| BYSG | Hospital | 6
For the entire morning, Shen Yu had been a bit distracted.
Luckily, classes officially began only after military training, and today was mostly spent getting familiar with the campus, the class, and the group, and just going through the motions.
After introducing himself to everyone in the classroom last night, Shen Yu still couldn’t recognize many of his classmates.
Much like his poor sense of direction, he also had a mild case of face blindness.
However, in a university setting, social circles aren’t confined to just the class, and making friends depends largely on fate.
Shen Yu didn’t plan to participate in too many class or campus activities. Once the military training was over, he still had to continue his part-time job to support himself.
His family situation was special, and he couldn’t apply for any financial aid from the school. After all, Shen Lide had a job, and his stepmother also worked, so they weren’t exactly poor. They just happened to be particularly harsh with him.
He didn’t care for their filthy money and wouldn’t even spare them a glance.
The only thing he could focus on was earning a scholarship.
Aside from the time spent on studying and his part-time job, there wasn’t much left for Shen Yu. He didn’t need any unnecessary social interactions.
In the afternoon, Cheng Mofei had no classes, and Shen Yu also had nothing planned, so he went to the classroom where Cheng Mofei had his last class of the morning and waited for him to finish.
Afterward, they would go to the hospital together.
In the dormitory, aside from Shen Yu, the other three were second-year students majoring in finance.
Early in the morning, Cheng Mofei had shared their schedules in the dormitory group chat.
Since their majors and year levels were different, their class times varied as well.
Knowing each other's schedules would make things more convenient since they all lived under the same roof.
Shen Yu had seen the classroom number for Cheng Mofei’s class on the schedule and made his way there.
The dormitory group chat had already been created earlier. It was a group for the three of them, and Shen Yu had been added after he moved in.
Xiao Xiong was the group admin, and after Shen Yu joined, he specially changed the group name. Originally, it had been called "Single Status Progress 1/3," but now it was updated to "Single Status Progress 1/4."
In a university, a place filled with hormones, finding a partner was indeed considered a "big deal."
Shen Yu was trying his best too.
He was aiming to make the group name change to "Single Status Progress 3/4" as soon as possible.
Shen Yu was still unfamiliar with Yanda University, so it took him a while to find the classroom.
This class that Cheng Mofei had wasn’t a major course, but an elective. Xiao Xiong and Sun Xinghe hadn’t chosen this class, so Cheng Mofei was the only one in it.
Shen Yu quietly approached the back door of the classroom and immediately spotted Cheng Mofei sitting in the last row.
There was also a guy sitting next to Cheng Mofei, likely one of his friends.
Occasionally, the guy would turn his head and interact with Cheng Mofei. He was very tall, had a square face, thick eyebrows, and distinct facial features that were easy to recognize.
Having been with Cheng Mofei for seven years, Shen Yu had met all of his friends, either in person or through photos. He didn’t have any particular impression of this person, so he probably was just an ordinary acquaintance of Cheng Mofei.
In college, ordinary friends were abundant, and almost after graduation, they gradually stopped keeping in touch.
Having wasted some time on finding the way, Shen Yu had only been waiting by the back door of the classroom for a short while before the bell signaling the end of class rang.
In university, it was rare for classes to run over time, especially for elective courses like this one.
As soon as the bell rang, the teacher promptly announced the end of the class.
Some students eagerly stood up and left.
Cheng Mofei also packed his books into his bag, stood up, and turned around, meeting Shen Yu's gaze outside the door.
He was a bit surprised and couldn't help but quicken his pace, walking toward Shen Yu and asking, "Why are you waiting for me outside the classroom?"
Shen Yu had sent him a message earlier about meeting for lunch and then going to the hospital afterward, but the plan was for them to meet in the dormitory since Shen Yu needed to drop off his books first, as they were a bit heavy.
He hadn’t expected to run into Shen Yu outside the classroom.
