Omegaverse: Salted Fish Life in the Yaoi Novel
Chapter 69: Ch 69: Waiting Together
The waiting area outside the operating room at Jiankang Hospital was quiet, the kind of heavy silence that pressed down on the chest and made every small sound feel amplified. Soft overhead lights cast a sterile, cool glow over the rows of chairs and the polished floor, while the faint scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, mingling with the subtle aroma of coffee from a nearby vending machine.
Through the large windows, the afternoon sun filtered in, painting the space in warm golden tones that did little to ease the tension hanging in the room. The distant hum of hospital activity—soft footsteps, occasional announcements over the intercom—created a constant, watchful backdrop.
Su Wanyan sat in one of the chairs, her posture tense. For the past few hours, she had been waiting, her mind a whirlwind of worry and suppressed memories. Her eyes were fixed on the closed doors of the operating room, as if willing them to open with good news.
The weight of the past three days—sleepless nights, constant monitoring, and the emotional strain of seeing Shen Guoxing so fragile—showed in the slight shadows under her eyes and the way her shoulders carried invisible burdens.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. "Su Wanyan!" a familiar voice called out.
Su Wanyan looked up, her heart skipping a beat as Mo Xingxue came running toward her, slightly out of breath. The omega stopped in front of her, panting lightly. "Ho-how long has it been?" Mo Xingxue asked, her voice strained from the rush.
Su Wanyan suppressed the anxiousness swirling in her chest and managed a small, calm smile. "It’s been 1 hour and 17 minutes," she replied, her tone steady despite everything.
Mo Xingxue nodded and sat down beside her, immediately wrapping her hands around Su Wanyan’s. Su Wanyan grasped them tightly in return, drawing strength from the warm, grounding contact.
The two women sat together in patient silence, hands intertwined, sending silent prayers and wishes toward the operating room. Seconds stretched into minutes, and minutes into hours, yet they remained there, unmoving, their shared presence a quiet source of comfort.
Su Wanyan’s leg bounced restlessly, her golden-rimmed glasses slightly askew from how many times she had pushed them up in nervous habit. Mo Xingxue sat with more outward composure, but her grip on Su Wanyan’s hand was firm, almost desperate, as if anchoring herself against the fear of bad news.
Mo Xingxue glanced at her watch and noticed it had been 2 hours and 32 minutes since she arrived. Anxiety gnawed at her, and she couldn’t hold it in any longer. "She’s going to be okay, right?" she asked, her voice strained with worry.
Su Wanyan nodded firmly and tightened her hold on Mo Xingxue’s hands. "Yeah.." she said softly, then turned to look at her directly. "She’s going to be okay." The certainty in her voice was so strong that Mo Xingxue felt a flicker of conviction take root despite her fears.
The two women looked at each other and shared a small, reassuring smile, their anxiousness easing just a little in that moment of connection. Just then, the doors of the operating room opened. Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue stood up immediately, still holding hands, and approached Doctor Li as he stepped out.
"How is she?" Su Wanyan questioned, her voice trembling with barely contained emotion.
Doctor Li smiled at them, though it was tinged with caution. "The repair itself was successful," he said.
But both women noticed how his expression faltered for a brief moment. Su Wanyan’s heart sank, and Mo Xingxue’s grip on her hand tightened.
"Why? Did something happen to Shen Guoxing?" Mo Xingxue asked anxiously.
Su Wanyan calmed her by gently patting her back and gestured with her eyes for Doctor Li to explain. Doctor Li let out a wry smile. "Unfortunately.. the damage to her heart occurred long before today. For five years, her heart had to work much harder than it should have. Some of that damage is irreversible," he said, looking at Su Wanyan for support.
Su Wanyan smiled gently and nodded at him. Doctor Li returned the nod and turned to leave, giving them space.
Meanwhile, Su Wanyan comforted Mo Xingxue, pulling her closer. "She’s going to be fine, Xuexue," Su Wanyan whispered softly. "She has us. She’ll be fine." Though even her own eyes glistened with unshed tears.
