Green Tea Top Student Falls in Love with Me - Chapter 21

There weren’t many hospital beds available, so Shi Wangui had to share one with Wen Youren. The two of them squeezed onto a narrow single bed fortunately, Shi Wangui was petite, or else they really wouldn’t have fit.

Shi Wangui could only lie to the side and play on her phone. She had originally intended to sleep at the other end, but that side faced the outside, and the restroom was nearby. Worried that someone might accidentally grab her face in the dark while going to the bathroom, she gave up on the idea.

After lying down, she kept searching for reasons why people self-harm. It wasn’t just Wen Youren who did it she had done it too. She had thought about ending her life before, and it wasn’t the first time she’d had such thoughts.

It was already very late, and Wen Youren had fallen asleep. The intense emotional fluctuations had plunged her into endless darkness, and Shi Wangui couldn’t hold out any longer either, closing her eyes. Although the ward was full of people, everyone was quiet. Those on their phones wore headphones, and those who weren’t went to sleep early, careful not to disturb others.

Wen Youren woke up once in the middle of the night. The moment she opened her eyes, pain surged over her like a tide. Her arm was wrapped in bandages, and the flesh beneath felt as if it were being gnawed by ants. She wanted to sit up, but her arm hurt too much to provide any strength. Wen Youren tried to use her legs to push herself up but found her leg brushing against something soft.

Shi Wangui was in the middle of a dream when Wen Youren’s leg touched her. Still half-asleep and unaware of what was happening, she simply turned over, wrapped her arms around Wen Youren’s neck, and even nuzzled her with her nose, as if she weren’t actually asleep but deliberately teasing Wen Youren.

Wen Youren turned her head. The lights in the room were all off, and she could only make out a faint outline of the face by the moonlight streaming through the window. Even without seeing clearly, she knew it was Shi Wangui. The familiar lychee-scented shampoo and the circular bracelet on her wrist were enough for Wen Youren to recognize her.

Being held like this by Shi Wangui made her heart tense up, but the pain seemed to ease slightly. Wen Youren tilted her head slightly, her chin just touching the top of Shi Wangui’s head. Perhaps it was because the lychee scent that night was so fragrant, but Wen Youren gently lowered her head and kissed her.

The next morning, Shi Wangui was awakened by the sound of conversation. Wen Youren was already awake, and it happened to be the time for the doctors’ rounds. As for what had woken Shi Wangui, it was the conversation between the doctor and the patient.

The female doctor from the previous night noticed that Wen Youren was also awake and came over to ask, “How are you feeling now? Someone will come to change your dressing soon. Since we’re not comfortable with you going home, your family asked for you to stay in the hospital for a few days.”

Wen Youren looked at her heavily bandaged arm and said calmly, “It’s not like I have anything to do back home anyway.”

“No, you don’t need to go back. Stay here for a few days,” Shi Wangui immediately interjected on her behalf. Although she wasn’t particularly keen on attending classes, if Wen Youren went back, what if her mind suddenly faltered and she attempted suicide again?

In truth, she had sensed it yesterday, she felt that Wen Youren definitely needed to go back and rest for a while. The doctor had advised her to take Wen Youren to the psychiatric department for an evaluation, as it would likely lead to a diagnosis of depression or some other mental health condition.

Wen Youren glanced at Shi Wangui, her lips parting slightly but no words coming out. She wanted to raise her hand, but it was futile.

“Don’t worry about the medical expenses. Shi Qin transferred a considerable amount,” Shi Wangui added.

Wen Youren remained silent, her gaze lowered to the pristine white bedsheet, which was spotless and bore no trace of blood. Unlike her, hidden beneath the bandages, who was already battered and broken.

“Focus on a light diet recently, avoid anything greasy, and if you feel unwell in any way, consult a doctor. Of course, that includes more than just physical discomfort,” the female doctor said tactfully.

Wen Youren replied, “Okay.”

As soon as the doctor left, Wen Youren said to Shi Wangui, “Let’s go back. There’s no need to stay in the hospital.”

Shi Wangui hesitated, torn between wanting to leave and not wanting to. “The doctor said you shouldn’t be left alone.”

“It’s fine.” Wen Youren glanced out the window at the sky, where a bird was circling in the air. “I won’t die.”

Shi Wangui fell silent.

“Although I don’t understand why you’re like this, I want to say you have good grades, and Shi Qin at least has money. He won’t mistreat you in the future. What is there to be so troubled about?”

Shi Wangui stood up. She never imagined she would one day be the one giving advice to others. It was like how a grown dog no longer needs milk once a child grows up, they can handle anything.

Wen Youren smiled faintly. She gently raised her arm and spoke of her own story as if it were someone else’s. “I’m sick, an incurable illness. It flares up from time to time. It won’t kill me, but it won’t let me live happily either. It’s just a life worse than death. There’s no need to stay in the hospital this isn’t the first time, and it certainly won’t be the last.”

As Wen Youren spoke, the other patients in the room happened to be out washing up, leaving only Shi Wangui sitting across from her. Perhaps if there had been anyone else, Wen Youren wouldn’t have said it.

The bird that had been circling in the sky had now perched on a telephone pole, folding its wings and occasionally letting out a few soft calls. Some other birds stood on tree branches, their weight causing a few drops of rainwater to fall.

