Chapter 103

Kong Xiyan woke in the evening, the sky outside barely darkening, the cold wind howling and stirring a faint melancholy in her heart. She sat up in bed; Chi Wanzhao was still fast asleep. She glanced down, then threw off the covers and got out of bed.

After changing, she went downstairs and found Chi Xuan sitting on the living room sofa. She looked like she'd just woken from a nap, but her eyes were swollen and her body trembled slightly.

Kong Xiyan walked over and stood beside her, calling, "Xiao Xuan?"

Chi Xuan looked up at her, tears clouding her eyes, nose red, and sobbed, "S... Second Sister-in-law."

Kong Xiyan sat down beside her and asked, "What's wrong?"

Chi Xuan lowered her head and wiped her face with a tissue. "It's nothing. I just had a dream." She paused. "A nightmare."

Kong Xiyan patted her shoulder, understanding dawning in her eyes. It was probably a nightmare about Chi Chao. She wasn't a doctor, but she could tell that Chi Chao didn't have much time left.

Chi Xuan wiped her face haphazardly and turned to Kong Xiyan. "Are you getting used to things, Second Sister-in-law?"

Kong Xiyan gave a faint smile. "Pretty well."

Chi Xuan began, "Our family..."

Kong Xiyan interrupted her. "I understand."

A faint smile appeared on Chi Xuan's tear-streaked face, and she fell silent for a moment.

Not long after, sounds came from the kitchen. Chi Xuan stood up and said, "Second Sister-in-law, just sit for a bit. I'm going to the kitchen."

Kong Xiyan watched her retreating back. "Okay."

Chi Xuan then walked slowly into the kitchen, and soon, sounds came from inside. "No more? Why didn't any of you buy some? Tomorrow? Forget it, I'll go myself."

Standing outside the kitchen, Kong Xiyan saw Chi Xuan come out and asked, "What's the matter?"

Chi Xuan looked up. "It's nothing. I want to go out and buy something."

Kong Xiyan glanced at the sky outside, then at Chi Xuan, feeling uneasy. "I'll go with you."

Chi Xuan quickly refused. "No need. The supermarket is right nearby. I'll be back soon."

Kong Xiyan took her hand. "I'll go with you." Her tone was firm, brooking no argument.

Chi Xuan looked up at her. "Okay."

After saying that, she went upstairs to change clothes, and soon the two headed out.

Since the supermarket was nearby, Chi Xuan didn't have the driver take them; she walked there with Kong Xiyan instead.

The night weather was even colder than the day, the cold wind biting against their faces like needles. Chi Xuan seemed not to feel it, walking bareheaded without a mask, her expression as calm as ever. Seeing her numb expression, Kong Xiyan felt a pang of sympathy.

Halfway there, Kong Xiyan took off her own hat and put it on Chi Xuan's head. Chi Xuan froze, then called out, "Second Sister-in-law..."

Kong Xiyan smiled. "Let's hurry." She pulled on the hood of her down jacket, but the wind was too strong; it only covered the back of her head. Warmth surged through Chi Xuan's heart, and she took Kong Xiyan's hand, quickly reaching the supermarket.

Inside, Chi Xuan picked out a lot of fresh ingredients. Seeing this, Kong Xiyan frowned. "For dinner?"

Chi Xuan shook her head. "These are all things my dad likes. I don't want him to leave without even getting to taste the food he loves."

Kong Xiyan looked at Chi Xuan, silent for a moment. Chi Xuan felt her gaze and looked up. "What's wrong, Second Sister-in-law?"

Kong Xiyan said, "Nothing. I just feel like you've changed."

Chi Xuan caught her underlying meaning, but only pursed her lips in a faint smile and said nothing more.

The two picked a few more things. Passing the meat section, Kong Xiyan's eyes stopped on the ribs. Chi Xuan walked over and tugged at her. "Second Sister-in-law, are you ready?"

