When Xia Xiaolan discovered someone knocking, she opened the door to find two drunks supporting each other.

Shao Guangrong could barely straighten his tongue as he spoke, “Sister-in-law, Kang Wei got his heart broken.”

“Heartbroken? What nonsense are you talking about? Kang Wei and Senior Sister Shan were getting along so well—” Xia Xiaolan stopped mid-sentence, unable to continue after seeing Kang Wei’s state. Shao Guangrong wouldn’t joke about something like this.

The quadrangle courtyard at Shichahai had an abundance of rooms if nothing else. With the original floor heating system, as long as coal was burning in the kitchen, every room stayed warm. Shao Guangrong dumped Kang Wei in the guest room and then washed his own face, which helped him sober up considerably.

Only when sober could he explain the situation?

When Shao Guangrong revealed the reason for Shan Yujun and Kang Wei’s breakup, Xia Xiaolan was quite surprised: “Senior Sister Shan signed up for the ‘Young Eagles Taking Flight’ program and specifically requested a remote, underdeveloped area?”

These young people were all so passionate!

Xia Xiaolan knew the “Young Eagles Taking Flight” program would attract many university students. She had just convinced Yang Yonghong not to join, but now Shan Yujun had jumped in.

The most awkward part was that she had proposed this program herself!

Could she persuade Shan Yujun?

Shan Yujun’s situation was different from Yang Yonghong’s. The “focus on studies” argument wouldn’t work on Shan Yujun. Though both studied Civil Engineering, Shan Yujun was Yang Yonghong’s senior. While Yang Yonghong was at a crucial point in her studies, Shan Yujun had already learned enough. Even without joining the “Young Eagles Taking Flight” program, Shan Yujun would start her work internship next semester anyway.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t know Shan Yujun’s family background, but even if they weren’t particularly powerful or wealthy, they were at least well-off.

How else could someone develop such gentleness and refinement?

Those from humble backgrounds, constantly worried about making ends meet, rarely developed Shan Yujun’s relaxed and graceful demeanor.

Those from humble backgrounds were more like Xia Xiaolan.

Like Yang Yonghong.

Like Little Yu.

But never like Shan Yujun.

This meant Shan Yujun’s family didn’t urgently need her support, and she had gotten into Huaqing University… While Yang Yonghong carried heavy burdens, Shan Yujun traveled light. If she wanted to live idealistically, who was Xia Xiaolan to interfere?

She wasn’t even that close to Shan Yujun.

“What does Kang Wei want, for me to cancel Senior Sister Shan’s application? No way, if we do that, Senior Sister Shan will never reconcile with Kang Wei.”

That would be too disrespectful. Putting herself in their shoes, if Xia Xiaolan had applied and someone used underhanded methods to cancel it, regardless of their reasons, she wouldn’t have understanding.

Other people’s lives and choices were their own. She could offer advice, like she did with Yang Yonghong, but the final choice remained with Yang Yonghong.

Even then, it was only because Yang Yonghong had approached her first for consultation that Xia Xiaolan shared her thoughts.

Shan Yujun had strong opinions of her own – she hadn’t even told her boyfriend until the very end. Shan Yujun wouldn’t change her mind.

So if Kang Wei still wanted to be together, he would have to compromise.

Xia Xiaolan frowned. Senior Sister Shan seemed so gentle, but who knew she could be so assertive? Appearances really could be deceiving.

Seeing Xia Xiaolan’s dilemma, Shao Guangrong shrugged: “Kang Wei just wanted to drink his sorrows away with me. He didn’t even say whether he wanted to reconcile.”

If they can’t reconcile, then break up.

Should Kang Wei compromise endlessly?

Better to make a clean break!

That was Shao Guangrong’s thought, though he couldn’t tell this to Kang Wei. But surely he could think it to himself.

Xia Xiaolan had a headache. “If we don’t even know what Kang Wei wants, why did you come to me?”

Sure, she had proposed the “Young Eagles Taking Flight” program, but that didn’t mean Kang Wei and Shan Yujun’s breakup should be blamed on her! If their relationship had problems, without this program, something else would have caused issues.

Shao Guangrong laughed sheepishly, “Sister-in-law Xiaolan, I was thinking maybe you could give Kang Wei more work to do. I think he’s just too free, that’s why he’s drinking over his broken heart.”

“…You are like a brother to him!”

Was this a good method?

It was perfect!

Without love, he could focus entirely on his career.

But maybe Kang Wei and Senior Sister Shan were just fighting – it was too early to conclude.

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help but add: “People who’ve had many girlfriends really are different, so experienced in handling these situations.”

Shao Guangrong’s expression changed slightly.

“Sister-in-law, that was all just youthful foolishness, just messing around. What girlfriends? I’ve forgotten their names and faces!”

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t be bothered to argue with him and changed the subject:

“How is Little Yu’s mother’s condition recently?”

Shao Guangrong shook his head and sighed: “Still the same. I think the chances of her waking up are very slim, but I don’t dare tell Little Yu that. The doctor told me privately that unless there’s a miracle… Sister-in-law, you know how rare miracles are!”

Indeed, if the probability were high, it wouldn’t be called a miracle.

Xia Xiaolan had seen news reports of coma patients waking up after several years.

But the probability was extremely low – each case was considered a medical miracle.

Even after 30 years, the medical community hasn’t solved this problem. Once a vegetative state persists for several months, cases of recovery are extremely rare.

While not completely hopeless, a vegetative state was still better than brain death.

In a vegetative state, the brainstem still functions. When nutrients are supplied, the body can digest and absorb them, using the energy to maintain bodily functions including breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure.

They can also produce some instinctive reflexes to external stimuli, like coughing, sneezing, and yawning.

However, the patient has no consciousness.

No sensation.

And no ability to think.

Their EEG shows chaotic wave patterns.

This is the difference from brain death, where the entire brain stops working. Brain-dead patients can’t breathe on their own, and their EEG shows a flat line… Once life support is removed, a vegetative patient can hold on, but a brain-dead patient would pass immediately.

In this sense, Little Yu was fortunate – a vegetative state wasn’t the worst outcome.

“At least she can hope for a miracle. No matter how small the chance of a miracle, there’s still hope.”

This hope supported Yu Li in becoming stronger, driving her forward.

Talking about Yu Li’s mother made the conversation suddenly heavy.

Compared to matters of life and death, things like love and breakups… seemed less important.

Kang Wei slept soundly in Xia Xiaolan’s guest room. When he sobered up, it was completely dark outside.

Xia Xiaolan’s family was having a hot pot with lamb tonight. Kang Wei came out rubbing his face, feeling quite embarrassed. Though drunk and confused, he was aware that Shao Guangrong had brought him to Xia Xiaolan’s home. It wasn’t something to be proud of, and now Sister-in-law Xiaolan knew about it too.

How embarrassing to make a scene in front of so many people.

“Kang Wei, you’re awake? Perfect timing, wash your face and come eat.”

Liu Fen called out to him. No one mentioned his breakup, which made Kang Wei quite relieved.

“Aunt Liu, oh, put down the bowl, I’ll do it myself.”

Kang Wei ate his fill of lamb, eating until he was sweating all over, and his heart didn’t feel quite so blocked anymore.