Lifetime risk
"What disease does that cure..."
Lin Nanyan: "Crohn's disease."
Jiang Qing: "Yes, what exactly is Crohn's disease?"
Although she acted as if nothing was wrong in the ward, Crohn's disease was obviously different from gastrointestinal disease. Otherwise, why would it be listed as a separate disease, and why did Wang Huaqiang try so hard to hide the pain?
"Common enteritis can be cured, but Crohn's disease is different. There is no cure."
This was Lin Nanyan's first time encountering this disease. "This means that once a patient is diagnosed, they will suffer from pain for the rest of their life. Even if they undergo surgery, there is always the risk of recurrence. This risk is extremely high, and most people will have to undergo a second surgery."
"The medication will also be a lifelong one. He needs regular checkups and daily monitoring of his physical data. He has extremely strict dietary restrictions and cannot engage in strenuous exercise."
Lin Nanyan frowned as he listened to the sobbing coming from the ward behind him.
"Even with comprehensive treatments like medication, surgery, and nutritional support, it can only alleviate symptoms, not cure the disease, and can barely maintain a normal life."
"No wonder..." Jiang Qing murmured.
No wonder Wang Huaqiang always looked at the ingredients list before putting snacks in his schoolbag when she handed them. No wonder he never went to the cafeteria with them. No wonder he disappeared after the two barbecues. No wonder his phone kept ringing...
"He works so hard, just trying to live a normal life."
But the pain in his body told him again and again that it was impossible.
The consequence of forcing yourself is that you will lie in bed in a cold sweat and be unable to get up.
Every day at school, with gatherings, sports, meals, medications, and body measurements, there are countless moments reminding him that he is not normal.
Jiang Qing suddenly understood Wang Huaqiang.
Understood his paleness, his silence, his longing.
Thinking of Wang Huacheng's words, Jiang Qing felt heavy-hearted. "Perhaps, he doesn't have any complex or unusual wishes. He doesn't even hope for good health. He just wants to fit in, to be happy when his friends are happy, to laugh when they laugh, and to act up when he wants to act up."
But he could only stand silently on the edge of the crowd.
"He wants to be the one who doesn't spoil the fun..."
So he could only overdraw his body, curl up alone in the hospital bed, and grit his teeth to endure the torment of the pain.
Jiang Qing found it hard to imagine how Wang Huaqiang had endured all these years while they, who called themselves his friends, knew nothing about it.
"He only took one day off last time," Jiang Qing looked up at Lin Nanyan, "He's been hospitalized for such a long time this time. How is his health?"
Lin Nanyan fell silent.
But silence is the best answer.
Jiang Qing was silent for two seconds. "Did his mother say when he can be discharged from the hospital?"
Lin Nanyan looked up in surprise.
Jiang Qing explained, "I saw you talking to a strange woman in the hallway. Is that Wang Huacheng's mother?"
"It's his mother, Aunt Yang, who has consulted the doctor. According to the doctor's assessment, if he recovers well, he'll be discharged by Friday, and if not, by next week." Lin Nanyan recalled the helpless look on Aunt Yang's face. "But Wang Huacheng disagrees. He wants to be discharged today."
Jiang Qing: ...
"He's really a rebel in another sense of the word. Quite boisterous."
It's also very bearable.
Jiang Qing raised her hand and looked at her phone.
Lin Nanyan: "What do you want to do later?"
Jiang Qing nodded, "Yes."
There is a patient waiting for her upstairs. He was discharged from the hospital today and his parents must be there. She doesn't want to make him wait any longer.
After calming down, Jiang Qing instructed Lin Nanyan, "Keep an eye on him. When he calms down, let me know. I'll be back as soon as I'm done. Don't let him leave the hospital."
Lin Nanyan: "Okay."
"It's such a hot day, and you're not feeling the heat even though you're wrapped up so tightly," Jiang Qing glanced at him before leaving. "You should find a cool place and turn on the air conditioner for a while. It won't be over soon."
Lin Nanyan subconsciously touched the mask on his face. The stinging pain on the side of his face kept reminding him of its presence.
He smiled and said, "I understand."
As soon as she saw Lin Nanyan's smile, Jiang Qing became angry again for no reason. Why did she care so much about him? It was really useless.
Jiang Qing glared at the boy and turned away.
Lin Nanyan watched Jiang Qing leave and saw the girl's back disappear around the corner above the stairs.
His smile paused. Who else was living in the hospital?
When Jiang Qing arrived at the familiar ward, Song Yao was already dressed and had packed all her supplies. Hearing the voices, she turned around and smiled, "You're here."
Jiang Qing nodded and looked around. "I'm a little late. Are you going to handle the discharge by yourself?"
"It's not too late," Song Yao shook her head, "My mother went to handle the discharge procedures."
She put down the things in her hands, took Jiang Qing's hand and walked out of the ward. "Another patient was moved into the ward yesterday. There are too many people here. Let's talk outside."
Jiang Qing followed her, letting Song Yao lead her to a remote corner through twists and turns.
Jiang Qing stopped. It was a hollow corridor. Through the glass windows, one could see the next floor, but not many people passed by.
When Song Yao saw Jiang Qing looking at the scenery below curiously, she smiled embarrassedly.
