Chapter 7: Beyond Your Control

Qin Yi reverted to his usual irritable and self-abasing self, especially when he noticed the glances cast his way by those around him, which only fueled his agitation.

Lin Changchun looked at Su Wan as if seeking help.

He didn’t dare to intervene. Although Qin Yi was close to him—and had once been his direct subordinate—Lin’s brotherly affection for Qin Yi was genuine, but so was his apprehension.

Su Wan calmly finished organizing the things with a certain unhurried grace, as if possessing some kind of magic; no matter the circumstances, she remained composed, seemingly unfazed even by Qin Yi’s outbursts.

Lin Changchun couldn’t help but give her a thumbs-up in his heart.

“Respect to the little sister-in-law!”

Su Wan got out of the car and handed the items to Lin Changchun.

“Thank you for helping me carry these.”

Lin Changchun, standing behind Qin Yi, felt as if he’d just been pardoned, promptly agreeing and taking the items as he obediently stood aside.

Su Wan pushed the wheelchair forward.

Qin Yi, restless, spoke up.

“Su Wan, can’t you hear me? I want to go home.”

“I heard you.”

Qin Yi gritted his teeth—he just knew it, he just knew this woman was doing it on purpose.

His chest heaved with anger, his face cold as he looked at Su Wan. Just as he was about to hurl a few sarcastic remarks her way, Su Wan stopped walking and said calmly,

“You don’t get to decide.”

Lin Changchun, trailing behind, widened his eyes in shock. Was this really something she could say? The little sister-in-law was so fierce—daring to tear down the face of the big boss himself and trample on it!

Was it safe to hear this? Would Qin Yi silence him later?

He shrank his neck nervously, turning his head to one side to focus intently on a bare tree opposite, trying to diminish his presence.

“This is my body. Why wouldn’t my opinion count?”

Qin Yi was so infuriated by Su Wan’s stubbornness that he nearly ground his teeth.

“Qin Yi, think about Grandma. She’s so old. Are you willing to watch her worry about you every day, see the once proud grandson become moody and anxious?”

“Do you want her to suffer the pain of losing you all over again?”

“Qin Yi, you’re truly selfish.”

“You’re nothing but a coward!”

…

Su Wan’s words were merciless, each one piercing Qin Yi’s heart, tearing apart the self-deceptive illusions he clung to, forcing the withdrawn Qin Yi to face reality.

Listening to her accusations, he never imagined that quiet, gentle Su Wan could speak with such venom.

He wanted to retort but found every word she said to be true. Reluctantly, he turned his head and fell silent.

Seeing his expression, Su Wan stopped responding and pushed the wheelchair forward.

Behind them, Lin Changchun felt as if struck by lightning, no longer even pretending to look at the tree. The little sister-in-law was not only brave but sharp-tongued!

He admired her—she was the first to render the fearless Qin Yi speechless.

He recalled that when their superior had scolded Qin Yi before, he had always stepped in to defend him, only to be angrily kicked out by the superior.

But now, faced with Su Wan’s biting reproach, Qin Yi remained mute. This was abnormal—too abnormal. He resolved to discuss it with others later.

Along the way, many people cast appraising looks at Qin Yi—some curious, some sympathetic, some doubtful, some contemptuous—and his face grew even darker.

He hated being stared at most of all. Wasn’t it just because of his paralyzed legs?

Su Wan politely greeted the doctor.

“Hello, Doctor. I’m here on the recommendation of Director Yang Jianguo.”

Yang Jianguo was Qin Yi’s superior. Yesterday, while Su Wan was tidying up in the courtyard, she had met this important figure. After identifying herself, she invited Yang Jianguo inside, but he declined.

“I came to see how that young man is doing, but I’m worried he might get emotionally upset, and seeing you might have the same effect. I’m recommending a doctor for you to take him to when you have time. If you need anything, just say the word. I won’t go in because I’m afraid he might hear our conversation and break down again.”

The doctor greeted them warmly, carefully reviewing Qin Yi’s scans and conducting a series of examinations.

“Family, please stay; the patient should step outside for a moment.”

Lin Changchun tactfully pushed Qin Yi out.

The doctor looked at Su Wan, a young woman, and asked,

“Miss, are you the patient’s—?”

“Wife.”

The doctor cleared his throat and explained Qin Yi’s condition to Su Wan.

“You’re quite late. In the early stages of paralysis, active treatment might have led to some recovery. But now, his legs show no sensation at all, indicating severe nerve damage. My diagnosis is that treatment won’t be very effective.”

Seeing the hopeful look in Su Wan’s eyes, the doctor’s voice softened with pity for the young wife facing such a heavy burden.

“Miss, you seem very attentive and have taken good care of him, but this situation…” The doctor shook his head and sighed.

“Doctor, is there really no hope? I can have him exercise every day, I—”

Su Wan looked to the doctor, pleading for a different answer, but he only shook his head.

“I’ll prescribe some medications for you. Have him take them regularly, but… the chances are slim.”

Su Wan took the prescription to pay and collect the medicine.

Qin Yi sat in the corridor with Lin Changchun, staring ahead with unfocused eyes.

“Changchun, if you were me, what would you do?”

Lin Changchun sensed Qin Yi’s mood and patted his shoulder.

“Old Qin, for Grandma’s sake, for little sister-in-law’s sake, you have to pull yourself together!”

“Did you hear what the doctor said just now?”

Lin Changchun didn’t reply. The hospital was quiet, and being an orthopedic hospital, it wasn’t crowded. They had clearly heard the doctor’s words to Su Wan.

Pretending not to care would be a lie.

Lin Changchun wanted to comfort his friend but felt that any words would be hollow. After all, someone as outstanding as Qin Yi, suddenly fallen from the heights into the abyss, destined to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair—how could he not be devastated?

He patted his good brother’s shoulder, silently sitting with him.

Su Wan returned with the medicine and saw their somber expressions. She understood what Qin Yi was thinking but did not want to offer empty comfort. At such a moment, any words would be too feeble. She didn’t want to deceive him or herself; he understood the big picture—he just couldn’t get through this hurdle.

If he couldn’t be well, she felt they could still live on like this.

She handed the medicine to Lin Changchun and turned to push Qin Yi out.

“Let’s go home. I’ll make dumplings tonight.”

Qin Yi let her push him, lips tightly pressed together, silent.

As they crossed the hospital threshold, the wheelchair jolted unexpectedly, tilting to one side. Instinctively, Su Wan reached out and held Qin Yi tightly, using her body to steady the wheelchair.

They pressed together in an awkward embrace. Qin Yi’s head and upper body were cradled by Su Wan, and the innocent scent of a young woman involuntarily filled his nostrils.

Qin Yi felt trapped by Su Wan’s tight hold, making it hard to breathe; his heart throbbed painfully.

Only when Lin Changchun came to help did she release him, and the delicate fragrance withdrew from his embrace, as if something within him vanished with it.

As the wheelchair settled, it accidentally landed on Su Wan’s foot, causing her to hiss softly.

Qin Yi felt no tenderness. Instead, he looked at her with mock reproach.

“Are you stupid? Didn’t you know to move your foot?”

Su Wan flexed her foot and smiled at him.

“It’s fine. Let’s go.”

Seeing Su Wan’s carefree smile, Qin Yi felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest.