Chapter 105 — Spending Time Together

Su Qianhua perked up a bit when she heard that something could be done. But six weeks sounded like a long time. Nevertheless, it was better than the alternative.

She said to the doctor, "Alright then, I'll be in your care Doctor."

Jiang Philip also thanked him, even though he wanted to cry. It was so cruel to give him hope for one second and then smash it again. He reminded himself repeatedly that he was doing the right thing.

The doctor prescribed some drugs and gave them an appointment for the next two weeks, to see how well the drugs were working.

They thanked him again and left.

Jiang Philip opened the door for her to get in, went around to sit down himself and had just started the ignition when Su Qianhua spoke.

"Don't think I will change my mind. Once I'm certified okay, I'll take it out."

Jiang Philip spoke past the lump in his throat. "Fine, I understand. But I have a request, which I hope you grant."

"What?"

"For the duration of your treatment, please let me take care of you. I would try not to bother you. I'll only make sure you're eating well, ask if you're taking your drugs and check up on you. You can even use me as your errand boy if you want."

It was on the tip of her tongue to say no, but looking at his face, she changed her words. He wanted to do something nice for her after all, and despite what she was currently doing, she didn't want to hurt him.

"Alright. But aren't you supposed to be traveling back next week?"

"I can't leave you like this. I'll leave when everything has been sorted out."

"Okay."

"Thank you." His relief was obvious. He managed a small smile before driving out of the parking lot. He was going to drive her home, but she said, "To the station please."

"No. You need rest. I'll take you home."

Su Qianhua took a deep breath before saying, "Philip, before we go further, let's establish some rules first. I want my opinion respected at all times. My body, my rules. I know my condition very well, and I can take care of myself."

Jiang Philip surrendered. "I'm not trying to imply that you can't take care of yourself, neither am I trying to force you to do anything. I'm just trying to make sure you rest well. Sorry that came out wrong."

He was really walking on eggshells around her at this point, and she could see it. The fight drained out of her all of a sudden.

"So, to the station right?"

Su Qianhua sighed.

"Please take me home."

Jiang Philip paused, but then said "alright" before driving off. They drove the whole way in silence.

Su Qianhua moved out of her parents' house about five years ago, and she now lived alone in a modest two-bedroom apartment, a twenty five-minute drive away from the hospital.

"Thank you." Su Qianhua said when he parked the car at the parking lot. Jiang Philip watched her open the door and walk out. For some reason, her back looked very lonely as she walked slowly into the building.

On impulse, he got out of the car and ran towards her, hoping he wasn't going to get rebuffed this time.

Su Qianhua turned when she heard his footsteps. Without waiting for her to talk, he plunged in.

"Can I perhaps cook for you?"

Su Qianhua wasn't sure what she was expecting to hear, but certainly not this. She stared at him blankly for a few seconds.

She hated to admit it, but his offer came at the right time. She felt drained physically and mentally. Confused and hurting, it was a good time for company. She didn't want to wallow alone in misery.

So she nodded silently.

Happiness came too suddenly for Jiang Philip.

Both of them rode the elevator in silence to her apartment.

"Make yourself at home." Su Qianhua said, going into her room to change.

Jiang Philip looked around unobtrusively. The apartment was furnished modestly, but still looked a bit empty, probably because she was hardly ever home.

Going to the fridge, he opened it to look for ingredients he could use.

Her fridge was mostly empty, save for a few eggs, some cherry tomatoes that were already growing mold, dried sausages and mushrooms that had seen better days. He could see a few bottles of water as well.

He briefly wondered if sausages were good for pregnant women and brought out his phone to check when he remembered the situation. He kept his phone aside. Anyway, she won't be pregnant for long, he thought sadly.

Still, he wanted her to eat well, so he shouted, "Give me a few minutes, I need to go to the supermarket. I'll be back soon."

Su Qianhua shouted, "Okay." She was sitting on her bed, staring into the distance. Even her clothes had not been changed.

Jiang Philip dashed into the first store he saw and picked out some noodles, vegetables, eggs and meat. He didn't cook often, but simple dishes were his forte.

Getting back into her apartment, she had not come out of the room yet. He got to work, chopping vegetables and boiling noodles.

Very soon, a pot of piping hot noodles

was ready. He called out to her to come and eat. Hearing him, she came to the table.

Jiang Philip served up some noodles, topped with meat, eggs and vegetables in a large bowl and set it in front of her, complete with chopsticks and a spoon.

Su Qianhua looked at the food. It looked and smelled very appetizing, but as a foodie, she believed a dish had to pass the threefold test— appearance, smell and taste.

She put some in her mouth, paused and just savoured it.

As she chewed, a tear rolled down, then another, and another. Before long, she was sobbing. It was as if the taste of the food was a catalyst for releasing her locked up feelings.

She wanted to vent all the pent-up emotions of the past few days out—the shock, confusion, sadness and fear.

Alarmed, Jiang Philip went to her side and hugged her, patting her back. "Everything will be alright, you'll get through this—we will get through this. Don't cry, alright?"