Chapter 40

Youyi had been taking care of Fu Cheng in the hospital for two days.

Her winter break had barely begun when it was already intertwined with hospital visits, which clearly wasn’t a good sign.

Even though she would likely have more dealings with hospitals in the future.

When Fu Cheng’s friend came to visit, Youyi went downstairs to buy two roasted sweet potatoes.

On this cold winter day, the northern wind carried the aroma of roasted sweet potatoes from an unknown distant corner. Standing at the street corner, it was hard to pinpoint the exact source of the smell. Perhaps it was hidden in a deeper alley.

Youyi had a craving for that roasted sweet potato.

She liked the slightly charred sweet potatoes roasted in a winter stove, preferably long and juicy, with a honeyed sweetness. They should be sticky, golden, and burst with aroma and softness when bitten into.

She finally found a vendor selling sweet potatoes in a narrow alley. Further ahead was an old residential area, densely packed with old buildings. In the bleak and cold winter, the wind seeped through every crack.

Youyi bought two roasted sweet potatoes and a large corn cob. When she returned to the hospital, she saw Fu Cheng’s doctor friend had already come downstairs.

Youyi greeted him politely.

“I remember you’re from Shenglin Medical School,” he said, confirming, “I am too, but I’m from the class of ’08.”

He was a full ten classes ahead of her, but he was still a senior.

He had studied clinical medicine, took the graduate exams at his alma mater, and after graduating, passed the exams for the affiliated hospital. He had worked as a resident for a few years and had only recently been appointed as an attending physician.

He was an unremarkable, average person with little ambition.

The path of a doctor is long, with unending titles to be achieved, endless papers to write, and a never-ending learning journey.

He had only walked this path for twelve years and was already weary and exhausted. Youyi, who had just begun, had a long road ahead.

He stopped Youyi to say something important.

“Fu Cheng’s hand injury isn’t serious. It’s a benign tumor. Once removed cleanly, it’s unlikely to recur.”

He paused, emphasizing the latter part of his statement.

He tried to convey the severity using medical expertise, knowing Youyi, being among the top students, would understand the technical terms.

The concern was whether there could be unpredictable complications after two surgeries, whether further surgery might lead to other long-term issues, or if conservative treatment should be considered.

“The test results aren’t too bad but aren’t great either. As doctors, we often consider the patient’s long-term comfort. We can’t say everything with certainty. As his friend, I sincerely hope he gets better.”

It was a heartfelt and sincere speech.

Youyi went upstairs with the sweet potatoes.

The surgical building had over twenty floors. With eight elevators, they were still insufficient. The lobby to the elevators was crowded, and she had to wait eight minutes for the elevator to the thirteenth floor.

When she reached the ward, she saw the old man’s figure.

Youyi’s heart sank.

Her few memories of her grandfather-in-law involved him hitting Fu Cheng with a stick. Every time he struck, Fu Cheng never retaliated or even dodged.

Even though she hadn’t seen it firsthand, the image of the stick hitting him was vivid in her mind.

Ignoring her apprehensions, she put the sweet potatoes aside and ran to Fu Cheng.

“Grandpa,” Youyi called him with a fearful tone.

Her voice trembled slightly.

She hadn’t spent much time with him and naturally feared his stern demeanor, but despite her fear, she stood in front of Fu Cheng.

“Fu Cheng just had surgery.”

Youyi’s emotions were a mix of heartache and fear. She remembered Fu Cheng saying that as long as she was by his side, his grandfather wouldn’t act out.

The old man’s face was filled with anger, a deep frustration with his disobedient and reckless grandson. Over the years, he had scolded and beaten him countless times. Now, he was old and weary.

“I’ll ask you again, why did you retire?” The old man’s voice was heavy and deep, like aged pinewood, full of years of frustration and bitterness.

His question was more about confirming an answer he already had in his mind, a reluctant need for assurance.

The older generation’s mindset was worlds apart from that of the younger. There was a deep chasm between them, and Fu Cheng remained silent because he wasn’t sure if he could bridge that gap.

“You saw it,” Fu Cheng replied coldly.

“What did I see?”

A brief silence.

Youyi extended the still-warm sweet potatoes, softly asking, “Would you like some of this?”

