The days after Miss Shu spoke to her family were slow and filled with worry. Even though she tried to act hopeful, inside she felt a heavy sadness that made every step harder. Sometimes, she would wake up before the sun, sit by the small window, and watch as the world changed from dark to gray. She would sigh, wishing some light could enter her own heart.
As the morning began, Yang lay in bed, breathing softly. His face was pale, and he had dark circles under his eyes. The sickness made him sleep a lot, and when awake, he was quiet. Brother Goo, his older brother, was different. Goo acted lively, but sometimes Miss Shu saw him pause and rub his chest as if in pain. When they looked at each other, neither spoke much—both waiting for somebody else to start the day.
Miss Shu made breakfast again, using rice and a little soup. As she served her husband and sons, she noticed their silence. The father nodded weakly. Goo played with his spoon, making little circles in the soup. Yang tried to eat, but stopped after a few bites.
After breakfast, Miss Shu asked them to sit in the living room. It was a small room, full of old furniture and pictures of the family. On the wall was a photo of better times: the father smiling, Goo holding Yang on his shoulders, all happy and full of life.
"Today, I want to talk to you," Miss Shu said. Her voice was soft, but firm. "We must work together if we want things to get better."
Brother Goo rolled his eyes. "What's the use, Mom? You heard the doctor. Six hundred thousand for each of us? No way we'll get that."
Yang remained silent, looking at the toes of his socks.
Miss Shu wasn't ready to give up. "We do not need all the money at once. If we try, maybe people will help. We can ask family, friends, maybe the bank."
The father coughed, struggling to say something. "We should think carefully, Shu. What if we can only save one? Who…?"
No one finished the sentence. The words hurt too much.
Brother Goo stood up and paced the room. "It's always a race, Mom. Me or Yang—who do you love more?" Goo made a sad face, pretending to cough. "Maybe if I act sick enough, you'll pick me."
Miss Shu felt broken. She hated that her family thought she would choose. She loved both for different reasons. Goo was proud and sometimes rough, but he had always protected Yang from bullies. Yang was quiet but smart, helping with chores and making Miss Shu feel needed.
Yang finally spoke. "Why must we act sick to get love?" His voice shook. "Mom, I know you love us both."
Goo paused. "You think so? When did you last take care of me?"
Miss Shu's eyes filled with tears. "Please, do not fight. We have so little already. I would give anything—my health, my happiness—to save you both."
The house felt colder. Even the bright morning sun could not warm their hearts.
Miss Shu left home after breakfast. She walked to the market, selling some old clothes and baskets she made herself. She asked the shop owners if they had work, but was told there was nothing for her. Everyone was busy, and none wanted an older woman working slowly.
She tried to find help from her distant relatives. One aunt gave her a little money, saying, "This is all I can give, Shu. Times are hard."
A cousin told her, "You must choose wisely. Maybe you can only save one. Life is cruel sometimes."
These words closed in on her, making her feel alone in the world. But she never let her family see her cry.
Meanwhile, at home, Goo tried to take charge, telling Yang to rest and not make things worse. But both knew they were fighting for their mother's attention. Sometimes, Yang would cough more loudly, hoping Miss Shu would return and comfort him. Other times, Goo made jokes about being "Mom's favorite," but the jokes hurt more than they helped.
At night, after a simple dinner, Goo sat with his father, asking questions about their family. "Did you and Mom ever have to choose before?" he asked.
The father nodded slowly, staring at the photo on the wall. "Life has many hard tests, Goo. You must trust your mother. She will do what is right."
Yang listened from his bed, feeling sick but also worried that he was making things harder for his mother. He wanted to help, but was too weak.
One evening, Miss Shu returned tired from the market. She saw her children arguing again, Goo accusing Yang of trying to get her love by acting sicker.
Yang snapped, "You do the same! Every time Mom is sad, you act proud and tough. That only makes things harder."
The father watched quietly, knowing pain brought out the worst in people.
Miss Shu clapped her hands. "Stop! I am your mother. I love you because you are my children. When I am gone, you must care for each other. Please, remember this."
Her words were simple but strong. For a moment, both boys grew quiet.
She sat at the table and spread out all her coins and bills. "This is everything we have. I will go to the bank tomorrow."
Yang tried to make a joke. "Maybe they won't laugh at us."
Goo shrugged. "If they do, we can laugh back."
The family smiled, a small, tired smile.
Later that night, Miss Shu called her sister on the telephone. "Sister, I need help. The hospital wants money for surgery, or my husband and son could die."
Her sister replied, "I wish I could help, Shu. I have nothing to give. Maybe pray. Maybe find someone rich."
Miss Shu prayed quietly in her room, hoping for a miracle.
The family's test grew harder every day. There was not enough food. Miss Shu found a new job cleaning offices at midnight, earning only a few coins each week. Sometimes, she would fall asleep at work, dreaming of days when her family was happy and strong.
Yang spent more time in bed, dreaming too. He wondered if he would wake up healthy one day and see his mother's smile again. Goo tried to stay busy, looking for ways to earn money. Sometimes he helped neighbors fix things for small change. Sometimes he felt angry, blaming the world for everything.
Miss Shu started selling her old jewelry—small rings, a necklace her mother gave her years ago. The money was not much, but she hoped it would help.
One afternoon, Miss Shu saw a sign in a shop window: "Diamonds Bought Here—Top Price Paid." She thought about her wedding ring, took it off, and stepped inside. The man in the shop looked at the ring and said, "It is old. Not worth much. I can give you fifty dollars."
Miss Shu thanked him and left. Even precious things had little value when times were bad.
The weeks went by. The family grew thinner, quieter. The pain in Miss Shu's heart was deep. She held her family together with small acts of kindness—a bowl of soup, a warm blanket, a gentle touch.
But inside, everyone felt the test growing: would Miss Shu save Yang or Goo? Would the father get better? Would they still be a family after all this sadness?
One night, Goo and Yang sat together and talked. Goo said, "I hope Mom chooses you."
Yang answered, "No, I hope she chooses you. I will be fine."
Both boys cried a little, hugged, and sat quietly.
Miss Shu watched them from the doorway. She knew her children would always love each other, even during the hardest times.
As the stars came out above, Miss Shu made a promise to herself: She would never give up, no matter what the test, and she would fight for her family—even if she had to choose, even if she had to lose something important, even if her heart was broken.
This was their great test, and together, they would face whatever trouble might come.