Transfer

Time passed, day by day. With the continuation of Li Huowang's rehabilitation exercises and Sun Xiaoqin's daily rotation of nourishing meals, his body recovered at a visible pace.

At the very least, when he took off his hospital gown, he was no longer skin and bones. The strength in his hands was slowly returning.

He was sitting on his hospital bed, eating glutinous rice balls, when an unexpected visitor came looking for Sun Xiaoqin. The man's bald spot jogged Li Huowang's memory—he was the warden who seemed to oversee the entire ward.

"Ms. Sun, your son's condition has stabilized after treatment, and he now meets the criteria for a transfer. Perhaps you could consider moving him to a private hospital with better amenities. It would make him more comfortable. Our facilities here are admittedly lacking."

Sun Xiaoqin glanced at Li Huowang, who was focused on his rice balls. "Uh, hang on a moment. Let me call my husband and discuss it."

She pulled out her phone, retreated to a corner to mutter for a while, then came back. "Alright, let's go with what you said."

Though this place was called a hospital, it was essentially a government-run prison for the mentally ill who had no one to care for them.

Since her son was almost better, transferring him out was for the best. This place was bad luck to stay in.

Hearing Sun Xiaoqin's agreement, the warden smiled so wide his eyes nearly vanished. Finally, he could get this hot potato out of his facility.

When that mental patient had tried to climb the electrified fence, he'd nearly shit himself. If the man had died here, his career would have been over.

He hadn't been eating or sleeping well lately, terrified something would go wrong and the public backlash would crush him.

"Ms. Sun, you can see our ward hasn't mistreated your son, right? We've made every accommodation. If any reporters or online media people come to interview you, just…"

"Oh, don't you worry about that. I'll sing your praises to the high heavens! The public system is wonderful! Every doctor in this prison is a miracle worker, a living Hua Tuo! When it comes to treating the insane, they never miss!"

"Ah… a-ah, that's not necessary. Just be factual, factual is fine. Well, you take your time. I'll go handle the paperwork."

After the warden left, Sun Xiaoqin thought for a moment, then said to Li Huowang, "Son, take your time eating. We're about to transfer, so I'm going to Dr. Yi's office to give him a farewell banner."

"Leaving?" Li Huowang wasn't surprised by the news. Since his illness was better, it was time for a transfer.

The paperwork was processed quickly. No sooner had Li Huowang set down his bowl than he was told they could depart. It seemed they were even more eager than he was.

To Li Huowang's surprise, his transfer was quite the spectacle.

It wasn't that the entire ward had gathered to see him off, but most people had poked their heads out of their windows to watch. Even the soldier in the watchtower was cradling his rifle, sneaking glances in his direction.

Officer Liu hadn't been wrong. He really had made a name for himself here.

Besides the onlookers, the ward's supervisors had also come to the entrance. The smiles they couldn't wipe off their faces almost made Li Huowang think they'd all won the lottery.

As Li Huowang walked past Yi Donglai, the doctor stopped him. "I'm sorry. Your condition hasn't fully stabilized. I originally wanted to keep you longer for further observation, but the higher-ups wouldn't allow it."

"They can't wait to get rid of you, afraid you'll cause trouble if you stay. But don't worry, I'll write your medical records in detail. The doctor taking over is also a former colleague of mine. As long as you keep your condition stable, you can be evaluated in at most three months."

"Once you pass the evaluation, you'll be discharged and can recover at home."

Li Huowang silently nodded, taking in everything he said.

"Remember, even after you're discharged, you need to take your medicine on time. Don't stop."

As Yi Donglai patiently gave his instructions, Li Huowang suddenly asked an unrelated question. "Dr. Yi, which psychiatric hospital is Wang Wei being held in?"

"Why do you ask?" Yi Donglai adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose, puzzled.

"Well, thinking about it, he ended up like this because of me. I feel a bit guilty. I was planning to send him some food and essentials after I'm discharged, as an apology."

"He's in the Sixth People's Hospital. I don't think you need to go see him. What you need to do now is focus on your studies, catch up on what you've missed, and aim for a good university."

Li Huowang smiled and shook his head. "That might be a bit difficult. Dr. Yi, could I have your personal number? In case anything comes up, I'd like to be able to ask you."

Yi Donglai nodded, pulled a pen and paper from his breast pocket, and left his number for Li Huowang. "If your condition changes, remember to call me."

"Alright, I understand. Thank you, Dr. Yi. You're a good doctor."

Pocketing Yi Donglai's number, Li Huowang followed Sun Xiaoqin onto the bus.

As the bus started moving, the warden's face lit up with joy. He turned around and spread his arms. "Tell the kitchen inmates: every ward in this prison gets an extra dish tonight!"

At his words, the entire psychiatric ward became more festive than the New Year. They were only one step short of setting off firecrackers to celebrate the expulsion of the plague god.

On the bus, his hands cuffed to the seat, Li Huowang asked his mother, "Mom, which hospital are we going to?"

"A private one. It's called Kangning Hospital. Don't worry, I've checked. This hospital has a good reputation."

"Oh." Li Huowang nodded silently. He wanted to do something, but the first step was to shed the label of "mental patient."

And a warmth spread through his heart. He remembered Yang Na, who had been carried away by his father. If his illness was better, then the promise he'd made to her could finally be kept.

He really wanted to see her again, to properly say he was sorry. He owed her far too much.

The bus drove on the highway for a long time. Li Huowang, lulled by the rocking motion, drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

When Sun Xiaoqin shook him awake, dusk had already fallen. "Son, wake up. We're here."

Yawning, still in handcuffs and leg irons, Li Huowang stepped off the bus. A building wrapped in green glass loomed before him. If not for the red cross in the middle, he would have mistaken it for a high-end office tower.

The prison guards led him inside. After confirming his identity and signing the paperwork, they left.

"This way, please, young man," said a square-faced doctor, accompanied by four orderlies. His tone was very kind.

Li Huowang took in the opulent lobby and thought to himself that private hospitals really were different, then followed along.

Sun Xiaoqin was about to follow, but the doctor stopped her. "I'm sorry, ma'am. This hospital does not allow family members to stay with the patient. You can have a face-to-face meeting once a week at most."