The first thing Fu Ling noticed when he regained consciousness was the faint, almost nonexistent smell of disinfectant and quiet atmosphere. Opening his eyes, he took notice of the white walls and confirmed he was in a hospital ward.
He turned his head and saw a figure curled up on the sofa opposite the bed and peered at them. The person seemed to feel the direct gaze and slowly woke up, pausing slightly when he noticed Fu Ling's open eyes and rushed forward enthusiastically.
"You're awake?"
Fu Ling avoided his bright eyes with slight guilt.
"Umm"
The boy's lips stretched widely and he ran out of the ward
"I'll go call the doctor right away!"
Fu Ling looked at his disappearing back and then glanced at the emergency button beside his bed. Forget it, whatever makes the kid happy.
A few minutes later, Gu Lian came back with the doctor who examined Fu Ling and assured everything was okay. He had just overexerted himself previously and his body couldn't cope which made him faint. It was just his body's way of forcefully making him get the rest he needed.
The doctor opened his mouth again but hesitated and looked at the other person in the ward. Gu Lian immediately took his cue.
"I'll go downstairs to buy some porridge."
He left the ward and closed the door leaving only the two people inside. Fu Ling raised a brow
"Is there something you want to say to me doctor?"
The doctor hesitated for a second before responding
"When you were brought in, there wasn't really anything wrong with you and it looked like you were just sleeping but I asked your friend about your situation for the past few weeks and I feel like you may be mentality drained."
Even though he said this, the doctor didn't believe it himself because what could a young boy of this age experience to damage his mind to that extent. He hadn't even noticed it I'd not for his friend who happened to be there at that time and pointed out that the problem might not be physical as much as it was mental. Although he was unsure, his work ethics made him bring it up with the patient first.
"If you are interested, I can introduce you to a very good psychologist."
Fu Ling smiled and shook his head slightly
"It's okay doctor I was just overwhelmed by the need to prove myself during the entrance exams and accidentally overworked myself. Thank you for your concern. Now that I've rested, I feel much better."
The doctor looked at him and didn't find any trace of deception on his face so he relaxed.
"That's good. Make sure to take care of your body. Ambition is good but you can't hurt yourself for that reason. You're still young and have your while life ahead of you."
Fu Ling nodded obediently.
"Thank you doctor"
After living for so many years if he still couldn't fool a young doctor wouldn't all his years of suffering be in vein? Fu Ling knew very well that if he wanted to really lie to anyone, they wouldn't know he wasn't telling the truth.
Not long after the doctor went out, Gu Lian came back in. Empty handed. Fu Ling raised an eyebrow but did not deliberately point it out.
Gu Lian pretended not to notice his teasing eyes and stood by the bed
"Are you okay?"
Fu Ling blinked
"Well the doctor said I'm fine"
Gu Lian didn't let him off easily especially because of how perfunctory he sounded
"I'm asking you. If I wanted to know what the doctor had to say, I would have asked him"
There was a hint of helplessness in Fu Ling's eyes which even he himself didn't realize.
"I'm fine."
Gu Lian looked straight at him
"That's what you've been saying for weeks. And yet here we are."
Fu Ling touched his nose and looked away
"This was an accident. I was just too stressed out."
"Fu Ling."
"Hmm?"
The boy heard his name and answered instinctively
"I was really worried. You don't know how scared I was when I saw you fall. Thankfully a few classmates who were standing close gave you a hand otherwise you would be in a much more precarious situation. Fu Ling I just want you to take care of yourself. Please."
Fu Ling sensitivity felt like there was something off about Gu Lian. He wanted to casually brush off the words of concern. He had everything under control. Even this was all part of his plan but when he looked at those serious eyes overwhelmed with worry, he couldn't bring himself to say those words. The two were in a stalemate and Fu Ling was the first to retreat.
" I promise that I will never let something like this happen again "
Gu Lian saw his attitude and knew this was the biggest concession Fu Ling would make. He wasn't entirely satisfied but he still knew when to retreat.
They both looked at each other and didn't know what to say for a moment when a knock on the door broke the stagnant atmosphere.
Wei Hong Yi walked into the ward and saw the awkward atmosphere at a glance. He didn't know whether to go in or just come back later? He moved one of his legs backward when Fu Ling's eyes fell on him.
"Where are you running off to?"
Gu Lian also turned and the two pair of eyes looked at him with a similar look. Wei Hong Yi cleared his throat and walked in closing the door. He dropped the fruit basket on the table and handed a leather bag to Gu Lian.
Gu Lian looked at his outstretched hand without making any move to take the things and Wei Hong Yi's lips twitched slightly.
"I figured you wouldn't leave Fu Ling alone here so I bought you a change of clothes and some toiletries."
Gu Lian hesitated for a second and then took the bag, a suspicious blush forming on his cheeks. He muttered "thank you " in a low voice and rushed to the bathroom in the ward.
Fu Ling and Wei Hong Yi both looked at each other in confusion.
"Your bestie is a bit weird."
Fu Ling couldn't say anything to refuse so he nodded his head in agreement.
"How long have I been here "
Wei Hong Yi pursed his lips and raised his head to the ceiling.
"Ummm a little over sixteen hours I think. When you fainted, they called the ambulance and Gu Lian and I both followed to the hospital. I stayed for a while before my parents started calling and I had to go back."
Fu Ling nodded in understanding
"Oh by the way, someone recorded the scene of your fainting and posted it online. I don't know what's wrong with people these days. Instead of lending a helping hand, they take out their phones."
Fu Ling immediately frowned.
"Let me see."
Wei Hong Yi handed over his phone and Fu Ling's face grew darker and darker when he saw how much attention the post had gotten. He returned the phone with a sigh.
Wei Hong Yi picked up on his unnatural expression and was eager to help
"Do you want me to have someone take down the video?"
Fu Ling was amused.
"No worries. I'll take care of it. I have my own plans concerning this."
Wei Hong Yi nodded slightly
"Alright then."
The kid seemed unable to sit quietly and after less than a minute of silence, he picked up an apple out of the basket and started pealing it carefully. He then cut it up and put it in a small plate and handed it to Fu Ling.
Fu Ling took the plate and finished it up under his gaze like a mother hen. He fetched Fu Ling some warm water and Fu Ling sipped out of it from time to time.
Thankfully before he could do anything else, Gu Lian came out from the bathroom and Wei Hong Yi finally sat down honestly.
Fu Ling rolled his eyes lightly and asked to go home. After trying to persuade him without avail, they both left to take care of the discharge procedures.