Man's Tears

When he arrived at the hospital room, he saw Han Xue asleep by the bedside, her book had fallen to the ground. His father, with a kindly expression, was smiling at Han Xue. Hearing the door open, his father looked up and, seeing Ye Qian, gestured for him to be quiet.

Ye Qian glanced at Han Xue, understanding, and tiptoed inside, quietly closing the door. He walked to his father's bedside and said, "Dad, are you feeling better?"

Nodding, his father said, "I'm fine. By the way, Xiao Er, where have you been these eight years? Have you been well?"

Ye Qian was silent for a moment, then said, "Dad, let's not talk about that. I bought some porridge, you should have some."

Knowing Ye Qian didn't want to talk about it, his father didn't press further. He glanced at the sleeping Han Xue and said, "This child is pitiful too. Her parents were killed in a car accident, and she didn't receive a penny in compensation. They said her parents were fully responsible for the accident, sigh!"

Looking at Han Xue, Ye Qian turned his head and said, "Dad, you've had a hard time these years. Now that I'm back, you don't have to work so hard anymore. Enjoy your retirement. By the way, haven't my elder and third brothers come to see you?" Ye Qian said as he took the meal box out of the plastic bag.

"They have, but now they have families of their own. I'd be a burden if I lived with them. Besides, I can't bear to leave our old neighbors," his father said.

Ye Qian's eyes reddened slightly. Though not his biological father, his dad had done so much for them. To the orphans, he was undoubtedly the greatest person. Handing over the meal box, Ye Qian said, "No matter what, I won't let you work hard anymore. I'll take care of you from now on."

His father didn't take the meal box. Looking at Han Xue, he said, "Give it to Xiao Xue. I don't have much appetite. This girl hasn't eaten dinner yet, though she thinks I don't know." He gently patted Han Xue's head and softly called, "Xiao Xue, Xiao Xue!"

Han Xue slowly woke up, rubbed her eyes, and asked, "Dad, are you awake? Do you want some water? I'll get it for you."

Shaking his head, his father said, "No, Xiao Xue, your second brother bought porridge. You should have some."

Only then did Han Xue notice Ye Qian. She called out, "Second brother," and then said, "Dad, I'm not hungry. You should eat."

"I bought two servings. You each get one," Ye Qian said. "Xiao Xue, after you eat, go home and rest. I'll stay with Dad tonight."

"No, second brother, let me take care of Dad. You should go rest," Han Xue said.

Ye Qian smiled slightly and said, "Silly girl, I haven't seen Dad in eight years. We have a lot to talk about. You don't want to interrupt us, do you?"

Han Xue smiled sweetly and said, "Okay."

After eating, Han Xue said goodbye to his father and left. Ye Qian escorted her to the hospital entrance, took out two red banknotes, and handed them to her, saying, "It's not safe at night. Take a taxi home."

"Second brother, no need. I have money," Han Xue said.

"Silly girl, why be polite with your second brother?" Ye Qian smiled slightly and, without letting Han Xue argue, hailed a taxi, put her in, and instructed the driver to take her to the shantytown. Watching the taxi slowly leave the hospital, Ye Qian then turned back to the ward.

"Xiao Er, I'm really fine. You don't need to stay. You should go home," his father said when he saw Ye Qian return.

Ye Qian smiled slightly and said, "Dad, it's been a long time since we had a good talk. It's rare to have this chance, let's have a good chat."

"Too bad there's no wine," his father sighed.

Ye Qian, like a magician, pulled out a bottle of Erguotou from his pocket. They exchanged a knowing smile, everything understood without words.

Ye Qian didn't know when he fell asleep. Last night, he and his father drank and talked late into the night. Since his father was still injured, Ye Qian did most of the drinking. Though his usual alcohol tolerance was decent, he got drunk quickly last night. Perhaps it was the emotions, not the alcohol, that made him drunk.

When Ye Qian woke up in the morning, he found a white doctor's coat draped over him. He was slightly stunned, not knowing who had covered him. Looking at his father still asleep, Ye Qian smiled slightly, stood up, and walked out.

After washing up, Ye Qian brought a basin of water back to the ward. In the corridor, a nurse walked towards him. When she reached him, she stopped, smiled slightly, and asked, "Awake? Did you sleep well last night?"

Ye Qian looked at her in surprise, nodded somewhat blankly, and replied, "Yes, I slept well, thank you."

"Can I have my coat back?" the nurse asked.

Ye Qian was even more puzzled. After a moment, he remembered waking up with a doctor's coat on. Could it be this nurse who had covered him? He carefully looked at the nurse, seeing her apple-like face, flawless white skin, and a sweet, innocent smile.

Lin Rou Rou had never seen a man cry so sorrowfully as Ye Qian. Last night, during her usual rounds, she saw Ye Qian and his father drinking and talking. She was furious and wanted to scold Ye Qian; drinking was not allowed in the hospital. But when she saw Ye Qian crying like a child, her heart softened. She didn't know why, but looking into Ye Qian's eyes, she felt this man had a lot of pain buried in his heart and many stories to tell. Though she knew eavesdropping was wrong, Lin Rou Rou couldn't help but listen to Ye Qian's crying and talking until he fell asleep. Seeing him asleep, she went to her room, got a doctor's coat, and covered him. Looking at his handsome face, she felt a bit enchanted. Seeing the scar on his face, she gently touched it. She was sure this man had many stories.

Ye Qian came to his senses, smiled awkwardly, and said, "The coat is in the ward. Wait, I'll get it for you."

"I need to check the wards anyway. Let's go together!" Lin Rou Rou said.

Ye Qian had never felt so cared for by any woman before. Yet this cute and clever nurse made him feel this way. For a moment, Ye Qian felt like a well-behaved child, softly saying "Okay" and following her back to the ward.