The irrational mother of Gao not only blamed her for causing her son’s car accident but even accused her of being responsible for the accidental death of Ji Mengtang’s parents years ago.
“Get out! The further away, the better. Don’t come near Zhongwei again!”
Gao’s mother pushed her forcefully. Ji Mengtang, who had just awakened and still needed the nurse’s support, could hardly withstand such treatment. She almost lost her balance and nearly fell, which made the nurse angry and say to Gao’s mother: “Madam, Miss Ji is also injured and just woke up. How can you push her like this?”
“Injured? Hmph! Look, she’s fine, not even a finger broken. But my poor Zhongwei might have to lie in bed for the rest of his life because of this woman. He won’t even be able to walk. He’s my only son! What are we two old people supposed to do? I hate her. I’ve long told Zhongwei not to be with her, but he wouldn’t listen. He’s like this today because of her!”
Gao’s mother’s accusations made Ji Mengtang unable to lift her head, only able to suppress her sobs.
“It seems they won’t let you see him. Let’s go back!” The nurse, upset by Gao’s mother’s aggressive attitude, pulled Ji Mengtang away and tried to comfort her: “Don’t listen to what Mrs. Gao said. She has lost her mind.”
“No… perhaps it really is my fault! I caused Zhongwei’s paralysis!”
Ji Mengtang knew that while Gao’s mother’s words were emotional, her request to go see the night view was an undeniable fact. If she hadn’t asked, they wouldn’t have had the accident, and Zhongwei wouldn’t have been paralyzed.
“Alas! The moon waxes and wanes, and people’s fortunes rise and fall. Who could have predicted this? You didn’t do it on purpose!” The nurse patted her shoulder, trying to comfort her.
Ji Mengtang’s face was still wet with tears, but she managed to squeeze out a smile and thank her. “Thank you! Oh, I forgot to ask your name.”
This nurse was so kind; she definitely wanted to thank her properly in the future.
“I’m Zhou Peiruo. If you have any questions, just ask me, okay?”
Zhou Peiruo’s kindness and warmth made Ji Mengtang feel an unprecedented sense of comfort after her injury.
I will translate the text into English:
“I think so too,” Feng Jinpei nodded. “Moreover, the doctor said that the police detected alcohol in Gao Zhongwei’s system, proving he was drinking, so everything is his own fault, and he can’t blame anyone else.”
“No! You—how can you be so cruel?” Ji Mengtang could not believe that they wanted her to ignore him in his paralyzed state and break up with him.
“I cannot accept your suggestion! If he is injured, I am also responsible. I cannot abandon him! If you have come to force me to leave him, then you can go back!”
Ji Mengtang covered her face and cried in disappointment and sorrow, having shed countless tears today, her eyes swollen from crying, making everyone feel heartbroken.
The oldest and most steady Yan Zheng spoke: “Don’t pressure Mengtang anymore. It’s difficult for outsiders to judge the rights and wrongs of emotional matters. Let her decide for herself! She knows what to do; we just need to give her encouragement.”
“Thank you, Brother Yan,” Ji Mengtang gratefully looked at him. They were all her good brothers, and she truly did not want to argue with them.
“You’ve been stubborn since childhood, and we’ve long known that persuading you is useless, so think carefully for yourself. No matter what, we support you!” Mu Shen laughed and ruffled her hair, no longer trying to change her mind.
“That’s right! No matter what happens, we’re on your side. If you have difficulties, don’t keep them bottled up, come find us, and we will definitely help you handle them.”
“Thank you! I will be strong, don’t worry. No matter what happens, nothing can defeat me, because I am Ji Mengtang!”
“That’s good!” Seeing her regain confidence and spirit, everyone was finally at ease and left.
That night, Ji Mengtang tossed and turned, thinking about the paralyzed Gao Zhongwei, and how he was doing now. Was he sad and sorrowful? Naturally! But angry and resentful?
Would he—hate her?
★ ★ ★
A few days later, Gao Zhongwei, whose injuries were gradually stabilizing, was transferred to a regular ward. Ji Mengtang finally waited for an opportunity when Gao’s parents were not around and sneaked into the ward to see him.
“Zhongwei…” Seeing her boyfriend lying on the hospital bed, wearing a respirator and filled with tubes, her heartbroken tears immediately fell. “Zhongwei, are you okay?”
Due to a cervical spine injury causing diaphragm dysfunction, he currently still needed a respirator to help him breathe.
Gao Zhongwei was conscious, and upon seeing Ji Mengtang, he was not pleased but angry. He barely moved his lips, spitting out a resentful rebuke from the respirator: “Why did you come… Haven’t I been ruined enough by you?”
When he regained consciousness, he discovered he was almost completely paralyzed, essentially a real invalid. Shocked and angry, he could not accept this reality. He wanted to smash everything around him, but ironically, he did not even have that ability. Now he could only throw a tantrum and vent his dissatisfaction to those around him.
“Zhongwei… I…” Ji Mengtang was so sad. She did not expect that not only Gao’s parents would blame her, but Zhongwei would think the same? “That day, I kept advising you not to drink and to ride slower…”
“So you’re saying I brought this upon myself? Fine, Ji Mengtang, you’re ruthless! Now that I’m paralyzed… you’re putting all the blame on me!”
“No, it’s not like that! Zhongwei, I—”
“Get out… I don’t want to see you. Since you think this is all my fault, then let me bear the consequences alone! Get out—” Gao Zhongwei roared, both weak and angry.
“Zhongwei, don’t get agitated—”
“Oh! How did you get in here?”
At this moment, Gao’s temporarily absent parents returned and saw Ji Mengtang sneaking in. They immediately became furious. “We just went out to buy something, and you sneak in? Are you trying to kill our Zhongwei?”
“Get out of here!” Gao’s mother shrieked in a sharp voice, driving her out. Even though the police said her son was drunk driving, she still insisted that this accident was caused by Ji Mengtang, this harbinger of misfortune.
“Uncle, Aunt, I—” Bang! The ward door was slammed in her face. She returned to her ward’s floor in dejection, coincidentally encountering Zhou Pairuo, who had just finished taking a patient’s blood pressure. “Hi, Miss Ji!” Zhou Pairuo approached her and noticed her drooping shoulders and gloomy expression, so she softly guessed: “How is it? They still won’t let you see your boyfriend?”
“No, I met Zhongwei while they were out.” Thinking of Gao Zhongwei’s attitude, it hurt her the most. “I never thought that even Zhongwei would think I harmed him…” She could not help but cry, covering her face.
“How could this happen?” Zhou Pairuo was stunned, not knowing how to comfort her.
“Miss Zhou—” Ji Mengtang wiped away her tears, hoping to ask: “Does he have any chance of recovery, of even getting out of bed and moving freely?”
“This… spinal cord injuries are currently difficult to fully heal in medical terms, and with the capabilities of our hospital’s physicians, it might be impossible.”
“With the capabilities of our hospital’s physicians? Do you mean that doctors from other hospitals might have the ability to treat Zhongwei?” Ji Mengtang asked excitedly.
Zhou Pairuo covered her mouth, her eyes darting around nervously. “Ah—no… I’m sorry! I was just talking nonsense, don’t take it seriously!”
“No! Since you said that, it means someone definitely has this ability. Please help me, I must save Zhongwei!”
