Why Can't She Stand Up?

Why couldn’t she stand up?

Qi Ran asked herself. *Because I can’t stand, that’s why I can’t stand.* Even she didn’t believe this nonsense—let alone anyone else.

Su Shiyu lifted Qi Ran back into her wheelchair, face icy. "I heard about your condition from my sister. Your leg injuries healed long ago. You should’ve been discharged a year ago. So why can’t you stand now? Is your psychological block really that severe?"

Qi Ran’s eyes blazed. She clenched her tiny fists, glaring at Su Shiyu. Her throat tightened. Words of protest died before they formed.

"Ah~ You’re dying to snap back: *‘You’re not me! You didn’t survive that crash—you don’t know my pain!’*"

Qi Ran’s already faltering spirit crumbled further. Head bowed, hands braced on her knees, she looked like a scolded kitten.

"I don’t understand. I don’t *want* to understand. I only know you’re dragging Senior down. He’s chained by you—his love life, his work, his dreams… *everything*."

"Senior dropped out of the Provincial Art Academy. He washes cars in town every day just to scrape by. Judging by your shocked face—you had no idea?" Su Shiyu crossed her arms. "He hid it to spare you worry. To stop you from blaming yourself. What if you… did something irreversible? He’d be a *murderer*."

*Murderer.* The word pierced Qi Ran’s heart. The scars on her left wrist throbbed.

*If I’d succeeded back then… would Brother have been free?*

She hadn’t dared to think it then. So childish—to believe vanishing would gift him happiness. She never saw it would only bury him in guilt.

*Could he ever be happy, living alone with that shadow?*

"You’re afraid," Su Shiyu pressed, relentless. "Afraid that once you heal, Senior will abandon you. Afraid he’ll leave when you no longer need him."

"Of course, I’m not asking you to change. Stay exactly as you are—a pitiful little kitten. If Senior can’t care for you alone, two pairs of hands should suffice. I don’t mind feeding another clingy, attention-seeking cat."

"Senior is *mine* now. You just watch from your wheelchair… *sis-ter-in-law*."

Su Shiyu stressed the last three words like a challenge. A boast. A declaration: *Your brother is mine.*

"First—Senior needs water. Hua Wen therapy is clearly the best remedy."

Su Shiyu hopped onto the bed, straddling Qi Yan’s hips. She grabbed the thermos, poured hot water into its cap, and tested it with her tongue. Perfect.

She took a sip, held it in her mouth, then leaned down toward Qi Yan’s parched lips.

The scene froze in Qi Ran’s vision.

*No. No. NO!*

*I won’t lose Brother! I won’t let you take him!*

*Move! DAMN IT, MOVE!*

Qi Ran’s mind screamed. Fists hammered her useless legs. She pinched her thighs hard.

Su Shiyu was right. She *was* despicable—exploiting Brother’s sense of duty. Cowardly. Selfish. Clinging to him like a child afraid of the dark.

Flawed beyond counting. A person who couldn’t survive alone.

Yet Brother accepted every broken piece of her. Without complaint.

*Enough.*

How much more of his lifeblood must she drain? How much more time must she steal?

*Let him go. Set him free.*

*Brother is the one thing I can never lose.*

But now he lay sick in bed. This girl was infuriating—but if she truly cherished him… wouldn’t he find happiness with her?

*As long as Brother lives healthily before my eyes… isn’t that enough?*

But would *she* ever be satisfied with that?

Was this hollow existence what she wanted?

The answer was clear: Brother deserved happiness.

Not handed to him. Not falling from the sky.

Happiness he and Qi Ran would *build* together.

Something inside her dissolved. If it had form, it would be filthy sludge—rotten, stinking.

(In wuxia novels, golden light would burst from her body. The hero would roar at the heavens, then slaughter every foe.)

Qi Ran gripped the wheelchair arms.

She stood.

Ordinary. Unremarkable. Utterly magnificent.

—For half a second.

She crashed forward. Palms scraped raw on the rough floor. Blood beaded. She winced.

The noise made Su Shiyu freeze. She swallowed the water, smirking. "Look at that. You *can* stand when you try."

Qi Ran lifted her head, teeth gritted. Eyes burning with defiance. She pushed off the floor—once, twice—collapsing each time.

Su Shiyu stepped down, hands on hips. "Is that all? Your willpower runs this shallow?"

*Not over yet.* If she had something to lean on—

Her gaze locked on the discarded broom. She grabbed it. Slowly straightened her spine. Lifted her hips. Knees pressed to the floor.

Beads of sweat dotted her forehead. Her breath came in gasps.

*Not enough.*

She pushed harder. Thighs and calves parted. Bare feet met cold floor.

Balance shattered after years without solid ground. She swayed—then fell, clutching the broom.

This time, she landed on the bed. Qi Yan’s body caught her.

"Passable. Barely." Su Shiyu rubbed her sore shoulder. "Senior’s Hua Wen therapy can wait. I’m starving after this morning. I’ll grab breakfast. *Sister-in-law*—you watch him now." She headed for the door.

Outside, Su Shiyu slumped against the door, biting her sleeve. "Ruined. Totally ruined! She’ll tell Senior how I bullied her. My affection points will plummet to *negative*! This is the worst route choice in any otome game! Ahhh… AHHH!"

"But I won’t regret it. If Senior can’t be the villain… I will. The man who smiles only when painting—that’s the Senior I want back."