Chapter 1004: Recovery

The days that followed passed in a quiet rhythm of hospital visits, medical examinations, and gradual recovery.

For Yue Ling and Lu Tian, the Imperial Military Hospital became a second home.

Neither had any intention of leaving Ji Jingxu alone for longer than necessary.

Despite Dr. Dong’s reassurance that the young man was out of danger, Yue Ling remained cautious. The memory of his kidnapping to his rescue was still too fresh in her mind.

Even now, whenever she closed her eyes, she could still see him being hung by chains.

It was a sight she never wanted to witness again.

The first three days were the hardest.

Ji Jingxu spent most of his time sleeping, his body exhausted from the ordeal he had endured. Whenever he woke, it was only for a short while before the medication pulled him back into unconsciousness.

Yue Ling rarely left his bedside.

She sat beside him with her laptop resting on her lap, occasionally answering messages from her team or reviewing documents Liu Shan sent over.

However, no matter how occupied she appeared, her attention never strayed far from the boy lying in bed.

The slightest movement from him was enough to make her look up.

Lu Tian, on the other hand, made it his mission to ensure his wife didn’t neglect herself.

He brought her meals, reminded her to drink water, and occasionally closed her laptop when he noticed she had been staring at the screen for too long.

One evening, after finding her still sitting in the same position he had left her hours earlier, he approached from behind and gently placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Your turn to rest."

Yue Ling shook her head without looking away from Ji Jingxu.

"I’m fine."

"You said that three hours ago."

He leaned down and pressed a kiss against the top of her head.

"He’s not going anywhere. I’ll stay with him."

She remained silent for a moment before finally turning to look at him.

"Wake me if anything happens."

"I will."

Only then did she reluctantly move to the couch near the window.

Lu Tian watched her lie down and close her eyes. Once her breathing settled, he retrieved a blanket and carefully draped it over her.

He then took her place beside Ji Jingxu.

For the remainder of the night, the room remained quiet, accompanied only by the steady beeping of the medical equipment.

Grandfather Ji visited every morning.

Without fail, the old man would arrive carrying a small insulated container filled with food prepared at home.

Although the hospital provided meals, he insisted that his grandson needed something more nourishing.

On the fourth morning, he entered the room to find Yue Ling helping Ji Jingxu drink water while Lu Tian adjusted the pillows behind his back.

"Yeye."

Yue Ling greeted him with a small smile.

Grandfather Ji’s expression softened.

"How is he today?"

"Better. Dr. Dong said his condition is improving."

The old man nodded before approaching the bed.

Ji Jingxu, who had been quietly watching the interaction, gave him a weak smile.

"Grandfather."

Hearing his grandson’s voice, Grandfather Ji felt his heart tighten.

He reached out and gently patted the young man’s shoulder.

"Good. Good. You look much better today."

Although his words sounded cheerful, the slight tremble in his voice betrayed him.

Ji Jingxu noticed but said nothing.

Instead, he smiled a little wider.

"I’m hungry."

Grandfather Ji immediately straightened.

"Hungry? That’s good! I brought you something."

He quickly opened the insulated container and began arranging the food.

Yue Ling and Lu Tian exchanged a glance.

For the first time since the rescue, the atmosphere in the room felt a little lighter.

By the end of the first week, Ji Jingxu had regained enough strength to sit upright for longer periods.

His complexion was no longer as pale, and although his injuries and wrists still caused discomfort, he could hold conversations without becoming exhausted after only a few sentences.

Around this time, members of Alpha Team also began visiting.

Liu Shan and Lin Hui arrived first.

They entered carrying a basket of fruit and several snacks, only to find Ji Jingxu staring at the hospital food Yue Ling was feeding him with an expression of complete dissatisfaction.

Lin Hui was filled with guilt, remembering how he failed to save the boy before he was taken. It was the one that had been eating him from the inside.

However, seeing the boy’s expression, he took a deep breath.

"What’s with that face? Someone steal your food?"

Ji Jingxu looked at him.

"Want to trade?"

Lin Hui glanced at the bland meal before immediately shaking his head.

"No, thanks. I’m trying to stay alive."

Liu Shan chuckled and placed the fruit basket on the nearby table.

"At least you have an appetite. That’s a good sign."

Ji Jingxu sighed.

"An appetite doesn’t mean I want to eat this every day."

Yue Ling ignored the two men; her eyes stayed on her brother, the spoon still raised in front of him.

"Eat."

One word.

Ji Jingxu immediately opened his mouth and took a bite.