Shen Yu casually made up an excuse, "I was just passing by the teaching building, thought I’d wander around and get familiar with the environment."
Cheng Mofei nodded, not giving it much thought.
Behind him, the guy who had been sitting next to him in class also walked over, carrying a bag over one shoulder.
The guy was even taller than Cheng Mofei, probably around 195 cm, and judging by his build, he seemed like an athlete.
It wasn’t ideal to stand by the back door talking, as it would block other students from coming in and out, so the three of them walked toward the stairs.
As they walked, the tall guy asked, "Are you really not going to join?"
Cheng Mofei shook his head. "The activities organized by the sports club don't need me. Whether I'm there or not, it makes no difference."
The guy sounded a bit disappointed. "I still prefer teaming up with you."
Cheng Mofei smiled. "It’s not like we won’t play together anymore."
The guy sighed. "Alright. I guess we’ll be opponents in the autumn competition."
Cheng Mofei grinned. "You better practice hard, don’t hold back."
After a few more words, the tall guy parted ways with them and went off in a different direction, no longer walking with them.
Shen Yu listened attentively, trying to catch every word, but ended up feeling a bit confused.
Noticing Shen Yu's puzzled look, Cheng Mofei gave a simple explanation.
The tall guy was indeed a third-year student from the sports club, a friend of Cheng Mofei with whom he often played basketball. Recently, they had organized a friendly basketball match with a neighboring university’s sports club, and the guy wanted to invite Cheng Mofei to join.
However, Cheng Mofei turned him down, though not because the event was only open to Sports College students. The exact reason for his refusal remained unclear.
The "autumn competition" mentioned later referred to Yanda University’s annual autumn basketball tournament, a tradition held every year. Each department would send a team to participate in the competition, where teams would compete against each other in a campus-wide showdown.
Shen Yu couldn’t help but voice his confusion. "Why did you turn him down, Brother Fei?"
By now, the two of them had exited the teaching building and were heading toward the dormitory.
It was around lunchtime, and the area was crowded with students, the air filled with snippets of conversation from all directions. The sun blazed directly overhead, casting a heatwave that made the crowd feel almost suffocating.
Cheng Mofei didn’t answer right away. He kept walking for a few more seconds, then suddenly leaned in close, slinging his arm around Shen Yu’s shoulder. He whispered mysteriously in his ear, “Because there’s a gay guy on their team.”
Shen Yu: "…"
Indeed, the number of gay men in sports or in art was often slightly higher.
Cheng Mofei continued, “That guy suddenly started dating a guy last semester.
That’s when I found out he’s gay. Almost every time we played, his boyfriend would come along to watch, and they were always very close, and acting so affectionately… I’m homophobic, so I gradually stopped playing with them."
"…So that's how it is," Shen Yu said, keeping his gaze fixed ahead.
It was because of this reason.
He wanted to take the opportunity to ask a few probing questions, like why Cheng Mofei was homophobic, but then quickly realized—such a question would be too strange.
A typical straight man wouldn’t ask another straight man why they were homophobic, and if Cheng Mofei noticed anything odd, it could lead to an awkward situation.
Besides, Shen Yu didn’t even know how to approach the topic.
...It was really difficult.
But there was no rush. They had only "known" each other for two days. The fact that Cheng Mofei was willing to share something like this with him was already a very positive sign.
Cheng Mofei must have shared it because he truly considered Shen Yu his brother. Normally, he wouldn’t have opened up about such things to just anyone.
After all, Shen Yu had also confided in him about the personal matters in his own family. That meant he saw Cheng Mofei as someone he trusted and considered a brother.
Good brothers should understand each other.
Afraid that Cheng Mofei might throw in a casual "You must be straight, right?"
Shen Yu quickly shifted the topic. "Brother Fei, what do you want to eat for lunch? I’ll treat you."
Cheng Mofei seemed to have already decided, saying, "How about the shredded chicken noodles on the second floor of the cafeteria? I haven't had them all summer, and I’m kind of craving them."