Mo Xingxue’s body trembled as she fought back tears. This was heartbreaking—as the child’s future mother, it pained her deeply to learn that Shen Guoxing would still face complications. She had only known the girl for a few days, but hearing her background had solidified Mo Xingxue’s resolve to be the mother the child deserved. The news hit her maternal heart like a blow.
Su Wanyan couldn’t hold it in anymore and let her own tears fall, yet she still held Mo Xingxue firmly. "She’s going to be alright," she repeated, her voice steady despite the emotion.
The two women hugged each other tightly in the hallway, lost in their shared parental worries and quiet determination to face whatever came next together.
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A few days had passed since the successful surgery, and the private room in Jiankang Hospital had settled into a quieter, more hopeful rhythm. Soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting gentle, warm patterns across the white sheets and the medical equipment that still monitored the small patient.
The air carried the familiar clean scent of antiseptic, now softened by the faint, sweet aroma of fresh fruit and the subtle warmth of baby powder. Monitors beeped steadily in the background, their sounds no longer alarming but reassuring—a sign that Shen Guoxing’s body was slowly recovering.
Su Wanyan moved with practiced gentleness around the bed, carefully changing Shen Guoxing’s diapers and tending to her with the same devoted care she would give any precious child. Her movements were slow and deliberate, filled with quiet determination.
On the sofa nearby, Mo Xingxue sat comfortably, feeding little Mo Yan from a bottle. The baby suckled contentedly, her tiny hands waving occasionally as she drank. The two women talked softly about future plans—what to do once Shen Guoxing was discharged, what comforting meals to prepare, and how to ease the child back into a normal routine.
After finishing with the diaper change, Su Wanyan turned her attention to organizing the gifts that had accumulated from the other guests and PD Xu Cui. She lifted a box of expensive chocolates, shaking her head with a wry smile. She quietly set them aside on a side table and sighed.
Mo Xingxue heard the sigh and perked up, looking over with concern. "What’s wrong?"
Su Wanyan shook her head and smiled wryly. "Nothing’s wrong, it’s just...." She paused, holding up the box.
Mo Xingxue glanced at it and laughed softly. "Qin Yuran bought chocolates again?"
Su Wanyan laughed along with her, placing the chocolates near Shen Guoxing’s bed. Mo Xingxue stood up, still holding Mo Yan, and moved closer. The baby was wide awake now, her bright eyes curiously fixed on the child lying in the bed. Su Wanyan stretched out her arms, and Mo Xingxue gently handed Mo Yan over. Su Wanyan smiled as the baby grinned back at her, though Mo Yan’s attention kept drifting toward Shen Guoxing.
Mo Xingxue went to the side of the bed and gently stroked the sleeping child’s hair. "That’s your big sis Shen Guoxing," Su Wanyan said softly, moving closer so Mo Yan could get a better look. Shen Guoxing’s complexion was still pale, but her breathing had steadied significantly. The tubes and oxygen mask were gone, leaving her looking small and peaceful in the hospital bed.
Mo Yan studied the figure intently, then broke into a bright, gummy smile. Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue exchanged a warm glance and laughed softly at the adorable reaction.
Just then, they heard a soft groan.
The two women and the baby paused, their smiles freezing. Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue scrambled closer to the bed, eyes wide. Shen Guoxing’s brows furrowed, her eyes shut tightly as if struggling against something. Mo Xingxue continued stroking her hair, murmuring soft comforts in case it was another nightmare.
Although startled by the sound, they concluded it was likely just another episode, as Shen Guoxing showed no immediate signs of waking. Still, all three—two adults and one tiny baby—watched closely.
After a minute, the child settled again. Su Wanyan let out a breath she had been holding, and Mo Xingxue did the same. Even Mo Yan let out a soft, relieved gummy smile.
But contrary to their expectations, the child on the bed began showing difficulty opening her eyes. The two women and the baby girl froze, staring intently. Shen Guoxing finally managed to open her eyes, her movements slow and labored.
Her eyes were the same gentle shape as Su Wanyan’s, giving her an overall soft and detached look at first. But as they focused, a familiar warmth bloomed in them, mirroring Su Wanyan’s kindness.
The four of them stared at each other, stunned. With little Mo Yan’s drool falling as her mouth hung open.
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I fortunately didn’t do what they said.