Han Rong was exhausted from his rehab but whenever Yuqin crosses his mind, he will work ten times harder. He loved her and he promised himself to make her proud. Dr. Ellis encouraged him to do more since she already saw improvement. It's been over two weeks since Han Rong started rehab. Even though it was intense, he never gave up.
Dr. Ellis watched from the sideline as Han Rong started to walk without any assistance. Han Rong still felt a bit weak in the legs but Dr. Ellis said it's normal and it will become better. Next rehab exercise would be running on the treadmill after some light stretching. Han Rong rested for ten to fifteen minutes before going on to the treadmill.
Lingling offered him some healthy snacks that she got from the health store beside the hospital.
"Brother, how's your rehab going?" She asked, "I'll have to keep mom and dad updated." Han Rong smiled and replied, "Going well. Thanks to Dr. Ellis' support that I've gotten this far." She nodded and ate her granola bar.
"Brother, do you like her?" Lingling was curious since he never mentioned Yuqin for the past few weeks.
Han Rong nodded, "I do like her as a doctor but I love Yuqin more." He took a bite of his snacks while Dr. Ellis eavesdropping on their conversation. She was envious but she maintained her professionalism and distance even though she liked him.
Just as Dr. Ellis was about to walk out, a group of security guards ran through the hallway, Han Rong immediately got up and made sure she was safe.
"Dr. Ellis, were you hurt?" Han Rong looked concerned but she was glad that he came.
"I'm fine, thank you." Dr. Ellis composed herself and asked, "Are you ready for the next exercise?" Han Rong nodded and asked Lingling to wait for him. Lingling was glad that her brother will be getting better soon but she still wished that Yuqin was here.
After a few hours, Lingling went to the lobby and got herself some iced coffee. Just then, an ambulance arrived with an injured person on the stretcher. There were doctors and nurses ready to bring the patient into the emergency room (ER). Lingling looked at the other person who accompanied the patient and her eyes were widened.
"Sister Yuqin?" Lingling whispered and noticed she was injured as well but not too serious. Only cuts and bruises. Yuqin was wearing her black uniform with her hair tied into a ponytail. She didn't notice Lingling at all. She sat on the bench and closed her eyes. Lingling could tell she was exhausted. She was about to get a water bottle for her at the vending machine but someone else came and called her name.
"Yuqin, were you hurt?" Sam looked concerned but Yuqin shook her head.
"How's Jenny doing?" He asked. Yuqin told him she got taken to the ER. Sam stood up and went to the front desk. Lingling was right across from her but she saw Yuqin's blank expression as if she was in shock. Her hair and uniform were wet. Yuqin got up and walked to the restroom without saying anything. Lingling followed closely behind her and hid from her sight. She heard Yuqin crying in one of the bathroom stalls. Lingling wanted to comfort her but she remembered that her brother wanted to keep the rehab a secret. She stayed near the washroom to keep Yuqin company.
"Sister Yuqin, my brother would be heartbroken to see you like this. Please stay strong." She said a small prayer before leaving. In the hallway, two nurses who came out of the operation room looked disappointed. The surgeon who came out talked to Sam about the condition. Lingling overheard that the patient passed away due to severe head trauma. She was in shock and thought about how Yuqin would feel.
Yuqin came out of the washroom and Sam told her the news. She nodded and said nothing. She wasn't responsible for anything since they were in different groups but she witnessed every moment. Jenny was like her older sister who helped her during her lowest. Just as they left, Yuqin dropped a piece of paper unknowingly.
Lingling opened the piece of paper and read the message.
"Han Rong, I missed you so much. -Yuqin"
Lingling went back to the rehab centre which was right next to the hospital. She didn't know what to say to her brother. She kept the piece of paper and placed it inside her purse. Han Rong finished multiple set of exercises and Dr. Ellis was proud of his achievements.
"Han Rong, in another two weeks, you will be all set." Dr. Ellis smiled and said goodbye to him. Han Rong thanked her before leaving with Lingling. Just as they headed towards the lobby, Lingling spotted Sam and Yuqin talking to the doctor.
"Brother! Let's go to the convenience store. Come!" Lingling dragged him because she didn't want Han Rong to see Yuqin in order to avoid misunderstandings. Han Rong suspected Lingling of hiding things.
"Lingling, tell me the truth." Han Rong looked sternly at her. Lingling scratched her temple then sighed.
"I can't hide anything from you." She pouted and Han Rong smiled again, "Your brother is a police officer."
"Brother, while you were in rehab. I saw Sister Yuqin. She was injured but not too serious. But her friend never came out of the operation room. I heard her crying but I was afraid to approach her. She looked very different than before." Lingling sat down on the bench again and looked afraid.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier? Where is she right now? I'll have to go and see her!" Han Rong was about to go out when Lingling stopped him.
"Brother, didn't you say that you wanted to keep this a secret? The rehab?" She reminded him again but he replied, "That's not important now. She'll know it sooner or later. Tell me, where is she?" Lingling pointed in the opposite direction, "She might've left, I just saw her standing there." Han Rong sighed and looked impatient, "Lingling, if you see her next time, let me know." He walked outside the store then looked around but Yuqin already left the hospital.
"Brother, I'm sorry. But, I found this. She dropped this paper while walking out of the restroom. It's a note for you." She quickly found the note then gave it to him.
Han Rong sat down on a nearby bench then cried quietly. He wasn't with Yuqin at her lowest and he wasn't there for her when she needed him the most. He already lost three teammates and he couldn't afford to lose Yuqin or anyone else close to him.