Chapter 73

Chapter 73

In the end, Ji Yuan chose to be a llama.

Even if this hairstyle seems a bit odd, at least he can retain half of his magnificent hair and not become bald.

Ji Yuan had no intention of becoming a monk in this lifetime; he vowed never to be bald!

The night before the head-shaving, Li SuiAn made a visit.

He sat on the pink sofa that Gu XiuYi had custom-made for Ji Yuan, wearing glasses, legs crossed, exuding the demeanor of a distinguished doctor. With a solemn expression, he looked at Ji Yuan's medical report.

"Hmm..." he nodded, his meaning inscrutable.

"Eh..." He covered his mouth, frowned, and shook his head.

This string of inexplicable reactions left Ji Yuan on edge, nervously sitting at the edge of the bed, fidgeting with his fingers.

What patients dread most is when doctors remain silent, staring at their reports with a serious expression.

He looked up at Gu XiuYi, his eyes filled with a pitiable expression.

Without a doubt, Gu XiuYi's heart softened. He pulled Ji Yuan's slender shoulders close and shot Li SuiAn a sharp glance, "Stop the act."

While Ji Yuan is easily frightened, Gu XiuYi isn't. He knows Li SuiAn's character best after all these years of friendship. If there was really something wrong with Ji Yuan's health, Li SuiAn wouldn't have that expression.

Li SuiAn, caught in his mischief, laughed as he removed his glasses. He strolled over, hands behind his back, "He's fine. Although the results aren't quite as expected, they're much better than initially hoped. The surgery shouldn't pose much of a problem."

He glanced at Gu XiuYi, "After the procedure, he should be moved to intensive care for a few days. Once he's stable, you family members will need to take special care, especially ensuring the wound remains clean. However, it mustn't get wet. Ensure he gets the necessary nutrition once he starts eating."

"He has severe hypoglycemia and anemia, so always have someone accompany him when he moves to avoid falls or bumps. With good care, he'll recover in no time."

Li SuiAn spoke with a light-hearted tone, his words rapidly spilling out.

Ji Yuan might not have caught every word, but sensing the doctor's upbeat mood, he felt reassured. He kept glancing between Li SuiAn and Gu XiuYi, his beautiful eyes darting back and forth, keenly trying to follow the conversation.

Gu XiuYi diligently noted down Li SuiAn's advice. When he looked up and saw Ji Yuan sitting upright, reminiscent of a primary school student in class, with pursed lips and a curious tilt to his head, his heart melted. He caressed Ji Yuan's face, "What are you looking at, darling?"

Only Gu XiuYi's voice resonated clearly in Ji Yuan's ears amidst the chaotic silence of his world.

Ji Yuan leaned into Gu XiuYi's embrace, his eyes shining brightly, articulating each word carefully, "Listening to the doctor's advice."

Ji Yuan's deliberate enunciation, especially due to his hearing impairment, was incredibly endearing. Gu XiuYi, unable to resist, planted a kiss on the corner of his mouth and hugged him tightly.

"Oh my!" Li SuiAn shielded his eyes, "Mr. Gu, can you show a little restraint? The patient's primary doctor is right here!"

Gu XiuYi, utterly captivated by Ji Yuan's innocent and earnest face, had no attention left to spare for Li SuiAn, "Any other discerning primary doctor would've tactfully left by now upon seeing this scene."

Li SuiAn: "..."

In all his years of practice, Dr. Li had never encountered a family member who was so cavalier. Even if the surgery was scheduled for tomorrow afternoon and his most crucial role was yet to be played, this Mr. Gu seemed ready to dismiss him at a moment's notice.

Li SuiAn gently pulled Gu XiuYi away and patted Ji Yuan's shoulder, urging him to make eye contact.

He bent down, and despite being an ENT specialist, spoke with the tone reserved for pediatrics, "Tomorrow will be better. Hang in there, kiddo!"

The words were spoken slowly but with profound conviction, and Ji Ruan understood!

