As Xuanye, her department head, and a few others barged in and saw Nian collapsed on the floor, Xuanye immediately squatted down. She pulled Nian into her arms, gently tapping her cheeks as her voice cracked with panic.
"Nian... Nian, don't scare me. Wake up!"
Nian's skin was ice cold, and sweat clung to her forehead. Xuanye, trembling, shouted, "Call an ambulance!"
Lian acted quickly, calling for help. Within minutes, the medics arrived. Nian was rushed onto a stretcher and taken to the hospital. Xuanye and Lian accompanied her, with Xuanye rubbing Nian's hands, sobbing softly, "Please, wake up..."
As they arrived at the hospital, Nian was admitted immediately. Xuanye waited outside, consumed with guilt, tears streaming down her face. She kept blaming herself for not noticing Nian's calls. Lian sat beside her, trying her best to comfort her, but her own eyes were brimming with tears.
Meanwhile, back at the dorm, the boys were on their way home after practice. DK, uneasy and distracted, stared at his phone. The others noticed.
Minghao sat beside him. "DK, what's wrong? You've been staring at her number for so long."
DK's voice was low and heavy. "I want to see Nian, but I can't just show up at her office. There'd be a crowd. Still... something feels wrong. Since last night, I've had this bad feeling."
Minghao gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then call her. We're here for you."
DK hesitated, then pressed her contact. His heart raced with each ring.
At the hospital, Xuanye noticed Nian's phone ringing. She hesitated for a moment, then answered.
"DK?"
He froze. "Xuanye...? Why are you answering Nian's phone? What's going on?"
Xuanye's voice trembled. "DK... Nian... she was locked in a room for two hours. I didn't see her calls... she fainted... I'm so sorry..."
DK's face turned pale. "Where are you? Tell me!"
She gave the hospital's address, and DK immediately stood up.
"She fainted," he said, his voice cracking. "She's in the hospital."
The boys stood in stunned silence. Then Scoups sprang into action. "Driver! Take us to the hospital!"
On the way, Woozi asked, "What happened to her?"
DK whispered, "She was locked inside a room for two hours..."
The members clenched their fists in anger.
Arriving at the hospital in caps and masks, they found the receptionist and rushed toward the ward. There, Xuanye sat, crying softly. Seeing the boys, she broke down, hugging Minghao tightly.
"Hao, it's my fault... I didn't protect her..."
Minghao wrapped his arms around her. "It's not your fault, Ye. She'll be okay."
DK rushed to Xuanye. "Where's Nian? How is she?"
"She's stable now. The doctor said she fainted from stress and exhaustion."
The nurse came out. "You can visit her now, but please be quiet. She's resting."
The group nodded. Xuanye hurried inside with the boys and Lian behind her.
Seeing Nian lying there, Xuanye held her hand, sobbing. "I didn't protect you like a sister should..."
Minghao gently lifted her up. "Leave her to DK. He needs this moment with her. Come on."
The others nodded and quietly left the room, giving DK the space he needed.
DK sat beside Nian, his hands trembling as he held hers. Tears rolled down his cheeks.
"Nian... why didn't you tell me you were struggling? You always told me to talk to you when I had problems... but now you're the one hiding them. I wanted to call you last night, but I didn't want to disturb you... and now..."
His voice broke. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there sooner."
As he wept, Nian slowly stirred. Her eyes fluttered open. She saw him and smiled faintly.
"Loudie... She smiled faintly - i have given you the correct name, even when you cry, you're loud."
DK blinked. "Nian? You're awake?"
She chuckled weakly. "Why are you crying and yelling in a hospital, huh? If the doctors see you like this, they'll throw you out."
Relief washed over him. He leaned in and hugged her tightly. "I was so scared... don't do that again."
She smiled and wiped his tears. "I'm fine now. If you keep crying, I'll stop talking to you."
"Even now, you're teasing me?"
Nian grinned. "I wanted to see your smile."
DK finally smiled, and she gently stroked his forehead. "That's better. Your smile calms my heart."
DK held her hands. "Then don't make me worry like this again."
Nian sat up with his help. "Where's Xuanye?"
"She's outside. She blamed herself."
Nian's eyes filled with tears. "I made her worry too..."
DK patted her head. "You're just like a kid. Don't make yourself or others worry like this."
She chuckled. "You sound like my mother."
DK raised an eyebrow. "When did I become your mother?"
Just then, the nurse knocked. In a panic, Nian pulled DK down and made him lie on her lap. He flailed, startled.
The nurse entered, puzzled. "Are you comfortable?"
Nian nodded. "Just a little tired, that's all."
She glanced at DK, who was still laying awkwardly.
Nian smiled. "He's... emotional. Just ignore him."
As the nurse left with a confused look, DK sat up, catching his breath, while Nian laughed.
He grumbled. "You'll be the death of me."
She smiled warmly. "But you'll live a long, loud life, Loudie."