The doctor looked at her reproachfully, “The patient’s family is really something. She was six months pregnant and not only had no one taking care of her but was also made to go buy groceries early in the morning with her big belly! How heartless! Where is her husband? Her in-laws? Look, the surgery is done, and the family hasn’t even arrived yet…”
Chu Yue could barely lift her head under the doctor’s criticism. Yes, if she had come to Zhuhai earlier to take care of Yun Lei, this wouldn’t have happened. Self-blame, regret, and sadness all welled up, and she wished she could slap herself.
“Alas!” the doctor sighed, “It’s too late to say anything now. Just take good care of her!”
“Thank you, doctor!” Chu Yue walked out of the doctor’s office with unsteady steps, feeling light and weightless, unable to find her center of gravity. Her heart ached terribly. A vibrant life, a life that had given Lei Lei endless hope, was gone just like that!
After calming herself down, she walked into Lei Lei’s hospital room.
Sitting beside her, she didn’t know what to say or how to comfort her. She could only hold her hand tightly, hoping to convey warmth and strength.
Yun Lei had cried herself to exhaustion and fallen into a deep sleep. Looking at her pale, haggard face and swollen eyes, Chu Yue let out a deep sigh.
Quietly leaving the room, she dialed Gu Yan Zhi’s number at the end of the corridor. One ring… Gu Yan Zhi didn’t answer. She tried again, still no answer. An inexplicable anger rose from her chest.
Finally, someone picked up: “Hello, who is this?” It was a strange, pleasant female voice.
Chu Yue was stunned, momentarily speechless. She silently hung up. This woman must be Song Yun Hua.
She smiled bitterly and gathered her spirits to return to the hospital room. Yun Lei was sleeping restlessly, her brow furrowed, tear tracks still visible. Chu Yue’s nose felt sore. She tucked in the blanket and went downstairs to buy a water bottle and towel.
When she returned upstairs with her purchases, her phone rang. It was Gu Yan Zhi. She hesitated but answered.
“Xiao Yue! Did you just call me?”
“His voice was as deep and pleasant as always, momentarily making Chu Yue’s thoughts drift.
“Yes, I called!” she paused, speaking softly.
“I was in a meeting,” Gu Yan Zhi hesitated, “My assistant answered the phone…”
Chu Yue inexplicably felt relieved, but spoke coldly, “You didn’t need to tell me that!”
Gu Yan Zhi was taken aback, sighing softly, “Xiao Yue, did you need something?”
“Of course!” she answered quickly and urgently, “I wouldn’t call you if there was nothing!”
Gu Yan Zhi was somewhat helpless, and after a while, carefully asked, “So, what is it?”
Chu Yue was silent for a moment before saying, “It’s about Lei Lei—”
“Lei Lei?” Gu Yan Zhi was surprised, “What’s wrong with Lei Lei?”
“I’m in Zhuhai now,” Chu Yue sighed, “It’s inconvenient to explain over the phone. If you have time, come to Zhuhai. Come see Lei Lei. She’s in the hospital and she’s… quite pitiful now…”
“Okay, I’ll arrange time immediately,” Gu Yan Zhi hung up quickly. Having no siblings, he always treated her like a sister. After breaking up with her boyfriend, she had been depressed, and Gu Yan Zhi had flown to Zhuhai to accompany and comfort her until she overcame her shadow.”
Later, when Yun Lei didn’t want to return to Beijing, he would visit her in Zhuhai several times a year and even sponsored her fashion store. Now, hearing she was in trouble, Gu Yan Zhi was extremely anxious. Since Chu Yue hadn’t explained clearly on the phone, his heart was tightly wound. That afternoon, he bought a plane ticket and rushed to Zhuhai.
When he arrived at the hospital, he saw Chu Yue sitting by the bed peeling an apple, while Yun Lei lay quietly, her eyes large and vacant, staring blankly at something, motionless.
“Xiao Yue, what’s wrong with Lei Lei?” Gu Yan Zhi looked haggard, his brow filled with worry.
Chu Yue stood up, forcing a smile, “You’re here?”
Gu Yan Zhi looked at her deeply, then turned to Yun Lei, “Lei Lei, it’s your brother. What’s happening to you?”
Yun Lei remained expressionless, her eyes still empty. Gu Yan Zhi looked questioningly at Chu Yue, “What’s wrong with her? Why is she not responding at all?”
Chu Yue sighed, pulling him out to the corridor, “She’s been like this since waking up. Not eating, not drinking, not speaking. Nothing helps. The doctors are at a loss!”
Gu Yan Zhi frowned, “Xiao Yue, what exactly happened to Lei Lei?”
Chu Yue briefly recounted everything from the beginning to him.
When he heard that Leile was going to be an unmarried mother and then fell on the stairs, causing her to miscarry, his heart ached as if something was being twisted.
“Leile, you silly girl!” He punched the wall, startling Chu’e. This was the second time she had seen him so angry, the first being when he had gotten angry with her out of anxiety.
Entering the hospital room and seeing Yun Lei still lifeless, Gu Yanzheng’s eyes filled with compassion. He sighed silently, looked at Chu’e, and sincerely said, “Xiao’e, thank you!”
Chu’e was stunned. “Thank me for what?”
Yanzheng smiled bitterly, “If you hadn’t called the emergency services, perhaps…”
Chu’e remained silent. They both knew that if Yun Lei hadn’t called Chu’e at the time, if she hadn’t immediately called 120 in Zhuhai, things might have been irreparable.
“Leile is my best friend. Between us, there’s no need for thanks!” Chu’e’s nose felt sour. “What’s most frustrating is that seeing her like this, I can’t help her at all…”
Yanzheng looked at her silently, his gaze shifting, as if hiding a thousand words but not knowing where to begin. Finally, it transformed into a long sigh.
Yun Lei forced a bitter smile, “I know, you’re all worried about me, but Chu Yue, my heart is so sad. As soon as I close my eyes, I see a blood-covered infant crying, blaming me, saying he will never forgive me! I regret it; I hate myself. Why did I go out that day? Why wasn’t I more careful?” Her tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Lei Lei, this is not your fault!” Chu Yue held her shoulders, looking at her painfully. “Many things are beyond our prediction. Don’t be sad. You’re still young; you’ll have other children, believe me…”
“No, there’s no chance now!” Lei Lei laughed bitterly, “I heard everything you said to my cousin…”
We Keep Repeating the Tragedy of Loss (8)
Chu Yue was stunned. On the day of discharge, she had quietly pulled the doctor aside asking if Lei Lei’s body would have any lasting issues. The doctor regretfully told her that because Lei Lei had previously had several miscarriages and had now experienced such severe trauma, she would never be able to get pregnant again! They had been hiding it from her, never expecting her to overhear.
“Lei Lei…” she choked, for a moment, all words of comfort seemed pale and powerless.
“I know, but this is different,” Yun Lei said, shaking her head, “This is not just about the past; it’s about the choices I’ve made and the consequences that have followed. It’s too late for regrets, but I need to own up to them.”
Chu Yue took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions, “But you have a chance now. You’re alive, and you can make things right for yourself. It’s never too late to change your path.”
“Perhaps,” Yun Lei replied, her voice trembling, “but the pain is still there. Every time I look at my mother and see the hurt in her eyes, I feel it all over again. I can’t just move on like it was nothing. I need to acknowledge the damage I’ve done to the people I love.”
Chu Yue reached across the table, squeezing Yun Lei’s hand gently, “You’re not alone in this. We can work through it together. You can find a way to make amends, to heal.”
