Wang Cheng listened with some confusion, looking at the others who were also stretching. "Don't we have teammates?"
Lin Qiong turned around and silently glanced at him.
Wang Cheng seemed to feel as if that look mocked him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Have you ever been in a snowball fight before?"
Wang Cheng truthfully replied, "No."
Lin Qiong approached and patted his shoulder. "Then remember to stand firm. Even if the sky falls, you also have to stand."
"Why?"
Lin Qiong gave him a resolute look. "Once you fall, you will find that everyone around you is your enemy."
Wang Cheng initially didn't understand, but it became clear ten minutes later.
"Damn! Why don't I have any teammates?!"
Lin Qiong played gleefully, throwing snow at Wang Cheng. They played until late at night before returning to the room.
----
After taking a hot bath, Lin Qiong lay on the bed, exhausted. However, he realized that he hadn't given any romantic comfort to Fu Xingyun today. Despite feeling extremely tired, he forced his eyelids open and made a phone call.
"Xingyun."
"Yes." The man's voice came from the other end. "What's the matter?"
Lin Qiong lay on the bed like a lazy fish and turned over. "Nothing. I just wanted to talk to you."
"Hmm."
Lin Qiong asked, "Was it cold when you went out today? Any discomfort on your body?"
Hearing the concern from the other side, Fu Xingyun's heart softened. "No."
Lin Qiong grinned foolishly. "That's good. I bought the thermal pants specifically for you. There are two more in the bottom of your wardrobe."
Fu Xingyun: ...
"Do you feel any improvement now?"
There was a sudden silence on the other end of the phone for a moment. "No."
Holding the phone, Fu Xingyun lowered his eyes, saying something completely opposite to reality. Compared to five months ago, he can now stand completely. Although he hasn't tried walking yet, the doctor said it's only a matter of time if he persists.
When he could stand up without leaning against the wall, he wasn't without excitement. He even wished to tell everyone, especially Lin Qiong, but reason took control.
The fact that he could stand up was something no one else could know, except for the doctor.
Listening to the desolation in Fu Xingyun's words, Lin Qiong hurriedly comforted him, "It's okay. Let's take it slow. Even if there's no result, it's okay. Just doing your best is enough. Didn't I say before? If you don't get better, I'll accompany you for a lifetime. You still have me."
Lin Qiong spoke before realizing it, a completely subconscious reaction.
If Fu Xingyun really couldn't stand up as described in the book, it would be nice to accompany him for the rest of his life.
He had no family, but he liked Fu Xingyun's family a lot. Even though it was not perfect, it was warm. Moreover, in this world, there was no one closer to him than Fu Xingyun.
Fu Xingyun listened carefully to the words, a mixture of tenderness and affection. But suddenly, as if recalling something, his body stiffened.
In his mind, he involuntarily recalled Lin Qiong's frequent words, "When you get better, we'll get divorced."
Combined with the sentence just now, "If you can't stand up, I'll accompany you for a lifetime," it meant that once his legs got better and he stood up, Lin Qiong would leave.
Fu Xingyun's eyes darkened, and a deep darkness enveloped his eyes.
"Lin Qiong."
Lin Qiong squinted at the light above, "What's wrong?"
"Do you remember what I said to you?"
"What did you say?"
"If you dare to leave, I'll break your legs."
Lin Qiong's heart skipped a beat, and suddenly, all drowsiness was gone. Though the person's voice wasn't physically present, it gave an invisible pressure. For a moment, it felt like something was strangling his throat, making it hard to speak.
Yet, that voice continued, "If you dare to leave..."
Lin Qiong broke into the words, "How could that be possible? I love you so much; how could I leave you?"
He could clearly sense the other's breath becoming heavier. Lin Qiong felt a bit uneasy; Fu Xingyun wouldn't have a relapse, would he?
The voice softened a bit, "Xingyun."
"What's wrong?" Lin Qiong licked his lips, "How about you take some medicine now? It's time for your medication."
Fu Xingyun's voice sounded somewhat annoyed, "Are you disgusted with me?"
Lin Qiong was startled and quickly sat up from the bed, "How could that be? I like you so much; how could I be disgusted with you?"
"Then why are you asking me to take medicine?!"
Lin Qiong spoke the truth, "Of course, it's for your health."
Fu Xingyun's mood seemed to have calmed down a bit after hearing this.
Unable to see Fu Xingyun's condition through the phone, Lin Qiong said, "Xingyun, how about we video call? I miss you, and I want to see you."
The man's voice was hoarse, "Okay."
After hanging up the call, Lin Qiong initiated a video call. On the screen, Fu Xingyun was wearing a robe, leaning on the bed, his eyes bloodshot, and visible bulging veins on his neck and forehead.
Lin Qiong was sure that Fu Xingyun had a relapse. Anxiety and worry filled his heart, and he couldn't think of anything else but concern for Fu Xingyun's well-being.
The man's eyes were fixed on the screen, his gaze intense and frightening, as if he wanted to devour Lin Qiong. Lin Qiong lay on the bed on the other end, wearing a white bathrobe, partially dry hair, and fair skin with a faint blush, indicating that he had just taken a bath.
Fu Xingyun spoke first, "What are you doing?"
"Having a video call with you." Lin Qiong nervously said, "Xingyun, the medicine is in the drawer next to your bed. Let's take the medicine first, okay?"
"What if I don't take it?" The man's face turned menacingly dark. "Why do you keep asking me to take medicine?"
Lin Qiong's eyelids twitched.
