Chapter 353

Realizing that Nathan noticed her hand, Zinnia pressed her lips uneasily.

“It’s almost healed. I’m fine,” she said reassuringly and opened her palm to show him.

Nathan reached out and gently took her hand, his fingers softly brushing over the gauze on her palm.

“Have you changed the dressing?” he asked softly. Now that he was physically weak, Nathan could no longer look after Zinnia in every way.

“I’ve already applied the medicine. It’ll be fine in a couple of days,” Zinnia said nervously.

Nathan looked up at her and asked, “Did Yannis put it on for you?”

With her injured hand, she couldn’t apply the dressing by herself. She hadn’t asked Nathan for help, and since Jackson was almost always in the room keeping watch over him, only Yannis was there to look after her.

“Yeah,” Zinnia replied.

“Are you feeling unwell? You look a bit pale,” Nathan asked with concern.

As he looked up, he noticed how pale she was. He reached out to take her pulse.

“Nathan, no. It’s just…” Zinnia instinctively avoided his hand as he reached to check her pulse, her expression turning slightly awkward.

As Zinnia avoided him, Nathan’s brows furrowed slightly.

Seeing Nathan frown, Zinnia grew nervous. “It’s just… some menstrual cramps,” she said hesitantly.

When Zinnia mentioned her cramps, Nathan immediately understood and didn’t press the matter.

He said softly, “Zinnia, you’re not feeling well, so make sure to get plenty of rest these days, okay? Remember to use a heat patch, avoid cold water, and stay away from drafts. When you’re resting on the small couch this afternoon, wrap yourself in a blanket. And go to bed early tonight; don’t stay up too late. You tend to catch cold easily.”

Nathan’s voice was weak but full of concern. “If you’re really feeling under the weather, make yourself some ginger tea. I can’t look after you anymore, Zinnia. You’ll need to learn to take care of yourself.”

Nathan lowered his gaze, his refined features shadowed with quiet melancholy.

Now, Zinnia has to rely on herself for everything. I’m just a burden to her now. I can’t help her with anything anymore, Nathan thought bitterly.

“Nathan, you’ve looked after me for seventeen years. Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of myself, and I’ll take care of you too.” Zinnia couldn’t bear hearing Nathan’s discouraging words.

She thought firmly, He’s just unwell right now. For seventeen years, he’s selflessly cared for me without complaint. Now that he’s in trouble, it’s my turn to look after him.

Zinnia continued, “I’m not a kid anymore, Nathan. Don’t worry about me. What matters now is for you to rest and recover properly. Once you’re better, remember you promised to cook my favorite dishes for me.”

Right now, what mattered most was Nathan’s health. He shouldn’t worry about her.

Nathan leaned back against the wall, his features softening, and a gentle smile played at his lips. “Alright,” he said.

A thought crossed Nathan’s mind, and the light in his eyes dimmed a little. “Zinnia, isn’t school starting soon? We should head back to Jinston."

Zinnia replied, “Nathan, I’ve taken leave. I’m not going anywhere until you’re fully recovered.”

School started in a week, but Zinnia refused to leave until Nathan fully recovered.

Nathan’s health just wasn’t up for any travel at the moment. Even though Yellowsin was only a few hours away from Jinston, even that short trip would be too much for him to handle.

Nathan said gently, “Don’t worry about my health, Zinnia. Let’s go back to Jinston. You’re in 12th grade now, and you can’t afford to fall behind.”

School was starting soon. She couldn’t keep delaying her studies by staying here in this small town.

Zinnia grinned. “I’ll go back once you’re better. Missing a bit of school won’t matter. My grades weren’t great anyway. Didn’t you say you’d pave the way for me? I’m counting on you to get well and help me plan my future."

Zinnia would never agree to go back. Nathan’s condition was so fragile–he could take a turn for the worse at any moment. She had to stay by his side. If his condition deteriorated, she could at least use the Flowing Technique to save him.

If she agreed to return to Jinston, Nathan would certainly urge her to attend school. And once she started, she wouldn’t be able to stay by his side all the time anymore.

Even if it meant taking leave from school, Zinnia wouldn’t leave Nathan’s side; not until he made a full recovery.

For Zinnia, the 12th grade was just a transitional phase. Whether she attended this final semester or not wouldn’t make much difference.

As long as Nathan was by her side, she knew her future would be secure.

“Don’t you miss your friends?” Nathan asked softly.

Her trust in him was so complete that a faint smile touched Nathan’s eyes.

Zinnia answered honestly, “Of course I miss them, but I can video chat with them. Once you’re better, I’ll go see them in person.”

Do I miss my friends? Well, yeah, a little. But there’s no rush to get together with them. Nathan is what matters most right now, Zinnia thought.

“But what if I never get better?” asked Nathan.

Truth be told, Nathan longed for Zinnia’s care and yet dreaded her dependence.

If the worst were to happen to me, how would she cope–having grown so deeply attached to me? Nathan thought. He shut his eyes briefly, anguish raw in his gaze.

He could clearly feel his body deteriorating day by day. Now, he still had enough strength to talk to her, but soon, he might not even have the energy to sit up. All he could do then would be to lie weakly in bed.

If Zinnia saw me like this, it would break her heart, Nathan thought with a pang.

“No, you will get better,” Zinnia said firmly.

She vowed to herself, I will save him, no matter what.

Yannis asked, “Is Nathan asleep?”

Nathan was exhausted. After chatting with Zinnia for a while, he soon drifted back to sleep.

Zinnia quietly slipped out of the room, just as Yannis was coming up the stairs.

“He’s asleep,” Zinnia replied quietly.

Zinnia’s heart felt heavy. Each day, Nathan’s condition grew worse.

“Where’s Jackson?” Zinnia glanced downstairs, but Jackson was nowhere to be seen.

“He went to ask the doctor about Nathan’s condition,” Yannis said.

Nathan’s health couldn’t depend on Zinnia alone. He also had a specialized medical team monitoring his condition every day.

That morning, the team had run a full checkup on Nathan, and now Jackson was talking to the doctors to see if there were any other ways to save him.

The experimental treatment they’d pinned their hopes on–the seed–still showed no signs of working, so they couldn’t rely on it alone. They needed a backup plan.

Zinnia let out a slow breath. Only when Jackson was gone did her composure finally slip, exhaustion washing over her face.

“Tired?” Yannis asked softly, gently brushing a strand of hair from her shoulder.

“Yannis, do you think… I can really save Nathan?” Zinnia asked, her voice low and muffled with worry.

She leaned back against him, seeking comfort. She glanced at the tightly closed door behind them, anxiety flickering in her eyes.

When it came to Nathan’s condition, Zinnia was truly afraid.

“You can do this. Nathan taught you himself. Believe in yourself, and we all believe in you,” Yannis said firmly, sensing her vulnerability.

Yannis was sure she could save Nathan. If even she couldn’t, then no one in this world could.

After all, she was Nathan’s own student. Of course, she could do it.