Cheng Jin and Lu Tao took a while to piece together the entire situation. The earthquake on the geothermal planet wasn’t too severe, as the epicenter was located in a sparsely populated area. Other than the Xier tribe, which suffered significant impacts, other places did not sustain much damage.

However, the loss for the Xier tribe was heavy. Almost all their houses were destroyed, resulting in over three hundred casualties, including more than fifty deaths. Among the deceased was the old chieftain, and over thirty individuals were severely injured and still in emergency care.

Yan Qi was transported back to the Imperial Planet by Cheng Xu in a spacecraft. By that time, Li An had already dispatched a large spaceship to transport the remaining injured to the hospital on the geothermal planet. Cheng Xu used Yan Qi’s communicator aboard the spacecraft to contact Yan Yi, obtaining permission to use folded space, which allowed them to quickly reach the Military Hospital.

Initially, Cheng Jin didn’t grasp the severity of Yan Qi’s injuries until he heard that a large rock had crushed his legs. This news made him shiver in fear, turning his face pale. He whispered, “Doesn’t that mean…”

Lu Tao squeezed his hand reassuringly and said, “Doctor Tian Qi is inside; don’t worry too much about him.”

The corridor soon quieted down. The Yan family clearly knew about Yan Qi and Cheng Xu’s situation, so there was little confusion displayed. Even if they felt the two were mismatched, with Yan Qi still in danger, it wasn’t the time to discuss such matters.

Cheng Jin and his brother waited anxiously for two hours until the red light outside the emergency room turned off, signaling that the surgery had concluded.

At that moment, everyone tensed, eyes fixed on the double doors. When the doors finally opened, a hesitant silence filled the air, as everyone feared asking questions that might lead to bad news. Eventually, it was Yan Yi who broke the silence. “Doctor, how is my brother?”

The doctor replied, “The surgery was very successful; his life is saved. However, his legs will require several more surgeries. With current medical technology, he might not regain his former agility, but he’ll be able to walk without issues.”

Just hearing that “his life is saved” made Cheng Xu breathe a sigh of relief, a glimmer of hope returning to his eyes, even though standing up remained a struggle. It was Cheng Jin who helped him stabilize. Cheng Xu slowly approached the doctor, his voice rough. “May I… see him now?”

The doctor replied, “The patient hasn’t regained consciousness yet. Give it another two hours.”

Cheng Xu’s gaze lingered on the emergency room; even from his angle, it was impossible to see Yan Qi. He softly said, “Okay.” After that, his body gave way, and he fainted.

Cheng Jin was startled, almost failing to catch his brother. It was Yan Yi who swiftly caught Cheng Xu and ended up carrying him bridal-style, requesting the doctor, “Please perform a full check-up on him.”

While Cheng Xu was being examined, Cheng Jin was visibly anxious and worried. After a while, he suddenly remembered, “My dad probably doesn’t know about my brother’s situation. Honey, should we contact him now?”

Lu Tao responded, “It’s probably not necessary to worry, but I’ll find a way to inform him of the current situation.”

When Cheng Xu awoke two hours later, it was as if he had been startled from a nightmare. Seeing his younger brother guarding him, he hurriedly asked, “Xiao Jin, how’s Yan Qi? What happened to him?”

“Bro, don’t move; you still have an IV in. Don’t pull it out. Yan Qi’s fine; he woke up half an hour ago and is in high spirits. I even heard him yelling to see you.” Cheng Jin blocked his brother’s frantic movements, his words evidently calming. Cheng Xu settled a bit but still looked deeply shaken. “He’s… really okay?”

“The doctor said he’s out of danger now, so of course he’s fine.” Cheng Jin turned to pour a glass of water for his brother, only then noticing his hands were still shaking. Cheng Xu took a big sip of water, calmed down a bit, and then said, “I thought I was dreaming… I’ll go see him.”

“Wait for the nurse to remove your IV. Don’t rush. I’ll call right away,” Cheng Jin said, understanding his brother’s urgency, having experienced similar feelings himself. He quickly pressed the call button. The nurse came in promptly and removed Cheng Xu’s IV. As soon as the needle was out, Cheng Xu swung off the bed and hurried out. Cheng Jin tried to support him, but Cheng Xu said, “I can walk on my own. Which way?”

“This way, this way.”

Cheng Xu’s steps were still a bit unsteady due to the massive shock he had just endured. In those brief moments, he had been running around and then piloted the spacecraft to bring Yan Qi back, pushing his nerves to their limit. Although he had no physical injuries, the psychological trauma was significant. Cheng Jin couldn’t help but think how thankful he was that Yan Qi was saved; otherwise, his brother might have broken down.

He had never seen his brother like this before. Even when their mother had tragically passed away, Cheng Xu was deeply saddened but not to this extent.

As his brother lay unconscious, Cheng Jin had been reflecting on this. He found it hard to believe his brother could truly fall for Yan Qi, who was arrogant and hot-tempered. But the genuine emotions Cheng Xu had displayed when Yan Qi was on the brink of death were too real to fake.

Finally reaching the door to Yan Qi’s hospital room, many of the Yan family had left, but Yan Qi’s mother was still inside. Cheng Xu gently pushed the door open, and the man on the bed turned his gaze toward the sound. Through the crack, Cheng Jin saw the bright light that instantly flashed in Yan Qi’s eyes—so bright it hardly seemed possible he had just undergone a life-saving operation a few hours ago. When Cheng Xu met the other’s gaze, his steps froze as if he were unable to move. After several seconds, Yan Qi’s voice finally rang out, “Xu Ge, why… aren’t you coming in?”

