Chapter 592: Transfer

Chapter 592: Transfer

Time crept forward in slow, imperceptible increments. As rehabilitation continued and Sun Xiaoqin tirelessly replenished his strength with varied delicacies, Li Huowang’s body regenerated at a pace visible to the naked eye.

At last, he could remove his clothes without revealing the sharpness of his ribs. His hands were regaining their former strength.

It was while Li Huowang sat in bed, savoring a bowl of tangyuan, that an unexpected visitor arrived to seek out Sun Xiaoqin. The man's bald head reminded Li Huowang instantly who he was—he seemed to be the warden overseeing all wards.

"Miss Sun, your son's condition has stabilized after treatment and now meets the criteria for transfer. What do you say—we take him to a private hospital with better conditions? That way, he’ll be more comfortable. After all, our facilities are rather lacking."

Sun Xiaoqin glanced at her son, who was absorbed in eating his soup dumplings. "Um, wait a moment—I need to call my husband and discuss this."

She pulled out her phone and walked to a corner, muttering for a few minutes before returning. "Alright then, I’ll agree to what you said."

Though this place was officially called a hospital, it was nothing more than a public institution where mentally ill patients were detained without care or concern.

Since her son was nearly recovered, transferring him out would be better. It was an unlucky place to stay.

Hearing Sun Xiaoqin’s words, the warden smiled so broadly his eyes nearly disappeared—finally, he had managed to send away this heavy burden.

Earlier, when the psychiatric patient had climbed onto the electric fence, he had almost lost his soul from fright. If the man had died here, his career would have been over.

These days, he hadn’t slept well or eaten properly, fearing something terrible might happen, leading to public backlash.

"Miss Sun, surely you’ve seen we haven’t mistreated your son here? We’ve given him every convenience possible. If reporters or online media come knocking, well..."

"Oh, don’t worry about that! I’ll make sure to praise them to the skies! The state is great! The doctors here are like deities, miracle workers beyond Hua Tuo himself! They diagnose mental illness with perfect accuracy!"

"Cough cough... well, that’s not necessary. Just be honest, just be truthful. You go ahead, I’ll sign the papers."

After the warden left, Sun Xiaoqin paused for a moment, then turned to Li Huowang. "Son, eat slowly. We’re leaving soon. I’m going to deliver a banner of gratitude to Dr. Yi’s office."

"We’re leaving?" Li Huowang showed no surprise at the news. Since his illness had healed, it was only natural that he should be transferred.

The paperwork moved quickly. Not long after setting down his chopsticks, he was told they were ready to depart—seemingly even more eager than he was.

What surprised Li Huowang most was how grandly he was being escorted out.

Though not everyone from the entire ward was present to bid him farewell, most people peered from their windows, and even soldiers on the guard tower were holding their guns, stealing glances toward him.

As the prison officer Liu had once said, he truly had become famous here.

Besides these people, some supervisors also came to the gate. Their grins were so wide, Li Huowang thought they’d all won the lottery.

When Li Huowang passed by Dr. Yi Donglai, he was stopped. “I apologize, but your condition hasn’t fully stabilized. I intended to keep you longer for further observation, but orders from above won’t allow it.”

“They want you gone as soon as possible, to avoid any trouble. But don’t worry—the medical records will be detailed, and your case will be taken over by my junior colleague. As long as you maintain stability, within three months, they’ll assess your condition.”

“If approved, you can then be discharged and recover at home.”

Li Huowang nodded silently, listening carefully to everything.

“Remember, even after discharge, you must continue taking your medication. Never stop.”

While Dr. Yi patiently gave instructions, Li Huowang suddenly asked an unrelated question. “Doctor Yi, which psychiatric hospital is Wang Wei in?”

“What do you need that for?” Dr. Yi pushed his glasses up his nose, puzzled.

“I’ve been thinking—it seems like he became like this because of me. I feel guilty, and I want to bring him some food and supplies as an apology once I’m discharged.”

“He’s in the Sixth People’s Hospital. I think you shouldn’t bother visiting him. What you need now is to study hard, catch up on your missed lessons, and aim for a top university.”

Li Huowang shook his head with a smile. “That might be a bit difficult, Doctor Yi. Can I get your personal number? So if anything happens, I can reach out to you.”

Dr. Yi nodded, took out pen and paper from his chest pocket, and wrote down his contact. “If there are any changes in your condition, remember to call me.”

“Okay, I understand. Thank you, Doctor Yi. You’re a good doctor.”

With Dr. Yi’s phone number in hand, Li Huowang followed Sun Xiaoqin onto the bus.

Once the bus started moving, the warden’s face lit up with joy. He turned around, arms spread wide. “Inform the kitchen staff—today, all wards will have extra meals!”

Upon hearing this, the entire psychiatric ward erupted in celebration, as festive as New Year’s Eve, save for the absence of firecrackers. The plague had finally departed.

On the bus, with his hands cuffed to the seat, Li Huowang asked his mother beside him, “Mom, where are we going?”

“A private one—called Kangning Hospital. Don’t worry, I checked. It has a good reputation.”

“Oh…” Li Huowang nodded quietly. He wanted to do something, but first, he needed to shed the label of “mental patient.”

And… a warmth stirred in his heart. He recalled Yang Na, the girl his father had carried off. Now that his illness was gone, he could finally fulfill his promise to her.

He really wanted to see Yang Na again, to sincerely apologize. He owed her far too much.

The bus traveled for a long time on the highway, swaying gently. Before he knew it, Li Huowang had fallen asleep.

When Sun Xiaoqin woke him, the sky was already painted in shades of dusk. “Son, wake up—we’ve arrived.”

Yawning, Li Huowang stepped down from the bus, still shackled and fettered. Before him stood a building wrapped in green glass. Without the red cross in the center, he might have mistaken it for a high-end office complex.

Li Huowang was led inside by prison guards. After confirming and signing the documents, they left.

“Student, please follow me,” said a doctor with a square face, accompanied by four nurses, speaking kindly to Li Huowang.

Li Huowang glanced at the grand lobby and muttered under his breath, “As expected of a private facility.” Then he followed.

Sun Xiaoqin was about to follow, but was stopped by the doctor. “Sorry, Auntie. This hospital doesn’t allow family members to accompany patients. Visits are limited to once a week maximum.”

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Next chapter update at 11:30 PM.

(End of Chapter)