"The old lady is too old," Dr. Shi sighed.
Because they were colleagues, Dr. Shi spoke much more directly.
"You must be mentally prepared."
Liu Zhi slowly nodded. She looked through the small window at her grandmother in the intensive care unit, her heart heavy.
My grandmother is 81 years old this year. The older the patient is, the more and more complicated things they have to think about.
Compared to the cases in professional books, Liu Zhi faced a very difficult situation with a completely unrelated patient.
Liu Zhi walked to the rest area and sat down. The feeling of helplessness transformed into physical exhaustion, which spread throughout his body.
When it was lunchtime, Liu Zhi received a call from an unfamiliar number marked as a food delivery number.
She hung up once, and the phone rang again.
Finally, Meng Yang called.
"The delivery person can't find you." Meng Yang's voice sounded so distant. "I ordered dumplings for you, go to the door and pick them up."
Liu Zhiqing cleared her throat. "Have you eaten yet?"
"Just got off work, on my way back." The sound of traffic came from Meng Yang's end, seemingly very distant. "You didn't eat properly today, did you?"
Liu Zhi stood up and walked back downstairs, her movements somewhat wooden.
"Grandma still needs someone to take care of her, don't ruin yourself."
The colors of the neon lights were reflected in Meng Yang's eyes. She pulled the suitcase closer to her, waiting for Liu Zhi to speak.
“I know,” Liu Zhi replied.
"Silent one," Meng Yang said again, "blockhead."
Liu Zhi hummed in agreement, without refuting.
“Even through the phone, thousands of kilometers away, I can feel your dejection.” Meng Yang’s voice softened a bit. “You need to understand, you are the pillar of our family. If you’re like this, how can your family feel at ease?”
Liu Zhi hummed in agreement, acknowledging Meng Yang's words.
"If Grandma knew you looked like this, she'd be worried sick." Meng Yang looked up and hailed a taxi.
"Young lady, where are you going?" the driver asked.
Meng Yang carried his suitcase upstairs and moved his phone aside before speaking.
The driver pressed the accelerator and they set off.
Liu Zhi didn't want to hang up the phone; listening to Meng Yang's voice calmed her down a lot.
"I've received my takeout." Liu Zhi pressed the button to go upstairs in the elevator.
"What should we do next?" Meng Yang asked, looking at the changing scenery outside the window.
"We'll take it one step at a time. Grandma is really getting old, and there are too many and too complicated things to consider."
The elevator was packed with people. Liu Zhi moved to a corner and spoke softly to Meng Yang.
"Don't just wait around, don't waste time," Meng Yang said. "Have you spoken with Director Shen yet?"
"We've talked about it." Liu Zhi pinched the bridge of her nose. "Director Shen also thinks it's very dangerous."
Meng Yang's heart sank considerably after hearing those words.
"Liu Zhi," Meng Yang called to her.
"Mm," Liu Zhi replied.
"Don't be so pessimistic," Meng Yang said. "Don't be so sad."
Although Liu Zhi was emotionally devastated, she hid it very well. Others could only see that she was depressed, but they could not know how much pain she was in.
Meng Yang's words shattered Liu Zhi's mental defenses. Liu Zhi turned his back to the crowd and couldn't help but rub his eyes.
"Okay," Liu Zhi said.
The person who loves you most knows where your inner pain lies. Meng Yang could understand Liu Zhi's state of mind and her current breakdown.
Liu Zhi's perseverance touched her heart.
Liu Zhi carried the lunchbox to the rest area and waited for Dr. Shi to come over.
She hadn't eaten for almost a day, and after taking only half a bite of the first dumpling, Liu Zhi's eyes started to sting.
She put down the lunchbox, covered her eyes, and lowered her head.
Tears welled up between her fingers, but Liu Zhi wiped them away and pretended to be calm.
...
Around 8 p.m., Dr. Shi finally came out of the operating room.
"Director Shi," Liu Zhi called out to him.
Director Shi took off his mask. "It's Dr. Liu."
"I thought about it for a long time and felt that the more conservative approach was the safer one."
"Both options have their advantages and disadvantages," Dr. Shi said. "It's good that you've made your decision."
Chapter 47 Peace
Meng Yang closed his eyes, resting his mind.
It takes less than two hours to fly from the capital to Yancheng.
Meng Yang only planned out his speech, and after a period of mental blankness, he arrived at his destination.
I got off the plane at exactly nine o'clock.
It rained in Yancheng today. The moment I stepped out of the airport, a misty, damp air hit me, and Meng Yang couldn't help but squint.
She called Liu Zhi.
"Are you still at the city hospital?" Meng Yang asked.
“I’m still here,” Liu Zhi said. “I’m still discussing treatment plans with Director Shi.”
"About what time will you be back?" Meng Yangli stood on the sidewalk, wrapping his shawl even tighter.
"I don't know, but it will probably be close to ten o'clock."
Are you sure?
"almost."
“You…” Liu Zhi paused, a vague premonition creeping into her mind.
"Have you come over?"
The rain intensified, making the surroundings even noisier. Liu Zhi's voice seemed to carry the dampness as it reached Meng Yang's ears.
"I'm at Yancheng Airport." Meng Yang didn't intend to lie to her and directly stated the location.
Liu Zhi got up from her seat and walked helplessly to the windowsill.
The view outside the window was gloomy and dark, damp and muddy, creating an overwhelming sense of oppression.
"It's raining, did you bring an umbrella?" Liu Zhi murmured.
"I'll take a taxi," Meng Yang said. "Will you come down to pick me up?"
"Meng Yang." Liu Zhi pursed her lips.
"Okay." Meng Yang, soaked in the rain, stuffed his suitcase into the car. "I've come to find you."
Liu Zhi put down her phone and stared at the rain outside the window.
"I'm not that fragile," Liu Zhi said, rubbing her eyes.
“I don’t have anything precious to cherish.” Meng Yanghe’s hand paused. “I’m not that fragile.”
“Liu Zhi,” Meng Yang said, “we are now in a relationship.”
"I can offer you a shoulder to lean on." Meng Yang's eyes also reddened as he said this.
Liu Zhi fell silent.
After a long silence, she said, "I'll wait for you under the eaves."
Meng Yang pressed his face against the car window, watching the raindrops fall and then slide off.
The lights refracted through the water droplets, creating a unique and dazzling effect. Meng Yang remained in this position until the vehicle stopped again.
"Young lady," the driver said in his accented Mandarin, "we've arrived at the hospital."
Meng Yang paid the fare and thanked him.
Liu Zhi spotted her from afar, ran over with her umbrella, splashing water as she stepped on the water.
"Have you eaten?" Liu Zhi asked.
Meng Yang grasped Liu Zhi's hand holding the umbrella, and the warm touch made Liu Zhi's heart tremble.
“I’m not hungry,” Meng Yang said.
Liu Zhi put his arm around Meng Yang's shoulder and covered most of the umbrella over her.
"Let's go inside first."
"good."
It was warm inside the hospital; it was a completely different world from the outside.
“There’s a wonton shop at the entrance; it should still be open.” Liu Zhi held Meng Yang’s cold hand.
"You haven't eaten either, have you?" Meng Yang felt the warmth of Liu Zhi's palm. "Let me warm up a bit, and we'll go eat wontons together later."
Liu Zhi released Meng Yang's hand, took off his coat, and wrapped it around her.
Meng Yang wanted to take it off, but Liu Zhi refused.
"Wrap yourself up, I'm not cold." Liu Zhi sat down next to her, stopping Meng Yang's movements.