Chapter 184: Only His Mouth Is Tough
At the exit, Ning Xiyue’s sharp eyes spotted a placard held high above the crowd. On it, neatly written, were her name and her second brother’s name. Looking down, she saw that the person holding it was indeed Comrade Ji, a stranger to most.
“Brother, Comrade Ji is over there.” Ning Xiyue tapped her second brother’s arm, pointing in his direction, and then waved to Comrade Ji, shouting, “Comrade Ji, we’re here!”
Comrade Ji, who had been wearing a serious expression, softened immediately upon hearing the familiar voice. Looking over, he saw the people he was supposed to meet and waved back.
He came up to Ning Xiyue and Ning Qingyuan, wedged the placard under his arm, and reached out to help Ning Xiyue carry her things.
Leading the two siblings toward the car parked by the roadside, he handled their things and thoughtfully opened the door, looking at them: “Get in. I’ll take you to the hospital.”
“Alright, thank you, Comrade Ji.”
Ning Xiyue quickly helped Ning Qingyuan get into the car.
“Thank you for your trouble, Comrade Ji,” Ning Qingyuan said, nodding politely toward him from the car window.
Comrade Ji closed the door, got in the driver’s seat, and began driving, explaining Ning Qingzhi’s current condition as they went.
“Your big brother is already conscious. Although he learned the truth about his condition this morning, his spirit hasn’t faltered. He’s cooperating actively with treatment, his physical condition is good, he’s alert, and his mindset is stable. The doctor said he’s improving.”
Comrade Ji’s eyes carried a smile, genuinely pleased at his friend’s current state. His voice unintentionally warmed with it.
“When he learned that you two were coming, he pretended to be annoyed that we told you, but his mood improved even more. He kept smiling, and even wanted to come here himself to greet you, but I stopped him.”
Hearing about her brother, Ning Xiyue’s face finally broke into a long-missed smile. “That’s good… that’s really good.”
Ning Qingyuan, who had been tense, relaxed as well. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, and he spoke lightly to Ning Xiyue:
“Sis, I told you he’s strong. Nothing can defeat him. See? Worrying was pointless. Luckily I stayed rational and didn’t worry at all.”
Ning Xiyue: “…”
No one knows who had stayed up worrying so much that dark circles formed under their eyes.
All tough on the outside, only the mouth remains hard.
For now, Ning Xiyue didn’t want to pay attention to her second brother’s stubbornness and turned to Comrade Ji to continue getting updates.
“Comrade Ji, does my brother have any other injuries? Are his eyeballs intact?”
Beside her, Ning Qingyuan’s eyes looked out the window, but his ears were pricked, leaning forward slightly, ready to listen to every word Comrade Ji said.
Ning Xiyue noticed all these little movements but chose not to expose him.
Comrade Ji honked briefly and, after turning into an alley beside the car, answered: “He has other injuries, but none are life-threatening. A bit of the medicine you provided will heal them. The eyeballs are intact; the doctor says the cornea is severely damaged and there is a risk of blindness.”
“As long as the eyeballs are fine, it’s okay. I won’t let my big brother go blind.”
Ning Xiyue wasn’t worried upon hearing this. As long as the eyeballs were intact, her medicine could repair the damaged cornea and retina.
Seeing his sister so confident, Ning Qingyuan’s concern eased somewhat. From his knowledge of her, she never speaks of something unless she has a solution or has prepared the relevant medicine.
“We’ve arrived.”
Comrade Ji stopped at the guesthouse beside the military district hospital.
“We’ll put the things down first and then take you to the hospital.”
“Alright.”
Comrade Ji had already arranged rooms for the siblings in advance. They only needed to show their introduction letters to the receptionist to check in.
After quickly placing their things, the siblings followed Comrade Ji to the hospital nearby.
He went to the doctor’s office to meet the doctor after telling Ning Xiyue and Ning Qingyuan the ward location.
The two siblings went alone to Ward 305.
The ward doors were wide open. Ning Xiyue paused at the entrance, hearing laughter and chatter inside, and held back her steps.
The words “big brother” stuck in her throat.
From outside, she saw her big brother with one eye covered in gauze, leaning on the hospital bed and eating a small bite of apple. Beside him sat a beautiful young woman in a wool coat, holding a small fruit knife, peeling the apple. She chatted about her own stories, making him smile as he ate.
For a moment, Ning Xiyue didn’t know whether to go in, not wanting to disturb the warm atmosphere.
But Ning Qingyuan behind her was already urging: “Sis, we’re going in. This is where big brother is.”
“Yes, it’s here.” Ning Xiyue knocked on the door and smiled. “Big brother.”
“Ah!” Qingzhi heard that, reacting instinctively. Seeing his sister at the door, his face lit up with joy, waving his hand. “Sis, you’re here! That was fast. Come in quickly.”
“Big brother, I’m here too.” Ning Qingyuan peeked from behind Ning Xiyue, waving.
“Good boy, hiding behind your sister now? Come in quickly, long time no see.”
Qingzhi’s smile grew broader, pulling at the wound near his eye. He winced slightly.
The young woman beside him anxiously helped him lie down. “Where does it hurt? I’ll call the doctor. Don’t move, lie still.”
Ning Qingyuan asked worriedly: “Big brother, are you alright?”
Ning Xiyue quickly moved to his side, took his hand, and checked his pulse. “Brother, don’t laugh. I’ll take a look for you.”
