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"Doctor Baizhu is here! Doctor Baizhu is here!", a child excitedly exclaimed.
At the waiting room stood the man in question. He stepped into the main room with a smile as the children cheered.
The children likes Doctor Baizhu very much. If asked why, common answers would be because of how patient he is. He always treats his patients with a smile on his face even if the problem seems mundane.
He also gives the children candy after their checkup.
"Slowly, now! I'll be sure to attend each one of you, don't worry," said Baizhu, letting out a light chuckle by how excited the kids were to see him.
Doctor Baizhu is a renowned doctor all around Liyue. He had achieved many breakthroughs throughout his career. He was also known for his ability to treat a patient back to health, even if their mortality rate is incredibly high. It is said that if he is appointed as your doctor, you will have as high as 99.99% chance of getting back on your feet in no time!
His incredible feat in the medical field made him into a sought after professor in some universities around Liyue! Not to mention, he came from humble beginnings but slowly build up his wealth along with his twin, Bai Hei, a successful businessman.
One fateful day, he was invited to an orphanage to conduct a free medical check-up, sponsored by the Liyue Qixing, government of Liyue. After seeing the unfortunate fate of the children there, he decided that he would come regularly to provide them with free medical check-ups to ensure their good health until they find a family. He has been doing this deed for 3 years, always with a smile.
Today, one of the kid had strike a conversation with him.
Said kid finally talked, Baizhu thought. She has always been so quiet, pondering by herself or just accompanying a brunette with pigtails.
"I can never remember Doctor Baizhu's face..." the child had said with a frown on her face.
Baizhu simply smiled, carrying on with her check-up with a small 'it's okay'.
The child was named Qiqi, and she had been diagnosed with both retrograde amnesia and anterograde amnesia. which makes it difficult for her to recall past situations as well as getting ahold of new informations.
At first, Baizhu did not think much of the misfortune that had befall on the little girl, only feeling sorry and a little helpless as he knows the cure to amnesia is only time. And some times, there may be no cure.
However on that day, Baizhu felt a little sense of curiosity. And so after the check-up with the children, he went to the main office to inquire about Qiqi and her background.
It was revealed that she was found in the woods of a nearby reserve forest by a forest trekker. No one knew how she got there. The only assumption the authorities could think of was that she might be the child of the local villagers who lived in the reserve forest. However, after questioning the families of the villagers, no traces were found about Qiqi. They do not know about the existence of a 3-year-old in the small community of theirs.
A sense of deja vu hit Baizhu. He kept on listening.
She was found with a huge bruise on her head, but it was not bleeding. The trekker who had found her wasted no time and rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment. Qiqi was stable enough to be discharged, but she was diagnosed with amnesia. After further investigations, it was assumed that she possibly fell from a hill which had resulted in a concussion. The concussion was possibly left to be for a couple of hours before the trekker had found her, and due to that factor, had affected her hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for memory. If it was not for the trekker, she might have met her end.
After she was discharged, the trekker decided to send her to the local orphanage as he had not the ability of caring for her. And so for the past 3 years, Qiqi lived alongside her friends though she can hardly remember anything she did or was doing.
The doctors also mentioned that Qiqi has a chance of regaining her memory, or at least training it for it to become better. She would need a strong, intense stimulant for it to work but overwhelming her might make matters worst. It's a 50/50 chance, and the orphanage had not the heart of making matters worst. Therefore since the day she was admitted there, they had let her take charge on the matter.
Baizhu sat in silence after the story ended. His medical brain turning and charting. He concluded, 'Qiqi's survival is a miracle!'. The doctor then took his leave with a promise to return the next week.
On Monday, Baizhu returned as promised. As usual, the children cheered on his arrival. He chuckled and calmed the kids down.
"Today, I am not here for a health screening. I am here for your friend named... Qiqi?"
The room broke into whispers. A child nudged on someone, and the child in question stood up with an unreadable expression.
"Would you like to come home with me, Qiqi?" Baizhu asked gently.
Qiqi looked around, her expression unsure. Then, her eyes met the brunette with pigtailed. The child held up her thumbs, giving a "thumbs up" signal to Qiqi.
Qiqi nodded.
And the orphanage erupted with cheers. The children, caretakers, and staff alike happy. One of them has found their family!
"But..." Qiqi interrupted. "Qiqi will miss Yaoyao..."
The brunette with pigtails, Yaoyao, looked at Qiqi with teary eyes.
Baizhu smiled.
"Don't worry, Qiqi. We can visit little Yaoyao weekly if you want," Baizhu suggested.
Qiqi let a rare smile to decorate her face. "Then... okay,"
While Baizhu signed the papers necessary to legally adopt Qiqi as his child, Yaoyao and Qiqi hung around the playground.
"Qiqi will miss playing with Yaoyao..."
"Aww... it's okay Qiqi. Yaoyao will miss you too. But look on the brighter side! You have yourself a family now, with Doctor Baizhu too! Did you hear what he said? You can visit Yaoyao weekly," Yaoyao assured Qiqi.
The two friends shared a hug before Qiqi followed Baizhu into his car.
Soon enough, the now father and daughter arrived at Baizhu's humble home. He is wealthy, undeniably, but it does not reflect on his house. Cang Zhu had pestered for him to buy a bigger house, however he felt that he has no use of such big, fancy house and a regular one can accommodate him and a few guests just fine. He is perfectly content. And now, his house would be a little livelier.
Baizhu brought Qiqi to her room.
"This will be your room from now on. It is undecorated... Because you will be the one to decorate it. Tell me what you want to decorate it with and I will get it done as soon as possible," Baizhu spoke gently.
"Then... can Qiqi decorate it with finches? And lots of birds... Qiqi likes finches... They are cute," Qiqi requested.
"Of course you can, Qiqi," Baizhu giggled.
After that, Baizhu and Qiqi set for dinner. Baizhu told Qiqi about his plans for the week so they can get to know each other better so their bonds can be strengthened. He had taken the week off so he can spend his time fully for Qiqi.
As he talked, Qiqi interrupted him midway.
"You know... Qiqi can never remember Doctor Baizhu's face..."
Baizhu gave a soft smile. "Just call me Baizhu. Or 'Dad' if you want. And it's okay Qiqi... Do not force yourself," he assured.
"We can go out tomorrow and buy you a notebook to help with your memory, if you'd like,"
Qiqi continued. "But Qiqi knows Baizhu is good. Baizhu always helps Qiqi and friends at the orphanage..."
Baizhu grinned.
"But Qiqi will always remember Baizhu's green hair. Green reminds Qiqi of Yaoyao... and now Baizhu,"
At that, Baizhu broke in a laughter on the dinner table. However way Qiqi wants to think of him, he is perfectly fine as long as he can take care of her.
He has no doubt that adopting Qiqi might be the best decision he made. And they both hoped that the family will stay.