When the doctor had been examining Chen Li earlier, he discovered many unhealed bruises on his body. Some were old, some were new—clear evidence of long-term abuse.
So, when the examination was over and Wei Chen came to inquire about Chen Li's condition, the doctor stared at him for a good long while before asking in a less-than-friendly tone, "What is your relationship with the patient? And why is his heatstroke so severe?" Although he had practiced medicine for many years and was accustomed to seeing life and death, he could not tolerate domestic violence.
Sensing something from the doctor's tone, Wei Chen asked urgently, "Doctor, what exactly is wrong with him?" Though his facial expression remained unchanged, the worry in his eyes was genuine.
"Answer my question first: What is your relationship with the patient?" The doctor stood his ground. If the person before him was the one who had abused the patient, then he had no obligation to disclose the patient's condition. In fact, he would even report this to the police—this was a serious case of domestic violence with severe implications.
Only then did Wei Chen realize that unless he clearly explained his relationship with Chen Li, the doctor would neither let him see Chen Li nor tell him about his condition.
"I am his fiancé. Today was the first time I went to his home to meet him." Wei Chen's voice was low, carrying both anger and deep concern.
The doctor studied Wei Chen for a moment. Seeing that his displayed emotions didn't seem fake, he finally spoke gravely. "The patient has autism. You should know this."
Wei Chen nodded.
"The patient's physical condition is not good. Heat exhaustion, anemia, malnutrition, stunted growth... these are minor issues that can be managed through proper care. The most serious problem is his psychological state. I believe the patient has been living in a封闭 (fēngbì - closed-off/secluded) and violent environment for a long time, which has worsened his autism. He fears others approaching him, yet he is unable to actively reject their approach. Instead, he silentlyendures. A large part of this is because, in the past, when he did attempt to resist, he was met with violent retaliation. So now, subconsciously, he has learned to passively accept everything imposed on him from the outside. And this, in turn, makes his autistic symptoms increasingly severe. If the patient isn't pulled back from the darkness, I'm afraid he will one day drown in it and never return." The doctor paused, glanced at Wei Chen, and continued, "Since you are his fiancé, and I can see your concern for him is genuine, I hope you can provide him with a new environment. Never let him go back to the place he was in before. That environment acts as a trigger for him and is detrimental to his recovery."
"Okay." This single word was practically ground out through Wei Chen's clenched teeth, laden with intense fury. Although his face remained expressionless, his eyes were bloodshot, his hands clenched into tight fists with veins bulging and knuckles cracking audibly. It was clear he was struggling to contain his boundless rage.
The doctor didn't try to soothe Wei Chen. Instead, he asked, "Do you need me to call the police?" Such serious domestic violence required police intervention.
But Wei Chen shook his head. "No need. It wouldn't help." As far as the Chen family was concerned, how could calling the police possibly be of any use?
The doctor seemed to sense the hidden complexities behind this. He patted Wei Chen on the shoulder and said, "When the patient wakes up, treat him well. He has suffered too much."
Wei Chen said nothing. His bloodshot eyes fixed on the slightly ajar hospital room door. On the bed inside, Chen Li lay unconscious, quiet and still, a sight that tugged painfully at the heart.