I’ll Hold Your Hand And Promise You A Lifetime - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Blessings From Misfortunes (3)

Another day passed. After school, Yi Luo headed straight to the hospital and arrived just as the doctors were making their rounds, quietly explaining Yue Xi’s condition to Ning Ran and Sarah.

“Ning Ran-jie,” Yi Luo whispered as the doctors finished, then quietly entered the room.

“Come on, let’s go back and bring something for Yue Xi,” Sarah said, guiding her out.

“Yue Xi—” Yi Luo began, turning to ask.

“The doctor said she’s fine; we’ve done all sorts of tests today and found nothing wrong. She’s probably just very tired and needs more sleep,” Sarah replied as she settled Yi Luo in the car.

They rode back home silently. Once inside, Sarah said, “Help Yue Xi pick out a few books from her shelf. I’ll go take a shower—feel free to use the TV or computer while I’m gone.”

“Okay, I got it. I’ll go now,” Yi Luo smiled and nodded.

True to her nature, Sarah was quick; she freshened up in no time, and they drove back to the hospital.

On the way, Yi Luo bit her lip. “Sarah-jie, my parents went out and won’t be back until tomorrow. Since it’s the weekend… maybe I should stay tonight to look after Yue Xi?”

“That would be good,” Sarah agreed. “Ning Ran’s been so worried lately—barely sleeping or eating. She could use some fresh air, too.”

Sarah informed Ning Ran of the suggestion. Though worried, Ning Ran trusted Yi Luo to watch over Yue Xi, so the two women stepped out for air.

In the hospital room, Yi Luo knelt beside Yue Xi’s bed, voice trembling but determined. “Yue Xi, I brought The Little Prince—saw the bookmark and thought you might like it. I’ll read it to you.” Her fingers trembled as she opened the book to the bookmarked page.

“She climbs a mountain… he sees only—” Yi Luo began, then froze. Something bright passed in her mind. She whispered to herself, “I understand.”

Unnoticed, Yue Xi’s nose twitched. Then faintly, she spoke: “It is… my rose.”

Yi Luo gasped, “You heard me? You’re awake!”

Yue Xi struggled to open her eyes and saw Yi Luo’s joyful face—like a guiding light in the darkness. She nodded feebly and lifted a hand to indicate she was okay. Then she said softly, “That’s the next line.”

Yi Luo dropped the book and hugged Yue Xi’s neck. “You’re finally awake—finally.”

“I’m okay now,” Yue Xi replied, stroking Yi Luo’s hair. Meeting Yi Luo first thing upon waking was the best gift she could imagine.

Meanwhile, Ning Ran and Sarah had reached the car before realizing they left the keys behind. Turning back, they heard Yi Luo’s excited voice. Sarah gently held Ning Ran’s jacket, silently signaling her to stay outside. Both tiptoed joyfully back to the room.

“Does your head still hurt?” Yi Luo softly poked her finger against Yue Xi’s forehead.

“Ow…” Yue Xi winced, unable to move.

“Why didn’t you dodge?” Yi Luo asked, concerned.

“How—I couldn’t move—you were laying on me,” Yue Xi replied with a raised brow.

“Oh, sorry!” Yi Luo quickly sat up.

“Actually, thanks—you reading to me made me want to stay asleep,” Yue Xi admitted softly.

“I’m sorry,” Yi Luo teased, blushing. “And I need to tell you, what’s going on with you and Zhou Yaxuan?”

“She…” Yue Xi thought for a moment. “Let’s wait until I’m more awake. My head’s still spinning.”

Yi Luo didn’t press. “Okay, rest now. I’ll call Ning Ran and Sarah—they’ve been so worried.”

“Mm. Thank you,” Yue Xi murmured, eyes closing with a small smile.

“No need to thank me,” Yi Luo whispered as she brushed a stray lock from Yue Xi’s face.

Soon, Ning Ran took a call in the hospital garden while Sarah waited in the room. Hearing that Yue Xi had awakened, they hurried back.

“You’re finally awake, my little Yue Xi!” Ning Ran exclaimed and nearly grabbed her tenderly, almost forgetting about the injury.

“Be careful—don’t go too rough,” Sarah cautioned as she stepped between them.

Ning Ran then teased Yue Xi: “She wakes up the moment Yi Luo shows up—did you plan that?”

Yue Xi just smiled slightly. “It was noisy… I wanted to sleep more.”

