In the quiet corridor of the late night, Song Ran lay in Li Zan's arms, and tears soaked the front of his camouflage uniform.
Li Zan's eyes were also red as he embraced her shoulders, lowering his head to whisper apologies in her ear. Song Ran's crying gradually subsided as she sniffled.
For the past month, while her mother was ill, she had been holding back, reluctant to show too much weakness in front of her mother. Even in the late night, she refused to secretly wipe away tears.
Now, seeing Li Zan, the fear, sadness, and helplessness that had been suppressed for a month all burst out, as if all emotions were emptied.
After the emotional release, she became much calmer, her expression empty and distant.
Li Zan finally asked, "How is the situation now?"
Song Ran, with moist eyes, stared at him, still lost in thought.
On the side, He Shanran explained, "Due to a bacterial infection, she is on artificial lung support. Once the bacteria are eliminated, everything will be fine. However, the exact timing is uncertain."
Li Zan looked at him, his eyes inquiring, and nodded politely.
He Shanran was obviously a doctor, but as a doctor in the oncology department, he seemed too young. Li Zan asked, "You are..."
He Shanran replied, "Aunt Ran is a friend of my mother. I work here, so I came over to take a look."
Li Zan nodded again and said, "Thank you."
"That's what I should do." He Shanran smiled at Song Ran. "I'll leave now. If there's anything, feel free to find me."
"Thank you, Dr. He."
After He Shanran left, Li Zan lowered his head to look at Song Ran, wiping away the tear marks on her face and giving her a tight hug, pressing his lips to her temple.
In the night, her uncle came to take over the shift, asking Song Ran and Li Zan to go home and rest, returning tomorrow morning.
Entrusted by her uncle, Li Zan took Song Ran home.
Aunt cooked a warm meal, but Song Ran couldn't eat anything. It was only after Li Zan persuaded her for a long time that she reluctantly ate a bowl.
Before going to bed, Song Ran secretly took antidepressants and sleeping pills in the bathroom of her mother's room. Her emotions had started to spiral out of control again, and insomnia was severe during this period.
Returning to her room, she crawled into bed, hugging Li Zan tightly, like a child seeking security from an adult.
Li Zan knew she hadn't slept well for the past month, gently patting her back to soothe her into sleep.
However, she couldn't sleep, her eyes wide open, lost in thought.
He attempted to engage her in conversation, "What are you thinking?"
After a long while, she said, "I'm afraid that if something happens to her, I'll lose my mom."
Li Zan reassured her, "It hasn't come to that result yet. Don't scare yourself. Your mom's treatment team is the best, and they are using the best targeted medications. It's just an unexpected infection along the way. Once she gets through this, the chances of recovery are high."
She raised her eyes, "But what if, by any chance, she doesn't make it?"
"The chances are slim."
"But what if?" she insisted.
YOU ARE READING
The White Olive Tree
Romance"A Zan, I am Ran Ran." "That day he looked out the window and saw a white olive tree in the open field." [Disclaimer.] This is not an original work but an English-translated version of the novel "白色橄榄树" [The White Olive Tree] by Jiu Yue Xi. The majo...