After dinner, as it was getting late, the family returned to their rooms to wash up and prepare for bed. Raymond went to the study, with Yannis close behind.
โYannis, you know about Zinniaโs condition, right?โ Raymond asked, as he made coffee.
Yannis nodded and sat down, placing a chess piece on the board.
Raymond placed another piece, looked up, and said, โHavenโt you and Jacksoni been searching for Nathan all this time? Have you ever considered asking Zinnia?โ
Raymond knew Yannis had been searching for Nathan for years. Nathanโs body was never recovered, and Yannis refused to believe he was dead. Raymond hadnโt examined Zinnia before, but a quick check revealed her true condition.
Feeling her pulse, Raymond noticed the unique acupuncture marks specific to the Moore family, along with their distinctive technique. As a leading doctor, his skills were exceptional, and this brief examination revealed something unusual about Zinniaโs health. She was near death, barely clinging to life, when someone miraculously saved her. The heart damage was so severe that only a highly skilled physician could have done so.
A wave of sadness washed over Raymond. Who knows what she endured? he thought, feeling a deep pang of sympathy for her. Richard and his wifeโs deaths had been confirmed, but Nathanโs whereabouts remained unknown.
Raymond mused, In this world, only Nathan could perform this needle technique.
Yannis asked, his face calm and composed, โRoderick said Zinniaโs life was saved by a special needling technique. Was it the Moore familyโs flowing technique?โ
Raymond nodded. โMany have heard of it, but few truly understand it. When I was young, I often discussed medical skills with Richard.โ
Richard had attempted to teach Raymond the flowing technique, but it proved exceptionally complex and profound. Even after years of practice, Raymond never mastered it, a testament to the art's surpassing of ordinary medical expertise.
With Raymondโs confirmation, Zinniaโs healer was undoubtedly Nathan, or someone very close to him.
โZinniaโs health requires close attention. Given your busy schedule, perhaps itโs best she remains here,โ Raymond said, sipping his coffee.
Raymond reflected, Yannis has always been aloof and detached, not particularly caring. Zinniaโs health needs special care. I worry he might be unable to manage it. If Zinnia were healthy, Yannis could hire a housekeeper. But given her fragility, itโs better to bring her here for the care of a nutritionist and our staff.
Yannis took a sip of coffee, teasingly asking, โWorried Iโll mistreat Zinnia?โ
Raymond thought, If not for Yannisโs health issues, how could I leave Zinnia with him and risk her suffering? Doesnโt he realize he can barely care for himself? If he knew how to care for others, why would his health be so poor? Yannis might even compromise Zinniaโs health.
โDonโt worry, I wonโt neglect your precious Zinnia,โ Yannis said softly, smiling. โDidnโt you just check her pulse yourself? Isnโt she well with me?โ
Raymond thought, Zinniaโs health seems fine; in fact, she looks healthier than before. And from what Iโve seen today, she appears quite dependent on Yannis. If Yannis treated her badly, she wouldnโt be so attached. From what I observe, heโs actually caring for her quite wellโbetter than the Shaw family ever did. Alright, Iโll observe for now. If Zinnia is unhappy, Iโll bring her back myself.
โHas your insomnia improved?โ Raymond asked, looking at Yannis with concern.
He then thought, If Zinnia truly learned from Nathan, Yannis has been incredibly fortunate. The Moore familyโs medical expertise is extraordinary. If Zinnia trained under Nathan for over ten years, she should be quite skilled now.
Regarding Yannisโs insomnia, Raymond had tried everything. He even considered acupuncture to aid his sleep. But Yannis remained guarded, never allowing anyone close.
It wasnโt a lack of trust in Raymond; Yannis would lash out at anyone who seemed threatening. He couldnโt help it. Raymond had never been able to induce sleep in Yannis with acupuncture or massage.
As a child, after a traumatic incident, Yannis remained awake for three days, his exhaustion breaking his fatherโs heart. James summoned a doctor for sedatives, but an agitated Yannis nearly attacked the physician.
Finally, while Yannis was distracted, they quickly subdued him and forced him to rest. However, they couldn't continue sedating himโlong-term use would cause significant harm. They resorted to aromatherapy candles in his room to induce sleep without his knowledge.
The aromatherapy candles allowed Yannis some nightly sleep, instead of days of wakefulness. This continued for years, until he eventually developed a resistance. No matter the type of candle, it ceased to work, even in larger quantities.
By then, Yannis was older and more mature. He forced himself to sleep, resting whenever extreme exhaustion overtook him. But Yannis never slept well, his health constantly fragile, barely sustained. They feared a sudden collapse from exhaustion.
That incident left deep, lasting scars; Yannis had never fully recovered.
โYannis,โ Raymond said softly, โitโs time to let go of the past. If your mother knew youโd been suffering from this for over ten years, she wouldnโt want you to carry this burden.โ
Raymond looked at Yannis with tender sadness, noticing his resemblance to Grace. Yannis offered a small, reassuring smile, acknowledging the worry and pain in Raymondโs eyes.
He said, โGrandpa, my health has improved significantly, so donโt worry. I wonโt die soon. I have my little doctor, Zinnia, watching over me and ensuring I take my medicine daily.โ
โDonโt talk about dyingโyouโre going to live a long, healthy life,โ Raymond said affectionately, changing the subject. โNow, give me your hand.โ
โCome on, would I lie to you?โ Yannis said, extending his hand.