Deterioration (Lily ABO) - Chapter 9

Huo Ci was in class when her phone vibrated nonstop in her pocket.

It was Huo Ningxian calling, who never contacted her during class.

Something urgent must have happened.

Huo Ci slipped out the back door and answered, “Hello, Sis, what’s wrong?”

“Xiao Ci, come to the central hospital now. Mommy’s critically ill.”

“What? Wasn’t Mommy healthy?”

“Just come to the hospital. I’ll explain then.”

“Okay, I’m heading there now.”

Without packing her bag, Huo Ci hung up and ran.

After getting a taxi, she sent a WeChat message asking a classmate to grab her bag.

Her heart pounded the whole way, her mind racing with guesses about Mommy’s illness, growing more anxious and sad.

She finally reached the hospital, paid the driver, and sprinted until she saw Huo Ningxian outside the operating room.

Huo Ci asked, panting, “Sis, what’s wrong with Mommy?”

Huo Ningxian explained, “Rheumatic heart disease. Valve damage caused enlarged heart chambers, deforming the heart. It’s failing and needs a transplant. We thought she had a year, but it suddenly worsened…”

Huo Ci shouted, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? You lied, saying they were on vacation.” Mommy’s condition was so serious, yet Huo Ningxian and their mother hid it. The thought of possibly losing Mommy made Huo Ci lash out.

“Mommy didn’t want me to tell you. She said it wouldn’t help and would distract you from studying.”

“At a time like this, you’re worried about that?”

When their grandmother passed, Huo Ci was young and didn’t understand.

This was her first brush with serious illness and death as an adult, and the sudden blow made her cry.

But Huo Ci was strong-willed.

She cried quietly, then cleared her throat and asked, “Does Mommy’s condition only need a heart transplant? No other way?”

“No.”

“Is finding a matching heart hard?”

“Yes, chances are slim.”

They sat quietly on chairs, waiting.

Before the operating room opened, Tang Xiao arrived, breathless, looking as bad as Huo Ci.

“How’s your mom?”

Huo Ci didn’t look up or speak, too upset to care.

Huo Ningxian answered, “She’s in surgery. We don’t know yet.”

Tang Xiao put her arm around Huo Ningxian’s shoulders.

“Don’t worry. She’ll be okay.”

“I hope so.”

Tang Xiao stayed with Huo Ningxian, holding her, letting her lean on her shoulder.

This comforted Huo Ningxian in a way Huo Ci couldn’t.

Mommy’s stay in the central hospital, access to top doctors, and survival this long were thanks to Tang Xiao’s help.

The surgery ended, and the doctor reassured them Mommy was out of danger but needed ICU observation for a few days.

Tang Xiao didn’t rest, tirelessly searching for a heart donor.

Her efforts paid off, and a matching heart was found.

Huo Ci knew she couldn’t help much but refused to rest, staying close to Tang Xiao and Huo Ningxian, tracking Mommy’s condition and every word from the doctors.

When she heard the surgery costs, Huo Ci was stunned.

Tang Xiao didn’t flinch, saying money wasn’t an issue as long as the surgery happened soon.

Huo Ci felt grateful to Tang Xiao and understood why Huo Ningxian stayed with her.

Money was crucial, especially in illness—it sustained life.

Tang Xiao was wealthy, cared for Huo Ningxian, and spent generously, making her a rare partner.

Reflecting on her pride and laziness after entering a top university, Huo Ci felt ashamed.

Maybe she was the one who should leave Huo Ningxian.

When Mommy was discharged, Huo Ci decided to study harder.

The surgery succeeded, and Mommy recovered well.

After discharge, Mommy and their mother returned to their hometown.

Huo Ningxian and Huo Ci took leave to care for them.

Once Mommy stabilized, they returned home.

They could finally breathe.

At home, after a shower, Huo Ci didn’t hold back as usual.

She climbed into Huo Ningxian’s bed, snuggling into her arms, savoring her gentle embrace one more time.

“Tired lately, huh?”

“No, you’re the one who’s exhausted. Mommy was in the hospital for six months, and you never told me. Don’t hide things or handle them alone anymore. We’re family. I can share the burden.”

“Okay, Xiao Ci’s grown up and can share with me now. I won’t hide things anymore.”

“Tang Xiao helped us a lot. Be respectful to her, okay?”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Sis, do you really love Tang Xiao?”

“I… I thought I wouldn’t, just using her for a promotion. But the more we’re together, the more I think she’s great. I do like her, but I can’t forget you. I’m awful, liking two people…”

To her closest sister, Huo Ningxian confessed her heart.

She knew it was wrong but couldn’t control her feelings.

She wanted both.

“Tang Xiao’s really good. I can see she’s sincere. If you choose her, I’ll support you.”

“I was troubled at first, but Tang Xiao offered a solution. She’s privileged, never short of partners, and switches often. She was kind to me initially out of courtesy. But after learning I like you, she changed. She seems to really like me now, and I think she’s interested in you too.”

Huo Ci felt uneasy at Huo Ningxian’s blunt words but didn’t deny or confirm.

“You feel it too, right, Xiao Ci? Do you like her?”

“I… I don’t know.”

“No rush to answer. Don’t force yourself for me or suppress your feelings. Xiao Ci, I want you to be happy always.”

“Enough about her. Let’s talk about us.”

“What?”

“When did you start liking me?”

“Since you were born, I guess.”

“Don’t joke. I’m serious.”

“I’m serious too. That day on the couch, when I went down on you, you were awake, right?”

“Yeah…”

“That wasn’t the first time.”

“What?”

“It wasn’t my first time kissing you there. When you were about one, after a bath, I saw your cute little thing and couldn’t resist kissing it.”

Huo Ci’s crotch tingled.

Before she could react, Huo Ningxian added, “But as I kissed, you peed, right in my face.”

Huo Ci exclaimed, “What? You’re lying!”

It was too embarrassing—she’d peed on her sister’s face as a baby.

Huo Ningxian laughed.

“Why lie about something so embarrassing? Back then, it was just curiosity. I was barely ten. I really started feeling for you in junior high.”

“I started liking you in junior high too. You were prettier than any Omega at school. My sister is the kindest, prettiest, most amazing Omega in the world.”

Huo Ningxian smiled gently.

“Such a sweet talker.”

“Sis, you’re so beautiful.”

After talking, Huo Ci’s urge to leave vanished.

If she could stay with Huo Ningxian forever, she wouldn’t mind sharing her with Tang Xiao or even liking Tang Xiao.

Each breath carried Huo Ningxian’s scent.

Though they used the same toiletries, Huo Ci loved her sister’s smell more.

Even as sisters, Huo Ningxian drew her in.

Huo Ci murmured, “Sis… you smell so good…”

Nestled in her sister’s arms, breathing her fragrance, Huo Ci’s exhaustion melted away, her body stirring.

Huo Ningxian touched Huo Ci’s forehead.

“You’re so hot. Fever?”

Huo Ci, shy and helpless, buried her face in Huo Ningxian’s chest.

“No, I’m in heat.”

Huo Ningxian laughed, “You’re going into heat a lot lately.”

Huo Ci looked up, pouting, “It’s your fault, Sis.”

“What did I do?”

“You’re too beautiful, tempting me. You’re too delicious…”

Huo Ningxian teased, “Ugh… you… mm… little wolf…”