She felt a rush of trepidation, getting caught bad-mouthing someone behind their back was not exactly a shining moment...
"I've brought a doctor to look at her wounds."
Zuo Xingyun spoke in an even tone, devoid of fluctuations, as if he hadn't heard what Xiang Wan had just said.
Seeing that Zuo Xingyun had brought a new doctor, one who wasn't the family doctor who had treated her from childhood, Xiang Wan sat up with a cold expression and refused, "I don't want to be examined."
The doctor was a woman in her forties, wearing a pair of black-rimmed glasses, and seemed hesitant.
Perceiving Xiang Wan's reaction, the doctor couldn't help feeling embarrassed, "Mr. Zuo... this..."
Zuo Xingyun sighed with a hint of helplessness, "Kids love to be temperamental, sorry to trouble you."
Xiang Wan: "..."
She was truly impressed by Zuo Xingyun's ability to act so caring towards her in front of others. Did he really think she was still a child?
Just as she was about to lash out, she took a breath and a sudden sharp pain coursed through her abdomen, exactly where An Lili had kicked her...
Her complexion turned pale with pain, and her body curled up like a little shrimp.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of hastened footsteps drawing near, and the next second, Zuo Xingyun's large hand pressed on her shoulder, "If you know it hurts, stay put."
His grip was so strong that just one hand was enough to prevent Xiang Wan from struggling free.
Xiang Wan, like an irritable little beast, wished she could bite down hard on Zuo Xingyun's hand. However, the pain was too intense; she had no strength for anything else and could only breathe gingerly.
The doctor hurried over to examine Xiang Wan, and when she touched Xiang Wan's lower abdomen, Xiang Wan broke out in cold sweat from the pain and struggled, "It hurts!"
After a few attempts, the doctor was also perspiring from the ordeal, "Mr. Zuo, I think the miss has internal injuries. We need to go to the hospital immediately for an X-ray. This location is near the uterus... After all, she's a young woman, and any complications could affect fertility..."
Zuo Xingyun's eyes darkened suddenly, and his thin lips pressed into a serious arc, "I understand..."
Xiang Wan was in so much pain that her mind was hazy; she could barely grasp what the doctor had said. She only knew that she was dressed and helped into a car by Nanny Zhang. This time, Achen was driving, and Zuo Xingyun sat with her in the back seat.
At times like this, Xiang Wan felt extremely insecure and wanted Nanny Zhang to accompany her, but Zuo Xingyun refused.
His reason was simple, "She's too noisy."
Going to the hospital for emergency care, getting X-rays, and the whole process wore Xiang Wan out. Lying on the hospital bed, she felt drowsy but couldn't fall into a deep sleep because of the pain.
She squinted at the man sitting at the desk, frowning and concentrating on his computer.
He looked busy, his long, distinct fingers tapping fluidly on the keyboard from time to time, still wearing the black glove on his right hand.
He was still dressed in the white shirt she had soiled earlier. Had he even not had the chance to change clothes before leaving home?
After a while, the doctor came into the ward with the results.
Zuo Xingyun closed his computer and got up to inquire, "How is she?"
The doctor asked perfunctorily, "Who are you to the patient?"
Zuo Xingyun actually paused for quite a while as if he didn't know how to answer the question.
For some reason, Xiang Wan suddenly thought of her tenth birthday party.
At the dining table, after she blew out the candles, she wrapped her arms around Zuo Xingyun's neck, "Dad, mom, and uncle, we will always be a family and stay together forever!"
Back then, she didn't know that Zuo Xingyun would leave soon, nor did she foresee reuniting under such circumstances.
The cheerful laughter of that day seemed to mock her bitterly. Had fate played some cruel joke on her?
Suddenly, Zuo Xingyun's deep voice broke the silence, "Family."
Xiang Wan's heart trembled slightly at the word, its meaning all too painful for her now.
The doctor nodded, "She's fine, just a temporary abdominal spasm due to a traumatic blow. Rest for the night, and she should be alright. The other injuries on her body are superficial; they're not problematic, and she can go home."
Upon hearing that she could go home, Xiang Wan gathered her strength to get out of bed.
As soon as her feet hit the ground, a familiar warm flow made her stiffen abruptly in place. If she wasn't mistaken... that was…?
"What's wrong? Does it still hurt a lot?"
Zuo Xingyun saw her suddenly freeze, a flicker of concern passing through his eyes as he instinctively took a large stride toward her.
Xiang Wan, as if startled, stretched out her hand to keep him a meter away, "Don't come any closer!"
Zuo Xingyun stopped, his brow furrowing deeply.
Another surge of warmth flowed, and Xiang Wan's face flushed red with both pain and confusion.
How could she tell Zuo Xingyun that she... had started her period?