Chapter 058: Is He Out of Danger?

It takes a full day—twenty-four hours—to truly determine whether he has escaped the danger of illness.

That night, Shi Runrun did not sleep. She never even left the entrance of the intensive care unit. She remained there, keeping vigil outside, leaning against the corridor wall, silently praying for Xiao Xuezheng within. Through this ordeal, she finally understood just how much she cared about him. And after Ji Yunan's reminder, she wondered if her suspicions of his supposed infidelity were mistaken, that perhaps there was a misunderstanding behind it all.

Now, she no longer wished to dwell on such matters; she only hoped that Xiao Xuezheng would awaken, and if he did not mind, take her home with him.

As midnight descended, the temperature dropped sharply. Shi Runrun sat on the bench in the corridor, shivering from the cold. Ji Yunan came by, urging her to rest. He had already booked a room in a nearby hotel for her to sleep, assuring her that her vigil was of no use for Xuezheng’s condition. Yet Shi Runrun refused his suggestion.

She felt it was her fault, her stubbornness that had harmed him, and so she must watch over him until he woke; only then would she find peace.

Unable to persuade her, Ji Yunan had Qin Feng bring warm clothes to drape over her shoulders, along with some hot food. But Shi Runrun had no appetite, nor the heart to eat.

Every so often, she would rise and peer through the small window of the ward, watching the unmoving figure on the bed. He lay there, utterly still, and Shi Runrun’s heart twisted with guilt and anxiety.

By five o'clock in the morning, her body barely recovered and exhausted from the night, Shi Runrun finally succumbed and fainted on the corridor bench.

She was discovered an hour later, at six o'clock, by Qin Feng, who had come to bring her breakfast. He hurriedly called for doctors and nurses, who examined her thoroughly. Fortunately, it was only fatigue; she had no other ailment, and was advised to rest.

Thus, Shi Runrun was admitted to a regular ward herself.

...

Turning slowly back to consciousness, Shi Runrun’s eyes were greeted by the snow-white ceiling of the hospital room. She blinked in confusion, realizing she was lying in a hospital bed, with the evening sun filtering through the window.

What time was it now... Xiao Xuezheng...

She reached for her phone in haste and saw that it was already four-thirty in the afternoon the next day.

Where was Xiao Xuezheng?! How was he?!

Shi Runrun sat up in alarm, only then noticing Ji Yunan sitting beside her, asleep with his chin propped in his hand.

Her movement roused him. Opening his eyes and seeing her awake, he smiled and said, “Little sister-in-law, you’re finally awake. Don’t move yet—lie back a bit more. You’re still on an IV drip.”

She glanced at her hand as he spoke, and indeed, her pale, delicate hand had a needle inserted, fluid slowly coursing through the tube into her veins.

As she puzzled over this, Ji Yunan explained, “Last night, you fainted in the corridor from exhaustion while watching over Xuezheng. The doctor said you needed rest; I was worried you’d run out of strength, so I had them give you a nutrient infusion.”

At his words, Shi Runrun snapped back to focus, anxiously asking, “Yunan, where is Xiao Xuezheng? How is he? Is he out of danger?”

Her worry and tension were palpable, even if she herself did not notice.

Ji Yunan, however, caught it, smiling gently, “Little sister-in-law, you really do care about Xuezheng.”

Shi Runrun was silent.

He continued, “Xuezheng’s out of danger now. At noon, his fever broke, his consciousness returned, and just now, he woke again briefly before drifting off. Don’t worry—once your IV is done, I’ll take you to see him.”

Hearing this, Shi Runrun’s eyes reddened, tears pooling and threatening to spill. Her small body trembled, her lips pale as she murmured, “Thank goodness... thank goodness... He’s finally alright...”

The anxiety that had gripped her all day finally eased.

He was safe now—such wonderful news for her!

Shi Runrun had never imagined that a man could mean so much to her.

...

His life and safety could sway her heart at any moment.

Shi Runrun suddenly realized just how deeply she cared for him.

Meanwhile, in the intensive care unit, Xiao Xuezheng slowly opened his eyes on the hospital bed.

This first awakening after escaping danger brought only pain within his body, nothing else. A man’s tolerance for pain often exceeds a woman’s; the agony from lung surgery merely caused him to frown slightly.

He moved gently, his blurred vision gradually clearing. He saw the snow-white ceiling overhead, and the sharp scent of disinfectant reminded him where he was.

He tried to recall everything before his coma, and in an instant, remembered the young woman blocking him for Qiao Yu. His features twisted, his face clouding.

Damn it, she actually stood on Qiao Yu’s side. Damn it!

Angrily, he raised a fist and punched the bed; the pain made him cough violently.

At that moment, the door opened. Xiao Xuezheng turned his head to see Ji Yunan enter, wearing an awkward grin.

“Well, well, just woke up and already pounding the bed? Careful, if you break it, I can’t afford to pay the hospital!”

Xiao Xuezheng ignored his teasing, his dark eyes narrowing, voice low, “Where is she?”

Simple words, no name, but both knew who he meant.

Ji Yunan feigned ignorance, striding to the bedside and pulling up a chair, pretending to puzzle, “Who? The nurse giving you injections? What, you fancy her?”

“Ji Yunan!” Xiao Xuezheng spat out each syllable, gritting his teeth. Ji Yunan, seeing his impatience and gloom, burst out laughing, “Alright, alright, no more jokes. The girl’s next door getting an IV. Once she’s done, I’ll bring her over. Look how anxious you are!”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuezheng’s gaze darkened, but then he pressed on, “An IV? Is something wrong with her body?”

The concern and worry in his words could not be concealed.