Crimson Instinct

*Xin Lei*

I stared at Dad in horror.

Face and eyes?

Lin Zihao said, "After Zhang Ning and Zhu Yusheng came to us carrying you, we immediately sent you to the hospital with Xin Zhen. But we were shocked that Bai Li and Cocoa weren't with you three."

Su Weiyuan said, "That's when they told that he got separated from you in the building. When the blast calmed down, we immediately went with the fire safety team to look for Bai Li. But before that, Cocoa came running to us and led us to him."

I clutched my dress. "A-and…?"

Lin Zihao seemed to be in distress that made me paler.

Was it that bad?

"Bai Li was bleeding from his head and shoulder. We rushed towards him and found that it was actually his face that was more hurt. There was a slice mark on his face…" he seemed more hesitant now, "through his eyes…"

I froze.

"We found a broken metal piece near him. It seems it was what hit his face. Also, his shoulder was crushed by a big rock that was thrown by the blast. By the time we reached him, he was already unconscious."

Suddenly, my knees felt weak.

"Lei Lei."

Bro caught me in his arms. 

Lin Zihao banged his fist on the wall. "Damn that woman! Even after death, she did this much damage. If she had been alive, I would have strangled her with my own hands!"

Silence.

Tears kept making my cheeks wet as I tremblingly asked, "W-what is the...doctor saying?"

Major General Shi Jianguo looked at me. "Before the surgery started, the doctor said that it could be difficult considering the injury on his face. That's what we know until now. The operation is still ongoing."

I collapsed on the bench and sat, feeling tired.

Bai Li was fighting between life and death...No. Why? Why...I don't want to lose him but...but what if I did?

I felt someone sit beside me.

"Xin Lei."

I slowly looked at Su Weiyuan in a daze, but I could hardly focus.

His voice was low and soft. "Remember that Bai Li is a fighter, okay? Even in the last seconds that he was stuck in the school, he still made it out. In his fourteen years in the army, nothing fazed him out, no matter how difficult any mission was. Even after turning blind, he was largely incapable of handling any mission, and even when all the authorities recommended him to retire, he still chose to serve for five more years with that darkness. That's how strong and determined he is."

I clenched my fist.

"He knew that you were waiting for him, and he still knows that. He will fight this too and come back to you. Don't lose hope. He knows that he cannot die because he knows that we will all kick his ass if that happened."

Bro sneered. "Of course. He doesn't have the guts to hurt you because I am here."

I burst into laughter. It felt so long that I laughed like that.

But his words struck me hard.

Su Weiyuan was right. What was I doing? How can I lose my trust in Bai Li?

Ever since I met him, I only saw how brave and intelligent he was. He fought through every situation. He made it out through every dead-end.

I wiped my tears.

Bai Li got through the worst of last night's battle. He will not give up on the fight of his life today either.

I smiled at Su Weiyuan. "Thank you...You opened my eyes…I was... stupid…"

He smiled back and nodded.

"Also, congratulations on getting your voice back."

Lin Zihao chuckled. "That dude is going to be so shocked when he hears you talking. I would love to see his reaction. I am definitely gonna click his picture of that expression! Haha!"

Shi Ruiling said, "Don't you have any delicacy? How can you ruin their special reunion moment?"

"Covertly. Covertly! I have my ways~"

I giggled.

Su Weiyuan impassively said, "Just don't let him catch you, or he will beat you into a pulp until you really become a goofball that he likes to call you."

"Hey, whose side are you on?"

"Bai Li," Su Weiyuan didn't hesitate at all.

We all burst into laughter seeing Lin Zihao's defeated face.

"Hahaha. Poor Lin Zihao."

"You are all so cruel!"

I looked towards Bai Li's ward.

Do you hear this banter, Bai Li? Do you hear this laughter? Don't you want to join in too?

Cocoa is waiting for you to ruffle his head.

Lin Zihao is waiting for you to pull his leg too with others and laugh at him.

Su Weiyuan is waiting for you to gang up with him against Lin Zihao.

And I...I am also waiting for you, Bai Li, for when you will finally smile at me, hug me and kiss me.

So please... don't make us wait for long.

---

An hour later, the doctor came out of the theatre.

We quickly asked, "Bai Li. How is he? Is he out of danger?" 

The doctor said, "He is out of danger but not completely."

I blinked my eyes. "What do you... mean?"

"The surgery on his shoulder was successful. He will have to wear a cast for a month for his arm to heal. All the other minor injuries on him are also patched up. But the problem is his eyes. The cut on his face has also affected his eyes, so we quickly need to start an eye surgery on him."

"E-eye surgery?"

"Yes. Only an expert opthalmologist can perform this surgery. But our opthalmologist of this hospital, Dr. Si, have taken leave for a few days."

I quickly asked, "Can you not call him back?"

"I am afraid that's not possible. He is out of the country with his family. That's why we have to contact another one immediately."

On such short notice, how are we supposed to contact an expert opthalmologist? We don't have much time!

"Sis! I think brother Long Hu can help us."