Kong Xiyan chose some ribs, had them weighed, and took them back. She turned to explain to Chi Xuan, "Your second sister likes rib soup, doesn't she? I'll make some for her tonight."

Chi Xuan was stunned by her words. "My second sister likes rib soup?" Then she shook her head. "Impossible. My second sister hates soup the most. I remember when Mom would make soup for us, she'd secretly give it to me or pour it out." "She said drinking soup was like taking medicine; she couldn't stand it." "Second Sister-in-law, are you misremembering?"

Chi Xuan turned her head to ask, and Kong Xiyan fell into silence. Suddenly, she remembered what Zhou Sheng had said. He'd said that Boss Chi loved spicy food. But she had lived with Chi Wanzhao for so long now, and the food in the apartment had always been light, even with soup every night.

Could it be that she...?

Kong Xiyan lowered her eyes. Chi Xuan, seeing she wasn't speaking, tugged at her wrist. "Second Sister-in-law? Should we head back?"

Kong Xiyan snapped back to reality. "Okay."

When they got back to the apartment, Chi Wanzhao had already come downstairs. She was sitting on the sofa deep in thought, but when she heard sounds at the door, she turned her head and saw Chi Xuan and Kong Xiyan coming in with bags.

"Why did you go out?" Chi Wanzhao frowned and walked over to the two. Noticing Kong Xiyan wasn't wearing a hat, her frown deepened.

Chi Xuan looked up, forcing a smile. "I bought a few things." As she spoke, she raised the bag in her hand. Chi Wanzhao wanted to say something about her pale face but held back, and simply said, "Next time you go out, dress warmer."

Chi Xuan murmured an acknowledgment, took off her hat, and handed it to Kong Xiyan. "Thanks, Second Sister-in-law."

Just as Kong Xiyan reached out to take it, she saw Chi Wanzhao take it instead, and then warmth settled on her head as Chi Wanzhao put the hat back on her. Kong Xiyan looked at her and said, "Can we talk?"

Chi Wanzhao lowered her eyes. "Okay."

Seeing this, Chi Xuan slipped off to the kitchen by herself.

Kong Xiyan and Chi Wanzhao went up to the room on the second floor. As soon as she entered, she sat down and said, "I heard some things from Xiao Xuan today."

Chi Wanzhao's face tightened. "What things?"

Kong Xiyan sat on the sofa, looking out the window. "She told me you've never liked drinking soup, and especially hate the taste of ribs."

Chi Wanzhao's expression turned unnatural. "I like it now."

Kong Xiyan continued, "I also remember Zhou Sheng told me before that you really like spicy food." At least, she could handle it. That time they had hotpot, her dipping sauce had so much spice, yet Chi Wanzhao ate it without changing her expression. She had found it puzzling then. Now, she had a vague answer.

"Is it because of me?"

"Is it because my stomach is weak, so you've been accommodating me all along?"

"Boss Chi..."

Chi Wanzhao tilted her head, interrupting her. "Xiao Wan." "Call me Xiao Wan."

Kong Xiyan was taken aback by the interruption, her mouth opening slightly. "Okay, Xiao Wan."

Chi Wanzhao visibly relaxed, and she looked at Kong Xiyan, nodding. "Yes, it's because your stomach is weak, but I don't think I'm accommodating you." "I like things the way they are now."

Kong Xiyan glared at her, annoyed. "Impossible!"

Chi Wanzhao pursed her lips. "Why impossible? I'm quite satisfied with the current situation."

"You...!"

Kong Xiyan had thought of many words on the way back, even bracing herself for Chi Wanzhao to deny it or be stubborn. She hadn't expected Chi Wanzhao to admit it so easily, and not only admit it but turn it back on her, leaving her speechless.

In the end, Kong Xiyan could only murmur, "But I don't really like you doing this for me. I don't want you to change for my sake."

