pdf-ebookys Chapter 23 The Eye of God (3)
Chapter 23 The Eye of God (3)
The next day, Siegwen returned to the infirmary once again. She stood in front of the bed and extended an invitation once more to the hard, stubborn rock lying on it.
My teacher once told me this:
"A doctor's responsibility is not to cure all diseases, but to cure the diseases that he can cure."
"So please allow me to fulfill my duty as a doctor,"
"Let me treat the illness that I can cure for you."
A barely perceptible glimmer of light flashed in Old Stone's ashen eyes, but it quickly faded. He tilted his head, his voice hoarse as he asked:
"Is there any incurable disease I have?"
"some."
Higewen looked directly into Old Stone's eyes, and in those cloudy, lifeless eyes, she saw overlapping complexities and deep entanglements.
"I can cure your illness that prevents you from making it to that day."
Old Stone remained silent. He was amazed by the keen insight of the young doctor before him, yet he couldn't help but be moved by the determination in her eyes.
Perhaps a miracle will happen?
As a glimmer of hope ignited, the stubborn old man on the hospital bed turned over and grunted gruffly, which could be considered as tacit approval of Siegwen's suggestion.
……
The following week, although still somewhat reluctant, Old Stone still took all the medicines prepared by Siegwen as agreed, frowning as he did.
Nevertheless, just as Siegwen had predicted, Old Stone's condition showed no signs of improvement; on the contrary, it continued to worsen day by day.
The cough worsened, and the vomiting of blood became more severe. Old Stone's body was like a flickering candle, on the verge of going out at any moment.
Even so, the miracle Old Stone had hoped for still happened. His frail life actually crossed the death line predicted by his terminal illness, and he successfully arrived at the day marked on the calendar.
On this day, a mother and son from Liyue hurriedly entered the medical room of Mero Peterburg.
The young man dressed as a merchant from Liyue knelt before Old Stone's sickbed, clenching his teeth and muttering complaints about the old man's dereliction of duty as a father.
However, tears had already streamed down his cheeks. His magnificent clothes were soaked with the falling tears, but the young man was completely unaware until his words of complaint gradually choked up and were completely replaced by low sobs.
The old woman sitting to the side also covered her face with a tissue. She stared blankly at the old man, who was ravaged by illness and was no longer human. She tried to find a trace of the past in this old man who was about to die, but it was all in vain.
Old Stone smiled as he accepted his son's accusations. He struggled to support his terminally ill body, his chapped lips moving as if he wanted to say something, but he couldn't bring himself to speak.
Holding his wife and children's hands tightly, a fleeting light flashed in Old Stone's eyes, as if he were reminiscing or confessing.
If he hadn't acted so impulsively back then, would his fate have been different?
Will he have a complete family and a peaceful old age?
However, reality never offers "what ifs".
He was neither a good father nor a good husband.
In the final moments of his life, he received both retribution and redemption.
Thank you, doctor.
Mu Feng and Xi Gewen quietly left the room, leaving their last moments with this broken family with a troubled fate.
Until a heart-wrenching wail was heard, when the two rushed into the infirmary again, Old Stone was already lying peacefully on the hospital bed, a relieved smile on his lips, having passed away peacefully.
……
A few days later, Old Stone held a simple funeral.
There were no eulogies from relatives and friends, no elaborate wreaths; just like his passing, it was ordinary and peaceful.
After the funeral, the young man and the old woman, dressed in mourning clothes, visited the infirmary again to solemnly present a gift of thanks to Siegwen for making their final reunion possible.
The nurses simply categorized the thank-you gifts and distributed them to patients who needed them during their treatment.
In Higewen's view, curing the diseases she could cure was merely fulfilling a doctor's duty and did not deserve such a precious gift.
As the gifts were distributed, a gleaming Eye of God, hidden within one of the gifts, quietly revealed its light. A soft, pale blue halo filled the infirmary, as if one could hear the gentle sound of flowing water.
The gods were drawn to it, and upon its landing, bestowed upon it the gift of a hanging gourd.
Siegwen picked up the glittering Eye of God, and Mufeng carefully hung it in the center of her little wings on her back. The soft light of the Eye of God diffused, making little Siegwen look like a pure and gentle angel in white.
From now on, she will do her utmost to give wings to every life and keep it away from the invasion of illness.
……
The story of the old stone and the arrival of the Eye of God spread like wildfire, and the prisoners in Mero Petersburg held the young doctor, who had only recently arrived, in even greater respect.
Patients who received treatment from Siegwen all gratefully called the gentle nurse an "angel" in this dark underwater world.
Even if there are still unforeseen circumstances, Siegwen, who has the Eye of God, can easily deal with them. Mu Feng, who is often worried about the little guy, can finally relax a little.
Time flies, and half a month passed in the blink of an eye. Soon, it was time for Mu Feng to leave Mero Petersburg.
"Higewen, take good care of yourself."
"If you encounter any trouble that is difficult to deal with, be sure to write to me. Don't try to be a hero on your own anymore."
"The butter cookies are on the bedside table in the cell block. If you don't have enough, ask the guards to come to the coffee shop to get more when they're on leave..."
Standing in front of the elevator, Mu Feng gently straightened the little wings on Siegwen's back and then slightly adjusted the little one's slightly crooked nurse's cap, repeatedly giving her instructions that were as long as a shopping list.
Xigewen buried her little head in Mu Feng's arms, her little hands tightly wrapped around him, quietly listening to his rambling instructions, occasionally letting out a few muffled responses.
Seemingly realizing he had talked too much, Mu Feng scratched his head sheepishly and took out an exquisite gift box from behind him.
The box lid was gently opened, revealing a small pendant lying quietly inside. The heart-shaped body, carved from crystal, refracted a beautiful pinkish-blue light under the lamp, with a delicate red cross outlined on it using red dye made from sunset fruit.
“Higwen…”
Mu Feng took out the pendant, smiled, and bent down slightly to carefully put it on the little guy's fair neck.
"In my hometown, the red cross is a symbol of doctors,"
"It represents noble life and selfless dedication."
"I wish you all the best in your medical career,"
"There will be no more prejudice and obstacles."
Higewen suddenly raised her little head, and the reluctance she had been suppressing surged up in that instant. Holding the delicate pendant in her hands, the tears that had been welling up in her eyes uncontrollably streamed down her face.
Mu Feng quickly picked up Xigewen gently, preparing to speak to soothe the little one's emotions.
Through her slightly blurred vision, Siegwen gazed tenderly at her Mufeng brother, her beautiful ruby eyes brimming with deep affection.
Suddenly, the little one wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes and gave Mu Feng a sweet smile.
The welcome at the café, the delicious food in the kitchen, the farewell at the railway station, the waiting in the rainy night...
Then to...
Then, he spared no effort to accompany her to this dark and desolate place of resentment.
Whether they are human or Melusin, it has never mattered.
Warm memories flashed and intertwined before Siegwen's eyes. As if she had made up her mind, Siegwen gently closed her eyes, reached out her little hands, and softly hugged Mufeng.
"Chirp."
Then, the little guy's soft lips slowly approached and gently touched Mu Feng's cheek like a dragonfly skimming the water.
Thank you, Brother Mufeng.
Thank you for your companionship along the way.