Chapter 849: Visiting the Hospital
A basic model of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, in platinum with a chestnut brown Cerachrom bezel with numbers and markers, an ice-blue dial with snail-shaped sub-dials, a waterproof Triplock triple-waterproof system, and an Oyster three-piece link bracelet.
This was the watch model Lu Ke ultimately chose. However, this was just the base model. Rolex would also make adjustments according to Lu Ke's personal specifications. They would engrave Lu Ke's personal exclusive mark on the back of the watch, the image of Bambi from the "King of the Bay" flag, and Lu Ke's name and jersey number, to ensure that this would be a one-of-a-kind exclusive watch in the world.
Currently, the market price for this watch model is $20,000, but the price of this exclusive one for Lu Ke would undoubtedly be more than that. As for the final collector's price, it would depend on Lu Ke's future performance in his career.
Wolfgang escorted Lu Ke and Leigh all the way out of the conference room. Standing at the elevator, he gave Lu Ke a dignified look up and down. "I believe you will be very, very suited for this Daytona. Our workshop will need a little more time, and as soon as it's finished, it will be delivered to your residence."
Then, Lu Ke saw a faint smile on Leigh's lips, as if saying: "I told you so."
After Leigh, Wolfgang also affirmed Lu Ke's dressing style, which made Lu Ke feel a little amused and helpless, because no one had ever paid attention to this part of him before. Of course, his popularity was never top-tier before, not to mention during his college days when he was unknown.
"So, if my dressing style isn't up to par, will you correct my choices?" Lu Ke asked out of curiosity.
Wolfgang put his hands behind his back, and a warm smile remained on his face. "Oh, no, we won't." After a brief pause, he added, "We will directly cancel the partnership agreement."
Silence.
Silence.
Ding. The elevator arrived, and Wolfgang acted as if nothing had happened, making a gesture of invitation. "Again, it's a great honor to have met you. I'll see you at the next press conference."
Lu Ke, Leigh, and Vincent entered the elevator in a single file, nodded to Wolfgang, and slowly waited for the elevator door to close. The air was still silent.
Finally, Vincent couldn't hold back and hesitantly asked, "Leigh, was Wolfgang joking just now?"
Leigh didn't answer directly but turned slightly and glanced at Vincent. "You didn't take him seriously, did you?"
Vincent didn't say anything.
The three of them looked at each other, and a sense of absurd humor welled up. At the same time, they couldn't help but chuckle. Now they could be sure of one thing: Swiss and American humor were indeed different.
The elevator arrived at the underground parking garage. The three of them walked toward the parking lot, but Lu Ke didn't follow Leigh and Vincent back into the car.
Leigh rolled down the car window. "Are you sure? We can escort you to the hospital."
Lu Ke smiled and shook his head. "Don't worry, I won't get lost."
After making a joke, Lu Ke continued to explain seriously, "I'll go by myself and see. It's possible I won't even find them. The Mission District isn't far from my parents' house anyway. After I'm done, I'll jog or walk back. There's a tactical meeting with the second team tonight."
"Don't you have other things to be busy with? You don't have to worry about me," Lu Ke said, smiling again, signaling to Leigh not to worry.
Leigh didn't insist anymore. "I know you don't want the media to bother you. If you happen to run into reporters or someone takes a picture of you, let me know in advance if you need to, and I'll handle it."
"Thank you," Lu Ke said sincerely. Then he took a few steps back to make way and watched Vincent drive away. Only then did he turn around and leave the underground parking garage, heading toward the main street.
Today, Lu Ke had another task.
In the past few home games before the one against the Arizona Cardinals, Lu Ke had unintentionally noticed that he hadn't seen Jonathan Baldwin and Ryan Baldwin.
The former was one of the representative fans who enthusiastically welcomed the team back at the San Francisco airport after the 49ers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, and Lu Ke was very impressed. The latter was a patient with ALS, who insisted on coming to every game in a wheelchair and happened to be Jonathan's brother, which made the impression even deeper.
Even if he wanted to ignore it, it wouldn't be easy.
Lu Ke didn't think too much of it at first. Candlestick Park could hold 70,000 fans, and it was normal not to find two fans in a sea of people. He just naturally assumed he had missed them.
After the game against the Seattle Seahawks, Lu Ke ran into Jeff Locke and Chris Wilson's group of fans and asked casually. Everyone then noticed the same thing. Jeff said that they hadn't seen the Baldwin brothers for two weeks either but didn't know what had happened.
