Love Me in Another Universe

Chapter 108. Xuchen's Father (6)

December 31, 2001, Monday. At noon, Guan Xuchen was queuing up for meals in the canteen with Wen Yuwei and Ying Congyun.

"Beep-beep-beep—" The pager on Guan Xuchen suddenly went off. He jolted like a startled kitten, his body trembling involuntarily, then fumbled the pager out with his shaking hands.

Guan Xuchen glanced at the message on the pager, his expression changing drastically, and then whispered to Wen Yuwei and Ying Congyun: "I—I have to go. I won't be eating..."

"Tommy, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Wen Yuwei and Ying Congyun asked in unison, their voices full of concern.

Guan Xuchen shook his head, his face ashen, and without saying another word, he turned and left the canteen.

Nearly half an hour later, Guan Xuchen arrived at the ward of West City Hospital. He saw his mother sitting beside the hospital bed, holding his father's right hand, her face filled with grief.

Guan Xuchen felt as if his heart had been wrenched out of his chest. After two seconds, he snapped back to his senses, hurried to the bedside, and asked in a trembling voice, "Mom, Dad..."

Then he noticed that although his father's eyes were tightly closed, he was still breathing, with a rumbling sound coming from his throat. Only then did Guan Xuchen's heart ease a little.

"Xuchen, you're here." Mrs. Guan looked up, her expression sorrowful yet trying to stay calm, and said, "Dad suddenly had a convulsion just now, and the doctor issued a critical condition notice... If you have nothing to do tonight, stay here with me and Dad..."

Guan Xuchen let out a soft "Oh". He sat on the other side of the bed, gently smoothed his father's disheveled hair, and then held his father's left hand.

Mrs. Guan pointed at the lunch box on the bedside table and said to her son, "Xuchen, have you had lunch yet? If not, you can have the boxed meal I ordered. I have no appetite at all..."

Guan Xuchen touched the lunch box and felt that the food had gone completely cold. Just as he was about to respond, the pager on him suddenly buzzed. Guan Xuchen's body trembled involuntarily once more. He took out the pager, glanced at it, and said softly to his mother, "Mom, it's Gao Xinglang. I'll call him back and grab something warm for you to eat while I'm out."

Mrs. Guan nodded and solemnly urged him, "Don't be too long. Come back quickly."

Guan Xuchen replied with an "Okay" and then stepped out.

Around six o'clock in the evening, Gao Xinglang arrived, and Guan Xuchen felt a great sense of relief in his heart.

By around eight o'clock at night, the night-shift caregiver who helped look after Mr. Guan came to work. Mrs. Guan looked apologetic and said to Gao Xinglang, "Xinglang, I'm so sorry for keeping you here so long today. It's getting late--you should head home now. You still have classes tomorrow."

"Auntie, please don't say that." Gao Xinglang quickly replied, then explained, "Tomorrow is New Year's Day. I don't have classes."

He paused, then suggested, "Auntie, why don't you go home first to take a shower and have some rest? Guan Xuchen and I can stay here to look after Uncle."

Mrs. Guan turned to look at her husband, who was still unconscious on the hospital bed, and shook her head.

Guan Xuchen also hoped that Gao Xinglang would stay with him, but instead, he said to Gao, "Lang, the caregiver is here. Why don't you go back first? Thank you for everything today."

Seeing that Guan Xuchen also said so, Gao Xinglang said goodbye. But before he left, he looked at Guan Xuchen earnestly and said, "Soupy, I'll keep my pager on tonight. Call me anytime if you need anything. I'll come to see Uncle again tomorrow morning."