NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 33 - The Little White Cabbage of the 1980s
Chapter 33: The Little White Cabbage of the 1980s
Inside the hospital, Shen Yang was on his way to fetch some hot water for An Ran. The previous night, he had brought An Ran to the hospital. Doctors worked tirelessly through the early hours to save her life. Although she was eventually stabilized, her condition remained critical, and she needed to stay in the intensive care unit for a few days.
Shen Yang could have left after bringing An Ran to the hospital. However, he knew she likely had no family or anyone else to care for her. Therefore, he voluntarily stayed by her side.
Having decided to stay, Shen Yang purchased some toiletries and clothes for An Ran. After finishing these errands, he realized there was no water available and decided to head to the hospital’s water station to fetch some.
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“Officer Shen, fetching water? How’s your sister doing?”
A patient’s family member greeted Shen Yang warmly, inquiring about An Ran’s condition.
“She hasn’t woken up yet. I just came to get some water,” Shen Yang replied tersely, avoiding the need to explain their relationship.
“She’s still unconscious? I heard your sister was seriously injured. Who could have done such a thing?”
The family member expressed surprise and curiosity, finding it hard to believe that the family member of a police officer could suffer such severe harm.
“We haven’t caught the perpetrator yet. Once we do, we’ll know who’s capable of such a heinous act,” Shen Yang said with a frown, clearly eager to find the culprit.
When Shen Yang had brought An Ran to the hospital, her condition was so dire that a critical illness notice was issued. Since such notices require a family member’s signature, Shen Yang had declared An Ran as his sister to save her life.
The family member expressed concern.
“You need to catch that person soon. Someone so violent is dangerous to society.”
“We will apprehend them quickly. People like that must be brought to justice,” Shen Yang replied firmly, silently vowing to ensure such a person would not remain at large.
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After exchanging a few more words, Shen Yang excused himself and hurried back to An Ran’s room. He felt an urgency, as he didn’t want An Ran to wake up alone.
When An Ran regained consciousness, her blurry vision was filled with white walls, and the smell of disinfectant filled her nose. She realized immediately that she was in a hospital.
This must be a hospital. So, asking the police officer for help wasn’t a mistake. Thank you, Officer! She thought to herself.
Feeling bored in the empty room, An Ran entertained herself with sarcastic thoughts, imagining why she had nasal oxygen tubes instead of a mask.
Is this because I’m poor? She mused internally.
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Just as Shen Yang entered the room, he noticed An Ran was awake. Placing the water kettle aside, he asked with concern.
“You’re awake? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”
An Ran glanced at Shen Yang, recalling his dismissive attitude towards her previously. Deciding not to engage, she shut her eyes.
Seeing her close her eyes abruptly, Shen Yang panicked.
“Doctor! Doctor! Come quickly! Something’s wrong with her!”
He rushed out to find a doctor, fearing a repeat of the previous night when An Ran nearly lost her life.
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When the doctor arrived, he immediately checked An Ran’s vitals and reassured Shen Yang.
“There’s nothing wrong. She’s stable.”
Just as the doctor reached out to examine her eyes, An Ran suddenly opened them, startling the doctor.
“You’re awake! Do you feel discomfort anywhere? I’m your attending physician,” the doctor asked gently, his tone softening out of empathy. He recalled her fragile condition—multiple fractures and a punctured lung from a rib injury.
“Pain,” An Ran whispered weakly. She wanted to say she was in excruciating pain and starving, but all she could manage was a single word.
The doctor reassured her.
“Pain is normal after surgery, especially since the anesthesia has worn off. But be strong, young lady. You’ll recover and leave the hospital soon.”
Although he knew it might take at least two months for her to even stand, he chose to comfort her instead of revealing the harsh reality.
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“Hungry,” An Ran struggled to utter another word.
Shen Yang immediately responded, “You must be. You haven’t eaten in days, and after everything yesterday, you’re bound to be starving. I’ll go get you some food right away.”
