Chapter 83: Melancholy

Zhou Hao watched as Yi Bai carried Bai Mengqing into the hospital. He thought he should call Chen Xin to let her know, though he wasn’t sure if Chen Xin knew Bai Mengqing had already returned.

When Chen Xin received Zhou Hao’s call, she was so startled that the dish in her hand slipped and shattered on the floor.

After urgently asking which hospital Bai Mengqing was in, she told Zhou Hao to wait there and said she’d come over right away.

Zhou Hao had come out during his lunch break, and he still needed to return to work in the afternoon, so he couldn’t stay at the hospital for long.

When Chen Xin arrived, they inquired about the situation at the hospital and learned that the doctor had already sent Bai Mengqing for examinations. Yi Bai, being the one who had accidentally knocked into her, accompanied her for the check-up.

Realizing there wasn’t much they could do, Zhou Hao and Chen Xin went to a small restaurant near the hospital, ordered a few dishes, and brought the food back.

As they entered, they happened to hear Yi Bai on the phone with a colleague, asking for help to take a leave of absence. He explained he had accidentally injured someone and was at the hospital, so he couldn’t return right away.

His colleague must have asked if he needed any help or if they should come over. Yi Bai, clearly irritated, replied that he didn’t need help—two friends were already with him. His colleague reassured him, telling him not to worry and to handle things at the hospital, adding that there wasn’t much to do that afternoon anyway, so Yi Bai might as well use some of his accumulated leave.

“Get lost! I want to save my leave for fun trips. Just help me request a leave of absence. If I finish early, I’ll come back to work. If not, and the boss asks, just tell the truth.”

Seeing Zhou Hao and Chen Xin bringing in food, Yi Bai quickly hung up and went to greet them.

“Xin, is your friend made of glass? I barely bumped into her—she didn’t even fall—and now she’s saying she has a fracture!”

Yi Bai was frustrated. Anyone else wouldn’t have even scratched their skin with such a light bump. But this girl insisted her rib was fractured! How could he be so unlucky?

When Chen Xin heard that Bai Mengqing’s health was so poor, her face immediately showed anxiety. She knew Bai Mengqing hadn’t been well since her last surgery, and her mother had even hired a housekeeper to take care of her during this rehabilitation.

But last time, Bai Mengqing’s condition didn’t seem this dire.

Chen Xin wondered if other problems had arisen recently. Because of what Bai Mengqing had gone through before, a certain distance had developed between them. Chen Xin didn’t feel comfortable calling frequently to check in, and her own work kept her busy. If Yi Bai hadn’t run into Bai Mengqing by chance this time, she might have forgotten Bai Mengqing was living off-campus alone.

“Zhou Hao, you should head back to work. The results of the tests won’t be ready until three in the afternoon. I’ll stay here with her and talk to her attending doctor about next steps. Also, could you find time to withdraw some money for me? I paid a little at the front desk for her hospitalization, but it probably won’t be enough.”

“It’s fine. Why don’t you both go back to work? I’ll stay here in case the doctor needs anything. I’ve got some cash on me, and I’ll take care of the payment at the hospital office.”

Since Yi Bai hadn’t hurt Bai Mengqing on purpose, Chen Xin didn’t feel right making him pay for her hospital expenses—it would feel like extortion. She wasn’t short on money anyway, so she decided to cover Bai Mengqing’s medical bills herself.

“There’s no need for me to take advantage of you. Don’t worry; Zhou Hao knows I have some money, I just don’t like carrying cards around. I’ll have Hao withdraw some for me, and I’ll pay him back when I get home.”

Yi Bai waved his hand, insisting he could handle it and that Chen Xin and Zhou Hao should get on with their own business.

Zhou Hao had to go back to work, so Chen Xin stayed behind to keep Bai Mengqing company.

In the afternoon, the attending doctor reviewed the test results and said Bai Mengqing was malnourished and severely lacking in calcium.

Chen Xin was incredulous. She knew how much Bai Mengqing’s family cherished her—how could they be neglecting her care? Was there an issue with the housekeeper they’d hired?

Unable to resist, Chen Xin called Bai Mengqing’s mother.

“What did you say? Qing was injured?” Bai Mengqing’s mother’s voice came amid a flurry of noises, as if something had fallen to the ground. “Where’s Qing? Let me speak to her.”

Chen Xin looked at Bai Mengqing, who was fast asleep after taking her medication, and replied awkwardly, “Auntie, Qing is sleeping. Should I let the doctor speak to you about her condition?”

After the doctor explained, Bai Mengqing’s mother was choked up, and only then did Chen Xin learn that Bai Mengqing had come for rehabilitation mainly because she was showing signs of depression.

“Her father and I had no other choice. She’s become quieter and quieter, sometimes not saying a word all day. She won’t eat, and even if she forces herself, she vomits. It breaks my heart.”

Bai Mengqing’s mother sobbed softly and composed herself. “Xin, Auntie knows I haven’t handled things well before, but for the sake of your friendship with Qing, could you help her?”

“Of course,” Chen Xin replied. She hadn’t realized Bai Mengqing’s condition had worsened so much. “Auntie, could you send me information about Qing’s medical history—especially anything psychological?”

After asking, she didn’t know what else to say. Bai Mengqing’s mother explained that they’d taken Qing to a psychiatrist while she was hospitalized, but after she was discharged, they hadn’t brought her back, fearing people might say Qing was mentally ill.

Chen Xin understood the concern but didn’t know what to say. She could only promise to try to find a doctor to see Bai Mengqing while she was in the hospital.

After hanging up, Chen Xin paced irritably in the stairwell for a while, then went to check if Bai Mengqing had woken up.

“Xin, why are you here too?” Bai Mengqing had just woken and was still groggy. She was surprised to see Chen Xin.

“Zhou Hao and Yi Bai are friends. When they saw it was you who got injured, they let me know.” Chen Xin tucked in Bai Mengqing’s blanket and sat beside her bed. “Qingqing, do you not like the meals your housekeeper makes? Why don’t you move in with me? I’ll cook for you!”

Bai Mengqing paused, then smiled with pursed lips, her eyes flickering away. “No, that’s not it. I eat well.”

“What nonsense! If you ate well, how would you be malnourished?” It was Yi Bai who interrupted her. He’d just finished paying the hospital fees with Zhou Hao and walked in to hear Bai Mengqing’s feeble reply, and couldn’t help but retort.