Come in 311
Posted on July 09, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
Listen to this chapter:

Chapter 311

โ€œYannis,โ€ Zinnia said gently, โ€œgo on back. Donโ€™t worry about me. Nathan and I will return to the small town.โ€

Nathan only had three months left. Every single moment was precious. Zinnia and the others couldnโ€™t stay in Jinston for long.

In his final days, Nathan longed to return to the small town where he and Zinnia had grown up together.

Whether he could be cured or not, Nathan wanted to spend his remaining days by Zinniaโ€™s side.

The small town was better stocked with medicinal herbs for his treatment.

Yannis was in the midst of his busiest period, but he still wanted to accompany Nathan and Zinnia back. Both of them gently declined his offer.

Yannis said, โ€œHave a safe trip. If anything comes up, call me right away. Iโ€™ve arranged for a top medical team to accompany you back.โ€

Though both Nathan and Zinnia were skilled in medicine, having a medical team on standby remained essential.

โ€œSure,โ€ Zinnia replied. Both she and Nathan understood Yannisโ€™ good intentions and didnโ€™t decline.

โ€œZinnia, Iโ€™ll wait for you on the plane,โ€ Nathan said, turning slightly as he noticed Yannisโ€™ gaze lingering on her.

โ€œLet me help you up, Nathan,โ€ Zinnia said softly as she reached out to steady him.

It was cold now. Nathan was bundled up in a black down jacket, a gray scarf wrapped around his neck and half-covering his mouth and nose, revealing only his pale, sickly face.

Without medication to suppress his symptoms, his frailty was painfully evident. His gait was unsteady, and his clothes hung loosely on his thin, hollow frame, as if they were empty sacks.

Nathan chuckled softly, โ€œNo need. Take your time saying goodbye to Yannis. Weโ€™ll come back when we can.โ€ He gently ruffled Zinniaโ€™s hair.

Nathan made his way onto the plane while Zinnia and Yannis watched him with concerned eyes.

They both knew Nathan didnโ€™t want them treating him like someone who needed constant care.

Zinnia looked up at Yannis, her gaze lingering on his handsome features, and said softly, โ€œWhen you go back, please take good care of yourself.

โ€œEat regular meals, and donโ€™t just brush them off, or youโ€™ll end up hurting your health.โ€

After he helped them out all this time, dark circles had formed visibly under Yannisโ€™ eyes, a clear sign of his exhaustion. Yannis was worried not only about Zinnia but also about Nathan.

โ€œDonโ€™t worry about me,โ€ Yannis said softly. โ€œWhen you get back, make sure to eat well. As for Nathanโ€™s condition, rest assured.

โ€œWeโ€™ll do everything we can. Iโ€™ve already sent people to look for the medicine. You need to take good care of yourself, too. Only then can you help Nathan.โ€

As he spoke, Yannis gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind Zinniaโ€™s ear, his gaze lingering on her thin face, unable to hide the concern in his eyes.

These past days had taken their toll. She was visibly thinner, her once round, delicate face now drawn with exhaustion, and her voice was hoarse.

Nathanโ€™s situation had hit her hard. Night after night, she tossed and turned, consumed by thoughts of how to save him. She lost her appetite completely.

No matter how they coaxed her, she could barely eat a thing. Not even her favorite meat could tempt her anymore.

โ€œOkay.โ€ Zinnia lowered her head, her voice hoarse with exhaustion. โ€œYannis, Iโ€™m counting on you to find the medicine.โ€ Zinniaโ€™s usual vitality had visibly drained away.

โ€œDonโ€™t worry,โ€ Yannis said. โ€œIโ€™ll let you know as soon as I get any news.โ€ Even without her asking, Yannis would give it his all.

โ€œHere, this is for you,โ€ Zinnia said. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a box, no bigger than the palm of her hand.

Yannis lowered his gaze. โ€œWhatโ€™s this?โ€

Zinnia said softly, โ€œHereโ€™s your birthday gift. Nathan isnโ€™t well enough for long journeys, and I canโ€™t leave him alone. Iโ€™m afraid I wonโ€™t make it to your birthday celebration, so I wanted to give you your gift in advance.โ€

Nathanโ€™s health was so fragile. He could take a turn for the worse at any moment. Even back in their small town, Zinnia couldnโ€™t bring herself to leave him alone at home.

