[Huo Lian]
It has been 15 days since the night I realized I cared about his life more than my own. As I lay in my comatose state, my mind reflects back on my life and all I have done. I spent my whole life for myself, striving to be noticed, respected. I became strong to escape the shadows of insignificance. When I saw the world suffering, I vowed to create a realm free of pain, though my motives were selfish. Living in such a world would make me more comfortable.
But that night, the night of the attack, I lived not for myself but for him. I realize now that if I could choose who that sword would cleave, I would replace his head with mine every time without question or hesitation. Since then, everything about him feels special. Every action endears him to me more. It makes me immensely happy that he tires himself out caring for me, yet it pains me to see him so weary.
I sit in the recliner, feeling a pang of sadness that he didn't let me lean on him. But he holds true to his word, staying less than a foot away from me.
[Doctor Zhen Jian]
The night air is cool and crisp. The soft glow of lanterns casts a warm light in the small clinic, illuminating the wooden walls and simple furnishings. I see Mrs. Qin enter with this week's bag of groceries.
"Hello, Mrs. Qin. How are you?" I greet her cheerfully.
"Doctor Zhen, nice to see you again. I have been well. How are you?" she replies, her voice carrying a friendly warmth.
I am about to respond when a strange feeling makes me turn my head towards Mrs. Patient. Her serene face, framed by strands of soft black hair, remains peaceful. Yet, something feels off.
"I am well, Mrs. Qin. Where is Lee? Why did he make you come all this way?" I ask, genuinely curious.
Mrs. Qin laughs, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "I guess our favorite doctor doesn't want to see me, heehee."
I sense something emitting from Mrs. Patient but can't quite place it. Am I sleepy?
"No, of course not, Mrs. Qin. I was simply curious," I reply, mimicking her laugh.
She laughs again and says, "Of course. Actually, I came because I wanted to ask you about your farm."
"Oh, are you thinking of farming yourself?" I ask, surprised.
Mrs. Qin shakes her head. "Nothing like that. I just wanted some of those apples."
"Ah, yes. Among all the plants my father grew when he was alive, the apple trees are the most resilient. I hardly go there, yet they are ever blooming with fruit. Next time I go home, I will get some for you."
Mrs. Qin nods, her smile bright. "Now, the second reason I came is to ask you about that girl you remember, the one you fell for after seeing her smile."
I laugh awkwardly, glancing at Mrs. Patient. Her expression remains unchanged, but I feel a subtle tension in the air.
"Yes, even Mrs. Patient doesn't know that story," I admit.
Mrs. Qin is intrigued. "Oh, does Mrs. Patient here respond to you?"
I am happy to share my discovery. "Yes, she can respond by her breathing and heart rate. If she likes something, they will slow or remain the same. If she hates something, they will increase."
Mrs. Qin nods, understanding. "Okay, please tell the story then. I loved that story as well."
I chuckle, beginning the tale. "It was before I decided to become a doctor. My father and I went to the capital..."
[Huo Lian]
Why is this woman here today? Where is the child? Why is she so friendly with him? Damn harpy, keep talking, and I will use that tongue to…
Did he detect my heart rate going up? Relax. Deep breaths. Slowly release.
Damn it, it's too hard. She is talking too much. Leave, damn hag. Wait... he loves someone?
Oh, this pain. Why does it hurt worse than getting stabbed? It's too painful. Why? Why does it hurt? I feel like my soul is being ripped apart. Ughhh.
But I have never seen him with anyone else. How could he love someone? Ah, he is a doctor. She must be at home. The girl he fell for after seeing her smile. She must be such a great and beautiful girl, not a battle-driven blood crazed bat like me.
I should just stop living so he can go back to her. I don't want to hear the story. Please, it hurts too much, but a time before he became a doctor?
Hahah, how wishy-washy of me. I want to learn more about him but not hear the story of him loving someone else.
"My father and I were going to the capital," he laughingly said. "Father had an enormous body, so all the capital's people were too scared to buy from us, hahaha."
Wait...
"Father saw this girl. She was so pretty with her short brown hair. She was staring at these green apples we had. Father asked me to grab a bag and give it to her. After giving them, she had such a cute smile. I remember it so clearly, even with my horrible memory."
No, please wait...
"I promised her to come back with more apples because I wanted to make her have a bigger smile. But honestly, I fell for her small smile. Then Father got sick. But he knew I liked her, so he kept reminding me to get her apples. And the day of Father's burial, it was three months. I ran up to the capital after the burial and met up with her."
I need time to process this.
"But I told her I couldn't come back because I was going to become a doctor. I really wanted to see her, even now I do. But she is probably married by now. She was way too pretty to not grow up beautifully."
He said he likes red apples, he said he has a farm, and his name is Zhen Jian. I thought it was a coincidence. No, I didn't want to believe it. If it was him, I would die from happiness and break from sadness. I was too scared of being wrong. My heart wanted to believe, but I was to sacred and refused. But its true, that it was him from the beginning.
But if it is him, and if he is the boy, then the one he loves...
Ahh, heavens.
[Zhen Jian]
"Oh, Mrs. Patient, I didn't want to make you sad. Please, eat an apple. It will make you smile again."
Oh no, another tear. "Sorry, Mrs. Qin, I need to take care of Mrs. Patient." I picked her up and took her to the bed. I then brought crushed apples and began feeding her, but the tears don't stop.
"I am sorry, Mrs. Patient. I didn't think that story would affect you so badly. I promise it was one of the best memories I have. Every time I felt lonely or when my job became challenging, I thought about that memory, and it filled me with energy. So please don't cry for me."
I tell her the truth, and it seems to work. She stops crying. Thank the Gods. Tears hold a lot of salt. I need to make sure she doesn't lose too much salt.
I notice the plate is empty. Let me get some more apples. As I stand up, I feel Mrs. Patient holding my hand.
No way!
She did it! She moved!
"Good job! Wooow, you did it!"
[Huo Lian]
You doofus, I moved before too. You just didn't notice. I was able to achieve everything I did because of you. And now, I will wake up to say how I feel about you. I, this Huo Lian, have never been unsuccessful in her life. I fought with tyrants and demons alike. What is a little morning wake-up?
I will be up soon, so you wait for me, my Jian..