"Mom, did the doctor tell you to go for another check-up tomorrow?" Catherine asked, sipping her soup, as if casually bringing it up.
Song Lijun's eyes widened. "Oh, you reminding me, I almost forgot," she said, patting her head in frustration.
Feng Zhenhua also recalled, "That's right. I'll take you for a check-up tomorrow, just to make sure there are no lingering health issues."
Although the previous examination had been thorough, the doctor had advised Song Lijun to have a follow-up appointment for peace of mind.
"Mom, I'll go with you tomorrow then," Catherine said, putting down her bowl and taking Song Lijun's hand with apparent concern.
Hearing this, Song Lijun felt a wave of warmth. Her daughter still cared about her.
"No need, Linlin. You've been so busy these past few days. Just rest at home tomorrow."
"Mom, it's alright. You didn't tell me last time you went to the hospital, so I have to go with you this time, no matter what you say."
How else could she find an opportunity to act and achieve her goals if she didn't go to the hospital?
Song Lijun was happy that her daughter was showing so much concern.
"Alright, then we'll go together."
The next morning, Catherine was up early, dressed, and waiting downstairs for Feng Zhenhua and Song Lijun. As soon as she saw them descend, she quickly stood up.
"Dad, Mom, are you ready? Shall we go?" she said, picking up her bag by the sofa, ready to head out.
Song Lijun quickly stopped her. "Linlin, no rush. Your dad just woke up. Let him catch his breath. It's not too late to go after breakfast."
Seeing their slow pace, Catherine was inwardly frantic but could only feign compliance.
"Dad, Mom, please eat. I'll wait for you in the car," she said, forcing a smile.
Song Lijun, who was serving porridge, called out, "Linlin, aren't you eating breakfast?"
Catherine shook her head. "I woke up early this morning and don't have much appetite. You two eat first."
With that, she turned and walked towards the car parked in the yard.
Watching Catherine's retreating figure, Song Lijun put down the bowl she had been about to fill for Catherine and sighed. "Do you think Linlin is growing distant from us?"
Although on the surface she seemed more affectionate than before, Song Lijun, as her mother, could sense Catherine slowly drifting away from them.
Feng Zhenhua finished the last spoonful of porridge in his bowl and glanced outside. "Children grow up. It's inevitable. Don't think too much about it."
He then pushed the bowl of porridge towards Song Lijun and urged, "Hurry up and eat, so you don't keep Linlin waiting too long."
By the time the three of them arrived at the hospital, it was noon. All the way, Catherine was absent-minded, and Song Lijun's repeated attempts to speak to her went unanswered.
After getting out of the car, Song Lijun noticed Catherine's complexion wasn't quite right and asked, "Linlin, are you feeling unwell?"
"No, I'm fine," Catherine immediately shook her head.
Seeing that Song Lijun was about to ask further, Catherine quickly linked arms with her and pulled her towards the hospital. "Alright, Mom, let's go in quickly, or the doctor will be waiting impatiently."
"You..." Song Lijun was still worried about her.
She had noticed Catherine's expression seemed a little off just now.
Catherine said with a hint of helplessness, "Mom, I'm really fine. I just didn't eat breakfast this morning, and I'm a bit hungry now."
"Then you stay here. I'll have your dad go buy you breakfast." Upon hearing that she was hungry, Song Lijun immediately instructed Feng Zhenhua to buy food for her.
Seeing that they were going to delay further, Catherine quickly shook her head. "No need, Mom. I'll take you to the doctor first, and I'll buy something for myself later."
She then turned to Feng Zhenhua, who was about to leave, and said, "Dad, don't go. It's more important to get Mom checked first. I'll buy something for myself later."
Seeing her reluctance, Song Lijun and Feng Zhenhua had no choice but to give in.
When the three of them entered the ward, the doctor was already waiting.
"Mr. Feng, Mrs. Feng," the doctor greeted them.
"We've kept you waiting," Feng Zhenhua said apologetically.
After lying down on the hospital bed, Song Lijun couldn't help but take a few more glances at the doctor. She had never seen a doctor wear a mask so meticulously, so much so that their hair covered their eyes.
Facing her gaze, the doctor stood quietly, glanced at Catherine standing to the side, and then lowered their head to prepare the instruments.
Song Lijun was still thinking about Catherine not having breakfast. Before she had even sat down, she turned to her daughter and said, "Linlin, I'll have Dad go buy you something to eat."
"No need. Dad can stay here with you. I'll go buy it myself," Catherine said.
Feng Zhenhua, noticing her slightly evasive gaze, felt a little uneasy. "Linlin, perhaps Dad should go?"
Catherine waved her hand. "I can go by myself. I'm an adult."
With that, she walked out of the ward.
Dad, Mom, please don't blame me. It's all because of you, it's all your fault. I was forced, you forced me!
As she thought about what was about to happen, trepidation and relief intertwined in Catherine's heart, tormenting her soul. Every step she took felt like treading on a blade.
When Wei Yumeng arrived at Song Lijun's ward, the doctor had finished the examination and was about to administer an injection.
"Uncle, Auntie..."
Hearing another voice, the person's hand trembled, and the syringe fell to the floor.
Song Lijun hadn't expected Wei Yumeng to be there, and her eyes lit up, a smile spreading across her face. "Yumeng, why are you here?"
Wei Yumeng placed the fruit and flowers she had bought on their bedside table. She casually glanced at the doctor but didn't pay much attention.
"I was in the vicinity on some business, so I decided to stop by and see you."
"Thank you, that's very thoughtful of you," Song Lijun said, her eyes almost disappearing as she smiled.
Her daughter was not only beautiful but also had such a likable personality. She felt very gratified and happy.
Seeing that the doctor, who had been about to administer the injection, was hesitating, Song Lijun, thinking they were embarrassed, quickly said.
"Doctor, please proceed. Don't mind us."
The person then picked up the syringe from the floor and prepared to inject Song Lijun.
Just as the needle was a few millimeters away from her skin, Wei Yumeng suddenly called out.
"Wait a moment..."
The person's hand trembled, and Song Lijun looked at Wei Yumeng, puzzled.
"Yumeng, what's wrong?"
Wei Yumeng's expression was serious. She walked up to the person and scrutinized them.
"I've never seen you before. And the syringe fell on the ground. What if it causes an infection if injected into the patient?"