Wen Ruan arrived at the hospital, where a crowd of medical staff gathered outside the intensive care unit.
Her parents stood among them, listening to the attending physician explain the condition. "At this stage, we only have two treatment options for the old master. You should prepare yourselves mentally."
"Uncle Yang, what are the options?" Wen Ruan gasped, pushing her way through the crowd.
"Ruan Ruan, why are you back?" Min Qing's voice rang out, startled as her gaze pierced through the crowd and landed on Wen Ruan.
Professor Yang turned to Wen Ruan. "A craniotomy or a drainage procedure. However, given your grandfather's age, we don't recommend the craniotomy."
"What will happen if we don't do the surgery?" Wen Ruan asked, her voice low.
A heavy silence fell over the medical staff.
Tears welled up in Wen Ruan's eyes, finally spilling down her cheeks. She choked out, "Uncle Yang, what are the chances of success for the drainage procedure?"
Professor Yang answered solemnly, "Fifty percent."
"Then we'll proceed with the drainage procedure," Wen Ruan said, looking directly at her father, her tone resolute.
Her father met her gaze for a long moment before averting his eyes and nodding. "We'll go with Ruan Ruan's decision."
The medical staff had some follow-up details to discuss with her parents.
Wen Ruan stood by the window of the intensive care unit, staring at her grandfather, who lay motionless in the bed.
The frail old man in the bed had once been a proud, formidable soldier.
His towering figure had once been like a great tree, providing shelter for everyone around him.
When she was young, she wasn't allowed to engage in strenuous activities, yet Wen Ruan was always full of energy.
She'd fall and cry from the pain, only to be teased by the other children for being a crybaby.
Her grandfather would stroke his thick mustache and smile, saying,
"My Ruan Ruan is like the moon in the sky. If anyone dares to bully her, Grandpa will turn their head into a sieve."
"Come on, darling, hop on the horse."
Wen Ruan was engulfed in memories, her tears flowing freely.
Min Qing had finished handling the necessary matters with the doctors and reached over to tap Wen Ruan's forehead. "You little brat, why didn't you say a word before rushing back here?"
"Your uncle, really, he's usually so composed, but when it comes to handling things, he's so careless! I must have a good talk with him!"
"It's better than you hiding everything from me," Wen Ruan said, her breath heavy, her face pale.
Min Qing noticed the change in Wen Ruan's condition. "Ruan Ruan, you look awful. Are you feeling unwell again?"
Min Qing tried to call the doctor, but Wen Ruan stopped her. "Mom, I'm fine, don't worry, don't call the doctor. I just rushed too quickly earlier, I just need to rest for a moment."
"What about your medication? Your oxygen?" Min Qing's face turned pale with worry.
"It's in my bag," Wen Ruan said, her breathing labored.
Min Qing hurriedly rummaged through Wen Ruan's bag, pulling out the portable oxygen tank and medication.
"Quick, take the oxygen," she urged, forcing a pill into Wen Ruan's mouth. "With your grandfather in this condition, you can't afford to get sick, you hear me? I told you not to worry, but your uncle went and told you everything—drives me mad!"
Outside the operating room, the crowd grew. Old comrades, subordinates, and former students of Wen's grandfather arrived, one after another.
After giving Wen Ruan a final set of instructions, Min Qing went to greet the guests.
At that moment, Wen Ruan truly felt like a nuisance.
Her grandfather was in surgery.
She was outside, inhaling oxygen.
She couldn't get too close to the crowd, so she sat alone on a chair, some distance away.
Sitting upright, Wen Ruan closed her eyes, slowly breathing in the oxygen.
Faintly, a tall figure blocked her view.
Wen Ruan slowly opened her eyes and looked up. He Yanxi stood before her.
They had not seen each other for nearly a month since Ji Cheng.
After a moment of eye contact, Wen Ruan lowered her eyelids again, returning to her task of inhaling oxygen.
A jacket then draped over her shoulders, and warmth enveloped her.
It was He Yanxi's coat, carrying with it his faint, signature scent of sandalwood.
