Chapter 585: Chapter 583: How Did You Get Here?

Moreover, he was in the unfamiliar city of Yancheng. Just as he was wrestling with his indecision, the taxi arrived at the hospital. Xue Xing helped Si Wen out of the car, thanked the driver, and they walked inside. He had assumed the medical procedures in a big city would be more or less the same as back home, but reality dealt him a heavy blow.

Because they didn’t have an appointment and it was nighttime, the hospital only gave them some fever-reducing medication and sent them away. However, just as they were preparing to leave, Si Wen’s symptoms worsened. Even so, the hospital staff insisted they go home and come back the next day after securing an appointment. Setting aside the question of whether they could even get an appointment, Si Wen’s condition had already become exceptionally weak and unstable.

The situation made Xue Xing frantic. He knew they couldn’t delay any longer, but the hospital staff simply ignored him. Ultimately, his anxiety won out over his hesitation. Xue Xing took out his phone, his fingers trembling as he dialed his brother Xue Yang’s number. "Bro..." his voice trembled with barely suppressed anxiety.

On the other end of the line, Xue Yang was in a boisterous environment, the background filled with festive noises. It was obvious his brother and sister-in-law were out on a date. Perhaps that’s why Sister Si Wen didn’t want to tell Lin Xi.

Hearing the unusual state of Xue Xing’s voice, Xue Yang frowned and asked nervously, "Xue Xing, what’s wrong?"

Xue Xing’s eyes were slightly red, his voice nearly choking. "Bro, can you come to the hospital? Sister Si Wen is sick. I brought her for treatment, but the hospital said they won’t admit her without an appointment. I really don’t know what to do."

Xue Xing had never realized that getting medical treatment in a big city was so complicated. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that she was sick, yet they were turned away just for not having an appointment. It wasn’t like their small town, where as long as you were sick, you could go to the hospital and be seen, appointment or not.

Xue Yang’s heart sank. "Which hospital are you at? I’m on my way," he said immediately.

Xue Xing gave him the name of the hospital and then helped Si Wen wait in the outpatient area. Doctors and nurses bustled back and forth, but not a single one stopped to even glance at them. Xue Xing understood; for a hospital, they saw countless patients in far more serious conditions every single day.

"Sister Si Wen, how are you feeling now?" he asked.

Si Wen frowned slightly. "I feel awful."

If only I had listened to Xue Yang and gone back with them for a bowl of ginger soup that day. But it’s too late for regrets now.

Xue Xing comforted her, "Don’t worry, we’re already at the hospital."

"Mm," she murmured.

Half an hour later, Xue Yang and Lin Xi rushed to the hospital, anxiety and concern written all over their faces. Seeing Si Wen’s frail appearance, Lin Xi’s heart sank.

On the way over, Lin Xi had already called the hospital director. As they arrived, Director Li was also rushing to meet them.

"Miss, I’m terribly sorry. We had no idea Ms. Si Wen was here. If I had known, I would have come down to receive her personally."

Lin Xi had no intention of blaming him. "Director Li, let’s skip the pleasantries," she said simply. "Please check on Si Wen’s condition."

Director Li didn’t dare say another word. He quickly had the nurses take Si Wen to the emergency room and personally examined her. The results were not ideal.

"Miss, Ms. Si Wen’s high fever wasn’t brought down in time, and the infection has spread to her lungs. She must be hospitalized immediately."

Lin Xi’s expression grew solemn. "Please arrange it right away. Thank you, Director Li."

"You’re too kind, Miss. I’ll make the arrangements now." Director Li immediately called the inpatient department and secured a VIP room for Si Wen. He then personally led the nurses to begin her treatment.

Lin Xi stayed in the ward to accompany Si Wen. As it was inconvenient for two men to be in the room, Xue Yang and Xue Xing waited outside.

"Alright, spill it. What happened?" Xue Yang asked.

Only then did Xue Xing seem to recover from the panic that had gripped him since Si Wen’s call that morning. He recounted everything that had happened since the start of the day. When Xue Yang heard that Si Wen had hidden her illness to avoid being mocked by Lin Xi, he couldn’t help but give a bitter smile. "That girl... it’s hard to know whether to be angry with her or to laugh." In truth, he would never mock her. But for some reason, Si Wen was always so competitive around him.

Xue Xing asked, puzzled, "Bro, why was Sister Si Wen afraid to tell Lin Xi she was sick? You two live so close. If she had told her earlier, it wouldn’t have gotten this serious."

Xue Yang patted Xue Xing’s shoulder. "You can ask her yourself when she wakes up."

Xue Xing nodded. "Oh."

His gaze drifted toward the hospital room every so often, anxious for an update. However, the door was closed and the curtains inside were drawn, so he couldn’t see a thing. Still, he could tell the doctors were treating her in an orderly fashion. This suggested that Sister Si Wen’s condition probably wasn’t too severe, and a wave of relief washed over Xue Xing.

Thank goodness he had come. Otherwise... the consequences were too dire to contemplate.

At the same time, a flicker of annoyance rose in him. Sister Si Wen really didn’t take care of herself. To be so sick and still refuse to tell anyone...

Seeing Xue Xing’s low spirits, Xue Yang patted his shoulder again, comforting him. "You did very well this time."

"Bro, about the money... I’ll find a way to pay you back."

Xue Yang didn’t say much, only offered encouragement. "Just study hard."

Xue Xing nodded.

The two of them sat in the hallway, patiently waiting for news from inside.

They waited late into the night. At some point, Xue Yang stepped out and returned with late-night snacks, including a bowl of plain congee for Si Wen. Just as Xue Yang, Lin Xi, and Xue Xing finished eating, Si Wen began to stir.

The pungent smell of disinfectant told her she was in a hospital. She glanced around, her eyes first landing on Xue Xing. She silently breathed a sigh of relief. It’s not a dream. Then she saw Xue Yang and Lin Xi.

She was slightly taken aback. "Why are you guys here?"

Lin Xi reached out and touched Si Wen’s forehead. Her eyes were rimmed with red as she asked softly, "How are you feeling now? Any better?"

Feeling guilty, Si Wen forced a weak smile. "Much better."

Lin Xi sat back down in her chair, remaining silent.

"Oh, come on, I’m fine. You don’t have to worry so much."

But Lin Xi still said nothing.

"I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t think the fever would last this long or get so serious. I promise, if there’s a next time, I’ll tell you right away."

Lin Xi looked up. "You want there to be a next time?"

Si Wen quickly took back her words. "No! Being sick is awful. I definitely don’t want a next time."

"Xue Xing said you haven’t eaten much," Lin Xi said, her tone softening slightly. "Xue Yang bought some plain congee. You should have some."

"Perfect, I’m starving," Si Wen said with a cheeky grin, but Lin Xi simply looked away, ignoring her.