4:30 a.m. — Shor Family Nursery
Lin Zhi Yan was awakened by the faint sound of sobbing. A mother's ears are always especially sensitive—even through two doors.
She tiptoed into the nursery, and under the nightlight, saw little Shor Xin Lin with a flushed face, tossing and turning in her crib. Feeling her forehead, it was burning hot.
"Yew Ming, wake up." She returned to the bedroom and gently shook her husband. "Xin Lin has a fever."
Shor Yew Ming immediately became alert and swung his legs off the bed. "How high?"
"I didn't measure, but very high. I'll get the thermometer and the fever medicine."
5:00 a.m. — Shor Family Living Room
The digital thermometer read 39.2°C.
"We need to go to the hospital," Yew Ming frowned at the reading. "So high."
Lin Zhi Yan had already quickly dressed Xin Lin in her outing clothes. The little girl, still drowsy from the fever, leaned softly on her mother's shoulder.
"Don't you have an important meeting this morning?" Lin Zhi Yan asked.
"I asked the manager for leave," Yew Ming said, picking up his phone. He paused. "But there's still project adjustments to discuss today…"
"You go to your meeting first," Lin Zhi Yan decided. "I'll take Xin Lin to the Women and Children's Hospital. You can come after your meeting if needed."
"Are you sure you can manage alone?"
"Of course. I've handled three kids before." Lin Zhi Yan's tone was calm, but her eyes couldn't hide her worry.
Yew Ming watched her skillfully pack diapers, bottles, and spare clothes into the bag. A complex mix of emotions welled up—without her, this family would really fall apart.
6:15 a.m.
Shor Leow Ting was the first to come downstairs. He saw his parents dressed and ready, and his little sister bundled warmly in Lin Zhi Yan's arms.
"Mom, what's wrong with Xin Lin?"
"She has a fever. We're going to see the doctor," Lin Zhi Yan said. "You'll have breakfast with your younger siblings by yourselves. There's bread and milk in the fridge. Leow Ting, as the eldest, take care of them."
"Got it," Leow Ting nodded immediately. "Mom, do you want me to help?"
"Looking after the house is helping." Shor Yew Ming patted his son's shoulder. "I'll take your mom and sister to the hospital and then head to the company. You all go to school on time."
7:40 a.m. — Women and Children's Hospital ER
The waiting line was longer than expected. Xin Lin's temperature had dropped to 38.5°C after taking the fever medicine but she was still listless.
Lin Zhi Yan held her daughter in one arm while flipping through the medical records, phone cradled between shoulder and ear.
"Xiuzhen, I can't come this afternoon… yes, Xin Lin has a fever at the hospital… it's okay, just waiting is long…"
After hanging up, she gently patted Xin Lin's back and hummed the lullaby she had made up. It was Xin Lin's favorite tune, always calming her down.
"Number 48, Shor Xin Lin!" the nurse called.
8:50 a.m. — Minjie Technology Co., Ltd.
Shor Yew Ming arrived at the meeting room only five minutes late. The manager glanced at him and nodded.
The meeting was heavier than expected. The company had decided to cut the entire testing department, affecting eight employees. While Yew Ming's development team was temporarily safe, everyone was instructed to "increase efficiency," meaning more overtime.
"The company is trying to secure a new project," the manager said without confidence. "If successful, the situation will improve in the second half of the year."
After the meeting, Yew Ming ran into Xiao Chen in the hallway. The young man's eyes were red and swollen from crying.
"Brother Yew Ming, I'm on the list," Xiao Chen's voice was hoarse. "Next month… I won't be coming."
Yew Ming opened his mouth but couldn't find comforting words. Finally, he just said, "Do you want me to look over your resume? I know a few headhunters."
"Thanks," Xiao Chen forced a smile. "I need to find a job fast. My wife's prenatal check-ups…"
Watching Xiao Chen walk away, Yew Ming clenched his phone in his pocket. He remembered the partially updated resume from last night and felt grateful he still had time to prepare.
10:30 a.m. — Tiandi Secondary School
During Chinese class, the teacher was explaining recitation techniques.
"Emotion isn't just conveyed through your voice—it's also expressed through gestures and eye contact," the teacher demonstrated on stage. "Shor Xin Xing, can you try this passage?"
Xin Xing stiffened as her name was called. All eyes in the classroom turned toward her.
She slowly got up and walked to the podium. Her palms began to sweat again.
"I… I chose Yu Guangzhong's Homesickness," she said, almost inaudibly.
"Speak louder so the students at the back can hear," the teacher encouraged.
Xin Xing took a deep breath and forced herself to look at the clock on the back wall—a trick her mother had taught her: if you can't look at people, focus on a fixed point.
"When I was young, homesickness was a tiny postage stamp…"
This time, her voice steadied. She gradually immersed herself in the poem, forgetting the audience. When she read the line, "Later, homesickness became a low, small grave", her voice trembled naturally.
The classroom was silent.
When she finished, Xin Xing snapped back to reality, her face instantly red.
Applause broke out. The teacher smiled. "Your emotion is sincere. That's the most valuable quality. Keep it up."
After class, Xiaomei excitedly pulled her aside. "Xin Xing, your reading made me want to cry!"
"Really?" Xin Xing could hardly believe it.
"Really! But…" Xiaomei hesitated, "your posture on stage was a bit stiff. Want to practice in front of a mirror?"
Xin Xing pondered the advice. Of course—just reading well wasn't enough; she had to "perform" too.
12:00 p.m. — Xinmin Primary School Cafeteria
Shor Leow Shan was carrying his tray, looking for a seat, when the PE teacher called him over.
"Leow Shan, come sit."
Across from him sat a middle-aged man in a tracksuit, exuding a professional aura.
"This is Coach Wang from the City Youth Athletics Club," the teacher introduced. "Coach Wang, this is Shor Leow Shan. He's the main sprinter and relay runner for our school in the upcoming sports meet."
Coach Wang sized him up. "How old are you?"
"Eleven," Leow Shan whispered.
"Good height, long legs." Coach Wang nodded. "Interested in trying out at the club on weekends? We're scouting for potential talents."
Leow Shan froze. An athletics club? He'd never thought of this.
"I… I need to ask my parents first."
"Of course." Coach Wang handed him a business card. "Have your parents contact me. You have potential—don't waste it."
All lunch break, Leow Shan stared at the card in a daze. Athletics club? Training? Competitions? Everything felt so unfamiliar. But he remembered the wind in his ears while running yesterday—the pure thrill of sprinting forward.
Maybe… he could try.
2:00 p.m. — Women and Children's Hospital
Xin Lin's check-up results came back: viral flu, requiring a day's observation in the hospital.
In the single room, the little girl finally cooled down and was sipping milk from her bottle.
While Xin Lin slept, Lin Zhi Yan gently opened Yew Ming's briefcase, looking for the insurance card. Her fingers brushed a folder she hadn't seen before.
She pulled it out and froze.
It was a half-updated resume and printed job postings, highlighted in places. The top one was for a multinational company requiring over ten years of development experience—perfectly matching Yew Ming's qualifications.
Inside the folder was a note in Yew Ming's handwriting: "Mortgage RM2800/month, household expenses RM4200, estimated children's education costs…"
Lin Zhi Yan stared quietly for a long time, then replaced the folder exactly as it was. She wasn't angry or sad; instead, a strange calm washed over her.
Her husband was preparing a backup plan—for the worst-case scenario. This was Shor Yew Ming—never empty words, always action.
She took out her phone and messaged her friend Xiuzhen: "That translation gig you mentioned last time—is it still available? I have some time now."