy cheeks that had begun to reappear turned as pale as paper again, and her body, which had regained some vitality, fell back into a state of weakness and frailty. Jiang Wan’yuan watched helplessly as her mother’s condition worsened, and the bone-deep fear and despair gripped her tightly once more, as if an invisible hand was about to extinguish the hope she had so painstakingly rekindled.

Jiang Wan’yuan once again found herself in the torment of guarding her mother day and night, with Yi Shang constantly by her side, never abandoning her. The hospital ward seemed to become the entirety of their lives, the pungent smell of disinfectant and the heavy atmosphere suffocating them. Jiang Wan’yuan became taciturn, her former cheerfulness disappearing without a trace, her eyes filled with pain and helplessness, like a wounded fawn.

Yi Shang felt heartache as she watched Jiang Wan’yuan being tormented by pain. Although she was not good with words, every subtle gesture was filled with care for Jiang Wan’yuan. She would gently hold Jiang Wan’yuan’s cold hands, warming them with her own body temperature; when Jiang Wan’yuan fell asleep exhausted, she would drape a coat over her, carefully tucking in the corners; when Jiang Wan’yuan’s emotions collapsed, she would silently embrace her, letting her cry on her shoulder.

At school, Jing Xiao and Zhang Yao were also constantly concerned about Jiang Wan’yuan and her mother’s situation. They often came to the hospital during breaks to bring some flowers and small gifts, trying to add a touch of life to the depressing ward. Jing Xiao always comforted Jiang Wan’yuan in a carefree manner: “Don’t lose heart, there might still be a turning point. We’re all here.” Zhang Yao would carefully tidy up the ward for Jiang Wan’yuan, softly saying words of encouragement: “Wan’yuan, be strong, your aunt will definitely get better.”

However, despite everyone’s high hopes, Jiang Wan’yuan’s mother’s condition continued to worsen. All kinds of treatments had been tried, but they still could not stop the passage of life. Jiang Wan’yuan’s mother lay in bed, her breathing becoming weaker and weaker, her eyes full of reluctance and concern as she looked at Jiang Wan’yuan and Yi Shang.

On a quiet night, moonlight streamed through the window into the ward, and Jiang Wan’yuan’s mother’s hand trembled slightly, signaling Jiang Wan’yuan and Yi Shang to come closer. She said in an extremely weak voice, “Wan’yuan, Yi Shang… thank you… I know I won’t last much longer… Wan’yuan, you must be strong… Yi Shang, from now on… I’ll have to ask you to take care of Wan’yuan…” Jiang Wan’yuan and Yi Shang were in tears, they held Jiang Wan’yuan’s mother’s hand tightly, nodding desperately.

In the end, Jiang Wan’yuan’s mother slowly closed her eyes and left this world in the company of Jiang Wan’yuan and Yi Shang. At that moment, Jiang Wan’yuan felt as if her whole world had collapsed. Her cries echoed in the silent ward, heartbroken. Yi Shang held Jiang Wan’yuan tightly, tears streaming down her face as well, but she knew that Jiang Wan’yuan needed her strength at this moment more than ever.

After arranging her mother’s funeral, Jiang Wan’yuan seemed to become a different person. She shut herself off, no longer communicating with anyone, and spent her days immersed in grief. Yi Shang was anxious, knowing that she had to help Jiang Wan’yuan out of this darkness.

Yi Shang took Jiang Wan’yuan back to the places they had once visited together, trying to evoke Jiang Wan’yuan’s fond memories. They came to the school’s garden, where their laughter had once been. Yi Shang said softly, “Wan’yuan, your aunt definitely hopes that you can live well and be happy like before.” Jiang Wan’yuan looked at the familiar flowers and plants, tears welling up in her eyes again, but she also told herself silently in her heart that she had to face it bravely.

Jing Xiao and Zhang Yao did not give up either. Jing Xiao organized a small gathering, inviting Jiang Wan’yuan and Yi Shang, as well as some of their mutual friends. At the gathering, everyone recalled the moments they had spent with Jiang Wan’yuan’s mother, saying warm words. Zhang Yao prepared a photo album for Jiang Wan’yuan, which recorded the beautiful moments between Jiang Wan’yuan and her mother, as well as everyone’s encouragement to her.

