Su Qinghan wasn’t sure if, continuing like this, her feelings for Jiang Muyun would eventually boil down to nothing more than a moral obligation to repay a debt.
Faint footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor. The night patrol guard.
Su Qinghan immediately straightened up, locked her phone screen, and stuffed it back into her pocket.
She hugged the folder close to her chest, took a deep breath, and walked toward the elevator in those high heels.
Her footsteps echoed through the empty corridor—determined, yet carrying a hint of indescribable loneliness.
—
The disinfectant smell in the hospital lobby was as strong as ever, slightly pungent, mingling with the hurried atmosphere of people coming and going.
This was the first time Yan Yu had someone accompany her throughout the entire follow-up visit.
Bai Yan’er pushed the wheelchair. Her movements weren’t particularly skilled, but each step was steady. She carefully avoided uneven floor joints and the occasional hurried pedestrian.
Registration, taking a number, waiting to be called—throughout the entire process, Yan Yu could clearly feel that concerned gaze fixed on her, following her every subtle move without pause.
That concern was too heavy. It made Yan Yu, who was used to facing these things alone, feel a restlessness that made her want to escape.
“Number 12, Yan Yu, please proceed to Examination Room 3.”
The mechanical female voice announced. Bai Yan’er immediately pushed her toward the examination room.
Inside, Director Guo was already waiting. He was a kindly middle-aged male doctor with graying hair and thin-rimmed glasses.
The original host Yan Yu had been seeing a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. To maintain her persona, Yan Yu hadn’t changed this either.
Seeing Yan Yu, he smiled. “Xiao Yan is here. And this is?”
“She’s my sister,” Yan Yu introduced softly.
“Hello, Director Guo.”
Bai Yan’er greeted politely, then stepped back to the side, but her gaze remained fixed on Yan Yu.
Director Guo nodded and gestured for Yan Yu to place her wrist on the pulse pillow. While taking her pulse, he asked routinely, “How have you been feeling lately? Any changes in the pain and numbness in your lower back and legs? How’s your sleep at night? Your appetite?”
Yan Yu answered each question calmly.
Director Guo listened, his fingers resting on her wrist. His brow furrowed slightly, then slowly relaxed. A look of obvious surprise gradually appeared in his eyes.
He took her pulse longer than usual. After withdrawing his hand, he gestured for Yan Yu to try standing up and walking a few steps while holding onto the examination bed.
Yan Yu did as instructed. She gripped the wheelchair armrests with both hands and slowly stood up.
Her legs still felt the familiar weakness and soreness. But just standing still like this… it no longer seemed to require her entire body’s strength to fight against that heavy frailty, like before.
Director Guo carefully observed her posture and the subtle reactions of her leg muscles. The surprise on his face grew stronger.
“Truly… unexpected.”
He pushed up his glasses and looked at Yan Yu as she sat back down. His tone carried an incredulous sigh.
“Xiao Yan, your pulse is much steadier and stronger than last time. Although your body’s recovery is still a long process, judging from how you stood just now, your body seems to have improved somewhat.”
He paused, looking at Yan Yu with relief in his eyes.
“I’m not sure of the exact reason. Perhaps your persistent rehabilitation is working, or perhaps your body’s own repair abilities have taken a positive turn… If this trend continues, it could truly be called a medical miracle.”
Yan Yu’s expression remained calm as she nodded politely. “Thank you, Director Guo. I’ll be sure to continue my recovery.”
But deep down, ripples of joy silently spread across her heart like stones dropped into a lake.
‘The system’s rewards are really working. My body is truly recovering—little by little, in ways I can’t see.’
This discovery gave her a more solid hope than any comforting words.
After leaving the examination room, they went to the pharmacy to pick up the new herbal medicine.
Throughout the entire process, Bai Yan’er was unusually silent. She just followed closely, occasionally lending a hand when Yan Yu needed it.
It wasn’t until she pushed Yan Yu out of the hospital building, with the cool evening breeze brushing against her face, that she finally spoke. Her voice carried a sullen emotion.
“Sister…”
“Hmm? What is it, Yan’er?”
Yan Yu turned her head. She had sensed that something was off with her since earlier.
Bai Yan’er stopped the wheelchair, walked around to kneel in front of it, and looked up at Yan Yu.
The sunset’s afterglow gilded her delicate profile with a soft golden edge, but her usually clear, smiling eyes were now filled with an overwhelming heartache.
“It’s just… seeing you all alone, sister… it makes my heart ache.”
She reached out and gently took Yan Yu’s hand resting on her lap. Her fingertips were cool.
“Sister, how about… you don’t go back to that rented room anymore. Move in with me. I’ll take care of you. Every single day. Okay?”
Yan Yu was startled for a moment, then slowly shook her head. Her voice was gentle but firm. “No need, Yan’er.”
“But—”
“Yan’er, listen. You’re the young miss of the Bai family now, and I’m just an ordinary person. Bringing me back to the Bai family would stir up a lot of unnecessary gossip and trouble.”
“I don’t care about that gossip!” Bai Yan’er interrupted her, a little agitated. She tightened her grip on Yan Yu’s hand. “I only care about whether you can live a better, more comfortable life, sister!”
“But I care, Yan’er.”
Yan Yu sighed softly and placed her other hand over Bai Yan’er’s.
“Thank you for thinking of me, for doing so much for me. But you know my situation… My legs aren’t convenient. I need help with many things. I don’t want to be a burden to anyone, especially not to you.”
“You’ve never been a burden, sister!”
Bai Yan’er retorted urgently, her eyes reddening.
Yan Yu just looked at her without speaking. Her gaze was gentle, but also carried an unshakeable refusal.
Bai Yan’er held her gaze for a moment, then slowly let go of her hand. She lowered her head and fell silent.
But her tightly pressed lips and the dejected aura radiating from her showed that she wasn’t convinced—she was just suppressing her reluctance and stubbornness for now.
Yan Yu felt a pang of guilt, but she knew some boundaries had to be drawn.
She was about to say something to ease the atmosphere and completely discourage Bai Yan’er’s idea.
Then—
A sudden, dull ache spread from deep within her lower abdomen, accompanied by a faint sense of pressure.
Yan Yu’s body stiffened.
‘Wait… this feeling is…’
Before she could think further, Bai Yan’er, who was kneeling in front of her, happened to glance down at the hem of her light-colored skirt.
The next second, Bai Yan’er’s gaze froze.
“Sister…” She raised a finger, pointing at a spot on the side of Yan Yu’s skirt. “Your skirt… here… why does it look… a little wet?”
Yan Yu’s mind went blank.
BZZZT.
A single thought echoed in her head.
‘Oh no.’
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