By morning, Lan Yi had to be admitted to the hospital herself after collapsing in the reception area. Her blood pressure had spiked dangerously. Dr. Han administered a sedative and left her to rest while Qiren remained in the ward with her.
Meanwhile, Yibo sat in the corridor outside the ICU, his head in his hands. He had been there since returning to the hospital, refusing to leave, but the doctors still hadn't allowed him inside. At the sound of the ICU door opening, he sprang to his feet. Dr. Balogun walked out, and though the man didn't stop or even look at him, Yibo hurried after him.
"Please, Doctor," Yibo pleaded. "Let me see him, even for a minute. He's my brother. I'm also a medical doctor."
That last sentence finally caught Dr. Balogun's attention. He turned slightly as he walked. "A medical doctor?"
Quickly, Yibo pulled out his ID card, showing it with trembling hands. "Yes, sir. Here's my identification and my place of work."
Dr. Balogun studied the ID, noting the hospital where Yibo practiced and his specialty as a surgeon. He slowed, finally stopping to look directly at him. "Oh… really." Handing the card back, he added, "Alright, Doctor. I'll speak to our MD. He's inside the ICU. Let's hope he allows you in."
"I'd truly appreciate that, sir," Yibo said, his voice low.
Dr. Balogun returned inside. The MD stood at the head of Zhan's bed, eyes locked on the ventilator, monitoring every alarm, every number, as though his own life were bound to it. Never in all his years had he watched a machine this closely. He didn't even blink.
When Dr. Balogun approached, he spoke respectfully. "Sir, Zhan's elder brother is outside. He's asking for permission to see him. He's a medical doctor here in Guangzhou, a surgeon."
The MD gave no reply, his expression unreadable, unwilling to encourage conversation. At that moment, Dr. Jing entered, pulling down his surgical mask as he walked over. His tone was careful.
"Sir, his brother is also a doctor. Please, if you permit it, he'll just step in briefly and leave. Otherwise, he too may collapse out there."
Dr. Balogun slipped back out, leaving the two men.
The MD sighed, weary and pained. "What difference would it make, Jing? There's been no improvement. I don't think it's necessary." He sat down heavily, pressing a hand to his aching head.
But Dr. Jing leaned closer, lowering his voice. "MD, we need to let at least one family member see him. His mother collapsed earlier because she wasn't allowed in... her blood pressure spiked, she's now admitted too. His father is just as disturbed. And now his elder brother is on the verge of breaking down as well. Zhan is caught between life and death…."
The MD shot up in alarm, his voice rising. "What do you mean by that?"
Dr. Jing answered with quiet sorrow. "We can't deceive ourselves, sir. That is the reality. At least let his brother in... he's a colleague. We don't know what may happen next." Without waiting for the MD's reply, he left, his words lingering in the air.
The MD turned back sharply just as the ventilator blared another urgent alarm. Rushing forward, he bent over Zhan, who lay still, connected to tubes and monitors, the machines beeping around him.
Dr. Jing handed Yibo a gown, a nose mask, gloves, and the protective shoes required before entering. From the moment Yibo stepped inside, the MD's eyes followed him closely.
Yibo walked slowly to Zhan's bedside. Taking his brother's hand, he bent down, his voice breaking. "Baby… please, wake up, my baby…"
The MD continued watching him in silence. Yibo pressed his forehead against the bed, clutching Zhan's hand tightly. The MD could see tears sliding down his face, and he himself lowered his gaze.
Both men lifted their heads abruptly when the monitor shrieked with an alarm. Yibo shot to his feet, his chest tightening. "His pressure is dropping!" he exclaimed.
They rushed to stabilize Zhan's blood pressure, administering vasopressin. The MD was about to speak to Yibo when the CEO entered the ICU. Her face betrayed her panic as she went straight to Zhan's bedside. A group of doctors...two foreign specialists and another consultant...followed in quickly, surrounding the patient.
Yibo lowered his eyes and quietly stepped out of the ICU.
At the reception, just as he arrived, Hai Kuan entered with Aunty Marquis, followed by Granny Fang Yu. The moment she spotted him, Aunty Marquis broke into sobs, running toward Yibo. She seized his hand, crying out, "Yibo, has he woken up? Or is he still in the ICU?"
