Chapter 38#
Lu Lin arrived at City Hospital No. 2 forty-five minutes later.
Through the small glass window of the ward door, Lu Lin confirmed that the person on the hospital bed was Yan Heqing.
“What’s the situation?” he asked the doctor.
His tone was calm but carried a natural authority, like a mentor coming for ward rounds.
The young doctor replied subconsciously, “The patient suffered from reflex syncope. It seems he encountered something unpleasant or distressing, which stimulated the nervous system to overreact, causing temporary vasodilation and bradycardia, leading to a drop in the patient’s cerebral perfusion pressure and arterial pressure…”
Noticing the puzzled look of the little nurse, the young doctor stopped abruptly. He came back to his senses, feeling a bit awkward. “Simply put, he was stimulated, plus he’s physically weak and has a cold. It’s not a big issue. With plenty of rest and good care, young people recover quickly. Also, he has bruises on his back, probably from hitting something hard, but it’s not serious, no bones were injured. Just don’t let him do heavy work for a while. He’s resting now and can be discharged once he wakes up.”
Lu Lin nodded and turned to the little nurse, “Which way to the payment counter?”
The little nurse immediately led the way, “Please follow me.”
The young doctor finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickened his pace back to the office.
At the payment counter, the cashier in the window glanced at Lu Lin and instantly clicked his tongue in his mind. Judging by his attire, he was either rich or noble. He took the slip, typed on the keyboard, and put on a smile, “There’s a single room available now, no reservation needed, 2000 a night. Do you want to switch?”
Lu Lin said, “Open a regular ward.”
The cashier’s smile changed slightly, and he silently complained in his heart: So rich yet so stingy, reluctant to even stay in a single room. No wonder they say rich people are stingier! He typed away on the keyboard, printed the bill, collected the fee, and handed the receipt out from the window, not speaking to Lu Lin again this time.
Lu Lin took the receipt and turned to go back to the ward. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the little nurse still following him. He stopped and asked, “Is there anything else?”
The little nurse stopped in her tracks, also a bit confused. She had just followed him unconsciously… She hugged the medical chart and shook her head quickly, “No, nothing!”
Lu Lin strode into the elevator.
The ward was on the 3rd floor, a multi-bed room, with a bed fee of 100 a day. Lu Lin pushed the door open and went in. Only Yan Heqing was not awake; his bed was on the innermost side, by the window.
Other patients and accompanying family members were chatting or playing on their phones. Occasionally, someone would glance at Yan Heqing. This kid was really beautiful, quite different from the others. Lying there with half his face exposed, he was particularly eye-catching.
When Lu Lin walked into the ward, seven or eight gazes turned to him.
A long cashmere coat, a simple yet exquisite three-piece suit inside. As soon as he entered the room, he seemed to block the overhead light. Nearly 190cm tall, with a jawline as straight as a cold blade, he was dignified without being angry, completely out of place in the entire ward.
It instantly became quiet. A man playing a video on speaker quietly turned off his screen.
Everyone held their breath, watching as Lu Lin walked to the beautiful child’s hospital bed.
Immediately, Lu Lin pulled the curtain of Yan Heqing’s bed, instantly cutting off all prying eyes.
The space became small and also blocked the bright incandescent light. Only the faint street light shone in from outside the window. Lu Lin looked at Yan Heqing.
This was the second time Yan Heqing was lying on a hospital bed.
This time Yan Heqing hadn’t changed into a hospital gown, only taking off his jacket. He was as pale and thin as ever. On his slender neck, there were several clear purple bruises. He seemed to be suffering greatly; even in his sleep, his eyebrows were tightly knitted.
Lu Lin bent down slightly, reaching out to touch those deeply furrowed brows. Just as he was about to touch them, he stopped abruptly. Looking at the frail boy with eyes closed tight, he curled his fingers and paused for a moment, but ultimately withdrew his hand.
Yan Heqing slept very restlessly.
