Yearning For Warmth, Day and Night - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Hospital

After breakfast, Shiyi was called into the car by Wei Hui. She asked in confusion, “Third Miss, where are we going?”

Wei Hui leaned back in her seat and replied softly, “The hospital.”

Shiyi’s heart trembled for no reason. She thought of what Wei Hui had said before—about taking something from her. So now… were they going to the hospital to take it?

The ride was silent. Shiyi’s face was paler than Wei Hui’s, even though Wei Hui was the actual patient. Just as they were about to reach the hospital, Shiyi finally couldn’t hold back and called out, “Third Miss.”

Wei Hui slowly opened her eyes. She hadn’t rested well the night before and felt a bit tired. The sunlight outside was too glaring, so she had closed her eyes to rest, though she couldn’t sleep. She kept hearing the rustling of fabric—Shiyi seemed to be fidgeting nonstop. Just as she was about to lose patience and open her eyes, she heard her name called.

“Third Miss.”

She turned her head to look at Shiyi and saw a worried expression on her fair face. Her beautiful eyes carried a trace of fear. Wei Hui parted her lips. “What is it?”

Shiyi nervously twisted her fingers and asked, forcing herself to speak, “You still haven’t said… what you want to take?”

“It’s really not… my eyes?”

Wei Hui hadn’t expected her to still be thinking about that. But then again, it made sense. She had brought her to the hospital without a word of explanation—of course the girl would imagine the worst. Thinking this, Wei Hui shook her head gently. “No.”

Shiyi still stared at her intently. Wei Hui coughed lightly, a faint unnatural blush rising to her cheeks. Her usual sharpness was gone, replaced by a strange softness. In a slightly hoarse voice, she said again, “Don’t worry. Whatever it is, I’ll ask for your consent.”

There was no domineering pressure, no sharpness. The way she looked at Shiyi was calm. Facing those eyes, Shi Yi’s frantic heartbeat slowly steadied. She didn’t know why, but suddenly… she felt safe.

After arriving at the hospital, the driver opened the car door. Wei Hui got out first, lifting her bag. “Come on.”

Only then did Shi Yi get out and follow her.

Maybe because she’d been here once before, Shiyi wasn’t as timid this time. She walked confidently beside Wei Hui as they entered. The two cute receptionists from last time weren’t there, which made Shi Yi frown. Looking closer, the whole hospital seemed… empty.

Su Ziyan, in a white coat, came out from an office in the back. When he saw them, he called out, “This way.”

Wei Hui gave a small nod and told Shiyi, “Follow me.”

Shiyi obediently trailed after her into an office. Su Ziyan smiled at Shiyi and said, “I have something to discuss with Third Miss. Sit for a while, okay?”

After saying that, he pulled out a handful of colorful candies from a drawer and handed them to her. “We’ll be back once you finish these.”

Holding the brightly colored candies, Shiyi was momentarily speechless. A sense of warmth crept into her heart. When the door closed gently, she peeled one open—lemon flavor. Sweet and sour. Just like the ones her grandma used to give her.

She suddenly felt like a child who had stumbled upon treasure. Curiosity bloomed in her heart. As soon as she finished one, she unwrapped another. Before long, the whole room was filled with a soft, sweet fragrance.

In the adjacent office, Wei Hui sat at a desk. Su Ziyan looked over her medical reports with a cold expression. “You still want to hide this from me?”

Wei Hui had been feverish all night and didn’t get proper rest in the car. Coming to the hospital took a lot of energy. Now seated, she was slightly short of breath. Without looking up, she replied, “I wasn’t hiding it from you. I just wanted to wait until after work was done.”

“After work?” Su Ziyan clenched the scans in his hand. “At this rate, you might not live long enough to finish your work!”

He looked at her. In the past, she always came for monthly checkups and followed his instructions strictly. Her condition hadn’t improved, but at least it hadn’t worsened. Since last month, she had skipped appointments. Every time he tried to book her in, he got brushed off. He should’ve caught on sooner. He shouldn’t have let wishful thinking get the better of him. Su Ziyan was frustrated by his own slow reaction.

“If you keep this up, you’ll be meeting the grim reaper in a matter of days.”

Wei Hui lowered her head and laughed. Only Su Ziyan dared to speak to her like this. “Hook me up to the IV,” she said.

“IV again,” he muttered, “I don’t know why you’re pushing yourself so hard. What’s the point of all that money if you’re not alive to spend it? You don’t even have anyone to leave it to—unless…”

He suddenly turned to her. “Wait. That child you brought back—don’t tell me—”

Leaning back in the chair, Wei Hui’s face was pale, the flush deepening unnaturally. Her body was growing hotter. “Ziyan, hurry.”

Her urging made Su Ziyan quickly step forward. He stared at her face for a few seconds before inserting the IV needle efficiently. The cool liquid entered her veins. Wei Hui slowly closed her eyes.

“You’re not actually thinking of—”

“Ziyan,” she interrupted in a low voice, “Let me rest.”

