"Okay, grandpa. I'll listen to you," Guan Ruolan answered and turned to look at Elder Guan. Then, we left the hospital together.
Since our house was in a mess, we couldn't go back. So, we booked a room in a nearby hotel. After all that had happened, neither of us felt sleepy. Of course, we didn't have the mood to do that either. Guan Ruolan started to tell me about her experiences growing up.
Her voice was very infectious. It was as if I was listening to a story. I couldn't help but sigh with emotion. The life of a rich person wasn't that carefree. At least, Guan Ruolan had always longed for familial love. However, it was only now that she knew that the woman wasn't her biological mother. It was no wonder that she didn't treat her so coldly.
On the contrary, during the time she spent in my house, she felt the love of a father and a mother. This was also the main reason why Guan Ruolan was willing to teach me even when she found out that my aptitude wasn't good. On one hand, it was to repay her kindness. On the other hand, she could stay in my house for a while longer. If I hadn't abandoned myself to despair, Guan Ruolan wouldn't have disappeared in a fit of anger.
Come to think of it, everything has a cause and effect. Not only do I have to thank Guan Ruolan for her nurturing, but I also have to thank my father and mother for teaching me. After some time, it will be the new year. I must go back to see them. I am no longer an unknown student from back then. I have become their pride and glory.
As Guan Ruolan talked, it was already past midnight. Gradually, she felt sleepy. I gently hugged her, and not long after, we fell asleep.
The next morning, Guan Ruolan got up. I didn't sleep in. Since we might have to stay in the hotel for a while, we didn't need to check out. We bought a hearty breakfast and rushed to the hospital.
After a nap, Elder Guan's complexion looked a little better, but it still couldn't stop the failure of his internal organs.
Guan Ruolan carefully fed him breakfast. After eating, she called the Guan family. They couldn't believe what had happened. Although it had happened for more than ten hours, it hadn't been spread out yet. Many people in the capital knew about it, but the relevant departments had been trying their best to suppress it to prevent it from causing a more serious impact.
After all, as the capital of Hua Xia, the security of the capital was of utmost importance. If such an incident were to be made known to the public, the impact would be no less than the series of incidents reported by the citizens of Chaoyang City.
Around eight or nine o 'clock, a familiar figure suddenly walked into the ward.
I was a little surprised. It was Zhong Yuchen. He was holding some tonics in his hand.
"Brother Zhuang, I heard from the Dragon and Tiger Society that something happened to your girlfriend's family, so I came here to take a look," Zhong Yuchen explained in a low voice, afraid that he would disturb Elder Guan.
"Thank you," I said with a grateful face.
Seeing Elder Guan's weak appearance, Zhong Yuchen was a little skeptical. I waved my hand and took him to the corridor.
I told him about the situation. Zhong Yuchen was a little sad when he heard that Elder Guan didn't have much time left. "Brother, my condolences."
"Yeah, it's come to this. What else can we do but condolences?"
Since I had mastered some medical skills, I understood how bad Elder Guan's condition was. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that it wasn't easy for him to keep his heartbeat and breathing normally. It was like a child carrying dozens of pounds on his back. He could collapse at any moment.
"Not necessarily. I don't know if you've heard of this saying before. When a dying person's lifespan gets shorter and shorter, the Black and White Impermanences in the netherworld will send little ghosts to take away their souls. As long as they can't endure this kind of torture, their souls will be separated from their bodies, and they will die for good," said Zhong Yuchen with a serious face.
"No way, there's such a thing?"
To be honest, I didn't believe in the theory of wandering souls or ghosts. I grew up in the countryside, and I had heard all kinds of strange stories about real people. That was why I was skeptical of Zhong Yuchen's explanation.
"Brother Zhuang, you can think about it yourself. Why does Elder Guan keep staring at the ceiling with a blank face? It's possible that he's fighting with little ghosts. It's just that you can't see it. Anyway, I think it's better to believe in this kind of thing than not." Zhong Yuchen shrugged.
"Brother, do you have any way to resolve it?"
I had to admit that Zhong Yuchen's words had touched my heart. At least in our village, there was a saying that sometimes middle-aged or elderly people, or even children, got a strange disease and couldn't get better. So, they had to find some unorthodox ways to cure it. For example, they would raise a toad or something at home.
Although it sounded superstitious, sometimes it could work. I didn't know if it was a psychological effect or if it was the blessing of the Gods. In short, it was to make people feel at ease.
Zhong Yuchen shrugged with a helpless look on his face. He paused for a moment and then added, "Well, I think everything has its own counter. You can see that as early as more than a thousand years ago, it became popular to put up couplets and door gods. To put it bluntly, this is also to prevent dirty things from entering the hospital. A place like a hospital is already quite unlucky. If we want to deter the little devils, we can't rely on martial artists alone."
He paused for a while and then added, "In fact, the best way is to bring evil spirits. That way, let alone those annoying little ghosts, even if the Black and White Impermanences come, they can't do anything. At that time, Elder Guan will be able to get through the most difficult days. Even if his internal organs are seriously damaged, it's not like he's at his wit's end. On the contrary, he will be able to survive!" Zhong Yuchen hit the nail on the head.
"Are you talking about that mirror?" I frowned. It seemed that what he said made sense.