Chapter 242: A Contrast
Chapter 242: A Contrast
As Jiang Xia stepped out of the clinic's main entrance, she spotted Zhou Chengxin and Zhou Mu riding their bicycles towards her.
They had brought food and clothes.
Zhou Mu asked Jiang Xia, "What did the doctor say?"
Jiang Xia smiled and replied, "It's nothing serious. The wound has been bandaged, but they want him to stay for observation to prevent infection. I'll just stay here with him for a day."
Zhou Mu's expression changed slightly at the mention of hospitalization, "I'll stay here then!"
Hospitalization must be serious!
"No need," Jiang Xia assured her, "I'll stay for a day, and we'll go back tomorrow. Since you brought food, let's head back."
Jiang Xia led them back to the ward.
When Jiang Xia returned to the room, she found Zhou Chenglei lying comfortably on the bed. She greeted Zhou Mu and Zhou Chengxin.
Seeing that his complexion wasn't bad, Zhou Mu felt a little relieved.
Jiang Xia glanced at him, and Zhou Chenglei smiled at her.
Jiang Xia: "..."
"What are you feeling guilty about? You just went out?"
Usually, when someone smiles like that, it's a sign of guilt!
"..."
"Nothing!" Zhou Chenglei realized that Jiang Xia had the instincts of a scout!
Why be so sensitive?
At that moment, a nurse entered with an IV bag, "Where did you go? I couldn't find you for the injection."
Zhou Chenglei: "..."
Jiang Xia looked at Zhou Chenglei.
Zhou Chenglei quickly thought of an excuse, "The restroom."
"I was in the restroom!"
Jiang Xia rolled her eyes.
The nurse didn't pursue the matter further. She administered the injection to Zhou Chenglei and added, "It's getting dark, and the patient needs rest. Only one companion can stay, so please leave as soon as possible."
Jiang Xia decided to settle the score later. She turned to Zhou Mu and Zhou Chengxin, "Mom, big brother, he's fine now. The road is dark and difficult to navigate, so you should head back. I'll stay here with him."
Zhou Chengxin insisted, "I'll stay then!"
Zhou Chenglei: "There's no need, both of you should go back!"
Jiang Xia: "No need, I won't leave him. He won't listen to the doctor otherwise. Mom, big brother, please go back!"
Zhou Chenglei: "..."
Zhou Mu looked at her youngest son, who seemed tamed and helpless, and smiled, "Alright, we'll go back."
And so, Jiang Xia successfully stayed, while Zhou Mu and Zhou Chengxin left.
Jiang Xia escorted them out and took the opportunity to buy a washbasin, two towels, a toothbrush, a water bottle, and an enamel mug from the small shop next to the clinic.
Back in the ward, Jiang Xia finally took out the food box to feed Zhou Chenglei.
Zhou Chenglei said, "You eat too, I can feed myself."
Otherwise, by the time she finished feeding him, her own meal would be cold.
He wasn't that weak, and he could certainly feed himself.
Ignoring his words, Jiang Xia scooped a spoonful of food and fed it to him.
His hand was connected to an IV drip, and his shoulder was also injured, so moving his arm would likely cause pain.
Jiang Xia understood that he wasn't afraid of pain, but that didn't mean he didn't feel it.
Zhou Chenglei reluctantly took a mouthful of food.
After swallowing, he grabbed the lunchbox from the bedside cabinet and asserted himself, "You should eat too. Feed me one bite, and then eat one yourself."
Jiang Xia didn't object. She scooped a spoonful of food, ate it, and then fed him another spoonful.
As they shared the lunchbox, a warm smile appeared in Zhou Chenglei's eyes, and he obediently allowed her to feed him.
A cozy atmosphere filled the otherwise cold ward.
When Wen Wan, who had accompanied Zhou Guohua, entered the room, she saw this heartwarming scene.
Wen Wan paused in her steps.
Just as one lunchbox was finished, Jiang Xia put it down and opened the second one, continuing to feed Zhou Chenglei without even glancing at the other two.
The hospital didn't provide any curtains to separate the beds, leaving no privacy at all.
Wen Wan helped Zhou Guohua to the other bed and laid him down. When the nurse came to administer the injection, she took the opportunity to go out and buy food.
Jiang Xia continued feeding Zhou Chenglei.
Today's meal included shrimp, fish, crab meat, crab roe, and green vegetables.
