Nian Xi agreed to his suggestion.
The thermos flask was on the side table; he poured water into it. She looked in his direction, and realized that the bulbs of the beautifully wrapped tulips were all gone—only the long stalks and wrapping paper were left. From her years of experience as a policewoman, she could tell that they were broken off on purpose by someone.
She was silent for a moment before asking, “How did the tulips become like this?”
Jiang Yuning’s hand shook a little. “Indeed. What happened? They were still fine when I went to sleep last night.”
Nian Xi kept quiet.
Could he have gotten any more obvious? It was so obvious that he didn’t even dare to look her in the eye when he said that.
“Why did the flowers disappear?” Nian Xi asked him directly.
“… Maybe they were eaten by rats,” Jiang Yuning replied sheepishly.
Nian Xi was speechless.
Rats eating flowers? Did he think that she was an idiot?
Seeing as how he was breaking out in cold sweat, she couldn’t bring herself to put him on the spot.
“So… the VIP ward has rats. That is really horrifying. You must remember to catch the rats for me in the morning.”
“Yes, yes, have some water,” Jiang Yuning passed her the water, guiltily.
After she was done, he said, “These flowers aren’t pretty anymore without the bulbs—let me throw them out. I’ll get Uncle Han to deliver a few more bouquets later. I’ll make sure that the ward smells fantastic.”
“Do what you want.” Nian Xi was amused. All men were jealous creatures, no matter what kind of person they seem to be.
After washing up, Jiang Yuning sat by her bedside and said seriously, “Xixi, I talked to the doctor yesterday. She said that your leg needs at least three months to fully heal, and it’s going to be at least a month before you can start walking. This month, I want to take care of you myself.”
Nian Xi was taken aback for a moment. “My parents want me to return to the Nian Family Mansion. My family is there to take care of me…”
“I know,” said Jiang Yuning with a troubled look on his face before continuing, “but at the mansion, I won’t be able to stay late until you fall asleep every night. After all, your dad, uncle, and the others are all there—it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to be there. I might as well take a month’s leave to take care of you.”
“Can you do that?” asked Nian Xi, surprised. “Didn’t say that you have to investigate some photoelectric effect in January and that you have to give a talk in Korean in February… and don’t you have to give a lecture once a week at the university?”
“I’m not going anymore, I’ll get someone else to go,” Jiang Yuning said nonchalantly. “You’re more important than anything else.”
Nian Xi was very touched, but also apologetic. “You…”
“I’ve already made calls to cancel all of those.” Jiang Yuning told her directly, with fire blazing in his eyes, “I do love science, but I love you more. I want to stay with you during your most difficult time.”
Nian Xi choked up in an instant. She remembered Luosang’s words. Perhaps that would prove to be the test for the two of them—to find out if he was worth spending the rest of her life with. If someone was willing to be with you at the lowest point of your life, then there should be no problem with anything that comes your way for the rest of your life.
Some time had passed since then.
Nian Xi stayed at the hospital for a week. The doctor only approved her discharge the day before the Lantern Festival.
During the few days before getting discharged, Nian Xi told her family that she decided to go back to her own apartment to recuperate and that Jiang Yuning would be taking care of her. Although Nian Qingyun and Nian Junting were strongly against it initially, Luosang talked it over with them and they eventually agreed.
After sending Nian Xi back to the apartment, Nian Qingyun inspected it from top to bottom, before finally saying to Jiang Yuning, “I don’t care who you are, and let me warn you—you cannot take advantage of my daughter’s injury to crawl into her bed.”
