THE REAL PROTEGE

"Fatty was pulled from the wreck with a ruptured cervical ligament, a compound tibial fracture, and a dislocated patella," Pharsa said, her voice uneven. "The impact was severe — the force of the crash caused rotational trauma, worsening the ligament tear in his neck. He suffered serious injuries from the crash, but…"

Pharsa hesitated, the words catching in her throat.

Shi Min stepped in, his voice carrying the weight of the discovery. "We found something unexpected. A blessing in disguise."

Ling Li's sharp gaze fixed on him, her expression unreadable.

Shi Min straightened, adjusting his gloves with careful precision before delivering the news. "Mom," he began, his tone measured but firm, "during the cerebral angiography, I identified two large intracranial aneurysms — ones we weren't aware of before. One is pressing dangerously close to the middle cerebral artery, and if it ruptures…"

He didn't need to finish. The silence that followed was heavy.

Ling Li's fingers curled ever so slightly, a flicker of tension passing through her usually composed demeanor. She did not react outwardly, but the weight of the revelation settled deep in her mind.

Shi Min pressed on, his voice now steadier but carrying a thread of urgency. "I managed the worst of it using endovascular coiling, stabilizing the vascular integrity without compromising blood flow. But there are two smaller saccular aneurysms I didn't touch — they were too delicate to recoil without creating a perfusion deficit. If I interfered, there would be no viable pathway for cerebral circulation."

A sharp inhale.

Shi Min's eyes locked onto his mother's. "I'm leaving this part to you."

He exhaled, settling his hands at his sides as he continued, "And the cervical ligament rupture — it's extensive. If we don't intervene carefully, we risk affecting his atlantoaxial stability, which could lead to long-term complications."

Ling Li stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over Fatty's unconscious form. The rhythmic beeping of the monitors filled the sterile air, each pulse a confirmation that time was still on their side — for now.

An accident.

A recklessness born from adrenaline.

But now, an even greater battle to fight.

Ling Li nodded once, her stance unwavering.

"Let me see the full preoperative and postoperative scans," she ordered.

Shi Min swiftly handed her the medical imaging reports. Ling Li studied them with razor-sharp focus, her mind processing each detail — the trajectory of blood flow, the integrity of the vascular structures, and the strain on the cervical spine.

Silence stretched in the room as she absorbed the data, her mind already mapping out the course of action.

Finally, she exhaled, cool and confident.

Ling Li's gaze remained steady as she studied Shi Min, reading the weight of exhaustion in his stance — the way his shoulders carried the burden of the battle fought inside this sterile chamber.

"Son, you did well," she said, her voice firm but carrying an unmistakable thread of maternal pride.

"The surgery was executed perfectly. There is no need for further intervention." She let the tension settle for a moment before delivering her next words with precision.

"I will handle the rest through integrated acupuncture therapy and manual manipulation techniques."

Shi Min exhaled, relief flashing across his features for the briefest of moments. He had made the right call. He had protected the vascular integrity without compromising cerebral perfusion. But he knew — his mother's methods would be just as calculated, just as precise. He gave a slight nod, trusting her expertise without hesitation.

Pharsa, still grappling with the weight of what had happened, clutched her arms tightly as though trying to contain the anxiety threatening to unravel her. Guilt still lingered — sharp, unforgiving— but she didn't question Ling Li's decision.

Ling Li never spoke without certainty.

"Send him to his ward," she instructed, her tone carrying finality — an unspoken command that left no room for doubt.

The room snapped into motion.

Nurses moved swiftly, efficiently disconnecting the vascular monitoring systems, securing the cervical brace, and preparing Fatty for transfer. The overhead surgical lights cast stark reflections on the gleaming instruments, now unnecessary — at least for this battle.

Ling Li remained still, watching as they wheeled Fatty out, her expression unreadable—yet her mind moved with sharp calculation.

One accident.

One revelation.

One choice that might alter Fatty's future forever.

Ling Li flexed her fingers briefly before stripping off her surgical gloves with smooth precision, each movement methodical, decisive, and unyielding.

Without another word, she stepped away, already strategizing her next move.

Shi Min and Pharsa fell into step behind her, trailing in her wake — silent but ready.

Ling Li stood at Fatty's bedside, her fingers hovering just above his pulse points, feeling the faint rhythm beneath her touch. His breathing was stable, but the tension in his muscles — especially around his neck and spine — was undeniable. His body had absorbed the trauma in ways that surgery alone could not fully correct.

Shi Min, Mushu, and Pharsa stood nearby, watching as she assessed him.

Without looking up, she spoke, her voice measured, precise.

"There are two main problems remaining - the cervical ligament rupture and the small untreated aneurysms in his brain. Surgery could further disrupt vascular flow, but acupuncture will allow controlled stimulation of his autonomic nervous system to regulate blood circulation naturally."

She reached for a tray of sterile golden acupuncture needles entrusted to her by Shen Sei. Holding one between her fingers for emphasis.

"Integrated acupuncture therapy combines traditional meridian points with modern neurological targeting. By inserting needles at specific points, I can regulate his cerebral blood flow and prevent excessive strain on his vascular integrity. In short, we control his body's natural healing response."

Shi Min's gaze flickered toward the tray. "And the torn ligaments? The instability in his cervical spine?"

Ling Li nodded, shifting her stance. "That's where manual manipulation techniques come in. The trauma has caused misalignment in his cervical vertebrae, which could lead to chronic pain and mobility issues if left untreated. Rather than surgery, I'll use gentle but targeted mobilization — adjusting his cervical spine through controlled pressure and movement."

Pharsa frowned slightly, watching closely. "How will that work without damaging him further?"