BFILWY CH 7

Chapter 7: The Strange Patient

August.

Today was the day that An Yue went to C University’s affiliated hospital to volunteer. He had set a routine of spending a few afternoons each month helping out in the pediatric ophthalmology ward^[1]. When the children had eye problems and couldn’t read storybooks themselves, An Yue would go to the ward to read stories to them and play some tactile games.

“An Yue, you’re here!” A round-faced nurse happily greeted him when she saw him. “The kids heard that a big brother is coming to read stories today, and they’re all looking forward to it.”

An Yue smiled and said, “I also really enjoy coming to spend time with the kids.”

As they passed by, the head nurse, upon hearing An Yue’s voice, stopped in her tracks. With a displeased look on her face, she asked, “Why does your voice sound so hoarse today? Haven’t you been resting properly these past few days? Are you sick again? Or have you been secretly smoking and drinking? I’ve told you before, you don’t take care of your voice, especially since your throat is more delicate than most. You should really pay attention to it, you…”

“Ah Chang…” An Yue helplessly stretched out the syllable. “The past few days, the store was short-handed, so I helped out for a few days. I probably spoke too much with the customers and ended up losing my voice.” He made an innocent expression. The round-faced nurse, standing beside them, chimed in to help: “Ah Chang, don’t worry, I’ve prepared some honey for him, and there’s an intern nurse nearby. If An Yue really doesn’t feel well, we’ll have the intern take over the activity.” An Yue also sweetly shook the head nurse’s hand, saying, “I promise I’ll go rest right after finishing the story.” The head nurse was helpless. She knew how much the hospitalized children were looking forward to someone reading to them today, so she couldn’t cancel it. She just nodded at An Yue and told him to pay more attention to himself.

Once the head nurse walked off, An Yue politely said to the round-faced nurse, “Xiaozhen, thank you.”

“What are you thanking me for? It’s us who should be thanking you,” Nurse Xiaozhen said, making a playful gesture with her hands pressed together in a prayer-like form. “The kids really enjoy listening to your stories.” Then she grew a bit more concerned and asked, “But you shouldn’t push yourself too hard. Your voice sounds really bad today. Are you sure you can make it through the story?”

“It’s only half an hour. Don’t worry,” An Yue replied.

Xiaozhen nodded. “Alright, you know your own limits. If you’re really not feeling well, you can leave it to the intern. They have activities ready to take over. I’ll go get the honey for you now.” An Yue nodded, expressing his gratitude.

The ophthalmology department’s director, Zhong Qifang, had just finished his rounds and was about to go upstairs when he ran into An Yue, who had just finished telling the story and was resting by the windowsill. An intern was leading the children in singing songs and playing a “twist your butt” game^[2].

An Yue was drinking water from a thermos in small sips to soothe his throat, one hand resting on his throat.

“An Yue, you’re here! I’ve been wanting to find you. I’ve been waiting for you for several days,” Zhong Qifang said, greeting him warmly when he saw An Yue.

“Hello, Director,” An Yue lowered his hand from his throat and greeted him politely. Though a bit tired, he appeared relaxed.

Zhong Qifang asked about An Yue’s recent condition. Like the head nurse, he furrowed his brows upon hearing An Yue’s hoarse voice.

“Director,” An Yue subtly changed the subject. “You said you were looking for me. Is there something you need?” He gave a serious, attentive look.

“Oh, right,” Director Zhong said as An Yue reminded him. He immediately got to the point. “Not long ago, the hospital admitted a car accident patient. He had a skull fracture, and after a craniotomy, he remained in a coma for two months. He only just woke up a few days ago. But when he regained consciousness, he found that he had lost his vision. Director Yang from the neurology department asked me to consult on the case, and we confirmed that the problem isn’t with his eyes. It’s likely a blood clot in the brain that’s affecting the optic nerve. We suspect that his blindness might be temporary, but we’re not sure how long it will last…”

“Director,” An Yue interrupted Zhong Qifang’s lengthy report. “So, why did you want to find me?”

“Ah, right,” Zhong Qifang recalled, “The patient wants to hire a caregiver who has experience with vision-impaired patients. He needs someone for 24-hour supervision. After he’s discharged, he hopes the caregiver will move in with him until his sight improves or he can fully take care of himself.”

Zhong Qifang paused for a moment, then added, “The patient’s uncle is an old acquaintance of Director Yang, and he specifically asked Director Yang to look after him. Director Yang has already tried several people, but none of them are quite suitable. The patient is a single man, so young female caregivers would be inconvenient for 24-hour care. Older women usually have their own families to take care of. So, I’ve thought about it, and I think you might be the most suitable person.”

“Me?” An Yue, who was usually calm, was surprised by the director’s suggestion. He pointed to himself. “But I’m not suitable for this. I’ve never been a caregiver. I don’t know how to take care of patients.”

As they walked toward the upstairs ward, Zhong Qifang spoke while pulling An Yue along. “Don’t worry, the patient doesn’t need special medical care. Actually, he’s recovering quickly. Since he’s been lying in a coma for a while, his wounds have mostly healed, and the femur fracture has been properly treated. By the time he’s ready for discharge, he should be able to start rehab and learn to walk again. Your job will be simple—helping him with a wheelchair, watching over him, helping him adjust to living as a blind person. When the time comes, take him back for checkups.”

An Yue furrowed his brows, about to refuse, but Zhong Qifang, somewhat troubled, said, “Just go and see him. Have a chat with him, even. I’m a bit worried about this patient. Normally, when someone suddenly goes blind, they tend to lose control of their emotions. They get scared, shocked, sad, or don’t believe their bad luck. Some have negative emotions, denying their condition. But he…” Zhong Qifang hesitated, seemingly trying to find the right words.

“He’s a bit strange,” he finally said.

(To be continued…)