Wen Ruan lifted her gaze again, continuing to breathe in the oxygen.
He Yanxi's voice was indifferent, "The air here isn't good. No matter how long you inhale, it won't make much of a difference."
Wen Ruan didn't respond, continuing to breathe, her pale face tinged with an unhealthy flush.
He Yanxi frowned. "Get up. Let me take you outside for some fresh air."
Wen Ruan remained seated.
He Yanxi furrowed his brows and, without another word, bent down to grab her wrist, guiding her toward the exit.
She didn't know where he had obtained a key to the top floor of the hospital.
The air up there was fresher, and Wen Ruan's oppressive feelings began to lift. The irritation in her chest also subsided.
A few minutes later, He Yanxi asked, "Feeling better?"
"Mm." Wen Ruan nodded, drawing the coat tighter around her.
He Yanxi took a step forward, hands in his pockets, his attention focused on the distant horizon.
Wen Ruan's gaze lingered on his tall figure for a moment before she returned to focusing on her oxygen tank.
The two of them stood there in silence for an hour, He Yanxi a step ahead, and Wen Ruan trailing behind.
"Let's go. Grandpa's surgery is almost over," He Yanxi said, checking his watch.
They descended to the operating room just as the surgery was completed.
The operation had been successful; now, they simply had to wait for Wen Ruan's grandfather to wake up.
The tension in the air eased.
He Yanxi's parents, along with Wen Ruan's parents, were gathered together.
Wen Ruan approached them politely to greet them.
He Yanxi's grandfather smiled warmly in response, though he shot a disapproving glare at He Yanxi.
"You two, come with me," He Yanxi's grandfather commanded, his cane tapping on the floor as he made his way to a meeting room in the hospital.
Wen Ruan didn't quite understand the command, but she followed He Yanxi without question, glancing at him in confusion. He Yanxi didn't even spare her a glance.
She followed silently.
"You all, come with me too," He Yanxi's grandfather added, motioning to the others.
The group, including both sets of parents, made their way to the meeting room.
Once inside, He Yanxi's grandfather spoke, "Normally, it wouldn't be appropriate to discuss the younger ones at this time, but that old man loves to throw tantrums. It's just like when he was young—always lying down at the slightest inconvenience."
Wen Ruan's parents exchanged glances, quietly upset.
"You younger ones don't need to be too sentimental," He Yanxi's grandfather continued. "We've lived this long—every day is a blessing." He paused, looking thoughtful. "Earlier, old Yang said something that made me think. Maybe it's time to cheer up with some good news. That old fool loves to be a part of any excitement. If we can make him happy, we'll push through this."
The room fell silent, the conversation drifting.
He Yanxi's grandfather, now more serious, added, "In my opinion, it's the perfect moment to arrange a wedding for these two."
The suggestion was sudden.
Wen Ruan's parents exchanged uncertain glances.
He Yanxi's parents were equally surprised.
Wen Ruan, distracted by the worry over her grandfather, wasn't paying full attention.
But she heard the last part clearly.
She froze, feeling overwhelmed by confusion.
Hadn't He Yanxi promised to resolve things?
It had been almost a month, and he still hadn't found the opportunity to speak with his grandfather?
Why were they suddenly discussing their marriage?
Wen Ruan quickly glanced at He Yanxi.
He didn't meet her gaze, focusing instead on something far off.
Wen Ruan stared at him for a while, but He Yanxi seemed to act as though he couldn't see her.
"...?" Wen Ruan was at a loss.
"Father, given Grandpa Wen's current condition, is it really appropriate to discuss this?" Song Yanhua's voice broke the silence.
"What's wrong with it?" He Yanxi's grandfather insisted. "It's better to have something to celebrate, a little excitement!"
Song Yanhua swallowed her words, falling silent.
The room grew quiet again, and He Yanxi's grandfather scanned the group with sharp eyes, his gaze softening when it landed on Wen Ruan.
"Ruan Ruan, my dear, what do you think? We've all decided it's time for you and Yanxi