Chapter 100: Yun Yi Is Diagnosed with Depression

The premiere of Radiance of a Prosperous Age became an instant sensation at the height of its run. It ranked first in television ratings across every major channel, leaving the runner-up far behind. On the online platforms, total views surpassed one hundred million in less than an hour after release, a result so extraordinary it seemed almost mythic.

Lin Xi also shot to fame on the back of the series, firmly securing her place among the top-tier actresses and silencing the haters with undeniable force. In private, offers of new scripts and endorsements poured in until her hands could hardly hold them, and her commercial value rose like a straight vertical line.

As the on-screen couple with Lu Yuxiu, and as a real-life pair off-screen, she and he sent fans and netizens into shrieks of delight.

Countless scripts, endorsements, and variety shows came rushing toward Lin Xi, yet her state of mind hardly changed. She did not become complacent or deliriously overjoyed because of it. Too much had changed during this period; she only wanted to take advantage of the rare rest to spend time properly with her friends and the one she loved. She had no desire to chase quick success, and besides, she had never lacked resources to begin with.

Under ordinary circumstances, when a drama became a runaway hit, the lead actors and supporting cast would seize the momentum to promote themselves and fan the flames of publicity. But Prosperity seemed to be an exception. The male and female leads barely interacted on Weibo.

Just as the little fans were whining and begging for sweet moments, Lin Xi, the heroine herself, appeared at the hospital.

She truly could not put Shu Yunyi out of her mind. Her younger brother was still at school, and she was alone in the hospital; Lin Xi worried she might feel bored. When she stepped onto the ninth floor of the inpatient building, the corridor was quiet as a whisper. She pushed open Shu Yunyi’s room, only to find it empty, the quilt folded neatly with impeccable order.

“Miss Lin, you’re here.” A clear voice came from the doorway. Lin Xi turned and saw that it was the nurse assigned to Shu Yunyi. She quickly removed her hat and mask and asked with a smile, “Oh, Nurse Xiao Jin, it’s you. Where is Yunyi? Why isn’t she in her room?”

Nurse Jin was very fond of Lin Xi. Seeing her idol be so approachable and without airs, she could not hide her excitement. “Miss Shu’s younger brother has come. The siblings went for a walk in the hospital’s little garden. I can take you there. I’m not busy right now.”

“All right. I’ll go find them, then. Thank you for the trouble, Nurse Jin.” Lin Xi curved her lips.

The two of them took the elevator down and headed toward the hospital garden.

“Miss Lin, I’m your fan. I really never expected you and Miss Shu to be so close in private. The rumors online were completely absurd.” Nurse Jin’s little face flushed bright red as she chattered excitedly at her idol.

“Oh.” Lin Xi could not help laughing. “You can’t trust what’s online. But thank you for taking care of Yunyi.”

“That’s what I should do!” They walked and talked as they left the elevator.

“How has Yunyi been lately?” Lin Xi asked casually.

Nurse Jin replied, “When I’ve been looking after Miss Shu, I always feel she’s been a little low in spirits. She doesn’t like to talk much and often just sits there in a daze, as if she isn’t interested in anything.”

At that, Lin Xi frowned. This was nothing like the Yunyi she knew. In her memory, Yunyi was always smiling, gentle, and easygoing, her voice soft and faint.

“Still, today her younger brother came, and she seemed much happier,” Nurse Jin said with visible relief.

Lin Xi also felt slightly reassured and nodded.

Who would have thought that just as they reached the corner, Shu Yiran would come running in panic from the direction of the garden, his mouth crying out in alarm, “Doctor... help...”

Lin Xi’s pupils contracted at once. She hurried forward to block the bewildered, frantic Shu Yiran, then crouched down and held his shoulders, asking sternly, “Yiran, calm down. Tell me what happened.”

Shu Yiran’s unfocused eyes slowly settled on Lin Xi’s face. It took him a long while to react before his lips parted again and again. “Sister Xi...”

“My sister fainted on a bench in the little garden. She was still talking just now...” He was clearly terrified, his voice thick with tears.

“What!” Nurse Jin was shocked too.

Lin Xi’s face went pale. She steadied herself and looked at Shu Yiran with calm resolve. “Yiran, don’t panic. Take us to your sister now.”

“O-okay... okay.” Shu Yiran’s face was as white as paper. He grabbed Lin Xi’s hand and turned to run, with Nurse Jin hurrying after them.

On a bench in the little garden, Shu Yunyi lay there quietly, her hair disheveled, her face bloodless and pale, as though a gust of wind might carry her away.

“Yunyi!” Lin Xi rushed over and, her hands trembling, shook her, but there was no response at all. Her eyes were closed tight, and sweat beaded on her forehead.

“I’ll go fetch the stretcher!” Nurse Jin reacted instantly and was about to rush inside.

Lin Xi frowned hard and said in a low voice, “No need!”

Then she bent down, slipped both arms under Yunyi, and lifted her in a princess carry. The two beside her were stunned for a moment by the sight.

“Nurse Jin, call a doctor quickly!” Lin Xi carried Shu Yunyi as she walked, tossing out the reminder at the nurse.

“Okay!” Nurse Jin turned at once and ran to find a doctor.

Lin Xi held Shu Yunyi tightly all the way back to the ninth-floor room, and by then the doctor had also arrived.

“Family members, please wait outside.” The nurse stopped Lin Xi and Shu Yiran at the door.

Lin Xi held Shu Yiran’s hand. His body would not stop trembling, and his little face was full of bewildered fear.

“Sister...” His lips were dry as he stared blankly at the ward, his heart in turmoil.

Seeing this, Lin Xi’s heart ached terribly. She bent down and comforted him in a soft voice, “Yiran, your sister will be fine. The doctors have gone in already. She’ll wake up very soon, all right?”

At that, Shu Yiran lowered his gaze, the light in his eyes dimming. “How could my sister faint...”

As he spoke, the doctor suddenly pushed open the ward door and came out. The two of them hurried up to him. “How is she?”

The doctor looked grave and chose his words carefully. “Miss Lin, from my observation, Miss Shu fainted because of excessive mental stress, which caused a circulatory disturbance in the blood vessels of the brain. We have already asked psychiatry for a consultation. The situation is not very optimistic. Let’s wait for the psychiatrist’s assessment.”

Hearing this, Lin Xi felt a chill run through her spine. She began to understand. Earlier, Yiran had said he saw that the medicine his sister was taking had a name beginning with an X on the box. It must have been fluoxetine, an antidepressant. Her guess had not been wrong...

“All right... thank you, Doctor.”

Not long after, the psychiatrist entered the ward.

Lin Xi held Shu Yiran and sat on the chair outside the room to wait. Though he was still a child, he could sense the tension and solemnity in the air. His little face had gone deathly pale. “Sister Xi, what’s wrong with my sister? Is it a very serious illness?”

Lin Xi felt heavy-hearted. She did not know how to tell him. Her lips parted slightly. “Yiran, we need to wait for the doctor’s test results. Your sister may be unhappy and under too much pressure, which is why she’s feeling so down. In the future, we must comfort her and stay by her side properly, all right?”

“Okay.” Shu Yiran nodded earnestly.

At that moment, the psychiatrist also came out. Holding a report in her hand, she let out a soft sigh and said to the two of them, “After examination, we have confirmed that Miss Shu is suffering from severe depression, and it has been developing for some time.”

Lin Xi froze. Even though she had prepared herself, the words still sent a chill up her spine. How could it be this serious? Severe depression...