Chapter Eight: Sanya's Heartwarming Little Gesture
Zhao Qingwu parked the car at the entrance of the hospital and helped Mo Qinghan carry the things she had left in the car. He Yurou, however, remained seated, showing no intention of getting out.
Zhao Qingwu remarked, “The medical team here is considered the best in the country. I imagine the expenses aren’t cheap.”
At this, Mo Qinghan’s heart began to race as if sprinting a hundred meters. To hide her fear, she tucked a few stray strands of hair behind her ear and cleared her throat before replying, “It’s arranged by a foundation specializing in leukemia treatment. The hospital bills the foundation directly, so I’m not aware of the costs.”
“Oh, I see! I have a friend who also needs assistance. Could you give me a contact for the foundation? I’d like to have him reach out to see if he meets their criteria.”
“Ah, let me check if I have the foundation’s number in my phone,” Mo Qinghan said, slowly reaching into her pocket. Unluckily, as she pulled out her phone, the low battery alert chimed and the device powered off.
“Sorry, Zhao, my phone’s dead. I’ll tell you next time,” Mo Qinghan apologized, showing the now-black screen to Zhao Qingwu.
A peculiar smile flickered across Zhao Qingwu’s face. “Well, that’s unfortunate.”
He Yurou, noticing the two chatting outside while she was still in the car, poked her head out the window, sounding a bit impatient. “Qingwu, let’s go! If we don’t hurry, we’ll miss the movie.”
Mo Qinghan quickly responded, “Yurou, sorry, Zhao was asking me about your preferences. I got distracted.”
Hearing this, He Yurou’s little face, previously annoyed, immediately brightened, tinged with a hint of bashfulness.
Mo Qinghan thanked Zhao Qingwu and carried her belongings toward the hospital.
Watching Mo Qinghan’s retreating figure, Zhao Qingwu’s expression grew heavy, but once back in the car with He Yurou, his face lit up with joy.
“Is Mo Qinghan’s family similar to yours?” he asked.
“No, not at all. Her family is quite ordinary; she earns her own living expenses by working part-time. Qingwu, why are you so interested? Is it because of Qinghan...?”
Zhao Qingwu interrupted, “I thought my Yurou only made friends based on family background, but it turns out you value talent, just like me.”
Reassured, He Yurou was delighted. She leaned closer, intending to kiss his cheek, but just then Zhao Qingwu started the car, leaving her gesture hanging in midair.
Mo Qinghan, a frequent visitor to the hospital to see Mo Qingyu, was familiar with the nurses. Coincidentally, she encountered a familiar nurse at the stairwell and greeted her, “Good afternoon, Nurse Xia.”
The nurse recognized her and smiled warmly. “Qinghan, you’re here. Is school on break?”
“Yes, so I’m here to spend time with Qingyu.”
“He’s been in good spirits lately—stable condition.”
“It’s thanks to your care,” Mo Qinghan replied, handing over some fruit before heading to Mo Qingyu’s ward.
Mo Qingyu, seeing his sister, lay on the bed reading and said, “Sis, you’re here.”
After setting down her things, Mo Qinghan walked to the window. Before Mo Qingyu could protest, she drew open the curtains.
Seeing the windowsill crowded with handmade crafts and puzzles, Mo Qinghan grinned mischievously. “Looks like the nurses here are really attentive to you.”
“Those weren’t from the nurses. They were sent by a brother named Sanye. Every so often, he mails me things.”
Mo Qinghan glanced around the room at the books and curious items, so astonished she was at a loss for words.
“Qingyu, why didn’t you tell me before that someone was sending you things?”
“Brother Sanye always includes a little card saying ‘Don’t tell your sister I sent these.’ If I hadn’t run out of places to hide them, I wouldn’t have told you now.”
Mo Qinghan closed the curtains and returned to where she had put her things. “Let’s rewind time a bit, Qingyu. How about I wash some fruit for you, handsome?”
“Sis, that works for me.”
Mo Qinghan deliberately responded off-topic, “Alright! I’ll wash them right away.”
Mo Qingyu was amazed by his sister’s performance, watching her embody the phrase “deceiving oneself” perfectly.