Lin Hui turned his head to hide his laughter.

Even after everything that had happened, some things never changed.

The two men stayed for a short while, updating Yue Ling on matters that required her attention and assuring her that everything outside the hospital was being handled.

Before leaving, Liu Shan placed a folder beside her laptop.

"Nothing urgent. Look at it whenever you have time."

Yue Ling nodded.

"Thanks."

Lin Hui gave Ji Jingxu a light pat on his uninjured shoulder.

"Next time, I will be faster."

Ji Jingxu frowned. He had been told about the night of the kidnapping.

That Lin Hui and Qi Li arrived just seconds after the crash.

Qi Li had to check Zhong Yang, leaving Lin Hui to try and save him, but it was too late.

For that, the man blamed himself.

However, he never blamed them. It wasn’t their fault he wasn’t strong enough to fight off his captors.

Exhaling deeply, he shakes his head.

"It wasn’t your fault. No one saw the attack."

He looks up at Lin Hui, and his expression turns serious.

"If you truly want to help me, then help me become stronger."

Lin Hui was taken aback at the sudden request. He stared at the boy for a long minute before giving a nod.

"It would be my pleasure to take in another disciple. Of course, that is if your sister allows it."

Their exchange earned a small smile from Yue Ling. Yet she never answered.

Two days later, Qi Li arrived with Gui Tian Lan.

Unlike Liu Shan and Lin Hui, the two came bearing entertainment rather than food.

Qi Li placed a tablet on the bedside table.

"Since you’re stuck here, I figured you might need something to keep yourself occupied."

Ji Jingxu glanced at the device.

"What’s on it?"

"Movies. I was going to download some games for you, but considering your wrists are still healing, I didn’t."

Gui Tian Lan folded his arms.

"Nothing too exciting. Your sister said you’re supposed to rest."

Ji Jingxu looked toward Yue Ling, who was sitting beside Lu Tian.

She didn’t even lift her head.

"Movies only."

Ji Jingxu sighed dramatically.

"Everyone keeps treating me like I’m made of glass."

Lu Tian calmly turned a page in the document he was reading.

"Then let your wrists recover."

Ji Jingxu fell silent.

Gui Tian Lan burst into laughter.

Qi Li shook his head.

It seemed the young man had already been caught more than once.

The visit lasted nearly an hour, filled with casual conversation and occasional teasing.

Before leaving, Qi Li quietly approached Yue Ling.

"Everything on our end is under control. Don’t worry about us."

Yue Ling looked at him.

For a moment, her expression softened.

"I know."

Qi Li smiled.

"Then stay here and take care of him."

As the second week began, the atmosphere inside the hospital room gradually changed.

The curtains opened more often, letting warm sunlight spill across the floor. Fresh flowers appeared on the windowsill, and the bedside table slowly filled with books, snacks, and small gifts from visitors.

Ji Jingxu was no longer confined to sleeping all day.

Under Dr. Dong’s supervision, he began taking short walks around the room.

He looked out the window, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he could enjoy the sunlight without fear.

Grandfather Ji continued visiting whenever his schedule allowed.

Sometimes he brought food.

Other times, he simply sat beside his grandson and talked about ordinary things.

He spoke about the weather, the household, and how much snow had covered the garden.

There were moments when Ji Jingxu would fall asleep in the middle of their conversations, leaving the old man sitting quietly beside him.

On one such afternoon, Grandfather Ji reached out and carefully adjusted the blanket covering his grandson.

His gaze lingered on the fading bruises visible near Ji Jingxu’s cheeks.

The smile on his face slowly disappeared.

Yue Ling, who had been standing near the window, noticed.

"Yeye."

Grandfather Ji looked up.

She approached and gently rested a hand on his shoulder.

"He’s getting better."

The old man nodded.

"I know."

His eyes returned to Ji Jingxu.

"I just wish he never had to go through any of this."

Yue Ling remained silent.

There was nothing she could say that would erase what had happened.

After a moment, Grandfather Ji reached up and patted her hand.

"You’ve done enough, child."

His voice was warm.

"Don’t forget to take care of yourself too."

Yue Ling lowered her eyes.

A small smile touched her lips.

"I will."

Over the next few days, the remaining members of Alpha Team visited in small groups.

Gui Zhongmin stopped by after finishing his assignments, staying just long enough to check on Ji Jingxu and exchange a few words with Yue Ling.

Others came whenever their schedules permitted.

Some brought fruit, others brought books, while a few arrived empty-handed and simply kept Ji Jingxu company.

