Jiang Linchuan didn't stop Xu Xinghe because he was a patient.

If he were to get jealous at this point, he wouldn't be a real man. Besides, Lian Xiao isn't in the mood for that right now; they're more like family who need each other's comfort.

Lian Xiao paused, looking at Xu Xinghe's serious eyes, and finally gave up and nodded, "Okay, I'll go back to sleep for a while."

Back in his ward, he fell asleep as soon as he lay down, and his breathing quickly became even.

Xu Xinghe looked at his tired sleeping face, gently closed the door, and walked towards the cafeteria with Jiang Linchuan.

The canteen was not crowded in the early morning, and the air was filled with the aroma of rice porridge.

"Two servings of millet porridge, three steamed buns, a plate of pickled vegetables, and a serving of stir-fried greens," Jiang Linchuan said to the window, then turned to Xu Xinghe and asked, "Would you like to add anything else?"

"No need, this is enough." Xu Xinghe looked at the rising steam from the window and said softly, "Lian Xiao hasn't eaten for a day and a night. He probably won't have an appetite when he wakes up. Some millet porridge is just right."

Not long after the two returned to the ward with breakfast, Lian Xiao woke up. He was in such a state that he was like a frightened bird and couldn't sleep well at all.

However, I feel a bit better than before.

Xu Xinghe ladled out the porridge and let it cool, while Jiang Linchuan unwrapped a steamed bun and handed it to him, saying, "Have something to eat first, and drink the porridge when it's a little cooler."

Lian Xiao took the steamed bun, took a bite, and chewed slowly. Suddenly, he looked up at the two of them, his voice choked with emotion, "Thank you so much this time... I don't know what I would have done without you."

"Why are you being so polite with us?" Xu Xinghe pushed the cooled porridge in front of him. "Hurry up and drink the porridge. We still need to keep Grandpa Lian company when he wakes up."

Jiang Linchuan patted his shoulder, picked up his own steamed bun and took a bite, "Getting your health back is more important than anything else."

As Lian Xiao drank the warm rice porridge, he felt a little more at ease.

It seems that with them around, even the most difficult obstacles can be overcome.

At that moment, he suddenly understood the camaraderie his grandfather had always talked about.

That's probably it... Even though he and Jiang Linchuan were rivals in love, the other party helped him from beginning to end in this matter, without any intention of kicking him when he was down.

Three days later.

Lian Xiao looked much better. He was holding a bowl and drinking the millet porridge that Xu Xinghe had bought. There were still a few grains of rice stuck to the corners of his mouth. Compared to his haggard appearance a few days ago, he finally looked more vibrant.

"Drink slowly, no one's going to take it from you." Xu Xinghe handed him a tissue, joking with a smile, "If you keep wolfing it down like that, you might choke."

Jiang Linchuan sat to the side peeling oranges, and upon hearing this, he also looked up at Lian Xiao, "The doctor said you're recovering well, and you can be a caregiver in a couple more days. You won't catch a cold."

Lian Xiao had just finished wiping his mouth and was about to speak when the ward door was suddenly pushed open. A nurse, her face flushed and panting, shouted, "Comrade Lian, the old commander has woken up!"

"What?" Lian Xiao slammed the bowl in his hand onto the table with a clatter, stood up abruptly, and almost knocked over the chair.

Jiang Linchuan and Xu Xinghe also got up immediately, and the three of them followed the nurse to the intensive care unit.

In the intensive care unit.

Grandpa Lian was able to open his eyes slightly. Although his face was still pale, his eyes had regained some brightness. At least he didn't look like he was on his last legs.

The caregiver was moistening his lips with a cotton swab when she saw them come in. She immediately stood up with a smile and said, "Old Master Lian just woke up not long ago and he was still talking about you."

"Grandpa!" Lian Xiao walked quickly to the bedside, his voice choked with emotion, but he deliberately lowered his voice so as not to disturb him.

Old Lian slowly turned his eyes to look at the three of them, a weak smile appearing on his lips. "You're all here, good, good! When I get better, let's... have a meal together."

"Don't worry, we'll definitely wait for you!" Xu Xinghe quickly agreed, her eyes also getting a little hot. "I believe you'll be discharged from the hospital soon."