"Do you also find me abnormal?"
Lin Qiong's heart almost jumped to his throat. "No, I like you the most. I won't find you abnormal. Xingyun, no matter how you are, I like you. I ask you to take medicine because I want you to be healthy."
Fu Xingyun raised his hand and took out a bottle of pills from the drawer, violently opened it, and spilled a handful.
Lin Qiong raised his voice, "Xingyun, three pills at a time is enough. This is too much."
Fu Xingyun seemed a bit impatient, clenching his hand.
"Xingyun." Lin Qiong brought his head closer to the camera, "Just take it once, just for today."
"Do you want me to be healthy?"
Lin Qiong nodded quickly, "Yes if you're healthy, I can accompany you for a longer time."
"Really?"
"Of course, I am telling the truth."
As Lin Qiong spoke, he saw Fu Xingyun putting the pills into his mouth without even drinking water, chewing them like a wild beast devouring its prey's bones.
The sound was loud, and Lin Qiong's heart raced in fear.
"Aren't you suffering, Xingyun?"
The man didn't respond.
Lin Qiong knew that he could only use gentle words to comfort him for now.
"How was your day today?"
"Did you have your meals on time?"
"Do you miss me? I miss you a lot."
Fu Xingyun suddenly spoke, "How much do you miss me?"
Lin Qiong was taken aback, "Huh?"
Looking at the innocent expression on the other side's face, the man said, "I'm asking how much you miss me."
Lin Qiong shyly lowered his head, "Well, I... I miss you a lot."
When Lin Qiong raised his head again, he saw the man's darkened face.
Why is he still angry?!
"Do you miss me, or is it just lip service?" Fu Xingyun asked.
Lin Qiong pouted his small mouth. How could it be just lip service?
Suddenly, the man sneered, and Lin Qiong was frightened. He quickly said, "It's not just lip service; I really miss you."
The man looked at him coldly. Lin Qiong took a deep breath and then kissed the camera several times.
"Mua, mua, mua."
The man, who had a dark face before, was stunned.
Lin Qiong raised his head triumphantly, "See, I told you I miss you."
He pointed and gestured towards the camera, "Don't you believe me?"
Fu Xingyun's expression seemed unnatural for a moment. After a while, he uttered, "Just lip service."
It was nearly midnight, and seeing that Fu Xingyun's condition had improved, Lin Qiong finally hung up the phone.
Outside, the streetlights were dim, and the night was deep.
----
Early the next morning, Fu Xingyun was awakened by the doctor.
"Mr. Fu."
Fu Xingyun pinched his brow and sat up, "Hmm."
Today's rehabilitation work was crucial, and after breakfast, Fu Xingyun began his rehabilitation training.
The doctor flipped through the reports on the side, "Mr. Fu, your physical condition is much better than expected. As of yesterday, the standing exercise has concluded, and the rehabilitation progress is excellent. So, today, I plan to let Mr. Fu try walking."
Then, he handed out a plan, "But we shouldn't be too hasty. Just a few steps will do, and we can observe Mr. Fu's condition thoroughly."
Fu Xingyun looked at the plan in his hand for a long time, the word 'walking' was something he hadn't put into action for a long time.
Lowering his gaze to his legs, he felt a lump in his throat for a moment.
Afterward, he said lightly, "Hmm."
At noon, Fu Xingyun began his first attempt. Since standing had just been successfully practiced, it was impossible to walk without assistance.
The first attempt involved both the nurse and the doctor supporting him. The second time, he was given medical crutches on both sides.
Fu Xingyun took a deep breath, and at the moment he took a step, a soft, powerless feeling emerged from his legs.
Suddenly, he fell.
Fortunately, the doctor was quick to react, and there was a cushion below, so he didn't get hurt.
Sweat appeared on Fu Xingyun's forehead. After standing up, he didn't say much and tried to walk again. He was slowly taking steps, but there was no feeling of support in his legs.
The doctor said, "Take it slow, Mr. Fu."
Fu Xingyun's chest heaved, gripping the medical crutches tightly.
His legs trembled as he took a step, two steps...
Then, he fell to the ground again.
Consecutive failures once again wore down the man's will. He pounded the ground with his fists frantically after the umpteenth fall.
"Why! Why!" he roared like a wild beast, vile and terrifying. "Why!"
The doctor and nurse rushed forward to comfort him.
This practice continued for a month. The doctor would come as soon as it was light, and he wouldn't leave until sunset.
Fu Xingyun didn't know how many times he fell, how many times he collapsed, but each time, he endured it.
As the sunset approached, Fu Xingyun looked at the radiant light and spoke, "Can we change the tool this time?"
Looking at the medical crutch thrown aside, the doctor was surprised, and Fu Xingyun pointed to something that had been taken out earlier, saying, "I want to use that."
The doctor looked over and saw a dark cane, glossy and exquisite all over.
In fact, Fu Xingyun didn't need to say anything; it was time for him to switch to a cane instead of crutches. But the cane was somewhat inconvenient compared to crutches. Nevertheless, it was doable.
"If Mr. Fu wants, you can use it."
Fu Xingyun took the cane, "Remove the cushion mat."
The nurse glanced at the doctor, and then slightly moved away.
Fu Xingyun slowly stood up with the cane, standing in the gradually setting sun for a long time. Then, he slowly took a step, two steps... and even more.
Fu Xingyun walked step by step, and a gentle breeze swept in from the side, ruffling the man's hair and reddening his eyes.