บท 18: I Don't Know Where it Hurts More 1

The light on the elevator button turned off, indicating that she has arrived at her floor. At this point, her thighs were squeezed tightly together as she walked in agony. Her spine arched as she walked in small steps towards her apartment.

She whimpered, while holding onto her stomach. When she increased her palm's pressure used on the aching area, she could feel her lower abdomen tightening into a knot. Similar to when a person faces high anxiety, their body would perspire a lot more than usual.

The burning sensation started from her stomach and rushed up her throat. As if someone had forced wasabi down her throat, the sourness and bitter liquid that she coughed up made her eyes tear and nostrils stuffed. It was suffocating and her throat burned as she continued to cough nonstop. She could feel her throat gaining soreness, but she couldn't stop the coughs.

Reaching up to the doorbell, her fingertip continued pressing onto it and didn't let go. Hearing the continuous doorbell rings, Ginny and Toby turned on the camera to the front door to see who it was. When they recognized that it was Lily outside, they quickly helped her into the apartment.

Her face was flushed from coughing and body had drained in energy. Ginny poured a glass of warm water while Lily leaned on her mother's chest.

"What happened to you? What did you eat?" Toby worriedly wiped her sweaty forehead with a piece of tissue.

"Here, here. Drink some water!" Ginny brought the glass over and carefully angled it to Lily's mouth. Unfortunately, the acid reflux from earlier had irritated her throat, making her cough from the horrible itch in the middle of drinking.

After a while of soothing her back, the burning sensation had calmed down a little and she also stopped coughing as much. "Are you alright? How are you feeling now?" Toby asked as she continued rubbing Lily's back.

"I'm okay. I just ate too much spicy food tonight that I have a stomachache and bad acid reflux."

"That's odd. When you normally eat spicy food, you always knew your own limit. How come your body is reacting this badly? How spicy was the food?" Ginny asked as she handed a clean tissue over to Toby.

"...Beyond Human...level.. at the Szechuan Spicy Bowl restaurant." Lily confessed how she chose the spiciest dish out of everything she could have chosen from the menu. Knowing Lily's personality, she would never order something that would harm her own health unless she encountered something that made her very unhappy.

When her grandma past away, Lily didn't speak to anyone about how she felt. Instead, she bought a lot of spicy snacks and ate them all in one go. By the time her parents and Ginny had found her, she was suffering from a massive stomachache. Ever since then, she never touched those snacks again.

Therefore, when they listened to her talk about her dinner, Ginny and Toby were extra attentive. Furrowing her brows, Toby pointed out a weird point, "You mentioned about your meal, but never talked about Hawk. Isn't it your anniversary today?"

"We...had an argument and separated at the park. I went to eat at the restaurant alone after clearing up my mind a bit. I'm feeling fine, though."

Ginny frowned upon how protective she was towards Hawk. Even at this moment, she didn't talk negatively about him to them. She had all the rights to complain about him, yet she chose not to. She couldn't bear to watch Lily in pain and suggested that they should visit the hospital.

Lily refused at first and shook her head as she disliked the scent of disinfectants and looks of the white vacant rooms. "I'm really fine. No need to go to the hospital."

Toby grabbed her bag and wallet, "We're going to the hospital. I need to make sure that you are alright or else I won't be able to sleep tonight. You're so pale that it's frightening."

Agreeing to Toby's words, Ginny grabbed her purse, phone and car keys. Within minutes, they were ready to head to the hospital. Although unwilling, Lily had no choice but to go with them. Throughout their ride to the hospital, she leaned in her mom's embrace as Ginny drove.

At the same time, Lin Que had finished eating and paid for his meal. He had made sure that the business cards were in his pocket before he left the restaurant. On his way to his car, he received a message from the hospital.

"Damn it. I thought I could get a good sleep tonight. I guess I have to head straight back to the hospital then." He sighed and put away his phone as he settled in the driver's seat and started to drive. Minutes later, he stopped in front of the red light and thought about the way Lily was eating. Recalling how adorable she looked while she ate, he couldn't wait to bring the business cards to her.

"Next time, I will try to be friends with her."

Soon, he arrived at the hospital and was immediately given a few medical charts. Since he came right after eating, he didn't have time to change his clothes. His white coat was in his room, but he didn't have the time to go back and forth. At the end, he picked out a random medical chart and went to the emergency room to see his new patient.

Pulling the curtains to the side and entering the small space to meet his new patient, his eyes narrowed at the familiar name on the chart. "Lily..Jiang?"

"That's me." Lily answered after hearing her name as she covered herself up with the blanket that the nurse had provided.

Once again, their coincidental meeting had shocked him. "Uhm...excuse me..?" Lily interrupted as she started to feel embarrassed by his stare. He knocked some sense back to his head and introduced himself to her.

"Hi, my name is Lin Que, your doctor for today. Can you tell me where you are feeling uncomfortable?" He smiled gently and waited patiently for her to respond. When he said her name out loud earlier, she already thought that his voice sounded familiar.

Now that she looked at them at a closer distance, she was sure that she had seen him from somewhere. But where.....?

"Miss. Jiang?" Seeing her dazed expression, his voice became softer when he spoke. She looked at him with a tight squint and even waved at him to get closer so that she could take a clearer look.

Taking a seat on the chair to meet her at eye level, he tried his best to remain calm. His heart was beating so quick that he thought it would explode.

"Ah! I remember you now!" She clapped her palms together.