Gu Jingnian’s mind was filled with the thought of having narrowly escaped a disaster; he didn’t notice Ji Xingmi roll her eyes at him. It wasn’t until he came to his senses that he felt a change in his wound. Before, even with painkillers, there was a slight burning sensation at the wound site. This feeling prevented him from resting properly and kept his emotions in a constant state of anxiety.
Now, he didn’t feel that burning sensation at all. Instead, the areas around his wound felt tight. Even breathing was much easier for him now. He tried to get up on his own, and this time he was able to.
He sat on the bed, looking at his wound covered in ointment for a long time. Then, with his other hand, he wiped off a bit of the ointment, directly revealing the wound. He stared at it for a while longer before applying a bit of the ointment again, covering the exposed area.
His wound seemed to be scabbing over! It had been inflamed and oozing before, but after a night’s sleep, it had healed this much. Recalling what Ji Xingmi had said earlier, had he soaked in a medicinal bath? The doctors at the hospital had said the chances of healing were slim, and it was already showing signs of infection. Even if it healed, the scars would remain. Even the best scar removal treatments wouldn't work, unless it was skin grafting. But that surgery had an extremely low success rate and carried certain risks.
That was why he didn’t want to stay in the hospital. He didn’t want to hear the doctors repeatedly tell him he might not recover. Even if he was mentally prepared, it didn't mean he wanted to hear it over and over again. But now, his wound was healing. He had only slept for a night, and not only had his wound improved, he even felt his body was lighter. He had been told his lungs were a bit infected, and it was difficult for him to breathe deeply, but now he didn’t feel that at all.
Was she a fairy?
Gu Jingnian looked at Ji Xingmi, who was chatting with someone outside. This was his thought, the only explanation he could accept right now.
Ji Xingmi, unaware of his thoughts, was talking to Ye Yu, who had just returned. Ye Yu had brought back a lot of medicinal herbs from Old Man Zhou. It was Ye Yu who exclaimed in surprise when he saw Gu Jingnian sitting up, "You can get up now?"
"Huh? Uh, after I took that medicinal bath, I felt much better, so I didn't want to lie down anymore."
"Huh? Much better?"
"Yes!"
Ye Yu didn't think too much of it, assuming it was a result of Ji Xingmi's excellent medical skills. Just as Ye Yu was about to say something, Gu Jingnian spoke up, "Um, Ye Yu, could you help me get some bandages from the hospital? I need a lot!"
"Okay. I can go down later. But can your wound be bandaged? I heard Auntie say that for burns, it’s best not to bandage them in the early stages."
"I know! I plan to use them later, just want to have some on hand." Ji Xingmi, hearing this, looked at Gu Jingnian. As their eyes met, Gu Jingnian was also looking at her. Had he discovered the changes in his wound? Without asking anything, he was even preparing to help cover it up? Seeing Ji Xingmi looking at him, Gu Jingnian smiled at her.
There was nothing else to ask. No matter what, his duty was to protect her. Now, she was not just his sister, but his future sister-in-law! As the matriarch of the Gu family, he had to protect her from every angle.
"Xing'er, has your medical skill improved? How come his voice sounds normal now, not as hoarse as before!" Ye Yu’s words caused Gu Jingnian’s heart to skip a beat. Just as he was about to say something to change the subject, Ji Xingmi interrupted him directly.
"Yes, of course! Although my medical skills are good, I implore you all to take good care of yourselves. I don't want to use my skills on you again. If I have to next time, I’ll let you try my newly invented herbal soup. It will definitely be unforgettable!!!" Ji Xingmi was in the mood to joke with them now. Gu Jingnian's recovery was going very well, which relieved Ji Xingmi’s guilt significantly.
Both Gu Jingnian and Ye Yu remembered the bitter medicine they had drunk back then and quickly shook their heads, promising there would be no next time. They didn’t want to drink medicine at all; thinking about it now, their mouths still tasted bitter.
Ji Xingmi smiled at their reactions and turned to leave. She had other matters to attend to. With a brief greeting, she left with Mantis. She didn't go anywhere else but to the previous warehouse. She asked Mantis to wait for her at the entrance and went in alone.
When she came out again, she was holding two boxes of items. Seeing her carrying things out, Mantis immediately stepped forward to take them. After Mantis took the items, Ji Xingmi paused at the entrance, then went back in to bring out two more loads.
Mantis carried all six boxes directly to the car. Ji Xingmi then went to get some vegetables before locking the door and returning to the sanatorium. Ye Yu, seeing them leave and return with six boxes in such a short time, was full of curiosity. He casually opened one box and found it filled with apples.
"Where did you get these things from?" Ji Xingmi didn't answer him. She handed him the key to the warehouse and cautioned him to be careful.
Seeing the key, Ye Yu understood and wanted to go out to find someone immediately. Ji Xingmi, seeing his eagerness, didn't stop him. She directly told him to take three boxes of apples and leave, one box for his family, and the remaining two for Grandpa Ye and Grandpa Bi.
Yes, Ye Yu was now living at the Ji family’s residence, only occasionally staying with Grandpa Ye for a couple of days.
Ye Yu left with the apples. Ji Xingmi asked Mantis to deliver a box of apples to Old Man Hua as well. Mantis took it and returned shortly, presumably having handed it over to someone else to deliver. His mission was to protect Ji Xingmi, so he wouldn't leave her side for too long.
Ji Xingmi paid no mind to this and went directly to the kitchen to cook. She had just secretly brought out ingredients for pickled fish from her space and had also brought back a fish. She hadn't gotten to eat pickled fish last time, so now that she had the chance, she naturally wanted to make it again.
Seeing the fish, Mantis voluntarily helped to clean it. He was skilled with knives and, following Ji Xingmi’s instructions, sliced the fish into thin pieces. The rest was up to Ji Xingmi. When the fish was ready, Gu Jingnian was also drawn by the aroma and slowly emerged from his room.
Unfortunately, Ji Xingmi wouldn't let him eat the pickled fish and instead stewed some bone porridge for him. He could only watch as they heartily ate the pickled fish. What was even more infuriating was Ji Xingmi; as she ate, she described the taste. Gu Jingnian was extremely tempted. If it weren't for his pride and his desperate effort to control himself, he might have drooled all over himself.