At the entrance of the operating room.
Yu Yixian stood beside Ling Yun, tightly holding her icy hand to comfort her: “Auntie will be fine.”
Ling Yun’s throat bobbed repeatedly before she could barely squeeze out a sound of acknowledgment. She kept her head down, her messy long hair falling with her movements, covering her disheveled brows and eyes.
“Xiao Yu, you should go back.”
“Senior! Do you think I would be at ease leaving you here alone? Would I be at ease about Auntie? Don’t tell me to go back again.”
Although Yu Yixian was half a head shorter than Ling Yun, at this moment, her aura clearly overshadowed Ling Yun’s.
She grabbed Ling Yun’s wrist, forcing her to look directly at her. “Senior, I don’t want to hear such words in the future. I am your girlfriend; in times like this, I am the most qualified person to stay by your side! If you drive me away, do you want someone else to keep you company?”
Yu Yixian knew that wasn’t what Ling Yun meant; she was deliberately twisting the meaning, just because Ling Yun was still trying to send her away at a time like this.
Sure enough, when Ling Yun heard Yu Yixian’s final remark, her eyes flickered with panic. “No, that’s not it. I didn’t mean that. Xiao Yu, I was wrong. I know I was wrong; I won’t say it again.”
Seeing Ling Yun’s distraught, apologetic appearance, Yu Yixian also felt a pang of heartache. She reached out and hugged Ling Yun, gently stroking her hair, her voice soft but filled with gentleness and determination.
“I know. I forgive you. Don’t worry, Auntie is such a good person, she will definitely be fine. And I will always, always be standing behind you. Don’t be afraid.”
No matter how strong Ling Yun usually was, the person in the operating room now was her mother, and also her only remaining relative. She still couldn’t suppress the fear in her heart, but at this moment, Yu Yixian’s embrace was filled with infinite strength, allowing her terrified heart to slowly calm down.
Once again.
Once again, Yu Yixian was warming her like a sun.
How could she ever bear to let go?
Ling Yun held onto Yu Yixian, her forehead pressed against her shoulder, greedily drinking in the vibrant vitality emanating from her.
The surgery lasted over six hours, but the result was good. The surgery was very successful; all that was needed now was quiet recovery.
Peilan, having received the news, had also rushed back from the neighboring city. Looking at Ling Yun’s haggard appearance, even though she had never liked this child, she couldn’t help but sigh.
“You two go back and rest. I will take care of things here.”
Ling Yun did not want to leave, but she was in a bad state of both mind and body. Peilan had always been one to have the final word and directly chased them away.
“If Qian’er wakes up tomorrow and sees you looking like this, will she feel any better?” Peilan said coldly.
Ling Yun’s body paused.
Yu Yixian pulled Ling Yun and whispered, “Aunt Peilan is right. Let’s go back and get a good rest. I’ll accompany you back to see Auntie tomorrow, okay?”
Peilan’s cold eyes darted between the two, seemingly catching on to something, and she let out a hum through her nose. “The little girl is right. Hurry up and leave.”
Ling Yun was somewhat swayed. She looked at the quietly sleeping Ling Qian, closed her eyes, and nodded slightly.
“Okay, I’ll come again tomorrow. Thank you for your trouble.”
Yu Yixian smiled at Peilan and pulled Ling Yun away from the hospital.
It was already nearly two o’clock in the morning when they left the hospital. Although the temperature had warmed up, it was still a bit cold in the early hours.
Uncle Li drove the car to the hospital entrance to pick up Yu Yixian and Ling Yun.
“The dorm auntie must be asleep at this hour, it wouldn’t be good to wake her up…” Yu Yixian looked at Ling Yun, who had become haggard in just one night, and sighed: “Uncle Li, please go to that apartment on Luohua Street.”
Hearing the familiar location, Ling Yun’s eyelashes fluttered.
“Senior, it’s too late today. Come with me.” Yu Yixian held Ling Yun’s hand.
“Okay.” Ling Yun nodded silently. Today’s events had left her too exhausted, and fortunately, Yu Yixian was by her side.
She hadn’t expected that the apartment they had booked would be put to use so soon. Yu Yixian pulled Ling Yun into the elevator. The quiet, narrow elevator was filled only with the sound of their breathing and heartbeats.
Suddenly, Ling Yun’s slightly hoarse voice broke the silence.
“I’m sorry, this vacation has been ruined. You were supposed to go see your roommates.”
Yu Yixian raised her eyebrows, the expression on her face clearly souring. She glanced at the elevator surveillance camera and suppressed her anger.
Ding—
The 25th floor arrived.
Yu Yixian pulled Ling Yun out of the elevator. This apartment building had two households per floor; she wasn’t sure if any neighbors were around and didn’t want to argue outside.
The apartment’s passcode was recorded with Yu Yixian’s voice. The main furniture was already equipped, but the details were still waiting for the true owner to fill them in.
Yu Yixian pushed Ling Yun inside and fetched her a pair of slippers.
Closing the door, Yu Yixian looked coldly at Ling Yun’s back and spoke: “Ling Yun, what did you mean just now?”
Yu Yixian rarely addressed Ling Yun by her full name; she usually referred to her as “Senior.”
Ling Yun sensed the anger and iciness in Yu Yixian’s words. Her body stiffened, and her wandering consciousness finally returned.
“No, I didn’t…”
“I don’t want to fight with you. I remember I already said it in the hospital: I am your girlfriend. Isn’t it normal for me to be by your side at a time like this? Besides, it’s just a date. We can go anytime; why did you have to drive me away? I don’t like you saying things like that. If I hear it again, I will definitely be angry.”
