Journey Through Realms: Fulfilling Last Wishes

Chapter 37: Little Cabbage of the 80s

Shen Yang had a day off today. After finishing his personal errands, he headed to the hospital to check on An Ran. However, when he entered her room, it was empty. Judging by the state of things, she’d been out for a while, and even her wheelchair was still there.

Shen Yang began to panic. Ever since he’d taken An Ran to the hospital cafeteria for a meal, she had been much more obedient and had stopped clamoring for freedom. Whenever he had time, he’d accompany her for walks. Now, seeing her gone, his first thought was that she’d sneaked out again.

“Oh, Officer Shen, you’re here for An Ran, right? She went out with Xue Ming from the next room,” a nurse said as she entered behind him.

She had noticed An Ran and Xue Ming leaving earlier. The two of them seemed quite familiar with each other, though she had no idea when they’d become acquainted.

“She went out with Xue Ming? Did Dr. Jiang approves of An Ran going out?” Shen Yang asked, his anger simmering.

“Yes, Dr. Jiang gave her permission. An Ran was so happy when she heard the news—she even confirmed it with him several times,” the nurse replied, a little nervous under Shen Yang’s stern gaze.

“Oh, I see. Do you know where she went?” Shen Yang’s anger subsided somewhat upon learning that An Ran’s outing was authorized. Knowing An Ran, there was no way she’d stay put after hearing such good news.

“She was headed towards the hospital garden,” the nurse replied after recalling the direction An Ran had taken.

“Got it. Thank you,” Shen Yang said, immediately heading towards the garden.

_____

By this time, An Ran and Xue Ming were already strolling through the garden.

“Brother Xue, why are you in the hospital? You look perfectly healthy,” An Ran asked curiously.

She’d been walking around the garden with Xue Ming for a while now. Unlike her, who had to rest twice already, Xue Ming wasn’t even slightly out of breath. The difference between them was too stark, making her even more curious.

Looking at Xue Ming now, he didn’t seem like a patient at all. In fact, he looked healthier than she did.

“I just had a minor injury. My family insisted I stay in the hospital for observation out of worry,” Xue Ming explained, a hint of helplessness in his tone. He had returned home with some bloodstains, and his parents had immediately ordered him to be hospitalized.

“Ah, I see. I’m the same way,” An Ran replied, empathizing with his tone of helplessness. She felt a sense of camaraderie.

While she wasn’t brought in by her parents, Grandma Li and Shen Yang were practically family to her. That made their situations similar enough in her mind.

“Really? Then we’re truly in the same boat. Ranran, if you ever feel upset about anything, you can talk to me,” Xue Ming said gently.

“An Ran doesn’t need to find you to talk—she has me. After all, we’re practically family,” Shen Yang’s voice interrupted sharply before An Ran could respond.

From a distance, Shen Yang had already spotted An Ran and heard Xue Ming’s intimate tone. Watching him call her ‘Ranran’ and offer himself as her confidant immediately made Shen Yang dislike him.

“You’re here. I got permission to come out, you know. And I haven’t decided if I’m going to Beijing with you yet, so don’t be so sure of yourself,” An Ran said nervously when she saw Shen Yang. Her previously relaxed demeanor instantly tensed up.

“Isn’t it obvious? Are you going to trouble Grandma Li at her age?” Shen Yang said disdainfully.

He wasn’t worried about An Ran choosing Grandma Li over him. He knew she wouldn’t bear to burden her. Every time Grandma Li brought her food, An Ran would feel guilty and insist the elderly woman not tire herself out for her sake.

If she lived with Grandma Li, the latter would undoubtedly go out of her way to take care of her every need, and An Ran would never allow that.

“I could help with housework for Grandma Li! I know how to do a lot of chores, and I can even give massages. How would I be a burden to her?” An Ran argued stubbornly.

Though deep down, she knew staying with Grandma Li wasn’t realistic. Her children might not be welcoming, or worse, they might see her as a scammer. It could even cause conflict within Grandma Li’s family, something An Ran wanted to avoid at all costs.

“Yes, Ranran is amazing and never a burden to anyone,” Xue Ming interjected smoothly.

Though he was annoyed by Shen Yang’s unfriendly tone, Xue Ming didn’t confront him directly—it would seem petty. For now, his focus was on leaving a good impression on An Ran.

“You’re right. My wording was poor. An Ran is capable and wonderful,” Shen Yang said, deliberately ignoring Xue Ming and immediately adjusting his tone toward An Ran.

“Good. Recognizing your mistake makes you a good comrade. Shen Comrade, be more careful next time,” An Ran said, surprised by Shen Yang’s sudden change in attitude. Deciding to be magnanimous, she chose not to harp on it.

“Ranran, you’re so forgiving. If it were me, I wouldn’t let someone with such a bad attitude off so easily,” Xue Ming said, chiming in again to earn her favor.

“I’m not as great as you make me out to be. Besides, he’s not wrong—I am a bit of a burden right now,” An Ran admitted, feeling a little embarrassed.

Though her injuries were healing well, her body, weakened by prolonged malnutrition, couldn’t handle heavy labor. The thought of being a burden wherever she went made her mood plummet.

“What nonsense are you talking about? You know that’s not what I meant! If you were a burden, why would we both be competing to take care of you?” Shen Yang said urgently, noticing her sudden dejection.

Over the past month and a half, his feelings toward An Ran had grown. At first, it was sympathy and curiosity. But over time, her quirky and endearing personality had drawn him in.

“Yeah, yeah. I understand. It’s only natural that someone as smart and adorable as me would be fought over,” An Ran replied playfully, snapping out of her funk.

“Good. Just don’t say such unkind things again. You’ve been out for a while—let’s head back,” Shen Yang suggested, relieved to see her smile again.

“You’re right. I’m tired. Brother Xue, I’ll head back now. Let’s hang out again sometime,” An Ran said, agreeing with Shen Yang.

Before she could properly say goodbye to Xue Ming, Shen Yang had already pulled her away. Watching her retreating figure, Xue Ming’s gaze grew complex. He wanted to tell her he didn’t find her burdensome, that he wanted to care for her too. But they’d just met, and saying so now might scare her off.

Still, this is only for now. Things will be different in the future, Xue Ming thought, his eyes fixed on the direction An Ran had gone.