Zhan stood aside while a nurse explained to Hanyu's mother what Dr. Jing had told her over the phone: she should give her husband's number and then go home to fetch Hanyu's clothes. Within a minute, Hanyu's mother handed over her husband's contact and hurried out without paying Zhan any attention. She was rushing home. Zhan just watched her leave with a heavy heart, then slowly turned toward the reception exit.
Dr. Jing had just come downstairs when he saw Zhan leaving, so he followed him outside and said, "I already called her husband. He's on his way now."
Zhan nodded and replied, "That's good. I hope they find strength to endure this."
Dr. Jing sighed. "Yes, unfortunately, that's how some people are. They only bring a child to the hospital when things get very bad."
Zhan added, "I had to insist she let us bring the girl here. She didn't intend to; she said her husband had already bought medicine at a pharmacy."
Dr. Jing gave a small smile. "So, where are you heading now?"
Zhan answered, "I'm going home."
Dr. Jing glanced at his hands and noticed he wasn't carrying anything. "Wait, you don't even have a bag with you. Let me at least give you some transport money."
Only then did Zhan realize he had left empty-handed. He rubbed his fingers nervously. "I didn't even notice. I was too worried about the little girl's condition."
"That's understandable. You did well too," Dr. Jing said warmly, pulling out 200 yuan from his wallet. "Here, this should get you home."
Zhan bent his head slightly in thanks. "I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome," Dr. Jing replied. "If I want to reach you later, how can I contact you?"
Zhan hesitated. He hadn't memorized his new number yet. Dr. Jing noticed his silence and said, "Alright then, I'll have the nurses bring you one of mine card, and you can call me with your number later."
"Alright, thank you," Zhan said.
Dr. Jing nodded and returned inside the hospital. A few minutes later, a nurse came out with Dr. Jing's complimentary card and handed it to Zhan. He thanked her and then walked across the large hospital compound until he reached the main gate, where the security guards opened it for him.
When Zhan got back to Foshan, he saw men gathered at the entrance of Hanyu's family home, waiting for the body. Women were slipping through the gate into the compound. Zhan's chest tightened. He quietly entered his own house next door. He couldn't bring himself to join the wailing inside.
- - - -
Granny Ai was sitting in Lan Yi's sitting room, preparing Korean...kimchi...for her. "Since Qiren promised they're doing everything possible to find him, you should calm down and stop worrying," she told Lan Yi. "He's not a careless man, and he knows important people in this country. Look, even Fang Yu Jie was taken to the police station and was released without Qiren needing to appear in person...just a phone call from him was enough. So, when he says they're working hard to find Zhan, believe me, you'll see him return home safely."
Lan Yi just kept watching her quietly. Granny Ai finished seasoning the kimchi and pushed it toward her. "Once you taste this, you'll feel better. It will open up your appetite."
Lan Yi didn't respond or pick up the plate. Granny Ai frowned. "I'm tired of serving you like this. Do you even know how far I went to get these fresh vegetables? Your area doesn't have good ones, I had to travel far. Qiren has already reassured you, yet you're still sulking. Zhan is not a child. He deliberately put us through this pain. If we decide not to forgive him, let it be. Stop torturing yourself. When he sees everyone moving on, he'll come back. For now, he knows we care too much....that's why he's dragging this out."
Finally, Lan Yi picked up the plate and began to eat slowly. Granny Ai smiled. "That's better. There's chickens in the fridge too....probably from Qiren. Later, I'll make a nice chicken soup for us to eat with bread."
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Both women turned. Shu walked in, wearing a tightly fitted dress with a scarf draped loosely around her neck and a handbag in hand. She sat down casually and looked at Lan Yi. "Aunty, good afternoon."
Lan Yi didn't look at her and kept eating. "Afternoon," she replied shortly.
Shu turned to Granny Ai, who was staring at her with open disapproval. "Good afternoon Granny Ai," Shu said flatly.
Granny Ai put her hand on her chin and sneered. "So you're back from your shameless wandering, like a stray goat. What brings you here? Did someone tell you Fang Yu Jie is around? You don't know the way to her place, so you decided to come here instead?"
Shu scowled and snapped back, "Stop insulting me, Granny Ai. What did I ever do to you? Every time I come here, you start abusing me. I won't accept it anymore."
Before she could say another word, Lan Yi pointed at the door. "Get out."
Shu glanced at Lan Yi in shock, clearly not expecting such a reaction from her. Granny Ai, who had just finished talking, angrily hurled the spatula at Shu and shouted:
"Get up and leave, you useless, ungrateful thing! Look at you...already thirty and still without a husband because of your terrible attitude!"
Shu burst into tears, stood up, and rushed out of the sitting room. Granny Ai, still fuming, muttered,
"I swear I'm beginning to doubt Min's family. If they allow Shu to succeed in breaking through, she'll become unbearable. Just look at how she hurts their niece...already wild enough that you can almost see through her skull. And yet they let Shu be! If I knew her relatives' house, I'd go there right now and tell them Shu is back, but warn them never to think of taking my sister over again. Let them take Shu, they'll see her in Jie own home."
Lan Yi said nothing, absentmindedly picking at the kimchi in front of her.
Shu went straight Granny Fang Yu's home. As soon as she entered the sitting room, she collapsed on the floor, stretched out her legs, and began sobbing bitterly.
"I told you I didn't want to go, but you forced me! You said I had to visit Aunt since she was unwell. I warned you, but you insisted. And when I came back, they tormented me. Ai and Aunt Lan Yi kept insulting me, calling me an orphan, a useless burden. They even said I was already thirty with no husband."
Granny Fang Yu, who was sitting quietly, lowered her voice.
"Even Lan Yi joined in?"
Through tears, Shu replied, "She didn't start it, but she's the one who threw me out of the sitting room. I want nothing more to do with them. They don't like me anyway. If anyone interferes again, I swear I'll curse them, I don't care."
Granny Fang Yu sat silently, her heart heavy with anger. At last, she said,
"Forget them. Everyone lives for themselves. But Lan Yi? That truly surprises me. As for Ai, no....she's always been reckless and vicious."
Shu looked up quickly.
"She's the one who told me to get up and leave. I told you, it was Aunt Lan Yi who started it!"
Granny Fang Yu asked in disbelief,
"She simply told you to get up and leave?"
Shu broke into fresh sobs.
"Yes, exactly that!"
Granny Fang Yu slowly reached for her phone.
"Call Lan Yi for me."
Shu dialed the number and handed the phone over as it began to ring.
Lan Yi was sweeping the sitting room, while Granny Ai sat with one leg crossed over the other, muttering,
"You need to toughen up. Stop sitting there like a dumped lover, letting everything pass by as if you have no will. Even if Zhan were to die today, it would be better for us to start preparing ourselves for peace and acceptance."
Lan Yi looked up at her briefly, but Granny Ai continued watching the television as if nothing had been said.
Lan Yi kept sweeping....not because she felt well, but because Granny Ai had forced her to. When Lan Yi's phone began ringing, she quickly picked it up.
"Who is it?" Granny Ai asked.
Lan Yi stayed quiet for a moment, then murmured, "It's Mother."
Granny Ai snatched the phone.
"Give it here before the call ends."
Lan Yi said nothing, and Granny Ai, clearly impatient, answered.
"Hello, Jie, good afternoon."
On the other end, Granny Fang Yu asked,
"Where is Lan Yi?"
"She's busy, so I picked up. What's the matter?"
"Did Shu come to your place? And did you insult her, Ai?"
"Who's Shu? Oh, you mean your precious grandchild? Just because you weren't left to sleep among thieves, so you forgot what that stupid granddaughter of yours did, you think you have the right to lecture me about Shu? Ridiculous, Jie."
Angrily, Granny Fang Yu said,
"Don't speak nonsense, Ai! What kind of troublemaker are you? Give the phone to Lan Yi...I'm not speaking to you."
"I won't," Granny Ai snapped. "If she hears your words, she'll only grow more restless, and if she dies, I'll be the one who suffers, not you. You and Shu have been poisoning Lan Yi's mind for years. You turned her against Zhan until she drove him away. Now, because of you, Qiren has taken his new wife and moved into the grand house he built, while Lan Yi has been left behind here in misery. Yibo himself told me just last night! Who's to blame but you, your granddaughter, and that spiteful Min? Honestly, I've never seen a mother who doesn't care for her children's peace of mind like you, Jie. Even me, who never had children, would never treat anyone this way. If you don't take care of Shu, she'll cause your downfall."
Granny Fang Yu, furious, replied,
"You dare say that to me? To me Ai?"
"And what did I say?" Granny Ai answered sharply. "I'm only speaking the truth. If I'm lying, may I be punished... but I won't take it back."
Granny Fang Yu's voice was cold.
"Fine. Thank you, Ai. So you insult me to my face now, is that it? Did Lan Yi put you up to this?"
"Lan Yi?" Granny Ai scoffed. "She's lying weak somewhere, probably on a drip by now. I only said this to you because it's the truth...bitter as it may be."
With that, she hurried over to Lan Yi, signaling for her to end the call. Lan Yi hung up, staring at Granny Ai without a word. But her mind couldn't stop repeating one thing Granny Ai had let slip: Qiren had already moved into a new home with his new wife.
Lan Yi's voice trembled.
"So… he really moved into the new house with her?"
Granny Ai wiped the sweat off her brow, feigning surprise.
"What? Of course not! Do you think I'd say such a thing for real? I only said it to upset your mother, to make her leave you in peace. That new bride is probably still living in her parents' home. If anything, her arrival has only made things worse. Qiren isn't a fool."