Shi Wangui didn’t fully understand. She knew Wen Youren was ill, but she had never shown signs of psychological issues in daily life. That night had been a shock to her, the sight of blood was terrifying. She had already witnessed one person lose their life; she couldn’t bear to see a second.

“No, you can’t be left alone during this time.”

Wen Youren was taken aback, then said, “It’s fine. I’m not alone in class either.”

“But you!” Shi Wangui glanced at her hands. “Are your hands really in a condition to go to school?”

That night, Wen Youren had shown no mercy to herself. Her palms, the backs of her hands, and her arms were all cut with a knife, with some wounds so severe the flesh was torn. It was unclear whether Wen Youren truly felt no pain or was just pretending, but the injuries were enough to make Shi Wangui shudder.

Wen Youren suddenly fell silent. Her hands were now struggling even to eat were they really fit for school? Perhaps she was no longer suited for studying. Had it not been under control before? Was it getting worse?

In the past, Wen Youren would only cut her arms and then simply treat the wounds. Usually, a few cuts would be enough, and she never harmed her hands. It seemed she really was mentally ill, exactly as others said.

Wen Youren murmured, “It’s fine really, it’s fine.”

Shi Wangui still refused. “No.”

“Shi Wangui!”

“Hmm?”

Wen Youren met Shi Wangui’s gaze, mustering her courage. “Come with me to the countryside.”

Shi Wangui: “…” Shi Wangui was left speechless. What was she talking about? Accompany her to the countryside, which countryside? Why did she have to go with her.

“If you don’t agree, forget it.” Seeing Shi Wangui remain silent for so long, Wen Youren let out a self-mocking laugh.

Shi Wangui: “Alright, but where will we stay? It’s too late to find a place in the countryside now. And another thing, how long are we staying? A week? A month? Or a year? If it’s too long, what about our studies?”

The first semester of tenth grade was already halfway over. Although Shi Wangui wasn’t fond of studying, skipping school for two months might mean repeating a grade when she returned or worse, not being allowed back at all. If she had to repeat a year, wouldn’t that just be another year wasted?

“I’ve already studied up to the twelfth-grade curriculum. If you want to study, I can tutor you for the rest. Let’s just stay until after the New Year. There won’t be anyone else, just the two of us. Is that okay?”

Shi Wangui still found it unbelievable. First of all, their relationship wasn’t that close. Second, she didn’t feel any particular obligation. But in that moment, her gaze drifted downward, and the white cloth stained with faint traces of blood caught her eye. They were both miserable neither of them had been born with any luck.

“Alright.”

Shi Wangui inexplicably agreed, not even knowing why herself. Perhaps she, too, had a desire to escape. It didn’t matter who was with her, what mattered was whether it could bring her some happiness.

“But I have one condition: we won’t go back until your arm is healed. Stay in the hospital for a few days first, because I don’t know how to cook. If we go back to the countryside, we’ll starve. Also, you’ll have to talk to Shi Qin and the homeroom teacher about taking two months off. I’m not going to do it.” Shi Wangui added a few more points.

Under these circumstances, it definitely wouldn’t work without the consent of parents and teachers. Besides, if Wen Youren’s arm wasn’t healed, it wouldn’t be feasible first, Shi Wangui didn’t know how to change bandages, and second, she couldn’t cook.

“Alright. I’ll talk to them.” Wen Youren smiled.

She rarely smiled like this. This time, her smile seemed more like a release from within. Her expression softened from its initial tension. Even the darkest night gives way to daylight, and even the most wounded heart can find solace.

Shi Qin agreed. These two daughters meant little to him, it didn’t matter where they went. But since it was Wen Youren who called, perhaps he was in a good mood that day, or perhaps he was concerned about saving face, he transferred a considerable amount of money to her, fulfilling some semblance of a father’s duty.

The teacher initially disagreed, but the parent’s attitude was too firm. In the end, the teacher agreed on the condition that Shi Wangui’s final exam results wouldn’t decline and, on the contrary, would improve. If these requirements weren’t met, they would be advised to repeat the grade. Missing two months right at the start of high school would undoubtedly have a significant impact later on.

It’s often said that the first year of high school lays the foundation, the second year builds upon it, and the third year consolidates everything. They couldn’t let students start off on the wrong foot in their first year, affecting their later studies and ultimately leading to the need for a fourth year.

Of course, Shi Wangui didn’t care about any of this. Whether she attended school or not made no difference to her. The only one who suffered was Sun Yi, who expressed intense longing. Later, Shi Wangui told her that she would send the address as soon as they arrived and that Sun Yi was welcome to visit on weekends anytime.

Why not go now? Because she didn’t know the exact location either she had only heard from Wen Youren that it wasn’t far from the city. That house was left by her father. There had originally been one in the city too, but it no longer belonged to her.

Wen Youren stayed in the hospital for a few more days. Her arm had regained some movement, and the wounds were slowly forming scabs, though she still couldn’t grip anything with her palm any exertion would cause it to bleed. But it didn’t matter. They had prepared plenty of food to take along. Life in the hospital was too monotonous; it didn’t ease the depression in her heart, it only made it worse.

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