Chapter 13: The Peculiar Ji Jingyuan and the Melancholy Shen Yi

The next day, after receiving treatment with the special medicine, Ji Qing was finally transferred to a regular ward.

Sunlight flooded the room, spilling across the head of the bed and lending Ji Qing’s pale face a touch of color.

Madam Ji was feeding Ji Qing water when the ward door suddenly opened, and Ji Jingyuan appeared in the doorway. Madam Ji’s hand paused, the spoon tilted, and water spilled down Ji Qing’s neck.

“Hello, Auntie. I was a little worried about the situation here, so I came to check on you again. I hope I’m not intruding,” Ji Jingyuan said. He placed the malted milk powder and other nutritional supplements he was carrying beside the bed, then stepped back and looked toward Ji Ling.

“Hello. I heard you’re a teacher.” For some reason, Ji Jingyuan was rather curious about Ji Ling. After returning home the previous night, he had made further inquiries.

“Yes. Thank you for last night.” Ji Ling knew that Shen Yi had been the one to help them, but since Ji Jingyuan had come to deliver the medicine, it meant the two men knew each other. She could not afford to slight him.

“Heh, there’s no need to thank me. I happened to be here because I had something to take care of.” Ji Jingyuan suddenly thought of something. “I heard the article you wrote was published in the newspaper?”

When Ji Jingyuan had sent someone to ask about Ji Ling the day before, it had already been late, but once her name came up, the villagers had eagerly shared nearly everything they knew.

What made them proudest was the fact that she had appeared in the newspaper.

“I have a friend who works for a newspaper. I think your proposal is excellent and very much in line with the current trend. I could suggest that he come here to gather material.” Ji Jingyuan gazed steadily at Ji Ling, though inwardly he felt somewhat uneasy.

He was afraid she would refuse. He himself did not understand why meeting a girl for the first time had left him so inexplicably flustered.

Ji Ling’s eyes brightened. “Then how about Shen Yi and I treat you to a meal?”

Madam Ji was startled by Ji Ling’s words. “Ahem.” She lowered her head, concealing the fleeting expression on her face. “Lingling, your brother’s condition seems stable now. Why don’t we leave the hospital today? Mr. Ji, you are a great benefactor to our family. We ought to invite you to a proper meal to show our gratitude. Unfortunately, there are still many matters to attend to in the village, so we won’t be able to entertain you for now. Please forgive our rudeness.”

“Mother.” Ji Ling glanced at Ji Qing on the bed, then continued, “Mother, perhaps we should stay another two days. That way, the doctor can make sure my brother’s condition is completely stable.”

“No, there’s no need.” Awakened by their conversation, Ji Qing spoke up. “I know my own body. Last night was dangerous because the illness came on so fiercely, but there’s really nothing wrong with me now. Let’s listen to Mother and leave the hospital today.”

“Auntie, Uncle, I agree with Ji Ling. If this is because of the medical expenses, I can—”

Seeing the expressions on Madam Ji and Ji Qing’s faces, Ji Jingyuan grew anxious. But before he could finish, Uncle Ji stopped him.

“It won’t be necessary.” Uncle Ji sighed softly. “Mr. Ji, you’ve already done our family a tremendous favor. How could we trouble you any further?”

As he spoke, he and Madam Ji began gathering the things on the bed.

Their belongings were packed simply. They had arrived in such a hurry the day before that they had brought very little, so there was hardly anything to collect.

Watching the family finish packing in no time, Ji Jingyuan felt as anxious as an ant on a hot griddle. He pursed his lips, yet knew there was no excuse left to keep Ji Ling there.

No one knew when Shen Yi had arrived. Leaning against the doorframe, he fixed Ji Jingyuan with an unfriendly stare. Then, all at once, he gave a sinister little grin, entered the room, and threw an arm around Ji Jingyuan’s shoulders as though they were old friends, steering him outside.