The morning sun spilled through the tall windows of the Li mansion, painting the polished floors in golden light, yet the warmth of the day could not reach the tension inside. Li Ming stirred weakly under the soft blanket in his crib, a faint murmur escaping his lips. He was pale, fragile, every breath seeming to take immense effort. Zhang Mei hovered beside him, brushing the hair from his forehead with trembling fingers.
"I… I just want him to sleep peacefully," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her eyes never left her son.
Li Wei paced back and forth, jaw tight, fists clenched. "Every day, the same… we've tried every doctor, every hospital… and he's still this weak. I won't let him—" His voice cracked, and he stopped mid-sentence.
The sound of the front doors opening broke the silence. Li Zhen, patriarch of the family, entered first, followed by Li Hua, both carrying an air of authority and concern. Behind them, a man draped in long, flowing robes moved silently —Master Wu, the shaman.
"Father… Mother…" Li Wei's voice held both surprise and tension.
"Li Wei," Li Zhen said in his calm, commanding tone, "I have brought someone. A shaman, recommended by an old friend. Perhaps he can help where our doctors could not."
Li Wei's brows knitted together in disbelief. "Spiritual healers? Do you think he can do what doctors have failed at for years?"
Li Jun, twelve, stepped forward from the corner, concern etched on his young face. "Father… could this… shaman really help? We have doctors trained across the world. How can this… work?"
Zhang Mei clutched Li Wei's arm, eyes pleading. "Jun… please. Li Ming is so weak. We must try everything. Even if it seems unusual… Master Wu might be our only hope. He is our son. He deserves every chance."Li Hua nodded firmly. "Exactly. If there is even a slight chance, we must take it."
Li Zhen looked at his son, then at the room filled with servants, doctors, and anxious relatives. "He is still our grandson. If this man can help, we owe it to him to try."
Li Wei's hands tightened. "Fine… but if this fails…" He let the words trail off as Zhang Mei and Li Jun held his arms, their eyes silently begging him to agree.
"…Alright," he muttered finally. "We will try."The servant stepped forward. "Master Wu is waiting in the car, sir."
"Where is he?" Zhang Mei asked anxiously.
"In the car, madam. Waiting patiently," the servant replied.
Li Jun looked toward his little brother's room and stepped quietly inside. Li Ming stirred, his small hands clutching the blanket. "Jun…?" he murmured weakly, barely lifting his head.
"I'm going to school, little brother," Li Jun said softly, brushing the hair from Li Ming's forehead. He leaned down and kissed the top of his brother's head. "Get well soon. I'll be back before you know it."
Li Ming muttered again, a faint, "Mmm… school… go…" before settling back into the soft folds of his blanket, too weak to move further.