Inspection

...

"It is mild depression."

The next day at the hospital, the doctor wearing a white coat said this to Ye Shuang. "Generally, for someone in her situation, there isn't a massive difference from her usual behavior... but the distinction is that she will frequently feel down, feeling like she has no energy or interest in doing anything, and she will usually experience insomnia or hypersomnia."

Saying this, he handed a chart with various test results into Ye Shuang's hands.

Ye Shuang looked at the chart in his hands with a complicated expression. He sighed softly and asked the doctor, "Will this be very difficult to treat?"

"Depression isn't an illness that gets cured the day after you take medication," the doctor told Ye Shuang. "Fundamentally, this is a neurological issue in the brain. However, in this patient's case, with medication management and guidance from her external environment, a full recovery is possible."

"Please ensure her family pays close attention to her psychological well-being. Although she won't exhibit self-harming behaviors at this stage, if she continues to be triggered, it's hard to say what might happen."

"Understood. Thank you, Doctor."

After walking out of the consultation room, Bai Yuyou was sitting on a chair in the hospital corridor. Her expression showed neither sadness nor joy; she just obediently rested her hands on her thighs. When she saw Ye Shuang, she stood up. "Ye Shuang..."

"Are you tired from the checkup just now?" Ye Shuang hid the report behind his back and asked Bai Yuyou with a smile.

"Not tired." Bai Yuyou didn't feel much about those machines; it only took a short while, and she didn't even know why Ye Shuang brought her to the hospital for a checkup.

"That's good. The doctor said you're fine, but you need to take your medicine on time. After a while, your mood won't keep getting bad." Ye Shuang held the prescription in his hand, then took the initiative to hold her hand.

"Let's go. I'll take you to get your medicine."

"Okay."

Not many medications were prescribed, just two boxes. However, looking at the antidepressants in his hand, Ye Shuang felt a heavy weight in his heart.

Fortunately, there was still time. He didn't want Yuyou to get hurt anymore.

Ye Shuang asked for a week off for Bai Yuyou and also informed Chen Qin that he wouldn't be going to the company for the time being. After all, with Bai Yuyou in this condition, he really didn't dare leave her alone at home. Although Keke was there to keep her company, he couldn't stop the girl from overthinking.

"Take good care of Yuyou during this time. Everything is fine at the company," Chen Qin said over the phone.

"Okay."

After hanging up, Ye Shuang put down his phone.

At this moment, Bai Yuyou was sitting on the sofa, obediently watching TV. Seeing this, Ye Shuang noticed her expression was a bit strange, almost numb. He asked,

"What's wrong?"

"After taking the medicine, it feels like... I can't feel happy... and I can't feel sad either," Bai Yuyou said softly.

"It's okay, that's normal," Ye Shuang said with a smile. After all, it was an antidepressant, meant to prevent Bai Yuyou from continuously feeling sad and draining herself. It would be fine as long as she stuck with it for a while.

Hearing Ye Shuang say it was normal, Bai Yuyou nodded gently.

"Ye Shuang."

"Hmm?"

"Let's take a bath together," Bai Yuyou said, opening her arms.

"Okay." Ye Shuang didn't refuse. He took her small hand and walked toward the bathroom. Even though she didn't plan to wear a swimsuit, Ye Shuang didn't say anything to her this time. Instead, he turned on the showerhead and started rinsing her hair.

"Come, sit down, I'll wash your hair." Looking at Bai Yuyou's fair, round shoulders, Ye Shuang spoke.

Bai Yuyou sat down, and Ye Shuang squeezed some shampoo into his palm.

Massaging the strands, he lathered up Bai Yuyou's long hair.

"Hands." Bai Yuyou reached out her hands.

Ye Shuang applied body wash to them.

"Body."

Ye Shuang continued. After applying it all over the girl's body, he picked up the showerhead. Amidst the rising steam, the water mixed with body wash flowed into the nearby drain.

"Ye Shuang, let me help you," Bai Yuyou said.

Ye Shuang paused for a moment, then replied, "Okay."

Ye Shuang sat in the spot Bai Yuyou had just occupied, still able to feel her lingering warmth. Bai Yuyou squeezed out some foam and half-squatted to apply body wash on Ye Shuang.

The feeling of her small hands rubbing against his skin tickled a bit, but Ye Shuang didn't say much. As long as she could be happy, it was fine. Now, Ye Shuang didn't want to lecture Bai Yuyou about anything; whatever the girl wanted, he would try his best to satisfy her.

"Ye Shuang..." Bai Yuyou said softly.

"What..." Ye Shuang leaned back slightly.

"I like helping you rub the bubbles," Bai Yuyou said, continuing to lather Ye Shuang.

Ye Shuang was stunned for a second, then simply reached out and rubbed Bai Yuyou's head.

"..."

After a while, the showerhead was turned on again. Once both of them had rinsed off the foam, they sat in the bathtub to soak for a bit.

Ye Shuang gently held Bai Yuyou, resting his chin on her head.

"Do you like taking a bath with me?" Ye Shuang asked.

"Taking a bath, happy."

As long as she was happy. Ye Shuang didn't say anything more and just quietly held her.

After soaking for about twenty minutes, they got out, and Ye Shuang blow-dried Bai Yuyou's hair. In fact, he hadn't done these things for a long time, purely to make her rely on him less so she could become independent.

But now, Ye Shuang only wanted Bai Yuyou to be happy. The so-called independence was nothing more than an idea he had forced upon her.

Now, as long as Bai Yuyou wanted something, Ye Shuang wouldn't refuse. They would just have to walk this path slowly.

The feeling of almost losing Bai Yuyou was something Ye Shuang never wanted to experience again.

The night was hazy, a dark blue canvas dotted with stars.

At this time, Bai Yuyou sat on the edge of the bed hugging a pillow.

"Alright, let's sleep." Ye Shuang had finished washing up too. As soon as he got into bed, Bai Yuyou squeezed into his arms, resting her head on his arm and pressing tightly against him. Ye Shuang didn't say they were too close; he just pulled the blanket over both of them.

Feeling her warmth, Ye Shuang gently patted her back. "Go to sleep..."

"I want... a kiss," Bai Yuyou said.

Hearing this, Ye Shuang opened his eyes and kissed her on the cheek.

"Here." Bai Yuyou pointed to her lips.

Ye Shuang kissed her there. The jelly-like touch made him zone out for a moment, but he quickly pulled away and rubbed her head. "Are we good? Can we sleep now?"

"Mhm."

Bai Yuyou finally closed her eyes and squeezed a little deeper into Ye Shuang's embrace. Like a baby bird that had finally found a warm nest, Bai Yuyou's entire body began to completely relax.

Tonight was the soundest and most peaceful sleep she had gotten recently.

As long as she was by Ye Shuang's side...