Sorry . This is just a short update.. this chapter is quite a bit long so I had to break it up into 3.
I sat outside the hospital for a while till the swelling in my eyes subsided a bit. Ye Zhengchen had gone out to buy a fruit basket and flowers. He joined me as I walked into the ward.
Dad had woken up. He was still on saline, he still looked ill but his mental state was much better.
My mother saw us at the door. She stood up in surprise when she saw a man in army uniform with me
"Mom, this is my friend", I solemnly introduced Ye Zhengchen, " he has just come from Beijing."
" Hello Aunty", Ye Zhengchen handed the flowers and fruits to her
She hurriedly moved the chair towards him, " Sit down please."
Dad tried to sit up by propping his body against the headboard. Before I could react, Ye Zhengchen stepped forward to help him and adjusted the pillow.
He looked at the infusion and the ECG machine on the bedside.
"Uncle, your health is really not good. Try not to exert yourself."
His warm tone, coupled with his concerned expression clearly revealed a doctor's demeanour even though he was not wearing a white coat.
Seeing my father's surprised expression, I hurriedly explained, "He is my classmate from the department of medicine."
Hearing the word, 'classmate', Ye Zhengchen turned to stare at me
I felt like an electric current passed through me as he stared at me. Momentarily, I had forgotten what I was planning to say.
Mom and Dad looked at each other and then at Ye Zhengchen with a worried expression.
In fact , when I was in Japan, I had once mentioned that a classmate lived next door and really cared about me. Later, whenever I had a chat with my mother, she would often mention him.
When I came back from Japan, I never mentioned him, afraid that my feelings for him would be revealed. My mother asked me once, " Are you still in touch with your classmate in Japan?"
I had briefly answered, "No."
Sometimes even if the words themselves were never said, everyone understood.
Since then, my parents never asked about him. They were happy enough trying to match me with Zhong Tim
…… …
" Is this the friend you were mentioning last night?" my mother asked me.
" Yes", I nodded. Seeing no one else in the ward, I whispered, " Dont worry. He can help with Zhong Tim's matter."
Saying this, I quietly moved next to Ye Zhengchen and surreptitiously tugged his shirt. He understood.
" Mt friend is in charge of the case. He said that Secretary Zhong did not participate in the case. He is just helping tem investigate the case. As for the rumours, the case is still under investigation and the final outcome is yet to be decided."
"When will they complete the investigation?" my Dad asked.
" My friend said that the case is very complicated and involves a lot of people so they may not be able to wrap it up soon. But they are taking special care of the secretary. I can arrange a visit to him in the next few days."
He lied so convincingly that let alone my parents, even I started believing him.
"That's all right, that's alright", Dad finally signed in relief." This is all thanks to you."
" You are welcome, but I really didnt help much."
After a few more sentences for courtesy, Ye Zhengchen turned to the attending physician and meticulously enquire about my father's condition and his medication.
After that, he went out of the ward to make a call.My mother pulled at me as soon as he was out of the door.
" Bo Bing, is he the classmate who lived next door to you ?"
"Yes", I averted my eyes as I answered her. Then, I immediately changed the topic, "You haven't eaten. Let me go and get some breakfast for you."
"We've had breakfast", my dad said, " You go speak to him."
" Ok. I'll see you in the afternoon."
Just as walked out of the door, my mother walked over to me and whispered, " Zhong Tim is still in prison. Don't get too close to other people. This will start people's tongues rolling."
"I know"
I took a deep breath to calm myself down and then walked over to Ye Zhengchen. He was still in a call.
" Is this the best medicine now?" I heard him say.
"Ok. I'll continue for a while."
The he hung up the phone and dialled another number.
He asked someone to go to the Fu Wai hospital and take a box of medicine from Dr Lee, the director of internal medicine and bring it to Nanzhou People's hospital. The name of the medicine was in some foreign language that I did not understand. But I knew that Beijing Fu Wei hospital was one of the best known hospitals in Cardiovascular and Cerebro- vascular diseases.
Strange feelings of gratitude welled inside me. I knew that I could never repay him for his kindness
" Don't bother. This hospital is quite good", I told Ye Zhengchen as soon as he had finished his call, "what my Dad is using is also imported."
" It's not good for heart patients to get infusions. Oral medication is much better."
"But Dr Chen said.."
He interrupted my words before I finished, " Dr Chen, the director of Fu Fu hospital?"
I swallowed the rest of the words I was going to say.
The level of expertise in our provincial hospital was really limited. I decided not to refuse his kindness.
After all, the state of my father's health was more important than anything else.
After breakfast, I got in the car with Ye Zhengchen
He asked me if he should drop me at the hospital. Remembering what my mother had told me just before I left, I shook my head.
He started the card. He did not tell me where we were going and I did not ask
Two people silently sat said by side. The journey was more important than the destination
The White SUV smoothly drove forward. We passed a familiar street, but he didnt say a word and neither did I.
Not long after, we passed the city limits and started making our way through the suburbs. Finally, we reached the woods.
He stopped when we could go no further.
The autumn wind blew softly, dead leaves tumled down from the branches creating a feeling of desolation in one's heart.
He walked out of the car and looked up at the misty sky. The mottled sunlight filtered through the leaves fell on his lonely face.
I walked forward, causing the dead leaves on the ground to rustle as I took each step.
It seemed as if the world only had the two of us.
If it were possible, I would have loved to hug him from behind and cling tightly to him
But I could not!
I wanted to say something to break the suffocating silence but I could not find a single topic to talk about. So I spouted some nonsense instead, " I am sorry, I shouldn't have asked you to help me"
He hesitate, turned back, smiled and gently patted my head, " I am not."
This intimate action reminded me what I had almost forgotten. I had promised to pay him for his favours.
And I clearly knew what Ye Zhengchen wanted.
I would have to pay for it, there was no free lunch!
In my heart, I comforted myself, it's always hard the first time. Then you just get used to being the interloper in a relationship. Maybe I would even et addicted to it.
" What are you thinking?"
I didnt realise when he had come closer to me. As he exhaled, his breath touched my lips.
I did not dare face him. Looking at the yellow leaves, I whispered," How can I pay you back?"
Ye Zhengchen's breath hitched as soon as he heard my question. Then his face broke into a familiar, sly smile. " I like the way you are thinking."