Yannisโ€™ birthday was just nine days away. Zinnia figured she probably wouldnโ€™t make it in time.

โ€œThanks,โ€ Yannis replied, accepting the birthday gift.

Zinnia looked at him. โ€œYouโ€™re not allowed to open it early, okay? You have to wait until your birthday to unwrap it.โ€

Yannis gently patted her head. โ€œAlright, I promise I wonโ€™t open it before my birthday. Donโ€™t worry about my birthday. Just take care of yourself. That would be the greatest gift for me, okay?โ€

Worried she might blame herself for not keeping her promise, Yannis leaned down, met her eyes, and gave her a gentle, reassuring smile.

Zinnia gazed into his beautiful eyes and nodded softly. โ€œIโ€™ll take good care of myself. You must do the same, Yannis.โ€

โ€œMr. Perkins, itโ€™s almost time.โ€ Toby reminded him. Zinnia and Nathan were about to board the plane back to Yellowsin.

โ€œGot it.โ€ Yannis nodded. He looked down at her again and said softly, โ€œIf you need anything after you get back, just call me, okay? Iโ€™ll come find you as soon as I finish up here.โ€

โ€œOkay.โ€ Zinnia nodded, pressing her lips together. โ€œYannis, Iโ€™m leaving.โ€

โ€œGo on,โ€ Yannis said softly, watching as she made her way toward the plane, step by step.

Zinnia could feel Yannisโ€™ gaze lingering on her back, her steps unconsciously slowing. Suddenly, she came to an abrupt halt. Without thinking, she spun around and dashed straight toward Yannis.

Yannis was caught off guard as Zinnia suddenly threw her arms around him, her petite frame nestled against his chest. He lowered his gaze and gently wrapped his arms around her. โ€œWhatโ€™s wrong?โ€ he murmured.

โ€œYannis, promise me youโ€™ll take care of yourself.โ€ Zinnia rested her head against his chest, nuzzling him like a tired kitten, her voice soft and weary.

Yannis lowered his head, resting his chin gently on top of her hair as he tightened his embrace. โ€œAlright, I promise. You must take care of yourself, too. When Iโ€™m done here, Iโ€™ll come find you.โ€

โ€œOkay,โ€ Zinnia murmured.

Realizing it was time, Zinnia stepped out of his embrace. This time, she left without hesitationโ€”without looking back, without turning around.

Yannis stood at the back, watching as the airplane door slowly closed. Only when it was completely shut did Zinnia finally let out a shaky breath, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Nathan approached her and said softly, โ€œZinnia?โ€

โ€œNathan,โ€ she replied. Seeing him, Zinnia quickly wiped the tears from her eyes.

Nathan looked at her and said gently, โ€œIf youโ€™re reluctant to leave, then we wonโ€™t.โ€ If she wanted to stay in Jinston, then that was where theyโ€™d stay.

Zinnia shook her head lightly. โ€œNo, I want to go back to the small town.โ€ Compared to Jinston, the small town truly felt like home for both Zinnia and Nathan.

Given Nathanโ€™s fragile health, returning to familiar surroundings was the best thing for him. Still, Zinnia found it hard to say goodbye to Yannis.

Nathan gently wiped the tear from her cheek with his thumb and whispered, โ€œWeโ€™ll be back.โ€

Zinnia nodded. โ€œYes.โ€ They would returnโ€”of that she was certain.

They took their seats in silence. It would be a four-hour flight to Yellowsin.

Yannis made his way to the observation deck and watched as the plane slowly ascended into the sky, his eyes following it every step of the way.

After this departure, it was likely they wouldnโ€™t see each other for a long time. Zinnia couldnโ€™t leave Nathanโ€™s side. Nathanโ€™s condition could deteriorate at any moment.

As the year drew to a close, Yannis was swamped with all kinds of tasks and still had to search for the medicine. He was stretched impossibly thin.


Please let us know if you find any errors, so we can fix them.