She had only one thought in her mind:
She needs to find the team doctor.
She kept pressing the elevator down button, but when the elevator still didn't come up, she simply ran to the stairwell and ran down seven floors in one go.
As I ran out of the apartment building, I didn't notice the steps and tumbled down, tearing my knees open and bleeding profusely.
Jian Changnian immediately got up, ignoring the pain, and continued running forward with a limp. In the end, covered in dirt and bruises, she knocked on the door of the infirmary.
The doctor was still sleeping in the inner cubicle. He yawned and then focused his attention on her.
"What happened to you? Let me disinfect it for you."
As soon as she finished speaking, Jian Changnian grabbed the person and ran away.
"It wasn't me! Hurry, Shi'an has suddenly become very ill!!!"
"Hey, wait a minute, wait a minute, let me get the first-aid kit!"
Chapter 78 Perseverance
Jian Changnian led her people upstairs at breakneck speed, pushed open the door and barged in. Xie Shi'an was already curled up on the bed in pain.
She rushed over and lifted her head.
"Shi'an, Shi'an, it's alright now, the doctor is here..."
The doctor came over, put down his medicine box, and was about to lift her clothes to examine her when Xie Shi'an instinctively flinched and slapped his hand away.
Seeing that she was still reluctant to seek medical help, Jian Changnian, in a moment of desperation, yelled at her for the first time, pressing her head firmly into his arms, making her unable to move.
"Xie Shi'an! Don't move! Let the team doctor take a look!"
The team doctor glanced at her, quickly put on his stethoscope, lifted her clothes, and gently pressed on her lower right abdomen.
Xie Shi'an trembled violently, nestled in her arms, clenched his teeth, and let out a painful groan from deep in his throat.
She gripped her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white.
Seeing her like this, Jian Changnian's heart was also breaking, and her eyes reddened.
"Doctor, what...what's wrong with her?"
The team doctor removed his stethoscope, his brow furrowed.
"How many days have you had abdominal pain?"
Jian Changnian thought back for a moment.
"It's been two or three days, she hasn't been able to eat anything for the past few days."
"This is troublesome, appendicitis."
Jian Changnian knew this was an acute abdominal pain, which was excruciating when it struck. She glanced at Xie Shi'an, still holding her tightly, as if this could alleviate some of her pain.
"Doctor, doctor, please think of something! We can't just let her suffer like this!"
The team doctor was also sweating profusely from anxiety.
"Acute appendicitis, she should be taken to the hospital for surgery immediately, but... doesn't she have a match tomorrow?!"
"What's the point of playing a match at a time like this? Getting better is the priority!!!" Jian Changnian shouted with red eyes.
Xie Shi'an, who was nestled in her arms, gasped, grabbed her clothes, and struggled to lift his head, trying to break free from her embrace little by little.
"Doctor...I...don't want to go...to the hospital..."
"Xie Shi'an!" Jian Changnian shouted her name again.
The two men were on the verge of exchanging blows when the team doctor quickly intervened.
"Take your medicine first. Whether or not you go to the hospital is up to your coach."
Fortunately, he had painkillers in his first-aid kit. Jian Changnian poured a glass of water and handed the pills to her, as if he wouldn't give up until he saw her drink them.
The team doctor went to the door and made a phone call. A short while later, Wan Jing rushed over in his pajamas and slippers.
"What's going on?"
"Sudden appendicitis, tomorrow's game is estimated to be..."
Xie Shi'an took the medicine and leaned against the headboard. His face was still pale, but he looked much better. When he saw him coming, he tried to get up.
"Coach Wan, I..."
Wan Jing swiftly stepped forward and pinned the person down.
"Don't move, listen to the doctor, we're going to the hospital right away."
Xie Shi'an looked at him, then at the team doctor, and finally fixed his gaze on Jian Changnian's face.
"Bean Sprout, why don't you go out for a bit?"
"No!" Jian Changnian said stubbornly.
"I know what you mean. You won't go to the hospital if I leave! I'll drag you to the hospital today, no matter what!"
