Chapter 20: A Confounding Diagnosis and an Unexpected Encounter

Concurrently, Liu Xingluo’s medical report was released.

The good news was that Liu Xingluo’s body had sustained no actual harm; he had simply collapsed from severe exhaustion.

The bad news, however, was that Liu Xingluo’s exhaustion was far from ordinary; it was akin to having engaged in non-stop physical activity for an entire week. Consequently, he would require an extended period of bed rest to fully recuperate.

Upon reviewing the report, Liu Ruyan exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, relieved that her brother had suffered no serious injury, merely extreme fatigue.

Yet, a perplexing question lingered in her mind. Her brother had been perfectly fine when he left home; how could he possibly have become so severely exhausted in less than an hour, to a degree comparable to seven days and nights of continuous activity? This was profoundly abnormal. Liu Ruyan was not alone in her bewilderment; even the doctor who examined Liu Xingluo found the situation inexplicable. After all, no ordinary person could sustain such relentless exertion for an entire week without a moment’s reprieve.

Despite their many unanswered questions, they had no choice but to await Liu Xingluo’s awakening to query him directly. Following the examination, Liu Ruyan had initially intended to bring him home for recovery. However, the doctor advised hospital observation, reasoning that this would allow for immediate medical intervention should any further complications arise in Liu Xingluo’s condition.

Though the hospitalization costs would be substantial, the doctor’s rationale was sound. Liu Xingluo’s current state was certainly not typical for an ordinary individual. Thus, as a precautionary measure, they decided to follow the medical advice and admit him for a period of inpatient observation.

As Liu Xingluo was being settled into his hospital room, a call came through from the company he was meant to join that day. Nearly half an hour had passed since the official start of work, and with Liu Xingluo still absent, the company felt compelled to inquire about his whereabouts.

Liu Ruyan, for her part, truthfully relayed Liu Xingluo’s condition to the company. Upon learning of the circumstances, the company instructed Liu Xingluo to prioritize his rest and recovery, assuring him that there would be no rush to return to work until he was fully restored.

Naturally, while the company’s words were reassuring, Liu Ruyan knew that if Liu Xingluo genuinely waited until his full recovery to report for duty, he would likely be met with a termination notice. No company, after all, would retain an employee who encountered an accident on their very first day and required several days of convalescence before commencing work.

Having navigated the complexities of society for several years, Liu Ruyan was acutely aware of this unspoken truth. Still, she remained unfazed; it was merely a lost job, and at worst, he could simply find another. If all else failed, she was perfectly capable of supporting him herself. Her substantial earnings as a model were more than sufficient to comfortably provide for two people without any financial strain.

Given that Liu Xingluo’s physical condition was now stable, coupled with the uncertainty of when he might awaken, she concluded there was no compelling reason to remain constantly at his bedside. It would be more pragmatic to attend to her work and return to check on him once her shift concluded.

After penning a brief note for Liu Xingluo, outlining the current circumstances, Liu Ruyan promptly departed the hospital. She hastened to her workplace to prepare for the day’s tasks, for without her earnings, she would be unable to provide for both herself and her brother.

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