Let me live under everyone's ridicule, never able to lift my head again.
Who are you putting on this act for now?
At that moment, the doctor rushed in with a stretcher. Before pushing me into the operating room, my sister gently rubbed my head, her voice filled with distress.
“Bert, be good. We’ll be right outside. It’ll be over soon.”
The cold surgical instruments pierced into my body, rolling and grinding as if tearing me apart from the inside. My heart turned as cold as the steel pressing against my flesh.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the ward.
The doctor stood by my bed, his voice heavy with regret.
“The patient’s condition was delayed for too long. His pelvis is permanently dislocated. He will likely never walk again.”
“The more serious issue is the severe damage to his lower body functions. He won’t be able to care for himself—he’ll need constant assistance.”
My sister’s eyes turned red, her voice trembling.
“No… this can’t be… How could this happen?”
“Doctor, please! Save my brother! He’s still so young… He can’t—”
Her voice broke. She pulled me into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
“Bert, don’t worry. I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life. If necessary, we’ll go abroad for treatment. No matter what, I’ll make sure you recover.”
Silent tears slid from the corners of my eyes.
I wanted to ask her—
Sister, are you satisfied now?
But before I could speak, her phone rang.
She glanced at the caller ID, and despite her best efforts, a smile crept onto her face. Yet, as if remembering something, she hesitated to leave me alone in the ward.
So, she quickly pulled up a movie on the office computer and hurried out.
Left alone, I instinctively searched through the computer.
And then, I found it.
A private folder labeled [Leo].
I clicked on it.
My screen is filled with thousands of neatly organized photos—pictures of the three of them traveling together during winter and summer vacations.
9,999 photos in total.
Each one is carefully saved by duplicate.
One set documenting what my beloved brother ate and wore that day.
The other set recording the words he spoke and the songs he sang.
And then, I saw another folder—
The photos I had sent them.
Images of me at the school playground, in the cafeteria, in the library.
Every single one of them…
Sitting in the recycle bin.
Deleted.
Not a single one missing.
No wonder.
Every time I suggested traveling together, my sister always said work was too busy.
My younger sister always claimed she had club activities.
They weren’t actually busy.
They were off traveling the world—with him.
And while they were out making memories, I worked tirelessly to get into the School of Economics, pushing myself to excel, thinking I was helping my sister relieve her burdens.
Only for her to effortlessly hand my hard-earned postgraduate admission quota to someone else.
This realization struck like a bolt of lightning—shattering me completely.
I lay motionless in bed for a long time before finally reaching for my phone and dialing my mentor’s number.
“Professor, you mentioned before that you were organizing research projects abroad. I’ve made my decision—I want to join.”
His response was immediate.
“Good! I always told you that you should explore the world instead of being tied down.”
Yes…
For years, I had rejected countless offers from top universities abroad.
I couldn’t bear to leave my sister and younger sister behind.
But now, they have made the choice for me.
“Professor, I’ve truly made up my mind this time. But I have one request—I want my identity permanently erased.”
A brief pause. Then, his voice came back, steady and resolute.
“Understood. When do you want to leave?”
I didn’t hesitate.
“The day after tomorrow.”
“Who’s leaving?”
Before I could end the call, my sister pushed the door open.
Her eyes flashed with unease.
I quickly locked my phone screen and answered calmly.
“Nothing. Just wondering how long it’ll take before I can be discharged.”
