Chapter 607: Yang Na

Chapter 607: Yang Na

In the reception hall of Kangding Hospital, both visitors and staff couldn't help but turn their eyes toward the southeast corner of the room. It was because there sat a girl of exquisite features and slender figure, sitting quietly in that spot.

Such a girl was not often seen in places like this.

Yang Na wore her red down jacket over her pure white sweater, carrying a small crossbody bag. She sat sideways on a bench, hands clasped tightly together on her thighs, as if waiting anxiously for something.

Today, Yang Na had clearly dressed up with care, perhaps to conceal the fatigue in her face, and she had even applied a light layer of makeup.

In the strands of hair hanging over her left shoulder, a delicate jade earring swayed gently as she glanced around.

Yang Na took out her plush phone and checked the time before pulling out a light lipstick and a mirror from her bag.

After retouching her lips, she softly pressed them together.

When she heard someone call her name ahead, Yang Na quickly picked up the white bag beside her feet and ran forward.

Just as she entered the room with joy in her heart, her happiness instantly vanished upon seeing Li Huowang behind the iron bars.

"Why do you have to lock him up during family visits? Other psychiatric hospitals don't operate like this! This place isn't a prison!" Seeing Li Huowang suffering injustice, her voice rose in anger.

"Na Na, it's okay."

Yang Na tossed aside the nurse who tried to explain, walked to the iron grille, and tightly grasped the hands Li Huowang extended from within.

Seeing the silver handcuffs on Li Huowang's wrists, tears formed at the corners of Yang Na's eyelashes.

Li Huowang hurriedly comforted the young woman before him. "Don't cry, don't be sad, Na Na. I'm really fine now. Don't feel sorry for me."

"This hospital is quite good. The doctors are very responsible, the food is decent, and my fellow patients are kind. I've made many friends here."

"And besides, my illness is almost cured. Just a little more time and I'll be discharged! Then we can meet freely outside."

Under Li Huowang's reassurance, Yang Na's tears never fell.

"Na Na, how did you come here? Who told you I was in this hospital?" Li Huowang was genuinely surprised by Yang Na's visit. He had assumed they wouldn't meet again in a psychiatric ward.

Yang Na lowered her head and gently pressed her cheek against his hand. "It was Auntie who told me you were here. She said your illness had improved, you wouldn't go mad anymore, and could recognize people clearly."

"Do you know? When I got the call, I was so happy I couldn't sleep for two whole nights. Your illness really has gotten better."

Li Huowang felt helpless. His mother cared deeply for him, but sometimes she would only make things worse.

He had planned to contact Yang Na after being discharged, but she was even more eager than he was.

"Na Na, I heard you got sick? Have you been feeling better lately?" Li Huowang asked with concern.

"My illness was mild. Taking medicine kept it stable," Yang Na said with a gentle smile.

"Do you know? When the doctor told me I had the disease, I was actually thrilled. At that moment, I thought maybe I'd end up in the same hospital as you."

Yang Na lied. Li Huowang, experienced in such matters, immediately recognized the deception. A condition requiring medication to stabilize couldn't be considered mild.

Mild depression wasn't depression at all; it didn't require medication. These two were worlds apart, like the deepest ocean trenches.

Depression was merely an emotion, like a dark cloud above one's head. Eventually, that cloud would dissipate on its own.

But those with clinical depression seemed to have a black dog that stole their ability to experience joy and cast everything in a gray hue.

This black dog followed them everywhere, growing larger the more attention it received.

Sometimes it grew bigger, sometimes mysteriously smaller, but it never disappeared.

Without treatment, this black dog would accompany a person for life, suppressing their capacity for happiness.

If someone's entire life was destined to be an endless abyss of despair, with darkness everywhere, then self-destructive emotions would naturally arise.

Moreover, once someone contracted this illness, even after recovery and discontinuation of medication, major setbacks could trigger relapse.

"Na Na," Li Huowang looked seriously into her eyes. "Don't worry. Once I'm out, no matter what you face, I'll stand by you."

Yang Na bit her lip gently, nodded firmly, then suddenly remembered something. She quickly released Li Huowang's hands and picked up a translucent plastic bag from the floor.

"Fire Wang, look, these are all your favorite snacks. I bought a lot—chocolate truffles, stone cookies, tomato-flavored chips. Remember to hide them well, don't let anyone steal them."

"And also, I bought some things you might need..." As Yang Na explained each item, the atmosphere gradually lightened, and smiles slowly appeared on both their faces.

This meeting was different from any they had shared before, because Li Huowang's illness had improved, freeing him from the torment of hallucinations. They could at least dream of the future now.

Yang Na never let go of Li Huowang's hands, speaking softly to him about plans for after his discharge.

Once he was out, she would take him to fun places, delicious restaurants, and make up for all the years they had lost.

Time flew quickly, and family visiting hours were nearly over.

"Did you get a scar on your chest?" Li Huowang looked carefully at the white sweater beneath Yang Na's down jacket.

Yang Na's smile faded. "Six stitches, just a little mark."

"Na Na, I'm sorry, I was..."

A strong struggle showed on Li Huowang's face.

Yang Na, who had just smiled again, interrupted him. "It's okay. Besides, no one else will see it except you, and as long as you don't mind, that's all that matters."

"Fire Wang, look, your birthday gift is still with me!" Yang Na gently pushed back her hair to reveal the jade earring beneath her rounded earlobe.

"Oh, Fire Wang, where did you buy this earring? My best friend says it's worth a fortune. Did you spend much money?"

As casually as she spoke, Yang Na continued.

But as soon as she finished, she paused slightly, looking at Li Huowang behind the bars. "You weren't at the hospital, were you? How did you buy something? Oh, and that jade pendant too."

Li Huowang's pupils contracted slightly. "Really?"

"Yes, that jade pendant worth four hundred thousand."

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Next chapter updates at 11:30 PM.

(End of Chapter)