Time passed, and after a long stay at the grave, they got up to go to the hospital for a follow-up visit. At the First Affiliated Hospital of Modu, Lin Mengmeng went to Shao Tingyu’s consultation room but couldn’t find him. She hurriedly stopped a nurse to inquire, who told her, “Dr. Shao is in surgery right now; only Dr. Chen is available for consultations.” With Xie Ruan waiting in the car for news, Lin Mengmeng couldn’t afford to wait for Shao Tingyu to finish his surgery, so she went to Chen Zhe’s consultation room. Chen Zhe, having just finished his work, was surprised to see Lin Mengmeng, “Mengmeng? I thought we wouldn’t meet again.” Lin Mengmeng found a seat and sat down, “Tingyu isn’t in his room, I just came to ask you about my condition, since you’re both neurologists.” Chen Zhe teased, “If Shao Tingyu knew you came to me, he’d definitely feel uneasy; I know him too well.” Lin Mengmeng didn’t respond, taking a deep breath before saying, “I actually don’t know how to tell him, but I can feel my ALS is getting worse.” Chen Zhe’s smile faded as he listened to Lin Mengmeng’s detailed account and then said solemnly, “You’ve managed to delay it for so long, and the new medication has had some effect. I recommend you stay in the hospital for a few days.” Lin Mengmeng’s expression dimmed, “After I spend the last birthday with Tingyu, I’ll come to handle the admission procedures.” With that, she got up and left the consultation room.
As the elevator carrying Lin Mengmeng descended, the doors to the operating room finally opened. Shao Tingyu removed his mask and surgical gown, ready to head back to his consultation room, when a nurse approached, “Dr. Shao, Dr. Lin was looking for you in your consultation room.” Shao Tingyu’s face changed slightly, not waiting for the nurse to finish, he rushed to the consultation room. However, it was already empty. A trace of disappointment flashed through Shao Tingyu’s eyes as he sat in the consultation chair, staring at the wedding ring on his finger, lost in thought.
That evening, when he returned home after work, Shao Tingyu opened the door, instinctively looking for Lin Mengmeng. But he then realized she had already left with Xie Ruan. Swallowing the words on the tip of his tongue, he put down his work bag and approached the dining table. The maid had already prepared the meal. The table was filled with dishes Lin Mengmeng loved, a requirement he had set for the maid, to cook whatever Lin Mengmeng liked. He had gradually become accustomed to Lin Mengmeng’s taste, becoming much blander himself. But without her, he found the food tasteless. After a hasty meal, he went straight to his study to immerse himself in work. However, he couldn’t concentrate, his mind constantly replaying images of Lin Mengmeng. Shao Tingyu closed his eyes in frustration, rubbing his tired brow. What was more troubling was that today was only the first day without Lin Mengmeng, and he already felt so dependent on her. He couldn’t imagine how he would get through the coming days.
Chapter Forty-One: The Days Seemed Like Years