Yibo couldn't bring himself to answer. Granny Fang Yu, overcome, also burst into tears. Hai Kuan slumped into a chair, clutching his head with both hands.
Yibo turned away and walked slowly to the far end of the reception. He sank into a seat, leaning his head back, eyes shut, his chest pounding painfully. The thought of losing Zhan was unbearable. Behind him, Aunty Marquis wept uncontrollably, her cries echoed by Granny Fang Yu.
After a while, Granny Fang Yu wiped her eyes and approached Yibo. "Where's Lan Yi?" she asked softly.
"She's admitted… resting now. She finally managed to sleep," Yibo answered in a low voice.
Granny Fang Yu sat beside him, nodding silently.
They remained in the reception for nearly three hours, no one speaking, each lost in their own anxious thoughts. Yibo's phone had been vibrating endlessly, but he ignored it...his mind fixed only on who would emerge from the ICU doors. Finally, he glanced at the screen. It was Granny Ai.
He answered without a word. On the other end, her voice was raised with distress: "Yibo, I've just arrived in Guangzhou, but I don't know where to go. I've been wandering around the station."
Yibo's voice was steady but quiet. "Find a taxi. I'll give the driver the hospital's name."
"Alright, alright," she replied quickly.
He ended the call, pressed a hand to his forehead, then moments later picked up again to give the taxi driver directions. The hospital was well-known, so it wasn't hard. Once done, he put the phone away, rose, and walked back toward the ICU entrance, sinking into a seat where he could stare at the closed door.
Inside, one of the doctors had to catch the MD as he staggered backward, nearly fainting. The other physicians turned in alarm.
"Go and rest, Shen Yi," the CEO urged firmly. "You need it. The team is doing everything possible."
The MD shook his head quickly. "No, Ma'am, I'm fine."
Dr. Han placed a hand on his arm. "You need rest, MD. You haven't eaten, and it's past midday already."
The MD didn't reply, but allowed himself to be guided toward the door, his eyes turning one last time to Zhan, who lay surrounded by specialists fighting for his life.
As they stepped out of the ICU, Yibo leapt to his feet, his gaze locked on them.
Yibo picked up his phone, which had been vibrating nonstop. On the other end, Granny Ai said anxiously, "Yibo, I'm in front of the hospital since midday, but I'm not sure they'll let me in. The guards look so stern and unfriendly. Maybe the taxi dropped me at the wrong place?"
He replied gently, "Just go in....they'll let you."
Granny Ai zipped her large handbag, tossed the phone inside, and slung it over her shoulder. She avoided the guards' eyes and headed for the small gate, but a security officer stopped her.
"Ma'am, today is not a visiting day. You'll have to come back tomorrow evening."
She froze, staring at him in disbelief, then broke into tears. "Do you think hospitals are tourist spots for visiting? I came all the way from Yantai because my grandson was poisoned! How can you tell me it's a visiting day issue? Since five in the morning I've been on the road!"
The guard ignored her and sat back down without opening the gate.
Dropping her heavy handbag, Granny Ai muttered in frustration, "So this is the kind of hospital they brought Zhan to? If anything happens to him before I see him, I'll never forgive you, not for the rest of my life."
When the guard still didn't respond, she pulled out her phone and called Yibo again. He didn't answer but instead walked outside. After a long persuasion, he convinced the guards to let her in. Dragging her oversized bag behind her, Granny Ai gave them a glare. "Good-for-nothing bullies. No hospital can forbid me from entering, especially not you gatekeepers."
She hurried to Yibo, her face lined with worry. "Yibo, how did this happen? How could poison get into the food at the new house?"
Yibo said nothing, leading her instead to the parking lot, where he opened the car's trunk for her to stow her handbag. Together they walked back inside.
Granny Ai sat beside Granny Fang Yu, held her head in her hands, and burst into tears. "What kind of disaster has fallen on this family? Every trouble, every humiliation, always lands on us. Maybe we've done something wrong and don't realize it. From one tragedy to the next, like people cursed. I've made up my mind....I'll fast for three days, maybe then our family will find relief. Tell me, how does someone even get poisoned inside a brand-new home? In our time, only stray animals got poisoned when they ate from the streets!"
