That night, I went home, dropped onto the sofa, and let out a deep breath. For a few minutes, I scrolled through my phone and messaged my friends. Then I stood up, took a bath, and started preparing dinner. After cooking, I sat at the table and began to eat. But after a few bites, I placed my chopsticks on the bowl, leaned back, and sighed.
I felt so lonely.
Even though I had friends, this empty feeling just wouldn't go away. I had no one to sit and eat with. I lost my parents when I was very young—I was their only child. There was no one left to take care of me. Maybe that's why I became a kindergarten teacher... to surround myself with innocence and joy, to fill the gap in my heart. I continued eating quietly and then went to bed.
The next day, after a long, tiring day at school, Liang and I went shopping. We bought a bunch of things, grabbed some ice cream, and continued wandering around. For us, shopping wasn't about spending—it was about the joy. Even if we didn't buy anything, just being outside made us feel better. After that, we headed home.
The next morning, someone rang my doorbell.
I was still sleepy and pretended not to hear it. The bell rang again. I pulled the pillow over my head and groaned... and then my phone rang. Frustrated, I mumbled, "Who's calling me this early on my day off?"
I picked up the call and said, "Hello?"
"Qin~~ why aren't you opening the door? What are you doing?"
I looked at the screen. It was none other than Liang.
"What do you want? Why are you calling me so early?" I asked groggily.
Liang exclaimed, "What~? Early? Qin~~ it's 10 AM! Aren't you going to open the door, or should I break in with my wrist?"
I shot up from bed. "Don't~~~!" I shouted and rushed to open the door.
Liang strolled in and sat on the sofa while I turned and walked back toward my room.
"Qin, where are you going?" she called out.
"I'm going back to sleep," I said lazily.
She yelled, "Do you even remember what day it is? You have a checkup today!"
I scratched my head. "Isn't it still early?"
"It's 10 AM, Qin," she said, raising an eyebrow.
The last bit of sleep in my system vanished like a splash of cold water. "Wait—my appointment was at 9 AM! I'm one hour late!"
"Then what are you waiting for? Go get ready!"
I quickly changed and rushed to the hospital. At the reception, I asked where my attending doctor was. The nurse told me the room number, and Liang and I headed there. When we knocked, there was no response—so we barged in. The room was empty.
After 10 minutes, Dr. Lu finally walked in.
I was playing with his stethoscope when Liang suddenly tapped me. I turned around and saw Dr. Lu staring at me. I quickly placed his stethoscope back where it was.
Without saying a word, he walked to his seat, took out a disinfectant spray, and began cleaning his desk.
"You had an appointment at 9 AM. It's now 10," he said flatly.
"I had... work," I replied, trying not to sound guilty. "Can you still check me?"
Liang looked at me like I had grown two heads and whispered, "What a lie."
I subtly signaled her to keep quiet.
Dr. Lu checked me, gave me a prescription, and calmly said, "Try to think happy thoughts and engage more with people."
I nodded obediently.
Outside his office, Liang elbowed me. "Hey~ he's so cold, right?"
"Yeah," I said. "But doctors are like us. Just like we have to be soft with children, they have to be patient with patients. They endure so much, yet no one is there to comfort them."
Liang nodded. "True. Living as a doctor must be really tough."
We went to the pharmacy. I told Liang to pick up the medicine for me while I strolled around. That's when I saw a little boy crying loudly. The nurses were trying to calm him down and give him his medicine, but he refused.
I walked up and asked, "Can I try?"
The nurses nodded and handed me the medicine.
"Cutie, why are you crying?" I asked softly.
"I don't want it! It's bitter!" he pouted.
I gently took his hand. "If you don't drink it, how will you become a strong man? Hmm?"
He blinked at me.
"I used to be naughty too. I hated bitter things. But after drinking this, I became a powerful girl and captured all the villains!" I whispered dramatically.
He looked curious.
"They're just like the ones in storybooks—super scary! I even have one with me. But if you don't want to be scared, you better drink this, okay?"
I placed the medicine in his hand and smiled.
He hesitated... then drank it. His face scrunched up at the bitterness, but he handed the glass back to me. The nurses were relieved.
I patted his head and gave him a chocolate as a reward.
Liang came back just then and saw me talking to the boy. She smiled. But when she turned slightly, she spotted someone and squatted beside me.
"Qin," she whispered, "look behind you."
I turned.
Dr. Lu was watching me, frozen in place. He looked... surprised.
I smiled at him and gave a polite bow.
He blinked, then nodded slightly in return before continuing on his rounds.