Translator: Jane
ch6
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Chapter 6
He Zhishu was miserable, so he went to the closet, changed clothes and planned to go out. He wrapped the pot of orchids tightly and carried it with his arms. The northern winters are cold and dry, the freezing winds violent. He Zhishu donned his thick jacket and took a taxi to the hospital. Doctor Ai Ziyu was walking back to his office when he saw inside a person heavily wrapped with winter clothing. As he went in the person pulled down his scarf and revealed a thin, pale face.
“h.e.l.lo Doctor Ai.” He Zhishu greeted in a whisper.
Ai Ziyu poured him a cup of hot water. He touched He Zhishu"s cold fingers and asked, “Are you still taking the medicine, even on such a cold day?”
“By the way…” He Zhisu smiled and showed Ai Ziyu the pot of orchids. “You can take this back.”
It"s been two months since He Zhishu and Ai Ziyu met, and now they"ve grown familiar with each other. The doctor didn"t respond, his slender fingers touching the orchid leaves.
“It"s just a pot of flowers. But if you want something else, I"ll bring you other plants that you might like?” replied the doctor.
But He Zhishu wasn"t in the mood for conversation, or to be making friends. He just smiled and began to discuss business.
“When I got up this morning I vomited blood. When I was younger I drank a lot and felt my stomach bleeding, but this feeling is different. I feel so drain today, as though all my energy has left my body.” said He Zhishu.
Ai Ziyu sat behind his desk, twirling his pen. He Zhishu recognized this behavior of his. The doctor was upset.
“I have been urging you to get chemotherapy, the sooner the better…” said the doctor. “You are already 30 years old, am I correct? You don"t seem to be short of money. So why don"t you treat yourself?”
“I"m still thinking about it.” He Zhishu replied.
“You only have two months to think about it. Do you still want to rely on medicine to support you at the end of the year?” asked the doctor.
He Zhishu took a sip of hot water. He didn"t want to talk about it anymore.
“Do you have the medicine here? I am in pain and I need it.” he asked.
“If you don"t agree with the chemotherapy, I won"t give you medicine.”
Ai Ziyu was a little angry but he didn"t know why.
“I"m going to help you with your bone marrow test. If you don"t try to pay attention to your body, no else is going to do it for you!”
He Zhishu was a bit touched, and for the first time in a while his smile was genuine.
“If all doctors are like you, patients would have an easier time dealing with sickness.” he said.
“Oh, you don"t have to praise me over such a thing.” Ai Ziyu replied as he removed his coat. “I"ll be having my break this afternoon. I can accompany you to get your medicine. You should change your medicine, but I am too lazy to write a new prescription.”
“A bit arrogant, doctor.” said He Zhishu.
Ai Ziyu changed into a long trench coat. “It"s cold outside.” he said.
And so, he helped He Zhishu obtain his medicine. After this, He Zhishu thanked the doctor and was ready to leave. The doctor stopped him.
“It"s difficult to get a taxi at this time. I"ll drive you home.” said the doctor.
He Zhishu wanted to refuse, but the wind was strong. He saw the doctor"s car and realized that Ai Ziyu was no ordinary doctor. His car was a brand-new Ferrari, quite expensive, more expensive than Jiang Wenxu"s car.
“When I was young people always said I"m just a rich because my family is; rich but ignorant of the world. And so, I proved them wrong, and my dad praised me for my abilities.” he said.
Perhaps because he was not on duty, Ai Ziyu appeared more relax, and his face was devoid of the usual seriousness. He Zhishu looked out the window. After a while he spoke.
“Before, I wanted to be a doctor. I planned to take three entrance examinations on three medical universities…”
“Was your score not high enough?” Ai Ziyu asked.
“I didn"t take the test.” answered He Zhishu, and his sad eyes made the doctor uncomfortable. “I used to dream of it all night, waking up crying. I tell myself that I don"t regret my decision, but I always feel like this.”
Ai Ziyu was quite a suitable friend for He Zhishu. He was very emphatic and knew when to speak and when to just listen. And so, they sat there in silence for a couple of minutes.
“The location of your home is very ideal…” Ai Ziyu broke. “Maybe you made the right choice not going to college. If my father hadn"t been rich I would"ve had a hard time too.”
They have reached He Zhishu"s home and he got off the car.
“Thank you, Doctor Ai.” said He Zhishu. “When I am free I shall invite you to dinner.”
“No, when you have time we shall proceed with your treatment.” Ai Ziyu insisted.
He Zhishu watched the doctor drive away. He waved goodbye, wrapped his scarf around him and went inside. There, he noticed Jiang Wenxu"s car parked just on the other side of the road.
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