Shen Yu smiled and agreed. "Sure."
A bowl of shredded chicken noodles only cost 11 yuan, probably even cheaper than the braised pork lunch that Cheng Mofei had treated him to yesterday.
It felt a bit awkward to treat Cheng Mofei for such an inexpensive meal.
Shen Yu wasn’t stupid—he could tell that Cheng Mofei was being considerate of him, not wanting him to spend too much.
He liked being looked after by Cheng Mofei.
It made him feel warm inside.
Like Cheng Mofei, Shen Yu also ordered the same shredded chicken noodles for himself. They were delicious, and he ate every bite cleanly.
Cheng Mofei, sitting across from him, smiled when he saw Shen Yu finishing his meal. "You’re eating a lot, but how are you still so thin?"
Shen Yu wiped his mouth and replied, "I didn’t eat well at home before. I worked part-time over the summer and earned a little money, so I’ve been eating better recently."
As the saying goes, "When there’s a stepmother, there’s a stepfather," and what's more, Shen Lide had never been very kind to him in the past.
Later, when Shen Lide and his stepmother had a child, the family would make sure to keep all the good food away from Shen Yu, as if they were afraid he might take advantage of it.
Every month, Shen Lide would put a small amount of money into Shen Yu’s meal card, which he relied on for his three meals a day. It was just enough to barely get by.
Fortunately, the rice in the cafeteria was free, and Fang Xiang would often help him out, so he never went hungry, though he was somewhat malnourished and skinny.
In the two months since his rebirth, he had been making a conscious effort to eat properly and regain some nutrition. Compared to his previous life, he had already gained some weight by this time.
When Cheng Mofei heard this, he paused for a moment, his expression softening. "I’m sorry."
Shen Yu gave him a carefree smile. "It’s fine."
He didn’t mind showing Cheng Mofei his scars; in fact, he hoped Cheng Mofei would understand him better.
When Cheng Mofei finished his meal, Shen Yu stood up and took both their empty plates. "I'll throw these away."
With that, he walked toward the dish return station on the other side of the cafeteria.
When he came back, Cheng Mofei was holding two long pieces of sliced cantaloupe, and he handed one to Shen Yu. It was clear that he had bought it specifically for him.
"Here, have some fruit after the meal," Cheng Mofei said, handing Shen Yu a slice.
Shen Yu took it and bit into it.
The taste was sweet, refreshing, and quenching.
Unable to resist, Shen Yu took another bite, his cheeks puffing up as he quickly chewed.
Cheng Mofei watched him, amused.
He really looked like a hamster.
Though he had never seen such a thin hamster before.
The hamster his cousin raised was practically round, like a little ball.
After leaving the cafeteria, Cheng Mofei noticed half a watermelon cut and placed on a table at a nearby fruit stand. He thought for a moment and decided to buy it.
Naturally, he couldn’t finish the entire half by himself. As soon as they got back to the dorm, he cut the watermelon into several pieces and shared it with the other three.
Shen Yu got the largest piece.
...
After finishing the watermelon, the two of them took a short nap. The hospital shift started at 2:00 PM, so they didn’t wake up until 1:30 PM to get ready and head out.
Before leaving, Cheng Mofei slipped two oranges into his pocket—one for himself and one for Shen Yu. They peeled and ate them on the way.
Shen Yu happily accepted the fruit, in a good mood from Cheng Mofei's gesture.
The oranges this season were mostly sour, but Cheng Mofei's oranges were sweet.
The Second People's Hospital of Yancheng City was only one subway stop away from Yanda University.
After getting off, they walked a few hundred meters straight, no need to cross any streets—it was really close. Shen Yu had already made an appointment with a psychiatrist in advance.
This wasn’t Shen Yu’s first time at the Second Hospital. There was a vague sense of déjà vu, almost as if he were crossing through time. After all, in his previous life, he had lived in Yancheng City for so many years, and with his poor health, going to the hospital was a frequent occurrence.
