Morning in Imperial soon shifts into early mid-afternoon as the sun rose higher into the sky. While others returned to work, the employees within De L'amour were on their way home.
Liu Shan took Liu Ye and Liu Jingyi with him on his boss's task. As the three people leave the company, Yue Ling and Jianan arrives at Imperial Military Hospital.
"WOW…"
In the backseat of Yue Ling's white BMW ✗5m, Jianan's voice sounds with enthusiasm. His face leans an inch away from the window, and he stares out.
"This place is a hospital? It's so cool!"
Yue Ling glances at the rearview mirror and sees a massive smile on the little boy's face. She was glad and relieved that he had calmed down.
When they left De L'amour after having lunch with the others, she noticed that Jianan was quieter than usual. She looked in the rearview mirror and saw his head down, but she could see the uneasiness in his face.
However, that uneasy look in him soon turned into fear as they entered the gates to the hospital.
He was afraid of the soldiers on guard as they all looked intimidating.
As they drove through the gate, she told him that everything would be alright and enjoy the peaceful scenery of the hospital.
Luckily, her soothing words worked because Jianan was no longer afraid or anxious. Or so she thought.
She spots an empty parking spot and parks the car. She steps out of the car and walks over to the side Jianan sat.
She opens the door and sighs inside. She stared at the little boy and could see that the uneasy feeling inside him earlier had returned.
"Jianan."
Jianan's head stared down at his hands, and his shoulders jumped. He was taken by surprise at the sudden call of his name.
He gives a side glance at Yue Ling without lifting his head.
"Yes, Miss Angel?"
Yue Ling smiles at how he addressed her. She had never corrected him but allowed him to call her as he liked.
"Are you nervous?"
Hearing the question, Jianan shakes his head. His hands clenched into tight fists, and he looked away from Yue Ling.
"I… I'm scared."
The smile on Yue Ling's face fades, and she slightly frowns. She thought about his reaction when she first mentioned the visit to the hospital.
Without a doubt, he was afraid.
Her frown deepens at the remembrance of his behavior, but she softens at his little figure sitting inside the car.
What happened to make him feel this way?
She wanted to ask, but, not wanting to make the boy relive his trauma, she brushed her thoughts aside.
"It's alright to be afraid. Everyone can be afraid sometimes."
Even she, who would put on a composed appearance, gets scared.
However, now isn't about her but Jianan.
"If you are afraid, it's not too late. We can always go back. But remember, you don't have to b afraid anymore."
Her soft angelic voice sounds, and it sent a soothing feeling into Jianan's heart. He lifts his head to look at her, and a gentle smile curl on her face.
"I'm here with you. No one will be able to hurt you here. That, I promise."
She stretches her hand out to him with her palm up to the sky. She doesn't pressure him but patiently waits for him.
Jianan's eyes trembled as he gazed up at her. He was afraid that the doctors and nurses would disregard him like the others. However, what he feared the most was his savior finding out about the ugly scar on his back.
What if Yue Ling thinks he is hideous and hands him back to his father?
His mind wandered with unpleasant thoughts, but he slowly became less tense before those thoughts trailed too far.
This was because of Yue Ling's gentle smile. She looked like the sun that suddenly lit up the sky in his dark world. It was as if he had nothing to fear as long as he took her hand.
His eyes lowered to her hand that reached out to him. He inhales a deep breath to steady himself, then puts his palm on top of hers.
"Okay. I'm not afraid anymore."
Yue Ling was relieved to see him embrace his fear. She watches as he jumps down from the car without letting go of her hand.
She closes the door, and the two individuals head for the hospital entrance.
"Good afternoon, Miss Han."
Upon entering the building, a nurse working at the front desk greets Yue Ling with politeness. She smiles at the retired model but is taken by surprise when she sees Jianan.
"Oh… This…"
She wanted to ask if Jianan was Yue Ling's child, but as someone who admires Yue Ling, she has never heard about the woman having any children.
Not only that, the boy looked too old to be Yue Ling's son.
Seeing the nurse's reaction, Jianan took a step and hid behind Yue Ling. However, he doesn't let go of her hand.
Instead, he made sure to have a firmer grip on her.
Yue Ling felt his slight squeeze on her hand, but it wasn't enough to hurt her anyway. She stares back at the nurse and makes a small smile.
"This is my friend, Liu Jianan. He has an appointment with Doctor Dong."
The nurse blinks her eyes and quickly nods her head in understanding.
Since the appointment is made with the Head Doctor, she wastes no time and signs Jianan into the computer system.
She finished within minutes and looked back at Yue Ling.
"Please head to the second floor and wait in the waiting room. Doctor Dong will be with you shortly."
Yue Ling gives a slight nod and looks down at Jianan.
"Shall we?"
Jianan gestures a nod and walks together with Yue Ling to the elevator.
As the big and small figures disappeared into the elevator, the nurse was in awe of the scene.
She has met Yue Ling many times at Imperial Military Hospital and found the woman very open-minded and sincere.
Despite having fame, she always treated everyone with a genuine heart.
She recalls the scene of Yue-Ling holding Jianan's hand, and she smiles.
She can tell that if the retired model has a child, she (Yue Ling) will undoubtedly shower her child with the greatest love.
* ding
The elevator chimes upon stopping on the second, and the door opens. Yue Ling and Jianan made their way to the waiting room, but something caught her attention.
From the corner of her eyes, she swore she saw a small white figure dashing towards them, followed by a faint thud.
She pauses in her steps and turns her head to the left. She stares at the long hallway and slightly furrow her eyebrows.
It was empty without a trace of any hospital employees or patients.
Her frown deepened, and she pursed her lip in a murmur.
"That's odd…. I swore I saw Inu."
