Chapter Forty-Nine: Would You Like Some Porridge?

Jiang Xiaotian gazed at her, his heart brimming with countless words, yet in the end, not a single one found its way to his lips. He only felt a stinging sensation in his nose. All along, Ye Wan’er had been the ideal he aspired to as a martial artist—strong and filled with a sense of justice. Her willingness to brave Old Street alone for Han Yue and Zhang Wei was proof enough. He was certain that if Ye Wan’er had encountered that man back then, the deal would never have gone through. In his heart, Ye Wan’er was almost a faith, and that was why he fought so desperately.

Jiang Xiaotian had never imagined events would unfold like this. Yet, seeing this stubborn girl finally awaken, he was genuinely happy. In the end, he said nothing, only offering Ye Wan’er a smile and a big, tight embrace. Holding her close, Jiang Xiaotian felt a surge of tenderness. Ye Wan’er was so thin, so fragile—like a sheet of paper, light and insubstantial, as if she might be blown apart by the wind. He held her and refused to let go; after all, this girl was someone he had brought back from the brink at the cost of his own life.

Although Ye Wan’er had been unconscious, her mind was often clear. That feeling of wanting to die but being unable, wanting to wake but unable to open her eyes, was unbearable. What gave her hope was Jiang Xiaotian. So many times, she heard him talking with Qin Lulu, heard the dangers that unfolded around them. She was anxious, wanting to tell Jiang Xiaotian not to save her anymore, that her life had no meaning. But now, truly awake and seeing him, Ye Wan’er suddenly couldn’t bear the thought of dying. She didn’t want to let down this boy.

So, the girl who had never had any contact with boys reached out and hugged Jiang Xiaotian tightly in return. He was still warm, like the sun—annoying in some ways, yet it was he who had accompanied her through her darkest hour.

"Are you hungry?" Jiang Xiaotian, having hugged enough, asked joyfully.

Ye Wan’er nodded; in truth, she was both thirsty and hungry, her body terribly weak.

Jiang Xiaotian saw this and hurried downstairs to the night snack shop, buying a pile of food and nutritional supplements. When he returned, arms full of bags, the hospital ward was even busier. The doctors were nearly frantic—two vegetative patients waking up in a single night! This was no medical miracle, it was as if heaven itself had intervened!

A crowd immediately performed a full check-up on Ye Wan’er, since the newly awakened patient was extremely fragile.

Jiang Xiaotian didn’t interfere; the doctors were certainly more professional in this regard.

The department head, responsible for Ye Wan’er’s case, even came from home in the middle of the night. For him, a doctor, a patient waking was the greatest comfort—especially given how dire Ye Wan’er’s condition had been when she was first admitted.

But when he saw the pile of junk food in Jiang Xiaotian’s hands, his smile vanished, replaced by frustration and disappointment. "Mr. Jiang! There has to be a limit to your ignorance. Playing that Buddhist chant tape in here all day was one thing, but now Ye Wan’er has just woken up and can only have liquid food. How could she possibly digest this? You’re harming her!"

Jiang Xiaotian was startled, but soon realized his carelessness. Prompted by the department head, he rushed to the cafeteria and bought some plain porridge, which was all she could manage.

The full check-up involved many steps, so he could only wait outside. Taking the opportunity, Jiang Xiaotian informed Ling’er and Qin Lulu about Ye Wan’er’s awakening.

Ling’er, who hardly ever slept, replied instantly, sending several emojis to express her joy, though she didn’t come in person. Qin Lulu was probably exhausted and asleep; her silence was understandable.

Jiang Xiaotian waited alone outside the ward. Fortunately, some tests had to wait until morning, and the doctors, not wanting to tire Ye Wan’er, soon finished and left.

The department head gave instructions, took some reports, and left excitedly, hoping to discover the cause of Ye Wan’er’s recovery—a matter of great importance to the medical field.

Sadly, their efforts would yield little.

Once they left, Jiang Xiaotian rushed inside.

