Chapter 23: Visiting Wards
Li Xiaoran did not know whether to laugh or cry. “That bastard Li Zecheng stabs me in front of my elders every day. I don’t have to speak up for him. Qiao An, I’m just stating the facts.”
Overwhelmed by hatred, Qiao An said peremptorily, “You’d better stay out of my business with him. In case I accidentally hurt you.”
Li Xiaoran stared at Qiao An in a daze. Only now did he understand that Qiao An had not released her pent-up emotions while she was lying in the hospital, unable to move.
Which meant that her period of insanity was delayed.
The next stage would be the cathartic period of her emotions.
That was the process of her worldview being destroyed and reconstructed. It was as if a reborn baby needed someone to guide her worldview again, or she would easily go astray.
“Qiao An, a fish in a hot pot can blame the heartlessness of the water, but what really kills it is the fire under the pot.”
Qiao An frowned. Li Xiaoran’s words were too profound.
Li Xiaoran stared into her eyes and said, “It’s never a person who destroys you, but your obsession. Qiao An, it’s easy to persist in hatred, but instant relief is not easy to come by. You have to become stronger and live hard. Live well. Live only for yourself.”
As Qiao An looked at Li Xiaoran’s beautiful face, her eyes were filled with uneasiness. For a moment, Qiao An had the illusion that he was concerned about her.
However, how could Qiao An, who had been severely injured by Li Zecheng’s deception, trust others so easily?
Li Xiaoran was Li Zecheng’s uncle. He had asked her to let go of her hatred to protect Li Zecheng.
Qiao An said sarcastically, “Doctor Li, do you want to learn from Mr. Lu Xun and ditch medicine for philosophy? Your mouth might be better than your scalpel.”
Li Xiaoran sighed weakly.
Qiao An’s condition worried him.
When Lu Mo saw that her senior, whom she admired, had been misunderstood by the patient, she felt indignant for Li Xiaoran. “My senior is just comforting you out of goodwill. What kind of attitude is this? Are you trying to bite the hand that feeds you?”
Qiao An looked at the beautiful and youthful Lu Mo. She had a high ponytail and her eyes were filled with longing and admiration for Li Xiaoran, just like how she had fallen in love back then.
Qiao An smirked. Another infatuated fool.
Lu Mo naturally held Li Xiaoran’s arm and lowered her voice. “Senior, is there something wrong with this patient’s mind? The book says that most people who jump off a building have mental illnesses.”
Li Xiaoran pried Lu Mo’s hand off his arm. Seeing that he despised her actions, Lu Mo held on even tighter.
Li Xiaoran said, “Please keep your distance.”
Lu Mo said coquettishly, “Senior, I’m not an outsider.”
Qiao An congratulated Li Xiaoran. “Congratulations. You hooked up with such a beautiful young lady.”
Li Xiaoran looked at her blankly and explained seriously, “Don’t misunderstand. Lu Mo is just a trainee doctor under me.”
Lu Mo added, “I’m Dr. Li’s junior. I’ve been chasing him for three years.”
When Lu Mo mentioned this, she was not ashamed but proud. This proud expression was extremely charming, but it made Qiao An feel extremely uncomfortable.
She was hurt by love, so she didn’t want other girls to follow her path. In order to help Lu Mo give up on a sun-like man like Li Xiaoran, Qiao An said mischievously, “Doctor Li didn’t tell you that he has many suitors, right? He’s a popular man who’s loved by everyone. You have to be careful when chasing him.”
Li Xiaoran did not know whether to laugh or cry.
“Popular?”
He teased Qiao An. “So, Qian An, do you love me too?”
Qiao An stared at him. “Uncle!” she called numbly.
The light in Li Xiaoran’s eyes dimmed. Then, he was no longer in the mood to joke. With a straight face, he returned to his working state. “Take off your clothes.”
Qiao An was dumbfounded.
Although she had taken off her clothes in front of Li Xiaoran many times, she could not face him with a clear conscience the next moment after joking with him.
Li Xiaoran smiled.
Qiao An thought he was probably taking his revenge on her on purpose.
“Hurry up, don’t waste time. Doctor Li is busy.” Lu Mo was simply a loyal fan of Li Xiaoran’s.
Determined, Qiao An unbuttoned her shirt.
Li Xiaoran reached out and poked her already scabbed wound. Qiao An frowned slightly.
Li Xiaoran asked her, “Has the pain lessened?”
QIao An nodded.
Li Xiaoran reached out and pinched her leg again, from her ankle to the top of her thigh. He asked her, “Do you feel anything?”
Compared to before, Qiao An felt less numb.
Therefore, she looked at Li Xiaoran in confusion, not knowing how to describe this feeling.
Li Xiaoran suddenly suggested, “Qiao An, why don’t you try getting off the bed?”
Qiao An shook her head in defiance.
“I don’t want to.”
Her legs had not fully recovered. She would surely fall if she treaded the ground.
To her surprise, Li Xiaoran suddenly lifted the blanket and carried her.
“Qiao An, be brave. I’ll carry you to the ground. Try stepping on the ground to feel it.”
Qiao An was so startled that she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Li Xiaoran placed her on the ground and slowly let go of her. Qiao An was sweating nervously.
“Can you walk?” Li Xiaoran asked.
Qiao An wanted to cry, but no tears came. She shook her head.
Li Xiaoran said, “Qiao An, in my experience, your injuries are almost healed. If a patient lies in bed for too long, they will have the illusion of losing the ability to walk. You have to take this step. This is your next challenge.”
Qiao An felt that her lower body was as heavy as lead. That feeling made her especially uncomfortable. She was so anxious that she was about to cry. “How old are you? What experience can you have? Li Xiaoran, I said I can’t. I can’t feel anything.”
Li Xiaoran said, “A doctor’s experience has nothing to do with age. Qiao An, you have to believe me. Otherwise, it will extend your time in the hospital.”
Qiao An said, “I’m happy to lie down.”
Lu Mo pouted and said, “It’s your good fortune that my senior is willing to help you with your rehabilitation training. Don’t be so ungrateful.”
Qiao An was dumbfounded.
She glared at Li Xiaoran. “Your girlfriend is jealous. Let go of me.”