Neither Aunty Marquis nor Granny Fang Yu answered her. Hai Kuan quietly rose and walked away. Yibo had already returned to sit near the ICU doors.
Back in the MD's office, Dr. Jing stood watching as the MD, freshly showered, stirred a half-empty cup of tea with a spoon.
"If you finish that tea, I'll give you an injection to help ease the stress," Dr. Jing suggested. "You shouldn't carry it all alone."
The MD shook his head. "No. Just a pain reliever."
Dr. Jing stepped away from the desk. "An injection will be better, sir."
He left the office, and before long returned with a syringe. Quietly, he prepared both a mild sedative and a pain reliever in careful doses, making sure the MD wouldn't notice the difference. He administered the shot smoothly, then walked out again.
By evening, the CEO stood outside the ICU with Qiren and Hai Kuan, three doctors clustered behind her. After explaining briefly the efforts underway, she tried to calm Qiren. "Please, rest assured. Our team is doing everything possible."
But Qiren, clearly dissatisfied, said, "I just want to know if he is responding at all. Any improvement...that is all I ask."
The CEO lowered her eyes. "He will respond. I'm sure of it. There will be improvement soon. For now, he's still being monitored."
She turned to leave, but Qiren stopped her. "I want to see my son. Let me in."
The CEO looked back at him. "Please wait until tomorrow, sir. It hasn't even been twenty-four hours since his admission…"
Qiren fell silent, his face etched with worry. The CEO left, followed by the doctors. Hai Kuan sat heavily in a chair nearby, disheveled and withdrawn.
Qiren glanced at him. "Please, Barrister, take Marquis and the others home. The staff are already complaining; this isn't a visiting day."
Hai Kuan hesitated. "But Baba… why not send him abroad? Wouldn't that be better?"
Qiren sighed. "That was my thought too. But the CEO herself came from abroad, with her own team of specialists…"
Hai Kuan leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes.
- - - -
Meanwhile, Yibo sat in the ward where Lan Yi was admitted. Holding her hands, he whispered, "Mama, I've only been gone fifteen minutes. He's improving, I promise. Please don't worry too much."
Lan Yi wiped her tears. "Then why won't they let me in to see him?"
"Because you're still on IV fluids, Mama," Yibo said gently.
"Then remove it. I can go in, and when I come back, they can put it back," she insisted.
"Your blood pressure is still unstable," Yibo replied softly. "When the drip finishes, you'll be allowed in. I promise you, he's getting better, Mama."
Lan Yi just kept staring at him, tears streaming down her face. Even though he himself was breaking inside, Yibo forced a brave smile, pretending that Zhan was getting better. Lowering his gaze, he said softly, "Let me go home and bring food...Aunty Marquis already finished cooking."
He stood, headed toward the door, and slipped out of the ward. After locking the door behind him, he leaned against the wall, closed his eyes, and stayed there for nearly two minutes before walking away slowly. As he had told Lan Yi earlier, he went back to the ICU. About twenty minutes ago, he had been allowed inside, but there had still been no progress then.
Hai Kuan sat waiting in front of the ICU doors. Yibo lowered himself onto the seat beside him. Watching his face closely, he asked quietly, "Did you go in?"
Hai Kuan nodded without speaking. Yibo fell silent too. Ten minutes later, Dr. Jing emerged from the unit. Looking at them calmly, he said, "We are hoping to see progress soon. His system is gradually trying to respond."
Yibo shot to his feet at once. "Did he make any movement, Doctor?"
Dr. Jing shook his head gently. "Not yet...but we're expecting improvement."
"Please… may I go in?" Yibo asked.
Dr. Jing gave him a faint smile. "The CEO is inside at the moment. Wait until she leaves."
Disappointed, Yibo sat back down slowly. "Alright… thank you."
Dr. Jing turned and walked away. On the second floor, he met the MD coming down the stairs. The man was descending as though counting each step, moving painfully slowly. Ever since Dr. Jing had administered a sedative earlier, he had been resting....only now, close to six o'clock, did he finally rise. When he spotted Dr. Jing, he froze, unable to speak, as though bracing for news that might crush him in seconds. His unblinking eyes locked on the doctor.
"How are you feeling, sir?" Dr. Jing asked gently.
