Beep.
Lu Lin hung up.
He said to the doctor.
"Yan Heqing."
Chapter 19: 019
After a series of examinations, it was already midnight by the time Yan Heqing was taken to his room.
The luxurious private room was well heated, and a humidifier sprayed a fine white mist.
On the hospital bed, the young man had changed into hospital clothes.
He was far too thin. The white hospital clothes hung loosely around him, his narrow, pointed chin tucked into the hollow of his shoulder, leaving two sharply defined collarbones exposed.
His pale face was small too; Lu Lin could cover it with one hand. His long eyelashes rested meekly against his skin, and the bridge of his nose formed a straight line with his forehead.
A little color had returned to his thin lips, but he was so pale he looked almost transparent.
He lay quietly on the bed like that, fragile but not weak.
At their first meeting, Yan Heqing had given Lu Lin an impression of austere severity.
Seeing him again today, that impression had only grown stronger.
An IV line delivered nutrients into Yan Heqing's left hand, which rested on the uncovered sheet. His nails were trimmed clean and smooth.
Yet it was not at all the hand of an eighteen-year-old.
Several bluish veins bulged on the back of his gaunt hand, and every finger was covered in calluses.
Lu Lin watched quietly for a while, then stepped forward, picked up Yan Heqing's left hand, and tucked it under the covers.
The examination results came back. Fortunately, Lu Lin had forced a few mouthfuls of ginger soup into Yan Heqing, warming his internal organs in time, so there were no major problems. But Yan Heqing was far too frail, and the doctor recommended that he stay in the hospital for a few more days of observation.
Yan Heqing slept deeply. When he opened his eyes, he saw an elaborate crystal chandelier. Only when he turned his head slightly did he realize he was in a hospital room.
A very high-end hospital room.
The room was exceptionally quiet; even the humidifier was silent. Yan Heqing braced his arms against the bed and slowly sat up.
Day had broken, but the lights were still on. He was alone in the spacious room.
Yan Heqing lowered his eyes and waited quietly.
Lu Lin gently pushed open the door and walked into the room carrying some things. He looked toward the bed, his brow creasing slightly.
Empty.
There was no one in the bed. The pristine white covers were neatly arranged, as though no one had slept there.
His dark eyes hardened slightly.
Just then, soft footsteps sounded in the corridor.
In the quiet space, tap, tap, tap-the sound of soft slippers with bamboo soles brushing against the floor.
The sound grew clearer and clearer, finally stopping outside the room.
Lu Lin looked toward the doorway and met a pair of soul-stealing light brown eyes that outshone a dazzling galaxy.
The loose blue hospital clothes hung from the young man's body, but could not conceal his slender, upright figure. The trouser legs were a little short, exposing a stretch of slim, pale calf.
Daylight fell across his face, its contours refined and handsome, his small, pointed chin looking as though a pinch would shatter it.
Their eyes met. Neither spoke, and a faint mist spread through the air.
The next second, Yan Heqing spoke first, his calm voice like the first tender shoots to emerge in spring.
Fresh, crisp, and elegant.
"Could I repay the hospital fees you covered in installments? I don't have that much money at the moment."
This private hospital charged astonishing fees.
Besides the ambulance callout fee and the expensive full-body examination, Yan Heqing's luxurious private room had cost fifty thousand yuan for last night alone.
Lu Lin's gaze swept over Yan Heqing's hand. He realized how ill-considered his actions last night had been.
He had not considered what Yan Heqing could afford.
"I didn't think it through. I'll cover the bill."
Yan Heqing walked into the room. Up close, the young man's appearance became clearer.
After a night of nutrient infusions, his complexion had visibly improved.
"Thank you for the kind offer." Yan Heqing was neither servile nor overbearing. "You've already saved me once. I have to repay this money. Please give me your account number. I'll transfer the money on the tenth of every month, in..." He hesitated for a second. "Would twelve installments be all right?"
His eyes were clear and bright, calm and resolute.
But proposing these installments was somewhat awkward, and he looked a little apologetic.
Lu Lin looked at him steadily. After a moment, he took out his wallet, drew out a business card, and placed it on the bedside table.
"Contact me when you're discharged."
He had tacitly agreed to Yan Heqing's twelve installments.
Then he set down the things he was carrying: a large black duffel bag and a kraft paper shopping bag.
Lu Lin headed for the door. As he passed Yan Heqing, he stopped and said.
"My name is Lu Lin."
Yan Heqing replied, "My name is Yan Heqing."
Alone in the room once more, Yan Heqing walked over to the bed and picked up the business card first.
The gold-embossed card was extremely simple: Lu Group, Lu Lin, and a phone number.
Yan Heqing put down the business card and looked at the duffel bag. It was the bag he had left on the ice.
He opened it. Inside were his fishing equipment, his phone, and his dry-cleaned clothes.
He opened the paper bag next. Inside was an insulated food container.
A puzzled look appeared in Yan Heqing's eyes. He took out the container and opened it. Steam brushed the tip of his nose, carrying a faint, sweet fragrance.
It was a bowl of plain rice porridge with nuts.
The rice had been cooked until soft, the porridge thin rather than thick-just right for someone who had no appetite but needed something in their stomach.
Yan Heqing set down the porridge and walked to the window.
The hospital entrance was directly below. A Maybach was parked there, its driver waiting beside the door. When Lu Lin emerged from the hospital building, the driver opened the rear door.
Lu Lin got in and left.
Yan Heqing withdrew his gaze and returned to the bed to pack his things.
He soon completed the discharge paperwork. Another night would have cost another fifty thousand yuan.
Muttering, the doctor refunded the excess money to the original payment account.
At the same time, Lu Lin received a bank notification confirming the credit, and a text from an unfamiliar number.
[Hello, this is Yan Heqing. After the final bill, I owe you 52,200 in total. In twelve installments, that comes to 4,350 each. Please send me your account number. Starting on the tenth of next month, I'll transfer the money on time.]
Lu Lin saved the number first, then sent a reply.
[My phone number is linked to my WeChat. Add me and transfer it through WeChat.]
Shortly after sending it, Lu Lin received a friend request.
He tapped it open. It had the default profile picture, and the name was 52 hertz.