At that time, she would habitually hide in corners and weep uncontrollably for no reason.
As time passed, her personality transformed. Unable to communicate normally with others, physical discomfort emerged—like a boiler without a safety valve, the pressure within her heart became unbearable. Each time, she wished to plunge into the river and end her life.
Li Chengru’s words offered a glimmer of hope, but Ji Liao curled her lips into a bitter smile. “As long as Yu Nanzhi believes I am the murderer, then I deserve to die a thousand deaths. It’s useless… truly useless…”
When she spoke these words, she resembled a drowning person, struggling only to find herself sinking deeper, until she resigned herself and ceased to resist. No matter how hard she tried, she could never wash away the stains of the filth that had been splashed upon her.
Li Chengru stole a glance at her through the rearview mirror. At this moment, Ji Liao truly looked like a discarded rag doll abandoned in a corner—broken and lifeless.
Helpless, he attempted to console her, “Life is like a cup; only by emptying the old water from yesterday can it be filled anew. If you are unwilling to let go, you cannot forget the pain of the past.”
“I understand the logic, but I cannot do it.”
“There is no hurdle in this world that cannot be overcome, no mistake that cannot be forgiven. You…”
“Are you saying that no matter what atrocities others commit against you, you can forgive them without holding a grudge?” Before he could finish, Ji Liao interrupted him with red-rimmed eyes, disbelief in her voice. “How easily you say such things.”
Li Chengru added, “I mean no harm; I only wish for your well-being.”
“Is this your idea of wishing me well?” Ji Liao revealed a nearly crazed, twisted smile, then clutched her aching chest and cried out between gasps, “To prove my innocence, I resolved to exhume my parents’ ashes, but Yu Nanzhi treated it as a mere joke. Do you think what he discarded was just a pile of dust? No, those were my parents! You can speak so lightly and painlessly because you have not lived through my experiences. The knife has never cut you, so of course you do not know the taste of agony that rends flesh and blood.
Mr. Li, I thought you were different from others, but I forgot—you are also one of Yu Nanzhi’s people. Talking about wishing me well is just a ploy to make me forget Yu Nanzhi’s atrocities!”
The anguish of seeing hope only to be disappointed was something no one could comprehend. Li Chengru, deeply shaken, slammed on the brakes. He had made a grave mistake—urging Ji Liao to forget her pain. Little did he realize that her pain was a vessel carrying her parents. Asking her to forget was tantamount to erasing the existence of her elders and Yu Nanzhi’s sins…
“I’m sorry, I…”
“There’s no need to apologize. I overreacted.”
In that moment, Li Chengru admitted to himself that he was humbled by this “weak woman.”
For the remainder of the journey, neither spoke. The car drove uneventfully into the hospital parking lot.
The moment she stepped out, a chill swept over her. Ji Liao shivered out of habit, vaguely recalling how, years ago when her parents were recovered, she had trembled similarly in the cold, shadowy place.
Qing’er was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit on the third floor of the main building. As Li Chengru escorted her there, they happened to encounter the Attending Physician involved in her treatment. He handed Li Chengru several Lab Reports and said, “The patient has indeed sustained lung injuries with severe bleeding. Additionally, we discovered she has an underlying medical history.”
“What medical history?” Ji Liao was so shocked she froze.
The physician stated bluntly, “Cirrhosis—a Chronic Progressive Disease. If treated promptly in early stages, it could be cured.”
“Are you implying Qing’er has late-stage cirrhosis?”
“On the contrary, it was detected just in time. The patient still has a chance of recovery. Family members needn’t worry—we’ll closely monitor her condition and intensify the treatment plan.”
Hearing this, Ji Liao collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed by the violent swings of fate.
“Hmm? Are you blind?” The physician seemed to notice her distress and crouched to study her face.
Ji Liao lowered her head without denying it. During his brief scrutiny, she gave a slight nod.
“Have you sought medical attention elsewhere? Would you like to undergo a comprehensive examination here?”
The physician’s words fell into Ji Liao’s heart like a pebble, rippling through her calm.
Li Chengru, who had remained silent nearby, helped Ji Liao up and guided her to a chair. “Whether you’ve been examined or not, since we’re at the hospital, you might as well get checked. There might still be hope for recovery.”
Ji Liao slightly lowered her eyelids, veiling the fleeting gloom in her eyes. “Too much time has passed. The results would likely disappoint. Why cling to hope when disappointment is certain?”
“How can you assume the worst without even trying? Look at your friend—if she hadn’t come to the hospital, her cirrhosis might never have been detected. Not everything is as bleak as you imagine.”
While speaking, Li Chengru turned to the physician. “Make the arrangements. I’ll cover the costs.”
Ji Liao tightened her grip on the Blind Cane and lifted her face toward him. “Why are you so kind to me?”
Why was he so kind? Truthfully, he didn’t know himself. Perhaps out of pity, or perhaps driven by the impulsive fondness he’d felt when he first saw her.
Ji Liao didn’t consider her question abrupt and continued, “You know the consequences of helping me. So don’t be foolish—I don’t want to drag innocent people into my troubles again.”
For some reason, Li Chengru disliked her pessimistic outlook. He longed to realign her perspective and show her the beauty in the world, but she likely didn’t trust him enough.
To prevent her refusal, he replied, “I’m a doctor. Saving people is my duty. Even if the King of Hell stood here, he’d have to show me some respect.”
Just as Ji Liao opened her mouth to respond, someone else interrupted. Soon, a nurse arrived to inform them that everything was ready, awaiting the patient in the X-ray Room.
Li Chengru nodded and, as if it were nothing, took Ji Liao’s jade-smooth wrist to guide her forward.
With his assistance, Ji Liao barely needed her Blind Cane. Their progress halved the usual time. In the X-ray Room, Li Chengru personally oversaw the procedure.
While this side proceeded methodically, the other side grew increasingly solemn.
In the vast, empty second floor of the Yu family villa, Yu Nanzhi sat at his desk, staring intently at Cheng Shuangshuang’s photo for a long time. Even when he heard the butler enter, he couldn’t bring himself to look away.
“Sir, is there anything you need?”
Yu Nanzhi’s eyelids flickered as he snapped back to reality, his gaze still fixed on the radiantly smiling woman’s face. His voice was flat and cold when he spoke: “How did Ji Liao lose her sight?”
In the past, he had always been distant and indifferent toward Ji Liao. Today’s unprecedented inquiry left the butler momentarily stunned. After a brief silence, seeing Yu Nanzhi look up at him with a questioning gaze, the butler knew the matter could no longer be concealed.