"I originally wanted to take you to an open area in the hospital, like the rooftop, but the hospital forbids patients from entering or leaving the rooftop."
She opened the bag she was carrying and said, "This is the medical expenses you paid for me. Thank you for your help yesterday."
Jiang Qing didn't even count and just stuffed it back into her pocket.
"You're welcome. Yesterday..." She looked up at the girl whose face had regained its rosy complexion. "I saved you yesterday. I'm very happy too."
"Did the doctor say that you are completely fine and can be discharged from the hospital?" Jiang Qing couldn't help but ask.
It's not that she is nagging, she is really scared by Wang Huaqiang's outrageous actions, and she is afraid that Song Yao in front of her is also a potential rebel.
"Hmm?" Although Song Yao was puzzled by her question, she answered obediently, "The doctor said that in my case, I only need to be observed for 24 hours before I can be discharged."
Jiang Qing breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good."
"What does the message you sent me today mean?" Jiang Qing suddenly asked.
Song Yao was startled and lowered her head, "It's... literally."
She knew that Jiang Qing would definitely discuss this topic with her when she came to the hospital, so she made an excuse to let her mother leave and found a place for the conversation in advance.
But now Jiang Qing was standing less than two steps away from her, and for some reason all her drafts disappeared in the girl's sight.
She could only respond passively.
"Song Yao," Jiang Qing called her, "Are you willing?"
Are you willing?
Song Yao has asked herself this question again and again.
So, every time she fought back hard, she was faced with a situation that was worse than the last.
And now, someone else asked her.
"Are you willing?"
Song Yao thought that even if it happened a thousand or ten thousand times, the weak flame in her heart could be easily ignited, turning into a raging fire that would burn her body and mind all the time.
She wanted to say that she was unwilling to give up and that she wanted to try again.
But, no.
She knew she couldn't.
She has dragged the whole family into this. To this day, Mom and Dad still go out early and come back late, carefully avoiding other people's criticism.
Ever since she read the note left by He Feipeng, Song Yao had persuaded herself countless times late at night to try again.
But countless times I was overwhelmed by deeper despair.
If...if Jiang Qing was also implicated by her...
Song Yao looked at Jiang Qing, the most beautiful girl in the world. She had prayed devoutly to God, wishing her all the best.
If the girl is also implicated in her affairs, she will hate herself, she will definitely do so.
Song Yao wanted to say that she was unwilling to give up, but what she said was, "I just want to forget the past and live the life I should live."
Jiang Qing: "What kind of life should you live?"
"Was it being forced to transfer to No. 2 Middle School, being bullied by hooligans, or that rainy day that I still can't get over?"
"Look at me, Song Yao, and ask yourself, is this the life you should be living?"
Song Yao looked at Jiang Qing's eyes that were shining brightly in the sunlight. She moved the corners of her lips, but could not say anything.
"This is not it." Jiang Qing's eyes were burning with fire, not only for Song Yao, but also for Song Yao's experience alone.
Song Yao stared at the light in the girl's eyes, and for a moment she felt that the fire was contagious like magic.
She lowered her eyes in a hurry. How could the damp rainy day withstand the scorching sun?
"I...I..." She wanted to continue what she had unfinished, but she never knew that saying a word could be so difficult.
Jiang Qing turned sideways and looked at the crowd moving across the window.
"Song Yao, even if you refuse," she said softly, "I will still investigate thoroughly."
"Why?" Song Yao suddenly looked up. "I already said I don't need it anymore. I just want a quiet life. Do you understand?"
If Jiang Qing continued, all her current obstruction would be meaningless, and she would instead become the opposite side of the girl.
That was not what Song Yao wanted to see, and it went against her original intention.
"Your investigation into those things will only rub salt into my wounds over and over again. I don't need your kindness or your self-righteousness."
"This isn't goodwill, it's just fake, inferior, a burden and an illusion that I don't want."
Song Yao didn't know what she was saying, and she blurted out hurtful words without thinking.
Her only thought was no, not at all.
Facing Song Yao's accusations and complaints, Jiang Qing listened in silence.
"I understand." Jiang Qing's black eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings twice and then returned to calm, restraining all her emotions.
She turned around, and the sunlight came directly through the glass window, dyeing her face a blurry golden color.
In this quiet glass corridor, Song Yao heard the girl's calm voice.
"Because this is not just about you," Jiang Qing looked at Song Yao quietly, "it's also about another girl, and even about me, and about many people around me."
"From the moment I knew Li Liang's name, I was destined to go to him."
"Even without you, even if you refused, it wouldn't change anything."
"So..." She stretched out her hand to Song Yao, "Song Yao, are you willing to help me?"
Song Yao didn't understand what Jiang Qing meant. She didn't know what the girl was saying, but she looked at the girl and saw the determination in her eyes, as if no one and nothing could make her retreat.
At that moment, she knew she was finished.
Song Yao reached out her hand unconsciously, and the moment their skin touched, she felt a soft touch, and her hand was grabbed unexpectedly.
Song Yao came back to her senses and looked at Jiang Qing.
Wherever I looked, the girl smiled with a little playfulness and liveliness.
"Once you agree, you can't go back on your word."
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