Feeling a surge of motivation, Ji Ruan's face showed determination. Clenching his fists, he nodded firmly, "I will!"

His enunciation was impeccable.

He was then rewarded with a chuckle and a peck from Gu Xiuyi.

·

Ji Ruan had sweated during the day, and with surgery scheduled for the next day, Gu Xiuyi decided to give him a midnight bath.

For someone like Ji Ruan, with naturally thin and fair skin, just a little soak in warm water would turn him pink. A gentle scrub with body wash would make him resemble a newly hatched chick with tender pinkish skin.

Gu Xiuyi was extra gentle when drying him off and lifting him back to bed.

Today was Ji Ruan's hair mask day. Instinctively, he wanted Gu Xiuyi to fetch it for him, but the realization that his hair would be shaved off the next day left him crestfallen.

His disappointment led to more comforting from Gu Xiuyi after his hair was dried. Dizzy and light-headed, Ji Ruan watched as Gu Xiuyi cheerfully went to shower.

The shower lasted an hour.

By the time Gu Xiuyi slipped under the covers, Ji Ruan was almost asleep, curled up in a ball.

A thin layer of cold sweat was evident on the back of his neck. His furrowed brows in sleep showed his discomfort. Only now, without his awake facade, did Gu Xiuyi realize the pain Ji Ruan was enduring.

A pang of sorrow pierced Gu Xiuyi's heart.

This pain had no remedy, and Gu Xiuyi couldn't even share the burden. The implanted device behind Ji Ruan's ear was like a ticking bomb; Gu Xiuyi dared not touch it.

All he could do was cradle Ji Ruan, gently massaging his neck to comfort him, and continuously kiss his earlobe, hoping to provide a hint of warmth during the agonizing dream.

As if sensing the attention, Ji Ruan's eyelashes fluttered open.

Gu Xiuyi's evident concern was caught off guard. With a gentle smile, he deflected, "Haven't you slept? Or did I wake you?"

The corners of Ji Ruan's mouth lifted slightly, "Caught you sneaking a kiss."

"It's not stealing a kiss," Gu Xiuyi said, holding Ji Ruan's chin and planting a kiss, "It's a kiss with full intent."

There was a hint of stubble on his chin, which tickled Ji Ruan's cheek. Retreating with a smile, Ji Ruan's dimples captured the warm light from the bedside lamp, looking like twinkling stars.

Gu Xiuyi held the back of Ji Ruan's head, gently pulling him closer into his embrace. His voice softened with sincerity,

"Sleep now, my love. It won't hurt once you drift off, and it'll be better tomorrow…"

Ji Ruan stiffened for a moment, then slowly and wholly relaxed, leaning into the warmth of Gu Xiuyi's embrace.

·

On the day of the surgery, the barber arrived early in the ward. Upon entering, he exclaimed in surprise.

He was a middle-aged man, around fifty, slightly rotund, but with a friendly face. His smile was so infectious; it felt like the joy of the New Year.

"What a luxurious room," the barber said with a cheerful laugh as he placed his toolkit on the floor. "My granddaughter would love this! Isn't this just like the house her Barbie dolls live in?"

His voice, hearty and full of vigor, was understandable to Ji Ruan, who responded with a shy smile.

The barber's eyes scanned the room. Only two people were there. The tall man standing beside the bed had a formidable presence, but he seemed robust and healthy.

Thus, his attention turned to the young man sitting on the bed, dressed in a floral hospital gown. He smiled kindly, "You're the one undergoing surgery, aren't you?"

Ji Ruan met the barber's amiable gaze and nodded, "Yes, thank you for coming."

"Oh, it's no bother at all. This is my job," the barber chuckled. "Come, have a seat over here."

Guided by Gu Xiuyi, Ji Ruan took a seat on a small stool. As the apron was wrapped around his neck, the barber grabbed Ji Ruan's hair and couldn't help but exclaim, "Such lovely hair. What a pity to lose it."