Once Cheng Xu entered, Yan Qi’s mother tactfully left, giving them some privacy. Before she closed the door, Cheng Jin heard Yan Qi cheerfully calling out, “Xu Ge, Xu Ge.” His originally touched feelings scattered.

Brother seems to have fallen hard! He’s going to be tied to that dog of a man for life!

The feeling was somewhat bitter. Cheng Jin bit his lip, catching a glimpse of Yan Qi’s mother. He quickly put on a sweet smile, calling out, “Auntie.” Yan Qi’s sister was known as the most beautiful woman in the world, and though she wasn’t as stunning as her elder sister, she was still very beautiful and appeared quite young. She glanced at Cheng Jin’s belly and smiled slightly. “Xiao Jin, your belly is so big now! Is it almost time?”

Cheng Jin nodded. “The due date is in a month.”

“That’s soon,” Yan Qi’s sister said, touching his belly. Suddenly, she smiled again. “You know, we initially intended for you to be a partner for Xiao Qi, but it turns out you got married so early, and now he’s like this.”

Cheng Jin was taken aback, cautiously asking, “Auntie, you wouldn’t… disapprove of him and my brother, right?” Although he was also reluctant, as long as his brother was happy, he would accept it. But if the Yan family didn’t approve, that would complicate his brother’s situation…

“Oh, that won’t happen,” Yan Qi’s sister replied with a smile. “Your brother is quite good. Besides, we can’t afford to disagree. My son is like a firecracker; if anyone tries to stop him, he’d turn the Yan family upside down. I couldn’t handle that.” It was almost as if she were saying, “Your brother is our family’s salvation.”

Cheng Jin breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good.”

The two sat by the door, chatting and waiting until Lu Tao and Yan Yi returned, and then they all went in together.

Cheng Jin was surprised by Yan Qi’s appearance on the hospital bed. The man didn’t look at all like someone who had just been rescued from the brink of death. Apart from being a bit paler than usual, he looked well, his eyes smiling. He made no attempt to hide his joy; upon seeing them enter, he didn’t let go of Cheng Xu’s hand, as if afraid that letting go would mean Cheng Xu might run away.

Cheng Jin felt somewhat uncomfortable seeing them holding hands. When he accidentally noticed his brother’s lips were swollen and reddened, he nearly stumbled, with Lu Tao quickly supporting him from behind. Cheng Jin glared at Yan Qi, unable to restrain himself from grabbing his brother’s arm, trying to pull his hand from Yan Qi’s grasp. Growing even more upset, he exclaimed, “Bro, you’ve seen enough. You’re not feeling well yourself; go back and rest!”

Cheng Xu hadn’t replied when Yan Qi, protective as ever, said, “Rest here. Bro, call someone to add a bed next to me.”

Yan Yi seemed to be holding back from rolling his eyes, his mouth twitching slightly. “This is a special care ward; you can’t add a bed.”

Yan Qi wanted to say more, but Cheng Xu suddenly said, “I’m not leaving yet.”

Seeing Yan Qi’s face break into a satisfied smile, Cheng Jin felt a surge of frustration. He painfully realized that his brother had really fallen this time, especially since he had never refused anything he asked before. Cheng Jin tugged at his brother’s sleeve. “Bro…”

Yan Qi looked at him discontentedly. “Cheng Jin, what’s the matter with you? Aren’t you here to visit the patient? It’s fine if you didn’t bring fruits or flowers, but you didn’t even ask him how he is?”

Cheng Jin saw the smug look on Yan Qi’s face and felt a swell of anger. If it weren’t for the presence of elders, he would have cursed him right there. Now, he could only hold back and ask, “How are you?”

Yan Qi replied, “My legs are crippled; I’ll have to rely on Xu Ge to take care of me from now on.”

“You…” Cheng Jin glared, his anger palpable. Cheng Xu, along with Yan Qi’s mother, both said, “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Cheng Xu added, “You can be treated.”

When Yan Qi looked at him, he suddenly adopted a pitiful expression. “Xu Ge, even if I can be treated, you won’t go back on what you just promised, right?” As he spoke, he gently shook Cheng Xu’s hand, his pitiful act dialed up to the max.

The others couldn’t bear to look. Cheng Xu knew Yan Qi was “seizing the victory.” But this man had bravely and unhesitatingly saved him in a crisis; the image of his legs, bone-crushed and bleeding, was still vivid in his mind, and the fear of losing him hadn’t completely dissipated. So, looking at Yan Qi, Cheng Xu’s heart softened into a puddle, grateful more than anything that he was still alive. All his previous struggles seemed trivial now. “It will count,” he said.

Cheng Jin frowned. “Bro, what did you promise him?”

Yan Qi loudly and proudly declared, “Of course, he promised to be my partner! We’ve agreed that after my second surgery, we’ll apply for marriage!”

Though Cheng Jin knew Yan Qi’s intentions were genuine, he still felt awkward. He whispered, “Bro, won’t you reconsider?”

Yan Qi seemed to have had enough, turning to Lu Tao. “General, aren’t you going to take your delicate wife to the neighboring hospital to give birth? His belly is so big; he could give birth at any moment. If you don’t prepare early, it could be dangerous.”

Cheng Jin rolled his eyes in frustration, about to speak when Lu Tao wrapped an arm around his waist, his voice calm. “We’re going now.