PSMD – Chapter 155

Shen Ningruo never expected Qiu Yang to say something like that. After a brief moment of surprise, she nodded vigorously, “Okay!”

“Then you won’t wear anything tonight!”

Qiu Yang beckoned to her, “Let me tell you a secret.”

Shen Ningruo bent down and leaned her ear close to Qiu Yang’s mouth. Her lips were pursed, and her heart was quietly starting to race.

Two seconds later, she heard Qiu Yang’s low chuckle, “My period came.”

Shen Ningruo: “…”

Shen Ningruo’s breathing stopped. She turned her head to look at Qiu Yang, her face full of disbelief, “When did that happen?”

“Just this morning.” Qiu Yang’s eyes were innocent, “I can’t control this.”

Shen Ningruo raised her hand and covered her eyes. Looking at Qiu Yang’s rosy lips, Shen Ningruo leaned in and kissed her, then sighed, “Looks like I’ll be lying down again.”

“You’re secretly happy,” Qiu Yang exposed Shen Ningruo’s thoughts.

Shen Ningruo released her hand and laughed, “What am I happy about?”

“You know yourself.” Qiu Yang raised her eyebrows slightly.

Shen Ningruo cleared her throat and changed the subject, pointing at the photos Qiu Yang had taken on the computer screen, “Beautiful, Xiao Yang, you take really good pictures.”

“Tsk.” The smile on Qiu Yang’s lips deepened.

It wasn’t a lie that Qiu Yang’s period had arrived. After dinner, her menstrual cramps started getting severe. Shen Ningruo was very attentive, getting her hot water and warming her stomach.

Before bed, Shen Ningruo held Qiu Yang. She lay on her side facing Qiu Yang, burying her face in Qiu Yang’s neck. She took a deep breath, then her voice became heavy, “Xiao Yang, I’m going back to my place tomorrow. You have cramps, so just stay home. You don’t need to come with me.”

“I’ll be more at ease if you stay home.”

The room was dark, nothing could be seen clearly. When Shen Ningruo said this, her breath was warm against Qiu Yang’s neck, bringing a slight tickle.

Qiu Yang was silent for a few seconds before replying, “Okay.”

“Then I’ll wait for you at home tomorrow.”

Shen Ningruo held Qiu Yang a little tighter. She sniffled and added, “Regarding my dad, I don’t have much hope. I’m afraid he’s reached a point where treatment won’t help.”

Qiu Yang’s palm covered Shen Ningruo’s hand. Hearing this, she patted it and gently comforted her, “No, it won’t. It will be the best outcome.”

“Mm.” Shen Ningruo’s lips twitched, “I hope so.”

After waking up and having breakfast, Shen Ningruo went to the Shen family home. Qiu Yang stayed in bed because of her cramps. She put on an eye mask and simply slept again before finally throwing off the covers and getting up.

“Xiao Yang, I’ve brought my dad to the hospital,” Shen Ningruo sent a voice message while Qiu Yang was eating. “Remember to drink hot water.”

Qiu Yang swallowed the hot porridge in her mouth and typed a reply: 【Okay, how is Uncle?】

【He’s still undergoing tests, don’t know the results yet.】

Qiu Yang’s eyelashes lowered: 【He’ll be fine.】

Even though Shen Yuankai’s attitude towards her wasn’t great, that didn’t conflict with her worrying about him.

After lunch, Qiu Yang went back to the bedroom for a nap. She felt very sleepy after her period started.

It wasn’t until the sunset glow reached its most brilliant moment that Qiu Yang woke up, and Shen Ningruo happened to return from outside.

Shen Ningruo picked up Pingzi, looking somewhat silent and visibly tired. She sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at Qiu Yang.

Qiu Yang asked worriedly, “What’s wrong?”

“Your dad…?”

Shen Ningruo’s lips twitched, “My dad is in the hospital now.”

“Ah…”

“What were the results?”

Qiu Yang tried to sit up, meeting Shen Ningruo’s gaze.

Shen Ningruo’s lips pursed, “Liver cancer.”

Qiu Yang fell silent.

Pingzi didn’t know what the two were talking about, just watched the scene before them with round eyes. It didn’t struggle while being held by Shen Ningruo; on the contrary, it looked very comfortable.

Shen Ningruo rubbed its head, and her eyes instantly turned red, “Late stage.”

Qiu Yang leaned over and hugged Shen Ningruo, letting Shen Ningruo rest her chin on her shoulder. She held Shen Ningruo quietly, and after a while, she said, “Ruoruo…”

She was at a loss for words at this moment, truly not knowing how to comfort her.

Qiu Yang had never experienced the death of someone close since she was a child; it was a relatively distant matter for her. But thinking about that feeling, she only felt heavy and sad.

When liver cancer is usually discovered, it’s typically already in the late stage, and the patient’s survival period is generally only about half a year.

This meant Shen Yuankai…

Pingzi felt uncomfortable being in the middle and found an opportunity to break free and run out. Shen Ningruo held Qiu Yang tighter and tighter.

Shen Ningruo’s tears still didn’t fall. After holding Qiu Yang for a while, she released her arms and forced a smile at Qiu Yang, “My dad’s mindset is still pretty good. It’s just that he has to stay in the hospital for treatment from now on, and that bothers him a lot.”

“Uncle Yu will bring him some things from home tonight.”

“I might go to the hospital to see him every day after work recently.”

Qiu Yang listened to her words and nodded, “Okay.”

