After completing some paperwork, Dr. Jing discharged Zhan. He also wrote a prescription on a slip of paper and handed it to him, saying,
"Buy these from a pharmacy. Take care of yourself."
Zhan accepted the paper softly. "Thank you. How much is my bill?"
Dr. Jing pointed at Daniel, who was seated nearby. "He already cleared your bill."
Zhan glanced at Daniel. Before he could say anything, Daniel stood and said, "If you're going back to the hotel, I am head there now too. Or, if you're going somewhere else, I can drop you off. It's already late."
"Alright. Thanks," Zhan replied.
They left the ward together, Dr. Jing walking them partway. Zhan couldn't help scanning the hospital as they moved.....it was clearly high-end, with even some foreign patients. By the time they stepped out into the hospital courtyard, the rain had stopped, but the air was biting cold. Zhan hugged his jacket tighter as they reached Daniel's parked car.
Daniel opened the front passenger door, and Zhan got in. then got behind the wheel and started driving. Not long after they left, hunger hit Zhan hard. Spotting a small eatery, he said,
"I'd like to get something here, if you don't mind."
"No problem," Daniel replied, parking the car.
Zhan got out, locked the door for him, and went inside. It wasn't long before he came back, holding a food bag, and slid into his seat. Only then did it occur to him that he'd bought food just for himself.
As Daniel pulled out of the parking lot, Zhan asked, "Should I get you something too?"
Daniel shook his head. "No, I've already eaten. Thanks."
Zhan didn't press further.
When they passed a pharmacy, Zhan almost asked him to stop so he could buy his prescribed medicine, but decided to wait until tomorrow, after checking out of the hotel.
Once they arrived, Daniel parked. Zhan thanked him and went inside, heading to the reception desk to get his room key. Daniel followed a short while later. After Zhan received his key, he let Daniel go upstairs first before heading up himself.
It turned out their rooms were directly opposite each other. Zhan didn't even glance his way...he unlocked his door, stepped inside, and locked it behind him.
Back in his room, Zhan lay down but couldn't sleep. Since they left the hospital, an unpleasant cramps had been building in his abdomen. At the hospital, he hadn't felt a trace of it, but now it was getting worse.
He tried lying still, then sitting up, but the discomfort became unbearable. Eventually, it overwhelmed him to the point where his mind started to cloud.
Around 1:30 a.m., Zhan staggered to his door, barely aware of himself. He leaned against the wall and knocked weakly on Daniel's door. It took three tries before Daniel's voice came from inside:
"Who is it?"
"It's me," Zhan answered in a trembling voice.
Daniel opened the door, and seeing Zhan crouched over, immediately stepped back in surprise.
Zhan burst into tears. His voice shook. "Please… help me get to the hospital."
Daniel stared at him for a moment.
Zhan clasped his hands together, crying harder. "Please hurry… I can't take it anymore."
Daniel quickly grabbed his car keys, locked his room, and went into Zhan's to fetch his jacket. He handed it over, and Zhan put it on shakily. Locking Zhan's room behind them, they made their way downstairs. Daniel left both room keys with the reception staff before leading the way to the parking area.
Zhan cried the entire drive...only he knew how bad it felt. Daniel spoke to him a few times, offering comfort, but soon fell silent.
At the hospital, Dr. Jing stepped out of Zhan's ward and spotted Daniel leaning against the wall in the corridor, eyes closed.
"Hey, are you sleeping here?" Dr. Jing asked.
Daniel opened his eyes. "Really? What time is it?"
"It's just past two. What time is your flight?"
"Five o'clock."
"So you've got about three hours," Dr. Jing said.
Daniel nodded.
"He's asleep now. I think you can head back to the hotel so you don't risk missing your flight. His family will be here in the morning, and we'll discharge him after that..... it's just cramps. But if you'd rather rest a bit, you can lie down in my office until 3:30 before going to the airport."
Daniel stood up and said, "Okay, I'll prefer that." Together, they returned to Dr. Jing's office. Daniel lay down on the examination bed, still stunned by Dr. Jing's earlier explanation...that the person he had helped was non-binary. He had never met anyone like that before.
