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 goneâonly 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, âHow did the tulips become like this?â
Jiang Yuningâs hand shook a little. âIndeed. What happened? They were still fine when I went to sleep last night.â
Nian Xi kept quiet.
Could he have gotten any more obvious? It was so obvious that he didnât even dare to look her in the eye when he said that.
âWhy did the flowers disappear?â Nian Xi asked him directly.
â... Maybe they were eaten by rats,â 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 couldnât bring herself to put him on the spot.
âSo... the VIP ward has rats. That is really horrifying. You must remember to catch the rats for me in the morning.â
âYes, yes, have some water,â Jiang Yuning passed her the water, guiltily.
After she was done, he said, âThese flowers arenât pretty anymore without the bulbsâlet me throw them out. Iâll get Uncle Han to deliver a few more bouquets later. Iâll make sure that the ward smells fantastic.â
âDo what you want.â 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, âXixi, I talked to the doctor yesterday. She said that your leg needs at least three months to fully heal, and itâs going to be at least a month before you can start walking. This month, I want to take care of you myself.â
Nian Xi was taken aback for a moment. âMy parents want me to return to the Nian Family Mansion. My family is there to take care of me...â
âI know,â said Jiang Yuning with a troubled look on his face before continuing, âbut at the mansion, I wonât be able to stay late until you fall asleep every night. After all, your dad, uncle, and the others are all thereâit wouldnât be appropriate for me to be there. I might as well take a monthâs leave to take care of you.â
âCan you do that?â asked Nian Xi, surprised. âDidnât say that you have to investigate some photoelectric effect in January and that you have to give a talk in Korean in February... and donât you have to give a lecture once a week at the university?â
âIâm not going anymore, Iâll get someone else to go,â Jiang Yuning said nonchalantly. âYouâre more important than anything else.â
Nian Xi was very touched, but also apologetic. âYou...â
âIâve already made calls to cancel all of those.â Jiang Yuning told her directly, with fire blazing in his eyes, âI do love science, but I love you more. I want to stay with you during your most difficult time.â
Nian Xi choked up in an instant. She remembered Luosangâs words. Perhaps that would prove to be the test for the two of themâto 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, âI donât care who you are, and let me warn youâyou cannot take advantage of my daughterâs injury to crawl into her bed.â