Chapter 279

Mrs. Wu held a teacup in both hands, her eyes red-rimmed as she gazed at Luna. "Dr. White, we swallowed our pride and came with Instructor Smith just to thank you in person. If you hadn’t saved our little Nini, my husband and I wouldn’t have been able to go on living." Her voice trembled, fingers shaking as she recalled the day her daughter had fallen ill.

Luna quickly clasped Mrs. Wu’s hands. "Please don’t say that. I’m a doctor—saving lives is my duty. I would’ve done the same for anyone in that situation."

Nini stood on tiptoe, straining to reach the slices of lamb in the hot pot, her little face flushed with effort. Mrs. Wu swatted her hand away. "You greedy little thing, you’ll burn yourself!"

"Mean Mommy!" Nini pouted, tears welling in her eyes.

Luna chuckled and piled a generous portion of lamb into the girl’s bowl. "Here, sweetheart. Eat slowly—I’ll help you."

Instantly cheered, the little girl dug in with gusto. Jiao Yang watched his daughter, his heart aching. He subtly wheeled his chair back, trying to hide his paralyzed legs from view.

"Jiao, what kind of work do you do now?" Luna asked suddenly.

His face stiffened. "I... make paper boxes at home," he muttered, lowering his head as if wishing the ground would swallow him.

Mrs. Wu jumped in. "He’s got real talent! His boxes are sturdier than the factory-made ones!" She pulled a few neatly crafted boxes from her bag. "See, Dr. White? He made these."

Luna examined them closely, her eyes lighting up. "Jiao, with skills like these, you could open a small shop! The university district is always short on gift packaging—students would love these."

Jiao’s head snapped up, hope flickering in his eyes before dimming again. "But with my condition..."

"Your legs may not work, but your hands are perfectly fine," Luna cut in. "And with Mrs. Wu’s help, I’m sure you’d succeed!"

Nini suddenly raised her greasy little hand. "Daddy’s the best! His boxes can hold soooo many candies!"

Everyone laughed. Under his wife and daughter’s hopeful gazes, Jiao finally gave a firm nod.

As they prepared to leave, Mrs. Wu insisted on pressing a bag of red dates into Luna’s hands. Unable to refuse, Luna quietly signaled Andrew to slip the New Year’s provisions he’d prepared into their belongings.

Andrew caught her meaning. While helping lift the wheelchair, he discreetly tucked the package into the storage compartment beneath. Their eyes met, sharing a silent understanding.

"Bye, Dr. Luna!" Nini waved vigorously from her mother’s arms.

After seeing the family off, Luna exhaled deeply. Andrew wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "Playing matchmaker and guardian angel—tired?"

She leaned into his embrace. "Every little bit helps. Seeing them... reminds me of my past self."

Night deepened, their shadows merging under the streetlamp, stretching long across the pavement.