Yu Yixian didn’t know what was going on in Ling Yun’s head. Yes, she felt it was a pity that this date was ruined, but surely Auntie’s health was more important. If they missed May Day, there was summer break, or the October holiday. She didn’t think it was a big loss.
On the contrary, she was still rejoicing—rejoicing that she could be by Senior’s side during this time.
Ling Yun was full of guilt, knowing that her words had truly hurt Yu Yixian. She didn’t know why she had said that, either.
Since they had met, it had always been Yu Yixian standing at the front, helping her without asking for anything in return. That was true back in high school, and it was true now.
But the more this happened, the further she felt she was from Yu Yixian.
She clearly wanted to be someone Yu Yixian could rely on, but the reality was always the opposite—she was the one who couldn’t leave Yu Yixian.
“I know I was wrong. I was muddled just now. I won’t say such things in the future. Baby, don’t be angry.” Ling Yun stepped forward, wanting to give Yu Yixian a hug, but was pushed away.
“You should reflect on yourself. I’m going to wash up.” Yu Yixian gave Ling Yun a glare; she hadn’t let go of her anger yet, so no acting spoiled.
The apartment had two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. The decor was relatively simple, but it was sufficient as a temporary residence.
However, there were no change of clothes here, so Yu Yixian simply used her phone to order two sets to be delivered to the door by a courier.
Ling Yun listlessly followed behind Yu Yixian as she walked around, her eyes sullen and her expression pitiful. Paired with her haggard face, Yu Yixian said unhappily: “Alright, hurry up and wash up. Don’t pace around behind me.”
“Then you aren’t angry anymore, right?” Ling Yun quickly stepped forward to hold Yu Yixian’s hand, seizing the opportunity to climb back into her good graces.
Yu Yixian nodded. “Not angry anymore, but you have to remember: I am your girlfriend. Don’t say things that make me sad again.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” Ling Yun pressed her forehead against Yu Yixian’s shoulder and apologized sincerely.
“Alright, you go take a shower first.” Yu Yixian looked at the clock on the wall; it was nearly three o’clock. “Let’s get some sleep early. We have to go to the hospital to see Auntie tomorrow.”
Mentioning sleep, Yu Yixian thought it was fortunate that she had booked this two-bedroom apartment; otherwise, it might have been awkward.
Ling Yun obediently went to take a shower, while Yu Yixian made the bed. The courier also called to say the items had been delivered.
“Senior, here are the clean clothes. Please take them.”
Yu Yixian stood at the door, hesitated for a moment, and then knocked.
Click.
The door opened a crack. Ling Yun was wrapped in only a bath towel, her fair arms pressed against her chest. The towel wasn’t long, just enough to reveal her long, straight legs. Ling Yun’s wet hair hung down her back, and her dark eyes looked toward Yu Yixian.
As the door opened, the rich scent of roses accompanied by steam hit her face.
Yu Yixian blushed and handed the clothes through the crack, her eyes fixed on a nearby houseplant, not daring to meet Ling Yun’s gaze.
“Baby, I can’t reach them,” Ling Yun said softly.
Because she didn’t dare to look at Ling Yun, Yu Yixian didn’t even aim properly when passing the items.
She took a quick glance, stuffed the clothes into Ling Yun’s arms, and with a slap, quickly shut the bathroom door.
Inside the bathroom, Ling Yun held the clothes—which still carried a hint of coolness—and chuckled. The gloom in her heart was blown away by Yu Yixian’s shy reaction.
Yu Yixian ran back to the secondary bedroom and plopped onto the bed with a muffled cry, rubbing her burning ears hard with both hands.
Senior’s figure is so good…
Yu Yixian, what are you thinking!
Yu Yixian shook her head vigorously; now was not the time to be thinking about such things.
She sat up on the bed. Since the vacation was ruined, she might as well tidy up this apartment. It was the perfect time for some late-night shopping.
Yu Yixian was deep into her shopping spree and didn’t hear the click behind her. Ling Yun, having changed into the clothes, stood at the doorway, watching silently as Yu Yixian lay on the bed with her legs kicking back and forth.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Baby, you go take a shower.”
Yu Yixian was startled. She climbed off the bed and frowned, looking at Ling Yun’s damp hair.
“Is there no hair dryer here?”
Ling Yun shook her head. “I didn’t find one.”
“You wait.” Yu Yixian shuffled in her slippers to search the living room. Sure enough, she knew Secretary Li was too meticulous not to have prepared a hair dryer.
Yu Yixian handed the unopened hair dryer to Ling Yun. “You go dry your hair. I’m going to take a shower too.”
After the hustle of the night, it was nearly four o’clock by the time both of them were finished. Yu Yixian pointed to the master bedroom and said: “You go to that room. The main door code is 0411, and the downstairs access code is 224569. Let’s sleep first; we can deal with the rest when we wake up.”
After saying that, Yu Yixian leaned in and touched Ling Yun’s face. “Don’t think too much, get some sleep. Auntie will wake up tomorrow.”
Ling Yun subconsciously grabbed the hand Yu Yixian was trying to pull away, her dark eyes fixed on her, and she left a light kiss in her palm.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m your girlfriend, after all. Goodnight.” Yu Yixian said with a smile, her eyes curving.
“Goodnight.”
Ling Yun watched the door close and stood at the entrance for a long time before finally, slowly closing her own bedroom door.
Click.
The sound of the door closing was very soft, but both Yu Yixian, who had already gotten into bed, and Ling Yun, standing at the door, heard it.
This was the first time they had slept this close to each other. Even though they were separated by two doors and a wall, when they lay in bed, both of them subconsciously turned to face the wall to sleep, as if they could see the other person through that partition.
The vacation had begun.