The MD let out a long, hidden sigh. When Dr. Jing reached to check his forehead, he turned away, giving him a sharp look. "Didn't I tell you not to give me a sedative, Jing? Why would you do that?"
Dr. Jing sighed. "But you slept, sir. Don't you feel even a little relieved?"
The MD gave no reply. He continued down the stairs toward the ICU. Dr. Jing watched him go with a faint smile...he knew exactly where the man was heading. Suddenly the MD stopped, turned, and fixed his eyes back on him. Dr. Jing straightened, face unreadable. For a moment, the MD seemed ready to ask the question burning on his tongue, but he held back, turned again, and continued downward.
When he entered the reception, he didn't even notice the nurses at the reception, nor their greetings. Yibo remained outside, eyes half-closed in exhaustion. Hai Kuan had gone home to bring food for Lan Yi since Yibo said he wasn't able to drive.
Inside the unit, a registered nurse sat at the far end, monitoring the machines. On seeing the MD, she stood respectfully to greet him, but his eyes were fixed on Zhan, unblinking. She sat back down quietly. Moments later, his voice cut through the beeping machines:
"You can leave."
The nurse rose at once. "Yes, sir." She slipped out, leaving him alone.
He walked slowly toward the bed. Bending over, he gazed at Zhan's still face, then gently took his hand, massaging the palm. In a whisper he said, "Zhan… can you hear me? I know you can…"
Though he expected no answer, he kept calling his name, voice low, almost a murmur. "Hello… sleeping beau…"
His words trailed off into silence. He lowered his eyes again, still rubbing the hand gently. After five minutes, he looked up just in time to see Zhan's head shift slightly to the side.
He shot upright, staring in disbelief. Calling his name again, this time louder, but Zhan didn't move further. Quickly, he grabbed a pulse oximeter and clipped it onto his finger, eyes darting to the monitor. Just then, the CEO walked into the unit.
The MD straightened immediately. She came to the bedside, her gaze fixed on Zhan. "Was that progress, Shen Yi?"
He nodded quickly. "Yes...he just moved his head. I'm checking his oxygen saturation now."
The CEO smiled faintly. "This is what we've been waiting for. Go to my office and inform Dr. George."
"Yes, Ma'am." He hurried out.
Left alone with Zhan, the CEO looked at him without blinking. After a few seconds, she exhaled deeply, then stepped closer, gently holding his hand. "My dear, can you hear me?" She pressed a soft kiss onto his hand, still scented faintly of the MD's cologne. "Wishing you the fastest recovery."
Outside the unit, Yibo sprang up as the MD exited. "Doctor....any progress now? By now, we should be seeing something, shouldn't we?"
The MD met his anxious eyes. "Yes, there is." He didn't linger, striding away, leaving Yibo staring after him.
Back inside, the CEO remained with Zhan until the MD returned with Dr. George. Only then did she step out of the unit.
By eight o'clock, Dr. George reduced the ventilator support so that Zhan wouldn't depend entirely on the machine. Both the MD and Dr. Jing stood watching closely until he finished his checks and left.
Dr. Jing turned to the MD. "You haven't eaten since yesterday, have you?"
The MD rubbed his forehead tiredly. "I had tea in the morning, remember?" Without waiting for a reply, he moved closer to Zhan, eyes never leaving him. After a while, he turned back to Dr. Jing. "I think tomorrow morning we should allow his relatives in...one at a time...to see him."
Dr. Jing nodded. "That's a good idea. Hopefully by tomorrow, his condition will improve even more." He left the unit.
The MD watched him go, then slowly turned back to Zhan. Bending down once again, he held his hand and whispered, "Can you hear me, Zhan?"
Slowly, Zhan opened his heavy eyelids. The MD froze, astonished to see him awake. Without realizing it, a faint smile spread across his face. His voice dropped to a soft murmur as he massaged Zhan's hand gently.
"You'll be fine soon… you're already doing so well. Stay strong."
Zhan closed his eyes again. Since before seven o'clock, he had been making small movements of discomfort from the breathing tube...a very good sign of slow recovery...but he hadn't opened his eyes until now. The MD continued to rub his hand in slow, therapeutic strokes. When Zhan blinked his eyes open once more, the MD leaned closer, speaking low.