She was like a gentle stream, flowing across their confrontation, softening the tense atmosphere. All eyes turned to the sweet potatoes.

“I remember Grandpa saying that back then, being able to eat a hot roasted sweet potato was considered a great luxury.”

The camaraderie between him and Grandpa was such that even a single sweet potato would be shared. All the affection would be remembered and cherished for a lifetime.

The old man’s expression softened slightly, though he still wore a stern face, as he took the sweet potatoes from Youyi’s hands.

Youyi let out a quiet sigh of relief.

The fact that the old man accepted the sweet potatoes meant she had a chance to explain.

“Actually, Fu Cheng wanted to stay in the military much more than you think. He enlisted right after graduating from university and was promoted to major. The efforts and sacrifices he made are likely much greater than we know.”

She started with the negatives before moving to the positives.

“But he suffered a severe injury, and because of that, he had to retire.”

Youyi avoided mentioning the two surgeries, knowing that, as Fu Cheng’s grandfather, the old man would be deeply hurt if he knew about them. Fu Cheng had kept it a secret for this reason.

Youyi spoke softly and pleadingly.

“Could you… not hit him anymore?”

The mere mention of Fu Cheng being beaten made Youyi’s voice tremble with emotion.

The last time he was beaten so badly, his bruises took a long time to fade. Even though Fu Cheng seemed strong, being struck repeatedly with such a heavy stick was incredibly painful.

Youyi moved closer to Fu Cheng.

She tried to shield him, hoping that if there was to be any punishment, she could at least offer him a chance to avoid it.

Her words were sincere, and the old man’s stern expression seemed to be softening. He looked at Fu Cheng’s injuries.

“Youyi, please step outside,” Fu Cheng said, pulling her hand to signal her to leave.

Some things needed to be discussed between him and his grandfather alone.

Youyi left the room anxiously, watching the time on her phone.

One minute, two minutes…

Five minutes passed.

There was no significant noise coming from inside.

After another five minutes, the door finally opened.

Youyi turned around, nervously peeking inside.

Her heart felt like it was tethered by a thin string.

Fu Cheng stood by the bed, his expression unchanged, while his grandfather walked out, still holding the sweet potatoes she had brought.

He didn’t say anything and just walked away.

The old man’s retreating figure seemed much more desolate.

Youyi almost ran to Fu Cheng.

“Fu Cheng,” she called out worriedly.

Fu Cheng shook his head. “It’s fine.”

He needed a chance to clear the air with his grandfather. For Fu Cheng, whose grandfather had been a significant part of his life even more so than his parents, it was crucial.

“Thanks to you,” Fu Cheng praised her.

So clever, knowing to use food to bridge the gap.

Youyi still scrutinized him, feeling like he might be hiding something. After a few seconds, she snuggled into his arms for a hug.

He only had one hand free, but he held her tightly.

The pressure that nearly melded them together was what made Youyi feel the most secure, even if it left her breathless. She cherished this suffocating feeling.

“What did you and Grandpa talk about?”

“He asked if my retirement was by choice or if I was forced.”

“And what did you say?”

“What do you think?”

Given what Youyi knew about Fu Cheng, she considered his possible responses but couldn’t be sure she guessed right.

Youyi shook her head.

“Regardless, it was my choice,” Fu Cheng said.

Whether it was voluntary or forced, the outcome was still his own choice. As an adult, he would bear the consequences of his decisions without excuses.

That was Fu Cheng’s sense of responsibility.

Youyi took a deep breath.

She lifted her head from Fu Cheng’s embrace, feeling that from his words, she could tell that Grandpa would not hold any more resentment over this matter.

The old man, though stern, had a soft side. The fact that he didn’t get angry was the best sign of easing the tension.

At least things were getting better.

Youyi peeled the remaining sweet potato and held it to Fu Cheng’s mouth. “Try this.”

It wasn’t warm anymore and didn’t smell as good as before.

But it should still taste good.

Fu Cheng looked down and took a bite.

It was very sweet.

Youyi watched him swallow, fixated on his Adam’s apple moving, and after a moment, took a small bite herself.

The soft and sweet taste calmed her nerves, and she lingered on her thoughts, which she struggled to express, wanting to speak but holding back each word.