CHAPTER 362: CHAPTER 361: AWAKENING

A week later, Fang Shaohan finally woke up.

At that time, Gu Xiaoqing was using a damp towel to wipe Fang Shaohan’s body. The open collar revealed a chest wrapped in gauze, so thin that only ribs could be seen.

The warm towel glided over the ribs on the chest, and Gu Xiaoqing no longer felt sadness at such a sight, leaving only practiced movements. The hands in the process of wiping suddenly felt a piercing gaze.

Raising her head, Gu Xiaoqing met a pair of deep, dark eyes.

Fang Shaohan thought he was in a dream for quite a while—the eyes so close, with a gaze like water, the gentle fingers brushing over his chest, and the familiar scent—all indicating that this was the woman he had been longing for.

Yet, he doubted he was dreaming, as all memories told him that the explosion, the severe injury, and the penetration and pain when the bullet struck his chest clearly showed he was hurt.

He was badly injured, so how could he possibly see Gu Xiaoqing?

He looked around; it was obviously a hospital room, but he had no memory of this place. He must have been brought here after losing consciousness.

He wanted to move, cautiously gritting his teeth, as the wounds on his chest and ribs still throbbed with pain. Gu Xiaoqing gently pressed him down and whispered, "You shouldn’t move now. It’s best to lie still and rest. I’ll go call the doctor."

Fang Shaohan lay back down, clutching Gu Xiaoqing’s wrist. The warm touch made him tear up with excitement, "Gu Xiaoqing, why are you here?"

He had no idea which deity he had moved to get to see her at the moment of waking. Heaven must have seen his sincerity to be so considerate.

"You don’t remember?"

Gu Xiaoqing was stunned. She had always thought that it was Fang Shaohan who told Officer Li to find her when he woke up. But now it was evident that Fang Shaohan himself was unaware.

Perhaps it was merely an unconscious act or a sleep-talking utterance that led Officer Li to misunderstand and come to find her.

It was somewhat amusing.

But everything was already destined, destined by a word from Fang Shaohan, leading them to be entangled once more.

Fang Shaohan frowned. The feeling of not being able to control his own body was truly frustrating.

Especially Gu Xiaoqing’s question, which seemed to suggest that he had done something to make her appear here.

But he couldn’t recall anything from his memory.

"Where am I?"

"The hospital."

The doctor had already entered the room, and upon seeing the awakened Fang Shaohan, began to busy himself. After a series of examinations, the doctor finally announced that Fang Shaohan had fully regained consciousness.

He could now be moved from the ICU to a regular ward for treatment. Of course, complete recovery would take a long time, as rehabilitation for his legs and waist alone would be a long process, let alone the possibility of returning to his former self.

But this was already a huge improvement.

Gu Xiaoqing was also delighted; it was the best news in recent days.

However, Fang Shaohan was a bit silent. After all, hearing that one might never stand again is not something that brings much joy.

Subsequently, the medical staff left.

Fang Shaohan was already assisted in sitting up. Due to the long coma, his fractures were almost healed. Maybe the physical injuries were slowly recovering, but the consciousness had not restored.

Leaning against two pillows, the silent Fang Shaohan sent chills down one’s spine.

Handing a cup of water.

He pushed it away.

The lunch was brought over, but he hadn’t touched a bite.

Gu Xiaoqing sat in a chair, watching Fang Shaohan.

This silent Fang Shaohan was quite pitiable, but also a bit annoying.

Such an outcome should have been anticipated by Fang Shaohan long ago, but now he was putting on this facade of being unable to accept it, for whom to see?

Refusing to eat or drink, is it a hunger strike?

As the dark shadows cast in from the window, Gu Xiaoqing turned on the light.

Fang Shaohan shielded his eyes from the light with his hand and angrily yelled, "Turn it off."

Gu Xiaoqing ignored him.

She closed the window, drew the curtains, and went to the cafeteria to get food.

Lately, she had been dining at the hospital cafeteria, and had become friendly with the staff. She could even ask the cooks to make chicken soup or pigeon soup for Fang Shaohan.

Today’s meal was specially made for her by one of the ladies there. Sometimes, Gu Xiaoqing craved hometown flavors, and things like noodles were prepared with the help of a warm-hearted lady.

Today’s dish was stewed noodles with tomato and egg. The noodles also had some greens cooked with them, looking vibrant and appetizing.

Gu Xiaoqing packed the noodles in a lunchbox, along with some refreshing cold dishes, like cold fungus and mushrooms with greens.

Returning to the ward, Gu Xiaoqing saw things strewn across the floor.

Glancing at Fang Shaohan lying under the covers on the bed, she could predict without asking that he had swept everything off the cabinet in a fit of temper.

Placing the lunchbox down, Gu Xiaoqing cleaned up the mess.

Fang Shaohan peeked out from under the blanket to watch Gu Xiaoqing’s actions, smelling the rich aroma. The familiar scent made his stomach grumble, protesting the day’s abuse.

Yet he was embarrassed to ask Gu Xiaoqing for the lunchbox, having overturned an entire box of food just hours earlier, or simply pushed it away altogether. After a day of protesting, it would be shameful to surrender now, thought Fang Shaohan.

After cleaning, Gu Xiaoqing sat on a chair, deliberately positioned not far from Fang Shaohan’s bed. She silently opened the lunchbox, scooping out a bowl of noodles, and poured the red tomato and egg sauce over them, then began slurping the noodles noisily.

Between the sound of noodle slurping, there were strange rumbling noises.

Fang Shaohan finally couldn’t take it anymore and threw the covers off, "Help me sit up."

Gu Xiaoqing put down the bowl.

She helped him sit up.

Pouting, Fang Shaohan pointed at the lunchbox and said, "I want to eat."

Turning away, Gu Xiaoqing’s face broke into a smile; Fang Shaohan looked like a child.

Still, a willful child.

After stirring the noodles in the lunchbox, she handed them to Fang Shaohan, and immediately the room was filled with the louder and more enthusiastic sound of slurping.

The satisfied stomach finally quieted down.