Shen Ningruo exhaled deeply. Her eyes turned red again. She looked into Qiu Yang’s eyes, her lips trembling slightly, “Xiao Yang, I’m scared.”

“This afternoon, I kept recalling the times I saw my mom collapse in front of me. She was motionless, and she didn’t respond when I called her. I’m afraid my dad will be like that too later.”

As she spoke, her body trembled slightly. Qiu Yang hugged her again, “No, it won’t be like that.”

Calm comfort wasn’t effective right now.

Shen Ningruo took several deep breaths before her emotions stabilized. She had woken up early that morning and was now tired and sleepy. Qiu Yang changed her into pajamas and let her sleep in bed.

Qiu Yang stayed by her side. She could see that Shen Ningruo wasn’t sleeping soundly; she kept clutching the blanket.

Shen Ningruo had witnessed her mother’s death firsthand, which had a tremendous impact on her. Qiu Yang had thought this psychological shadow had faded considerably, but it hadn’t. Today, it seemed to have become even more severe.

After Yao Yao found out about this, she and Yue Chu came over in the evening.

Shen Ningruo had just finished dinner, but she didn’t have much appetite, only eating a few spoonfuls of porridge before putting it down and sitting on the sofa in a daze.

When Yao Yao and Yue Chu came in, they saw her listless state. Qiu Yang got them both hot water and placed it on the coffee table, greeting them, “Jie, Yao Yao Jie.”

Yao Yao had the best relationship with Shen Ningruo and naturally knew what Shen Ningruo had gone through over the years. Therefore, she didn’t need Qiu Yang to explain the current situation. She sat down next to Shen Ningruo, patted Shen Ningruo’s shoulder, and said sadly, “Ruoruo, I know what you’re thinking, but I have to say Auntie Ying’s passing had nothing to do with you, and Uncle’s situation also has nothing to do with you. Don’t blame all of this on yourself.”

Yue Chu was also worried about Shen Ningruo’s state, but she didn’t know her as well. She opened her mouth to say something but stopped, and simply walked to the balcony with Qiu Yang, giving Yao Yao and Shen Ningruo some space.

Shen Ningruo covered her face, resting her elbows on her knees. After listening to Yao Yao, she was silent for a few seconds before replying, “Even though I haven’t gotten along with my dad for so many years, he’s still my dad. I still hoped he would be healthy. But now he has late-stage liver cancer, late-stage…”

“Late stage means in severe cases, he might only live for another month or two.”

Yue Chu and Qiu Yang looked worriedly towards Shen Ningruo, then exchanged glances and both sighed.

“I know all this, but I think you should pull yourself together, at least don’t let Uncle see you looking so worn out, otherwise he’ll worry about you too.”

“For someone who is sick, their mindset is the most important. If he’s constantly worrying about you, do you think he’ll feel better?”

Yue Chu echoed, “Yes, you need to show a good state of mind, don’t let the elder worry too much.”

Shen Ningruo released her hands from her face, her gaze shifting from Yao Yao to Qiu Yang and Yue Chu. Finally, she rubbed her temples, “Let me think about it.”

“Okay.”

The cost of treatment was high, but Shen Ningruo wasn’t worried about that. She only worried about whether Shen Yuankai could live a little longer in this world.

Even though they had argued many times before, they were truly father and daughter.

The meeting with Le Yu was scheduled for the afternoon. Shen Ningruo and Qiu Yang went to the hospital again in the morning. After a night, Shen Ningruo’s thoughts had cleared up a bit, especially since Shen Yuankai himself wasn’t afraid of this.

“Ruoruo.”

“It’s okay.”

“But you must remember what I said before. I want to be buried in the same cemetery as your mom. The environment there is good, there are birds singing, I like it.”

In the hospital, Shen Yuankai was comforting Shen Ningruo.

Qiu Yang hadn’t seen him for a few days. Whether it was psychological or not, she felt he looked much older.

Shen Ningruo cut the peeled fruit into pieces, replying, “Okay, don’t worry.”

It wasn’t that her mindset was so good, but the reality couldn’t be changed.

Shen Yuankai’s first half of life was successful. Since his wife passed away, he had rarely been happy again. He tried his best to make up for this mistake to Shen Ningruo, but he didn’t do well and created such a big rift with his daughter.

Now that he didn’t have much time left, he seemed much happier.

“You don’t need to come see me every day, just Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You still have your career to be busy with.” After eating a piece of fruit, Shen Yuankai looked at Qiu Yang, who was standing nearby, “As for Miss Qiu, it’s best if you don’t come.”

Qiu Yang didn’t retort like last time. She showed a smile and didn’t say anything in response.

Forget it, this wasn’t the time to argue.

Shen Ningruo, however, frowned, “Dad, she’s my partner. Can you please show her some respect?”

If it were before, Shen Yuankai would have definitely snorted and not paid any attention to Qiu Yang. But in this situation, he considered it for a moment, then nodded, “Okay, I understand.”

Not just Shen Ningruo, even Qiu Yang was stunned for a moment. His reaction was somewhat unexpected.

“When a person is about to die, their words are kind.” Shen Yuankai touched his hair, “You’ve heard that, right?”

Shen Ningruo: “…”

Qiu Yang: “…”

“Dad, you still have a long time. Don’t say things like that.” Shen Ningruo poured him some water.

Shen Yuankai clasped his hands together. He looked at Qiu Yang and asked seriously, “Do you really like Ruoruo?”

“Yes, I like her very much.”

“Good.” Shen Yuankai suddenly shed tears, “Then when I go to see Ah Ying, I’ll tell her this.”