58 Obscurity

Crossing several streets, Renly quickly entered the range of Madison Avenue. A dark red Victorian-style building appeared within sight, abruptly yet wonderfully blending into the surrounding streets.

As a European gateway to North America, New York City left countless marks of European influence, such as Harlem, a name derived from Dutch, as this area was once Dutch territory. The building before Renly was erected in the mid-19th century, long after the colonial era had passed, yet the designers still drew inspiration from the exotic styles of nearby neighborhoods, creating a beautiful sight.

Renly swiftly entered the gate and stowed away his skateboard upon reaching the ground floor. "Kelly," Renly greeted the young lady behind the counter, handing over his skateboard.

Kelly, the lady, took the skateboard with a big smile. "You're here!"

Renly smiled in response, "I'm five minutes late already, I'll head up first and we'll talk later." Kelly nodded in agreement, placing the skateboard under the counter. Renly then hurried towards the elevator, slipping in just before the doors closed.

The elevator stopped on the seventh floor. Stepping out, Renly spotted a girl of about six or seven sitting on an orange plastic bench, her chin propped up by her hands, pouting angrily. Her puffed-up cheeks looked like bubble fish, quite amusing indeed.

Approaching her, Renly crouched down in front of the girl and patted her head, but she stubbornly turned away, eyebrows furrowed, glaring at Renly. "I'm thinking! Don't disturb me!" Her adult-like demeanor was indeed amusing.

Suppressing his smile, Renly spoke seriously, "Have you not had a bowel movement again today?"

The girl clenched her teeth, waving her chubby right fist, then fiercely pounded her left palm with it, "Renly, I haven't pooped in three days! Three days!" Then she sighed dramatically, "Jesus Christ, I feel like my belly is full of poop, I don't think I can ever get clean even if I take a shower."

Renly was close to tears from laughter, but he couldn't laugh out loud. Instead, he clenched his fist and encouraged her, "I believe in you! You can do it today!"

The girl shook her fist, wearing a determined expression, "Today is the day! I've decided to go to the bathroom now to prepare. I won't be able to accompany you for a while!"

"Don't worry, I can handle it alone, I won't get lost!" Renly said seriously. They exchanged words of encouragement once again, and then Renly watched as the girl solemnly walked towards the bathroom, her childlike seriousness quite amusing.

Actually, this building was a hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, one of the best children's hospitals in New York.

In his past life, Renly spent a third of his life in this hospital. The long years made his feelings towards the hospital extremely complicated—some rejection, some hatred, yet some nostalgia. He understood better than anyone else the pain and suffering of long-term hospitalization, emotions that outsiders couldn't comprehend, maybe even friends who were patients themselves couldn't understand, because every patient had their own demons, their own stories.

Sometimes, patients would inexplicably lash out at everyone around them, without reason, without control. For family and friends, all they could do was stand by helplessly, eager to assist but unable to. They would constantly ask, "What do you need?" As long as the patient spoke, they would do their best to help.

But Renly knew, they didn't actually want anything, they just... didn't know what to do. The love, the worry, the pain, the torment, the intimacy from family and friends, they knew, they all knew, but they still couldn't change the fact that they were plagued by illness, nor could they change the fact that everyone was helpless. The anger, the jealousy, the suppression that erupted from deep within, even they couldn't control it. Even though they knew it wasn't the fault of their family and friends, they couldn't find anyone else to vent to, could they?

Perhaps, they just needed someone to be there, someone they could ignore but who would still steadfastly remain by their side, never leaving.

They knew this request was unreasonable because even their own family had their own lives and couldn't stop because of their illness. But what else could they ask for?

In this life, starting from high school, Renly began volunteering at the hospital every week. At the age of eighteen, he obtained a professional nursing license, hoping to help more people within his capabilities. Even when he moved cities, he never stopped his actions. In the past eight months, except for the time he spent filming "The Pacific," he continued volunteering at nearby hospitals in Australia.

It wasn't kindness or charity, just empathy.

