“Sigh…”
The infirmary echoed with the girl’s soft sigh.
Chen Yiyi examined the small hand wrapped in gauze in her palm, her clear eyes showing distress.
Cheng Yuexin glanced at the sympathetic expression on Chen Yiyi’s face beside her, and with her other hand that was only slightly injured and not wrapped, she touched the top of Chen Yiyi’s head, trying to comfort her.
“What’s wrong? You look so upset—it’s not like you’re the one injured.”
“But seeing you like this, it feels like I’m the one hurt. You’re obviously not in good health, so why are you pushing yourself?”
Chen Yiyi questioned Cheng Yuexin, receiving only an apologetic smile from her.
“I thought I could handle it.”
Chen Yiyi frowned and grabbed her hand a bit excitedly.
The pain from the wound instantly surged like a tide. Wincing, Cheng Yuexin sharply inhaled, her eyebrows furrowing.
“Sorry, sorry >ʌ<.”
Chen Yiyi quickly let go, and Cheng Yuexin’s eyes brimmed with tears from the pain.
“You might as well squeeze harder and make it bleed, then I’d have a reason to ask for leave.”
Cheng Yuexin pulled her hand back, not daring to leave it in Chen Yiyi’s palm again. This body—nothing about it is good. It’s sensitive enough, but it also has poor pain tolerance. The saying that a girl’s body is made of water keeps proving its worth.
“I’m sorry, I was wrong, I was wrong 😔🙏.”
Chen Yiyi apologized sincerely, and Cheng Yuexin smiled to show acceptance.
“Alright, we should head back.”
“Are you still going to the training ground? I already asked the instructor for leave on your behalf.”
Chen Yiyi didn’t understand Cheng Yuexin’s intention.
Standing up and looking down at Chen Yiyi, Cheng Yuexin nodded and walked off.
“The injury on my hand is nothing serious. This afternoon’s training doesn’t use the hands—we’ve just been practicing marching recently.”
Chen Yiyi followed Cheng Yuexin out of the infirmary, worry evident in her eyes.
“Yuexin, you don’t have to do this. If you’re injured, you should rest properly. Don’t push yourself anymore. If you’re afraid of the instructor, I’ll handle it for you.”
Chen Yiyi’s words made Cheng Yuexin curl her lips from the heart. This roommate of hers really did care about her. Even though they hadn’t known each other long, it felt like they were close sisters for years.
Suddenly stopping, Chen Yiyi lightly bumped into the girl’s back, but Cheng Yuexin had anticipated it.
She turned around, meeting Chen Yiyi’s puzzled and worried eyes.
“I’m not afraid of the instructor. I’m just going back to get something. I really don’t feel well today.”
Chen Yiyi patted her chest in relief, and the tension in her lips relaxed into a smile.
“Then after you get your things, go back to the dorm and rest. What do you want for dinner? I can bring it for you.”
Cheng Yuexin shook her head and refused. The light in Chen Yiyi’s eyes had just brightened, then instantly dimmed.
“I need to go to the hospital. You know.”
Chen Yiyi nodded knowingly.
“Oh, going to take care of Yueqing again. You really worry too much.”
Cheng Yuexin didn’t sigh as Chen Yiyi expected; instead, she kept smiling, though it was somewhat bitter.
“After all, Yueqing is my only family in this world.”
Her words faded with the wind. Cheng Yuexin quickly turned her back to Chen Yiyi and took the opportunity to wipe the corner of her eyes. Such a simple, ordinary gesture, yet Chen Yiyi could see the invisible burden on that delicate body. A bitter taste filled her nose, sour, forcing moisture to her eyes.
She had tried asking about Cheng Yuexin’s family situation a few times, but Cheng Yuexin was always too embarrassed to speak, or didn’t want to use her tragic background to gain sympathy. Everyone has their pride.
“Let’s go. Stop dawdling.”
Feeling Chen Yiyi’s gaze behind her, Cheng Yuexin’s eyes were gentle. She put away her smile and urged Chen Yiyi to move with her own pace.
Instead of getting a reply from Chen Yiyi, she got a hug.
“Yuexin…”
“Hmm?”
The low call of her name tugged at the soft spot in her heart.
“If you encounter any difficulties, as your roommate, I can share some of the load.”
Cheng Yuexin didn’t reply immediately. Feeling the warmth from Chen Yiyi, the heaviness in her mood eased slightly. But when Gu Linxue came to mind, the stone that had just been lifted from her heart fell again. She knew Chen Yiyi’s intentions and understood that her words were sincere at this moment. But the truth of everything was far more lamentable than what Chen Yiyi understood. From the day she found Gu Linxue, Cheng Yuexin knew there was no turning back.
“Yiyi, we really should go back now.”
Without a clear answer, Chen Yiyi pressed her lips tightly and responded softly. She let go of Cheng Yuexin, feeling a bit down. Looking down at the ground, her eyes dimmed and couldn’t return to their former brightness.
Until Cheng Yuexin took her hand, and she looked up to meet her adorable smile.
“Alright, alright, I understand what you mean. When I come to you for help in the future, you can’t refuse me, okay?”
Cheng Yuexin’s brows relaxed slightly, a faint smile appearing on her face.
“Go through fire and water for you, Yuexin.”
