But Not Discouraged Part 1

The soul shuddering wails even made her tremble in dread.

To produce such horrific wails, what kind of agonizing pain was she experiencing?

The ward swung open and a frantic Long Tian, Li Chen, and Long Hongwu were ushered out.

"Dr. Ren, what's going on? Why is Yue'er screaming?" Li Chen was close to collapsing from grief.

When had his beloved daughter ever wailed like this?

As far as he could remember, Li Qing Yue had never cried after her first birthday.

"Mr. Li, don't worry. The pain-relief medication we'd administered must've run out. After changing medication, she'll calm down."

"You're telling me you didn't change her medication on time? What kind of professionalism is this? You yourself said her injuries are grave. So how can you forget to monitor her medication?" Long Tian was enraged.

The girl's wails were anything but humane.

Harsh, jarring, and heart-rending, the sound made even his heart tremble.

"I...we didn't expect.."

"Go, just go and help her!" Long Hongwu practically pushed the pale-faced Dr. Ren back into the room.

"Useless! All useless! They can't even monitor a single medication!"

"Uncle Li, father, I'll go and look at her reports again." Rather than remain in this stifling environment, it was better to keep busy.

Long Tian didn't think he could endure the wails anymore.

"Uhm! Go and look carefully. I don't trust this doctor." Long Hongwu dismissively waved off his son, before resuming his restless pacing.

Long Tian nodded at Li Chen who stood frozen in front of the door, then turned and walked away.

Sigh.

The past 48 hours were the most dramatic and tiring hours of his life.

Long Tian never expected to witness the accident of his supposed fiancée.

And the most unbelievable part?

The girl was in such a terrible condition because she'd placed more importance on another's life than her own.

"Mr. Long, are you okay?" Seeing him uncomfortably pull on his tie, Fang Ying'er stepped forward and asked.

Long Tian glanced sideways at the young physician and turned.

"I'm fine. Worry about the one inside."

Fang Ying'er was struck dumb. She didn't expect her concern to be met with a rude dismissal. She gave a cold snort and went back to her spot, waiting to called on for assistance.

After leaving these words behind, Long Tian continued towards the Chief Physician's office. He gave the steel door a gentle knock and turned the knob without invitation.

Chief Physician Mu was holding his head when he heard the door open.

"Y...Young Master Long?" He hurriedly pushed out of his seat and walked around the table.

"Chief Physician, I want to see Li Qing Yue's medical records. Right now." Long Tian entered the room without invitation and pulled out a chair.

"Ye...yes!"

What happened now?

Don't tell me there's another problem?

Tense and worried, Chief Physician Mu sent a request for the girl's records.

"Young Master Long, here's the RepCom for her report." He slid the small chip to the young man and waited with bated breath.

A while later, pale-faced and absentminded, Long Tian returned to the third floor.

"Mr. Li, we sedated Young Mistress Qing Yue. She is calmer now, so you can go in and see her. But the patient is in a delicate state of mind. I advise you to refrain from speaking of sensitive topics." Dr. Ren sighed tiredly and rubbed his face.

He gave the three men a brief nod and walked past.

He wanted to get as much rest as he could before another problem arose.

Long Hongwu clapped Li Chen on the shoulder.

"Brother Long, I've troubled you." Li Chen apologetically called at the Commander.

"Brother Li, in our relationship, is such a formality necessary? Qing Qing is my daughter as much as she is yours. Now let's not waste time and go in."

"Hmm!" Li Chen walked to the door and turned the knob.

Inside, Qing Yue listlessly looked at the ceiling with vacant eyes.

Clearing his throat, Li Chen forced a smile on his face and walked to the bedside.

"Ahem! Yue'er, you're awake. Are you feeling better now?"

"Dad, Uncle Long, sorry to worry you." Qing Yue's voice sounded horrible. Her face, wrapped around in bandages and gauze, only had her eyes, nose, and mouth showing.

But even then, her eyes were so bright that Long Tian felt stunned.

This...

Was this still the same girl whose medical report he'd just seen?

"Haha...Qing Qing, Uncle Long wasn't worried at all. I know you're a fighter and won't go down so easily. But...aye...you scared your Dad. How could you pull a stunt like saving someone without caring about your own life?" Commander Long crossed his arms and coldly looked at the stupefied girl.

Qing Yue stared speechlessly before innocently blinking her eyes.

"Ah...Uncle Long, aren't you here to see the patient? Why is it that I feel you're here to scold?"

"Patient? Hmph! I'm here to scold the patient. What about it?"

"Ah..." Qing Yue had nothing else to say. Speaking with the Commander was like speaking to a wall. No matter what she said, her words wouldn't have any effect.

Watching their interaction, Li Chen felt jealous.

The ease with which Qing Yue spoke with the Commander pricked his heart. In the 18 years they'd lived together, he had never felt such ease between them.

Most especially not when she was still a child.

Long Tian's gaze shifted between his father and Li Qing Yue. The relationship between the two looked a lot closer than his relationship with his Father, or Uncle Li's relationship with his daughter.

He had a vague feeling, that of the four individuals present, only they were a family.

"Qing Qing, you've been in a very horrible accident." Long Hongwu's expression immediately turned serious.

He scanned the girl's face and felt Li Chen's burning gaze on him. But he ignored it. He knew if he left the matter up to his friend, he wouldn't have the courage to tell the girl the truth.

But Long Hongwu didn't want to withhold such information from her for long.

She deserved to know how different her life was going to be.

And he trusted she'd accept the situation with grace, just like she had done 8 years ago.

"Uncle Long, tell me." He wouldn't make such an opening if the matter wasn't serious.

Qing Yue looked at Long Hongwu, her eyes mirroring the man's firm gaze.

"Qing Qing, in this accident, you hurt your legs very badly and your face got burnt. According to the attending physician, you'll be disfigured for life and you'll never stand again."

Instantly, a tense, suffocating silence filled the room.