- - - - -
Around 3:40 p.m., Daniel woke from his nap to find Dr. Jing absent from the office. Picking up his car keys, he stepped out and made his way to the ward where Zhan was admitted.
Zhan was lying in bed with both eyes open. Daniel walked over and stood beside him without speaking, then asked, "How are you feeling?"
Zhan nodded. "Much better now"
Daniel replied, "Good to hear.
Where's the doctor?"Zhan asked.
"Do you need something?" Daniel asked when Zhan didn't answer immediately.
Zhan shook his head. "Just… please call him for me."
"Alright, I will. Have you spoken to your family?"
Zhan lowered his gaze. "My parents don't live here.... they're in Suzhou. I came here because I got an admission into a university, I am looking for a small apartment in Foshan."
"Oh, so you're a student?"
Zhan nodded again. "This is my first time in Guangzhou. I booked a hotel while waiting for my accommodation."
"Have you gotten the house now?"
"It's still being processed."
"When will it be ready?"
"I'm not sure, but once it's done, I'll move out of the hotel."
"Alright then. I'll be on my way. Take care."
"Thank you," Zhan replied softly.
"I'll be checking out of the hotel when I return, so take care of yourself. Best of luck with your studies."
"Thanks."
Daniel headed for the door while Zhan watched him leave. Outside, in the parking area, Dr. Jing walked Daniel to his car.
"So, when next will you be back?" Dr. Jing asked.
"Maybe in about five weeks, for Hannah's wedding," Daniel said.
"Oh, I see. Safe travels."
"Thanks."
Daniel got into his car and left, while Dr. Jing returned inside and went to Zhan's ward.
"How are you feeling now?" he asked.
"I feel better." Then, in a quieter voice, Zhan added, "Please… is there anywhere I can get some sanitary....." He trailed off.
"Alright, give me a minute," Dr. Jing said, then turned and left.
***
The next morning, Zhan was served a proper breakfast, just like the other patients. It had been a long time since he had enjoyed such a good meal, and he ate well before lying back down. Dr. Jing entered the ward and asked, "So, your parents don't live in this city? I noticed you haven't called them yet."
"I'm a student..... I just got admitted to the university," Zhan replied.
"I see. But they should know you're unwell."
"I don't want to worry them. I only arrived here yesterday."
"Really? From where?"
"From Suzhou."
"That's far," Dr. Jing remarked, before suddenly Zhan added, "But my aunt is in Foshan with her husband."
"Oh, so they know you came to Guangzhou?"
"I'll visit them once I settle in at the hostel," Zhan said.
"That's good. I'm heading home now.....I had the night shift. Do you want me to call your aunt to come get you?"
"No need. I'm feeling much better now. Once I've taken my injections, I can just continue with the medicine."
"So, you want to be discharged?"
Zhan nodded.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Alright then. Are you going back to the hotel?"
"Yes."
"Okay, I'll arrange your discharge and drop you at the hotel before heading home."
"Thank you."
They left the reception area together. All the nurses greeted Dr. Jing warmly.....he clearly had a friendly rapport with them.
Outside, Zhan admired the hospital grounds. The building was large and beautiful, with at least five ambulances parked in the compound.
Once they were in the car, Dr. Jing asked, "What's the name of the hotel?"
Zhan hesitated, trying to remember.
"Did you forget?"
"I… can't remember," Zhan admitted.
Dr. Jing kept driving until they reached the hotel. Parking outside, he looked at Zhan.
"Thanks," Zhan said.
"You're welcome Zaan… uh....."
"Zhan," he correct him.
"Right. Sorry about that."
As Zhan was about to get out, Dr. Jing added, "If you're ever sick again, just come to the hospital and ask for me."
"Thank you so much."
"You're welcome."
Zhan entered the hotel. The receptionist who had given him his room key yesterday said, "The man who took you to the hospital paid for a week's stay in your room."
Zhan stared at her for a moment, then quietly said, "Thank you," and headed upstairs to his room.
