After the medicinal food was prepared, Xia Chuyi came out from the back kitchen, carrying several boxes.
"The shop is nearly cleaned up, you guys go give this to Huo Commander," she said, handing one to the security guard and the rest to Xia Chengzong, "Second Brother, let’s go to the hospital and bring some food for Uncle Xia and Aunt Xia."
Li Zitao exchanged a glance, understanding their commander’s intentions very clearly.
Besides asking them to help clean up, it also meant protecting the little sister-in-law.
After a quick discussion, Li Zi stepped forward and said, "Little sister-in-law, taking soup to the commander, one person is enough. I’ll accompany little sister-in-law to the hospital."
Xia Chuyi thought for a moment and replied, "That works, then you look after the house, Second Brother."
Then she asked him to hand the lunchboxes to Li Zi.
Xia Chengzong muttered, "... Alright."
Ever since Huo Commander arrived, his role as a cousin felt utterly meaningless.
Xia Chuyi didn’t notice her cousin’s melancholy and, with a wave of her hand, bid farewell to Xia Chengzong and headed to the hospital.
Ling County Hospital.
Xiao Gui was still unconscious, but the doctor had checked on him and said the condition was good—waking from brain surgery usually took a long time.
A few main doctors consulted together and, combining Dr. Guo Lin’s earlier instructions, judged that Zhao Xiaogui’s physical condition should allow him to wake up within forty-eight hours.
This outcome considerably relieved Uncle Xia and Aunt Xia.
When Xia Chuyi brought food, the two finally had the appetite to eat a little.
"Uncle, Aunt, eat more. Don’t collapse by the time Xiao Gui wakes up," Xia Chuyi urged Uncle Xia and Aunt Xia to eat more, insisting particularly that they finish the medicinal food.
Unable to refuse her, Uncle Xia and Aunt Xia smiled and said, "Alright, we’ll do as you say!"
And they polished off the medicinal food completely.
"After drinking it, I must say, Chuyi, your chicken soup is really delicious—much better than what Aunt Xia makes!" After finishing the medicinal food, both elders’ complexions noticeably improved, and they praised her cooking skills.
Xia Chuyi smiled slyly and said, "Who do you think my aunt is?"
Her jest was meant to relax Uncle Xia and Aunt Xia.
Sure enough, Uncle Xia and Aunt Xia laughed and said, "You child!"
While the family was laughing and talking, they suddenly heard Li Zi at the door salute with a "Commander Huo, good day," startling everyone inside.
As Li Zi’s words fell, accompanied by a polite, light knock on the door, Huo Shiqian, with his tall and upright stature like a pine, appeared at the doorway of the hospital room.
Uncle Xia and Aunt Xia exchanged glances before turning their eyes toward their niece.
Xia Chuyi stood up and, after clearing her throat, introduced calmly, "Uncle, Aunt, this is Huo Commander."
"Brother Shiqian, these are my uncle and aunt."
Huo Shiqian nodded slightly and greeted the elders, "Hello Uncle, hello Aunt."
It sounded even smoother than before—more natural and fitting.
"... Good, good," Uncle Xia replied awkwardly.
What else could he say but good?
Ahem, after the awkward moment, Uncle Xia, looking at Huo Shiqian’s tall figure and his neat military uniform, quickly felt better.
Actually, Huo Commander was a decent person, he had long thought him handsome and capable at managing his troops.
Unable to help himself, Uncle Xia asked, "Huo Commander, how did you come to know my Chuyi? The last time you visited my house, didn’t you two not know each other?"
Uncle Xia voiced his confusion.
"We are pen pals!" Xia Chuyi jumped in, quickly blurting out the excuse she had prepared in advance.
If she let Huo Shiqian speak, there was no telling what he might say.