Heart Flutter

Chapter 34

Tang Yan woke up groggily, grabbed the “phone” that had been making noise by her hand, and was surprised to find Aunt Ji looking at her. Confused, she asked, “Is it time to board?”

Ji Yuqing hesitated for a moment, then glanced at her watch. “Yes, almost. Get up and clear your head for a bit.”

Feeling a little thirsty, Tang Yan got up right away and went to the self-service counter in the waiting area to get some water. Throughout that time, Ji Yuqing hid her thoughts well, showing no sign of anything unusual.

This was Tang Yan’s second time flying, and she was no longer as frightened and nervous as before. Instead, she felt excited. She found her seat by herself and fastened her seat belt without any help from Aunt Ji. When they came, it was daytime, and the view outside the airplane had been vast stretches of blue sky and white clouds. On their return, it was night. From high above, the brightly lit city below glowed yellow, and the endless sea bridge looked like a line of fireflies in the darkness, leading into the depths of the ocean.

Tang Yan had never observed the land where she lived from such a vantage point. The large city was reduced to clusters of golden lights shining brilliantly in the night sky, making humanity appear all the more insignificant. She spent the entire flight in high spirits, focusing on the scenery. Occasionally, when she saw something spectacular outside the window, she turned to share it with Aunt Ji, only to find her next to her in solemn silence, lost in thought. Sensing her mood, Tang Yan quietly turned back around, choosing not to disturb her.

They landed at Hua Du Airport just past eight in the evening. Aunt Ji’s car was parked in the airport’s paid lot. After waiting about ten more minutes for their checked luggage to appear, they each pulled a suitcase toward the exit. A cold breeze greeted them near the door, causing them to shiver involuntarily. Both were dressed lightly, having just come from a tropical island.

They had not expected the temperature difference to be so great. The night wind in Hua Du felt strong, dry, and chilly. There were many people outside, as well as drivers trying to pick up passengers. Ji Yuqing walked at a brisk pace, clearly in a hurry. Tang Yan followed behind her with her suitcase, doing her best to keep up.

They loaded the luggage into the car and got ready to leave. Tang Yan sat in the passenger seat and fastened her seat belt. Before starting the car, Ji Yuqing asked, “It might get really late tonight. Would you like me to take you home first so you can rest?”

Tang Yan said nothing at first, then turned to face her with a determined look and shook her head.

“You are sure you want to come with me to the nursing home?” Ji Yuqing asked again.

Tang Yan nodded. “Maybe I can help in some way…”

“All right, then. Let’s go.” Ji Yuqing released the parking brake.

According to Aunt Ji, it would take a little over an hour to reach the nursing home from the airport, assuming they did not hit traffic. Tang Yan leaned against the car window, watching scenes of streetlights and city life blur by, recalling how sweltering it had been on her first evening in Hua Du. Back then, the city had felt like an immense furnace. Yet only a bit more than a month had passed, and the weather had already turned cold.

In the blink of an eye, she had known Aunt Ji for over a month. Time really flew. From the driver’s seat, Ji Yuqing glanced over occasionally, curious what the girl by the window might be thinking. Adolescents her age always seemed so energetic and full of vitality.

They stayed mostly on overpasses and outer ring roads without much congestion. By the time they arrived at the nursing home, it was close to ten o’clock. After driving through the front gate and parking in an outdoor lot, Tang Yan got out of the car and felt taken aback. This place was nothing like she had imagined a nursing home would be. It was more like a massive community or hospital complex.

Aunt Ji mentioned that this was the best nursing home in Hua Du, also functioning as a medical center for the elderly. It had a professional and comprehensive medical team. Since residents there were older, moving them frequently was not advisable. In the event of exceptionally difficult or complicated cases, they would be transferred to the best hospital in the city center.

Tang Yan figured Aunt Ji must be a very filial daughter. Staying in such a place had to be expensive. Every path, wide or narrow, featured small lights embedded in the ground to keep residents from tripping at night. Being evening, Tang Yan could only catch glimpses of the surroundings along the way, but what she saw already astonished her.

There was an activity center, a rehabilitation center, various leisure areas, a pond, a pavilion, and a senior fitness area. Everything was so well-provisioned. It far exceeded any nursing home Tang Yan had ever imagined or heard of. With enough money, anything really did seem possible. Poverty truly limited one’s imagination.

They followed Aunt Ji into the medical building, which was dedicated to examinations and surgeries. By that hour, it felt almost deserted, with only a few areas lit. Tang Yan learned that because of her afternoon injury, Aunt Ji’s mother had been temporarily moved to this building. They were told that once the family signed the surgical paperwork, they could begin the operation immediately. For now, the staff had only administered painkillers.

