A Forum for Patients of Fourth Hospital

Chapter 10: Queen of Bullshiting

“Very well then, let’s give some encouragement to ‘Deaf Descendant’,” George said, clapping his hands with a perfunctory smile. “Miss, it seems like you have a lot on your mind. Your experiences must have been quite complex?”

Yu Xiao’s lashes trembled, and a fleeting sadness crossed her brows. “If I had the choice, I would have preferred to live an ordinary life.” With a sigh, she lifted her gaze and began to speak. “I was born into a modest family in a small county town. My parents worked in a factory. Life was simple, yet happy.”

Zhou Xiao Zhen marvelled at her ability to weave a story so effortlessly, an unexpected talent since she usually appeared introverted.

“When I was seven, we went shopping. I accidentally wandered off and was abducted by a human trafficker. They sold me to a mountain village to become a child bride.”

Zhao Lan struggled to hold back a twitching smile.

“I was too young to bear children, so they forced me to work day and night. Even in the biting cold of winter, I had to break ice on the river to wash clothes.” Yu Xiao extended her hands, her voice trembling with emotion. “My hands were raw and swollen, as if they had been soaked in brine for three days and nights.”

The patients gazed at her delicate, fair hands, their mouths watering in unison at words ‘in brine for three days and nights’.

“Eventually, I grew older,” Yu Xiao said, retracting her hands. “When I was fourteen, they believed I was ready to marry their foolish son. But I refused to accept my fate and ran away. After enduring numerous hardships, I found my way back home. To my surprise, my parents had a new baby boy. It turned out that I was never kidnapped in the first place. They had deliberately sold me off to have a son.”

The scene was heart-wrenching, and tears began to flow among the audience.

“They wanted to send me back to the mountains, but I refused and fled to the city to find work. I do not believe in surrendering to fate. I will rely on my own two hands to make a living and never bow down to this wretched destiny!” Yu Xiao declared, her fists clenched tightly and her face resolute.

“Exactly! That’s the spirit!” The patients were deeply moved.

“I will not yield to fate!”

Yu Xiao sniffled before continuing, “While working, I made a good friend who introduced me to a high-paying job. I placed complete trust in her, but she deceived me into selling my kidney. I had one kidney removed and was left with neither money nor a place to go. I was on the brink of death when I was saved by a doctor named George.”

“…”

“I’m sorry.” Yu Xiao looked like a frightened bird, casting a timid glance at George. “I apologise, Dr. George. I wasn’t referring to you. The doctor who saved me was also named George, with the surname Qiao and the given name Zhi.” (“乔治” (qiáozhì) is the Chinese transliteration of the name George.)

“It’s okay.” George chuckled. “Having the same name is quite common.”

“Yes, George is such a basic name, it’s only natural for there to be others with the same one,” Yu Xiao quickly changed the subject upon seeing George’s darkening expression. “Dr. George took care of me and attended to my needs. He even helped me with adult diapers when I was unable to care for myself. I thought he was the most incredible person in the world, and I truly believed we had found true love. Little did I know he was a heartless monster, devoid of any hint of humanity. He saved me simply because my blood type matched that of his girlfriend, who suffered from a heart condition. He wanted my heart! Waaah…”

Yu Xiao covered her face and sobbed for a while, her muffled cries filling the room. Gradually, she lifted her head, her gaze meeting the complex expressions of those around her. “He had me imprisoned and subjected to unspeakable torture. I risked my life to escape by severing my own hand and leg. I collapsed on a filthy street, in the midst of a freezing night, and was rescued by a small-time gangster. He was the only person who showed me kindness in this heartless world. Later, I discovered that he was my elementary school classmate who had harboured a secret affection for me since we were little.”

Zhao Lan found it hard to believe Yu Xiao’s account. Her story seemed too fantastical for others to accept, but as she turned her head, she saw Zhou Xiao Zhen’s tear-stained face and strained breathing.

Zhao Lan fell silent.

“We spent blissful days together,” Yu Xiao continued. “He worked at the construction site during the day to provide for us, while I prepared meals and did the laundry. Sadly, my parents and step-parents came

“The test is over,” he announced, sweeping his gaze across the patients. “Based on your performance, I will assign each of you a bed. Please collect your dinner and medication from the nurse and get some rest. Good night, ladies and gentlemen.”