Jiang Linchuan nodded in agreement, "You should take good care of yourself and don't worry about anything else."

Old Master Lian blinked, his gaze falling on Lian Xiao, and gently patted his hand, "Stay... and talk to me."

After saying that, he looked at Xu Xinghe and Jiang Linchuan, "You two... go out for a stroll, don't always stick around this old man like me. There are plenty of fun places in Shanghai."

Xu Xinghe immediately understood that Grandpa Lian had something to say to Lian Xiao, so she quickly tugged at Jiang Linchuan's arm, "Okay, then we'll go out first. You get some rest, and we'll come see you again later."

As the two walked out of the hospital, the warm afternoon sun shone down on them, dispelling the depression of the past few days.

Jiang Linchuan held Xu Xinghe's hand loosely and walked slowly along the plane trees lining the street. Suddenly, he stopped and said softly, "Xinghe, your parents' graves... are they in Shanghai? I haven't visited them yet. I want to tell them not to worry about you. For the rest of my life, I will take care of you in their place."

Xu Xinghe paused, a pang of sadness rising in her heart. "It's in the cemetery in the western suburbs. I'll take you there."

In her past life, she was imprisoned and never had the chance to come and pay her respects until her death.

She was reborn in this life, but once is not enough.

Buried inside are her parents, the people she loved most in her life.

Even Jiang Linchuan could never replace them.

Jiang Linchuan squeezed her hand and said gently, "Let's go buy some flowers and visit them."

The two found a flower shop and chose a bouquet of pure white chrysanthemums and a few elegant lilies.

That was Xu Xinghe's mother's favorite flower.

The two arrived at the cemetery by car. The sun was slowly setting, and golden light shone on the tombstones, giving them a warm glow.

Holding the flowers, Xu Xinghe walked step by step to her parents' tombstone, gently placed the flowers on the stone platform, and traced the cold names on the tombstone with her fingertips. Her eyes instantly reddened.

"Dad, Mom, I've come to see you."

She didn't have a good life in her past life, but she will definitely be happy in this life!

Jiang Linchuan stood behind her, quietly keeping her company without saying a word, only silently handing her a tissue.

"I'm doing well now. I've met Lin Chuan and have Lian Xiao as a friend." Xu Xinghe wiped away her tears, her voice gradually becoming calm. "Don't worry, I will live a good life and live up to your expectations."

After Xu Xinghe finished speaking, Jiang Linchuan stepped forward, his gaze solemnly falling on the black and white photo on the tombstone.

He first bowed deeply, and then slowly spoke, "Uncle, Aunt, I am Jiang Linchuan."

"I know your biggest worry is Xinghe." Jiang Linchuan's gaze swept over the gentle face in the photo, his tone becoming increasingly earnest. "When she was in pain before, I wasn't there for her, but from this moment on, I, Jiang Linchuan, here and now, promise you..."

He paused, then gently put his arm around Xu Xinghe's shoulder and pulled her closer to him. "I will spend the rest of my life being good to her and protecting her. I will never let her suffer any injustice or be lonely again. No matter what happens in the future, I will stand in front of her and face it together with her."

The wind rustled through the pines and cypresses of the cemetery, creating a soft, rustling sound, like a silent response.

Jiang Linchuan's gaze returned to the tombstone, each word clear: "I will treat her well, marry her, and make sure she lives a peaceful and joyful life from now on. If I fail to do so, may you punish me from heaven."

Xu Xinghe leaned on his shoulder, listening to his vows word by word, and tears welled up again, but not from sadness, but from overflowing warmth.

She recalled the dark days she had endured alone in her past life, and looking at the people around her now, she felt that the long-empty space in her heart had finally been filled completely.

Jiang Linchuan felt the dampness on his shoulder and reached out to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Don't cry. Your uncle and aunt heard it, and they will definitely be relieved."

He bowed deeply to the tombstone again before turning around, holding Xu Xinghe's hand.

Xu Xinghe held Jiang Linchuan's hand tightly, the warmth from his palm spreading from his fingertips to his heart.

She knew that the vow Jiang Linchuan made before his parents' gravestones would remain evergreen and undefeated, like pine and cypress trees, in the years to come.

Because that's what he did in his past life.