He was dreaming. The dream was interlaced with black and white images, like old film from a projector, clear yet blurry.
Finally, there was color. Under a tree of fiery lantern flowers, there was the melody of flowing water. A palm-leaf fan flashed past his ear, bringing a cool breeze that was refreshing and smelled of safety. He hugged that delicate and warm hand and fell asleep, reluctant to let go no matter how hot it was.
Suddenly, the lantern flowers inexplicably caught fire, like meteors falling at the speed of light, constantly dropping sparks.
The house also caught fire. The raging flames dyed the horizon a shocking red. He stayed where he was, only knowing how to cry. That hand pulled him into a warm and attached embrace, with a voice still like flowing water, gentle yet strong. “Baby, don’t be afraid, Mom will protect you.”
He hugged his mother’s embrace tightly, but couldn’t share any of her warmth. He could only watch helplessly as she became endlessly cold.
“Mom!” Heart-wrenching cries came from all directions.
His long eyelashes fluttered slightly, and Yan Heqing suddenly opened his eyes.
The surroundings were not very quiet; thunderous snoring rose and fell. Consciousness gradually returned. The first thing he saw was a chaotic white, which gradually became clear and distinct, followed by a… a…
Familiar face.
Yan Heqing watched quietly, not moving for a long time.
It was Lu Lin who asked him, “Are you hungry?”
He opened his mouth, his voice so hoarse it was almost inaudible, “Not hungry.” Yan Heqing propped himself up on the slightly hard bed with his arms. In his light-colored eyes, there was still a layer of faint mist, like the mist on an autumn morning that hadn’t yet dispersed.
Lu Lin bent down and helped him prop up the pillow.
With his back against the soft pillow, Yan Heqing still frowned slightly from the pain. “Thank you.”
Lu Lin took the thermos cup from the small cabinet. It was a new thermos cup, the very common kind, probably bought at the small shop downstairs in the hospital. He unscrewed the lid, which turned into a simple cup when inverted. He poured half a cup of hot water and handed it to Yan Heqing, “Drink some water.”
Yan Heqing was indeed very thirsty. He took the cup and lowered his head to take a small sip. It wasn’t hot; it was a suitable temperature for drinking. It flowed over his dry throat, moistening it very comfortably. Yan Heqing drank it all in one go. Lu Lin reached out to take the cup, “Want more?”
Yan Heqing shook his head gently. Even shaking his head was an effort now. He looked up at Lu Lin, “Mr. Lu, why are you here?”
Deep emotions surged in the depths of Lu Lin’s eyes. He capped the thermos cup, “You fainted. The hospital notified me.”
There was no look of surprise on Yan Heqing’s face. He smiled faintly, bringing some life to his pale face, “I’ve troubled you again.”
His phone was on the bedside table. Yan Heqing picked it up to check the time; it was 11 PM. His lips were a bit dry. He pursed them and looked at Lu Lin again, “I’m fine now. You should go home and rest.”
Lu Lin didn’t move, “Like last time, discharge immediately?”
Last time Yan Heqing was hospitalized, not long after Lu Lin left, he received a call from the hospital saying Yan Heqing had processed his discharge.
Yan Heqing shook his head, “No, I have nowhere to go.”
Lu Muchi couldn’t get through to his phone, so he would inevitably go to his home. Yan Heqing was very uncomfortable now and didn’t plan to go back.
This should be a regular ward, costing about 100 yuan a night, which was more cost-effective than a hotel.
Lu Lin’s gaze darkened, “Creditors blocking the door?”
Yan Heqing’s eyelashes fluttered. After a second’s delay, he smiled and nodded slightly, “Sort of.”
While they were talking, the snoring in the ward became louder and louder, as if competing with each other. You sing and I take the stage, the effect rivaling a symphony orchestra.
Lu Lin pondered for a moment. He picked up the folded jacket and handed it to Yan Heqing, “Let’s go.”
Yan Heqing was slightly stunned, “Where to?”
