My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Chapter 2 - Detective Xu

"The patient suffers from post traumatic stress disorder because of her traumatic experience. It is common for patients, especially one that survives through such a huge ordeal."

A trembling voice answered, obviously she was trying hard to choke back her sobs. "Then, doctor, will my daughter ever speak again?"

"She will." The elderly doctor smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. She will surely get better. As a parent, you can help with caring for her more. PTSD patients vary, some may get better in a month, some even need years. Just be patient with her."

The woman from across the screen paled and her shoulder slumped. "I know, doctor." Her voice was weak and tired. "But I can't leave my job now." She rubbed her face roughly, her bloodshot eyes and huge eyebags were evident.

"It is just my advice, Madam Shi." The doctor answered patiently. "Of course, every patients' circumstances differ. It is already a miracle for her to wake up after three months of coma. Surely, she will create another miracle."

Madam Shi nodded weakly. "Then, can I leave her in your hands for a while more? Maybe…maybe I can go back in two months."

"Of course." He smiled amicably. "The hospital will give her thorough treatment. Not only does she need physiotherapy, she also needs psychotherapy to help her get better. She can't leave hospital in the meantime."

Madam Shi acquiesced, her eyes getting teary. "Thank you, Doctor Chun. You don't know how many doctors I have searched only to end up disappointed over and over again. All of them told me that the possibility of Shi Nian waking up is less than fifteen percent." She sniffled. "But only you alone believe that she will."

Doctor Chun offered comfort and advice for fifteen more minutes before ending the video call. He sighed and pinched the area between his brows. A knock resounding throughout the silent room. "Doctor Chun?"

"Come in."

It was the nurse who was in charge of room 505.

Doctor Chun was surprised. "Does something happen to the patient?"

Nurse Zhang was a very young woman, only twenty three years old. However, she had plenty of experiences in medical treatment and her capability was topnotch. There really wasn't anything that could make her look so anxious before.

Except…

"Doctor," she whispered furiously. She was so angry that she wanted to burst into tears. "They are here again!"

As he expected. Doctor Chun's headache became worse. "How did they know?" Doctor Chun scowled. "The hospital shouldn't have leaked the patient's personal information!"

"Doctor, don't you know?" Nurse Zhang's eyes widened. "The one in front, I heard that he has some connection with the director! They are using their authority to suppress us. We can't hold on any longer!"

Doctor Chun wore his white coat and stepped outside hastily.

In the lobby of the rowdy hospital, there stood a very eye-catching man. His temperament was truly unfit in the middle of the sick and elderly that were currently lining up. His eyes were apathetically cold, as if he was looking at corpses. People were complaining about him, yet he didn't show any reaction, only the fatty beside him that was busily bowing and apologizing to the crowd.

Perhaps the noises were too disturbing, he gave a frown and his eyes flashed in contempt. He looked like a debt collector, here to smash things and demand money. Even though the man dressed nicely, his legs especially long in that black trench coat, but his whole demeanor screamed the word 'thug'.

If Doctor Chun didn't appear soon, maybe violence would happen inside the hospital.

Hearing Doctor Chun's footsteps, he finally stopped monopolizing the nurse station and stepped aside. Doctor Chun beckoned for them to come over and the two followed the doctor into an empty hall.

As they stopped, the man instantly took out his police badge without any word.

The fatty beside him bowed deeply and wiped his sweat. "D—Doctor Chun, we are very sorry to disturb you. If you can't remember, my name is Wang Chengbing. This is my partner, Xu Binchen. We are from the Metropolitan Police in the Special Crime Investigation Unit."

Doctor Chun had to muster all his will to not scowl in front of them. "Nice to meet you, I am Chun Liang and we have met three times already. What can I help you—"

Xu Binchen cut him off abruptly. "We got the information that the patient has regained consciousness."

"Detective Xu." Doctor Chun took a deep, deep breath. "I am very sorry, but I can't give you permission to let you meet her now."

Xu Binchen frowned. "Why?"

"Because the patient had just woken up thirty six hours ago. She needs a lot of rest and her mind isn't quite well yet. To be honest, no one can ever survive and recover from that kind of accident, thus it is reasonable to say that we need to give her more time to adjust. If we go through with the questioning, the girl's mind might collapse and her condition may get worse."

Doctor Chun's meaning was; get out of here, you brute! How dare you come and bully a weak and fragile little girl!

Xu Binchen was displeased, but Doctor Chun indeed held absolute authority over the patient's recovery.

The fatty Wang Chengbing interrupted. "Um, Doctor...is there really...no other way? It's not that we want to force the little girl but—"

"But if we spend time any longer, that means the greater chance the murderer has to escape." Xu Binchen uttered impatiently. "It has been three months, and the chance for the murderer to remain in this country is less than twenty percent. We can't waste any more time. That girl is our only clue."

Doctor Chun fell silent for a moment.

He sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I know, but really, I can't do anything about that. To be honest with you, the patient suffers from PTSD after thorough examination."

Xu Binchen: "What are the symptoms?"

Doctor Chun took a glance at the cold-faced brute. Indeed, speaking with smart people was truly convenient. "She lost her ability to speak."

Wang Chengbing's mouth gaped open. "W—What—"

"And her memory of the accident is blurry."

Xu Binchen scowled in exasperation. Doctor Chun truly felt that if he wasn't the leading doctor, then the man would surely punch him in the face for delivering one bad news after another.

"What do you mean, doctor?" Still, the little fatty remained polite and courteous. Doctor Chun decided to overlook Xu Binchen's rudeness this time.

"She can remember her identity as well as her usual life just fine. It is only the accident which she can't recall."

Xu Binchen pursed his lips, his eyes staring out of the window toward the hospital garden where many patients in gowns were lounging there, some were walking around, some were sitting on wheelchairs whilst sunbathing.

"One week." He declared. "One week, is that enough time?"

Two sides remained in a deadlock for quite a while. Doctor Chun finally conceded and sighed.. "Hopefully."