"Can you hear me…?"
Zhan just stared at him, pale and weak. The MD dropped his gaze, said nothing more, and quietly headed for the door. Outside, Yibo was still waiting near the ICU entrance. The MD looked at him and said, "You can go in and check on him. Talk to him too."
Yibo jumped to his feet. "Thank you, Doctor."
The MD left, and Yibo hurried into the unit. Reaching the bedside, he bent down and clasped Zhan's hand carefully. His voice trembled.
"Baby…"
Zhan's eyes opened at the sound. Yibo almost couldn't believe it. He glanced quickly at the ventilator and saw its settings had already been reduced. Leaning closer, his words spilled out in a rush.
"Please, get well soon, my baby. We all miss you. I know how strong you are.... just stay calm and relax… you'll get better very soon. We love you."
Such sweet, gentle words worked like therapy, soothing a patient's mind and helping them feel safe in the ICU. Zhan's gaze stayed fixed on him as Yibo rubbed his hand softly, smiling warmly.
"Be strong....for me, for Mama, Baba, Lee, and Barrister."
Zhan's eyes slid shut again, and Yibo let out a long sigh of relief. He lifted the hand he was holding and pressed a kiss to it, lingering there.
At nine o'clock, Hai Kuan entered the ICU with Dr. Jing. Dr. Jing leaned toward him and said quietly, "Speak to him calmly," before stepping out again. Only one nurse remained at the monitors. Hai Kuan walked to the bed. Zhan's eyelids fluttered weakly. Sitting on the chair beside him, Hai Kuan lowered his head, unable to find words. After a few seconds, he took Zhan's hand. Zhan opened his eyes. Still, Hai Kuan couldn't bring himself to speak, only holding his hand tightly...for almost ten minutes. Finally, he lifted his head, met Zhan's gaze, and bent to press a soft kiss on his hand. His voice cracked as he whispered, "Come back to us soon, baby." Then he stood and quietly left.
(Poor Zhan's hand, everyone was kissing it. 😅)
By a quarter to eleven, Dr. Han entered the unit. He frowned when he saw a nurse trying to change Zhan's hospital gown and blanket.
"How many times are you planning to change his gown in one day?" he asked.
Before she could answer, the MD came in. Dr. Han finished his checks and left. The MD turned to the nurse.
"What are you waiting for?"
"Dr. Han just came to check on him. I'll change it now," she replied.
The MD gave a short nod and left the room.
***
The next morning, Qiren came into the ICU with Yibo. Relief spread across his face as he saw Zhan's condition...eyes open, watching them quietly. Yibo bent close, still holding his hand, smiling as he whispered, "Good morning, my baby."
Zhan stared at him silently. After fifteen minutes, they left. Outside, Qiren asked without looking at Yibo, "So… when will they disconnect all these machines?"
"They're waiting to see if he can breathe on his own without difficulty," Yibo explained softly. "Then they'll remove them. I'm sure it will be soon....the machine's power has already been reduced a lot."
Qiren nodded. "I'm glad for that. I'm also grateful to this hospital for the care they've shown. Whatever the cost, I'll make sure they're fully compensated....they deserve it."
In a low voice, Yibo asked, "Will Mama be able to see him too?"
"Let's wait until the tubes are removed first," Qiren replied.
"Yes, that's best," Yibo agreed.
Just then, the CEO arrived at the hospital, her security waiting outside. The MD followed closely behind her, carrying her laptop and other items. Seeing Qiren, she paused instead of heading straight upstairs. They exchanged greetings.
"You've just been in to see him, haven't you, Mr. Wang?" she asked.
"Yes, we just came out," Qiren replied. "And I'm very pleased with what we saw. He looks much better."
The CEO smiled. "That's good to hear." She continued upstairs, the MD trailing behind. Inside her office, he opened the door, switched on the AC, and set down her things. She placed her handbag on the desk and sat.
"I left early yesterday...there was a family issue I had to handle," she explained. "From their house I was planning to call you to hand these over…"
Unwrapping a small towel from her hand, she placed two tiny bottles containing blood samples on the desk, along with two small zip-lock bags, each holding strands of hair.
"I need genetic testing done on these. Start immediately."
