Usually in front of outsiders, she is so calm, cool, and the flower of the high mountains,
This was the first time I saw her cry.
It seems that the master-disciple relationship between her and Professor Liu is really good.
Professor Liu is also a rare elder in this world that Gu Qingruo can express his feelings for.
On the hospital bed, Professor Liu was reduced to a stick of dry wood, with various tubes inserted into his mouth and throat, connected to medical instruments, in order to maintain the last weak fire of life.
Su Mi had never met Professor Liu in person before changing reality, but she had seen photos. Huo Shenxiu also said hello through video once when he had a video chat with him.
Professor Liu also had cancer at that time, but he seemed to be in good spirits.
Because Huo Shenxiu was also seriously ill at that time, Professor Liu did not propose to come to Tancheng for recuperation in his last days. He finally passed away in North America with Gu Qingruo by his side.
Seeing that the old man in front of her was extremely ill, like a candle in the wind, she couldn't help but feel sad.
Gu Qingruo stood up: "Second Master is here... I'm disturbing you so late."
As soon as he finished speaking, due to lack of physical strength, his body was shaky and he leaned forward, almost slamming into the fence beside the hospital bed.
Huo Shenxiu grabbed her arm...
Gu Qingruo stood firm, with a pale face, and adjusted her breath: "I'm sorry."
At this time, Su Mi didn't want Gu Qingruo to compete, so she just said: "Doctor Gu, let's go and take a rest."
"Well, you have been either spending time in the research room or staying by the professor's bed these days. Your energy is exhausted. Go and take a nap." Huo Shenxiu also glanced at the sofa next to him.
Gu Qingruo glanced at the old man on the bed, and tears suddenly fell from her eyes: "I can't sleep."
Su Mi said: "If Doctor Gu collapses from exhaustion, how will he take care of Professor Liu in the future? We are here. If anything happens, we will call you."
These words could not be refuted. Gu Qingruo glanced at Su Mi with tears in her eyes, and her true feelings could not be heard in her tone: "Then there are Miss Lao Su and the Second Master."
With that said, he sat on the sofa in the corner of the ward where the attendants could rest.
Huo Shenxiu and Su Mi sat beside the hospital bed.
When Professor Liu heard the noise, he opened his cloudy eyes and saw Huo Shenxiu, with a smile of relief on his withered face tortured by the disease, and he burst out with a trembling voice:
"Second Master is here..."
Gu Qingruo had already rested her chin on her hands and closed her eyes to rest. When she saw her teacher waking up, she hurried over.
Huo Shenxiu lowered his head and said solemnly: "We are all here."
I don’t know if it was because of a flashback, but Professor Liu was actually in good spirits at this moment, and his voice was a little higher: “It’s enough for me to have you here to see me off on my last journey...”
"Professor, don't say that. It's not this far."
Professor Liu took a few breaths, his eyes were lonely, and he clearly knew that his life was over: "It's okay, life and death are fateful. I have lived for so many years, and I am old enough, but there is only one thing I can't let go of..."
Slowly moving his head and neck, he looked at Gu Qingruo, who had red eyes and tears:
"The only one I can't let go of is this child."
Gu Qingruo burst into tears: "Teacher, you don't have to worry about me..."
Professor Liu stared at her lovingly, as if he were his own daughter, and then turned his head with difficulty to look at Huo Shenxiu:
"My deceased wife and I were DINKs, and we have never had any children in our lives, so I have always treated Qingruo as my daughter."
"Qingruo is also a hard-working person. Her parents left when she was young, and she grew up in relatives' homes. I guess her temper has become a bit colder, but she is still a good person. After studying medicine, she became my disciple.
I have gone through a lot of hardships to achieve today’s results.”
"She has been concentrating on studying medicine, and she doesn't even have a friend, let alone someone who can protect her."
"When I leave, there will be no one closest to her..."
"Every time I think about this, I feel uneasy..."
"Although Qingruo looks calm on the outside and seems like nothing matters, in fact, as her teacher, I know very well that she is also an ordinary girl who needs protection and care."
"My heart aches when I think that after I leave, she won't even have anyone to care about her."
When Su Mi heard this, she had a premonition in her heart.
Sure enough, Professor Liu raised his hand towards Huo Shenxiu tremblingly.
Huo Shenxiu curled up his skinny hands.
Professor Liu took a few breaths and said: "Second Master, for my sake, please... take good care of Qingruo when I'm gone, okay?"
Huo Shenxiu's face moved slightly as the old professor held his hand tightly, but he did not speak for a moment.
Professor Liu, however, clenched his hand persistently, waiting for an answer.
The air was eerily silent.
Until Gu Qingruo cried and leaned over, holding her mentor's other hand tightly: "Teacher, stop talking. I don't need others to take care of me..."
Professor Liu ignored her and still stared at Huo Shenxiu closely.
I will not give up until I get a reply.
Although the dying old man is no longer conscious, he still understands——
Only a man with status and power like Huo Shenxiu can take good care of his most valued students on his behalf.
Huo Shenxiu saw the old professor's dim eyes filled with tears as his vitality was gradually draining away. He was full of expectation and pleading, and finally said:
"I will."
Professor Liu's tears fell down the corners of his eyes, and his eyes were replaced by relief and satisfaction:
"Okay, okay. I'll leave Qingruo to you. Thank you, Second Master."
Su Mi on the side moved her eyelids but said nothing.
It's just that the fingertips couldn't help but hook into the palm.
But I didn't feel anything, no pain or itching.
…
I don’t know if his last wish was fulfilled, but Professor Liu was exhausted and stopped talking, closing his eyes that had lost all energy.
It wasn't until about four o'clock in the morning that he suddenly passed away.
All physiological indicators on the instrument turned into a straight line.
Gu Qingruo was the first to burst into tears and threw herself in front of the bed again:
"teacher--
Huo Shenxiu pressed the bedside bell.
The doctor came in, and after an examination, he announced the time of death in a heavy voice, and then said to Gu Qingruo and Huo Shenxiu:
"Please have your condolences."
Then he ordered the caregiver to push the old man's body to the morgue.
Huo Shenxiu took a look at Gu Qingruo, who was crying and overly sad, and then looked at the doctor.
The doctor understood and told the nurse: "Take Dr. Gu to the next ward to rest for a while and give him a sedative."
After the nurse helped Gu Qingruo, who had a green face and pale lips, to leave, Huo Shenxiu looked at Su Mi again: "I'm going to deal with Professor Liu's death. You go downstairs first and let the driver take you back first."
Su Mi signaled not to worry about herself and followed Huo Shenxiu out. After the group of people had gone away, she sat on a bench in the corridor.
In the early morning in the hospital, it was eerily quiet, and time seemed to pass extremely slowly.
But the most painful thing was thinking about Professor Liu’s final instructions just now.
Although intellectually, she understands——
Professor Liu left his beloved disciple to Huo Shenxiu before his death, which is human nature.
It was impossible for Huo Shenxiu to refuse the request of a dying person at this time.
She should understand.
Should I be angry with someone who has passed away?
But I still feel uncomfortable in my heart.
From now on, will Gu Qingruo have more opportunities to entangle Huo Shenxiu because of this incident?
After keeping watch all night, I unconsciously felt tired.
She closed her eyes, leaned against the wall, and fell asleep.
She didn't open her eyes until her fingers itched and she was woken up by someone touching her——