Chapter 558: Wishing You Happiness

Yao Beina's body is now extremely weak and can no longer undergo surgery; she can only receive intensified nursing care in the intensive care unit.

In plain terms, there's nothing more that can be done—she's just waiting to wake up.

Above the ward is an LED display showing red text with the patient's basic information, surgical number, and doctor's name.

Through the glass, they can see Yao Beina's condition: she's wearing an oxygen respirator, her body covered in tubes, while a group of highly trained doctors in protective suits monitor her vital signs.

Liu Tianxian, seeing her best friend's condition through the glass, felt deeply disheartened—it was heart-wrenching.

Yao Beina's family members each looked equally downcast, their faces filled with sorrow and worry, knowing this time the situation might be dire.

Yao Beina's mother was utterly broken, weeping uncontrollably; her father was somewhat composed but deeply serious and anxious.

Everyone's mood here was poor, bordering on oppressive.

All they could do now was wait here, powerless—standing motionless for hours, anxiously waiting, nearing noon.

Fang Hong remained silent throughout, accompanying them; even if anyone knew who he was, no one had the energy to speak to him.

No one's mood was good—who cared who he was?

"Sit down for a bit—you've been standing too long." Fang Hong noticed Liu Tianxian staring motionlessly at the ICU through the glass.

Her expression was numb and vacant, so he led her to a long bench against the wall and made her sit.

"Seeing her like this, I'm in so much pain," Liu Tianxian clutched her chest, looking heartbroken.

She was her closest friend since childhood, practically a sister—now suddenly lying there, covered in tubes.

It felt as if a part of her heart was being torn away.

"Panicking won't help—we can only leave it to fate," Shuchang sat beside her, offering comfort.

Her bond with Yao Beina was much weaker; they weren't close, just often hung out together because of Liu Tianxian.

"This came so suddenly—I never prepared myself for this to happen to Nana," Liu Tianxian shook her head, covering her face with both hands.

When she first heard her parents say it had spread, her mind went blank; now seeing Yao Beina like this, she felt the person was slipping away.

"Life is unpredictable—don't grieve too much."

Fang Hong offered a brief comfort, patting Liu Tianxian's back; he didn't have deep feelings for Yao Beina—just a few meetings and meals together.

He only knew her through Liu Tianxian.

Fang Hong added: "I'll go buy some food—you two stay here and watch."

"You haven't eaten yet?" Shuchang was surprised—they'd been standing for hours, nearly noon.

They'd arrived early that morning.

"No, we came straight here without eating," Fang Hong said.

Shuchang assumed they'd already eaten, since they didn't look hungry.

Young people with good health naturally showed no signs of hunger.

"I'll buy some and bring it back," Fang Hong saw Liu Tianxian had no appetite to go out.

"Buy some for them too," Liu Tianxian meant Yao Beina's family.

It was nearly lunchtime—everyone must be hungry.

"Alright," Fang Hong nodded and stood up to buy food.

The hospital had its own cafeteria, slightly more expensive, but the food was quite good—not bad at all.

It was a major hospital; many patients were wealthy.

While Fang Hong went to buy food, the scene remained silent and still.

When Fang Hong returned with a large bag of food, no one had moved, no one's expression had changed—they were still utterly quiet.

"Uncle, Auntie, please eat something," Fang Hong first brought food to Yao Beina's parents.

"Thank you, Principal! We have no appetite—you two eat," Yao Beina's father recognized Fang Hong; nowadays, few didn't know him.

Yao Beina's father was a middle-aged man with glasses, dignified in appearance, with the aura of a teacher.

He held titles like composer, vocal educator, Music Association member—many others—Yao Beina's family was well-off.

This wasn't due to poverty delaying treatment; Yao Beina had once recovered, but relapsed.

"It's mealtime—eat something, just to fill your stomach," Fang Hong urged.

"Alright."

Yao Beina's father, moved by the Principal's sincerity, couldn't refuse; he took the bag, opened it, and saw the food inside was abundant and fragrant.

He then shared it with Yao Beina's mother and other family members.

Most other family members had no appetite—some ate two bites and stopped; Yao Beina's mother, utterly broken, couldn't eat a single bite.

Fang Hong didn't want to intrude further—he wasn't familiar with them.

"Here, eat something," Fang Hong handed Liu Tianxian a box of rice.

He placed the food on the long table bench—there were many long benches; though cramped, there was enough space.

Shuchang didn't need help—she could take care of herself.

"You eat—I'm not hungry," Liu Tianxian took the food Fang Hong offered but set it down.

"You haven't eaten all day—your stomach doesn't even growl?" Fang Hong asked.

