chapter 7 men's tears

In the hospital room, Helen Han was asleep at the edge of the bed, her book slipped to the floor. Alex Ye's father wore a gentle smile as he watched her. When he heard the door being pushed open, he glanced up and saw Alex Ye, gesturing for him to be quiet.
Glancing at Helen Han, Alex Ye understood. He quietly entered, gently closed the door, and approached his father's bed, asking, "Dad, are you feeling better?"
Nodding, his father replied, "I'm fine. By the way, Little two, where have you been these eight years? Have you been doing well?"
Alex Ye fell silent for a moment before saying, "Dad, let's not talk about that. I bought some porridge, please have some."
His father knew Alex Ye didn't want to dwell on the topic, so he didn't press. He glanced at Helen Han, who was still sleeping, and said, "This child has had a tough life. Her parents were killed in a car accident, and she hasn't received a penny in compensation. They say her parents should bear all the responsibility for the accident. Sigh."
Looking at Helen Han, Alex Ye turned and said, "Dad, you've worked hard over these years. Now that I'm back, you don't have to toil so much. Enjoy your later years in peace. By the way, haven't Big Brother and Third Brother come to see you?"
As he spoke, he took the meal box out of the plastic bag.
"They have, but they're all settled with their own families now. I'd just be a burden if I followed them. Besides, I can't bear to leave my old-time neighbours," his father replied.
Alex Ye's eyes reddened involuntarily. Parents have a heart that cares for all, even if they're not biological. His father's actions were undoubtedly the greatest, at least in the hearts of this group of orphans. He handed over the meal box and continued, "Regardless, I won't let you work so hard anymore. From now on, I'll take care of you."
His father didn't take the meal box. He looked at Helen Han and said, "Give it to Helen. I'm not really hungry. This girl hasn't had dinner yet, and she probably thinks I don't know."
Then he patted Helen Han's head and gently called, "Helen, Helen!"
Helen Han slowly woke up, rubbing her eyes, asking, "Dad, you're awake? Do you want some water? I'll get it for you."
His father shook his head and said, "No, Helen, your Second Brother bought some porridge. Have some."
Only then did Helen Han notice Alex Ye. She called out "Second Brother" and continued, "Dad, I'm not hungry. You should eat."
"I bought two servings, one for each of you," Alex Ye said, "Helen, after you finish, go rest. I'll stay with Dad tonight."
"No, Second Brother, let me take care of Dad. You go rest," Helen Han said.
Alex Ye smiled faintly and said, "Silly girl, it's been eight years since I've sat down with Dad like this. It's such a rare opportunity. Do you want to keep us from talking?"
Helen Han smiled sweetly and said, "Alright."
After finishing their meal, Helen Han bid her father farewell and left. Alex Ye escorted her to the hospital's entrance, taking out two red bills from his pocket and handing them over. "It's not safe at night. Take a taxi home."
"Second Brother, it's alright. I have money," Helen Han said.
"Silly, don't be so polite with Second Brother," Alex Ye smiled faintly. Without giving Helen Han a chance to refuse, he hailed a taxi and helped her in, instructing the driver to take her back to the Shanty Town. Watching the car slowly leave the hospital, Alex Ye turned and walked back towards the ward.
"Little two, I really am fine. You don't need to stay, go back," his father said when he saw Alex Ye enter.
Alex Ye smiled faintly and said, "Dad, it's been a long time since we sat together like this. We rarely spend time together. Let's talk."
"Too bad we don't have any liquor," his father sighed.
Like magic, Alex Ye pulled a bottle of Erguotou Chinese wine from his pocket. They exchanged a smile, and everything was understood without words.
Alex Ye didn't know when he fell asleep. Last night, he and his father drank and talked until very late. Because his father was still injured, Alex Ye was mostly on his own. His usual alcohol tolerance wasn't so bad, but last night he got drunk quickly. Perhaps, it's not the alcohol, but one's own feelings that made them drunk.
When he woke up in the morning, Alex Ye saw himself wearing a white doctor's coat and was slightly taken aback. He didn't know who put it on him. He looked at his father, who was still asleep, smiled slightly, and stood up to leave.
After washing up, Alex Ye carried a basin of water and walked towards the ward. In the corridor, a nurse walked towards him. When she reached Alex Ye, she stopped and smiled slightly, asking, "Awake? Did you sleep well last night?"
Alex Ye looked at her in surprise, a bit dazed. He nodded slightly and replied, "Yes, I slept well, thank you."
"Can I have my coat back?" the nurse asked.
Alex Ye was even more puzzled, but after a moment, he remembered that he did put on a doctor's coat in the morning. Could it be that the nurse in front of him put it on him? After carefully looking at the nurse, he noticed her apple-shaped face and flawless fair skin, along with a sweet and innocent smile.
Lily Lin had never seen a man cry as miserably as Alex Ye did. Last night, as usual, she went to check the ward. When she saw Alex Ye and his father drinking and talking, she was furious and wanted to rush in and scold Alex Ye for drinking in the hospital. But when she saw Alex Ye crying like a child, her heart suddenly softened. She didn't know why, but when she looked into Alex Ye's eyes, she felt that this man must have had a painful experience, and there must be many stories in his past. Knowing that eavesdropping was not right, Lily Lin still couldn't help but quietly listen to Alex Ye cry and talk, until he fell into a deep sleep. Seeing him asleep, Lily Lin went back to her room and took out a doctor's coat to cover him. She looked at his handsome face and for a moment, she felt a bit intoxicated. When she saw the scar on his face, she couldn't help but reach out and gently touch it. She was certain that this man in front of her had a backstory.
Alex Ye came back to his senses and smiled awkwardly, saying, "The coat is in the room, wait for me, I'll get it for you."
"It just so happens that I need to check the ward too. Let's go together!" Lily Lin said.
Alex Ye had never felt so cared for and protected in front of any woman before, but this nimble and lovely nurse made him feel this way. For a moment, Alex Ye unexpectedly behaved like an obedient child. After a soft "yes," he followed her into the hospital ward.
..