Chapter 2: A Bowl of Wonton (2/2)

How could he not be afraid? He was afraid of loneliness, of disappointment, and of walking in the long corridor of the hospital alone. Zhishu He sat opposite the doctor, looking down at the potted orchids of the doctor whose surname was Ai.

The doctor advised him to accept chemotherapy early, the earlier the better.

Zhishu He kept silent, while the doctor did not push. Zhishu He managed to control his emotions after a long silence, and he looked up with a slight smile, ”I'm afraid of hardship... I cannot do it by myself.”

”Give me some more medicine and I'll think about it,” Zhishu He shook his head and smiled weakly. ”Doctor Ai, I've had fewer nosebleeds lately, but my fever is getting worse. The other day when I was sleeping at home, I dreamt that I became a big stove in a trance, with my heart and lungs fried in the pan. I almost thought that I wouldn't get through.”

Hearing his words, the doctor suddenly stopped prescribing the medicine. He saw plenty of sad stories of people with terminal illness, so he knew well about their complaint on the unfair life and reluctance to leave the world, but he had never seen such a man like Zhishu He, who was wrapped by loneliness all over.

”You are my patient, and I'll always be there for your treatment. It's no big deal. There's always hope in life, isn't there?” In fact, Doctor Ai was no older than 30. Most people focused their eyes on his experience and ability only because he had great achievements in medical field. Now he was comforting Zhishu He; the tone was so relaxing that at the moment he was just like a student who was consoling his schoolmate, ”It's all right. You tough it out tonight and we'll go on hunting birds tomorrow.”

Zhishu He smiled more sincerely, but he still said, ”I'll think about it. Please give me some medicine.”

When Zhishu He was about to leave, Ziyu Ai insisted on giving Zhishu a pot of orchid in the office, which was valuable but fragile, ”Don't go off into wild flights of fancy when you are alone. Just find something to do, and it's not bad to grow a flower.”

Zhishu He was in a daze and then declined, ”Thank you, doctor, but I'm not very good at growing flowers... Besides, orchid is such a delicate flower.”

”It's not difficult to grow flowers. I hope you decide soon so that I can arrange treatment for you. If you are well, you will take good care of my flower,” the doctor gave a brief and slightly childish smile, and then waved his hand.

Zhishu He did not think so actually. Only those who love flowers could take good care of them, which was just like what he lacked was not casual words of comfort from the others.

But half a loaf was better than none.

So, he accepted the flower, asked for a plastic bag to wrap it and then put it in his coat.

Hospitals were short of wonder drugs prescribed by Ziyu Ai. Zhishu He took it easy, for there was still some medicine in his home. He went back without any medicine. He had been out for so long that his body was breaking down.