Noticing Ji Ruan's slight sadness, the barber quickly added, "Don't worry! Hair like this grows back even thicker and shinier after being shaved."

Ji Ruan looked up, eyes shining with hope, "Really?"

"Absolutely!" The barber always tried to keep things light-hearted, understanding the emotional toll of patients undergoing surgery and hoping to lift their spirits.

"Two years ago, I shaved a young lady undergoing brain surgery. She was devastated, crying uncontrollably. But guess what? Her new hair grew back even glossier without any split ends. She even sent me a thank-you banner later!"

"And last year, there was this young man..."

As the barber meticulously shaved, he vividly recounted tales from his barbering career. When he became engrossed in his story, his speech quickened, making it a bit challenging for Ji Ruan to catch every word.

Yet emotions are contagious. When treated with kindness and sincerity, Ji Ruan felt it deeply. Gu Xiuyi stood by his side, holding his hand, and the warmth from those around him was palpable.

Minutes later, Ji Ruan transformed into an alpaca.

The barber packed up his tools and couldn't stop praising how adorable Ji Ruan looked. He even commented that among all the clients he's had over the years, Ji Ruan, regardless of gender or age, sported the most endearing hairstyle he's ever seen.

Flattered beyond words, Ji Ruan intently examined himself in the mirror. After a while, he began to think he might indeed look somewhat cute.

He shared this revelation with Gu Xiuyi, who, unsurprisingly, responded with a prolonged kiss.

That afternoon, dressed in surgical garb, he was wheeled into the operating room. He had been through this scenario numerous times, each instilling immense fear and even causing him to tremble. But this time, he was not afraid.

Before the operating room doors closed, he saw Gu Xiuyi standing by the entrance, smiling at him. It was the most gentle yet powerful smile Ji Ruan had ever witnessed in his life.

The surgery took four hours and was a success. However, post-operation, Ji Ruan was moved to the ICU as his wound wasn't healing well, bleeding persistently, and showed signs of a minor infection the following morning.

Normally, after such an implant surgery, patients would be sitting up and eating by the third day, but he remained unconscious.

Li Sui'an assured that the situation was manageable; the infection was under control, and waking up was just a matter of time.

Gu Xiuyi virtually moved his office into the patient's room, staying by Ji Ruan's side day and night. He did this so that the first person Ji Ruan would see upon waking would be him.

After all, Ji Ruan was timid and delicate; waking up without seeing Gu Xiuyi would undoubtedly upset him.

Yet, even the best-laid plans go astray. Despite Gu Xiuyi's thorough preparations, he still missed the exact moment Ji Ruan awoke.

On the fifth day at noon, after moistening Ji Ruan's lips with water, Gu Xiuyi took a brief trip to the restroom. Upon his return, he was met with Ji Ruan staring at the ceiling, his gaze slowly shifting to meet Gu Xiuyi's.

In that instant, Gu Xiuyi felt a weight lift from his chest, followed by an indescribable surge of elation.

He immediately rang for the medical staff and leaned close to Ji Ruan, gently stroking his hair.

Ji Ruan could see the profound joy and gratitude in Gu Xiuyi's eyes, and the fingers resting on his cheek trembled ever so slightly.

However, Gu Xiuyi remained silent.

Ji Ruan parted his lips, eagerly awaiting to hear Gu Xiuyi's voice.

In the next moment, Gu Xiuyi's hand gently slid to the nape of Ji Ruan's neck, subtly lifting it to reveal his left ear.

He leaned in close to Ji Ruan's ear, first bestowing a soft kiss upon the lobe, then, with heartfelt devotion, whispered:

"I love you, darling."

If one could describe Ji Ruan's sense of hearing as a vast, distorted wilderness, then Gu Xiuyi's voice would be the echoing resonance amidst the silence, the chirping of insects on a summer night, the bubbling spring in a valley.

It was a gift formed from every clear and beautiful sound the world has to offer.

Ji Ruan's eyes curved in a gentle smile; the first voice he heard was a confession from his lover.

-End of Text-