The two people arrived outside the ward. The door was open, and it was not a single room but a large ward with three beds. People were coming in and out frequently, so the door was generally left open.
The two walked in, and Xu Lin immediately saw Father Bai lying there. Sitting next to him was not Mother Bai, but Bai Xiaoxiao. Bai Xiaoxiao had her back to them, but Father Bai saw them and immediately patted Bai Xiaoxiao.
"Xu Lin, you're here, what did you bring?" Father Bai pretended to shout loudly.
"Nothing expensive, just some meat and milk. Senior sister Bai can cook the meat and ribs at home and bring them for Uncle to eat," Xu Lin replied.
"Alright, Xiaoxiao, take it, don't let people keep holding it," Father Bai said. Bai Xiaoxiao took the things and glanced apologetically at Xu Lin before accepting them. Xu Lin just smiled indifferently.
As soon as he entered, he noticed the large and small gift packages placed next to the other two beds. Although Father Bai doesn't seem like someone who cares about appearances, as an adult, there are some social niceties he can't avoid.
Bai Xiaoxiao took the items and also noticed Ji Yun behind him. Ji Yun smiled slightly and nodded at her, and she awkwardly nodded back, smiling a bit unnaturally.
'Such a beautiful girl, with better skin than mine, and dressed so stylishly, is she Xu Lin's sister? Or perhaps... his girlfriend?'
"Oh, by the way, who is this?"
Father Bai asked, although Xu Lin was teased by his coworkers as being his son-in-law, he himself felt that his daughter shouldn't be dating yet. Seeing someone of the same age come with Xu Lin today, he felt relieved.
While he appreciated their help and intended to remember their kindness, he couldn't bear to let his daughter go just yet.
"She's my friend, Ji Yun."
"Hello, Uncle."
"Alright, please have a seat. Xiaoxiao, you stand for a while."
"We're fine standing."
"How can I let my benefactors stand?" Father Bai waved his hand, and Bai Xiaoxiao obediently placed two chairs behind them.
Xu Lin and Ji Yun also sat down, watching Father Bai, who despite having both legs suspended, still has a smiling face, and they couldn't help but admire the resilience of this thin man.
"How's your recovery, Uncle?"
"It's fine now. Although it was painful at the time, after the surgery, I didn't feel much. Besides being unable to move, I'll be discharged in another half a month."
"That's good. When you're discharged and go back, I'll arrange a car to pick you up."
"No, no, you've already taken care of them both for me that day, even covering their medical expenses. I can't trouble you any further!" Father Bai quickly said, his face serious, not giving him a chance to insist.
"Don't buy anything next time. I asked Xiaoxiao, and your family isn't wealthy. Once I'm feeling better, I'll try my best to give you the money next year. This money can't be delayed."
"Uncle, don't say that. It's not much money, there's no need to rush."
"You see, in my whole life, I only have one daughter, but I haven't provided well for her. I feel really guilty."
"Dad, I'm not worried about food or clothing."
"But... *sigh*... oh, I need to go to the bathroom. Your mom forgot to change my diaper before she left today."
Embarrassed, Father Bai waved his hand, preparing to press the nurse call button.
But Xu Lin quickly supported Father Bai and asked, "Don't move, do you need to urinate or defecate?"
"Urinate, I can manage it myself."
"Don't sway your waist. I'll help you. Senior sister Bai, you and Ji Yun, go out first and close the curtain."
"Xu Lin, can you do this? Shouldn't I come?"
"You're a girl, hurry and leave."
"No, I'll ask the nurse to come!" Mr. Bai was a bit touched, but also a bit embarrassed, after all, Xu Lin isn't someone he is very familiar with.
But for Xu Lin, who doesn't mind being dirty and treats him so kindly, he is still very moved!
Many people can give you a lot of money, provide material help, but when it comes to personal care, it's rare, not to mention this kind of care... Suddenly he felt that if this child was his son-in-law, it wouldn't be bad. Kind-hearted, good-looking, with such good family education, the parents' personalities must be good too.
Xiaoxiao would also have a good life, wouldn't be bullied or anything. I heard his academic performance is also good, this is simply...
No! Just now he was thinking, no matter what favors others might have, he still had to repay them, but now he's suddenly valuing their relationship again... sigh~!
Xu Lin helped inside, Bai Xiaoxiao pulled up the curtains around the sickbed in a circle, and then took Ji Yun outside the door.
However, the space between the two seemed to solidify, neither of them wanting to speak first. After half a minute of silence, Ji Yun finally broke the silence.
"Um, senior Bai."
"Ah?! Oh, Classmate Ji Yun, do you have something... to ask?"
"You don't have to call me Classmate Ji Yun, just Ji Yun is fine. By the way, Senior Bai, your exam results this time were good, right?"
"Yes, but I still need to work hard."
"Hmm."
Then the two fell into an awkward silence again. Ji Yun glanced at Bai Xiaoxiao, tall and thin, with a delicate face. But would Xu Lin like this type of girl? But if he didn't like her, why was he so concerned? Although she didn't doubt Xu Lin's kindness, as she had said to herself, no one was truly kind without any ulterior motives.
"Senior Bai, how did you meet Xu Lin?"
"Ji Yun, we really have nothing between us!" But Bai Xiaoxiao immediately took a step back.
"What are you talking about?" Ji Yun made a puzzled expression.
"Xu Lin is very kind, but we just have a normal student relationship! Don't blame him, just talk to me if there's anything, I'll definitely keep my distance from him in the future!"
Bai Xiaoxiao, in 2 seconds, quickly said this, like a machine gun firing at her, leaving Ji Yun confused.
Bai Xiaoxiao's timid face turned into a fearful and pitiful look.
This feeling was not acted out, but came from her instinct, making Ji Yun feel a bit sorry for her.
She also understood more about Bai Xiaoxiao, that she, Senior Bai, is not just an introvert, but also fragile and insecure when speaking with others.
"Senior Bai, don't be nervous. I didn't misunderstand you. I just simply want to know about your relationship with Xu Lin, nothing else."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, really, you don't need to be afraid. Senior Bai, is someone bullying you?"
Ji Yun reached out and held Bai Xiaoxiao's hand, feeling roughness and coldness at first touch.
"Why do both you and Xu Lin think this way... no one is bullying me," Bai Xiaoxiao rubbed her remaining hand, feeling only roughness.
But the other party's hand is so soft and delicate, like satin... indeed, only such a girl would be...
"Senior Bai, you are very beautiful."
"Um?" Bai Xiaoxiao buried her head into her chest, quietly gazing at Ji Yun, who gently smiled and held her other hand.
"You're very beautiful, don't lower your head. Why should you lower your head? You're more beautiful than many people, and you shouldn't be afraid, nor should you feel inferior."
"My mom said, showing off your beauty... can be very dangerous."
"Maybe that's not entirely wrong, but you need to know one thing, you need to be confident! You don't have to deliberately show your beauty to others, but rather, you should know that you're excellent!"
"I... but I..."
Bai Xiaoxiao raised her head slightly, looking at Ji Yun's sparkling eyes, wanting to say something, but nothing came out.
"It seems I need to show you how good your foundation is. It doesn't require much money, just a little bit of seriousness... Trust me once."
"But I really don't need it."
"Listen to me once, okay?"
Looking at Ji Yun's persuasive eyes, Bai Xiaoxiao also yielded, reluctantly nodding her head.