~**~
From the moment Lan Yi saw the latter, she didn't stop crying or sleep.....her entire life felt drained of joy. She hadn't sensed Qiren's presence in the house, nor that of the woman he had married. From what she understood, it was as if she were the only one living there.
Early in the morning, around nine, she sat quietly in the sitting room. Since returning the previous day, she hadn't gone to her bedroom.....only stepped into the bathroom before returning to the couch. Her head throbbed painfully as she looked up at the sound of the door opening. Hai Kuan walked in, with Yibo following behind. Lan Yi lowered her gaze.
Yibo sat down, watching her, and said gently, "Good morning Mama."
Lan Yi couldn't answer. Fresh tears filled her eyes. Hai Kuan took a seat in another chair, studying her carefully, then also greeted, "Good morning." But instead of replying, she broke down and cried hard.
Yibo closed his eyes briefly, then opened them with determination. "Please, Mama, stop crying like this," he urged gently. "You're only harming your health."
Lan Yi cut in hopelessly, "How can I stop, Yibo? I've failed as a mother. I failed all of you. I failed Zhan. I wish I had never lived to see a day like this… it would have been better if I weren't here in this world than...." She couldn't finish; her sobs consumed her.
Hai Kuan looked at her and spoke in a low, calm voice. "You didn't fail, Mama. We can all testify to the love you showed Zhan. We're not in the position to question what has happened.....it's already beyond our control. Please calm down. Zhan will come back home safe and sound. Nothing bad will happen to him."
Lan Yi only continued crying. Yibo rose to his feet and said, "Let me get you something to eat," before leaving the sitting room, knowing she hadn't eaten since yesterday. Hai Kuan stayed with her, speaking soothingly; the situation had become too heavy for all of them, and it was better to keep her comforted before her health worsened.
- - - - -
Later that afternoon, Yibo sat alone at a restaurant with a bottle of water in front of him. He had been there for over an hour, glancing repeatedly at his watch. Finally, Dr. Kexing entered. The moment he spotted Yibo, he approached, shook his hand, and sat in the chair facing him.
"Sorry for asking you to meet me here, Doctor," Yibo began. "I hope I didn't interfere with your work. I'm really sorry for any inconvenience this caused."
Dr. Kexing waved it off. "Never mind. I'm listening."
Yibo looked at him steadily. "Doctor, I know Zhan is with you. There's nowhere else he would go except to you..... no one else knows except you. And if I'm not mistaken, this has happened three times already. But tell me honestly.....if Zhan were your younger brother, would you be happy for another man to keep sheltering him because of some issue at home? Wouldn't you want to know what was going on?"
Dr. Kexing just stared at him, then finally said, "I don't understand what you mean."
"You do," Yibo replied firmly. "Zhan has been missing since yesterday, and I'm certain he's with you. Please think about this.....what you wouldn't want done to your own sibling, don't do to others. And tell me, as a responsible person, if he came to you, what should you have done first? Why are you still in a relationship with someone your parents have openly forbidden you to marry...unless you have some ulterior motive toward him? What's the point of a relationship you know will never lead to marriage, since your family said they'd never accept someone without a good background? Why not walk away and leave the innocent man alone?"
Dr. Kexing suddenly stood and slammed his hand on the table. "You're talking nonsense. If I had known you were going to waste my time like this, I wouldn't have come at all." With that, he stormed off. Yibo watched him until he disappeared from sight.
Back in his car, Dr. Kexing couldn't shake Yibo's words. Zhan hadn't been home since yesterday? Then where had he gone? His calls to Zhan's phone had been met with the same result.... switched off. He had even planned to visit Zhan's house today to check on him. The thought that Zhan was missing deeply unsettled him, and he drove away from the restaurant lost in anxious thought.
As soon as Yibo stepped outside, he called Qiren. "Baba, I met with him, but he refused to listen. That only confirms they're truly together."
Qiren, who had been waiting for Yibo's call, said sharply, "Send me his number. I'll have him arrested immediately. His parents are the root of this entire problem. I'll make sure he's in custody today until he tells me where my son is."
Yibo sent him Dr. Kexing's number, and without wasting time, Qiren made a few calls. The tracking of Dr. Kexing began at once.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