Silent Testimony - Chapter 77

Tao Ling had no underlying health conditions. After waking up, she was able to resume independent breathing in a short time. Thus, after a careful examination by Dr. Lin Ye, she was successfully transferred to a regular ward the following day.

At dusk, Li Hewei walked into the room carrying a hot water bottle. Since Liu Yun had just left to wash the dishes, Li sat in the companion chair to the right of the bed. She reached out to tuck in the corner of the quilt and asked softly, “Are you cold?”

Tao Ling shook her head. “No.”

“It’s only 14°C outside. How can you not be cold?” Yet, when Li Hewei placed her hand over the girl’s, she realized Tao Ling wasn’t lying; the warmth was so comforting that she was loath to move her hand away.

“Sister Wei, you’re the one who must be cold.” The setting sun made Tao Ling’s light brown pupils look transparent and bright. Her movement as she took Li’s wrist and tucked it under the covers was as gentle as her gaze.

Li Hewei could endure an assailant’s attack, the hardships of an investigation, and all the obstacles that came with transmigrating into this book—but she could not endure Tao Ling worrying about her while lying in a hospital bed.

“I am cold,” Li Hewei admitted, her nose prickling. She suppressed her growing emotions, a barely perceptible smile touching the corners of her mouth. “I need to stay under your covers for a while.” Having grown up in Shenzhen, where winters were relatively warm, she found it hard to adapt to the damp, cold climate of Puchen; she had to carry a hot water bottle everywhere she went.

Hearing this, Tao Ling’s usually calm face flushed a soft red, and she remained silent.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Hewei spoke in a conversational tone. “I won’t go back tonight. I’ll stay here to keep you company.”

As expected, Tao Ling politely declined. “You still have to work tomorrow morning.”

“It doesn’t matter. I drove here; I can leave whenever I need to.”

“All four beds in this ward are occupied. Sleeping in the companion chair is uncomfortable.”

“Is it any more comfortable for your mother?” Li Hewei’s rebuttal left Tao Ling speechless. Just then, Liu Yun returned and said with a smile, “Xiao Wei, you’re here?”

Li Hewei withdrew her hand from the girl’s palm and stood up politely. “Auntie.”

“You’re busy with work; you don’t need to run to the hospital every day.” Liu Yun walked to her side, placed the washed bowls in the storage cabinet, and took out two apples. She sat down to peel them. “Dr. Lin said Xiao Ling is recovering well. If she doesn’t have any dizziness or headaches over the next two days and the pneumonia symptoms remain under control, she can be discharged.” Tao Ling had suffered slight cerebral edema due to hypothermia, and though she had regained consciousness, she still felt dizzy occasionally.

In the end, Li Hewei was unable to stay; Liu Yun refused her request with absolute finality.

Consequently, she came every evening, stayed for two hours, and then left. Tao Ling, being observant, noticed that the dark circles under Li’s eyes were getting heavier and her cheeks were noticeably sunken. On the day the discharge papers were being processed, Tao Ling asked cautiously, “Have you not been sleeping well lately?”

“Just a bit of insomnia,” Li Hewei said casually. In reality, she had only been able to get three to five hours of shallow sleep for five consecutive nights. Every time she closed her eyes, the image of Tao Ling’s tragic death from the original plot flashed in her mind. Although she kept telling herself that Yan Chen was arrested and the danger had passed, she often worried about unknown threats lurking in the shadows. This restlessness made it difficult to concentrate during the day and caused occasional chest tightness and palpitations.

Fortunately, the major case had been solved, and recent tasks were manageable enough that her work wasn’t severely affected.

“Is it just ‘a bit’?” Tao Ling questioned. The two of them stood by the window, the warm light filtering through Tao Ling’s eyelashes. Like a thief, she stole the two heartbeats Li Hewei had just missed.

Li Hewei conceded, letting out a slow breath. “Probably ASD (Acute Stress Disorder). I’m adjusting.”

Tao Ling’s eyes immediately sank. She continued to coax gently, “Since we’re already at the hospital, let’s have a doctor give you a diagnosis and proper treatment.” Out of concern, she took Li Hewei’s phone from the bed behind them. As the screen lit up, she saw their photo on the lock screen. Realizing she was being a bit forward, she felt a moment of awkwardness.

Li Hewei felt the warmth of Tao Ling’s obvious care. “The password is 850808. I have an app we can use to register.”

Though she already knew the password, hearing Li say it out loud made Tao Ling’s left hand tighten around the hem of her shirt. With pink-dusted cheeks, she entered the code. Since it was the weekend, the Chief Physician of the Psychiatric Department was off, so she selected an Associate Chief Physician, taking slot number 16.

“Let’s go,” Li Hewei said, taking her phone back with feigned composure.

They waited outside Consultation Room 1. About half an hour later, patient number 15 came out. Li Hewei went in, closed the door, and sat at the desk.

The doctor asked about her symptoms. Li Hewei kept the “transmigration” part a secret, framing it as a dream instead, but told the rest of the truth.

“Starting one day three months ago, I’ve been trapped in a strange dream…”

“Are you worried about your friend being in danger again?”

Li Hewei nodded. “Yes.”

The doctor’s fingers tapped the keyboard. “You are experiencing persistent anxiety and fear regarding potential negative future events. You’re restless, having headaches and insomnia—you’ve already developed mild somatic symptoms.”

“What do you mean?”

The doctor scrolled with the mouse to select tests. “Let’s start with an examination.”

Li Hewei’s left hand curled instinctively on the table. “Is it not ASD?”

“The symptoms are similar, but you were in a state of long-term mental tension even before her accident. I’m leaning toward Anxiety Disorder.” The doctor printed the test forms and handed them to her. “Turn left outside the door and follow the signs.”

