Chapter 25 You Can’t Help Me

Chapter 25: You Can't Help Me

It was quiet in the hospital corridor. Shen Shiyan leaned against the wall, listening to the doctor talk to Qi Zizhu.

"Nothing too serious. It's just fainting caused by extreme fright. Based on your description of the patient before she collapsed, we preliminarily suspect she has recently suffered a major trauma. She is afraid of objects like mobile phones. We cannot rule out a prior history of psychological problems..."

Qi Zizhu took the examination report, flipped through it a couple of times, then glanced through the narrow glass window in the door at Gao Mengying's pale face.

"Okay, thank you. In her case... this fear of mobile phones, what generally causes something like that?"

The doctor's expression, visible above his mask, turned serious. "It's hard to say. During the examination, she struggled and cried out 'no' multiple times. Her scalp is reddened, which shows signs of being dragged. However, Yuncheng First Hospital often receives cases referred by the police. Her condition is extremely similar to many women who have suffered sexual assault. It's highly likely it was caused by being beaten and having the assault recorded with a mobile phone or camera during the act."

Qi Zizhu's fingers gripping the report tightened abruptly, and for a moment, she felt she couldn't breathe.

She could see that Gao Mengying was highly competent at her job, diligent and serious—an excellent and capable professional woman.

If their suspicions were correct, just how much torture and abuse had Gao Mengying endured? Qi Zizhu didn't dare to think further.

"Does this need to be reported to the police?" The doctor could see Qi Zizhu's distress and asked gently.

Qi Zizhu shook her head, thanked the doctor, and walked over to Shen Shiyan. "Mr. Shen."

Shen Shiyan knew what she wanted to ask and what her concerns were.

After all, this was Gao Mengying's private matter. A guess was just a guess. As long as she was unwilling to speak about it, unwilling to report it, no one had the right to make that decision for her.

Shen Shiyan's phone rang twice. He glanced at the screen and answered. "Miss Song."

"...The preliminary surveys of the two sea areas are... basically complete. I have... a few points regarding energy technology... that need finalizing. Are you... available to come over now?" Song Xianghan had just gotten off the cruise ship. The wind was loud on her end, and Shen Shiyan could barely make out her words.

Shen Shiyan raised his wrist to check the time. "I'm not at the company. Is the situation urgent on your end, Miss Song?"

Song Xianghan seemed to have gotten into a car; her voice became clearer. "It's not particularly urgent. I'll have my assistant email you. Is there something urgent on your side right now?"

Shen Shiyan lowered his gaze, a hint of frustration showing. "It's... complicated. I'll review the email as soon as possible."

Song Xianghan gave a light laugh. "Is it something at the company that can't be resolved? I could come over to help out."

A faint sound came from the hospital room. Both Qi Zizhu and Shen Shiyan turned to look. A nurse happened to come by to change the IV drip, and Qi Zizhu went in with her.

The sound of the cart's wheels and the conversation between Qi Zizhu and the nurse blended together through the phone. After a moment, Shen Shiyan refocused. "No, it's fine. Thank you, President Song."

Song Xianghan's car had already entered the outskirts of the city. Looking at the scenery outside the window, she thought for a moment and said, "Which hospital are you at?"

Shen Shiyan was somewhat surprised. "Yuncheng First Hospital."

"I'll be there in about twenty minutes. We'll talk later."

Before Shen Shiyan could object, Song Xianghan had already hung up.

He sighed, glanced at the situation inside the room. Gao Mengying was awake, but her face was terribly pale, and she seemed resistant to the treatment.

Qi Zizhu was doing her best to comfort her. Shen Shiyan, who had intended to knock, held his hand in mid-air for two seconds before lowering it. He turned and went downstairs, bought two portions of wonton noodles, then returned and entered the room with the doctor.

A flicker of fear appeared in Gao Mengying's eyes the moment she saw Shen Shiyan. The hand with the IV drip trembled. "M-Mr. Shen."

Shen Shiyan tried his best to appear calm and reassuring. He handed the insulated bag containing the takeout boxes to Qi Zizhu. "Have something to eat first."

None of them had eaten since morning. As Qi Zizhu opened the lid of the container, the aroma of wonton noodles filled the hospital room, and she realized she was genuinely hungry.

Shen Shiyan helped set up the bed tray and then quickly stepped back, standing quietly and looking out the window.

"I don't have much appetite, Miss Qi. You eat."

Gao Mengying's voice was weak, her pale face devoid of color.

Qi Zizhu placed a spoon in Gao Mengying's hand, trying to cheer her up. "Eat a little. What could be more important than eating?"

She had been vomiting whatever she ate these past few days. Gao Mengying forced a smile. The savory wonton had no taste in her mouth. As soon as she swallowed it to her throat, a wave of nausea rose again.

Hearing the suppressed retching, Shen Shiyan turned around. His dark pupils were calm and gentle. He called out softly, "Assistant Gao."

Gao Mengying had just taken the tissue Qi Zizhu handed her to spit out the food in her mouth. That address, "Assistant Gao," almost made her forget she needed to throw the waste into the trash bin.

Shen Shiyan's voice was sincere. "If you have any difficulties you can't speak of, or need any help, you can tell me."

Gao Mengying didn't react much. She lowered her head, staring at the bowl of steaming wonton noodles. No one urged her, no one pressed her. The room was quiet; she could almost hear her own faint pulse.

Her eyes reddened. The breath trapped in her chest finally found an outlet, allowing her tense body to relax slightly.

"It's useless. You can't help me." She stated what she believed to be the fact calmly, in a low voice, then quickly added, as if mocking herself, "You're also a Shen. Why would you help me?"

Hearing this, Shen Shiyan was almost certain his suspicion was correct. His throat felt constricted, unable to produce a sound. He felt powerless. Because he was also a Shen. He had never hated a surname, an identity, as much as he did today.

Shen Shiyan felt that Gao Mengying's voice no longer held resentment towards the unfairness of fate, only despair—the despair that no one could help her.

The room fell into dead silence again.

"What about me?"

Song Xianghan's voice appeared abruptly, breaking the silence.

She still carried the chill of the cold wind from outside, but the smile on her face was as warm as spring. Her gaze was firm as she looked at Gao Mengying on the hospital bed.

Even though she didn't know what had happened.

Shen Shiyan hadn't expected Song Xianghan to come directly to the hospital room. He opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.

Song Xianghan sat down naturally on the edge of Gao Mengying's bed as if entering her own home. The scent on her, mixed with the smell of disinfectant, drifted into Gao Mengying's nostrils, somehow bringing her a sense of comfort.

"I remember you," Song Xianghan said, a faint smile always on her face. "The capable special assistant by Shen Siwen's side. During earlier negotiations, I even thought about poaching you, just never had the chance."

Hearing Shen Siwen's name, Gao Mengying felt another wave of distress. Her hand trembled uncontrollably and was caught by Song Xianghan.