Shen Yu disliked hospitals. He hated the smell of disinfectant, and every visit made his mood worse, even though Cheng Mofei always accompanied him.
His bad mood was mostly a result of his deteriorating health, and the decline on his health was due to the harmful job he took after graduating from university. He worked closely with all kinds of chemicals daily.
The pay was great, but it was extremely damaging to his health.
Now, however, he was just a little underweight and mildly malnourished. With proper care, he would become healthy again.
There was no need to fear hospitals so much.
Suddenly, a large hand rested on his back, and Cheng Mofei’s voice followed: “Why are you so tense?”
Shen Yu: "…"
Shen Yu quickened his pace, pulling away from the comforting touch on his back, his ears faintly flushing. "I’m fine."
Cheng Mofei smiled and caught up with him.
After everything Shen Yu had gone through in his previous life—hospital stays, transferring hospitals, and chemotherapy—some of that fear was deeply ingrained in him.
"Hurry up, the elevator’s going to close," Shen Yu glanced back at Cheng Mofei, who was still trailing behind.
But it was too late.
They ended up having to wait for the next elevator.
Shen Yu stole a glance at the person standing beside him.
Luckily, Cheng Mofei was with him this time.
...
Cheng Mofei was quite familiar with the Second Hospital. In their freshman year, Xiao Xiong had to be hospitalized for appendicitis, and Sun Xinghe had an eye infection, both of which required visits to the Second Hospital. Cheng Mofei had accompanied them both.
After all, being sick is when a person is most vulnerable, and living in the same dorm, helping each other out, was only natural.
Later, when he had a high fever during the winter, it was his dormmates who woke up the dorm manager in the middle of the night to send him to the hospital.
The psychiatrist was gentle and patient, engaging in a long conversation with Shen Yu.
Throughout the communication, Shen Yu didn't ask Cheng Mofei to leave the room.
He wasn’t concerned about any secrets the doctor might overhear. After all, the real secrets were ones he wouldn't share with anyone, even a doctor.
It would be foolish to hide things from a doctor, but he simply couldn’t explain the absurdity of his rebirth.
Since it was Shen Yu's first time in a new environment and his sleepwalking had only recently surfaced, after an examination, the doctor didn't prescribe any psychiatric medications.
He advised Shen Yu to rest and observe the situation for a while without worrying too much. If sleepwalking became frequent, further treatment could be considered.
Shen Yu's first reaction to this advice was relief—he was saving money.
Medical treatment and medicine weren’t cheap these days, and his funds were tight.
After leaving the hospital, Cheng Mofei, noticing Shen Yu’s relieved expression, bought two servings of ice bean curd outside the hospital to celebrate.
Along with the fruit from earlier, it already covered the 11 yuan Shen Yu spent on the chicken noodle salad for lunch.
The treat was in vain.
Cheng Mofei had grown up in a well-off family and was rather carefree when it came to spending money. He never bothered about small change and occasionally even “wasted money,” getting scammed by fortune-tellers from time to time.
Shen Yu, on the other hand, was like a bitter melon raised in a patch of bitter melons. Even though he had gotten into a good university and had a high-paying job after graduation, he still habitually refrained from spending on himself.
When they first decided to live together, they had a little disagreement over their daily expenses.
In the end, after some communication, they reached a compromise—money would be managed by Shen Yu, and a fixed monthly allowance would be provided. Cheng Mofei was not allowed to secretly visit fortune-tellers anymore.
Almost every fortune-teller had said that they would have a long marriage, yet in the end, it was still him who left first.
As they walked towards the subway station, enjoying their ice bean curd, Cheng Mofei suddenly nudged him with his elbow.
"Hey, there's a fortune-teller over there. Let's go take a look."
