Han Jiaojiao felt itchy on her face, as if someone was lightly caressing it. Semi-aware, she reached out with closed eyes, trying to grasp at it, but caught nothing. Unable to resign herself, Han Jiaojiao opened her eyes and was unable to restrain a joyful smile upon seeing Han Yi's face.
"...Brother."
It really was him!
She had truly come back. Back before the apocalyptic world, back to his side.
—This time, she would never leave him again.
Han Yi frowned slightly, looking towards Han Jiaojiao with his deep eyes dark as ink.
Han Jiaojiao's face still held her smile, that was her brother indeed. If it had been before, she would have stayed far away from his broody appearance, but now, she wouldn't hide. She wanted to be with her brother forever, never to be apart again.
Thinking thus, Han Jiaojiao's body followed suit. She propped herself up, making her way onto Han Yi's hospital bed with hands and feet.
Han Yi was extremely surprised! Even his chronically gloomy face revealed a trace of astonishment.
The two beds were almost touching, separated only by a vertical handrail. In the brief moment he was stunned, Han Jiaojiao had already clambered onto his bed.
—Like a parched fish finally returning to the stream, like a wilted flower finally basking in the sunshine, Han Jiaojiao let out a soft, contented sigh and lay down slowly beside Han Yi.
Han Yi's body was rigid; he looked down at Han Jiaojiao, who curled up at his side, reaching out her little hand to hook one of his fingers, even boldly attempting to claim his entire arm. Han Yi couldn't help but let a slight smile tug at the corner of his lips, his gaze growing darker still.
He didn't let Han Jiaojiao have her way. Lifting his arm, he draped the quilt over her.
Han Jiaojiao's face flushed at once.
The quilt carried her brother's warmth, enveloping her completely. So toasty and warm, Han Jiaojiao had never been this close to him before...
Han Yi wrapped his arm around her from behind, gently patting her back. Han Jiaojiao obediently tucked herself into the crook of his arm, lowering her head without a word.
Neither of them spoke.
After a long time, Han Jiaojiao quietly asked, "Brother, does it hurt?"
She was actually quite conflicted inside, wanting to be close to her brother yet worried about touching his wounds.
Han Yi revealed a faint smile, gently stroking her hair, "Yes, a little."
"Ah?" Han Jiaojiao looked up, concern filling her gaze, "...It hurts a lot? How long until it heals?"
Han Yi fixed his eyes on hers, asking, "Jiaojiao, are you worried about me?" There was a hint of restraint in his eyes, and a glimmer of anticipation.
"Mhm." Han Jiaojiao nodded firmly, then gazed at Han Yi's right arm with a look full of heartache.
Han Yi couldn't help but hold her tighter, Han Jiaojiao's face pressing against his chest. Even with the barrier of the hospital gown, the pose was exceedingly intimate, and yet she was unwilling to pull away—what should she do...
Han Jiaojiao felt embarrassed, rubbing her face against Han Yi's chest a few times, berating herself for a lack of shyness, her face having grown thicker after living a lifetime.
Han Jiaojiao, in her current state, was very pleasing to Han Yi.
When had their relationship ever been so close? In the past, whenever he appeared before her, she treated him like a flood beast, with both fear and disdain.
Lost in thought, Han Yi tentatively moved his fingers across Han Jiaojiao's tender little face, eliciting no sign of discomfort from her. Instead, she burrowed even deeper into his embrace out of bashfulness.
Han Yi's lips curved up even more uncontrollably.
"Hungry?"
"Mhm," Han Jiaojiao nodded.
Han Yi called for Aheng to come in.
Aheng had been guarding at the door already. As soon as he entered and looked up to see the two on the bed, he was so shocked that he didn't know where to rest his gaze. His eyes drifted aimlessly, unable to focus properly, and his face showed an unmistakable shock that he couldn't hide!
Han Yi calmly instructed him to fetch Sister Wu and then ordered some other foods that Han Jiaojiao liked—she meekly requested hot milk while nestled in his arms. The two of them were so sweetly affectionate.
When Aheng left, he felt an unreal sensation with each step he took on the ground. All of this was simply too inconceivable.
Soon after, Sister Wu shared the same feeling as Aheng.
After Han Jiaojiao finished a bowl of porridge in Han Yi's embrace, she reluctantly crawled back to her own bed. It was almost time for the routine rounds by the doctors, and even with her thick skin, Han Jiaojiao didn't want to act spoiled in front of the medical staff.
Han Yi didn't show it on his face, but he felt it was a pity internally. He thought maybe they should get discharged early and go home to heal...
Going home to recover was indeed feasible. The bullet had been removed, and as long as the wound did not get infected, the rest of the basic care could be done at home. However, in the previous life, Han Jiaojiao greatly detested Han Yi. When Han Yi was at home, Han Jiaojiao always found excuses to stay out until she was urged by the bodyguards to reluctantly return home. That's why, in the previous life, Han Yi stayed in the hospital for so long.
Zhou Yan arrived with two nurses to clean Han Yi's wound and apply fresh dressing. Han Jiaojiao widened her eyes and watched from the side. When she saw the bandage being removed, revealing the wound mixed with medicinal powder and dirty blood, tears immediately welled up in her eyes.
The nurse kindly comforted her, "Mr. Han's injury looks severe but isn't dangerous. Don't worry, miss, Mr. Han's constitution is strong; he will heal quickly."
Han Jiaojiao's eyes brimmed with tears as she looked at Han Yi, "I only knew about the injury on your arm—I had no idea you were hurt on your knee as well."
Zhou Yan said with a smile, "It's just a graze from a bullet. Although it didn't hit, this area has dense nerve distribution. We're being cautious and advising not to move around much during this period."
After treating Han Yi's wound, they began removing the bandages on Han Jiaojiao. The nurse's movements were swift and skilled, and Han Jiaojiao didn't feel much pain as the bandages were fully unwrapped.
Zhou Yan went over to examine and said with satisfaction, "The healing is very good, no need for bandages anymore. You can be discharged this afternoon. Just be mindful of your diet and avoid eating anything irritating."
Upon hearing this, Han Jiaojiao felt that the doctor was being unkind and immediately turned her head to look at Han Yi with a pitiful whimper, "Brother, my head hurts."
Han Yi's eyes were filled with suppressed amusement as he nodded, saying, "Mhm, let's keep the bandage on for another day. The wound has just healed, and I'm worried it might get scratched while she's asleep."
When Han Yi spoke, Zhou Yan had no choice but to follow. Moreover, incidents of restless sleepers scratching open their wounds did happen, though mostly with children because the healing wound itches, and they'd scratch it open half-asleep. Zhou Yan simply took Han Yi for a diligent and responsible guardian and did not overthink it, letting the nurse rebandage Han Jiaojiao with a fresh one.
Once the doctor and nurses left, Han Jiaojiao perked up and, with a shy face, crawled back into Han Yi's arms. Han Yi opened his arms and naturally pulled her into his embrace.
"Brother, I don't want to be discharged. Go and talk to them," she said.
Han Yi looked at her calmly, yet his eyes held a teasing smile, "Oh, why doesn't Jiaojiao want to be discharged?"
Han Jiaojiao looked a bit hurt, "Don't you want me to keep you company, brother?"
Han Yi chuckled softly, taking her small hand into his, and slowly caressed it. The feeling was tender and soft, and as he rubbed gently, he found himself unwilling to let go.
Suddenly a few knocks sounded from outside the door, followed by Sister Wu's voice—
"Miss, Miss Su is here to see you."
Han Jiaojiao was stunned, her face almost darkening in an instant, her fingernails almost digging into her flesh!