“My place.”
Lu Lin drove the car to the hospital building entrance before calling Yan Heqing to come out.
There were still people in the hospital lobby at midnight. Several people were queuing at the payment window. When it was Yan Heqing’s turn, he processed his discharge. Fortunately, the examination fees, medicine fees, and hospitalization fees totaled over 300, which was within his affordable range.
Folding the receipt and putting it in his pocket, carrying a bag of medicine, Yan Heqing walked towards the main gate. From a distance, he saw a silver-gray car. Lu Lin had changed cars today.
His pace quickened slightly.
Walking to the passenger side, Yan Heqing saw the car door but stopped. He hadn’t seen this kind of car before and didn’t find a door handle. Just then, the car door opened automatically.
Yan Heqing then got into the car. The heating inside was sufficient. After the door closed, Lu Lin started the car and said indifferently, “Borrowed car. This kind of hidden door handle is the most useless design.”
Yan Heqing suddenly remembered the original text.
He had never been in contact with ice hockey, that kind of money-burning sport. He didn’t have the chance to learn. Lu Muchi took him to the ice hockey rink and bought a set of equipment exactly like Lin Fengzhi’s for him to wear. He didn’t know how to skate at all and fell hard as soon as he got on the ice.
Lu Muchi got angry and kicked him several times, “Are you a fucking idiot! Can’t even skate, you can’t compare to even a strand of Zhizhi’s hair!”
Although he wore protective gear, his abdomen was still injured by Lu Muchi’s ice skates, and it took a month to recover.
Yan Heqing lowered his eyes. He looked at his shoes. It must have been stepped on by Lu Muchi during the struggle. The white sneakers had a clear footprint on one side.
Yan Heqing suddenly asked, “Mr. Lu, do you have a shoe brush and soap at home?”
Ten minutes later, Lu Lin found a small supermarket that was still open. He parked the car on the side of the road. Yan Heqing wanted to get off, but Lu Lin stopped him, “Stay in the car, don’t move.”
Lu Lin got out of the car and soon came out carrying things. Besides the shoe brush and soap, he also bought a set of toiletries.
And a bag of…
Candy?
Lu Lin turned the steering wheel, looking straight ahead, “Eat it after taking the medicine.”
Yan Heqing looked down at the shiny candy wrappers. They were those fruit candies with very translucent colors, wrapped in transparent holographic paper. Just looking at them, one could imagine their sweet fruit taste.
Eating a piece of candy after taking bitter medicine.
It should be a very happy thing.
Yan Heqing was slightly distracted.
After driving for another half an hour, Lu Lin drove into an underground parking lot. Yan Heqing took a look; it was the most expensive building in the city center.
Back when he was still in the Yan family, every time Yan Shengbing lost money gambling and came home drunk and staggering, he would shout all night that next time he won money, he would buy a large river-view apartment in this building.
After parking in the spot, Lu Lin opened the door on Yan Heqing’s side first before unbuckling his seatbelt and getting out.
A few steps from the parking spot was the elevator. Lu Lin scanned his fingerprint. His residence was on the top floor.
The elevator was wide and bright, and the ascent speed was very fast. When the elevator door opened, it was Lu Lin’s foyer. The whole house was smart; as soon as the elevator door opened, all the lights in the house turned on.
Lu Lin opened the shoe cabinet, took out a pair of disposable slippers, and handed them to Yan Heqing.
Yan Heqing took them, “Thank you.”
Lu Lin took off his coat and hung it up, changed his shoes, and walked towards the bedroom, “Make yourself at home.”
Yan Heqing also took off his jacket, hung it on another hook, and walked in. The house decoration was like Lu Lin himself, simple and low-key, yet revealing expensiveness everywhere.
In the living room, there was a set of wrap-around leather sofas. Yan Heqing looked down at his clothes. He had just lain in a hospital bed, so in the end, he didn’t sit down, but just gently placed the bag of medicine and the bag of daily necessities on the coffee table.