"I have no appetite," Liu Tianxian said.

"Xixi, eat at least a little," Shuchang urged.

"When Yao Beina wakes up, you'll need your strength," Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian fell silent, deeply downcast.

"Come on, let me feed you—I never feed anyone, not even once since childhood," Fang Hong tried joking.

But Liu Tianxian showed no sign of smiling—normally, she'd be laughing loudly at Fang Hong's teasing.

Fang Hong actually scooped up a spoonful of rice and vegetables and brought it to Liu Tianxian's lips.

Liu Tianxian looked at the food, still opened her mouth and ate it in small bites, chewing very slowly; after swallowing, Fang Hong scooped another spoonful and fed it to her.

He fed her spoon by spoon like this.

Shuchang ate her meal, watching beside them, her heart aching with envy—when had she ever seen the Principal so gentle?

All she'd ever seen was the Principal's dominant side.

She'd once held a slight grudge against the Principal, thinking him arrogant, always displaying an air of indifference toward others.

But no matter how indifferent he was to the world, to his wife, to his daughter-in-law, he was truly kind.

All his tenderness was given to one person.

Not to mention anything else—just the care in these small gestures surpassed that of any other man others might call good.

He was far better than the man she had chosen, and far better than Zhang Jingying's man.

"I'm done eating, you eat," Liu Tianxian said, pushing away the spoon Fang Hong offered.

"Are you a little full now?" Fang Hong asked.

"A little," Liu Tianxian lifted the spoon to his lips: "You eat."

She knew this man, like her, had eaten nothing all day—he must be very hungry.

Hearing she was a little full, Fang Hong stopped feeding; as long as she'd filled her stomach a bit, there was no need to eat more.

So he began eating himself—he was still very hungry.

Most of Yao Beina's family had already put down their chopsticks, eating only one or two bites before stopping—clearly, they had no appetite.

After Fang Hong finished, he cleaned up the food, something he'd never done before, but today he did it all.

Shuchang also wisely helped out; only these two had relatively good attitudes—the rest were hopeless.

The place quickly returned to its earlier quiet, oppressive silence; some stood until their legs ached and squatted on the floor, others leaned against the wall with heads bowed. Liu Tianxian occasionally walked to the glass window to look at her dear friend. Fang Hong occasionally checked his phone, made calls—sometimes company calls, sometimes from his mother or Liu Xiaoli.

They were just checking in, since they'd rushed out so urgently that morning, thinking something had happened.

"It's Yao Beina—her condition might not be optimistic," Fang Hong said, stepping toward the restroom to make the call so as not to disturb them.

"I always thought that girl was so nice—how could she suddenly end up like this?" Liu Xiaoli was stunned, sensing this was the end.

She remembered the girl—she'd played with her daughter as a child, sweet and lively, full of energy.

"Some things just can't be predicted," Fang Hong sighed.

"Ah," Liu Xiaoli sighed deeply: "People really must take care of their health—nothing matters more than your body."

She added: "Stay there with her—your presence will comfort Xixi."

"Understood," Fang Hong said, then hung up with Liu Xiaoli and returned to his spot.

Time passed quickly; around three in the afternoon, Yao Beina slowly opened her eyes.

"She's awake! She's awake!" Liu Tianxian exclaimed, voice filled with joy.

Hearing the cry, Yao Beina's family rushed to the glass, peering inside to see her condition.

Fang Hong also hurried forward—inside, Yao Beina was still covered in tubes, her body motionless, only her eyes able to move.

At that moment, a doctor in protective gear stepped out, removing his mask and face shield—a middle-aged man: "Who is the patient's family?"

"I am! I am!" Yao Beina's parents rushed forward.

"Go in quickly and say what you need to say," the doctor said simply, then walked away without another word.

"Doctor, how is my daughter now?" Yao Beina's father asked urgently.

The doctor shook his head, sighed, and left—his meaning was clear: go say your final goodbyes.

"Wu wu wu!" Yao Beina's mother lost control, tears streaming uncontrollably.

Other relatives also could not hold back their tears.

Yao Beina's father held back his tears, appearing strong—men must hold up.

Liu Tianxian was also choking back sobs, her nose twitching with grief.

The hope that had just flared up vanished instantly.

Fang Hong wrapped his arm around Liu Tianxian's shoulder and patted it to comfort her; Liu Tianxian rested her head against his shoulder.

"You should go in quickly," Fang Hong said, fearing Yao Beina couldn't hold on much longer—say what you must, don't waste time here.

Not everyone could go in at once—Yao Beina's parents and closest relatives would go first.

They were her closest kin—they must have things to say.

