Pitter-patter...
A light rain began to fall outside.
Droplets slid slowly down the glass window, where a pair of weary eyes stared out in a trance...
Jane Foster lay on a hospital bed.
Her face was pale.
She stared at the rain for a while.
She let out a faint sigh.
Today marked her fifth round of chemotherapy already.
But there were still no results...
She hadn't yet unraveled the mysteries of the stars—she didn't want to leave this world so soon.
And also.
There was that person.
Who was always waiting for her.
"Jane, he came to see you again."
Lewis pushed open the door, walked in, and sat by Jane's bed. "He just came in, realized you hadn't had lunch yet, and ran out again to buy you some."
Jane smiled a little.
"He's been coming so often... And you too. And you too, Darcy, always taking care of me..."
"What are you talking about?"
Lewis beamed and tucked a few loose strands of hair behind Jane's forehead. "We are good friends, aren't we~"
"Cousin, we came to see you!"
A pretty young girl peeked out from the doorway, flashing a neat and charming smile.
Matilda, now in her high school years, had grown into a graceful young lady. Her cool outfit carried a hint of Jessica's style.
She lifted the sumptuous meal in her hands, walked lightly to the bed, and carefully placed the lunch before Jane. "Brother thought there was nothing good to eat nearby, so he made this himself and brought it over. Jessica and Cindy helped too~"
"Thank you all. Really, there's no need to go through so much trouble…"
Jane was somewhat amused and helpless.
She wasn't very picky about food.
But this effort filled her heart with warmth—family, love, friendship...
As the emotion built up, Jane picked up a piece of crab roe that Matilda liked and gently stuffed it into her mouth. "You've been good while staying at Li's place, right? Not causing him trouble?"
"Mm…"
Matilda's cheeks turned inexplicably red. Her stuffed mouth mumbled, "No… I listened to brother very well… Whatever he says, I obediently do…"
Jane smiled in relief. "That's good~"
Tap.
Footsteps sounded at the doorway again.
The newcomer—was that man.
Ye Li placed an astronomical model on Jane's bedside table. "Brought this for you. Do you like it?"
"Actually…"
Jane reached out to spin the model, unable to hide her joy. "…I actually want a Powerpuff Girls doll~"
"I'll bring one next time."
Ye Li readily agreed, then snatched Matilda's chopsticks. "Stop eating, leave some for your cousin. You're getting worse under Jessica's influence."
"Mm…"
Matilda pouted. "Jane let me eat. She said she couldn't finish it all…"
"Really?"
Ye Li shamelessly picked up the chopsticks and started eating. "Then leave it to me."
Matilda: "Eh?"
"Pfft~"
Lewis found it amusing. The aroma of the food tempted her, and she couldn't resist picking up chopsticks to grab a bite.
Ye Li playfully pinched the soft flesh on her chin. "Watch it, if you don't control yourself, 'slightly chubby' will turn into truly fat."
Lewis: "Mmm mmm mmm…"
"Sigh, you guys…"
Jane wasn't upset at all that her lunch was being stolen. Instead, her eyes sparkled…
'If only things could always be like this…'
Many days passed like this...
On a bright and sunny morning.
"I've handed all the research data to Dr. Selvig, so you can continue studying that project..."
Jane lay on the hospital bed, turned her head, and gently held Lewis's hand as she spoke slowly.
"Darcy, I know you like Li as well..."
Zing—!
A bright white light suddenly engulfed the world...
"Mm…"
The female scholar slowly opened her eyes.
What she saw first was the black ceiling of a car...
And her best friend, blinking her big eyes at her...
"Jane, you're awake."
Lewis asked with concern, "Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
"Darcy…"
Jane murmured, still a bit dazed, "Thank you…"
"Hmm?"
Lewis was puzzled by her sincere gratitude. "Thank me for what?"
"Thank you for taking care of me…"
"Did I?"
Lewis thought for a moment and assumed Jane was referring to the care she was providing now. She waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, it's nothing. We're best friends, after all~"
"What did you say?"
Jane was slightly stunned. "Can you say that again?"
"We are best friends, aren't we? Are you sure you're okay?"
Lewis poked her friend's smooth forehead gently, pretending to be deep in thought. "Hmm… I feel like something's not quite right with you…"
"It's nothing…"
The beauty's blue-green eyes glistened as she gently pushed her best friend's hand away and softly said, "…I just had a dream. It felt so real… What happened to me?"
"Whew~ As long as you're okay."
Lewis explained, "Li said you suddenly fainted. It might have been the effect of passing through the wormhole. We're driving to the hospital for a check-up, but just as we got you into the car, you woke up…"
"Going to the hospital?"
"I… I don't want to get checked at the hospital…"
Jane instinctively resisted and lowered her head, searching. "Darcy, where's my research data?"
"Here."
A hand wrapped in casual clothing sleeves helped pass the documents from the car's front seat to her—
"Thank you."
Jane raised her head, about to take it.
But.
When she saw the person in the front seat clearly, her movement froze, and she stammered out one word…
"Li…"
"Hehe~"
The mastermind behind it all smiled warmly, placed the documents in her hands, and advised, "It's still better to get a check-up. That way, you can have peace of mind, right?"
Jane: "Mm…"
"Ms. Foster, your body is in perfect health."
The doctor handed Jane the test results. "There's no sign of cancer or any related risks. You can rest assured."
Jane held the report and examined it carefully.
Her hands trembled slightly…
Fwoosh~
The paper slipped from her fingers.
The beauty suddenly turned around, wrapped her slender arms around that man, and rested her chin on his shoulder.
Drip...
A small droplet of water dampened Ye Li's shoulder.
"Li… I'm not sick…"
"Mm."
On the intertwined faces of the man and the beauty—
A faintly mischievous smile flickered across.
Plan accomplished.
Now, he could relax~