From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

Together with the medical staff, they escorted Su Qing back to her ward.

After I had settled her into the hospital bed and breathed a sigh of relief, the attending physician called me into the corridor to discuss the details of the entire surgery.

The corridor was bustling with people, filled with the hushed conversations of family members, and the smell of disinfectant permeated every nook and cranny.

The tension in my heart hasn't truly eased up even now.

"The surgery went very smoothly overall. The lesion was completely removed, and there were no unexpected complications such as massive bleeding during the operation. The only issue was that the patient was under a lot of psychological pressure and was highly stressed before the operation, which caused significant fluctuations in heart rate during the period after waking up from anesthesia. However, the heart rate has stabilized now, so there is no need to worry too much."

After hearing these words, my heart, which had been hanging in mid-air, finally settled back into my stomach. My shoulders and back, which had been tense for most of the day, instantly collapsed, and I felt completely exhausted.

"Thank you, doctor. You've really worked hard."

The doctor gently waved his hand and continued to give instructions on follow-up precautions:

"Once you get back, the key is to rest. You must not pull on the wound and you need to cooperate with the subsequent treatment. You absolutely cannot overexert yourself in the short term, and you must avoid any strenuous activity."

My heart tightened, and I quickly asked, "Doctor, I'd like to ask, in her condition, how long will it take for her to recover to her previous normal state?"

The doctor frowned slightly and carefully chose his words, saying, "After a month or two of rest and recuperation, there shouldn't be any major problems, and you can live a normal life. But to fully recover to your normal state, it will take at least six months."

The phrase "more than half a year" made me feel suffocated.

Not long ago, I received a text message that the Terra Line expedition had been approved.

That sudden surge of joy and anticipation was instantly doused with a bucket of cold water.

The Terra route is a long and arduous one, requiring extremely high physical fitness. It's simply impossible to take Su Qing, who hasn't fully recovered, on such an adventure.

The approval was finally obtained, but Su Qing's body simply couldn't handle it right now.

Six months—that's an awkward timeframe.

Leaving aside whether we can afford to wait that long, by the time half a year has passed, the hype surrounding the Terra Line will probably have faded considerably.

When we create outdoor content, we often just ride the wave of a trend.

But no amount of traffic or the best opportunities mattered when faced with Su Qing's health.

I suppressed the chaotic thoughts in my mind and memorized every word of the doctor's instructions and prohibitions.

"I understand, doctor. We will definitely take strict care of ourselves afterward."

After saying goodbye to the doctor, I turned and walked towards the ward.

My steps were heavy, and my heart was filled with conflicting emotions.

I don't know how to tell Su Qing the truth about the recovery period.

I know her personality; she's been longing for the Terra Line.

If she knew that she wouldn't be able to travel long distances for at least six months, she would definitely feel lost and sad, experiencing great emotional ups and downs, which would affect her post-operative recovery.

I couldn't help but sigh to myself, as if fate always likes to play tricks on people.

She couldn't join us when we ventured into the no-man's-land before because of her health condition.

Just when I finally got the chance to use Terra threads, this surgery came up.

On one hand, I couldn't bear to see her frustrated and sad.

On the one hand, I myself had no desire to embark on that journey alone.

But it was hard to accept that hard-won approval being given up so easily.

It seems that nothing in this world is perfect, and regrets are always a constant companion.

I stood at the door of the ward, took a deep breath through the door, and forcibly suppressed the sorrow on my face.

After adjusting his expression, he raised his hand and pushed open the door.

Su Qing lay half-reclined on the hospital bed, still receiving an IV drip, her face still pale and sickly.

Hearing the door open, she looked up at me, and despite her weakness, she managed to force a smile.

I walked to the bedside, slowly sat down, my gaze falling on her slightly haggard face, and softened my voice:

"How are you feeling? Is there anything that's bothering you?"

"Hmm, it's a bit better than when she was first wheeled out." Her voice was soft, carrying the lingering weakness of the anesthesia.

I smiled faintly at her: "That's good. Don't think too much about it. Get some rest. The surgery is over, you're fine now."

Su Qing's eyes flickered, and she immediately looked at me, asking, "You were just called over by the doctor. What did the doctor say to you?"

Looking into her expectant eyes, I felt a lump in my throat and tried my best to soften my tone:

"The surgery was very successful, but the doctor repeatedly told me that I must rest well after returning home and absolutely not overexert myself."

After hearing this, Su Qing visibly breathed a sigh of relief: "It would be wonderful if it succeeded."

After saying that, she eagerly asked, "By the way, how long will it take for me to fully recover? Did you ask the doctor about getting the Terra thread for me?"

I quickly weighed the options in my mind. I absolutely couldn't tell her the truth about the six-month recovery period right now, and I couldn't let her be disappointed and discouraged after just having surgery.

After a brief silence, I pretended to be nonchalant.

"It will take about a month. After surgery, it takes time to recover; you can't rush it."

Even after more than a month, Su Qing frowned slightly: "Won't that delay our trip to the Terra Line?"

"...No, a month is just right. Besides, I need to do a lot of preparation work on the equipment and route before we set off, which will take about half a month. The timing will be just right."

Hearing me say that, Su Qing finally felt relieved.

Even though she was weak all over, she couldn't stop talking and kept rambling on about her fragmented feelings in the operating room.

That's just how this girl is—lively and passionate. Even though her body is still suffering, once her spirits have recovered a little, she has endless things to say.

I reached out and gently brushed the stray hairs from her forehead, saying to her, "Talk less, save your energy, and lie down quietly for a while."

She stubbornly pouted and said defiantly, "I'm much better now, and my mind is completely clear. It was just a moment after I came out of the operating room that I was drowsy and out of control."

Looking at her pale face, I asked softly with heartache, "Does the wound hurt?"

"It didn't hurt much, but when I went into the operating room, I was really panicked. The operating room was so cold, I don't understand how the doctors and nurses spend every day in that kind of place."

"I told you not to be too nervous, it's just a minor surgery, it'll be over in a flash."

Su Qing thought for a moment, then asked curiously, "How long did I stay inside?"

"It'll only take about half an hour, it'll be over quickly," I replied.

"How much longer do I have to stay in the hospital before I can be discharged?" she continued to ask, her tone full of resistance to the hospital.

Seeing her look so annoyed with the hospital room, I couldn't help but chuckle: "That depends on your recovery. We can't run away without the doctor's permission."

Su Qing sighed softly, her lips drooping: "I really hate being in the hospital. There's a pungent smell of disinfectant everywhere, it makes me feel nauseous."

"Just bear with it a little longer, I'll stay here with you."