Chi Wanzhao took her hand and sat down close to her. "Xiyan, this isn't change. When two people are together, they naturally have to adjust to each other. I just don't want to waste time on that kind of friction." So she had already smoothed down her own sharp edges long ago, to become the gear that best fit Kong Xiyan.

Kong Xiyan bit her lip. "But..."

Chi Wanzhao pulled her into her arms and kissed the hat she was wearing. "No buts. I can't bear to make you accommodate me."

Kong Xiyan's nose suddenly stung, and her eyes burned. She reached out and hugged Chi Wanzhao tightly, her voice hoarse as she whispered into her ear, "Chi Wanzhao, you're such a fool!"

Chi Wanzhao pursed her lips. "As long as you like it, I'll be."

...

Half an hour later, Chi Wanzhao brought Kong Xiyan downstairs. Chi Xuan wasn't in the living room; she must have gone back to her room.

Kong Xiyan's eyes were red-rimmed, glistening with moisture, and her voice was a bit hoarse, clearly just having cried. Chi Wanzhao led her to the dining table, and before long, Chi Xuan came down too.

The meal was silent. None of them spoke, each lost in their own thoughts.

Halfway through her meal, Chi Xuan asked Chi Wanzhao if she could go to the hospital that night; she wanted to accompany Chi Chao as well. Chi Wanzhao glanced at Kong Xiyan, then said to Chi Xuan, "Alright." Chi Xuan's expression lightened.

After dinner, Chi Xuan packed up the chef's best dishes to take along, and followed Chi Wanzhao out to the car.

The hospital was still the same as yesterday. Kong Xiyan looked up; the white walls in the darkness gave off a faint, eerie glow. She lowered her eyes and followed Chi Wanzhao inside.

In the ward, Chi Yifan and Xie Dan were still there, talking in low voices with grave expressions. Finally, Xie Dan nodded. "Go arrange it." Chi Yifan gave an acknowledgment and had just stood up when he heard sounds at the door. Chi Wanzhao had brought Chi Xuan and Kong Xiyan over.

The few exchanged greetings, and Chi Wanzhao told Chi Yifan to take Xie Dan home to rest; they could watch over things at the hospital without worry. Chi Yifan had been about to leave anyway, but at Chi Wanzhao's words, he looked at Xie Dan.

Xie Dan shook her head. "No need. It's only a day or two at most. I don't want to move." Chi Wanzhao let out a sigh as she looked at her and didn't press further.

Kong Xiyan and Chi Xuan walked over to Xie Dan, splitting the dishes they'd brought into two portions: one for Xie Dan, the other for Chi Xuan to feed Chi Chao.

Chi Chao couldn't eat much, managing only a few grains of rice and some soup before the rest was left untouched. Chi Xuan was clearly in anguish. When she set down her chopsticks, her eyes turned red again. Xie Dan pulled her aside and sat with her, talking to her.

Kong Xiyan had been sitting in the ward for over an hour when Chi Wanzhao called her out, saying the stitches on her head could be removed.

Chi Wanzhao stayed by her side throughout the procedure, talking to her constantly, afraid she'd be in pain. Kong Xiyan, seeing her cautious, tense look, smiled. "I'm fine." Chi Wanzhao glanced at the gnarled, freshly stitched wound and felt a pang in her heart. "Really fine?"

Kong Xiyan was just about to nod when she felt a tingling sensation in her scalp, then winced with a hiss, tears welling up. It still hurt a lot. Chi Wanzhao held her hand and let her squeeze it as she wished.

Seven stitches in total. Removing them hurt when pulled; Kong Xiyan felt like her scalp was being lifted, clenching her jaw and gripping Chi Wanzhao's wrist tightly.

Near the end of the stitch removal, rushed footsteps came from the doorway, followed by Chi Xuan's hoarse, tearful shout: "Second Sister! Second Sister!"

Chi Wanzhao stood up.

Chi Xuan's eyes were bloodshot as she cried, "Dad's failing."