Chapter 10: Accident

Bad weather today.
When Qi Yu left, sky was heavy with cloud, rain falling.
Not heavy—fine drizzle. Qi Yu did not care. Helmet on, she rode fast.
Jiang Ya’s rented apartment was near the school—about twenty minutes from Xincheng. Qi Yu overtook all the way—arrived in about ten.
Qi Xuan opened the door. Qi Yu leaned on the frame, gasping hard, breath rough.
She had meant to wait for the elevator—but Qi Xuan’s call sounded so bad on the phone, said Jiang Ya had fainted, looked like she might not make it… Qi Yu could not wait. Ran the stairs.
Luckily only fifth floor—tired but doable.
“Where is she?” Qi Yu’s brow tight. Voice hoarse opening her mouth. Thirsty—mouth dry—hard to swallow.
She did not wait for Qi Xuan—pushed past, frantic scan of the living room.
Finally saw someone collapsed in the bedroom hallway. Three steps to two, crouched, looked at Jiang Ya’s lowered face.
“Jiang Ya, Jiang Ya?”
“Jiang Ya can you hear me?”
Emergency—no time for niceties. One arm circled Jiang Ya in, shook her testing.
No matter how she called—Jiang Ya did not answer. Head down, eyes half closed, sweat dripping off the tip of her nose.
Qi Xuan had just dialed 120. Seeing Qi Yu frantic—even reaching to check breathing—hurried: “Cousin, no need…”
“Teacher… it’s not that bad. I just asked her—she said only very dizzy, doesn’t want to talk…”
Qi Yu looked at her, paused—severe face not yet softened.
“Then why did you say she was dying on the phone! Qi Xuan, you scared me to death!”
If not for the horror act she would not have rushed like that—afraid one second late meant death—almost crashed on the road.
Qi Xuan shrank her neck, muttered small: “It was scary then… I was afraid something would happen…”
“Enough, drop it.” Scolded—but if she was conscious, Qi Yu breathed easier. Asked: “What happened? Why suddenly like this?”
“I don’t know…” Qi Xuan urgent. “During tutoring teacher said she felt bad, told us to leave first.”
“Others left. I said I’d stay. Thought low blood sugar—wanted to help her rest. Then… she couldn’t walk. Ended up like this… I didn’t know what to do so I told you to come fast…”
“Low blood sugar?” Sweat slid from her forehead. Qi Yu wiped roughly, sat on the floor too. “Before she said unwell—anything else?”
“No… just suddenly said she felt bad.” Qi Xuan squatted uneasy in front of her, pulled candy from pocket. “Here—classmates gave these. Didn’t get to eat yet.”
Qi Yu grabbed before she finished. Holding Jiang Ya and tearing—hands busy—failed several times.
“What candy is this—won’t tear.”
Complaint done—about to bite open with teeth—the person in her arms moved, fingers clutching her clothes.
Glasses slid to the bridge of her nose. Qi Yu saw dull half-open eyes, pale purple lips parted, fine gasps—as if trying to say something.
“Don’t go…”
“What?” Could not hear—Qi Yu put her ear close.
Too close—weak breath on skin—ticklish. Qi Yu edged away without thinking.
“No… hospital…”
“No hospital how is that okay?” Qi Yu at once—eyes even angry. “You’re like this and still won’t go—wait until when?”
“Don’t talk. Ambulance is almost here.”
Rare forcefulness from Qi Yu toward Jiang Ya.
She knew Jiang Ya always played tough—but there’s a time for that.
Senior year—fever but insisted on school—collapsed at evening study before taking leave. Now—about to pass out—still refusing doctors?
Still stubborn. Still the same.
Qi Yu wanted two more sentences—but Jiang Ya buried her face in her chest, teeth biting lip hard, clearly enduring pain. Qi Yu’s heart trembled too—words swallowed back.
Ambulance came fast. Under five minutes siren approached from far—sharp in the quiet complex.
Car here—Jiang Ya still struggled last, lips moving desperate to say something.
Qi Yu ignored the mumbled sounds. Had Qi Xuan help. Lifted Jiang Ya cleanly, hurried out.
Turning back she ordered Qi Xuan: “She can’t be alone. I may go to the hospital with her. Don’t follow. Taxi home yourself. I’ll transfer money—got it?”
Qi Xuan nodded fast.
She stood at the door watching Qi Yu place Jiang Ya on the stretcher, follow medics into the elevator—then slowly withdrew her gaze.
Still dazed. No movement.
A moment later she turned stiff neck—looked where Jiang Ya had collapsed in the living room—
Recent images vivid: Jiang Ya’s ghastly face, weak as if she could not breathe, Qi Yu’s angry scolding… all flashed through her mind.
First time through such an accident—belatedly her legs went soft. She leaned on the doorframe, hand on chest, felt heavy heartbeat, long relieved breath…
She never knew her cousin had that fierce side.
Qi Yu was introverted and good-tempered—neighbors said so daily: one rowdy, one quiet. In all these years Qi Xuan had rarely seen Qi Yu lose her temper.
But those few sharp words at Teacher Jiang just now—Qi Xuan knew—she was truly angry.