Ning Ran lit up. “Yi Luo is through and through on your side—like wearing the same pants!”

“But Yi Luo’s my side,” Yue Xi said, grabbing Yi Luo’s hand.

“Exactly—you’re misunderstanding,” Sarah chimed in, shielding Yi Luo’s blush.

Yi Luo shifted to Ning Ran’s side, cheeks already rosy.

“Ning Ran—you’re outnumbered!” Yi Luo teased, and all three burst into laughter.

Ning Ran cuffed Yi Luo playfully. “You tricked me!”

“I’m starving—let’s get something to eat,” Yi Luo said, fully joining the friendly chaos, tugging Ning Ran off to grab snacks.

Not long after, Ning Ran and Yi Luo returned with food and drinks, chatting happily.

“I’ll stay here tonight at the hospital. Sarah, you take Yi Luo home and get some rest,” Ning Ran arranged.

“Alright. Yi Luo, are you tired? We can go early,” Sarah offered, noting the fatigue in her eyes.

Yi Luo exchanged glances with Ning Ran, nodded softly, and they slipped from the room.

When Yi Luo returned, she whispered excitedly to Yue Xi, “I’ve got a surprise for you tomorrow—didn’t tell you now. Sleep well.”

“Good night. Thank you,” Yue Xi replied with a soft smile.

“No need to say it,” Yi Luo shrugged playfully and pressed Yue Xi’s nose. “See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah. Night.”

As Yi Luo exited, Yue Xi smiled quietly.

Left alone, Ning Ran pulled a chair next to the bed. “Feeling better?”

Yue Xi nodded.

Ning Ran teased, “Look at you—what a mess you got yourself into.”

“I… I wanted to deal with Zhou Ya Xuan so she’d leave Yi Luo alone,” Yue Xi confessed.

“No telling how she’d treat you,” Ning Ran replied sternly. “I’ve tracked down those who attacked you—what do you want to do to them?”

Yue Xi thought. “If Zhou Ya Xuan confesses the whole thing, a scare might suffice.”

Ning Ran was firm: “No. These jerks beat you up—you can’t spare them. I’ve a plan: if their reaction later satisfies me, maybe I forgive—but if not… they’re in trouble.”

Yue Xi hesitated.

“Just rest—wait. I’ll take care of it,” Ning Ran comforted, pulling the blankets. “Those punks… shame on them.”

“Where are you going?” Yue Xi mumbled.

“To the bathroom,” Ning Ran replied and left without looking back.

On speakerphone: “Scar-face, watch for suspicious people around.”

At a bar door, Ning Ran blocked Zhou Ya Xuan’s exit.

“You’re Zhou Yaxuan?” Scar-face demanded.

“Yes… what’s this?”

“Remember me?” Scar-face stood beside Ning Ran.

“You—you were that guy from before, scaring me?” Zhou Ya Xuan stammered.

“Still remember?” Scar-face smiled coldly.

“Yue Xi… dead?” Zhou Ya Xuan scoffed.

“Even if you died, Yue Xi wouldn’t,” Ning Ran replied icily.

“My man’s inside,” Zhou Yaxuan boasted.

“Fetch him out—tell him it’s Ding Qiang calling,” Scar-face instructed politely.

“Hmph—I’d lose face,” Zhou Yaxuan sneered, high-heel striking the pavement as she strode in.

Moments later, she returned with a thug nicknamed “Vegetable Bug” (Cai Qing Chong), a cigarette dangling from his mouth.

“You looking for me?” he sneered.

“You and your crew hurt Yue Xi,” Ning Ran’s tone was cold.

“Pfft, Yue Xi—what a disgusting lesbian,” he spat on the ground.

Ning Ran swung—“Say that again if you dare.”

He shook off the blow and swung toward her, but Scar-face held him back while pulling Zhou Ya Xuan back.

“You think you’re tough?” Zhou Yaxuan snarled. “Yue Xi and Yi Luo—filthy perverts…”

Scar-face cut in: “We’ll give them what that gang dealt to Yue Xi.”

He then asked Vegetable Bug, “Your boss is Tang Qing, right?” and told him to call Tang Qing and mention Ding Qiang.

Vegetable Bug called, stammered, then was cut off by Tang Qing: “You messed up, didn’t ask the calendar—go kneel before him. He won’t get involved. I’ll burn joss paper for you.” The thug hung up, bewildered.