Two days later, Su Lin was finally discharged. After the ventilator had been taken off, she stayed an extra day in the hospital to complete various tests. The doctor gave Gao Han the green light, "She has completely recovered. Now she can go home. There's no food restrictions and no prescribed medicines for her to take. Of course, you still need to keep the inhalers on hand for her asthma."
The doctor didn't ask about little Su's parents. He had done his job, the kid had recovered and the rest of her affairs were not his concern. But he still talked to Gao Han very politely. This man had earned his respect. Knowing a child for only a week, and then taking care of her so diligently for three days- even if people wanted to be kind, not many could be as unselfish.
Gao Han handed the nurse on duty a lavender-color ruffle dress for Su Lin to change into. He had bought this in a hurry from a shop on the opposite street when he realized little Su had nothing proper to wear after changing out of hospital clothes. It was probably too big since he didn't know about her size. Really, a man having to do these things was...definitely not in his comfort zone.
When little Su was done, both of them headed outside together. "How are you feeling? Do you want to eat something?" Gao Han asked awkwardly, taking her little palm in his as they prepared to cross the street. Su Lin nodded.
"What do you want to have? Don't be shy, just tell me," Gao Han insisted, pushing up the glasses on his nose to hide his awkwardness. He knew nothing about this child's tastes and preferences- wouldn't he be left in a lurch if he randomly walked in somewhere? His usual haunts were bars, if not this bar, then that bar. He had no idea about what places were trending with children these days.
"Then, um, pancakes," little Su answered in a small voice. She was slightly confused as her mom didn't usually ask what she wanted to eat, and she wasn't too sure what she liked anyway as she ate everything she was told to. She remembered one morning when her mom made the round pancakes. Sprinkled with honey and butter, they were delicious.
Gao Han checked his phone to locate a small eatery nearby that sold pancakes. It was a quaint little place two blocks away with about a dozen tables and very clean interior. One adult and one child grabbed a table for two. Gao Han called the waiter and ordered two date pancakes, a glass of peach juice for the child and espresso for himself. A quarter of an hour passed without words.
The waiter was soon back with their order. Su Lin looked at the pancakes with shining eyes- there was no honey, but the chocolate syrup spread looked delectable (link for what the food looked like: https://bit.ly/2GBYa1O). The two ate quietly- Gao Han immersed in his thoughts and Su Lin just immersing herself in the sweetness.
After a while, Gao Han opened quietly, "Little Su, I know this has been hard on you. But we need to have a talk about what you are going to do from now on. I am your chess instructor, not your parent. I won't tell you what to do. You have to decide on your own."