When Su Rao arrived in Jiangcheng, Su Qing hadn't woken up yet.
Su Rao sat on a bench.
Her mind was swirling with thoughts. She had met Mei Yeqin before. Her eyes trembled as she looked from Mei Yeqin to Jiang Sui.
This handsome young man had also made an impression for her. She still vividly remembered the streetlights and other things in the alley.
"You're the handsome young man who fixed the streetlights."
Jiang Sui nodded, his head half lowered, not daring to look at Su Rao.
"Yes, I'm Su Qing's classmate. I'm also a student at Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School, and I used to be at Wuzhen No. 1 Middle School."
The boy's eyes were frank.
Everyone had been there, and Su Rao naturally understood the boy's thoughts, considering he was still wearing a protective suit.
The area where she lived in Wuzhen was an old neighborhood, with almost no maintenance staff. Suddenly, he showed up repairing the streetlights and surveillance cameras; there had to be something wrong.
Now that she thought about it, it made sense.
In truth, the boy had never known how to get along with others, except when he was with Su Qing, of course.
His expression was utterly distracted, his entire heart focused on the young woman in the ward.
Mei Yeqin could only recount to Su Rao the general outline of what had happened.
At the mention of Li Xu's name, Su Rao's shoulders trembled uncontrollably. "Why won't he let my Nannan go? My Nannan is so kind."
Helpless, Su Rao bit her lip and burst into tears. She coughed violently, her entire body weakened to the point of exhaustion.
At this moment, Mei Yeqin could tell that Su Rao was definitely not well. It wasn't as Su Qing had previously told her, that she was completely recovered.
Based on Mei Yeqin's experience, Su Rao's condition might have worsened, not improved.
"Doctor Mei, how my Nannan? Is she out of danger?"
Su Rao was exhausted from the journey, and her face looked extremely pale. She was straining with exhaustion, holding herself up.
Mei Yeqin supported her as she was about to collapse, not daring to say anything too serious. "Mother Su, don't worry too much. She's almost out of danger and can be released from the ICU."
"Mother Su, are you feeling unwell?"
Mei Yeqin watched Su Rao cough violently. Her lips were a pale color, not at all like a normal person.
Su Rao shook her head. "I'm fine. Have called the police? I want to see them."
She had always believed that as long as she was cautious, nothing would happen. But after all these years, she realized it was useless.
This time, Li Xu must be punished.
Mei Yeqin supported Su Rao's body. "We've called the police. They're investigating. Mother Su, let me examine you first."
Su Rao looked at Mei Yeqin and thanked her weakly. "Thank you, Doctor Mei. I know I can't hold on much longer. I just want to see my daughter."
She didn't want to see her daughter die before her youth.
"During our previous hospital check ups, Dr. Cao and I agreed that no matter how well I was doing, he would give Nannan the best advice so she could do well in her exams."
"I've already spent most of her tuition and other expenses. I can't go on like this. I can't burden Nannan. My illness is incurable; it's a bottomless pit, Dr. Mei, you know."
Su Rao didn't mince words. Mei Yeqin's eyes welled up, and she didn't know what to say.
No wonder, from the moment she laid eyes on Su Rao, Mei Yeqin had felt that her condition hadn't improved at all, but was already terminally ill. But to prevent Su Qing from worrying, she kept it a secret from her daughter.
This reminded Mei Yeqin of Mei Yehua, who was similarly ill. To be able to spend more time with Ah Sui, she had rarely sought treatment and rarely revealed her condition.
"Mother Su, you can't be so pessimistic. Medicine is still very advanced these days."
Mei Yeqin didn't know how to comfort her. She thought back to her colleagues and nurses who had comforted the families of patients in the past. Now, she could only use the same rhetoric.
As a doctor, she hated to say this.
But now, she had no choice but to say it.
Su Rao waved her hand. "Doctor Mei, it's okay. You don't need to comfort me. I came here just to see my daughter. I'll leave when she wakes up. I can't let her know I'm in this state. I have to wait until she finishes her exams before I can tell her."
Su Rao rarely wore make up. She did this time, but after a long car ride, it had worn off, leaving her looking pale and pale.
Mei Yeqin pursed her lips, unsure of what to say.
She had seen many separations, but she hated this kind of parting.
Su Rao raised her head and looked at Jiang Sui. The young man was very handsome, his eyes fixed on the ward.
"Child, you love my Nannan."
Jiang Sui turned away blankly, unsure how to communicate with Su Rao. His heart was deeply closed.
"I love her."
Jiang Sui's voice was dry, swirling with emotion.
"Auntie, I'm sorry, I lied to you."
Not really, it could be said to be a lie, but Jiang Sui still bowed and apologized to Su Rao.
Su Rao waved her hand. "I used to think Qing Qing's cheerfulness was due to her interacting with more classmates, and I never thought much of it. It seems she's become cheerful because of you."
Su Rao could be said to understand Su Qing intimately.
Su Rao observed her every move thoroughly. Since her daughter had always claimed her classmate was a girl, Su Rao hadn't doubted it. When she saw Jiang Sui, she understood.
Listening to the boy's apology, Su Rao was stunned for a moment before waving her hand.
"The child is growing up and has her own thought. My health is poor, but right now, as a parent, I still want to tell you not to bully her."
Su Rao's eyes welled up as she spoke.
She knew her end was near. Such vague promises, or anything else, were unreliable. Yet, at this moment, Su Rao still wanted to give him a word of advice.
Jiang Sui's eyes, once dim, suddenly brightened. He looked at Su Rao, "Auntie, I don't know how to express my feelings for her, but as long as she is alive, I am willing to live."
The boy spoke with such earnestness that it startled Su Rao.
Mei Yeqin was stunned for a moment, knowing the boy's words were true. Beyond shock, she felt no other thoughts.
Su Rao's body was frail. She leaned against the window, staring at her daughter.
She was the only image in her mind.
Ever since she was a toddler.
Unconsciously, Su Rao's eyes slowly closed.