OCY - Chapter 15

Chapter 15, Injured

A sharp pain shot through his arm. Ji Linxue gritted his teeth tightly, kicking away the assailant with all his might. The short man flew two meters away instantly and was immediately subdued by the swarming bodyguards.

After the initial surge of adrenaline, the pain in his arm gradually became clear, spreading along his nerves to all his limbs. It was truly agonizing, so much so that his mind went blank for a moment.

His consciousness gradually blurred. The surrounding screams receded like a tide, as if a movie had entered slow motion, and the world began to spin.

The plot... it should have been avoided, right...?

His body suddenly lost all strength. Ji Linxue's legs went soft, and he couldn't help but fall backward.

The next second, he fell into a warm embrace. Gu Hengzhi held him, calling out his name loudly.

Ji Linxue wanted to say something, his lips moved, but his eyelids gradually became heavy. The moment before he passed out, a searing wetness landed on his cheek.

Like someone's tears.

***

"The patient's arm suffered a severe blunt force injury. It will take at least several months to recover."

"Will there be any sequelae?"

"It's currently unclear. It depends on the patient's recovery. For this period, avoid extensive movement of the right hand, maintain a light diet, and once the condition stabilizes, some wrist joint exercises will be necessary."

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, quietly illuminating the pristine white room.

A low murmur of voices reached his ears. Ji Linxue gently moved his fingers. In a moment, the ward fell silent.

He didn't know how long had passed, but he hazily opened his eyes and met the gaze of Gu Hengzhi, who was guarding the bedside.

"You're awake." Gu Hengzhi tried to force a smile, but failed several times, settling for pursed lips. "Your arm is fractured. You'll need to rest for a while. I've already asked for leave for you from school. Just rest assured and recover in the hospital."

A throbbing pain radiated from his arm. Ji Linxue tried to sit up but was pressed down by Gu Hengzhi.

"You just had surgery. Rest well and don't move around."

Ji Linxue bit his lower lip, only to find his voice hoarse beyond recognition when he spoke, "Are you okay?"

"What could happen to me?" Gu Hengzhi seemed to recall something, his voice slightly deep. "You're the one who's not okay. Who told you to block for me? And you dared to go save someone alone? Do you really think you have two lives?"

By the end, his eyes were faintly bloodshot.

He hadn't slept well these past two days. Every time he closed his eyes, his mind was filled with the scene from that night, the whoosh of the steel pipe, the dull crunch of breaking bone, the sight of Ji Linxue, pale and lifeless, falling straight into his arms. Everything seemed to replay in slow motion before his eyes, over and over again.

"It's just a fracture," Ji Linxue tried hard to ignore the pain in his right hand, his voice calm. "What happened to those two kidnappers?"

At the mention of those two, Gu Hengzhi's expression instantly turned gloomy. If it hadn't been for that short man's sneak attack, Ji Linxue wouldn't have been injured.

At the time, everyone's attention was drawn to the tall man, and no one noticed that the other man had gotten up and picked up a discarded iron pipe from the ground.

"They've already been arrested by the police," Gu Hengzhi said. "Your most important task now is to rest well and recover here. Someone else will handle the other matters."

Ji Linxue stared at him, "My parents..."

As if knowing what he wanted to say, Gu Hengzhi spoke first, "We haven't informed them. I think this kind of thing should be up to you to decide. And you don't have to worry about medical expenses. The Gu family will cover all costs, and you'll also receive a substantial compensation."

Although Gu Fengyan was a cold-blooded and ruthless capitalist, Ji Linxue had at least saved Gu Zixi, and was injured because he saved Gu Hengzhi. To silence the others present and for the Gu family's public image, he naturally wouldn't be stingy with this money.

The school was also very flustered upon learning of the incident, as Ji Linxue was injured during a school-organized spring outing and it was also linked to the Gu family.

Therefore, after everything was said and done, the amount of money Ji Linxue would receive was considerable.

"Thank you." Ji Linxue hadn't planned on telling his parents anyway, revealing it would only cause them undue worry.

"You don't need to say thank you. I'm the one who should be grateful," Gu Hengzhi tucked in his blanket. "In the future, when you encounter such things, don't step forward. This time it was your hand, but if it were your head, you would have lost your life."

Ji Linxue smiled, saying nothing.

If he encountered such a situation again, no matter who the person was, he would still step forward.

Whether it was the drowning child in his previous life or the male lead in this world, they were all living lives, and he couldn't just watch them get into trouble.

If he hadn't blocked for Gu Hengzhi, that iron pipe would have landed on Gu Hengzhi's head, which would have been far more severe than just a broken leg as in the original plot.

"You're still smiling," Gu Hengzhi said with a stern face, "Are you listening to what I'm saying?"

Ji Linxue was a little helpless, "Got it."

In the following days, Gu Hengzhi stayed with him in the hospital. Because Ji Linxue had injured his right hand, many things became inconvenient. Using the restroom was fine, as the hospital gown was loose, but every meal took Ji Linxue a long time.

Seeing him slowly spooning food into his mouth with his left hand, Gu Hengzhi couldn't bear it, "Give it to me."

Ji Linxue lifted his eyelids, his hand movements not stopping, meaning was clear, Give what?

Gu Hengzhi directly snatched the spoon from his hand, scooped up a spoonful from the bowl, gently blew on it by his mouth, then handed it to Ji Linxue, "Drink."

