"Li Chang, come home, alright? I know Mama was wrong, but you have to understand Mom... I didn't leave you on purpose."
A soft and guilty voice of a woman was coming from the phone. The caller was saying a lot of things, with the guilt clearly reflecting in her voice, but the receiver didn't seem to care.
Li Chang listened to his mother's explanation calmly. There was no ripple in his eyes.
*knock* *knock*
"Dr. Li, Mr. Bai is here for the appointment." A voice came from outside. Assistant Ming didn't want to disturb Li Chang, but she has to do her work.
'Why am I so unlucky...' Assistant Ming sighed at her unluckiness.
"I'll be right there in minutes. Take Mr. Bai to the checking room." Li Chang's cold voice came from the office.
"Yes," Assistant Ming answered and quickly slipped away. Li Chang's mother was still talking on the phone. Li Chang picked up his phone. "I don't have time to hear your apologies right now."
Li Chang said while getting up from his chair. "If you really feel sorry for me, then stop bothering me, Mother." Li Chang's voice was cold, without any warmth, when he said these words.
After saying that, he hung up and switched off his phone.
• • • • •
"Bai Ling, why did you keep it secret from all of us?" Li Yuxi asked. Her eyes were welled up with tears. Her eyes were red as if someone had wronged her.
Bai Ling panicked. "I didn't want to worry everyone." He quickly said. But Li Yuxi's tears didn't stop.
Bai Ling really regrets this moment. He felt his heart ache seeing Li Yuxi like this. He had only seen Li Yuxi's lovely, spoiled, and strong sides.
This was the first time he had seen Li Yuxi like this: weak, vulnerable, and pitiful. Bai Ling felt his heart beat fast; this was the first time someone had ever shown such care toward him except his parents and grandmother.
Bai Ling shook his head and quickly held Li Yuxi's hand. "I'm sorry for making you worried," Bai Ling said in a soft voice. 'Worried my foot! ' Li Yuxi thought, but still pretended to be angry.
They were lost in their own world, while Assistant Ming was forced to eat dog food. 'I can't see anything... I can't hear anything...' She was trying to hypnotize herself.
Li Chang saw this scene when he opened the door. He frowned. "What is happening here?" For the first time in her life, Assistant Ming thought Li Chang's cold voice was very pleasant to hear.
Li Yuxi looked at Li Chang and quickly let go of Bai Ling's hand. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but Li Chang spoke first: "No one other than the patient and staff is allowed here. Miss Li, please leave and let us do our work."
Li Yuxi felt embarrassed; she looked at Bai Ling, wanting him to say something. Bai Ling looked at Li Yuxi. He thought she was worried about him, so he quickly said, "Don't worry about me. I am fine."
'Fool,' Li Yuxi quickly walks out in anger. She was so angry right now. No one had ever treated her this rudely since she came into this world. But she has to endure it for luck value.
Li Chang put on his gloves and checked Bai Ling's x-ray report. He asked Bai Ling, "Did you feel any pain these days?"
Bai Ling nodded. "I feel terrible pain now and then. Is my condition getting worse, Dr. Li?" There was panic hidden in Bai Ling's voice.
Although he was acting normal and all tough in front of Li Yuxi, he was afraid inside. He was not as strong as he looked on the outside. He had his parents, grandmother, and... someone he loves. He didn't want to die so easily.
"The situation seems to be getting worse. We have to do the operation earlier than we planned." Li Chang spoke in a calm voice. Not caring about the patient's feelings at all.
The atmosphere of the room had turned gloomy. Bai Ling's eyes dimmed. He seemed to have aged five years in an instant. Still he asked, "What is the chance of success?" The atmosphere of the room had turned gloomy.
Li Chang said, "Fifty percent." His words didn't help to improve the atmosphere at all. He continued, "The tumor had increased in size. It's in the middle stage, but if we don't do anything, it will be very late."
Bai Ling felt like the world was ending. He knew there's still a chance, but it's human behaviour to think the worse of all situations.
When the door opened, Li Yuxi was waiting outside anxiously. When Li Yuxi saw Bai Ling coming out with the bad expression, Li Yuxi became worried.
She walked towards Bai Ling and asked in a worried tone, "Is everything alright? What did the doctor say?"
Bai Ling's mood was low. He was not in the mood to speak right now. He just said, "I'm tired. Let's talk some other time." Saying so, he went away.
Li Yuxi didn't chase after Bai Ling but went directly to Li Chang's office. Li Chang was looking at Bai Ling's report when she forcefully entered the office without any permission.
Li Chang's expression turned dark. "Why are you here, Miss Li?" Li Yuxi pursed her lips; she was afraid, but thinking of Bai Ling's expression, she gathered courage and asked, "How is Bai Ling's condition?"
Li Chang closed the document and stared straight at Li Yuxi's eyes. "Who are you to him? Are you his family member?"
He continued, "We can't just provide information about our patient's health to anyone."
Li Yuxi paused; she was nothing to Bai Ling. Forget about family member; she couldn't even be called his friend. They had only met a few times before.
"I'm no one to him... but I have a relationship with you," Li Yuxi said hesitantly. "Can't you tell me how his condition is, brother?"
There was a dangerous glow in Li Chang's eyes; he stared at Li Yuxi as if looking at something insignificant. "Who gave you permission to call me brother? Do you deserve to call me that?" Li Chang asked with an emotionless face.
Li Yuxi shivered. The temperature seemed to have dropped to minus in a second. Li Yuxi really regrets coming here. 'I should have just chased after Bai Ling,' she thought.
Li Chang pressed the button on his table, and after a few seconds, a knock came from outside.
"Dr. Li, do you need something?" Assistant Ming's voice came from outside. She was confused as to why Li Chang called her at lunch hour.
Li Chang told her to come in and said, "Call the security and throw Miss Li outside." Assistant Ming was shocked as to where this lady came from. 'I'm done for!' She thought.
Assistant Ming was about to call the security to kick Li Yuxi out, but Li Yuxi stopped her, "No need, I'll go by myself." Li Yuxi looked at Li Chang with eyes filled with hatred and walked out.
After Li Yuxi walked out, Assistant Ming bowed and apologized, "I'm sorry, Dr. Li. I failed to do my job properly."
*Ding*
A notification came from Li Chang's work phone. Li Chang didn't say anything to Assistant Ming and checked his phone.
[Hi, Dr. Li! I'm Xie Fang.]
[You own me a dinner, remember?] *Excited panda.jpg*
[I'm waiting outside the hospital. Come fast, it's really cold here.] *Trembling.jpg*
'Huhh...did I just hear Dr. Li sigh?' Assistant Ming was confused. She wanted to see what was happening, but before he could lift her head, Li Chang told her to get out.
Li Chang looked at the message for a long time and chuckled. His chuckle was like a storm, breaking the cold atmosphere in the room.
"Xie Fang..." A deep, husky voice escaped from Li Chang's mouth. After a moment, he got up and walked outside.