Chapter 9: Discharge

“Swish—”

“Cough, cough, cough…”

The floor was now covered in black, ribbon-like things slick with some kind of fluid.

Lin Yanqiu kept frowning at Hua Qi’an.

The glove—and whatever had been on it—had long since been tossed into the trash bin.

The nurses lingering awkwardly in the room shifted uncomfortably, one handing over a pack of tissues.

Lin Yanqiu nodded, tore open the pack, and wiped her hands.

“…Much better.”

Hua Qi’an took a deep breath, thinking of her earlier lapse, and shot Lin Yanqiu an apologetic look.

But kneeling there on the floor as she was, she looked utterly disheveled.

Her legs felt weak.

“Sorry, Sister—I got your clothes dirty.”

She glanced at the soiled hem of Lin Yanqiu’s pants, her eyes tinged with regret.

“It’s fine.”

Lin Yanqiu’s voice held no particular tone, but her brows stayed knitted; she seemed to assume Hua Qi’an had just regurgitated the food from earlier.

Her thoughts were a whirlwind right now, memories of the mansion flashing through her mind again.

Pressing her lips together, “…”

“…I forgot I had seaweed yesterday.”

“Sorry.”

If she came clean to Lin Yanqiu that what she’d actually vomited up was waterweed… that would be way too bizarre.

Why would she eat waterweed?

Why would she even get near water?

…A barrage of questions would follow.

And Lin Yanqiu was the type who wouldn’t drop it without answers.

Hua Qi’an didn’t even have answers for herself.

Ever since she’d seen that strange shadow in the bathroom, these inexplicable things kept piling up.

First, she’d passed out and had that weird dream, only to wake with angry red handprints on her neck…

Then, this nausea and heaving, bringing up clumps of waterweed…

Unease coiled in her chest.

She thought back to the source of it all—that odd job.

Did the HR know something?

Her mind raced, but with her sister still here, she couldn’t contact them just yet.

“Professor, the head nurse says you can head over now.”

One of the nurses glanced at her phone and reported to Lin Yanqiu.

She kept stealing looks at Hua Qi’an, clearly worried about her.

Hua Qi’an blinked; she remembered now.

This nurse was the one who’d poured her water when she first woke up.

“Nurse sister, you must be exhausted too.”

Though her legs were still shaky, Hua Qi’an had steadied herself.

In the end, it was just a bout of nausea and vomiting—nothing indicating a major health crisis.

She gave the nurse a smile.

Lin Yanqiu took in the scene, huffing inwardly.

“Less talk, more action—let’s get you rechecked.”

With that, she looked up at the nurse, whose face had inexplicably flushed.

“Miss Nurse, could you find someone to clean this up?”

“I’m taking Xiao An.”

No sooner had the words left her mouth than Hua Qi’an felt an unyielding push on her shoulder—Lin Yanqiu’s hand.

She was steering her out of the room.

Hua Qi’an went along with it, stepping into the hall.

“Sister, aren’t you going to change clothes?”

In the corridor, Hua Qi’an asked Lin Yanqiu, a touch of guilt in her voice.

Every time she looked down, she saw the soaked sleeve and pant leg.

“You’re more important.”

Lin Yanqiu’s mind was still replaying that smile Hua Qi’an had flashed at the nurse while calling her “sister”—it grated.

She shot Hua Qi’an a sidelong glance, lips curving in a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Of course, none of this comes free.”

Hua Qi’an drew a deep breath, pressed her lips together, and nodded in silence.

No more words passed between them the rest of the way.

…

“No major issues.”

Seated in the hospital corridor, Lin Yanqiu held several of Hua Qi’an’s test reports in hand.

She let out a breath of relief.

“Looks like it’s just your body adjusting after the blackout.”

Hua Qi’an nodded.

“So I should be able to discharge today?”

She’d gone to the house on Saturday; now it was Sunday.

“The dorm has curfew tonight…”

She was still a college student, after all.

Her school was strict—curfew every workday night except Fridays and Saturdays.

But her eagerness to leave wasn’t really about curfew.

She followed rules well enough, but she didn’t obsess over school regs.

Mainly, she worried that lingering in the hospital would rack up more unexplained debts.

She glanced at the back of her hand, where a bandage covered the spot; it still throbbed faintly.

Better be careful with IVs from now on.

Clenching her fist, the cotton pad on the bandage seeped a hint of red from the muscle flex…

The slight sting sharpened her focus.

“Got it—I’ll drive you back.”

Lin Yanqiu stood, patting Hua Qi’an’s shoulder.

But her eyes lingered on the uncovered part of Hua Qi’an’s neck.

They’d applied some ointment there earlier and wrapped it in gauze.

The slender neck looked even more fragile bound so tightly.

“If someone bullies you, tell me.”

Lin Yanqiu looked away.

“You’re my sister, after all.”

With her body showing no real problems, discharge paperwork went smoothly, and Hua Qi’an was out.

“Oh, right.”

Behind the wheel, Lin Yanqiu suddenly remembered something and shot Hua Qi’an a cool glance.

“Stay away from places that don’t even have ghosts.”

Too many sudden incidents had nearly made even Lin Yanqiu forget the root of it all—Hua Qi’an’s baffling decision to “explore” some rundown spot.

She’d always known her “little sister” seemed soft and frail, but her rebellious streak ran deep.

During the course of treating Hua Qi’an’s illnesses, she’d learned it hadn’t always been this way.

As a child, she’d been lively and healthy.

Then came the sudden, inscrutable illness that ruined it all.

Leaning against the passenger seat, Hua Qi’an stared out at the rushing scenery.

Lin Yanqiu had changed her clothes; they hung loose, like they were draped on a hanger.

Hua Qi’an was still so thin.

“Got it.”

Gazing at her own blank-faced reflection in the window, Hua Qi’an reached out to touch it.

But her hand met only the chill of glass.

With her head turned, Lin Yanqiu couldn’t see her expression.

“…”

Unnoticed, they’d arrived at the school gate.

It being Sunday, more students than usual came and went.

Hua Qi’an said goodbye to Lin Yanqiu, then opened the door and stepped out.

At that moment, a girl looked their way, her face registering surprise.

“Then, see you.”

Lin Yanqiu rolled down the window, giving Hua Qi’an a casual wave.

From the angle, Hua Qi’an just happened to block the line of sight between Lin Yanqiu and the girl.

Watching Hua Qi’an head toward the dorm entrance, Lin Yanqiu withdrew her gaze and floored the accelerator, speeding off.

“Xiao Qian!”

Hearing her name, Hua Qi’an turned in confusion.

And saw a ponytail girl waving at her.

Recognizing her, Hua Qi’an sighed inwardly.

Outwardly, she kept it hidden, mustering a smile.

“Ying Ying? Just back from out?”

One of her dormmates, Zhao Yingying.

Zhao Yingying looked thrilled.

“Who was that just now?”

“That car—super expensive, right?”