“Haha, this isn’t a movie.”
“For any favor for my big sister, I’d go through knives and fire without hesitation.”
“Haha…”
The light and cheerful atmosphere returned. Chen Yiyi held Cheng Yuexin’s hand back and stepped forward with determination.
…
After returning to the dormitory with her water bottle, Cheng Yuexin immediately took off her camouflage uniform, wet a towel, and wiped away the smell of sweat and the residual lavender scent.
“Gurgle…”
Her stomach growled, and Cheng Yuexin only then remembered that she hadn’t eaten lunch. But when you’re past the point of hunger, you really don’t feel that hungry. This was also a weight-loss method, but she didn’t need it.
The girl in the full-length mirror could still be described as slender. But if she got any thinner, she’d be skin and bones. That’s why Gu Linxue always said that her butt didn’t feel good to touch, and her little bunnies would never grow. Cheng Yuexin had no solution either.
She changed into a washed-out T-shirt and light blue jeans, pocketed her keys, and headed to the hospital.
Looking at the message from Cheng Yueqing, Cheng Yuexin found a porridge shop near the hospital. Her little sister wanted porridge, so she got a fish fillet porridge to nourish her. Her budget for dinner was twenty yuan. One bowl of fish fillet porridge cost sixteen, and the remaining was only enough for a four-yuan bowl of plain porridge. Cheng Yuexin was prepared. After ordering and packing, she asked the shop for some salt. Mixing salt into the plain porridge gave it a bit of flavor, making it edible—not bad. For this eating method she invented, Cheng Yuexin almost wanted to apply for a patent and collect royalties. But maybe no one would actually use it.
Smelling the familiar smell of disinfectant, she entered the inpatient building, climbed to the third floor, and arrived at Cheng Yueqing’s ward, a bit out of breath.
“Big sister, you’re here.”
Cheng Yueqing sat on the bed, her big, watery deep-blue eyes blinking twice, her aqua-blue hair tied in a ponytail. Their parents were also one blue, one white. The oversized blue-and-white hospital gown on her was so conspicuous; Cheng Yuexin deeply disliked it. She still preferred seeing her sister in pretty dresses. Whether in the previous life or now.
In this life, Cheng Yuexin was prepared. Before Cheng Yueqing’s illness flared up, she had already brought her to the hospital for an early check-up and early treatment. In her previous life, she was busy with studies and earning money, neglecting her sister’s illness. By the time she truly discovered it, it was too late. Cheng Yueqing’s departure left an indelible scar on her heart. Even now, even looking at Cheng Yueqing’s smiling face, she was still afraid that she might never see her again the next day.
“Are you hungry? I bought you fish fillet porridge. I heard it’s really delicious.”
Cheng Yuexin smiled and sat down by the hospital bed. She untied the bag, took out two bowls of porridge, and opened the lids to let them cool.
“Wow, it smells great! Looks delicious.”
Cheng Yueqing grinned, her light red lips forming a beautiful curve. But Cheng Yuexin’s mood didn’t improve much. It had been a week since the surgery, and Cheng Yueqing’s lips were still pale.
She raised her hand to brush away the hair at Cheng Yueqing’s temple, not realizing that Cheng Yueqing caught sight of the gauze on her hand. Her smile froze, and the joy in her eyes turned into faint worry.
“Big sister, how did you get hurt? Does it hurt?”
Cheng Yuexin smiled calmly.
“It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t hurt. I fell while running during military training today. It’s nothing; it’ll be fine in a couple of days.”
Seeing the faint dark red inside the gauze, Cheng Yueqing lightly bit her lip, the pale lip turning a different shade of red. She grabbed Cheng Yuexin’s injured hand and placed it against her own pretty face. The rough texture felt like it was rubbing against her heart. Her fingertips trembled involuntarily, and she bit her lip deeper.
“Silly big sister, can you protect yourself from now on?”
Cheng Yuexin scratched the back of her head with a silly smile: “I can, I can. Today was just an accident. Now hurry up and eat, or the porridge will get cold and won’t taste good. Let me feed you.”
“Mm…”
Cheng Yueqing put down her hand and complied with Cheng Yuexin’s words.
After taking the first spoonful of the umami-rich fish fillet porridge, Cheng Yueqing’s eyes lit up.
“Delicious! Really delicious. Big sister, you should try some too.”
“I’ll eat later. You eat first.”
Cheng Yueqing glanced at the other unopened bowl of porridge on the table but couldn’t see inside because it was wrapped in a paper bowl.
“It’s really good. Big sister, just take a bite.”
Cheng Yuexin refused with a smile, scooping up another spoonful and bringing it to Cheng Yueqing’s lips.
“My bowl is the same as yours. No need to taste it. Hurry and eat. The more you eat, the faster you’ll get better. Have a piece of fish.”
“Fine.”
Cheng Yueqing answered with a mumble, her eyes never leaving the bowl of porridge on the table, still suspicious.
After feeding Cheng Yueqing the porridge, Cheng Yuexin used the excuse that the porridge had cooled down and went outside to find a microwave to heat it, thus leaving the ward. In reality, she just sat at the ward door and ate her own bowl of plain porridge. Whether it tasted good or not didn’t matter when filling the belly was the minimum standard.