Rowan's health suddenly took a turn for the worse. He fainted frequently, plagued by bouts of fever, and he could barely eat. The fever dehydrated him so badly that his lips cracked, making him look painfully fragile.
Every morning, Anwen would wheel him to the radiotherapy department. Seeing him slumped in the wheelchair, drained of all strength, her eyes would fill with quiet sorrow.
One time, as she helped him sit up, Anwen noticed how much hair had fallen onto his pillow. She said nothing. Then, during one of her missions, she returned to Heaven.
Ariel spotted her from afar and called out,"So how have things been lately, big sis? Why do you look like you've just lost your rice ration book?"
Anwen walked up to her and asked,"Do you know how to knit?"
"Huh? Knit? But what would you knit? Scarves are easier than sweaters or hats. And winter's almost over, why knit now?"
"A hat," Anwen replied.
"Oh. Yeah, I know how," Ariel said. Seeing Anwen's low spirits, she didn't tease further.
"Then teach me," Anwen said.
"Sure. Do you have yarn?"
"No. But yarn's easy to buy."
"I'll get it for you."
Anwen found that a little strange, but she didn't ask. She went to spend some time with Aunt Lan and the dogs and cats while waiting for Ariel.
"I haven't seen you much lately," Aunt Lan said gently, studying Anwen. "And you seem different, so downcast."
"But no matter what you're going through," she continued kindly, "people have conquered the highest mountain in the world. That means there's nothing that can't be overcome. Stay strong, my child."
Anwen turned to her and smiled."Thank you, Auntie."
Just then, Ariel returned. Anwen said goodbye to Aunt Lan and went over to her.
Ariel handed Anwen a ball of red yarn.
"For you."
Anwen was momentarily surprised as she took it. The yarn was a bright, vivid red, warm and glowing. It felt soft and comforting in her hands.
"Where did you get such beautiful yarn?" Anwen asked.
"You don't need to worry about that. Come here, I'll show you how to knit."
Ariel demonstrated, and Anwen watched intently, memorizing each quick movement of her hands. At first, Anwen was clumsy, she tangled the yarn or slipped the needles the wrong way but eventually she got the hang of it. From then on, she knitted diligently every night. And on New Year's Eve, she finally finished the hat for Rowan.
Anwen was overjoyed. Holding the hat, she felt both moved and excited, this was the result of all her effort. She wondered how Rowan would react when she gave it to him. He would surely look good wearing it; his fair skin suited red so well. Smiling from ear to ear, she happily brought the hat to Rowan's hospital room that afternoon.
The hospital was very quiet, only a few doctors and nurses were on duty, while everyone else had gone home for the holidays. Rowan's room was empty except for him. When Anwen arrived, she saw him sitting by the window.
"Rowan!" she called cheerfully, hiding the hat behind her back as she ran to him. Startled by her voice, Rowan turned around, and his face lit up when he saw her.
"I thought you'd gone home to celebrate the New Year."
Anwen shook her head."No. I'm staying here to welcome the New Year with you."
Standing in front of him, her hands hidden behind her back, Rowan seemed to guess.
"What are you hiding?"
She grinned."I have something for you."
"Oh?" Rowan exclaimed. "What a coincidence, I have something for you too."
Anwen's eyes immediately sparkled."Really? What is it?"
"Give me yours first."
His mysterious tone only made her more curious. Unable to wait, she brought out the hat.
"This is for you. I made it myself."
Rowan took the hat, turning it over in his hands, cherishing it. Then he put it on and looked at Anwen.
"How do I look?"
For some reason, though she was happy, Anwen felt deeply moved. Her eyes stung, and she suddenly wanted to cry.
"It's beautiful. Of course it is."
At that moment, Rowan turned and picked up a painting, handing it to her.
"You've helped me so much, yet I had nothing to give you. My health hasn't been great lately, so all I could do was paint this for you. Do you like it?"
Anwen held the painting and peeled away the wax paper. A faint scent of oil paint drifted out. It was a portrait of Anwen strangely, not set in the hospital, but in Rowan's home, showing her playing with the dogs and cats.
She was stunned."How did you…?"
"I imagined it," he said. "I thought it was beautiful."
Already overwhelmed with emotion, Anwen could no longer hold it in. She stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you so much."
To her, this gift was priceless. An oil painting took immense effort especially for someone ill. The time he could have spent painting commissions, he had instead devoted to painting this for her. She had never seen him work on it; he must have painted it while she was away, just to surprise her.
Tears welled in her eyes."I don't need you to give me anything. I just want you to be healthy."
Rowan froze, startled by her words and her sudden embrace. She let go.
"You spent so much effort on this, it's too much…"
"It's fine," he said awkwardly. "It's for you. As long as you're happy."
Anwen smiled as she examined the painting again. Every detail felt alive. The smile in the painting seemed to spill into real life. In it, she wasn't wearing a nurse's uniform but a purple dress.
"I'll put this away and come right back," she said, turning to leave.
She was so absorbed in the painting that she didn't notice Rowan standing behind her, still dazed, watching her go, his ears faintly red. After she left, Rowan turned to the window and sighed softly, lost in thought.
That evening, after dinner, Anwen and Rowan sat together watching the New Year's Eve comedy show on TV. When it ended, families everywhere went out or gathered together to welcome the new year.
It was cold. The windows were fogged over, the view outside blurred. Anwen was about to stand up and clear the glass with a bit of magic so they could watch the fireworks, when Rowan suddenly spoke.
"Let's go up to the rooftop."
Anwen startled."What?"
Rowan had already thrown off the blanket, preparing to get out of bed. She rushed over to stop him.
"What are you doing?"
"I feel better today. Let's go welcome the New Year on the rooftop."
"No..." she began, but he gently pushed past her and grabbed his coat.
"If we dress warmly, it'll be fine."
Her face paled."It's freezing outside."
He smiled."With warmth in the heart, it's not cold."
"There's frost out there... no..."
"Then we'll take an umbrella."
"That's creepy at night!"
"Then let's just go."
Anwen couldn't stop him. He headed for the door, and she hurried after him, grabbing his hand.
"You can't go."
"If you stop me, I'll only waste more energy," he said calmly.
Reluctantly, she let go. He smiled as if he'd won, then continued. She followed, scolding him all the way.
By the time he spoke again, they were already on the rooftop.
"Look, Anwen. It's beautiful."
She froze. The city below glowed with festive lights strings of colorful bulbs, red lanterns, flower sellers lingering by the roadside, incense drifting from homes. Fires burned warmly against the winter cold, children played, adults gathered, laughter rising.
The streets were lively, but up here, everything was quiet. Both of them gazed down, hearts tightening, breaths slowing.
Suddenly, a firecracker exploded, making Anwen jump. Rowan laughed.
"That was fireworks," he said.
They leaned against the railing together.
"How did you celebrate the New Year before?" Rowan asked. Then he added, "Where's your family? Aren't you calling them?"
Anwen hesitated."I… I don't have a family. I don't remember past New Years."
He misunderstood her sadness and gently stroked her hair.
"It's okay. Heaven must have been kind to let us meet."
"Yes."
They stood together until midnight. As fireworks filled the sky, Anwen spoke softly.
"Rowan."
It was the first time she had ever called him by name.
"From now on… can I be your family?"
He stared at her in silence.
"Can I?" she asked again.
He lowered his head."I'm just afraid you'll be at a disadvantage."
"I won't be. Having one more family member benefits us both," she said gently. "Is that okay?"
He hesitated for a long time. Just as her hope began to fade, he finally answered:
"…Okay."