Lilly’s journey seemed like a fleeting dream, and when she woke up, it was the next morning. Despite her spirit energy being completely depleted, she didn’t feel tired after a good night’s sleep.
As usual, she was caught by Bettany and given a lecture.
Around noon, Anthony returned home while Lilly was packing with Bettany. When she saw Anthony, she exclaimed, “Uncle Anthony, why are you back?”
Anthony sat down and said, “Lilly, don’t go back to Malie City. Transfer back to your previous school.”
Lilly was puzzled. “What happened?”
Anthony replied, “Do you remember Mr. Lambert?”
Lilly hesitated for a moment. She did remember, but it hadn’t crossed her mind until now.
Anthony lovingly ruffled her hair and said, “It’s not your fault, Lilly. You’ve been busy.”
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Lilly asked, “What happened to Master Lambert?”
Anthony nodded. “He has been studying abroad for the past few years, and I thought it was for career development or other reasons.”
“Just today, I found out that he’s returning to the country. He went abroad to seek treatment.”
Lilly sat up straight and asked, “Is Master Lambert sick?”
Anthony sighed, “Yes, he couldn’t be cured, so he came back.”
Lilly asked, “What illness does he have?”
She started to feel worried, and more than that, she felt guilty. In a strict sense, Lawrence was also her teacher, her painting teacher during her time in the mortal world. Although she hadn’t painted in a long time and only doodled in textbooks.
She suddenly felt sorry for Master Lambert…
Anthony explained, “He has a rare condition called Syringomyelia. He accidentally discovered it when he cut his hand while sharpening a pencil.”
This disease is mostly congenital, and acquired cases are even rarer. It usually presents with reduced or loss of pain and temperature sensation in one or both upper limbs. In severe cases, the hand can be burned or cut without being aware, accompanied by numbness, stiffness, and atrophy.
Lawrence’s condition is affecting one side, and he can no longer hold a paintbrush. He went back and forth between domestic and abroad but couldn’t find a cure.
Lilly nodded and said, “When Master Lambert comes back, I’ll go see him.”
Because of Lawrence, Lilly decided not to return to Malie City.
Bettany didn’t mention moving either, although some daily necessities could be bought new. Some valuable and meaningful items could be retrieved by Margaret.
As for the house?
The Crawford family didn’t lack money, so there was no need to sell the house. It could be left vacant, serving as a temporary residence if Lilly ever needed to go there.
That decision was finalized.
Lawrence returned to the country the next day, and Lilly went to the airport with Gilbert early in the morning to pick him up.
Gilbert had a day off and took the opportunity to come with Lilly, claiming that he could help with medical advice as a doctor.
“Uncle Gilbert, can’t Syringomyelia be treated?” Lilly worriedly asked.
Gilbert replied, “It’s difficult to treat, and the course of the disease is long.”
Lilly thought to herself that she would see what she could do to help when she met Lawrence.
The airport became more crowded as the passengers from the incoming flight started coming out. Lilly stretched her neck and caught sight of an old man sitting in a wheelchair, being pushed out by someone.
He looked different from the Lawrence in her memory, much worse. He had lost a lot of weight, and most importantly, there was a lingering sense of despair about him.
“Master Lambert!” Lilly called out and ran over.
Lawrence hesitated for a moment before exclaiming, “Oh, it’s Lilly!”
Since falling ill, he had almost forgotten about his disciple… A closed-door disciple, forgotten so completely. It was the fault of the author.
Lilly felt guilty and said, “I’m sorry, Master Lambert. It’s all Lilly’s fault for forgetting about you.”
Lawrence smiled gently and said, “It’s okay, I… also forgot about Lilly!”
