Chapter 481

Old Man Walter lay on the kang, his forehead burning hot. The damp towel on his head quickly grew warm from the fever. His cheeks were flushed, his lips cracked and blistered, and he kept muttering incoherently.

Ryan's younger brother, Sanxi, paced anxiously.

"Stay with Dad," he told his wife before grabbing his coat and rushing out. "I'm calling Second Brother, then First Brother!"

He ran until he was out of breath, terrified something might happen to his father.

The house was in chaos.

All the pigs in the pen had died, and now their father was gravely ill. Sanxi, a simple farmer, had never faced such a crisis. It felt like the sky was falling.

Meanwhile, Ryan Wallace was living his best life. His wife, Luna, had given birth to a daughter. Though some might dismiss her as "just a girl," Ryan adored her.

Every day after returning from his hot pot restaurant, the first thing he did was wash up, change clothes, and smother his baby girl with kisses. At just seven or eight months old, the chubby little thing was already a charmer.

"Tangyuan, Daddy's home!" Ryan called as soon as he stepped inside.

Hearing his voice, little Tangyuan immediately wiggled her arms and legs, babbling excitedly. If she could talk, Ryan was sure she'd already be calling him "Daddy."

The girl was sharp—she recognized everyone, greeted them with dimpled smiles, and had her three older brothers wrapped around her tiny fingers.

"Luna's Spicy Hot Pot" had become a renowned brand in the provincial capital. Ryan now owned five branches, each thriving. He was even planning to expand to neighboring provinces next year.

Then the phone rang.

Ryan picked up. "Hello?"

"Big Brother! It's Sanxi!" His younger brother's voice trembled with tears.

Ryan's heart dropped. "What's wrong? Slow down."

"Dad's sick... the pigs are all dead... he's delirious with fever... I'm scared... I—" Sanxi stammered.

Ryan's face paled. Those pigs were their father's pride and joy.

"Listen, Sanxi," he said firmly, forcing himself to stay calm. "Get a tractor and take Dad to the county hospital now. If money's an issue—"

"We have enough! Dad's savings are under his pillow!"

"Good. Mom and I will book tickets home immediately. Don't panic—hold the family together like a man, understand?"

Hanging up, Ryan's hands still shook. But he knew panic wouldn't help now.

Sanxi wiped his tears. His brother was right—he had to be strong and carry the family through this.