Chapter 26: That Hand Moved

"Miss Yun has a very unique status. The person who signed for her was her fiancé, not a direct family member, and they have never requested any visits. As a result, no one has actually been inside to see her until now," the nurse replied calmly.

"Then, can you let me go in and see her?" Wen Wan'er pleaded.

"Are you truly only wanting to go in and see her?" the nurse confirmed again, her voice low and grave.

Wen Wan'er nodded repeatedly, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yes, I just want to see her and talk to her. I... I really don't know if I'll have the courage to return after leaving this time."

The nurse looked at the sincerity in Wen Wan'er's eyes and began to waver. "Letting someone in without authorization is against the rules. The consequences would be unimaginable if I were caught," the nurse whispered.

Hearing this, Wen Wan'er's tears finally spilled over her cheeks. "Please, trust me. I am truly at my wit's end; I have no other leads. I look at you and see a kind person. I trust you. I am desperate. I just want to see my dear friend and say goodbye."

Looking at Wen Wan'er's helpless expression, the nurse couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.

"Very well," the nurse said after a moment of hesitation. "I am betting my entire career on you today. I will let you in, but you must promise me that you will only speak to her and do nothing else. You only have this one chance."

A flicker of surprise and joy crossed Wen Wan'er's eyes. She nodded vigorously. "I promise. I won't do anything else, just talk. If you are ever implicated because of me, I will do whatever it takes to save you." Wen Wan'er made a solemn vow.

The nurse, watching Wen Wan'er's firm resolve, took a deep breath. She pulled Wen Wan'er into a corner and instructed her in a low voice, "Remember, stay calm once you are inside. Do not disturb the other patients or the medical staff. I will be waiting at the door. If you have any problems or need help, knock gently, but remember, you cannot stay long."

Wen Wan'er nodded repeatedly. The nurse took out a key, turned the lock, and gently pushed the door open.

Inside the room, Yun Qiuya lay quietly on the hospital bed, hooked up to a variety of tubes. Her face was pale and gaunt, as if she might slip away at any moment. Seeing this, Wen Wan'er walked softly to the bedside and took hold of Yun Qiuya's hand.

"Qiuya," Wen Wan'er whispered, "it's me, Wan'er. I've come to see you."

"Do you know? I am so, so worried about you," she continued. "I hope you can find the strength to hold on. You must wake up."

"I tried my best. I really wanted to find some clues, but I'm useless. I’m so useless. Not only did I fail to uncover the truth, but I also let Qing'er lose her life."

"Qiuya, you can hear me, can't you? What should I do now? I’ve lost my courage. I’ve failed Qing'er. I can't face her; I can't accept it, I can't bear it."

"If it hadn't been for me, she wouldn't have died so tragically. She loved beauty so much; how could she endure such an undignified departure..."

As she spoke, tears rolled down her cheeks again, though she made no sound, just weeping in silence. Time seemed to stand still.

She held that icy hand, which lacked even a hint of warmth, sitting quietly by the bedside, waiting and hoping.

As time ticked away, the nurse knocked gently on the door.

"Qiuya, the nurse is telling me I have to go. If you miss me, come to me in my dreams. I’ll be waiting—I’ll always be waiting."

Wen Wan'er said this with immense reluctance. She cast one last look at the closed door, filled with endless worry and heartache. She took a deep breath, preparing to turn away.

Suddenly, the corner of her eye caught a movement from the slender hand she had been holding. The little finger seemed to twitch.

*Gasp.*

Wen Wan'er rubbed her eyes, unable to believe what she had just seen.

"Qiuya..."

She rushed toward the bed once more.