Two days later, back at the hospital, a very different scene was unfolding.
Vethra stood beside Lin Yue's bed, running her scanner over the healing wound on her stomach. The line was barely visible now, pink against her skin.
"Excellent recovery," Vethra said. "The tank did its work well. You are cleared for discharge."
Beside her, an older nurse with silver-streaked fur and kind eyes was holding Auriel. She had been there all morning, walking Lin Yue through everything.
"Now," the nurse said patiently, "you need to support his head like this. He is still too young to hold it up on his own."
Lin Yue nodded, watching carefully.
"And when you breastfeed, make sure he latches properly. It will hurt less for you and he will get more milk." The nurse demonstrated, positioning Auriel against a pillow. "Like this. See how his mouth opens wide?"
Lin Yue's face was bright red.
