Keep Her Safe

My brother missed his college entrance exams twice to give me blood.

On the eve of his third attempt, I fell ill again.

This time, my parents took me to Grandma’s house, determined to give him a future free of sacrifice.

They promised to come back for me when the exams were over.

I wanted him to succeed, too.

But as my body grew cold and my family kept believing I was only asleep, all I could do was wait for them to discover the truth.

Prologue

I was born with severe thalassemia.

My brother missed his college entrance exams twice to give me blood.

Then, on the eve of his third attempt, my anemia brought on acute complications again. My ears rang violently. I vomited.

Mom and Dad hardened their hearts and took me to Grandma’s house in the countryside.

Before they left me there, Mom held me tight, her eyes red.

“Ms. Zheng said she won’t take your brother back for another year if he skips the exams this time.

“Wen Zhi, your brother is a person too. He has a future of his own.”

Dad looked exhausted. He sighed.

“We promise we’ll come for you in three days. All right?”

They asked, but they left without waiting for my answer.

I watched the car drive away and brought up more bloody froth.

My body grew colder and colder.

Then a message came from my brother.

“Did you get to Grandma’s, Zhi? Are you feeling okay?”

As my vision rapidly blurred, I clenched my teeth and typed back:

“I’m fine.

“Do your best on the exams. Then come and take me home with Mom and Dad.”

They were right.

My brother was a person too. He had a future of his own.

This time, I wouldn’t hold them back.