Chapter 212: Intimacy

Yu Xiangyang suddenly lost his balance and leaned forward.

Xia Qingyun’s body dropped sharply, almost falling heavily onto the bed. It looked like Yu Xiangyang was about to fall on top of her.

Xia Qingyun’s pupils dilated, and she let out a startled cry.

At the critical moment, Yu Xiangyang instinctively braced one hand against the bed while the other hand securely supported the back of Xia Qingyun’s neck.

Their faces were nearly touching, nose to nose.

This was the first time they had been so close since they started spending time together.

Yu Xiangyang could see his reflection in Xia Qingyun’s pupils and smell the faint scent of alcohol mixed with her fragrance.

Xia Qingyun was still clutching the front of Yu Xiangyang’s shirt, staring at him in a daze. The panic in her eyes hadn’t yet faded, giving her an alluring yet fragile look that evoked a sense of pity.

As their eyes locked, Yu Xiangyang’s mind went blank, his heart pounded, and his body stiffened, forgetting what to do next.

They stayed in that ambiguous posture, gazing at each other. A blush slowly spread across Xia Qingyun’s pale face. Embarrassed, she licked her lips.

Watching her moist, red lips, Yu Xiangyang felt his mouth go dry and was overcome by an urge to do something.

Just then, the door to the hospital room opened, and a nurse’s voice interrupted, “Bed 7, it’s time to take your medicine.”

The nurse then scolded them, “What are you doing? This is a hospital!”

From the nurse’s angle, it looked like Yu Xiangyang was leaning over Xia Qingyun, with their faces close together, about to kiss.

The two quickly snapped back to reality, hurriedly turning their faces away from each other.

Yu Xiangyang’s face flushed red as he gently laid Xia Qingyun back on the bed and stepped aside.

As the nurse walked over, she shot Yu Xiangyang an annoyed look, then placed the medicine on the bedside table and instructed Xia Qingyun, “You have a concussion; you should be lying down and resting, not moving around.”

Xia Qingyun, too embarrassed to look at the nurse, turned her head away and murmured a response.

The nurse then turned to Yu Xiangyang and said, “It’s late. The patient needs to rest.”

Yu Xiangyang, whose heart was still racing, awkwardly replied, “Got it. I’ll leave after she takes her medicine.”

After the nurse left the room, Yu Xiangyang poured a cup of water from the thermos. “You can’t stay here without someone to take care of you. I’ll find someone to help you.”

Xia Qingyun slowly sat up, “Who are you going to find?”

Yu Xiangyang replied, “There are plenty of women outside the hospital looking for work. I’ll hire one of them.”

Pouting, Xia Qingyun asked, “Are you comfortable leaving me with a stranger?”

Yu Xiangyang hesitated.

Xia Qingyun’s lips curved into a small smile, “Yu Xiangyang, I’m not that delicate. You don’t need to find someone to take care of me. I can manage on my own. Dancers like us often deal with sprains and strains. We just tough it out.”

Still concerned, Yu Xiangyang said, “But you can’t even move around. It’s not easy to drink water or go to the restroom.”

Xia Qingyun’s smile widened, “That’s why I have you.”

She paused before asking, “Are you coming back tomorrow?”

Her eyes were filled with eager anticipation.

Yu Xiangyang nodded firmly, “Yes, I’ll come.”

Xia Qingyun’s face lit up with a happy smile. “Then I’ll eat and drink less, and wait until you come to see me before I go to the restroom.”

“That won’t do!” Yu Xiangyang said. “I’ll talk to the nurse before I leave. You should eat and drink as needed, and ask them for help if you need anything.”

Xia Qingyun laughed and agreed, “Alright.”

“The water’s getting cold; take your medicine.” Yu Xiangyang handed Xia Qingyun the medicine and the cup of water.

Xia Qingyun took them and swallowed the medicine. “Yu Xiangyang, you should head home. It’s late, and it’s not safe.”

Since it was time for everyone to rest, Yu Xiangyang knew it wasn’t appropriate to stay longer. “I’ll come back tomorrow to see you. Is there anything you want? I can bring it for you.”

Xia Qingyun looked at him tenderly and said, “Yu Xiangyang, as long as I can see you, I’m happy. I don’t need anything else.”

Hearing this, Yu Xiangyang’s heart, which hadn’t fully calmed down, skipped a few beats, filling him with a sweet warmth.

Looking at Xia Qingyun’s pale face and gentle expression, Yu Xiangyang found it hard to leave.

Xia Qingyun didn’t urge him either; the two of them gazed at each other affectionately.

After a long while, Yu Xiangyang finally made up his mind. “I’m leaving now. You get some rest.”

“Take care on the way.”

Reluctantly, Yu Xiangyang left the hospital room and headed to the nurse’s station.

It was the same nurse from before, busy recording something in a logbook.

Yu Xiangyang said, “Excuse me, nurse, I’d like to ask a favor.”

The nurse looked up from her logbook, recognizing him, and asked impatiently, “What is it?”

Yu Xiangyang hadn’t left a good impression on her.

He said, “I’d like to ask you to keep an eye on the patient in bed 7.”

This time, the nurse didn’t even lift her head, replying coldly, “We’re nurses, responsible for injections and medication. Taking care of patients is the family’s responsibility.”

Her attitude displeased Yu Xiangyang. “She’s not a local and doesn’t have family around, which is why I’m asking you for some help.”

The nurse remained indifferent. “I can’t help with that!”

“How can you be like this?” Yu Xiangyang’s tone turned harsh as well. “Is this how you treat injured comrades? So cold and rude!”

The nurse slammed her pen down on the logbook and retorted angrily, “What attitude? This isn’t my job! If everyone were like you, should I be a nurse or a nanny?”

Yu Xiangyang, now thoroughly annoyed, raised his voice, “I’m going to report you to your superior! Your attitude toward patients is cold and unpleasant!”

The nurse shot back, “Go ahead! I’ll tell the leadership myself about how you’ve been behaving in the ward, acting improperly!”

“What did I do?” Yu Xiangyang responded righteously. “I’m visiting an injured comrade, perfectly aboveboard!”

Their argument attracted the attention of the on-duty doctor and other nurses, who separated them to understand what was going on.

Xia Qingyun’s attending physician, a man in his forties named Xiong Qingxin, stepped in. Zhao Ruozhu had spoken to Xiong earlier that afternoon, asking him to keep an eye on the patient in bed 7.

Now seeing Yu Xiangyang, whose appearance bore a strong resemblance to Zhao Ruozhu, Xiong Qingxin guessed that the patient in bed 7 might be Zhao Ruozhu’s future daughter-in-law.

He reassured Yu Xiangyang, “Don’t worry, comrade. We’ll take good care of the patient in bed 7.”

Yu Xiangyang thanked the doctor and left the hospital.

Afterward, the nurse vented her frustration, recounting what she had seen earlier. The others were quite shocked by the story.

The patients here were all military personnel, known for their discipline and strong character.

This was the first time anyone had heard of such an incident.

Xiong Qingxin offered an explanation, “I think they’re probably dating. They’re young, after all…”

The nurse muttered under her breath, “Even so, they shouldn’t be kissing in the hospital room!”