The provincial hospital was not unfamiliar to him. When he was still in middle school, there were several times when Zhou Chenghai was drunk and unconscious, and Zhou Qichen dragged him here. There were many people and few doctors in the emergency room in the middle of the night. Zhou Chenghai leaned in a dark corner for infusion, and once he vomited half of his body. Later, he went to the army, and Zhou Chenghai was diagnosed with early liver cirrhosis. He also accompanied him to the hospital when he visited his relatives. When he crashed during the Bohai exercise, the reason why he did not notify his parents immediately was because he knew that Zhou Chenghai was not in good health and was in and out of the hospital repeatedly at that time.
He took the earliest flight, so it was still early when he arrived at the hospital. After a lot of twists and turns, he arrived at the ward and saw Zhou Chenghai through the glass. He almost didn't recognize him at first sight. Zhou Chenghai was a little fat because of drinking in his early years, but now he is so thin that he is unrecognizable. Only the continuous sound of the instrument can confirm that he is still alive. However, in the three years since he left home, he seemed to have aged twenty years. Zhou Qichen stood in front of the glass door for a long time, his forehead pressed against the glass, and it was about to leave a mark.
His mother was not there, and his aunt Zhou Chenglu was nowhere to be seen. Finally, the surgeon took him to his office to discuss his condition. He hadn't slept all night, his cold hadn't healed, and he couldn't hear clearly with one ear. It was like everything went in one ear and out the other. His head was buzzing after listening to the doctor's string of professional terms. He thought a little unconvincingly that since they were also in the cardiothoracic surgery department, it would be great if Yu Xiaoyuan could help him with a reading comprehension. But he was just thinking about it. He felt bad for bothering Yu Xiaoyuan for his own affairs, not to mention his parents' affairs. Yu Xiaoyuan had finally parted ways beautifully, and there was no way he could get into this stagnant water again.
The doctor left after explaining the operation and the follow-up treatment plan. Before leaving, he saw that he was obviously not in good condition, so he asked him to make an appointment. Zhou Qichen just sat there and nodded woodenly. Then a nurse came in and handed him all the clothes Zhou Chenghai was wearing when he entered the emergency room.
After the nurse left, Zhou Qichen sat alone in the clinic, looking through Zhou Chenghai's clothes. After searching for a while, he found a wallet, and the first picture he opened was a family photo of their family of four. It was taken more than ten years ago, when Zhou Qichen had just been selected by the Navy Aviation Class. His white military uniform made his skin look dark, and his face was full of vitality that could not be hidden by the narrow brim of his hat.
Zhou Chenghai always lived in the past. It was easier to recall the past than to face the reality. In the past, he had done some small business and earned some money. In the past, Zhou Qichen was the good son he always mentioned to everyone he met, and he was a top soldier picked out of ten. He plunged into it headfirst, relying on alcohol and subjective will.
Just as Zhou Qichen was distracted, the door of the clinic was pushed open, and Zhou Qichen saw his mother walk in. Wu Miao saw him and couldn't hide her surprise. Seeing her reaction, Zhou Qichen understood that although Zhou Chenglu exaggerated, she didn't lie. Wu Miao really didn't know he was here.
Zhou Qichen stood up from the stool, and then the mother and son looked at each other for a long time.
Wu Miao spoke first: "Zhou Qichen..."
Zhou Qichen put Zhou Chenghai's wallet back, handed the plastic bag to Wu Miao, and walked out the door without saying a word.