Ye Xingguang left the hospital, went to a nearby store to buy wontons, stated they were to go at the counter, then leaned against a wall, feeling lost and did not know what to do next.
Her cell phone in her pocket rang again. She waited for the ring for a while before answering: âHello?â
âAt the hospital?â
Ye Junqingâs voice seemed softer than usual over the phone, hitting her unbearably tender heart. The emotions she had barely gathered collapsed all at once, and a sudden sourness hit the tip of her nose: âMhmm.â
âHowâs dadâs condition?â
She choked for a moment, wanting to mention that the doctor had asked her to be psychologically prepared. But it felt like cotton was stuck in her throat, and she could not say it out loud.
âWhich hospital in T city is dad at? Iâve contacted a few authoritative experts on uremia, and Iâd like to review your dadâs medical records.â
Ye Xingguang braced herself: âMy dad is at T City Peopleâs Hospital. His attending physician is already one of the best kidney disease specialists in the country. He has published a lot of articles in domestic and foreign medical journals.â
Ye Junqing said, âHaving a few more doctors review it canât hurt.â
A glimmer of hope arose in Ye Xingguangâs heart: âIn that case, later, Iâll tell Dr. Bo to pull out my dadâs medical records for you. Which doctors did you get in touch with?â
âIâll request your dadâs medical records directly from the hospital. Are you in the ward now?â
Ye Junqing was already on his way to the airport, his voice still soft, yet served as a calming agent, soothing her heart.
Listening to his voice, she suddenly felt as if she found her pillar: âIâm not at the hospital now. My mom hasnât eaten tonight, so Iâm buying her some wontons. Iâll head back to the hospital once I get them.â
âHave you eaten?â Ye Junqing asked her again.
âI bought two bowls.â
However, she had no appetite at all.
Probably guessing this, Ye Junqing didnât offer any empty comfort. Instead, he said, âStay strong. Take good care of your mom. Sheâs the one whoâs suffering the most right now.â
âMhmm.â She thought his words were sensible.
Ye Junqing continued: âEven if you canât eat, you need to force yourself to eat something to encourage your mom. Donât look distressed, or it will make it harder for her to stay strong. Can you do that?â
ââ¦Yes.â
All his words seemed to be taking effect on her now. She even wanted to ask if he could come to T City, to give her dad some reassurance.
But when the words reached her lips, she swallowed them back in.
Without saying anything else, Ye Junqing gave a few more instructions before hanging up.
Next, he made a call arranging for her foster fatherâs medical records to be reviewed by several medical authorities. There might still be a glimmer of hope.
Prepare for the worst but make the greatest efforts. He didnât want to go through this again, arriving to find her collapsed at the morgueâs entrance, where no amount of assistance or comforting could alleviate her emotional pain.
Here, Ye Xingguang returned to the ward with the wontons.
Actually, no one had an appetite. But remembering Ye Junqingâs words, she forced herself to cheer up, sat next to the bed, and although her heart was heavy, she tried to be her parentsâ ray of sunshine, forcing a light-hearted tone: âMom, I think these storeâs wontons are quite nice, you should try more. Letâs make dad envious, since he scared us.â
Song Chuanqi gave a weak smile: âYou are really getting on my nerves, you know very well that your dad canât eat anything, and youâre deliberately tempting me.â
Ye Xingguang raised the hospital bed, then spooned a mouthful and said, âDad, then you can try some. I remember thatâs what you did to feed me when you saved me from the sea, now itâs time for your daughter to feed you.â