Chapter 25: The Final Struggle
The hospital corridor was permeated by the lingering scent of disinfectant—cold, pungent, yet strangely comforting, as if it could cleanse all the world’s dust and suffering.
Along the long hallway, Wan Wan’er wore a slightly loose sweater. Her figure, cast in the dim light, appeared lonely and helpless.
Her footsteps were hurried and anxious, her eyes fixed intently on every patient room door. Each time she passed a room, she would stop and peer inside through the glass.
Her gaze was filled with both hope and worry, as if searching for something crucial.
A nurse, neatly dressed and carrying a thick stack of files, was making her rounds along the corridor.
Noticing the girl’s unusual behavior, the nurse frowned slightly, stopped, and softly asked, “Miss, may I ask who you are? Who are you looking for here?”
Startled by the voice, Wan Wan’er spun around and clutched the nurse’s sleeve tightly, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Excuse me, is there a patient named Yun Qiuya here? Where is she?”
The nurse’s eyes flickered with puzzlement. Seeing the bloodshot redness in Wan Wan’er’s eyes and the intense nervousness etched on her face, she felt a pang of sympathy.
“Are you from the Yun family?” the nurse asked in return. “If so, you should know where Miss Yun is. We medical staff have to protect patient privacy.”
Wan Wan’er gripped the nurse’s sleeve even tighter, shaking her head while choking back her sobs. “I’m not part of the Yun family, but I truly am her friend. I just want to know how she’s doing. That’s all—I promise I won’t disturb her any further.”
Looking into those earnest, desperate eyes, the nurse felt her heart soften.
She frowned again and sighed, “Miss Yun is currently in the ICU. You can only see her from a distance outside the window. Please follow me.”
At these words, a glimmer of hope sparked in Wan Wan’er’s eyes. She nodded eagerly and followed the nurse forward.
Her steps remained quick but were no longer frantic.
At the ICU entrance, Wan Wan’er’s body suddenly trembled, as if struck at her core.
Tears streamed down her face as she pressed both hands firmly against the doorframe, using it to steady her wavering frame.
Through the window, she saw Yun Qiuya lying on the hospital bed.
She lay still, hooked up to tubes and machines, their numbers blinking and beeping steadily.
Her complexion was pale as paper, eyes tightly closed, seemingly lost in a deep sleep.
Wan Wan’er’s heart twisted in agony. She whispered to herself, “Why hasn’t she improved even after all these days?”
The nurse shook her head helplessly and spoke softly, “Miss Yun has multiple fractures. Though not life-threatening, her internal organs suffered serious damage. All the machine readings show her condition is stable, but it might be that deep in her mind she does not want to wake—perhaps trying to escape it all.”
The nurse’s words carried a heavy weight.
At this, Wan Wan’er’s tears surged even more uncontrollably.
She covered her face with her hands, weeping inconsolably.
“Many people have come to see Miss Yun, but it’s rare to see someone soI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.