Chapter 25: A Visit to the Sickbed

Yanjing Third People's Hospital. Xiao Xiao stood staring, somewhat lost in thought, at the shimmering gold characters on the facade of the building.

People bustled past him in a constant, hurried stream. Occasionally, someone would cast a strange glance his way, curious as to why he was standing so transfixed at the hospital entrance. Xiao Xiao was never one to meddle in others' affairs, but given that he might actually have the ability to address this particular "inconvenience," he found it truly difficult to stand by and do nothing.

His mind was in turmoil. Moreover, the memory of that girl’s desperate, heart-wrenching wails and her trembling, frail back stuck in his throat like a fishbone. He thought that perhaps, he could still do something.

"Young man, is something the matter?"

"Huh?" Xiao Xiao blinked, feeling a bit dazed. His eyes, which had grown somewhat dry, refocused to reveal a kind-faced little old lady looking at him with a hint of concern.

"I... I'm fine." Startled back to reality, Xiao Xiao felt a bit flustered. After a moment of hesitation, he replied, then added with a touch of embarrassment, "I was just daydreaming."

"Oh, that's good then." The little old lady didn't press for details and turned to leave with a smile.

"Thank you." Xiao Xiao’s hands, tucked into his pockets, tightened slightly as he watched her profile and thanked her sincerely.

Because of this unexpected encounter, Xiao Xiao’s mood suddenly brightened. Pure kindness from strangers always had a way of making him feel better. His stride became a little lighter as he walked on.

...

Lin Zhenzhen’s ward number was known to everyone in her class. The day after she was hospitalized, the class had quickly organized a group of representatives to visit her. But in the end, they were left at a loss, staring at the haggard faces of Lin’s parents.

Lin Zhenzhen refused to see anyone at all, with the exception of her doctors and her parents.

When the classmates returned, they were deeply dispirited. They had heard Lin Zhenzhen’s hysterical, breathless sobbing and screaming from outside the ward door. The corridor was noisy, yet all they could hear were the hoarse sighs and apologies of her parents. In such a situation, they naturally knew better than to be intrusive; they offered a few dry words of comfort to her parents, left the flowers and fruit they had brought, and took their leave.

Later, a few female classmates who were close to Lin Zhenzhen went to visit, but they couldn't even get past the ward door. Eventually, everyone collectively decided to stop visiting, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble. After all, every visit seemed to trigger a breakdown in Lin Zhenzhen.

...

*Knock-knock-knock.* After standing before the door for a while, Xiao Xiao knocked, his touch light and the rhythm gentle.

However, after repeating this several times, there was no response from within. Was she asleep? Or had she gone out?

Xiao Xiao wondered what would happen if he just pushed the door open. Should he find a nurse to ask instead?

...

"Student?"

Xiao Xiao turned his head to see a middle-aged woman with a gaunt face and red-rimmed eyes. She was carrying a thermos, clearly having just gone to fetch hot water. She looked at him with confusion, then suddenly realized. "Are you here to see Zhenzhen?"

Lin’s mother had been slow to react; due to Zhenzhen’s resistance, no one had come to visit since the first few days. The exhaustion of this period had left her drained, slowing her responses. Seeing someone standing at her daughter's door had left her mind blank, and she had asked instinctively.

"Yes, Auntie, hello. I am Lin Zhenzhen’s classmate, my name is Xiao Xiao. I happened to be in the area today, so I wanted to come and see her."

"Oh, I see." Looking at the polite, refined young man, Lin’s mother nodded blankly, the sorrow in her brow deepening. "Xiao Xiao, thank you for coming to see Zhenzhen."

"However, Zhenzhen is not receiving visitors." At this, the corners of her eyes turned red. Her daughter had always been so obedient and sensible; why did she have to suffer like this? Thinking of her daughter's thinning frame and those lifeless, hollow eyes, Lin’s mother felt a piercing pain in her heart.

Her father was already trying to contact doctors abroad. If there was no way in the country, they would go overseas. As long as there was a sliver of hope, they would not give up.

...

Xiao Xiao had considered sneaking into the ward to talk to Lin Zhenzhen when her parents were away, but he was worried she might have a breakdown. Besides, he didn't know how long it would take, and if he were caught in the act by her parents, it would be difficult to explain. So, he decided to abandon any "underhanded" schemes. The only remaining method was a direct approach.

"Auntie, I would like to go in and see her. So many days have passed, perhaps..."

"No." Lin’s mother refused, her tone sharp. She immediately realized her reaction was too harsh; after all, he was just a classmate acting out of kindness. She forced a stiff smile. "I’m sorry, Xiao Xiao. But Zhenzhen really cannot handle any stimulation."

Lin’s mother was terrified. At first, she had hoped that seeing familiar friends would help her daughter’s mood, but the result was the exact opposite. Every time someone visited, Zhenzhen acted like a small, cornered animal. Even in her weakened state, she would wave her arms and scream incessantly, driving away the "intruders" in a desperate, tragic display of rejection.

Every visit resulted in a frantic, exhausting struggle. Lin’s parents were worn out, both physically and emotionally. Lin’s mother could only hold her pale, vacant daughter tightly, her eyes welling up again. What kind of fate was this?

...

"Why are you standing at the door?" A dull, hoarse male voice sounded—it was Lin’s father. He walked past his wife and saw Xiao Xiao.

"This is Xiao Xiao, one of Zhenzhen’s classmates. He happened to be nearby and wanted to check on her." Lin’s mother paused, her voice growing even huskier. "But, as you know, Zhenzhen’s condition... she isn't fit for visitors."

"Hello, Uncle." Xiao Xiao had never met him before, but looking at the man now, he knew he had aged significantly in a short time. His temples were frosted with white, deep furrows were carved into his forehead from constant frowning, and his eyes were clouded with fatigue.

Xiao Xiao could not describe his current feelings. He only knew that these were two parents who had been completely broken by worry for their daughter.