An hour later, the light above the operating room door turned green.
A nurse told us we could go in.
That's when I saw Li Fang, barely clinging to life, and the baby beside her.
I froze, dumbfounded, rooted to the spot.
I heard Li Fang's voice, faint and weak:
"A-Cheng… Dad…"
Her father and I rushed to her side, taking her hand, but her eyes couldn't see me anymore.
"A-Cheng… I shouldn't have gone out alone… it's all my fault… I heard what the doctors said… the baby's a boy… I won't be able to stay with him… you can't find him a stepmother… promise me you won't…"
Tears choked me. It took every ounce of strength to squeeze out a "Yes."
"Dad… it's my fault… nothing to do with you… you have to live in peace from now on… you have to… live to be a hundred… tell Mom… I loved her sweet and sour ribs so much… she must make them for her grandson…"
Her father couldn't cry out, only opening his mouth wide, grief etched across his face as he stared upward. His other hand was clenched tight, pounding repeatedly on his thigh.
I knew—he was drowning in guilt.
"Yes! I'll do everything you say!"
"A-Cheng… our son… what's his name?"
She suddenly asked. I shook my head.
"I don't know. I'm too stupid… I was waiting for you to name him. You have to hold on!"
Li Fang suddenly gasped, her body trembling as she drew in a sharp breath. Then, straining her neck, she said: "Huang Xian. I hope he'll be… talented, strong, and prosperous…"
"He will. He definitely will."
"You mustn't… find him a stepmother… be good to our parents… keep loving me…"
I couldn't hold back any longer.
"Li Fang, don't die! I'll do anything if you stay!"
She didn't answer. Instead, the heart monitor let out a shrill, unbroken beep.
I dropped to my knees, clinging to her hand, pressing my forehead hard against it.
My wife was dead.
My wife was dead.An hour later, the light above the operating room door turned green.
A nurse told us we could go in.
That's when I saw Li Fang, barely clinging to life, and the baby beside her.
I froze, dumbfounded, rooted to the spot.
I heard Li Fang's voice, faint and weak:
"A-Cheng… Dad…"
Her father and I rushed to her side, taking her hand, but her eyes couldn't see me anymore.
"A-Cheng… I shouldn't have gone out alone… it's all my fault… I heard what the doctors said… the baby's a boy… I won't be able to stay with him… you can't find him a stepmother… promise me you won't…"
Tears choked me. It took every ounce of strength to squeeze out a "Yes."
"Dad… it's my fault… nothing to do with you… you have to live in peace from now on… you have to… live to be a hundred… tell Mom… I loved her sweet and sour ribs so much… she must make them for her grandson…"
Her father couldn't cry out, only opening his mouth wide, grief etched across his face as he stared upward. His other hand was clenched tight, pounding repeatedly on his thigh.
I knew—he was drowning in guilt.
"Yes! I'll do everything you say!"
"A-Cheng… our son… what's his name?"
She suddenly asked. I shook my head.
"I don't know. I'm too stupid… I was waiting for you to name him. You have to hold on!"
Li Fang suddenly gasped, her body trembling as she drew in a sharp breath. Then, straining her neck, she said: "Huang Xian. I hope he'll be… talented, strong, and prosperous…"
"He will. He definitely will."
"You mustn't… find him a stepmother… be good to our parents… keep loving me…"
I couldn't hold back any longer.
"Li Fang, don't die! I'll do anything if you stay!"
She didn't answer. Instead, the heart monitor let out a shrill, unbroken beep.
I dropped to my knees, clinging to her hand, pressing my forehead hard against it.
My wife was dead!
My wife was dead!