The MD nodded. "Yes, Ma'am." He turned to leave, but she stopped him.
"How is Zhan's condition? When will they disconnect him from the machine?"
With respectful calm, he replied, "His breathing is still not steady, so we're monitoring closely."
The CEO exhaled. "After I take my coffee, I'll go down to see him."
"Yes, Ma'am," he said, then stepped out.
Although Qiren didn't want Lan Yi to see Zhan until the ventilator was removed, her distress was so severe that the doctors eventually allowed her in. That night, she wept beside him until she needed an additional drip. Seeing all the wires and tubes attached to his body, despite his eyes being open, she couldn't believe he was truly improving. In her mind, if he were really getting better, there would be no need for so many machines.
The hospital continued Zhan's care. Whenever Yibo, Hai Kuan, or Qiren wanted to see him, there was no restriction. Since the incident, the MD had practically lived in the hospital...his office even had a large bedroom, so he stayed there around the clock.
Mother Cang, Wei Po, and even Zhe had visited the hospital, though none of them were allowed into the ICU. They could only meet with Lan Yi.
- - - -
At home, Aunty Marquis was once again in the kitchen preparing food to be taken to Lan Yi. It was already their sixth day in Guangzhou, yet Qiren insisted the family didn't need to visit the hospital just yet. This troubled Marquis, but she didn't argue. Instead, she cooked with the help of the house staff, and either Hai Kuan or Yibo would come pick up the food.
That afternoon, Granny Ai came into the kitchen, adjusting her headscarf. "I'll be back soon, Marquis."
Marquis looked up. "Where are you going, Aunt?"
Granny Ai snapped. "Where else but the hospital? Even abroad, I've never heard of patients being hidden from their family like this. What kind of hospital forbids visits? If that's the rule, then what was the point of us coming here at all? Six days in this big house, eating and sleeping like prisoners!"
Marquis tried to soothe her. "But Qiren said it's hospital policy, and when I spoke with him earlier, he insisted we'd only be allowed by tomorrow."
Granny Ai scoffed. "Yet Xuxui, his wife, was allowed in. She came to wish Zhan well and was even let inside. Look at her... she's put on so much weight since arriving. Even Lee, who only returned two days ago, has gone to the hospital multiple times, and no one stopped him. But us? They say we can't go? Do we smell bad or something?"
Granny Fang Yu pursed her lips. She too was displeased. What was the point of their coming to Guangzhou if they weren't even allowed to see Zhan?
Granny Ai continued bitterly. "If not for Fang Yu's crying when she called me, I swore I would never step foot in Qiren's house again. The man has no respect. But now, I've no choice. So yes...I'm going to the hospital. And if I change my mind, I'll take my bag and return to Yantai. If anything happens, they can just call me on the phone." With that, she stormed out of the sitting room, a bag tucked under her arm.
Granny Fang Yu sighed. "She's right, Marquis. We sit here while they keep telling us Zhan is 'doing better,' yet we're not allowed to see him. Where has that ever been done?"
Marquis said nothing, just stirred her pot quietly. In her heart, she knew Qiren wanted to avoid a scene at the hospital...especially if Granny Ai went in.
Meanwhile, Zhan had finally been moved back to a ward the day before. He had spent five days on the ventilator before it was removed. Even now, his breathing sometimes faltered. He had grown thin, though his skin seemed unnaturally luminous. He still struggled to speak; mostly, he only followed people with his eyes.
Lan Yi sat at his side, holding his hand, comforting him as she had since they left the ICU. Sometimes Hai Kuan took her place.
Yibo often stood silently by the window, watching. He wished he could take all of Zhan's pain into his own body, just to give him relief.
When Zhan tried to sit up, Lan Yi quickly supported him, murmuring words of concern. With effort, Zhan opened his mouth...his first attempt to speak since leaving the ICU. Lan Yi bent closer, straining to catch his whisper.
Yibo rushed to her side. "Mama, what is he saying?" he asked, leaning over.
Lan Yi's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Zhan, then at Yibo. But she said nothing.
Yibo pressed gently, his voice tight. "Please… what did he say, Mama?"
Lan Yi stayed silent, watching Zhan breathe weakly.
NB
How about I take the weekend to rest a little? No posting or writing? 🙂
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