Chapter 101: Chapter 99: Parting in Life and Death

[OMG! Doctor Wen is so gentle to her critics, sob sob sob!]

[So Doctor Wen means that patient is also in the process of being treated, right? Does that mean he’ll be fine once he wakes up? But how long will that take?]

[I agree with the person above. If it takes a lifetime, isn’t that just deception? Just an outsider, no hate please!]

Psychologist Wen Ying V replied to the user above: Don’t worry, it won’t be more than a week.

[Alright! We outsiders will give Doctor Wen a week. After all, a life is on the line. If he doesn’t wake up in a week, Doctor Wen needs to take responsibility for her actions.]

Psychologist Wen Ying V: Okay.

[That’s our Doctor Wen, so incredibly confident. I’m on Doctor Wen’s side!]

[All of us Fireflies believe in Doctor Wen! We’re looking forward to the day our fellow patient, Younan Pinming, wakes up.]

Having settled the matter, Wen Ying turned off her phone.

That evening, Aunt Zhang came to the hospital with two dishes and a soup.

Chicken soup, braised prawns, and stir-fried baby bok choy.

While they were eating, Wen Ying suddenly asked Aunt Zhang, "Aunt Zhang, have you been the one staying with me at the hospital these past few nights?"

Aunt Zhang suddenly lowered her head, looking a little shy.

"Don’t mention it, it was no big deal. Now that you’re awake, I won’t stay the night anymore. Just call me if you need anything."

After Wen Ying finished her meal, Aunt Zhang left with the food container.

Wen Ying got out of bed, planning to take a walk around the hospital.

Behind the inpatient wing was a large courtyard with a wooden bridge and two small pavilions. Below, a stream flowed.

Inpatients often came here to take a stroll and look at the scenery outside, which helped lift their spirits.

Wen Ying, dressed in her patient gown, casually tied her hair up. She found her ballpoint pen on the bedside table and stuck it into her bun.

After going downstairs, she wandered around the courtyard twice, walked onto the wooden bridge, and sat in one of the small pavilions, taking in the scenery.

A child was running back and forth on the bridge. With their bald head, Wen Ying couldn’t immediately tell if they were a boy or a girl.

The child suddenly ran over to Wen Ying, their eyes shining as they stared at her. "Miss, you’re the prettiest patient I’ve ever seen."

Wen Ying felt her pocket and, for some reason, found a lollipop inside, which she handed to the child.

"Why’d you cut off all your hair?"

"Mom and Dad said my hair got sick, so it had to be cut off for new hair to grow. Otherwise, *they* would die." The little girl’s tone suddenly changed. "Actually, I know the real reason. It’s because I’m sick that my hair had to be cut. But I don’t want Mom and Dad to be sad, so I pretend I don’t know."

"Miss, don’t you think I’m a little grown-up?"

Wen Ying froze.

"Miss, this lollipop is so yummy. I haven’t had one in a long, long time. Mommy wanted to buy me one, but I said no. Do you know why, Miss?"

"Why?"

"Because we don’t have any money left. Yesterday, I heard Mom and Dad arguing, and then they just held each other and cried. I know they borrowed lots and lots of money to pay for my treatment—more money than a big house costs."

"Miss, I’m being very mature, aren’t I?"

"Yes, Little Chao is the most sensible child."

"Miss, you know my name?" The little girl’s eyes lit up as she looked at Wen Ying. "You know Chaochao?"

"Yes, I’ve seen you before, Chaochao. You’re a very lovable little girl."

Wen Ying didn’t really have much experience with children, but for some reason, she really enjoyed talking with Chaochao.

Chaochao’s behavior, always trying to act like a sensible big kid, made Wen Ying’s heart ache.

Of course, she knew her name and what was to come because she had just ’looked’ at Chaochao.

’This poor, sweet girl probably doesn’t have many days left.’

’And right now, there’s nothing she could do to change that outcome.’ 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Aside from her bright eyes, her body was frighteningly thin, and her nose had small scars from needle pricks.

The backs of her hands were also covered in needle marks of all sizes.

But she didn’t seem to mind at all, thinking only that if she was mature, her mom and dad wouldn’t be so sad.

"Chaochao, is there anything you really, really want to do?"

Hearing Wen Ying’s question, the little girl tilted her head back and thought for a moment. "I want to go to the amusement park, but Mommy says I can’t. I have to stay in the hospital."

Wen Ying spent all night and the next morning talking to Chaochao’s parents and her attending physician.

In the end, Chaochao, holding her mother’s hand with one hand and Wen Ying’s with the other, took a car to the amusement park.

The carousel, bumper cars, the slide, the Ferris wheel.

Wen Ying went with her on every single ride that Chaochao was allowed on.

Standing in the amusement park, watching her daughter play with Wen Ying, Chaochao’s mother couldn’t stop her tears.

After the last ride, the three of them headed back to the hospital. On the way, Chaochao’s mother tried to thank Wen Ying, but Wen Ying wouldn’t have it.

After they parted ways at the hospital, Chaochao tugged on her mother’s hand. "Mommy, Sister Wen Ying is the best person I’ve ever met, besides you and Daddy, of course."

"Mommy, Chaochao was so happy today. I hope you can be happy too, and not cry secretly, okay?"

"Mommy, I can’t study hard in school anymore. Please don’t be sad, okay?"

"Mommy, I might not be able to stay with you and Daddy anymore, but I still want to be your precious girl."

"Mommy, can I be your precious girl again in the next life? Please?"

"Mommy, you have to smile. You’re prettiest when you smile!"

"Mommy, I’m sleepy."

On the afternoon of the third day, Chaochao’s mother came to Wen Ying’s hospital room. She held a worn-out cloth doll in her hands, her gaze fixed on it, her lips trembling.

"Doctor Wen, this is a doll from Chaochao for you. This doll was with her for over three years. It was her favorite, and she said she wanted you to have it."

Wen Ying didn’t refuse. She reached out and took the doll.

She wasn’t good at comforting people. "Chaochao’s mother, Chaochao told me she hoped you and your husband could always be happy."

Chaochao’s mother covered her face, sobbing uncontrollably.

Aunt Zhang arrived with a meal just in time to see this scene. In a hospital, when something like this happens, there’s no need to ask what’s wrong.

A hospital is, after all, a place of life and death, of partings and farewells.

She walked over and hugged Chaochao’s mother, holding her silently and letting her cry on her shoulder.

Ten minutes later, Chaochao’s mother dried her tears. "I’m sorry for disturbing you. I’m going to take Chaochao home now. Farewell."

As soon as Chaochao’s mother walked out the door, Wen Ying followed her.

"Chaochao’s mother, this is something from me for Chaochao. I hope you can place it by her side, so it can always be with her."

Chaochao’s mother took the item and left without looking to see what it was.

Inside were two sheets of talisman paper: one Traction Talisman and one soul protection charm.

They were wrapped in a small sachet.

Wen Ying had written Chaochao’s name on it, as well as Grandpa Zhang’s name.

She didn’t know if it would work, but it was the only thing she could do for Chaochao right now.