Lu Ke had a vague premonition and asked the fans to try and find out what was going on and let him know if they found anything.
Before the game against the Arizona Cardinals, during a public practice, Lu Ke learned from the fans that Ryan's condition seemed to be getting worse and he had to be hospitalized again. But the specific situation wasn't clear, because Jonathan didn't want to talk about it too much.
Involuntarily, Lu Ke thought of the skinny and tall Jonathan, and the always-smiling Ryan.
He felt that he should go to the hospital to visit Ryan.
However, Lu Ke wasn't sure if his action was appropriate because he didn't know Ryan's specific condition. So, he hoped to visit as a friend, to be as friendly and approachable as possible, to ensure it was a private visit, and to sincerely hope that the media wouldn't disturb the Baldwin brothers and turn it into a publicity stunt.
San Francisco General Hospital, known as one of the best public hospitals in North America, is located at the foot of a hill in the Mission District. A short walk east would lead to Lu Ke's parents' neighborhood, the Haight-Ashbury District.
As mentioned before, San Francisco is a multicultural city, and various different cultures coexist and are independent of each other in this land.
The Mission District belongs to the Latin American community. The simple and passionate Latin Americans have decorated this area with colorful and brilliant murals. The outer walls of the buildings on both sides of the street are covered in large murals, showing their own characteristics and outlining the unique scenery of this area. On the streets, one can see Mexicans, Colombians, Argentinians, Brazilians, and more.
However, after dark, one must be very careful when walking through this area, as gangs and thugs wander the streets, becoming another sight of the city.
The San Francisco General Hospital in front of him was like that. There were red flamingo dancers on the mottled outer wall, their skirts flying wildly and wantonly, blooming among the dilapidated ruins. The ancient and weathered building had witnessed the passage of time.
Lu Ke's steps stopped in the hospital lobby. His mood was a little strange. Every time he came to a hospital, it seemed to be connected to negative and depressing emotions, making him feel heavy.
Then, Lu Ke walked up to the front desk. "Excuse me, in which room is Ryan Baldwin staying?"
Lu Ke was a little hesitant at first, worried about the potential of running into fans. If he caused an unnecessary commotion, it wouldn't be good. But to his surprise, the receptionist's expression didn't change at all. She checked the computer system and replied, "Ryan Baldwin? Room 314."
Lu Ke paused for a moment, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. "314, got it, thank you."
Because it was a public hospital, the hallway felt a bit crowded and busy. The people coming and going were all engrossed in their own worlds and had no time to pay attention to the strangers they passed by. He could faintly hear the chaos and noise from the emergency room. The restless waves seemed to stop the sunlight from entering through the windows, and the air cooled down little by little.
It was truly a strange experience.
Just now, Lu Ke had signed a contract with Rolex, earning his first million, or rather, several million, in his life. Now, he was in a public hospital, where no one recognized him, and everyone was busy with their own lives. A strong sense of real life washed over him, clinging tightly to his skin.
His slightly flighty mood was brought back down to earth, and he became humble again.
"314." Lu Ke's footsteps accurately stopped in front of the room, but he didn't push the door open immediately. Instead, he looked through the glass pane on the door. After a brief search, he immediately saw Ryan sitting on the edge of the bed with his back to him.
He was wearing Lu Ke's number 14 jersey over his hospital gown, and it had Lu Ke's autograph on it.
Lu Ke remembered that he had signed it for Jonathan at the Under Armour fan meeting.
Ryan's back was to the door, so Lu Ke couldn't see his expression, but his thin shoulders and lonely profile vaguely outlined a wound that couldn't be erased or healed.
Involuntarily, Lu Ke thought of Kyle Williams, who had his season ended by an injury.
When it comes to the pain of injuries, people always say, "I understand, I understand," but in fact, bystanders are always bystanders. Unless you have experienced it yourself, you can never truly empathize. The bitterness, the struggle, and the despair make people feel deeply helpless. Sickness, old age, and death are eternal human struggles.
"Bambi?" An unexpected cry of surprise came from behind him.
Lu Ke turned his head and saw the tall and thin figure in front of him. He raised his right hand and greeted him. "Hey, Jonathan."
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/MistaQuartz
On Patreon, you can explore Extra Chapters in advance!