Shen Yu: "…"
Shen Yu struggled to suppress the impulse to "lecture" Cheng Mofei, thinking it wasn’t appropriate since they had only just "met" and it would be too overbearing to interfere.
He silently followed him to the fortune-teller's booth.
Without a word, Cheng Mofei scanned the payment code.
"What would you like to know, sir?" the fortune-teller asked.
"I’m not sure. You can decide what to tell me," Cheng Mofei replied casually.
Shen Yu was starting to get a headache. Having just finished his ice bean curd, he looked for a trash can to dispose of his trash.
When he returned, he overheard the fortune-teller telling Cheng Mofei, "The red star is in motion; you’ll have a big peach blossom this year."
Shen Yu couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.
The red star is associated with marriage and romantic relationships, but Cheng Mofei was only 19, well below the legal marriage age. The fortune-teller’s knowledge was clearly outdated.
Shen Yu figured the fortune-teller must have said it because Cheng Mofei was good-looking.
Feeling frustrated, Shen Yu didn’t want to say anything further. He turned away and stared blankly at the street, watching the cars come and go.
Fortunately, the fortune-telling session ended soon. Cheng Mofei stood up, nudged him, and they continued walking toward the subway entrance together.
Standing on the escalator leading to the -1 floor, Cheng Mofei suddenly spoke, "Do you think I'm superstitious?"
Shen Yu replied, "...Not really."
Cheng Mofei seemed to notice the insincerity in his answer and slowly explained, "When I was in the second year of middle school, my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. She went to hospitals both in China and abroad, and they all said the situation wasn't looking good. They said she might not make it through the year, so we didn't dare tell her the truth."
"My grandmother was a bit superstitious. She liked to burn incense, pray, and have her fortune told. At that time, she found a so-called very accurate fortune-teller to predict her lifespan. The fortune-teller said she'd live for at least another twenty years without any problem."
"My grandmother believed it."
Shen Yu's breath quickened a little. "Then she...?"
He actually already knew the answer.
He had seen Cheng Mofei's grandmother many years later, and she had even given him a big red envelope.
Cheng Mofei said, "She's still alive and doing well. Her condition has been controlled, and she's gotten through the toughest surgeries. I make time to visit her every week. The doctors were also amazed, but sometimes, faith can be terrifyingly powerful."
"After that, whenever I encounter a booth like this, I'll sometimes have my fortune told too. I don't really believe in it. Some of them might be frauds, but others might be passing on a sense of faith. It’s just a few dozen yuan, so I treat it as contributing to the circulation of the economy..."
"Hey, why are you crying?"
"We're about to get off the escalator. Let’s go first, go first, don’t fall again."
Supported by Cheng Mofei, Shen Yu steadied himself as he stepped off the escalator, but his body still swayed unsteadily.
Tears uncontrollably welled up in his eyes and fell down.
Shen Yu awkwardly lowered his head and wiped at his face, but the warmth of the tears only seemed to increase as he rubbed.
He had always been an optimistic yet pessimistic person. His health was never great. His optimism stemmed from his timidness and fear of death—while his pessimism came from the fact that living always seemed to come with pain.
When he first got together with Cheng Mofei, he would often fall ill, joking that with his daily exposure to dangerous chemicals at work might cause an early death.
And in the end, his words ended up coming true.
He couldn't remember exactly when he realized that Cheng Mofei had this habit of occasionally consulting fortune-tellers, this "superstitious little quirk."
He only remembered that when he "criticized" him for it, Cheng Mofei just chuckled and didn't offer any explanation. Instead, he showed him the conclusions from the fortune-tellers, who claimed that their marriage line would last for a long time.
He still remembered that after his cancer diagnosis, Cheng Mofei secretly went to consult a fortune-teller once more. That fortune-teller again said their marriage line was long..
But he didn't listen. He didn't believe it.
It turned out that Cheng Mofei had never truly believed in those things.
Cheng Mofei had only... only...
Wanted to give him hope.
A hope in living well, in holding on to life.
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