When Li Hewei pushed the door open, Tao Ling rushed to meet her. “What did the doctor say?”

“It’s fine. I just need some tests first.” Li Hewei forced a smile.

Tao Ling looked down, and the words “Suspected Anxiety Disorder” on the form caused a mist to cloud her eyes. “How could this happen?”

“Detectives usually have some form of psychological struggle. It’s fine as long as there’s timely intervention.”

Tao Ling touched Li Hewei’s cold hand before gently circling it with hers. “Is it because of this case?”

“And the night attack three months ago, remember? I’ve been constantly on edge.”

“I remember.” Tao Ling squeezed her hand. “In the future, if you feel anxious or uneasy… can you let me know?” Anxiety disorders require proper venting to relieve internal tension.

Li Hewei looked at the girl’s reddened eyes. She didn’t agree, but she didn’t refuse either. She simply applied a bit of pressure and led her toward the testing rooms.

After the series of tests, she was diagnosed with Moderate Anxiety Disorder.

“The symptoms aren’t severe and are still controllable, but they must be taken seriously,” the doctor advised. “It’s best to find an opportunity to talk to your friends. Learn to share the pressure.”

Noticing Li Hewei’s furrowed brow, the doctor spoke plainly. “What about your partner? Hasn’t he noticed you’ve been acting unusual lately?”

Li Hewei was momentarily stunned.

The doctor continued to herself, “Men these days can be unreliable; you have to take the initiative to let him know.”

Li Hewei realized the misunderstanding and corrected her. “No, you might have misunderstood. I’m single.”

“So you’re not together yet? But you have feelings for them, right? Otherwise, there’s no reason to be this anxious.”

Li Hewei was candid. “It’s a ‘she’.”

The doctor’s expression changed slightly, clearly surprised by her bluntness.

Li Hewei remained calm. “I’ll consider it. Please write the prescription.” She knew that since physical symptoms had appeared, she needed medication.

The doctor regained her professional composure. “I’ll prescribe two types of medicine: one for anxiety and one to improve your sleep.” She added, “Also, maintain a moderate amount of exercise and try to relax.”

“Thank you.”

As Li Hewei took the prescription and walked to the door, the doctor’s sincere voice came from behind her: “Women are generally more understanding. Perhaps opening up to her will help alleviate your anxiety.”

“I will.” Li Hewei nodded with a smile and left.

Liu Yun had finished the discharge procedures and arrived at the psychiatric department ten minutes ago; Tao Ling had already explained the situation to her. The mother and daughter accompanied Li Hewei to pay and collect her medicine. They left the hospital near noon and had lunch at a restaurant in Puchen. Liu Yun paid, and Li Hewei, knowing her intentions, didn’t decline.

Around 3 PM, after seeing Liu Yun off, they returned to Imperial Garden International. Exiting the elevator, they turned right toward Room 902. As Tao Ling entered the code, the door opened from the inside.

“Sister Tao Ling! Welcome home!” Cheng Yingqiu placed a brazier at her feet. “Come on, step over the fire!”

Li Hewei showed a long-awaited smile. “You and your crazy ideas.”

Qiu Wan appeared behind Cheng Yingqiu, holding a bundle of pomelo leaves dipped in water. “I told her Tao Ling was being discharged today, and Grandma suggested a ceremony to get rid of the bad luck.”

A wave of warmth rose in Tao Ling’s heart. “Thank you, Grandma, Sister Qiu, and Yingqiu.”

“Hey, we’re all family here,” Cheng Yingqiu said with a bright smile, gesturing to her. “Quick, step over.”

Tao Ling followed instructions and stepped over the brazier.

“The fire removes the misfortune!” Cheng Yingqiu shouted.

Qiu Wan tapped the pomelo leaves lightly against Tao Ling’s shoulders. “And good luck fills the body.”

Tao Ling’s eyes shimmered.

Cheng Yingqiu stood close to Qiu Wan, wrapping an arm around her waist, her eyes curving into crescents. “I haven’t introduced her yet—this is my girlfriend.”

Tao Ling was slightly surprised, though her expression remained relatively calm. “So this was the good news you mentioned?”

“Yeah! I was just waiting for you to get out of the hospital.”

While Tao Ling was in the ICU, Cheng Yingqiu had occasionally messaged her: [Sister Tao Ling, I have something to say or I’ll burst.] [What is it?] [Good news, but let me keep you in suspense for now.] [I’ll wait for the good news then.]

Cheng Yingqiu let go of Qiu Wan and hooked her arm into Tao Ling’s instead. “Come in! Do you two want to rest? We’ll handle dinner.”

“You’re cooking? Are you sure?” Li Hewei knew Cheng Yingqiu had never lifted a finger in the kitchen; back home, her two fathers had always done the cooking.

Cheng Yingqiu glared at her. “Don’t look down on me!”

Qiu Wan added with a laugh, “She’s learning. She can at least be an assistant.”

Cheng Yingqiu leaned against Qiu Wan affectionately. “You’re still the best.”

Li Hewei didn’t argue. Admitting she was indeed tired, she went to her room to rest. Once the door was shut, Cheng Yingqiu sat Tao Ling down on the sofa and asked anxiously, “What’s up with her? When I called, you said she was in a consultation with a doctor.”

Having asked for Li Hewei’s permission first, Tao Ling spoke truthfully: “Moderate Anxiety Disorder.”

“Anxiety? What caused it?”

“She said it was because of the Ma Zhiming case and the attack near the station three months ago.”

“Yan Chen confessed that someone else sabotaged the brakes,” Qiu Wan said, her face full of concern. “That person is likely the mastermind who attacked you both three months ago. And the target Yan Chen was supposed to kidnap wasn’t actually you.”

“I know…” Tao Ling’s voice trembled slightly. “He wanted to kidnap Sister Wei.”