Xie Shi'an is stubborn as a mule, and usually only Coach Yan and Sister Yu Chu can persuade her. She knows that if she goes out, Wan Jing and the team doctor alone here will probably be unable to persuade her no matter how hard they try.
"You..." Xie Shi'an was so excited that she felt another sharp pain in her abdomen, which made her break out in a cold sweat. She gritted her teeth and said each word clearly.
"go out."
Jian Changnian couldn't bear to see her suffer, but she couldn't persuade her otherwise, so tears streamed down her face.
Xie Shi'an paused for a moment, then softened her tone. Her pale face made her dark pupils appear even more profound.
"Recite it often, and be obedient."
Jian Changnian simply couldn't refuse her, especially since Wan Jing had gently patted her shoulder.
"Let's wait outside."
She then reluctantly began to move.
Xie Shi'an called her back again.
"Don't tell... Coach Yan, he hasn't been feeling well lately either."
Jian Changnian gently closed the door, leaving it slightly ajar. She didn't go far, but just leaned against the wall, listening to the voices inside.
Xie Shi'an's voice sounded very weak.
"Coach Wan, I can't forfeit..."
"An athlete's health is their greatest asset; if they can't compete this time, there's always next time."
Xie Shi'an shook his head.
"No, every competition is a brand new beginning for me. If I always think about coming back next time, how can I win?"
"But given your current physical condition..."
"I can manage. Taking painkillers or antibiotics can alleviate the pain. I can have surgery after the competition. The only thing I need to be careful about is getting antibiotics before the competition. Although it's for medical treatment, I have to apply to the event organizing committee and get a written certificate from the hospital."
Xie Shi'an's words suggest he had planned this all along. Wan Jing opened his mouth, as if to say something more.
The boy's words rendered him immobile.
"Besides, Captain Yin has already lost his chance at the gold medal, and I am the last hope for the Chinese team to win gold."
When she said those words, Jian Changnian, who was standing outside the door, clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her flesh without her even noticing.
She desperately wanted to rush in and, in front of everyone, loudly tell her that she, as a substitute, could also take her place to fight against Kim Nam-ji.
But Jian Changnian knew she wasn't qualified.
Even Yin Jiayi lost, so who is she? She managed to get into the national team as a substitute by sheer luck, all thanks to a lucky draw.
She keeps proclaiming herself the best in the world, but she knows perfectly well how much of that is luck and how much is skill.
There is nothing more helpless than this.
Hearing footsteps at the door, Jian Changnian quickly wiped her eyes, straightened up, and pretended to be nonchalant.
With the help of two people, Xie Shi'an walked out, and after just a few steps, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Jian Changnian squatted down in front of her.
"Come on, I'll carry you on my back."
Xie Shi'an was taken aback for a moment, and the boy turned around and said.
"So, do you want to walk on, or have Coach Wan carry you?"
Xie Shi'an bit her lip, then let go of them and climbed up.
Jian Changnian used her strength to carry the person on her back, while Wan Jing and the team doctor protected them as they entered the elevator.
Although Xie Shi'an is thin, he is an athlete, so he is all muscle and has a strong bone structure. He is not light at all.
She was a little worried that she would run out of energy, but to her surprise, Jian Changnian carried her all the way to the parking lot in one go, and didn't even let her get off the elevator.
The team doctor suggested that they take turns carrying each other, but Jian Changnian still refused.
Xie Shi'an muttered, "I didn't realize you were so energetic."
Her voice was soft, and Jian Changnian, with her head down and focused on walking, didn't hear her clearly. Thinking that she was in pain again, she glanced back at her and silently quickened her pace.
"Hang in there a little longer, we'll be there soon."
The car drove smoothly to the hospital without any obstacles.
After the examination, the doctor said that her current physical condition was not suitable for strenuous exercise, as there was a risk of perforation.
However, Xie Shi'an persisted, and everyone looked at each other, unable to persuade her otherwise. The doctor had no choice but to say something.
"Okay then, let's stay in the hospital for one night, and treat the inflammation with oral and intravenous antibiotics, and then see how it goes."
The nurse came over and gave her an injection. Xie Shi'an nodded.
"Thank you for your help."
Wan Jing and the doctor went out to talk, leaving only the two of them in the ward.