Chapter 222: Misdiagnosis

Jiang Ran sat down beside him: "When the illness gets better, we'll go home. Jinjin, do you miss your sister?"

"Hmm." Jinjin nodded, "I want to tell sister a story."

Li Huijuan brought the dishes: "Let's eat first. Ranran, RuanRuan, you both also need to take care of your health, don't collapse."

The family ate in silence. Though they had been apart only a few days, the house felt especially quiet without An'an's laughter.

After the meal, Jinjin went to draw.

He said he would paint a picture to give to his sister.

Su Ruan and Jiang Ran sat in the living room, neither speaking.

"Tomorrow..." Su Ruan whispered.

"The results will be out tomorrow," Jiang Ran squeezed her hand, "Whatever the result, we'll face it together."

Su Ruan nodded, leaning on his shoulder.

The third morning, outside the doctor's office.

Jiang Ran and Su Ruan sat on the long bench in the corridor, their hands tightly clasped. Neither spoke, but both palms were sweaty.

"Jiang An's guardian, please come in," the nurse called them.

The two stood up and walked into the office.

The doctor was looking at the report on the computer.

"Please sit," the doctor indicated.

Su Ruan's legs felt a bit weak, Jiang Ran helped her sit down.

"The results are in," the doctor pushed the report over, "After re-examination and expert consultation, the possibility of leukemia has been ruled out."

Su Ruan's eyes widened instantly, "W-what?"

"The abnormal blood routine is caused by an acute viral infection, and the child's sensitive constitution created a leukemia‑like illusion."

The doctor smiled and said, "The bone marrow puncture results are normal, no cancer cells were found."

Jiang Ran clutched the edge of the table, "Doctor, are you sure?"

"Yes," the doctor nodded, "We have consulted the head of hematology, confirming it was a misdiagnosis. The child simply has a common viral infection, which is now improving."

Su Ruan's tears burst forth at once, not from sorrow but from a massive, overwhelming relief.

She covered her mouth, crying with her whole body trembling.

Jiang Ran's eyes reddened too, and he tightly embraced his wife, "It's over, it's fine, it's fine…"

The doctor patiently waited for them to calm down before continuing, "Although leukemia has been ruled out, the child's body is indeed rather weak and needs proper care. I recommend two days of hospitalization for observation; if there is no relapse, discharge is possible."

"Thank you, doctor, thank you…" Su Ruan choked, not knowing what else to say beyond thank you.

Coming out of the doctor's office, the two embraced tightly in the corridor.

Jiang Ran buried his face in Su Ruan's shoulder; Su Ruan could feel him trembling.

"So good…" Jiang Ran's voice choked, "So good…"

"Hmm." Su Ruan sobbed, nodding, "So good."

After their emotions settled a bit, the two immediately returned to the ward.

An'an was playing a puzzle with Jinjin, and when she saw dad and mom come in, her eyes were red.

"Dad, Mom, what did the doctor say?" An'an whispered, "Do I have to stay hospitalized forever?"

Su Ruan rushed over, hugging her daughter tightly, "No, sweetheart, no! Your illness is almost cured, you'll be discharged soon!"

An'an was stunned, "R-really?"

"Really!" Jiang Ran also came over, pulling his wife and daughter into his arms, "The doctor said An'an just has a common cold; a few days of injections and she'll be fine!"

"Then... I don't have to get the painful injections?" An'an asked.

"No need," Su Ruan kissed her daughter's little face, "Just two more days of injections, then we'll go home."

"Yay!" An'an finally smiled, a genuine, relaxed smile.

Jinjin also smiled; though she said nothing, she clearly breathed a sigh of relief.

Su Ruan quickly called home. Li Huijuan heard the news and cried on the phone.

"So good... so good... I'll tell Grandma right away, tell her this good news!"

After hanging up, Su Ruan called Jiang Jiaojiao again.

Jiang Jiaojiao, after listening, also cried, "I knew... I knew An'an was fine... I'm coming right away!"

Half an hour later, the whole family arrived at the hospital. The tiny ward was packed with people, but everyone wore a smile.

"Great-grandmother's little sweetheart!" Jiang Nainai stroked An'an's head, "You scared Great-grandmother terribly."

"I'm sorry, Great-grandmother," An'an whispered.

"What are you apologizing for?" Jiang Nainai's eyes reddened, "As long as you're okay, that's all."

Jiang Jiaojiao held Yuan Yuan, "Look, sister came to see her big sister."

The one‑month‑old Yuan Yuan blinked her big eyes, looking at the sister on the bed.

An'an carefully touched her sister's tiny hand, "Sister is really small."

"When Yuan Yuan grows up, she'll play with her sister," Yan Shen said with a smile.

Li Huijuan brought the snack An'an loves. Although the doctor said to keep a light diet, today was an exception.

"Here, have something," Li Huijuan fed her granddaughter, "You haven't been eating properly these past few days."

An'an opened her mouth obediently and took several bites.

Watching this, Su Ruan leaned on Jiang Ran's shoulder and whispered, "It feels like we just had a nightmare."

"Now the dream is over," Jiang Ran kissed her hair, "Everything is fine."

Two days later, An'an was discharged.

The day we returned home, the sunshine was especially bright.

An'an wore new clothes, held a doll, and sat in dad's arms.

Jinjin held Mom's hand, excited all the way.

"We're home! Little sister is home!"

The house had already been tidied spotless, and Li Huijuan even specially cooked the dishes An'an loves.

Although the doctor said the food should be light, today is a celebration, so we make a small exception.

At the dining table, the family sat together.

An'an sat between dad and mom; although the complexion was still a bit pale, the smile was radiant.

"This time really scared us to death," Jiang Jianguo said, "From now on we must watch our health and not get sick again."

"Mm." An'an nodded vigorously, "I'll eat well from now on and not be picky."

"Little sister is really well-behaved," Jinjin said.

After the meal, Su Ruan and Jiang Ran gave An'an a bath. Having not had a proper wash for several days, the little girl was so comfortable she cooed.

"Mom, the water is really warm."

"Do you like it?"

"I like it." An'an leaned against Mom's chest, "Mom, when I was sick, were you and dad scared?"

Su Ruan's hand paused: "We were a bit scared. But dad and mom know An'an will definitely be fine."

"I know that too," An'an said seriously, "because dad and mom are by my side."

Jiang Ran listened nearby, his eyes wet again. He leaned down and kissed his daughter's face: "Yes, dad and mom are always by An'an's side."

After the bath, they soothed An'an to sleep, then soothed Jinjin to sleep. Su Ruan and Jiang Ran returned to their own room, exhausted, but feeling relieved.

"Finally..." Su Ruan collapsed onto the bed, "I can finally have a peaceful sleep."

Jiang Ran lay beside her, pulling her into his arms: "These three days felt as long as three years."

"Mm." Su Ruan rested against his chest, "But thankfully, everything is over now."

"From now on we must pay more attention to the children's health," Jiang Ran said, "regular check-ups, enhanced nutrition."

"Okay."

The two lay quietly for a while. Jiang Ran's hand began to wander restlessly around her waist.

"Jiang Ran..." Su Ruan whispered in protest, "I'm tired..."

"Just a hug," Jiang Ran chuckled softly, "let's celebrate a bit."

He said it was just a hug, but a kiss still landed.

The kiss was gentle and lingering, carrying the gratitude of surviving the ordeal and deep love.

"Jiang Ran..." Su Ruan wrapped her arms around his neck, "I love you."

"I love you too," Jiang Ran kissed her deeply, "forever."