He arrived at the hospital ward at last, only to see Han Xue climbing up the bedside to fall asleep, with the book she was reading sliding to the floor. Lao Die had a kindly appearance, a smile on his face as he watched Han Xue. Hearing the sound of the door being opened, Lao Die raised his head to discover Ye Qian entering the room. He made a gentle gesture for silence.
With a quick glance at the sleeping Han Xue, Ye Qian understood. Walking quietly so as not to make any noise, he shut the door softly. Walking to his father side, he then remarked: “Lao Die, are you feeling better?”
Nodding slightly, Lao Die responds: “I’m fine. By the way, where have you been these eight years, Xiao Er? Have you been doing well?
Ye Qia grew quiet: “Lao Die, don’t talk about these things, I brought you some porridge, please drink it slowly.”
Lao Die knew that Ye Qian was not yet ready to talk about the past, and there was no need to force these things. Glancing to the side of Han Xue, he then said: “This child is pitiful; her parents were killed in a car accident, but she hadn’t received a single penny of savings. The parents should have been more thoughtful for what would have happened to her. Sigh!”
Looking at Han Xue, Ye Qian turned his head to say: “Lao Die, these years must have been exhausting for you. Since I have already returned home, you won’t face any more hardships, and can properly enjoy the rest of your years. I just realised, why haven’t eldest and third brother come back to see you?” Ye Qian took out a small box from a plastic bag as he spoke.
“They have, only now they have already settled down. Besides, I don’t want to add such a burden to their lives. I would also hate to part with this neighborhood.” Lao Die said.
At the rim of Ye Qian’s eyes, one could see his iris start to slowly redden. It seems that all parents have such kind hearts to their children even though they weren’t related by blood. There was no doubt that Lao Die is the greatest person in the hearts of the orphans he took in. Handing over the lunchbox, Ye Qian continued: “Regardless of how you put it, I won’t allow this misfortunate happen to you again. In the future, I will be the one to take care of you.”
Lao Die pushed the lunchbox away as he glanced at Han Xue while saying: “Give it to Xiao Xue, I have no appet.i.te. This hasn’t eaten dinner yet, and she believes that I am unaware of this.” Patting Han Xue’s head, softly calling out: “Xiao Xue, Xiao Xue!”
TL: Xiao (小) is small/little/young in Chinese. So it’s kinda like saying little one.
Han Xue slowly woke up to rub her eyes, asking: “Lao Die, you’re awake? Do you want any water to drink? I can pour you some.”
Lao Die shook his head and said: “No, Xiao Xue, your second brother has returned with porridge, please drink it.”
Han Xue took note of Ye Qian’s appearance and called out: “Second brother”, and then went on to say: “Lao Die, I am not hungry, you should still eat.”
“I bought two, one for each person.” Ye Qin said, “Xiao Xue, after you finish eating why don’t you get some rest and I will accompany Lao Die.”
“ No second brother, I had better take care of Lao Die, you return home to rest. “ Han Xue said
Ye Qian slightly laughing, then says: “ Fool, me and father haven’t seen each other for eight years, there are many things to discuss, you don’t want to get in the way of me and Lao Die, right?”
Han Xue sweetly smiling: “Good.”
After eating, Han Xue said goodbye to Lao Die . Ye Qian brought her to the hospital entrance, and from his back pocket he fished out two hundred and handed it over to her: “It’s dangerous tonight, use a taxi to get back home
“Second brother, no need, I have money.” Han Xue said.
“Idiot, with second brother, there is no need to be polite.” Ye Qian’s mouth curled to a smile. Without letting Han Xue speak, he stepped out to block a taxi and ordered Han Xue to get inside. He told the drive to return to the shanty town. Watching the car slowly drive away from the hospital, Ye Qian turned around and walked his way up to the ward.
“Xiao Er, I am really find, there’s no need for someone to accompany me. You should go back.” Lao Die said, seeing Ye Qian come in.
Ye Qian smiled and said: “Lao Die, us father and son haven’t sat down together for a long time to have a proper chat. This is a rare opportunity to do so.”
“Unfortunately, there’s no achohol.” Lao Die said with a sigh.
Ye Qian magically fished out a bottle of liquor, and the two men looked at each other smiling. There was no need for words.
Ye Qian couldn’t remember when he fell asleep the previous night. He and Lao Die drank and talked to the depths of the night. Because Lao Die had an injury, it was basically Ye Qian who drank the entire bottle. Ye Qian could usually drink a lot, but yesterday he seemed to get intoxicated much faster than usual. Maybe it wasn’t just the wine that lead to that state.
Around the time he woke up, Ye Qian saw that on his body there was a white doctor’s coat wrapped around him. He couldn’t help but stare at himself and didn’t know who draped this over his shoulder. Raising his head to look at this father, who was still sleeping, Ye Qian smiled and stood up to walk outside.
Washing his face, Ye Qian used water from the hospital ward’s sink. Walking in the corridors, there was a nurse directly moving towards him, arriving beside Ye Qian. She stopped her footsteps and smiled: “You’re finally awake? Did you sleep well last night?”
Ye Qian was astonished as he glanced at her, somewhat looking blankly as he replied: “En, I slept well, thank you.”
“Can I have my clothes back?” the nurse said.
Ye Qian mind went blank, stunned for a moment, remembering that was he was wearing a doctor’s gown earlier. Don’t tell me this nurse in front of me was the one who put it on me? Cautiously measuring this nurse with a glance - apple face, skin spotlessly white, and a sweet sincere smile.
Lin Rou Rou so far hasn’t seen a man cry so miserably like Ye Qian. Last night, she was to inspect the ward as usual, seeing Ye Qian talking to Lao Die while drinking, she was immediately and incessantly angry. She burst in resolved to scold Ye Qian that they aren’t allowed to drink in the hospital. However, seeing Ye Qian crying like a child, her heart immediately softened. She did not know why, but when saw Ye Qian’s eye, she felt that this was a man who had so much pain buried within his heart that he must have a story. Even though she knew that eavesdropping was wrong, Lin Rou Rou couldn’t help but quietly listen outside to Ye Qian crying, until he fell asleep. Then, Lin Rou Rou softly went inside the room to cover his body with the doctor’s lab coat, looking at his handsome face, which was somewhat drunk. Seeing the scars on his face, she couldn’t help but reach out to gently stroke his scars. She was sure there was a story within this man.
Ye Qian came back to G.o.d with an embarra.s.sed smile and said: “The clothes are inside the room, wait for a moment so I could give it back to you right away.”
“Just in time for my rounds in the hospital ward, let’s go!” Lin Rou Rou said.
Ye Qian has never felt such care and sense of protection by a woman, and this nurse’s concern felt genuine. At this moment, Ye Qian unexpectedly felt like a lovable child. With a soft “En” noise, he followed after her to the ward.
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translated by: Fatty Uncle
edited by: patrick_the_father_of_dragons