Of course, they had to wear protective suits, but no masks—only face shields, so everyone could clearly see each other's faces.

Liu Tianxian and Fang Hong waited outside, watching through the glass.

Inside the ICU, Yao Beina's parents bent over, their ears close to her lips, listening to her words.

Patients like this were usually too weak to speak clearly, their voices faint—so they had to lean in closely to communicate.

From outside, it looked as if Yao Beina mechanically opened her mouth, struggling even to form words.

The sight made people near tears—anyone with a tender heart couldn't help but cry.

After about half an hour of communication, only Yao Beina's father kept nodding, as if agreeing to something; her mother wept silently.

After Yao Beina finished speaking with her parents, other relatives entered—her grandparents, uncles, aunts.

Entering was no easy task—changing protective suits took ten to twenty minutes, but luckily several could change together; if one person changed alone, Yao Beina wouldn't have lasted that long.

Liu Tianxian and Fang Hong watched outside; each time someone came out, their expressions grew heavier, the very air thickening with sorrow.

But Liu Tianxian didn't know if she'd get a turn.

When Yao Beina's parents came out, she wanted to say something—still, she held back, mainly wondering if Yao Beina had mentioned her.

Time was agonizing; soon an hour passed—it was already four in the afternoon.

Inside, they were still communicating final words; the communication remained difficult.

Another half hour passed—it was now 4:30. Several relatives emerged; Yao Beina's cousin said: "Let Liu Tianxian in—she has something to say to Tianxian."

"Xixi, hurry inside!" Yao Beina's father said.

The longer this drags on, the less optimistic it becomes.

"Alright!" Liu Tianxian was equally eager, then turned to Fang Hong and said: "Come in with me!"

"Me?" Fang Hong pointed at himself.

"Yes, come in with me," Liu Tianxian said again; she desperately wanted someone to accompany her.

"Alright," Fang Hong nodded in agreement.

He had no obligation to go in—he wasn't familiar with the place and had nothing to say to Yao Beina.

But since Liu Tianxian wanted him to go in and keep her company, he had no choice but to go in with her.

Under the nurse's guidance, they put on protective suits, went through a series of disinfections, and entered Yao Beina's intensive care ward.

Seeing Yao Beina's face gaunt, with not an ounce of flesh left, looking utterly worn out, Liu Tianxian felt an urge to cry.

"Nana!" Liu Tianxian whispered, holding back her tears.

Fang Hong stood beside her, watching the once plump woman now covered in tubes, her face sunken, lifeless—and he couldn't help but be moved.

"Xixi, am I… not beautiful anymore?" Yao Beina forced out a faint smile.

To be honest, with Yao Beina's current lifeless face, that smile was ugly—children who saw it might find it frightening.

There was nothing to be done—she was beyond saving.

"Beautiful? Very beautiful," Liu Tianxian sniffled, placing her gloved hand on Yao Beina's cheek.

But it was gloved—no sensation.

"Do you remember? When we were kids, we both loved to be pretty, but I was never as beautiful as you, not from childhood to now."

"Who says you weren't? Don't care what others think—in my eyes, you're more beautiful than me. I'm just a girl with no style."

Yao Beina smiled, then her eyes dimmed: "Too bad I can never compete with you in beauty again. I can never go to KTV and sing with you again."

She recalled the happy times they'd played together, singing loudly in KTV—how joyful they'd been then.

"You will. When you get better, we'll go to KTV together, shopping together, eating delicious food together—Shuchang is outside too. We're all waiting for you to get better." Liu Tianxian's voice cracked as she spoke.

Deep inside, she knew those days would never come again.

Outside, those watching the scene felt heartbroken; Shuchang too was pained, knowing this beloved childhood friend was leaving.

Yao Beina mustered a comforting smile—she knew her condition, knew nothing was possible anymore.

She slightly lowered her head toward Fang Hong and said: "Principal!"

"I'm here!" Fang Hong bent down, leaning close to listen.

"Take good care of Xixi," Yao Beina said, her words broken, as if she had no strength left.

"I will," Fang Hong said.

Yao Beina struggled to lift her hand; Liu Tianxian immediately grasped it.

Then Yao Beina slowly raised her other hand; Fang Hong, seeing this, quickly took it too.

She wanted to link their hands together, but had no strength at all.

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian felt it—they gently overlapped all three hands.

"I wish you happiness," Yao Beina whispered her final words, then her head tilted, eyes closed.

Her hand lost all strength, about to fall—but the two held it tightly, as if trying to hold onto her, yet unable to.

Liu Tianxian finally broke down, tears pouring like a spring.

(End of Chapter)