Death Note 14: Dead End

  The next itinerary, followed the predetermined route. Lin Hongjiang led the team to accompany Lawrence and conducted a series of business talks and visits with Moss Company. Annie was accompanied by Lin Haotian and Mok Sai-kei, touring around Y city.

  Mok Siu-kei is like a diligent housekeeper, taking charge of Annie's daily life. From small things like diet to big things like physical checks every night, the work is detailed down to the frequency and amount of water intake, all with clear signs and records. She also works with Dr. Mais, Annie's attending physician, to analyze data from Annie's physical examinations, predict what kind of physical reactions may occur based on the next day's schedule, make judgments and take measures.

  At first, I thought Mu Siqi was just a specially cared-for Dr. Mai, but after discussing with her several times, I was convinced by her professional knowledge and began to look at her in a different light. In terms of address, from the initial "Miss Mu" to later only calling her "Mu", and then learning that Mu Siqi is not only a doctor but also a Ph.D. student, it's unbelievable, my impression of Mu Siqi has changed 180 degrees, I want to call Mu Siqi for everything and listen to her opinion. Every day, I keep shouting "Mu, Mu, Mu", foreigners speaking Chinese always have some variation in pronunciation, this word sounds different when heard by others.

  Muxi Qi couldn't help but laugh and cry at the way Mais called her, feeling awkward every time she heard it. She had even discussed changing the nickname with Mais before, who initially agreed, but a few days later went back to calling her "Mu". Muxi Qi was helpless and could only go along with it.

  Lin Haotian listened in on every conversation between Mu Siqi and Mai about Annie's condition. At first, it was because he wanted to understand Annie's physical situation to decide whether the next day's schedule needed to be changed. Later, he became even more eager to listen in, as he saw Mai's fawning attitude towards Mu Siqi, which made him uncomfortable, not wanting them to be alone together. After listening to Mu Siqi's analysis of Annie's condition several times, he couldn't help but admire her in his heart. Despite her young age, she had such rich professional knowledge, which was not something that could be achieved overnight. He could see the extent of Mu Siqi's hard work and dedication, and when he saw how seriously and meticulously she handled things, he couldn't help but surrender to her. Later, Lin Haotian's gaze towards Mu Siqi began to deepen.

  These days, Annie was very happy. She loved listening to Musiq speak. During the day, whenever they arrived at a scenic spot, Musiq would tell her some interesting local customs and stories. In places with beautiful scenery and flat roads, he would hold her hand and take a leisurely stroll with her, letting her feel the land with her own feet, although most of the time she was sitting in a wheelchair. At night, after checking her body, Musiq would smile warmly and chat with her.

  Annie is deeply fond of this foreign elder sister, and her thoughtful and meticulous care makes her sometimes feel a kind of illusion, as if her mother were by her side. Sometimes seeing her being teased by Lin Haotian to the point of gritting her teeth also makes her laugh happily on the side, she really wants to have such an elder sister who can always be by her side, after getting Mu Sijue's consent, she really calls Mu Sijue "sister".

  Mukouki also liked this foreign sister very much. Although she couldn't go to school, exercise, or make many friends like other healthy children, she wasn't pessimistic or depressed at all. In fact, her views on death were beyond those of ordinary people. She was very intelligent and studious, reading a large number of books with a wide range of interests, especially in prehistoric cultures. She had a special fondness for ancient Egyptian civilization and could accurately recite the pharaohs' titles, years, and representative events of all 34 dynasties. In her earlier years when her physical condition was still relatively good, she spent two days and nights at the British Museum for a book about Scorpion King, the first king of ancient Egypt's First Dynasty, until she fainted and was sent back home with the book still in her arms. After that, she couldn't go out alone anymore, and all books were brought back by her father, Mr. Lawrence, either bought or borrowed. Now, she has become fascinated with the ancient Guge Kingdom of Tibet, believing it to be as mysterious as the Mayan civilization, and wants to visit there in person to experience what it's like to be in a place closest to heaven.

  Every time Anni talks about how she sneaks past her nanny and parents to read an ancient book, Mu Sijue's heart tightens with anxiety. After hearing that she returned safely, he feels a pang of sadness. Because he knows that studying is actually a very difficult thing, and to delve deeper requires even more perseverance. If one doesn't truly enjoy it, it's impossible to achieve what Anni has done. Although God closes one door after opening another, the window is so small, and the time it's open is so short, it can be closed at any moment.

  She had always been haunted by the fact that she was an orphan, thinking herself to be an unfortunate person. But looking at this weak little girl in front of her, she finally understood that life's greatest misfortune is not having less than others, but rather not having more time to do what one wants to do. She began to feel ashamed for the inferior thoughts she had once harbored and silently vowed to make the most of her life from now on, doing everything she wanted to do, including for this little girl in front of her.

  She then discussed with Mais her teacher Wu Shulan's analysis and views on Annie's condition, making Mais, a veteran doctor, marvel again. He was amazed at how remarkable Wu Shulan's medical skills were, being able to judge the general situation of Annie's illness from just one case. With a serious expression, he talked to Musubi about his views and treatment plans for Annie's illness over the years, and Musubi also expressed his own opinions and methods in some areas, making Mais exclaim "Oh my god! How did I not think of that?" He then asked a question that had nothing to do with the topic.

