Life Plan

Chapter 13, The Steps

Liu didn't reply for a long time. She didn't even go to the inpatient department anymore. She only dared to secretly look at Hao Jia's follow-up records, watching the abnormal test data gradually approach the normal value.

Until Hao Jia sent another message: "[I've started rehabilitation, do you want to come?]"

Liu Chichi lingered downstairs at the inpatient ward for half an hour, clutching her phone. Hao Jia's message popped up again: [I saw you.]

Liu Chichi subconsciously looked up and saw Hao Jia sitting in a wheelchair looking at her at the elevator entrance.

She instinctively reached out and grasped the wheelchair armrest, biting her lip, unsure what to ask. Hao Jia broke the silence: "Could you take me to the elephant park? I haven't been out in ages."

"it is good."

The hospital gate was crowded, and the traffic was chaotic. To prevent anyone from accidentally injuring Hao Jia, Liu Chichi pushed her towards the east gate. It was already completely dark, and Liu Chichi carefully watched the road beneath her feet.

As she went out, she smelled a strong odor of smoke and instinctively looked up.

To the left of the east gate was a narrow alley where two men stood in the shadows smoking. The smoke drifted upwards, scattering on the cold white wall lamps. They had smoked an unknown amount; the entire alley reeked of cigarette tar.

People trying to quit smoking and relieve their sorrows are all too common at the hospital entrance. Liu Chichi turned her head and pushed Hao Jia away quickly.

Liu Chichi wanted to apologize countless times. She told Xiao Qiao that she should apologize and explain if there was a misunderstanding, but when it came to herself, she didn't know what to say.

The elephant park was where they went on spring outings during elementary school. There was a slide shaped like a stone elephant. The tail was a staircase that led all the way to the elephant's back, and then you slid down its trunk from the top of its head.

Before the spring outing, Hao Jia had visited many times with her parents, but Liu Chichi had never come. Liu Chunhong was busy with work and wasn't worried about Liu Chichi's safety, so she could only leave her at home alone.

Liu Chunhong disliked Hao Jia; he was from out of town, had mediocre grades, and was "a worthless friend, a waste of time." Therefore, whenever Hao Jia called to invite Liu Chichi out, she always failed.

But Hao Jia didn't mind. She would still share with her what flowers were blooming in the park, how long the line was for the slide today, how the elephant had been painted a new blue, and then invite her to come together next time.

She invited Liu Chichi again and again, only to be rejected each time.

Today, the elephant park has become deserted in an era of emerging entertainment facilities and electronic devices. There is no longer a queue for the slides, and the water has faded to a very light blue, like an old man in his twilight years.

"I want to play this."

"it is good."

Liu Chichi pushed Hao Jia to the elephant's tail. She remembered that the high steps and handrails were only waist-high. On the day of the spring outing, the children lined up and crowded the elephant's back. Now, it seemed that the space under her feet was only a small area.

She helped Hao Jia stand up, supporting her under her armpits so that Hao Jia could lean her weight on her, and then slowly moved to the handrail.

Hao Jia rested her head on her shoulder, her hands on her shoulders, and followed her forward step by step. Liu Chichi heard a soft laugh in her ear: "Chichi, are we hugging?"

This is indeed the most convenient way. Liu Chichi felt a little awkward, perhaps because Hao Jia didn't like her being so close. "If you feel uncomfortable, I can change positions."

"There's no such thing as dislike. We can hug."

Liu Chichi blinked, perhaps because the cold white lights in the park were too dazzling, making her want to cry.

She helped Hao Jia to the steps. For safety, Hao Jia held onto the handrail herself, while Liu Chichi followed behind her, supporting her waist, and they slowly climbed up.

After Hao Jia sat down, Liu Chichi prepared to go downstairs to meet her at the elephant trunk, when Hao Jia suddenly turned around: "Where are you going?"

"I'll come down to get you."

"No." Hao Jia bent her knees. "This will make things alright. Give me a push."

"What?"

"Just like when the teacher played with us before, you pushed me down."

That was a long, long time ago; Liu Chichi had long forgotten what happened on that spring outing. She knelt behind Hao Jia, supporting her waist with gentle pressure.

