CHAPTER 361: CHAPTER 360: CARE

Putting on the sterile gown, Gu Xiaoqing walked in, silently approaching the bedside. This was the first time seeing Fang Shaohan up close.

Even though the Fang Shaohan she saw was like a mummy, just being near him made Gu Xiaoqing’s heart ache unbearably.

The Fang Shaohan who, with one hand pressing down on his own head, skillfully drove the car, taking her to safety; the Fang Shaohan who, like a hero, protected her amid the barrage of bullets.

Now he lay there lifeless, his eyes tightly shut, with sunken eye sockets and deep shadows beneath them. His chin was covered in stubble, and he showed no sign of life.

The part of his arm that was exposed was emaciated, with an intravenous needle crudely inserted into his vein, appearing pitiful and tragic, making it hard to watch.

The hospital gown covered his entire body, but it was clear it was oversized and ill-fitting, not because it didn’t fit, but because Fang Shaohan had become so thin he was just skin and bones.

Apart from the faint display of breath visible through the respirator mask, there was no other sign indicating this was a living person.

She couldn’t imagine meeting him again under such circumstances.

The soreness in her eyes longed for moisture, but Gu Xiaoqing tried to control her emotions because this wasn’t the time; strong emotions wouldn’t bring Fang Shaohan any turnaround and would only leave others with a false impression of fragility.

However, fragility couldn’t change anything and couldn’t wake Fang Shaohan.

The palm of Fang Shaohan’s hand was motionless on the bed, his bony fingers lifeless.

Gu Xiaoqing watched the liquid from the IV drip slowly flowing in.

"I’ll leave this to you. I have to go and handle other matters." Officer Li, who had changed into a sterile gown without her noticing, appeared beside Gu Xiaoqing, forcing a tone. He knew how awful it was to leave a girl in an entirely unfamiliar place with no instructions, but his task was repeatedly doing such despicable things.

"If you need anything, you can ask the doctors or nurses here. Press the red button at the head of the bed, and someone will come. The rest is up to you."

Gu Xiaoqing nodded silently. She didn’t expect Officer Li to be there to help her because this was a hospital, not anywhere else. She understood Officer Li’s reasons for doing this.

Officer Li left.

Gu Xiaoqing sat quietly on the chair beside the bed, simply watching Fang Shaohan on the bed.

She didn’t know how long it had been when a nurse came in to change the IV fluid and then left without saying a word to Gu Xiaoqing, as if such things were routine to the nurse.

She could only occasionally use a spoon to give Fang Shaohan some water because his parched lips indicated his need, but after the nurses showed her once with a glance, they left it to Gu Xiaoqing.

So Gu Xiaoqing learned this silent task of feeding water.

Because Fang Shaohan made almost no sound, sometimes Gu Xiaoqing wished he would make a sound.

But every time she looked over, it was just her illusion.

When she was giving him water again, he suddenly moaned and turned toward her neck. A sound from someone who hadn’t spoken for a long time naturally startled her, her heart pounding wildly, leaving her momentarily stunned.

She thought he had woken up, but she soon realized it was an unconscious movement of a feverish patient, perhaps a semi-conscious response of the pain.

Gu Xiaoqing could only continue spooning warm water and the prescribed medication into him.

Then she brought some warm water, wrung out a towel, and cleaned Fang Shaohan’s body and face. While wiping his hands, Gu Xiaoqing felt the thick calluses between Fang Shaohan’s knuckles, the hallmark of a long-trained soldier.

Tears stung her eyes, and she quickly covered him with a blanket before turning to control her emotions.

She had no reason to cry! The job was Fang Shaohan’s own choice, and why should she sympathize with him? Some people live on the edge of danger, and they asked for it.

Enduring hardships was also his choice; it wasn’t like he adamantly chose to abandon himself for the mission this time. In reality, she had never promised him anything; their vague relationship never involved anyone abandoning the other.

The doctor came in, checked his pupils and various wounds, saying, "The condition is stable now." He inserted the thermometer under his arm, "If he can wake up, he’ll be out of danger."

"But he hasn’t woken up yet." Gu Xiaoqing was a bit anxious.

"Today, his condition is very stable, the best in days. He might wake up at any time, so he can’t be left alone." The doctor gave a simple check-up and instructed Gu Xiaoqing.

Gu Xiaoqing also hoped he would wake up soon; being with a dormant patient was a terrible feeling.

This frustration, no one could understand, yet there was no place to vent it.

She continued the relentless work of giving water, checking temperature, and softly talking to Fang Shaohan, speaking of insignificant and irrelevant topics.

For example, the disputes when they met, the awkwardness of being cared for by Fang Shaohan when she was sick, and the danger during their life-and-death escapes.

Yet they were sporadic and interrupted, perhaps by certain things, but Gu Xiaoqing didn’t mind, continuing this insignificant self-talk after some time.

Even though she had no idea if Fang Shaohan could hear anything she said.

At night, she lay on the adjacent bed, looking at Fang Shaohan’s motionless silhouette. Although the room was pitch black, Gu Xiaoqing could still feel his presence, the warmth and slight heat of his body, bringing both a stabbing pain and joy to her heart. At this moment, she knew clearly they could never return to the past; many things had changed.

Fang Shaohan occupied an immensely important place in her heart. Even if he left in the future, she could never return to her past life. His injury brought him to her and made the entanglement between them inseparable.

Perhaps this was fate.

When she decided to draw a clear line and remain indifferent, everything started over.