At this time a man in his 70"s with a thick head of white hair and a long white beard walked in. He had an aura that was distinguished but caused one to feel tranquil when in his presence. He was accompanied by a bodyguard. Gou Sheng was the first to sense him: "Grandfather."
Elder Gou: "Sheng."
Madame Qin stood up: "Elder Gou."
Elder Gou nodded in response.
Gou Sheng walked over: "Thank you for coming to pick me up." He then stood beside his grandfather the perfect picture of obedience.
At this time a doctor walked over to them: " I am Dr Lan JuYi, Dr Li Xiuying has permitted me to give you an update on her situation."
Qin Jingfei: "Please proceed."
Dr Lan JuYi,: "Dr Li Xiuying has regained consciousness. She has a laceration to her forehead but CT shows no intracranial bleeding. She has 2 broken ribs on her left-hand side. Some minor cuts and bruises. She"s in pain, and feels groggy but is otherwise clinically stable. We will keep her overnight and monitor her over the next 24 hours as per protocol for a head injury."
Madame Qin: "What about Jun Wen? How is he?"
Dr Lan JuYi, politely said, "His family members have taken him home, I am not at liberty to say anything further."
Qin Xian Jun: "They didn"t even say anything. The just came and ..."
Madame Qin: "That"s enough, they probably have their own reasons for doing so."
Qin Jingfei: "Are we able to see Li Xiuying?"
Dr Lan Ju Yi: "You may. However, she has been through a great deal today and requires sufficient rest."
Everyone followed Dr Lan JuYi down a corridor and to a room. They knocked on the door before entering. They fond Li Xiuying sitting up and watching TV. She had a dressing on her head and looked worn out.
Madame Qin spoke a little distantly: "We"re glad you"re okay." She put little 4th down.
Little 4th walked to the bedside with his head down.
Li Xiuying got her gloves from the side and stroke his head she whispered to him: "It"s not your fault. Some things in our lives are beyond our control and expectations. No one could have foreseen the events of today." She knew he would blame himself, she didn"t want him to be burdened by guilt.
Little 4th finally felt all his emotions rus.h.i.+ng out of him. He sobbed gently whilst he leaned his head on Li Xiuying thigh. Li Xiuying gently stroked his hair she kept telling him that she was fine and it wasn"t his fault.
After a short while, Madame Qin interrupted the scene: "Little 4th we have to be going now. Let Li Xiuying rest."
Little 4th looked up at his big sister and saw that she had a gentle smile on her face but looked weary. He rubbed his eyes: "Big sister I"ll come and visit."
Madame Qin pursed her lips but didn"t say anything.
Li Xiuying stroked little 4th"s head one last time: "Mmm."
Madame Qin picked up Little 4th: "Let"s go." All the Qin family exited saying well wishes to Li Xiuying as they left.
Elder Gou Stepped forward: "Dr Li. I am Gou Cheng"s grandfather forgive me for not introducing myself earlier. May have a moment of your time?"
Li Xiuying nodded.
Elder Gou: "Take Sheng out for a moment and guard him well."
Gou Sheng followed the bodyguard out. He glanced over his shoulder at Li Xiuying with a look of concern.
Elder Gou took a seat and slipped out some Buddhist prayer beads from his pocket. They appeared to be made from high-quality jade and glistened even in the hospital lighting, He sat in silence a few minutes before speaking.
Elder Gou: "I"m sure my family"s Sheng has already told you about our background and his heritage.2
Li Xiuying nodded "Divination."
Grandfather Gou: " I won"t bore you by repeating the details again. Our family has always tried to follow Buddha"s teachings as closely as possible. Some may even call us slightly superst.i.tious and question ou practices. Take Gou Sheng"s name, for example, people may think its ridiculous but such a name to ward off the bad luck that he had acc.u.mulated from a past life. It also will help mold his temperament. Following on from this, we are in control of our fates. Most humans are ignorant of this which can lead to their suffering. A concept know as Kharma; a law of cause and effect. You"re a doctor so if I use science it would be closet to Newton"s third law for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."
Li Xiuiyng silently looked at the old man, her face remained expressionless.
Elder Gou: "You are probably wondering why this old man is rambling on at you especially being this is our first meeting. I don"t claim to have powers in the slightest but it is recorded by many faiths that when someone has a strong link to their spiritual side they may see, hear or feel things that others do not. Thing"s that have no explanation."
Li Xiuying thought to herself "my existence has no explanation"
Elder Gou: "Your eyes are empty. I sense a darkness in you. It is tainting your soul. It is something that may even taint your future reincarnation cycle"
Li Xiuying sat silently.
Grandfather Gou: "Although you are filled with darkness there are s.h.i.+nning specks of light. Heed my warning Your reincarnation cycle will be tainted if you continue down the path of self-destruction."
Li Xiuying: "I will see my path through to the end."
Elder Gou had expected as much from the young lady before him. He stood up: "Since you have chosen this road, this will not only affect yourself but the lives of others around you."
Li Xiuying looked at elder Gou: " Hmm?"
Elder Gou: "I suggest you stay away from my grandson and the other little one. Their lives are just beginning. They should not have darkness taint them to early on, life is hard enough without calling adversity onto one"s self. Secondly, if you insist on this path you should do it alone by dragging others into your futile quest you will only cause them suffering if not worse."
Li Xiuying had a small depreciating smile on her face.
Elder Gou; "This is just an experienced old man"s conjecture. However, can say with confidence that I have only given advice to a handful of people and I have only ever been wrong once and that was but a trivial matter. I will take my leave."
Li Xiuying said nothing as she slowly watched the old man leave the room and close the door.
Li Xiuying sat motionlessly staring at the door, her mind repeating the words that Elder Gou had said. An hour or so had pa.s.sed before she turned her gaze away from the door.
Li Xiuying looked at her hands in front of her and questioned her existence. She had traveled back in time and changed the outcome of her life for good. She didn"t know why this phenomenon happened to her, for all she knew there could be others but who would speak of this? How could she just let go of the anger and hatred she had deep within her heart. Surely, this is heavens recompense for making her live a life worse than death. She had a scalpel in her hand every moment she was conscious and saved lives but a part of her soul died every day.
Li Xiuying looked at her small hands in front of her: "I didn"t ask to be brought back, I welcomed death, I yearned for it. How can I just forgive everyone for what they have done to me and my family? Even if I did, would they let me go? Would the torment stop if I stopped seeking revenge? All these people take mercy and leniency for weakness. My very existence has incurred hatred from others." Even though she barely spoke and avoided people, they still came to try and tread on her.
She clenched her fists and a single tear fell down her cheek:: "I lived a lonely life before, am I cursed to have a lonely existence again? So be it." She was grateful to all those that were good to her. She cherished them dearly and would never willingly put them in harm"s way. However, Daiyu was still hurt because of her. Maybe the old man was right, all she would do was cause suffering to her loves ones.
Li Xiuying closed her eyes as a pain enveloped her heart "I have to let them go."
She didn"t notice the tall shadow that had been watching her every move and listening to her every word slip away from her room door.
Hours pa.s.sed and Li Xiuying looked at the TV in front of her.
There was a knock on the door.