Then Xu Long arrived one afternoon with Jiangyu, bringing a collection of snacks and a few updates from outside.

The visits were never particularly long.

Everyone understood that he still needed plenty of rest.

Nevertheless, their presence gradually filled the hospital room with familiar voices and laughter.

At one point, Ji Jingxu looked at the growing collection of gifts beside his bed and sighed.

"At this rate, I could open a store."

Yue Ling glanced at the crowded table.

"Then you can start by selling the snacks you aren’t supposed to eat."

Ji Jingxu immediately reached for the nearest bag.

"Those aren’t for sale."

Lu Tian quietly took the bag from his hand.

"Doctor’s orders."

Ji Jingxu stared at him in disbelief.

"You’re supposed to be on my side."

"I am."

Lu Tian placed the snacks out of reach.

"That’s why you’re not eating them."

The room erupted in laughter.

By the third week, Ji Jingxu’s recovery had become more noticeable.

His appetite had returned, and the bruises that once covered his body had begun to fade.

His voice was stronger.

His laughter came more easily.

Although there were still moments when he grew unusually quiet, he no longer seemed as withdrawn as he had been during the first few days.

Yue Ling noticed every small change.

She noticed when he stopped flinching at sudden noises.

When he began sleeping through the night.

When he no longer looked toward the door whenever unfamiliar footsteps passed outside.

She never mentioned these things aloud.

Nor did she question him when he asked her to keep his condition hidden from the outside world.

Instead, she quietly obliged and allowed him to recover at his own pace.

One evening, after Dr. Dong completed his examination, Ji Jingxu turned toward her.

"Jie."

"Hm?"

"Are you going to keep staying here until I leave?"

Yue Ling looked up from the book in her hand.

"Why?"

"Just asking."

She studied him for a moment.

"Do you want me to leave?"

"No."

His answer came immediately.

Yue Ling’s expression softened.

"Then I’ll stay."

Ji Jingxu lowered his gaze.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Okay."

Across the room, Lu Tian watched the exchange without interrupting.

He knew that despite Ji Jingxu’s improving condition, some wounds required more than medicine and time.

And if his wife needed to remain here a little longer to feel reassured, he had no objection.

After all, there was nowhere else he needed to be more than beside her.

As the third week drew to a close, Dr. Dong finally told them that Ji Jingxu’s condition had improved enough for discharge to be considered, provided his next examinations showed no complications.

The news immediately lifted everyone’s spirits.

Grandfather Ji was especially delighted.

He began making arrangements at home, instructing the household staff to prepare Ji Jingxu’s room and ensure everything was ready for his return.

Liu Shan and Lin Hui stopped by again after hearing the news.

The twins, Gui Tian Lan and Gui Zhongmin, messaged to ask whether Ji Jingxu wanted a welcome-home celebration, while Qi Li reminded him not to mistake being discharged for being fully recovered.

The other members of Alpha Team also sent their well wishes.

For the first time in weeks, the conversations surrounding Ji Jingxu were no longer about his injuries or the circumstances of his kidnapping.

They were about going home.

That evening, the hospital room was unusually peaceful.

Ji Jingxu had fallen asleep after dinner, his breathing steady beneath the soft glow of the bedside lamp.

Grandfather Ji had already returned home, and the last of the visitors had left hours earlier.

Yue Ling stood beside the window, gazing at the city lights in the distance.

Lu Tian approached from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Thinking about something?"

She leaned back against his chest.

"Just how quickly time passed."

He followed her gaze toward the window.

"Three weeks."

Yue Ling nodded.

"It feels longer."

Lu Tian lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss against her temple.

"He’s doing well."

"I know."

Her eyes shifted toward the bed.

Ji Jingxu was sleeping peacefully, one hand resting outside the blanket.

The bruises on his face had nearly disappeared, and the tension that once lingered between his brows was gone.

For a long moment, Yue Ling watched him.

Then, almost unconsciously, she released a quiet breath.

Lu Tian tightened his embrace.

"You can relax now."

She turned slightly to look at him.

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

"I’m trying."

He smiled in return.

"That’s a start."

Yue Ling rested her hands over his and allowed herself to lean more comfortably against him.

Outside, the city continued moving beneath the night sky.

Inside the hospital room, everything was still.

There were no urgent phone calls, no desperate searches, and no frightening uncertainty about whether Ji Jingxu would survive another day.

Only the quiet hum of the medical equipment and the steady breathing of someone who had finally been given the chance to heal.

For Yue Ling, that was enough.

Her little brother was safe.

And soon, they would finally bring him home.