Under the lights, Ye Wan’er’s face looked even paler, her lips devoid of any color.

Only then did Jiang Xiaotian realize that, though she was awake, her body was still weak and needed careful tending.

He, being a straightforward man, didn’t hesitate. Picking up the porridge, he said, "Let me feed you."

Ye Wan’er was taken aback. She just started to refuse, but Jiang Xiaotian spooned porridge into her mouth. "Slow down, no rush. There’s plenty downstairs, more than you can eat."

He gave her no chance to refuse, feeding her spoonful by spoonful.

Watching the joy in Ye Wan’er’s eyes slowly turn to despair, he persisted.

She didn’t want to eat anymore; she didn’t want any more porridge. Please, stop feeding me.

The sun-like Jiang Xiaotian was now a devil, obsessed with feeding her porridge, hoping she would recover and grow strong…

In the end, Ye Wan’er ate until she vomited, prompting the doctors to return. The department head unleashed his fury, scolding Jiang Xiaotian for his stupidity—how could anyone eat that much at once!

Ye Wan’er, already weak, now had no strength left even to speak.

The next day, Qin Lulu, rushing over, berated Jiang Xiaotian fiercely.

He knew he was in the wrong, so he could only smile sheepishly in the corner, his intentions good.

For the next few days, Jiang Xiaotian picked up Qin Lulu each morning; her medical skills were considerable.

After someone wakes up, subsequent treatment becomes much easier.

Within less than a week, Ye Wan’er had gained weight, though she still could be described as slender and lacked any real strength.

Her martial arts had always been mediocre, and after they were taken from her, her body suffered greatly.

But Ye Wan’er was determined and fully cooperated with her rehabilitation. She knew Qin Lulu was the one who truly cured her, so she often asked when she could resume martial arts training.

Qin Lulu’s answers were always vague, telling her to focus on getting healthy first.

In truth, both she and Jiang Xiaotian had already warned her: given Ye Wan’er’s physical state, it would be remarkable if she fully recovered, and martial arts training seemed nearly impossible.

But now was not the time; it was better to wait until she was truly stable.

During this period, Jiang Xiaotian explained the situation in Linhai to Ye Wan’er. When he mentioned Chen Yu, she was calm—neither angry nor disappointed.

For her, she had already repaid her debt to him. From the moment Chen Yu took her martial arts away, their relationship as master and disciple ended, and they owed each other nothing.

So when Jiang Xiaotian told her he had narrowly defeated Chen Yu, Ye Wan’er was mostly shocked by his strength and his unusual identity.

Now that the misunderstandings were cleared, Ye Wan’er felt a bit awkward—she had made things difficult for him back then, only to find he was an undercover agent.

But that was all in the past. Jiang Xiaotian didn’t mind; he was now more powerful, even respected in Linhai, and money was no longer a worry. He constantly reassured Ye Wan’er to focus on her recovery.

Qin Lulu enjoyed coming around to join the fun. Though Ye Wan’er’s recovery no longer required her intervention, daily visits meant good food and she could avoid being docked for absenteeism by Old Man Zhang—after all, she did have a task here.

She and Jiang Xiaotian bickered occasionally, adding to the cheerful atmosphere. The three of them got along splendidly.

But all this happiness vanished when Ye Wan’er received a phone call.

She had always kept her phone nearby, but it never rang, as if no one ever contacted her. Jiang Xiaotian paid it no mind.

That night, he was preparing to leave when Ye Wan’er’s phone suddenly rang. The number was unmarked, but upon seeing it, her expression changed.

She didn’t answer, letting it ring, then looked at Jiang Xiaotian as if wanting to speak but stopping herself.

He was smart enough to immediately step outside—everyone had their secrets.

But Jiang Xiaotian couldn’t rest easy, so he lingered outside for a while, then returned to the ward with the excuse of forgetting something.

Ye Wan’er had already hung up. She gazed out the window, as if nothing had happened.

But two streaks of tears traced her cheeks, stark and unmistakable.