  "Are you married?"

  Mù Sī Qí was very surprised that he suddenly asked this, although puzzled but also followed his question to answer, but was shocked by Mai Si's next words, stunned and at a loss.

  "Marry me before you get married!"

  Not only was Mu Siqi surprised, but Lin Haotian was also taken aback. He hadn't expected Mais to propose suddenly either. After a moment of stunned silence, he looked at Mu Siqi, who was still in shock, and walked over to her side, putting his arm around her shoulders. As Mais continued to excitedly confess his feelings, Lin Haotian uttered a sentence that instantly made him feel extremely embarrassed, causing him to flee the scene.

  "Miss Mu is unmarried, but she already has a boyfriend, you're too late."

  Muxi Qi hadn't recovered from Mais's shocking words, and then she heard even more shocking news. She wanted to say something but only moved her mouth a few times without uttering a single word.

  Lin Haotian withdrew his gaze from Mai's fleeing figure and saw Mu Siqi staring at him with a foolish expression. He leaned in close to her ear, "Don't blow our cover, or the play will be for nothing." Then he patted her shoulder and turned to leave.

  He pressed his hand against his chest, and it took half a day to calm down, putting the small heart that had jumped into his throat back in place. He thought of Lin Haotian's words and felt relieved, but the next second he felt a hint of loss. It turned out, it was just acting, it turned out, it was just acting...

  Annie's fragile heart finally couldn't bear it on the fourth day of the trip.

  On the fourth day, the group arrived at Qingcheng Academy in Qingcheng Mountain Gorge on the outskirts of the city. The mountain is not very high, with a large gap in the middle, and the academy was built into this gap. The history of the academy dates back to its founding in the Yuan Dynasty, but it wasn't until the Ming Dynasty that it was renovated and flourished. Today, it is one of the few remaining academies that have been preserved intact.

  The academy is surrounded by valleys on both sides, with lush green trees and dense foliage. The sound of the bell from the mountain temple in the distance makes it seem like a paradise on earth. On one of the cliffs, a viewing platform was built against the mountain, where you can overlook the entire Qingcheng Academy.

  Lam Ho-tin and another male staff member carried Annie's wheelchair up the hundreds of steps leading to the Ping Tai, followed by Muk and others, with an ambulance waiting at the foot of the mountain.

  Mai Si didn't follow, the failed proposal made him a bit downhearted, more was unsure of how to face Mu Siqi and Lin Haotian. He felt that he hadn't figured it out yet and had impulsively proposed, only to be rejected, which was really embarrassing and humiliating, so much so that he wanted to dig a hole and bury himself. It was with this kind of conflicted mindset that he hid in the car and refused to come out.

  Hundreds of steps were nothing for Lin Haotian's body, which had been trained for a long time. He took big strides and soon reached the top platform.

  The mountain breeze blew gently, carrying the fresh scent of trees. The sunlight was blocked by the treetops, only allowing a few rays to peek through.

  Annie closed her eyes, feeling the wind rushing towards her face. For a moment, she felt as if she was about to take off and soar with the wind. After a while, she opened her eyes, didn't call for Mu Siqi's help, and stood up from her wheelchair by herself. In front of her was a magnificent building of the academy, she felt that her heart was already very satisfied, her eyes slowly closed, and her body fell backwards.

  By Ann's side, Mu Siqi, who had been paying attention to her, saw her fall back and hurriedly went up to hold her in his arms. He looked down at her pale face and exclaimed loudly, "Annie...Hao Tian!" In her anxiety, she even called out Lin Hao Tian's name without realizing it.

  Lin Hao Tian, who was standing not far behind Annie, heard Mu Si Qi's exclamation and looked up to see the figure lying in her arms. He took a swift step forward, disregarding any etiquette, and swept Annie into his arms as he rushed towards the ambulance at the foot of the mountain. His feet moved rapidly, and Mu Si Qi followed closely behind him, watching as he descended one level of stairs with every two or three steps. Her heart was in her throat, fearing that he might lose his footing and drop Annie, but she couldn't ask him to slow down because she knew he was racing against time and death.

  The ambulance sped down the road, with a police car leading the way. The convoy rushed to Central Hospital at top speed.

  Everyone looked serious and somber, Mu Siqi nervously stared at Annie lying on the stretcher, her heart constantly whispering "You must hold on! You must hold on!"

  Lin Hao Tian, who was standing beside her, looked at her worried face, her fingers tightly clenched, without a hint of blood color, raised his hand and grasped hers, "It's okay, I'm here."

  At this moment, Mu Siqi didn't know what to say. The contact over the past few days had brought about a huge change in her impression of Lin Haotian. Seeing him handle things in an orderly manner made her feel extremely at ease, just like now, when he said it was nothing, she would really feel that everything would be alright, and she couldn't explain why she felt so reassured. She didn't speak, glanced at Lin Haotian, then turned back to look at Annie again, without shaking off his hand holding hers, they just kept holding hands like this, rushing forward...

  Digression

  These days, editors are busy reviewing, and I had a few chapters that were returned for re-examination because of a single word, so they haven't been uploaded again. I don't know when they will be reviewed. If any friends want to read them, please leave a message or find another way to let everyone see. Friends who like this article, please add it to your bookshelf, the next part will be even more exciting. Canglan bids you farewell.