The girl earlier was named Annie Seliman. She lived in Mount Sinai Hospital during Renly's filming period. Renly once asked the doctor about Annie's condition, but the explanation was filled with medical jargon. Even after Renly later studied medical texts, his understanding was still limited. He only knew that Annie had problems with her metabolic system, making it difficult for her to perform basic bodily functions, not just bowel movements, but also sweating.

If she couldn't excrete independently for a period of time, medical intervention would be necessary. After Renly returned to New York, he witnessed Annie undergo treatment once. She lay helplessly on the hospital bed, tubes inserted all over her body, quiet for three days, unable to do anything, not even speak. The long process was agonizing to watch, let alone experience for Annie herself.

"Renly, Renly, Renly!" A whistle-like sound came from behind. Before Renly could turn around, a little kid pounced onto his back. "Plane, plane, flying a plane!"

Renly held the kid's buttocks with both hands, stood up, and swiftly spun around before sprinting forward. The kid on his back cheered joyfully, "Flying, I'm flying! Anita, Anita, look, I'm flying!"

Nurse Anita Tunisia, standing at the end of the bench, chuckled helplessly, slightly straightening up, calling out, "Renly, not too long, not too intense, Alex's heart can't take it!"

"Roger that, ma'am!" Renly shouted, then carried Alex and hurried away, asking, "Captain! Please indicate the destination!"

Alex cheered enthusiastically, lifting his upper body with all his strength, shouting, "Normandy!"

Renly didn't know where Alex had heard about Normandy, but he had no time to laugh, as Alex's voice was too loud, alarming the whole floor. Many people rushed out—this wasn't good, disturbing other patients' rest would definitely lead to criticism. So, Renly grabbed Alex's legs and lifted him upwards. First on his shoulders, then his waist, and finally, he cradled him in his arms, "Captain, the enemy is alerted, we must escape!"

Alex giggled in Renly's arms, and Renly ran to the end of the corridor, crouching on a chair as if seeking cover like a soldier.

Alex covered his mouth with his hands, but continued to laugh, evidently very happy. A commotion arose in the corridor. Nurses murmured in annoyance, and some parents came out. Other parents, unaware of the situation, thought something was wrong and began explaining to them with smiles.

"Alex Reich!" A nurse stood with her hands on her hips at the end of the bench, "You haven't finished your medicine yet, and you've run off! How do you think Renly will deal with you?"

Renly widened his eyes, looking at the mischievous little guy. Before Renly could speak, the kid quickly apologized, "I'll go take it now, I'm really sorry, Renly, it wasn't intentional." With pitifully pleading eyes, he looked at Renly, resembling a little puppy.

Renly wrinkled his nose, and ruffled Alex's hair, "Go take your medicine quickly, then come to Heather's room. I'll make kites for you, and we'll fly them this afternoon!"

"Really?" Alex's eyes lit up, and Renly pointed to the large backpack on his shoulder, "Of course!"

Hearing this, Alex jumped out of Renly's arms without waiting for the nurse, and dashed out, shouting, "Hurry, hurry, I want to take my medicine! Renly, I'm sorry, I'm not doing it on purpose." The nurse followed helplessly, "Alex, slow down, slow down."

Alex, ten years old this year, had spent two years in Mount Sinai Hospital due to congenital heart disease. Actually, his condition could be managed at home, as long as he avoided vigorous exercise, daily life wouldn't be greatly affected. But his parents were both busy people, absent from home for three hundred and fifty days a year, so they hired private caregivers at home, but Alex caused chaos at home, so they left him in the hospital—at least there were playmates here.

Standing up again, wiping the sweat from his forehead, Renly strode forward. Along the way, he greeted the parents of the children familiarly and finally stopped at the door of Room 314. The earlier commotion evidently hadn't disturbed the tranquility here. Renly knocked lightly as a reminder, then opened the door with a smile, "Good afternoon, Heather. The sunshine is really nice today, isn't it?"