Aki Apricot Juvenile - Chapter 12
These days, “idle” had become the perfect word to describe Qiu Xingyou. Life seemed peaceful on the surface yet fate itself was dragging along on its last breath. The only thing keeping everything from collapsing was Qiu Xingyou’s fragile calm.
But peace never lasts forever.
Meng Li came back his eyes filled with both sorrow and anger. And Qiu Xingyou knew it would happen eventually. Some things, no matter how much you try to delay them, always find their way to you like an ambitious politician who can never allow the world to remain at peace.
The next morning, when the sky was still pale and cool, Qiu Xingyou quietly slipped out while Jiang Ji was still asleep. He had arranged to meet Meng Li at the latter’s old apartment. Qiu Xingyou arrived early, but once he stood before the door, he suddenly didn’t know how to face him or how to face the truth. His breathing grew heavier. He hesitated for a long time before he could lift his hand to knock.
Before he could, the door opened.
Meng Li stood there, looking exhausted and older than before his face worn with fatigue, stubble shadowing his jaw.
“Brother…” Qiu Xingyou’s voice was soft.
Meng Li gave a slight nod. “You’re here. Come in.”
As soon as Qiu Xingyou stepped inside, a stale, dusty scent hit him. The air was thick and unmoving it was clear that no one had lived here for quite some time.
They sat down side by side on the worn-out sofa. Meng Li reached for a half-full glass of water on the table and drank it all in one go, then leaned back and closed his eyes for a moment before finally speaking, his voice trembling with frustration.
“Why did you hide it from me? Why? You knew, didn’t you? You’ve known all along! How did I not see it? Was that part of why you went to Japan to run away from this? Tell me, Xingyou! What am I supposed to do? What am I your brother supposed to do?”
His voice rose as he spoke, his hands gripping Qiu Xingyou’s shoulders, shaking slightly. His eyes were wet, the tears glimmering but refusing to fall.
“I’m sorry, brother…” Qiu Xingyou murmured, his voice cracking. “I’m just… so tired. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do anymore. I kept thinking, since things have come this far, maybe I should just keep going down the wrong path there’s no turning back now anyway. I won’t live long, and someday, I’ll end it myself before the pain does it for me.”
He leaned forward, wrapping his arms around Meng Li. For the first time in a long while, he felt his heart loosen a little. He didn’t have to face the demons alone anymore.
Meng Li silently reached behind him and handed Qiu Xingyou a thick brown envelope. “I went to Japan this time and got these from your doctor your medical records, and enough medication to last you a long time. We’ll get through this. Together.”
Qiu Xingyou took the envelope with trembling hands, his lips curling into a bitter smile. “It’s too late, brother. It’s been too late for a long time.”
He opened the envelope slowly, exhaled deeply, and pulled out the documents inside.
[Confidential Medical Report]
Patient Name: Qiu Xingyou
s3x: Male
Place of Origin: Qiaonan District, Luozhou City, China
Age: 29
Bl00d Type: RH Negative
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 65 kg
Occupation: Composer, Photographer
Ethnicity: Han
Diagnosis:
The patient suffers from severe neurasthenia (nervous exhaustion). The condition originated in adolescence following the traumatic loss of both parents in a car accident. Despite years of treatment, the illness showed no improvement. Prolonged mental stress and emotional suppression led to further deterioration. The patient later developed Cotard’s Syndrome commonly known as Walking Corpse Syndrome.
Initial symptoms included mild hypersomnia and occasional hallucinations. Over time, the condition progressed, placing increasing pressure on the optic nerves, resulting in gradual vision loss and eventual blindness. The patient exhibits moments of dissociation and loss of self-awareness. Memory regression and cognitive decline are expected in the final stage.