She was utterly exhausted. Faint dark circles under her eyes. Her usually sharp and beautiful face was flushed. Right now, there was none of the decisive aura she wore in the business world—she looked more like a fragile beauty, weak and sickly. Su Ziyan could only sigh, “Fine, you rest. I’ll check on Shiyi.”

A soft hum answered him. He sighed again and left the room.

Shiyi had just finished the last candy when the door opened. Startled, she accidentally swallowed the hard candy whole, wincing.

Su Ziyan saw the pile of wrappers on the table and laughed, “You really did eat them all?”

“Won’t be hungry for lunch then?”

He felt very different from Wei Hui—gentler, more easy-going. Shi Yi thought Su Ziyan was kind and soft-spoken, even when just chatting idly.

But despite all his gentleness, Shiyi still preferred being with Wei Hui. They had only known each other a few days, but Wei Hui already felt like a pillar of strength, someone she instinctively wanted to rely on.

Especially after last night, she realized Wei Hui wasn’t that scary after all.

Noticing Su Ziyan still looking at her, Shiyi glanced at the wrappers and bit her lip. “You said you’d be back when I finished them.”

Su Ziyan blinked. He’d thought she just had a sweet tooth—but she’d remembered his words so literally. This kid… was different from what he expected.

He recalled his earlier conversation with Wei Hui and said, “Shiyi.”

She looked up, eyes bright and full of attention. The sunlight fragmented in her pupils, glittering. He hesitated, then said, “Let’s go get something tasty.”

“What about Third Miss?” she asked, peering behind him. Her expression was inquisitive. “Isn’t she coming?”

“She’s resting,” he replied. “She won’t be joining us.”

“What do you want to eat?”

Su Ziyan had a younger sister about the same age as Shiyi, studying abroad. Thinking of her softened his gaze. “There’s a new restaurant nearby. Want to try it?”

Shiyi stood, hands clenched at her sides. Maybe she had too much candy—her throat felt a bit sweet. She bit her lip and said, “I want to wait for Third Miss.”

She was very firm. Su Ziyan checked his watch and shook his head. “No need. She doesn’t like food from outside.”

Shiyi immediately deflated, like a balloon losing air. She looked downcast. Su Ziyan asked, “You really want to eat with her?”

“No, no,” she said hastily. “I just thought… if she doesn’t eat lunch, she’ll be hungry.”

“She looks unwell.”

Quiet and reserved on the surface, but unexpectedly sensitive and thoughtful. Su Ziyan paused, then said, “She’s fine. Just caught a small cold last night. She’ll be better after a nap.”

Shiyi nodded. “Okay.”

Su Ziyan grabbed his coat. “Let’s go.”

As they stepped out, Shi Yi heard faint coughing from the room next door—just like last night. It was Third Miss. She tilted her head to glance at the door, but it was tightly shut. She couldn’t see anything.

Su Ziyan was already a few steps ahead. Shiyi turned away and quickly followed.

Lunch was at a nearby restaurant with traditional décor. Small private booths lined the place, one next to another. To avoid making Shiyi uncomfortable, Su Ziyan chose a spot in the open dining area, by the window. From here, they could see the hospital.

Shiyi kept glancing at it.

After ordering, Su Ziyan said, “Just some home-cooked dishes. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I ordered a few extras.”

Shiyi quickly waved her hands. “No need. I eat everything.”

After the waiter left, Su Ziyan sipped some tea and asked, “Shiyi, what do you think of Third Miss?”

Shiyi looked up, noticing his expression was serious despite the gentle smile. The aura was a bit different. She thought carefully, then replied sincerely, “Third Miss is very nice. She’s a good person.”

A soft chuckle came from across the table. Su Ziyan dabbed the corners of his mouth with a napkin. “You know, that’s the first time I’ve heard someone say that.”

Others saw her as beautiful, rich, powerful—everything enviable. But their kind of “good” wasn’t the same as what Shiyi just said. He could tell the girl wasn’t lying. She truly believed Wei Hui was a good person.

Was this… what they called fate?

Shiyi didn’t understand why Su Ziyan was staring at her like that. But she didn’t dare ask. She lowered her head, fingers twisting the fabric of her pants. The clothes were new, prepared by Third Miss. She’d already wrinkled them.

When the dishes arrived, Su Ziyan finally looked away and said calmly, “Eat. Have more.”

“Thank you, Dr. Su.” Shiyi lowered her head to eat. Sunlight streamed through the window, landing softly on her shoulders. She was thin and quiet, eating delicately without making a sound. Her movements were careful.

When her head was down, she seemed plain. But when she looked up—such a beautiful face. No wonder Wei Hui brought her home after just one meeting.

Even Su Ziyan had to admit—so young and already this pretty. Once she fully grew up, she’d be stunning.

And maybe… that was what Wei Hui liked.

Su Ziyan stared at her for a while, then set his chopsticks down. “Shiyi.”

She looked up. His expression had turned serious again, making her nervous. “Dr. Su?”

He hesitated a few seconds and then asked, “Do you like Third Miss?”

At that, Shiyi was so startled that her chopsticks clattered onto the table with a crisp sound.