Standing by the door was none other than a hurriedly arriving Francis.
The nurse, not at all surprised to see him, nodded and expressed in a tone of mild astonishment, “Mr. Henson, what brings you here today?”
Then, she called inside, “Ms. White, Mr. Henson is here.”
“Henson…?”
Rebecca White was somewhat startled. Since that Lantern Festival night, when Henson had come to her rescue once again, they hadn’t seen each other for some time. Francis’s gaze moved past the nurse, landing on her. “May I come in?”
“Of course,” Rebecca White hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Please, come in.”
“Thank you.”
Rebecca White rose from the couch, ‘looking’ at him. “What brings you here at this hour? I thought you were discharged.”
These past few days, not only had she not seen him, but the neighboring room had been very quiet too.
“Not exactly discharged.”
Francis moved closer, his eyes lowering to her face. “I’ve been quite busy during the day, but I’ve kept my room here.”
“I see…” Rebecca smiled and nodded.
“Mr. Henson.”
The nurse interjected, “Have you had dinner? I was just about to order some of Ms. White’s favorite dishes from the restaurant. If you haven’t eaten, why don’t you join us? It’s Ms. White’s birthday today.” “Is that so?”
Francis’s eyes sparkled slightly. “Such a coincidence that I’m here, then I won’t be modest.”
“Pfft… It’s just dinner, no need for modesty. I’ll go make the arrangements. You two have a chat.”
“Alright.”
Once the nurse left, the room fell silent.
Rebecca White gestured with her arm, “Have a seat.”
“Okay, thanks.” Francis took a seat as suggested.
Rebecca frowned slightly, puzzled. Was it her imagination or did that ‘okay’ from Henson carry a familiar tone?
“What’s on your mind?” Francis looked at her, noticing she seemed thinner than before. “Haven’t been eating well these past few days?” Rebecca was surprised. “You can tell?”
“Your chinas sharper.” Francis
what was going a girl’s mind. “Dietingel
Trying to lose weight?”
“Not really.” Rebecca smiled gently. “I haven’t been doing it on purpose; just haven’t had much of an appetite.”
Francis understood it was because of her eyesight.
He was always a man of few words, and even less adept at comforting women.
“Today’s your birthday, try to cheer up.”
Rebecca didn’t want to appear too sorrowful in front of a relatively unfamiliar friend and nodded with a smile. “Alright.”
After a while, the nurse returned.
Behind her, a procession of people followed, each pushing a dining cart.
Rebecca, though blind, sensed the presence of many people and turned bewilderedly towards Francis. “What’s going on?”
“Don’t worry.” Francis glanced at her with a soft smile, “They’re here to serve dinner.”
“Ah?” Rebecca was even more astonished. “Jane ordered a meal, and it turned into such a grand affair?” “Because it’s your birthday.”
Francis explained, “Southern District
Sam offers special treatment
celebrating their birthday on
the day.”
SWOO
“Really?”
Rebecca tilted her head, considering this was a high-end Southern District Sanatorium; it didn’t seem so
strange. “Have you ever enjoyed this treatment?”
Francis nodded without hesitation, “Yes.”
Then he added, “They even prepared a cake.”
“That’s wonderful?” Rebecca’s eyes widened. “Do I also have one?”
Francis smiled, “Go and see for yourself.”
In the dining area, the nurse had already arranged the meals, “Ms. White, Mr. Henson, please come and dine.” “Alright.”
Francis nodded, then hesitantly reached out and took Rebecca White’s hand.
Rebecca was momentarily taken aback.