As he rushed to find food, Shen Yang couldn’t help but reflect on An Ran’s resilience. Despite her injuries, she had managed to stay logical and articulate the night before. Her determination intrigued him, making him wonder about her past and what had shaped her into someone so small yet incredibly strong-willed.
Shen Yang silently vowed to stay by her side, determined to uncover the mystery of her story while ensuring her recovery.
As soon as An Ran mentioned her hunger, Shen Yang hurried out of the room to buy her some food.
“Shen, where are you rushing off to? How’s the little girl? Has she woken up?”
It was the kind-hearted elderly woman (affectionately called Da Niang), who had accompanied An Ran to the hospital the previous day. She had stayed until An Ran was admitted to a room before leaving.
“She’s awake, Da Niang, but she’s hungry. I was just about to get her something to eat,” Shen Yang explained honestly.
“I figured you wouldn’t have time to buy food, so I brought some!”
Da Niang smiled warmly and raised a food container she had brought with her. She had prepared porridge and steamed egg custard earlier that morning, thinking An Ran might not be able to eat anything too solid.
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Da Niang entered the room, her heart aching at the sight of An Ran connected to tubes and monitors.
How pitiful, she thought. This poor girl was beaten like this just for some food.
“Hey, little girl, do you remember me?”
Da Niang spoke to An Ran in a playful tone to lighten the mood, hoping to ease her discomfort.
An Ran desperately wanted to say she remembered, as she could never forget the kindness of this woman who had ensured she reached the police station. However, her voice was too weak to respond, so she blinked rapidly to signal recognition.
“She’s saying she recognizes you, Da Niang. She can’t speak yet, so she’s using her eyes,” Shen Yang clarified gently, noticing Da Niang’s confusion.
“Oh, I see! Don’t blink too much now—it must be tiring. Look, I brought you some food. Let me feed you.”
Da Niang chuckled, her tone light but full of affection. She unpacked the porridge and prepared to feed An Ran.
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Meanwhile, the doctor, who had been quietly observing the scene, decided to leave.
“I’ll take my leave now. Your family members can handle it from here.”
Only then did Da Niang notice him.
“Oh, Doctor, I didn’t see you there earlier! My apologies.”
“It’s no problem, Da Niang. Please, focus on feeding the child.”
The doctor understood such emotional moments and did not take offense. With a polite farewell, he left to attend to other patients.
“What a kind doctor,” Da Niang remarked as she watched him leave. “We should thank him properly someday.”
“Yes, he’s excellent,” Shen Yang agreed. “Da Niang, why don’t you rest? I’ll handle feeding her.”
He pulled over a chair for her to sit, took the bowl of porridge, and began feeding An Ran himself.
Shen Yang carefully scooped a small spoonful of porridge, blew on it to cool it down, and brought it to An Ran’s mouth. An Ran, seeing food at last, opened her mouth wide to eagerly accept it.
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An Ran ate quickly, finishing most of the bowl. Shen Yang was pleased to see her appetite, but suddenly, she stopped eating. The porridge he offered remained untouched as her expression turned blank.
Shen Yang froze momentarily, wondering if he had done something wrong. However, he reasoned that asking her wouldn’t yield answers since she couldn’t speak. He decided to leave the food aside for when she felt like eating again.
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“Little Shen, since the girl isn’t eating anymore, why don’t you finish it? Don’t let it go to waste,” Da Niang suggested with a smile.
Shen Yang hesitated briefly but admitted he was also hungry after working non-stop.
“Alright, I’ll take the opportunity to try your cooking,” he said, picking up the bowl.
“If you like it, I can cook for you again,” Da Niang replied warmly. “But eat slowly, there’s no rush.”
Shen Yang nodded appreciatively but continued eating quickly, too hungry to slow down. Da Niang noticed and chuckled to herself, deciding not to interrupt him further.
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As the morning unfolded, Shen Yang and Da Niang’s combined efforts brought warmth to the sterile hospital environment. For An Ran, their care was not just about food or companionship—it was a glimpse of hope and humanity amidst her struggles.