When Tang Yan and Aunt Ji reached the doors of the operating room, a nurse stopped them, noting that the sterile environment had to be maintained and that the patient’s family needed to sign so the surgery could proceed.

“How is my mother doing?” Ji Yuqing murmured.

Tang Yan stood close by, witnessing the rare sight of the always composed Aunt Ji looking helpless and anxious, her eyes full of desperation.

“The patient’s condition has stabilized, but she needs surgery as soon as possible,” the nurse said, seeing the concern in Ji Yuqing’s eyes. “It’s only a minor operation. The surgical team is very experienced. There should be nothing to worry about.”

She then handed her a pen, clearly in a hurry to proceed.

“All right, I will sign.” There was nothing left to hesitate over. After all, that was why she had hurried back.

Tang Yan watched as Aunt Ji took the pen from the nurse and signed the consent form. Her writing hand trembled—visibly so. Tang Yan did not dare imagine exactly what she must have been feeling at that moment, though she was certain it involved confusion and fear of the unknown.

When she finished signing, Ji Yuqing set down the pen, gave it back to the nurse, and spoke in a soft voice, “Deduct the surgery fees directly from my account.”

The nurse nodded and smiled. “We do not doubt that. The operation should take about two hours. You can wait here, or you can head to the activity area in the next building and try to relax.”

Pressing her lips together, Ji Yuqing said nothing and chose to sit on the bench outside the operating room.

Tang Yan agreed that nobody would have the heart to seek entertainment at a time like this.

After collecting the consent form, the nurse gave them a few quick instructions by the operating room door, then shut the door and left. Tang Yan sat down next to Aunt Ji, wanting to say something but unsure of what. The only thing she could do was stay by her side, hoping to give her even a little emotional support and to show her she was not alone, even if that help was small.

The corridor was very quiet. The lights were voice-activated, so the far end of the hallway lay in complete darkness, silent as a pitch-black tunnel trying to pull souls in, stirring a vague sense of fear.

“Um, Aunt Ji, I need to use the restroom,” Tang Yan said at last, breaking the silence.

“Do you want me to go with you?” Ji Yuqing asked softly.

Tang Yan shook her head. “No, I can go by myself. I will be back soon.”

“Be careful,” said Ji Yuqing. “The bathroom is down that way on your left.”

Following her directions, Tang Yan went off alone. Her mind, however, replayed all kinds of horror movie scenarios from her childhood, making her feel edgy. After she used the toilet, she stood at the sink to wash her hands. Suddenly, her phone rang in her pocket. She pulled it out to see a message from Xiaoyun.

Zhao Xiaoyun: Lalala, how is your trip going?

Tang Yan typed her reply: I just got back to Hua Du tonight.

Zhao Xiaoyun: Why so soon? Weren’t you taking a seven-day break?

Tang Yan: Aunt Ji’s mother got hurt, so we returned at the last minute.

Zhao Xiaoyun: Oh, I see. Is it serious?

Tang Yan: Not sure yet. She just went into surgery.

A moment later, another message came: Zhao Xiaoyun: Let me know when you are free so we can grab a meal and go shopping. We never got to hang out one-on-one since you arrived in Hua Du.

Tang Yan: I might not have time for a while. I have to stay with Aunt Ji. She’s all by herself right now.

Zhao Xiaoyun: No worries. I will wait until you are free. But honestly, you really treat your Aunt Ji differently than anyone else.

Tang Yan felt a twinge of panic as she typed back: Different… how so? I don’t think so.

Zhao Xiaoyun: Just a feeling, haha. Anyway, it is late, so I am going to sleep now. Bye.

Tang Yan: Bye.

Putting her phone away, Tang Yan finished washing her hands, then returned to the operating room area to find that Aunt Ji was no longer there. Alarmed, she grew anxious, her mind racing with all sorts of dire possibilities. She started searching frantically in every direction.

At last, she spotted her standing alone at the corridor’s corner by a window. Her hair stirred by the breeze, that lonely silhouette looked so thin and forlorn. Only then did Tang Yan realize that Aunt Ji was not the indestructible figure she always seemed to be. Everyone had a vulnerable side, and this was hers. Tang Yan had never felt so much heartache for another person until this moment.

She slowed her steps and walked toward her. Once she reached the window, she noticed how cold the night breeze felt, blowing in from outside. With her arms wrapped around herself, Ji Yuqing stood there motionless, lost in thought.

Tang Yan quietly took off the jacket she was wearing—one that Aunt Ji herself had reminded her to put on when they left the airport. Aunt Ji was always so thoughtful toward others, yet she often neglected her own needs. Tang Yan gently draped the jacket over her shoulders. Instinctively, Ji Yuqing lifted a hand to cover Tang Yan’s, then turned around. Seeing that it was Yan Yan, her expression grew complicated and her emotions were all over the place.

“Thank you, Yan Yan,” she said.