The landing was swift, and Liu Chichi didn't have time to turn around. She could only watch in surprise as Hao Jia slowly stood up, stood on the outside of the elephant's trunk, and smiled at her, her round eyes crinkling into crescents: "You slide down too, Chichi."

The invitation from fifteen years ago was finally not cut off over the phone. Liu Chichi sat down; the slide was too short for her now, and landing on the ground no longer gave her the feeling of riding the wind like she did when she was a child. Only Hao Jia's smiling face seemed very close now.

"I used to really want to play on the slide with you, but I could never get a chance to ask you to."

"sorry."

"Okay... I know it's not your fault."

"No, it's all her fault, so many things are her fault. I'm sorry... I shouldn't have said those things when my mother came."

Hao Jia cried for a long time that day. Her parents felt sorry for their daughter and asked for two weeks off for her. Before Hao Jia came back, Liu Chichi had already transferred to another class.

"I was only nine years old that year. Your mother said those things to me and wouldn't let go of me. I was terrified." Hao Jia exaggeratedly clutched her heart. "I really hated you back then. Later, when I heard that you were isolated, I thought it was your karma. But then I thought it was too cruel to think that way, and I started to regret meeting you. But after I got sick, I realized that many things are beyond my control."

Hao Jia patted her head: "Actually, I recognized you on the first day. I thought I would continue to hate you, but my first reaction was: So this is what you look like now that you've grown up. Chichi, you were only nine years old that year, so I don't blame you."

In an instant, Liu Chichi burst into tears. The person she had promised to grow up with had been lost in the passage of time, and when they met again, she avoided getting to know him.

A girl's clear voice came from the slide behind me: "Sister, could you move aside?"

Liu Chichi thought she was hallucinating. Through her teary eyes, she turned her head and saw a girl sitting on the slide, ready to leave. Another girl was behind her, looking up and talking to them.

She immediately sprang to her feet, and Hao Jia naturally took her arm, hanging half her body on her. Liu Chichi couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure you can do this?"

"Actually, I've been practicing all along. I can do simple activities without any problems. I just use a wheelchair for convenience."

"Then what you just did...?"

"You didn't even ask me."

Liu Chichi pursed her lips, feeling a pang of self-reproach. She had clearly decided to make amends to Hao Jia and take good care of her, yet she didn't even know the extent of Hao Jia's physical condition.

Seeing Liu Chichi's expression, Hao Jia knew she was arguing back. She nudged Hao Jia's waist with her elbow and said matter-of-factly, "I want to hug you, is that not allowed?"

Liu Chichi felt even more guilty. She was the one who was in the wrong, so why was Hao Jia the one constantly offering excuses? "I'm sorry..."

"Stop talking, it's too depressing. Don't ruin the positive energy around me. I'm an idealist now. Next time I want to apologize, I'll say... say 'Good health!'"

Liu Chichi had seen her medical records.

Initially, she experienced menstrual irregularities with light bleeding daily, but her period was delayed for three months. After examination, she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and treated with oral short-acting contraceptives, which mainly consist of synthetic estrogen and progesterone.

In the second month of medication, Hao Jia developed a rash on her face, but she didn't pay much attention to it because she knew that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) itself can cause acne.

After completing the first cycle of medication, Hao Jia went for a follow-up appointment, her face flushed from the sun. The gynecologist immediately became alert upon seeing the butterfly-shaped rashes on her cheeks, recognizing estrogen as one of the triggers for lupus. At that time, Hao Jia had already experienced joint involvement. After discussing the situation with her, the doctor added additional tests and arranged an appointment with a rheumatologist, as specialists are more professional.

Hao Jia, who had just been diagnosed, was confused and helpless. She had never even heard of the name before, but her condition progressed very quickly. She soon experienced limited mobility and fever all over her body.

"I've heard there are only three kinds of diseases in this world: genetic, accidental, and rheumatology/immunology—it's purely bad luck." Hao Jia's voice held a hint of bitter resentment. "Why am I so unlucky?"

Liu Chichi gently placed Hao Jia back in her wheelchair, her eyes filled with a devout prayer: "It will get better."

"Of course!"