In the Next Life

"But the truth is… I was never really that pitiful. I still had my brother, and my friends…" I said.

A gust of wind howled through the cracks of the run-down rental. I pulled the blanket tighter around myself as silent tears rolled down my cheeks.

My reddened hand was suddenly wrapped in warmth. William had reached out, his gaze steady and serious.

"I've saved up a bit. Let's go to the hospital tomorrow and start your treatment, okay?"

I sniffled, then let out a soft laugh. "You don't even have a hundred followers on your channel yet, and you still share instant noodles with me every day. How much could you possibly have saved?"

His fingers curled into fists on the faded denim covering his knees. "It's… enough to help a little."

"No need," I said with a smile. "Actually, I have good news. I've saved up two thousand dollars. That's enough for one round of chemo."

William blinked in surprise. Then, he smiled. "Is it enough? I can chip in too."

I shook my head stubbornly. "No need. I never accept help from others."

I tilted my chin up with pride, shooting him a grin. "Relax. I'm earning enough now to cover my meds. Look, these are what I bought with my salary."

I scooped up a handful of colorful pills, tossed them back, and swallowed without hesitation. Then I frowned, falling into a long silence as I pressed a hand to my chest and finally exhaled in relief.

When I looked up, William was staring at me. His eyes were faintly red at the corners.

I let out a sudden laugh. "Impressed?"

He lowered his gaze. His smile was soft, but it carried a quiet bitterness. "Yeah."

…

[In the Next Life — December 31, 2023, 11:45 PM — I Hope You Live a Long Life, Part Two]

The camera rolled on the two of us, full and warm after dinner, nestled on the couch waiting for the New Year countdown.

William turned to me. "Is that really all you're eating?"

"My stomach hurts," I said, weary. "Any more and I'll throw up."

He was silent for a moment before speaking again, "Ben… he succeeded. His new project made tens of millions."

I kept my eyes shut. "I know."

"You should go back to him. He could afford to cure you."

I shook my head.

"Why not? Do you really want to die like this?"

I opened my eyes and looked at him. "Did you think, when I cut ties with him, I still had hope I'd survive?"

That left him speechless. He took a deep breath before asking, voice trembling, "Why cut him off? Wouldn't it be better if he faced this with you?"

I gave a soft, bitter laugh. "Our parents had always taught us to be independent. To not accept help from others. But our family was always helping all our relatives."

My voice was calm, but my hands clenched beneath the blanket.

"Yet when my brother went bankrupt, not a single one of our relatives lifted a finger. Do you know what it felt like… watching him bow and scrape, begging them to help pay for my tuition?"

I choked on a breath, teeth clenched. "My brother… he never begged. But after that rejection, he took me to a tiny rental—barely twenty square meters, not unlike this place. And he told me, even with nothing, he'd get us back to where we were. That's the brother I admire. Even with nothing, he'd never give up his pride."

I turned to look at him, tears sparkling in my eyes. "Now guess, what do you think he'd do if he found out I was sick?"

William couldn't answer.

"He'd get on his knees to those relatives. He almost did before, for my tuition. I stopped him just in time…" I laughed softly, wiping at my eyes.

"By the time I left, he and his partner were finally starting to make it. So now tell me, if he finds out I've become a sick burden, do you think his partner would still invest in his business?"

William's voice cracked. "Hailey…"

I lifted a hand, stopping him. "Cancer might kill me. But fifty grand… that would kill him."

William clenched his fists tightly.

I let out a soft sigh and smiled.