Ji Linxue leaned back, "I can do it myself."

Gu Hengzhi didn't move, "Drink."

Ji Linxue really wasn't used to being taken care of like this. He frowned, "I can do it myself."

The two remained in a stalemate, neither willing to back down. Gu Hengzhi's tone suddenly softened, "You at least have to let me do something."

Facing his apologetic gaze, Ji Linxue couldn't bring himself to say anything harsh. He wasn't one to demand repayment for favors, but Gu Hengzhi clearly took this matter very seriously, staying by his side constantly these past few days.

Not letting him do this would only deepen his guilt.

Hesitating, Ji Linxue's lips parted slightly. Gu Hengzhi seized the opportunity to bring the spoon in. His movements were a little clumsy, and he accidentally knocked Ji Linxue's teeth.

The soup, at a moderate temperature, flowed into his mouth along his tongue. Spoon after spoon, the initial awkwardness gradually dissipated. Gu Hengzhi became more and more skilled, even having time to wipe the soup that spilled from the corners of his mouth.

Ji Linxue, who had never been fed by anyone since childhood, silently leaned on the hospital bed, gradually adapting to Gu Hengzhi's feeding.

Since that day, Gu Hengzhi became unstoppable. Whether it was bone broth or meals, everything had to pass through his hands.

One lunchtime, Gu Hengzhi was feeding Ji Linxue when a sudden clamor of footsteps came from outside the ward. Neither of them reacted quickly enough before the door was pushed open.

Shen Shaoyan darted in, "Xiaoxue!"

His voice stopped abruptly.

He looked at the scene before him in disbelief, Gu Hengzhi holding a bowl with one hand and a spoon with the other, the other end of the spoon in Ji Linxue's mouth.

Gu Hengzhi frowned, but didn't withdraw his hand, "Why didn't you knock when you came in?"

Shen Shaoyan recovered, his eyes a little shifty, not daring to look directly at them, "How was I supposed to know what you were doing?"

Lu Yu and Su Muqing walked out from behind him, also startled by the scene.

Ji Linxue pushed Gu Hengzhi's hand away and looked at the newcomers, "Why are you here?"

Then he explained, "My hand is injured, so it's inconvenient to eat."

"I know, no need to explain," Shen Shaoyan blinked. "Your relationship is getting better and better now."

"After all, he's his lifesaver," Su Muqing said sourly and coolly, "If Heng Ge saved me, I'd be like this too."

The atmosphere in the ward grew awkward. Ji Linxue looked at Gu Hengzhi, as if to say, 'Look at the trouble you've caused.'

Gu Hengzhi's face hardened, "If you came here to say such things, then you can leave now. You're not welcome here."

Su Muqing was a little flustered. Gu Hengzhi had been in the hospital for days and hadn't gone to school. She hadn't seen him for a week. Today, hearing that Shen Shaoyan and Lu Yu were visiting the hospital, she shamelessly followed along. How could she be chased out right after arriving? "I didn't mean that..."

Gu Hengzhi ignored her and turned to Lu Yu, "Why did you come today?"

This hospital was far from Deyin. Aside from a single visit from school leaders, the ward had been very quiet.

Su Muqing glared with wide eyes, looking wronged.

Lu Yu cleared his throat, "Of course, we came to visit. Oh, by the way, the school plans to award Ji Linxue a bravery award, and Old Chen asked us to ask him when he's returning to school."

"I want to go back now," Ji Linxue said without hesitation.

He had actually wanted to return to school for a while, but Gu Hengzhi wouldn't let him, saying he was afraid his arm wouldn't recover well.

Although the hospital had a private room with a good environment and no worries about medical expenses, it wasn't as comfortable as the dorm.

Moreover, Gu Hengzhi's care was really a bit much for him. Not to mention that the young master had no experience caring for others and was clumsy in his actions, even Ji Linxue himself had never been looked after like this since he was a child.

When he was showering in the bathroom, Gu Hengzhi would ask him every few minutes if he was done and if he needed help.

Sure enough, hearing his words, Gu Hengzhi immediately refused, "No, at least wait until the cast is off."

Shen Shaoyan, who hadn't spoken until now, couldn't help but say, "Heng Ge, why are you so overbearing? Don't you think about how bored Xiaoxue is alone in the ward? And what if his grades fall behind because he's not in class?"

The word "overbearing" touched a sensitive nerve for Ji Linxue. He couldn't help but look at Gu Hengzhi. He had clearly avoided the plot, so could his personality still be difficult to change?

Gu Hengzhi sensed the coldness in his gaze, feeling a little puzzled, but didn't show it, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

He squatted down, looking Ji Linxue directly in the eye, "Do you really want to go back?"

Ji Linxue nodded.

Gu Hengzhi looked at him for a moment, then said with a helpless expression, "Then go back. I'll go handle your discharge procedures now."

Unexpectedly, he changed his mind so easily. The few people present were all stunned. Shen Shaoyan, quick-witted, said, "When did you become so easy to talk to?"

Gu Hengzhi gave him a cool glance, "Then tell me, did I ever displease you before?"

Shen Shaoyan gave a nervous laugh, "How could that be!"

Gu Hengzhi didn't bother arguing with him. After completing Ji Linxue's discharge procedures, he began to pack up the things in the ward.

Fortunately, some items were already in the ward, so packing was simple.

Soon, the group left the hospital and boarded the car back to school.

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