Chapter 212 A Familiar Figure

Ji Wanqing turned to Duan Ye, "Brother Qingye, why don't you go to the hotel and get some rest? I'll treat you to dinner after I see Mom."

Duan Ye nodded, picked up his backpack, and said, "Okay, I'm not in a hurry. You can spend more time with Auntie."

Ji Wanqing smiled and nodded, watching him leave.

The ward fell silent instantly, and she then looked at Pei Yu, "Let's go to the cardiac surgery department."

Pei Yu took the food box from her phone. "I'll carry it for you."

He also went over his "confession" with Ji Wanqing again, mentioning what he had said to Ji's mother last time, so that Ji Wanqing wouldn't let anything slip later.

The two walked side by side. When they arrived at the cardiac surgery department, Pei Yu had to go about his own business, so Ji Wanqing went to her mother's ward alone.

Ji's mother was leaning against the headboard looking at her phone when she heard the noise. She looked up and saw her coming. She immediately smiled with surprise and quickly got out of bed.

"Can you be discharged now? Have you had your check-ups?"

Ji's mother looked her up and down, then her gaze fell on the bandage on her wrist, her eyes filled with heartache.

You're really scaring your mother to death!

"It's okay, Mom, I'm all better now. It's just a minor scratch. Look, I'm jumping around like a baby."

Ji Wanqing walked to the bedside, deliberately turned around casually, and then placed the exquisite food box in her hand on the bedside table.

"I see Auntie hasn't arrived yet? Come on, have some breakfast first."

She opened the food box, and a well-balanced and beautifully plated nutritious breakfast was revealed inside.

Mrs. Ji was somewhat surprised, "This...this doesn't look like something from the hospital cafeteria, nor does it look like something you could just buy outside..."

“I didn’t buy them,” Ji Wanqing explained helplessly as she handed the chopsticks to her mother. “Brother Xie Chi bought them.”

"Oh~" Mrs. Ji nodded, "Xiao Xie bought it? Why didn't you bring him along?"

Ji Wanqing looked at her mother helplessly, "There are too many people, how can we let him come alone? Eat it while it's hot, it won't be good if it gets cold."

Mother Ji glanced at the food box, then at her daughter, her eyes showing a mixture of understanding and curiosity, but ultimately she didn't ask any more questions, only smiling gently.

"knew."

She picked up a piece of smooth steamed egg, tasted it, and nodded in praise, "It really tastes very good."

Seeing her mother eat with satisfaction, Ji Wanqing felt a warmth in her heart.

She picked up her chopsticks and ate a couple of bites with her mother.

Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the mother and daughter in its warmth. The ward was filled with the aroma of food and a cozy, peaceful atmosphere.

The peace and tranquility she felt at this moment, being by her mother's side, made her feel incredibly cherished and relaxed.

While eating, she chatted and laughed with her mother. According to Pei Yu, she said that she had accidentally scratched herself and that her phone had gotten wet and broken, which was why she couldn't be contacted.

Ji's mother was considerate and didn't ask for details. She just looked at her lovingly and reminded her from time to time to be careful in the future.

Ji Wanqing called her aunt and asked her to come later today, giving her half a day off, since taking care of a patient is quite tiring.

She rarely gets a few days off because of this accident, and she wants to spend more time with her mother today.

After finishing breakfast, Ji Wanqing tidied up the food box and combed her mother's hair when her mother suddenly spoke.

"Your birthday is coming up soon. In previous years, we always had a big celebration. Have you thought about how to celebrate this year?"

Ji Wanqing paused, then smiled indifferently, "Having you by my side is enough; nothing else matters."

"Dr. Pei said I can be discharged after a few more days of observation. How about we go shopping together and buy a birthday cake?" Ji's mother asked Ji Wanqing for her opinion.

"Okay, whatever you say." Ji Wanqing agreed with a smile.

She stayed with Ji's mother until the afternoon before going home, taking a shower, tidying up, and going to the business hall to get a replacement SIM card before contacting Duan Ye.

After dinner, Duan Ye drove her home. Ji Wanqing asked him, "Is everything really alright here? The people at the club should still be waiting for you to go back, right?"

Duan Ye turned to look at her upon hearing this. He didn't answer immediately, but just looked at her quietly. His eyes, which always seemed calm and undisturbed, now reflected the dim light of the street lamp, as if they held many unspoken words.

"The club is fine for now," he finally said, his voice unusually deep and clear in the cramped carriage. "The training schedule is all set. I'm not a player, so being away for a few days won't have much of an impact."

Ji Wanqing clenched her fingers, feeling a little guilty.

She knew that even though he wasn't a player now, the coach's position was still very important, "but..."

"No buts." Duan Ye interrupted her, his tone still calm but firm.

“I’ll leave once you’re completely settled here.” He paused, his gaze falling on her wrist, which was still wrapped in bandages, and his voice softened. “At least, I need to make sure you can manage on your own.”

His words were spoken calmly, yet they were like a warm current, quietly seeping into Ji Wanqing's heart.

She knew she shouldn't rely on him anymore, but this silent yet steadfast protection moved her deeply.

"Brother Kiyono, thank you." She lowered her head, her voice very soft. "Really... thank you so much."

"I heard from Meng Chao that there's been progress in your case; it was just a few small fry who kidnapped you," Duan Ye told her.

Ji Wanqing was somewhat surprised. She knew there must be a mastermind behind it all, but she didn't expect to be able to get close to the big boss so quickly.

"Don't bark, brother... They've gone to a lot of trouble too."

"Hmm, it shouldn't take more than two days."

Duan Ye escorted her all the way to her doorstep. Ji Wanqing opened the door and turned to look at him, saying, "Brother Qingye, please be careful on your way home."

"Okay," Duan Ye replied, his gaze still fixed on her. "Get some rest."

On the way back to the hotel, he took out his phone, looked at the urging message from the club manager on the screen, paused for a moment, and replied with a single sentence.

Wait two more days.

The night breeze blew in through the car window, carrying the heat of summer.

Duan Ye knew that some boundaries needed to be established gradually and couldn't be rushed.

But he was willing to wait, and to stay where she could see him or not, until he was sure she no longer needed his protection.

Duan Ye returned to the hotel and walked into a 24-hour convenience store next door. The cool air rushed in, dispelling the stickiness of the summer night.

Just as he was walking toward the freezer, his gaze inadvertently swept across the cashier, and a familiar figure made him pause slightly.

Zhou Xubai was standing in front of the cashier, holding a box of mints in his hand, looking down as if he was thinking about something.

He was dressed in a simple white T-shirt and casual pants, a slightly different image from the elite figures I had seen before, and he looked somewhat tired.

Almost simultaneously, Zhou Xubai also looked up, and their eyes met under the bright convenience store lights.