With the company and encouragement of Yi Shang, Jing Xiao, and Zhang Yao, Jiang Wan’yuan began to slowly emerge from the shadows. She returned to school and worked hard to devote herself to her studies and scientific research projects. Yi Shang always stayed by her side, silently offering a helping hand when she encountered difficulties, and giving her affirmation with gentle eyes when she made progress.

As the days passed, Jiang Wan’yuan gradually adapted to life without her mother with the company of Yi Shang, Jing Xiao, and Zhang Yao, but the wound in her heart remained, stinging her heart from time to time.

The school’s research project entered a critical stage, and Jiang Wan’yuan devoted herself wholeheartedly to it, trying to fill the emptiness in her heart with busyness. However, the road of scientific research was not smooth sailing. In the process of studying the impact of interstellar plants on human brain waves, they encountered a tricky problem – the experimental data showed serious deviations, which could lead to errors in the entire research direction.

Jiang Wan’yuan stared at the chaotic data, her brows furrowed, her heart full of frustration. She began to doubt herself, whether she was simply not suitable for scientific research, whether her mother’s departure had taken away her good luck. Yi Shang noticed the change in Jiang Wan’yuan’s emotions, and she sat down gently next to Jiang Wan’yuan, picking up the data report and studying it carefully.

Yi Shang’s eyes were focused and firm, her fingers moving quickly across the data, her brain working at full speed. After a while, she pointed to a set of data and said, “Wan’yuan, look here, maybe we ignored the interference of the interstellar magnetic field when collecting samples, which led to the deviation of the data.” Jiang Wan’yuan followed the direction Yi Shang pointed, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes, but it soon dimmed again: “But, it’s not easy to collect samples again and adjust the experimental plan, and there’s no time.”

Yi Shang held Jiang Wan’yuan’s hand and said in a firm tone, “Don’t worry, let’s think of a way together. As long as we don’t give up, we will definitely be able to solve it.” Yi Shang’s words were like warm sunshine, penetrating the haze in Jiang Wan’yuan’s heart.

So, the two began to re-plan the experiment. Yi Shang used her spare time to consult a large amount of information on the impact of interstellar magnetic fields on plants, while Jiang Wan’yuan contacted various parties to obtain more accurate sample collection equipment. Jing Xiao and Zhang Yao also joined in. Jing Xiao helped debug the experimental instruments to ensure the accuracy of the data, while Zhang Yao was responsible for sorting out the data and providing comprehensive information support for everyone.

In this process, Jiang Wan’yuan sometimes felt emotional and depressed because she missed her mother. Once, everyone was busy in the laboratory until late at night, and Jiang Wan’yuan looked at the bright moon outside the window and couldn’t help but think of the time she had spent with her mother, tears blurring her eyes involuntarily. After Yi Shang saw this, she put down the work in her hands, walked to Jiang Wan’yuan, and gently wiped away her tears: “Wan’yuan, your aunt is watching us from heaven, she must hope to see you overcome difficulties and realize your dreams.”

Jiang Wan’yuan nodded, took a deep breath, and cheered up again. Through everyone’s joint efforts, they finally re-collected accurate samples, adjusted the experimental plan, and the scientific research project was able to continue.

As the experiment progressed, they achieved a series of encouraging results. The connection between interstellar plants and human brain waves gradually became clear, and their research attracted the high attention of the school’s scientific research department. The school decided to provide them with more resources and support to help them further transform their research results into practical applications.

At a scientific research achievement exhibition, Jiang Wan’yuan stood on the podium, confidently introducing their research results to everyone. Yi Shang, Jing Xiao, and Zhang Yao under the stage looked at Jiang Wan’yuan, their eyes full of pride and gratification. After experiencing the great pain of her mother’s death, Jiang Wan’yuan not only found herself again, but also made important breakthroughs in the field of scientific research.

After the exhibition, Jiang Wan’yuan and Yi Shang walked hand in hand by the school’s lake. The breeze was gentle, and the lake rippled in layers. Jiang Wan’yuan looked at Yi Shang, tears twinkling in her eyes, but this time, they were no longer tears of sadness, but tears full of gratitude and happiness: “Yi Shang, if it weren’t for you, without everyone, I wouldn’t have made it to today. Thank you for always being with me.”

Yi Shang gently hugged Jiang Wan’yuan and said softly, “We are together, no matter what difficulties we encounter in the future, I will always be by your side.” The moonlight shone on them, outlining a warm and beautiful picture.