In the afternoon, Xia Chuyi first went to the hospital to deliver food for Uncle Xia and Aunt Xia and to visit her cousin Zhao Xiaogui.
"Uncle Xia, Aunt Xia, how is Xiao Gui doing?" she asked, opening the lunch box and setting it down.
"When the doctors did their rounds, they said he might wake up today." Aunt Xia’s expression visibly relaxed upon hearing the doctor’s words.
"Really?" Xia Chuyi was pleasantly surprised.
"Mhm," nodded Aunt Xia, beginning to eat with Uncle Xia.
Upon seeing the lunchbox filled with delicious dishes, especially the medicinal food Xia Chuyi had stewed with ample ingredients, she couldn’t help but exclaim, "You girl, why did you make so much?"
Uncle Xia laughed and said, "The child has this kind of heart, and you’re still complaining? Chuyi, you just keep doing it, if money is short, I’ll give it to you!"
After that, he chuckled and added, "And don’t mention it, that soup you stewed, after drinking it, I don’t feel tired at all; even my legs seem to recover faster."
Hearing this, Aunt Xia also nodded, "That’s really true."
Xia Chuyi was struck by a thought: Right, she could look and see if there’s suitable medicinal food in the Heavenly Book for Xiao Gui. Once he woke up, she would stew it especially for him.
She was just considering this when suddenly, intermittent sounds came from behind, from the bed: "Hmm... so... delicious..."
Everyone was startled, immediately put down what they were holding, and rushed to the bedside.
"Son, Xiao Gui, are you awake?" they asked urgently, softly.
Zhao Xiaogui’s eyelids quivered slightly, then gradually opened, his throat swallowing saliva as eventually he fully opened his eyes.
"I’m so hungry... it smells so good..." His first mumbled words upon waking concerned food.
It was both funny and enough to make them tear up.
"I’ll go call the doctor!" Xia Chuyi said excitedly, already running out.
The doctor arrived and asked many questions, conducting a thorough examination, and finally told Xia Chuyi and the others, "Not bad, the patient’s recovery is quite good."
Zhao Xiaogui, now fully awake on the hospital bed but still unable to move, looked pitifully at everyone and said, "I’m hungry."
Aunt Xia quickly asked, "Doctor, when can my son eat something?"
The doctor couldn’t help but smile and said, "The family and patient need not worry; you can drink some water or soup first, preferably something nutritious."
"Given the patient’s condition, as long as the stomach and intestines are fine and he’s passing gas normally, he’ll be able to eat normally very soon. Just make sure the nutrition is balanced."
Aunt Xia remembered the soup Xia Chuyi had brought and hurriedly asked the doctor if he could drink it.
After Xia Chuyi listed the ingredients used and the doctor confirmed, he informed them he could drink it.
Zhao Xiaogui finally got to drink the delicious soup, so happy he almost jumped for joy—of course, that was impossible since he couldn’t move his head yet.
After finishing the soup, Zhao Xiaogui smacked his lips and said, "Sister, I really did a great service this time. Once I’m discharged, you have to make me more delicious food, okay?"
Aunt Xia shook her head and lightly scolded, "You child, you’re not fully recovered, and you’re thinking about eating!"
But Xia Chuyi smiled warmly and said, "Alright, once we’re back, I’ll make you a Manchu Han Imperial Feast every day with different dishes!"
"Really?" Zhao Xiaogui’s eyes lit up.
"Really," Xia Chuyi nodded.
Aunt Xia chided, "Alright, Xiao Gui, stop bothering your sister!"
Then she turned to Xia Chuyi, "Don’t spoil him too much, or you’ll spoil him rotten!"
Xia Chuyi just smiled and said, "No worries, Xiao Gui has the bearing of a real man and he knows moderation."
The praise was given generously.