Zhou Mu had prepared the shrimp, crab, and fish, and even cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces, making it very convenient to eat.
Zhou Chenglei encouraged Jiang Xia to eat more meat, as he was used to having more rice and less vegetables, while Jiang Xia preferred eating more vegetables and less rice.
Jiang Xia said, "You eat more, it's good for your blood!"
Zhou Mu had prepared a lot, and the lunch box was probably meant for her, with little rice and lots of vegetables.
The previous lunch box had more rice and fewer vegetables.
The delicious aroma reached Zhou Guohua's nose, who was lying in the adjacent bed, having lost a lot of blood and feeling famished, making him even hungrier.
An experienced nurse finished giving Zhou Guohua an injection and joked with Zhou Chenglei, "Your wife really knows how to take care of people. You've found a treasure!"
Zhou Chenglei rarely smiled at outsiders, but this time he did, "Yes."
The nurse was taken aback and couldn't help but smile.
Jiang Xia: "..."
Just then, Wen Wan returned, having failed to buy any food. She only managed to purchase some pastries and biscuits.
It was almost completely dark outside, and apart from the small shop next to the clinic, all the other stores were probably closed. She didn't feel like searching, so she bought some biscuits and returned.
She took them out and gave them to Zhou Guohua, "I couldn't buy any food, so have these for now."
The nurse frowned upon seeing this, "The patient has lost a lot of blood, and these won't provide enough nutrition. Remember to prepare something more nourishing for him tomorrow. Didn't you see that the patient next door, who is not as severely injured as your husband, is eating much better? It's not even 7 o'clock, so it's not like you can't find a restaurant to buy food."
Wen Wan's face turned slightly pale. Zhou Chenglei was eating food brought by his family, not bought by Jiang Xia.
Zhou Guohua smiled, "It's okay, I like biscuits."
Zhou Guohua dryly munched on the biscuits.
After feeding Zhou Chenglei, Jiang Xia poured him a cup of water to drink.
The nurse also reminded Wen Wan, "Remember to pour some water for your husband and help him stay hydrated."
Wen Wan: "..."
"Okay!" Wen Wan went to the small shop outside to buy a cup since there were no cups or kettles available.
Jiang Xia took the two lunch boxes to wash them.
After returning, she went to the hot water room and fetched a basin of hot water to wash Zhou Chenglei's face.
When Wen Wan returned with a kettle, Zhou Mu was surprised, wondering how Jiang Xia had become so good at taking care of people.
It made sense, she must have learned it from her previous life with Wu Qizhi!
It was said that Wu Qizhi's entire family, young and old, were all served by her, and if she didn't do it well, she would be beaten.
Wen Wan watched as Jiang Xia busily took care of things, not wanting to be outdone by her. She also didn't want to be scolded by the nurse.
Wen Wan poured a cup of water for Zhou Guohua and went to the small shop to buy a basin, towels, and other toiletries for him to wash up.
After returning, she followed Jiang Xia's example and fetched water to wash Zhou Guohua's face.
While Wen Wan was busy, Zhou Chenglei's intravenous drip finished, and he comfortably lay on the hospital bed, falling asleep.
Jiang Xia also dozed off, leaning on the edge of the bed.
By nine o'clock, Wen Wan had finished her tasks and ate a few biscuits. She was tired and leaned on the bed to rest.
After the ward quieted down for a while, Zhou Chenglei opened his eyes and carefully got off the bed. He gently carried the sleeping Jiang Xia to the hospital bed and sat in the chair to sleep.
Wen Wan hadn't fallen asleep yet, and when she heard some movement, she lifted her head and witnessed this scene.
Wen Wan: "..."
She glanced at Zhou Guohua, who was sleeping like a pig.
She couldn't compare!
She truly couldn't compare to Zhou Chenglei.
Suddenly, Wen Wan lost all desire to sleep and took out a book from her backpack to read.
Jiang Xia woke up in the middle of the night, stirring slightly. She was concerned about Zhou Chenglei's fever.
Zhou Chenglei immediately extended his arm for her to hold, gently patting her and whispering, "I'm fine."
Jiang Xia, holding his arm, felt his normal body temperature and lack of fever, and with this thought, she dozed off again.
Wen Wan: "..."
So, she had missed out on a man who was not only gentle and caring but also skilled and capable?
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(End of Chapter)
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