Lan Yi said nothing more.
Granny Ai picked up her broom and continued sweeping. She muttered, "You never really planned to do this, did you? Go sit down. Since you've turned me into the maid just because I came from the village, I might as well keep working. At least I'll eat and be satisfied."
Lan Yi sat back down, but her heart was unsettled by what Granny Ai had said earlier about the new Mansion.
***
Zhan was sitting in Hanyu's mother's living room that evening. It had been three days since the little girl's passing, and most of the visitors had already left... only her close relatives remained. The loss had deeply shaken Hanyu's mother, especially since she had never been able to have another child. The girl had been only eight years old.
Zhan's phone vibrated. It was Dr. Jing, who Zhan had called earlier that morning without response, now returning the call. He silenced his phone, looked at Hanyu's mother, and said, "Aunty, let me go now. I'll be back tomorrow. Meanwhile, please buy the medicine I wrote down for you. Take it....you'll be able to rest."
Hanyu's mother nodded softly. "Thank you, Sean. But you didn't eat anything."
Zhan smiled faintly. "I'm full already. I didn't even finish what I cooked earlier."
"Alright then, please do come tomorrow," she said.
Zhan stood up, exchanged farewells with the people in the living room, then left.
After locking his own gate, he went inside his own room and dialed Dr. Jing's number. Just as the line was about to cut, Dr. Jing answered. Zhan greeted him politely.
"Who is this?"
"It's Sean," Zhan replied.
"Oh, Sean, sorry....I was busy earlier when you called."
"No problem. How's work?"
"All good. Come to the hospital tomorrow morning."
"Alright," Zhan said quietly.
"Yes. Call me when you arrive."
"Okay, thank you," Zhan responded, and they ended the call.
But Zhan felt his chest tighten with unease. He sat on the edge of his bed, wondering how he would cope with starting work at such a big hospital, among health workers with years of experience. Would he be able to manage? Lately his mind felt clouded, his memory unreliable. That night, he hardly slept, weighed down with anxiety.
By morning, after getting dressed, he forced down only a cup of coffee, too nervous to eat. Wearing his jacket and a nose mask, he picked up his backpack and locked the house. Before heading out, he stopped by Hanyu's mother's place to greet her.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked.
"I did, Sean. Thank you. You're heading out?"
"Yes, I'm going to school," Zhan replied.
"Alright. Be safe and come back soon."
From there, he set out toward central Guangzhou. By the time he reached the hospital...just before ten o'clock...his heartbeat raced. He called Dr. Jing twice, but he didn't pick up. Sitting in the reception area, he greeted a few nurses he saw. One nurse asked if he had an appointment. Zhan shook his head just as Dr. Jing entered the reception hall.
"Meet me at my office," Dr. Jing said, before heading upstairs.
Zhan stood quickly and followed. Inside the office, after greetings, Dr. Jing handed him a bag.
"Your scrubs and shoes. Hope they fit."
Zhan took the bag.
"You look like you're afraid of it," Dr. Jing teased.
Zhan chuckled nervously. "Not at all."
"You'll start today," Dr. Jing said firmly. He pointed to a side room. "Go try them on."
Zhan nodded, carrying the bag into the room. A few minutes later, he stepped out, still wearing his jacket over his clothes.
"They fit," he said.
"Then why take them off? Keep them on. You're starting the work today."
Zhan only smiled faintly and sat down again. Just then, a knock came at the door. With permission, a nurse entered... she looked about thirty. After greeting respectfully, she smiled as Dr. Jing said:
"Good morning, Hannah. This is our new staff member. I'll be assigning him to you for now. Please guide him. He won't be handling tasks yet, but whatever you do, make sure he's close by to observe."
"No problem, sir," Hannah replied.
Dr. Jing continued, "If anyone asks, say he was transferred here."
"Yes, sir."
Turning to Zhan, Dr. Jing said, "Nurse Sean, follow your colleague. She'll show you where to change."
"Thank you," Zhan replied softly, standing with the bag in hand to follow Hannah.
Down at the reception, a few nurses eyed them curiously. Hannah led him to the changing room.
"Welcome to our hospital, Nurse Sean," she said warmly.
Zhan smiled. "Thank you."
After changing into his scrubs, he stepped out. Hannah's eyes lit up.
"Wow, it looks like these were tailored just for you. You look really smart."
Zhan forced a smile, though the uniform did make him feel more at ease.
"What school did you graduate from?" Hannah asked.
Zhan told her.
Her eyes widened. "Really? I studied there too! Almost eight years ago now."
Zhan, not keen on long talk, quickly asked, "Where should I leave my bag?"
Just then, another nurse walked in, glanced at Hannah, and said, "There's an emergency."
Without hesitation, Hannah grabbed Zhan's bag, placed it with his spare scrubs and shoes into a safe, locked it, then pulled him along as they hurried out of the room.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