When Shen Yuqing arrived at the intensive care unit, there were already quite a few people gathered outside. Their expressions were either solemn or exhausted, while he stood among them looking remarkably at ease.
He rubbed the tip of his nose and took his place at the end of the line.
Soon, a nurse came to lead them inside. However, entry wasn’t as simple as just walking in the group was first directed to a changing area for sterile gowns. Shen Yuqing, unfamiliar with the process, fumbled awkwardly for a while without managing to put it on properly.
Just then, a weary female voice spoke up beside him, “Let me help you, kid.”
Shen Yuqing glanced over and saw the woman who had been standing in front of him earlier.
He looked down at himself and nodded. “Thank you.”
With a few deft movements, she fastened the clasps at the back of his gown. “There you go.”
After expressing his gratitude, the two entered the unit together.
Once inside, Shen Yuqing realized just how vast the space was and how harrowing. Every patient lay in bed, hooked up to numerous tubes. Only a few in relatively stable condition remained conscious; the rest were either asleep or comatose.
Upon entering, he had been given the bed number and followed the signs to locate it.
Shen Yuqing walked slowly toward the designated area. The curtain around Song Wangzhuo’s bed was drawn shut. He reached out, pulled it aside, and peered in there lay Song Wangzhuo.
Hearing the noise, Song Wangzhuo cracked his eyes open slightly, expecting a nurse coming to change his IV, only to find a familiar face instead.
The two locked eyes in silence until Shen Yuqing snapped out of it first. He closed the curtain again and plopped down onto the stool beside the bed.
All the patients in this ICU were alphas, and in their current state, their pheromones were uncontrollable. Before passing through the final door, Shen Yuqing had put on a specialized mask to avoid unnecessary complications.
His eyes, visible above the mask, crinkled with amusement. “What, surprised to see me?”
Song Wangzhuo let out a weak “Mm,” barely audible, so he forced out another strained response: “Yes.”
Even if he had been warned beforehand that Shen Yuqing might visit, Song Wangzhuo would’ve remained skeptical.
Why would Shen Yuqing come?
Though their relationship had shown signs of improvement, it certainly hadn’t progressed to the point where Shen Yuqing would go out of his way to visit him here.
Shen Yuqing shrugged. “Well, surprise or not, here I am.”
His gaze swept over the bed. Song Wangzhuo was covered by a blanket, so after a moment’s thought, Shen Yuqing asked, “Can I see your injuries?”
This time, Song Wangzhuo answered more quickly: “No.”
Shen Yuqing frowned in confusion until Song Wangzhuo added, somewhat awkwardly, “I’m not wearing anything.”
For ease of medical observation and emergency procedures, patients weren’t given clothes only blankets.
Shen Yuqing made an “OK” gesture. “When I first came in, I thought you were still unconscious. Didn’t expect you to be awake already.”
Song Wangzhuo simply stared at him. Speaking more than a few sentences at a time required breaks, and Shen Yuqing understood. He continued, “This morning, I noticed the race had started but you weren’t there, so I had a classmate run in your place.”
“Then I went looking for you but couldn’t find you anywhere. Thought you’d gone off to work another part-time job.”
At this, Song Wangzhuo replied, “No.”
“Of course, I know there isn’t. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here right now,” Shen Yuqing asked. “Do you remember what happened?”
Song Wangzhuo nodded and was about to speak when Shen Yuqing stopped him: “No rush, just listen to me first.”
“The police have already caught those two and locked them up. Once you’re discharged, they’ll probably come to see you. Don’t worry I’ll help you find a lawyer. You’ll get the compensation and justice you deserve.”
“The doctor said you’re lucky. When they stabbed you, the blade veered slightly and missed your vital organs. Still, you’ll need time to recover. Once you’re out, just focus on resting.”
Shen Yuqing thought for a moment. “Oh, and about the medical expenses the college has agreed to cover everything. They’ll also give you a nutrition allowance, deposited into your account at the start of each month for six months. They’ll probably have some instructions for you later, just follow them. It’ll likely be things like not disclosing details to others or—”
Before he could finish, he felt a tug on his finger.
Shen Yuqing looked down to see Song Wangzhuo’s pinky lightly hooking his own, signaling him to stop.
His gaze returned to Song Wangzhuo, leaving his finger where it was. “What’s wrong?”
Song Wangzhuo spoke slowly: “How did you know I was here?”
Shen Yuqing had said so much since arriving, yet never explained why he was at the hospital.
Shen Yuqing pressed his lips together. “I was looking for you but couldn’t find you. On my way back to the field, I saw you being loaded into an ambulance, so I followed.”
Song Wangzhuo considered this. “Have you been at the hospital the whole time?”
“Not exactly. After your surgery, the doctor said you wouldn’t wake up until tomorrow at the earliest, so the homeroom teacher and I went back. But before leaving, a nurse mentioned visiting hours would open this afternoon. Since I didn’t have anything else to do, I went home for a meal before returning.”
As Shen Yuqing spoke, Song Wangzhuo kept watching him. Hearing the explanation, he gave a slight nod. “I was inside while you were outside.”
Shen Yuqing took a moment to process this before nodding. “Yeah, I waited outside during your surgery. The homeroom teacher was there too.”
Song Wangzhuo hooked his finger again. Shen Yuqing frowned. “What is it?”
But Song Wangzhuo simply repeated the gesture, his eyes fixed on him. After a pause, Shen Yuqing stood and leaned closer. “What’s wrong?”
“Thank you,” Song Wangzhuo murmured, his voice even weaker now.
The gratitude caught Shen Yuqing off guard. After a brief hesitation, he straightened up. “No need for thanks. We’re friends, do friends need to say such things? Besides, I didn’t really do anything.”
Song Wangzhuo just kept looking at him.
Soon, a chime sounded, signaling the end of visiting hours.
Shen Yuqing said, “Alright, I’m heading out. Rest well. I left my number with the nurses if anything urgent comes up, they can call me. Though judging by your condition, you’ll probably be moved to a regular ward tomorrow. I’ll visit you then.”
Song Wangzhuo gave a quiet acknowledgment, yet his fingers remained entwined with Shen Yuqing’s.
Shen Yuqing glanced down and signaled for him to let go.
Only then did Song Wangzhuo seem to snap out of his daze, releasing his grip. His lips parted slightly as he murmured, “Sorry.”
Shen Yuqing couldn’t help but chuckle. “What are you apologizing for? I know your mind’s still a mess right now. Anyway, I’m heading out. You’re fine don’t overthink it.”
This time, Song Wangzhuo didn’t respond. He simply watched as Shen Yuqing lifted the curtain and stepped out. After a brief pause, Shen Yuqing turned back and said, “Alright, I’m off. See you tomorrow.”
With that, he truly left. But Song Wangzhuo’s gaze remained fixed on the swaying curtain. It felt… familiar.
That scene the way he looked back before leaving struck Song Wangzhuo with an odd sense of déjà vu, as if he’d witnessed it somewhere before.
His head throbbed as though pierced by countless needles, the pain making it hard to breathe.
It took him a while to steady himself.
Eyes locked on the now-still curtain, Song Wangzhuo slowly closed his own.
And for the first time in a while, he found himself looking forward to tomorrow.
