Me After Meeting You

Nancy stopped Amber there. “As you well know, she’s perfectly suited for that. But I also understand why you’d say that to my face, why you only talked about her symptoms with regards to Cotard’s syndrome, and why you cried like that in front of me.

Amber, I understand your worry for her being handed over to a for profit corporation like mine. When Elly’s sole guardian lost his ability to take care of her, you were already trying to give me a heads-up, right?”

Amber didn’t respond.

“Actually, I really wanted to help you, especially after I read through your treatment records. As a doctor, you’re more qualified to treat her than anyone else. But Amber, scientific progress demands that some people be sacrificed.

What’s more, just because Elly is being transferred to my laboratory doesn’t mean that she’ll be sacrificed. Although she is a test subject, she’s also my patient.”

“I’m not doubting your ability, but I still disapprove of her being a test subject. If you used an incorrect approach with other patients, they may still be salvageable, but not her. Her mentality is already so weak that, if this treatment fails, she might never be able to recover.”

“You’re exaggerating too much.” Nancy was somewhat angry now. “Didn’t she receive a huge mental shock last time? But she’s alright now, isn’t she? And our goal is, after all, to treat patients; we’ll only help her, not provoke her.”

“But your methods are clearly not suited for her case, professor.”

When Nancy heard these words come out of Amber’s mouth, her gaze immediately sharpened. She finally shed her identity of Amber’s familiar and amicable mentor and instead donned the guise of the cold-hearted head researcher of her laboratory.

“Do you know what’s suitable for her? You might think that her condition is improving, but I don’t mind telling you this. Before you came here, I was investigating similar illnesses. I don’t think that she’s truly recovering, Amber. Your method might not work either!”

“I believe that it will work.”

“You be-lie-ve?” Nancy started to laugh incredulously. “Science isn’t about intuition. If intuition were useful, then what would be the point of having all these diagnostic devices? Will your belief help her recover? Will your belief help her lead a normal life after she leaves the hospital?”

“Yes!” Amber’s response was resolute and decisive.

Nancy laughed disapprovingly.

Amber looked straight at Nancy and solemnly said, “Professor, will you make a bet with me? If I can cure her, and have her ultimately lead a normal lifestyle, then will you give up on making her one of your test subjects?”

“….”

Nancy smiled, feeling like she had been blindsided by one of her students. “Curing illnesses and treating patients aren’t something to gamble about.”

Upon seeing that Amber was about to continue speaking, Nancy shook her head again, finally calming down. “Furthermore, it wouldn’t matter even if you do convince me. The person you actually need to convince is her guardian.”

Nancy stood up as she prepared to leave. “I believe that you’ll be able to delay the transfer procedure for one or two days, but not any longer than that. I came here today to tell you that I’m not about to reject such an ideal and willing test subject, and that you don’t have much time to do anything about it.”

After she finished speaking, Nancy left. Amber went over to help her up out of habit, but Nancy just smiled. “Leave me be, and go think of a method to convince Madam Kenric instead. I don’t want to lose a student like you quite yet.”

Nancy’s assistant came in then, and with that, she patted Amber’s hand and left.

Amber stood at the door as she watched them depart. The department head, who normally didn’t treat her very well, suddenly appeared beside her, popping up from who knows-where.

“Department head.”

The department head made a hmph. “Get back to work.” He walked inside with his hands clasped behind his back. “Stubborn girl, you can come to me if you need any help. I may not be your professor, but I am still your department head.”

Amber’s eyes blurred as a wave of emotion overcame her. She took a deep breath to calm herself, bowed at the department head, and then ran off.

***

After returning to her office, Amber thought for a little before ultimately deciding to first call Calvin’s mother. The reason why she didn’t call Calvin was because he couldn’t truly be considered Elly’s guardian; while it might be fine to ask him to spend some time to take care of Elly, if something big happened, she couldn’t ask him for any help.

Luckily, Amber still had Calvin mother’s number. As soon as Amber pressed the call button, the line connected.

“Amber.” Calvin mother’s voice was earily cordial. “I was just at the hospital, but you weren’t there. It’s good that you called me. We’re thinking of transferring our Elly to a different hospital. If it’s convenient for you, could you sign the transfer request?”

“Mrs. Kenric, regarding this issue, can we meet up and discuss it in person? I can meet you at any time you’re free.”

There was silence on the other side.

Amber waited patiently until she finally heard Calvin’s mother sigh lightly. “Amber, why are you making this so difficult?”

“I’ve known you for so many years, Mrs. Kenric. Won’t you satisfy even this one small request of mine?”

Calvin’s mother fell silent again, mulling it over before finally saying, “Alright. I’ll send you an address. I’m free this afternoon, so you can come then.”

Not long after, Amber received a text with an address in it from Calvin’s mother. When Amber looked it up, it was a private residence in the best area in the city, and not too far from the hospital.

The head nurse suddenly knocked on the door. “Time to eat.” She already knew that Elly was being transferred, and her gaze toward Amber was filled with sympathy.

Amber stood up. “Alright. Let’s go.”

As they walked through the hospital corridors, the head nurse tried to comfort Amber. “Actually, isn’t it good that she’s switching hospitals? You won’t have to worry over her anymore. We all know how troublesome Elly can be, and you should be happy that she’s being transferred.”Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Amber only smiled wryly, and the head nurse covered her eyes. “Alright, alright, you shouldn’t force yourself to smile.” She patted Amber back as she repliably said, “If you’re not feeling well, then I can give you a massage to relieve some tension.”

Amber’s heart warmed, and she leaned against the head nurse’s shoulder. “Thank you. I already feel better just by hearing this from you.”

Indeed, even though Amber was a bit angry, she wasn’t all that sad; perhaps it was because she had a team supporting her by her side.