As I wheeled the old man out from the hospital entrance, I strolled slowly along the wall. To the right stretched a wide cement slope; to the left, a narrow road fenced by green railings. From up here, the view swept across most of the city.

I’d just reached the slope’s edge, ready to keep going down, when he suddenly called out:

“Hey, wait!”

I froze. He pointed at the slope. “Xiao Lu, I’ve got it—push me down!”

I blinked. “What? Why?!”

“To ride a roller coaster!”

My brain short-circuited. He went on:

“I’ve always wanted to try one. Took Xiao Feng once—just watching that train spin from below made me dizzy… But it looked fun. Never rode it though. Too late now. These old bones couldn’t take the shaking. But this slope? Just steep enough. I’ll slide down—call it my roller coaster ride. Come on!”

Like hell.

I shook my head like a rattle. “Old man, please… If you tumble out, Lao Han’ll grab a knife and chop my head off!”

He waved a hand. “Don’t be silly. That kid hasn’t visited me once. If he had time to chop you up, he’d visit me first. And if anything happens? Not your fault. Relax.”

I shook my head again. “No, seriously—spare me…”

He turned, lips curling. “You were all sweet talk earlier—‘people come and go, find me for snacks or fun’… Now you hesitate over pushing a chair?”

I wiped sweat, peered at the slope.

Not too steep—maybe fifty degrees. Railings all around. Deserted path. A middle school nearby, but holidays meant empty streets. If he slid down, I could catch up in seconds… *Probably*.

*Would anything go wrong? I had no idea.*

My face must’ve been pure worry.

He chuckled softly, looking away. “Enough. You’re timid as a rabbit. I said you’re not liable—what’s there to fear? Sigh… People really do flip-flop.”

My mind warred.

After a long pause, I sighed, rubbed my forehead. “…Fine. Old man. Just. This. Once.”

He grinned, waving a big hand. “Knew you were the reliable one! Go!”

Reluctant, I inched the chair to the edge. Swallowed hard. Stared. Only after he urged me again did I frown and say:

“Okay—but after this, you won’t ask for a pirate ship next, right?”

He perked up. “Pirate ship? Thrilling? Better than roller coasters?”

Gripping the handles, I shook my head fast. “Nah, nothing. Just rambling…”

I’m usually fearless—roller coasters, pirate ships, drop towers—I’d walk off unfazed.

But this slope? Where kids skateboard humming tunes without a care? My gut tightened.

Slowly, I positioned the chair. Stared downhill. Swallowed. “I’m letting go… okay?”

He chuckled. “Hurry up, stop dawdling!”

Deep breath. Grip tight. “…Wait. I’ll count down. Three… two… one… and I *really* let go.”

He nodded, knuckles white on the armrests. Throat bobbed. Glanced sideways. “Huh… yeah. This *is* kinda scary.”

Another breath. “Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

I sighed inwardly—and released.

The chair glided down at a steady pace. He let out a startled laugh, feet on the footrests, arms flung high.

Instantly, I sprinted beside him, one hand hovering near the handles—ready to yank it if someone appeared. (Brake lever? He could use it. Still… not trusting it.)

Speed was light-jog level. He kept laughing—genuinely happy. I scanned ahead for bottles, pebbles. Slope was clean. Good.

Breathing hard, eyes locked ahead, hand ready.

Halfway down, his hands lowered. Silence settled.

Novelty faded.

The descent felt endless. At the bottom, the chair coasted a few feet more before stopping.

Leaning on my knees, grip still tight, I panted: “Had enough, old man? Time to head back…?”

No reply.

I wasn’t tired—just terrified. Every second, braced for a stone, a person darting out. Nerves shredded.

Truth was, I never wanted this. Hit someone? Heavy chair = real pain. Apologies might not cut it—could get scammed for meds.

But that wasn’t the real fear.

If *he* fell…

Frail bones. Poor health. One tumble…

If he got hurt? I’d be a murderer.

Lao Han’s words echoed: *“Take good care of him.”*

And here I was—days in—and “cared” him to death. Lao Han’d probably smile sweetly, borrow a knife from Minghai, and smile again while stewing me.

I lifted my head, breath ragged. “Done yet? Had your fill? Old man? Time to go?”

Silence.

He lay sideways in the chair, motionless. As if he hadn’t heard a thing.