Chapter 188 Heartwarming Reconciliation
When the doctor came to check, he saw Lin Yan's swollen hand and couldn't help but frowned: "How did this happen? It's all congested. I need to apply cold compress immediately."
Wei Wuxian quickly found an ice pack and carefully applied it to Lin Yan's hand. The young man bit his lip and said nothing, but a fine layer of cold sweat oozed from his forehead, clearly in great pain.
Si Zhui lay on the hospital bed, looking at his swollen palm, tears streaming down his face like beads from a broken string, unable to stop. He couldn't understand why Lin Yan had to suffer this way when it was clearly his fault.
"It's all my fault..." He choked and his voice was hoarse, "If I wasn't so stupid and didn't take a cold shower, Brother Lin wouldn't..."
"It's none of your business." Lin Yan turned his head and smiled at him, trying to reassure him, "I didn't take good care of you, I deserve to be punished."
"No way!" Si Zhui was so anxious that he wanted to sit up, but was held down by Wei Wuxian.
“Okay, don’t get excited. You still have a fever.” Wei Wuxian sighed and tucked the quilt in for him. “Your brother Lin is worried about you and doesn’t want you to be punished. But Sizhui, you have to remember this pain. It’s not just on your body, but also on your brother Lin’s hands.”
Si Zhui nodded vigorously, looking at Lin Yan's forced calmness, his heart felt like something was blocking it, sour and bitter.
When Lan Wangji returned, he was holding a bottle of blood-activating and blood-stasis-removing ointment. He walked up to Lin Yan and motioned for him to hold out his hand.
"Uncle Lan, I can do it myself." Lin Yan felt a little embarrassed.
"Stretch out your hand." Lan Wangji's voice was still calm, but without the previous harshness.
Lin Yan held out his hand as instructed. Lan Wangji squeezed some ointment onto his palm and gently rubbed the redness and swelling. The man's movements were gentle, his fingertips calloused with years of piano practice, yet surprisingly gentle.
"Hiss..." When the ointment touched the broken skin, Lin Yan couldn't help but gasp.
“Bear with it.” Lan Wangji lowered his voice. “This medicine is effective, but it hurts a little when I first apply it.”
Lin Yan nodded and said nothing more. Si Zhui looked at them and suddenly realized that although Lan Wangji's eyes were serious, they also concealed a subtle trace of heartache.
After applying the ointment, Lan Wangji placed the bottle on the table: "Apply three times a day, and remember to apply cold compresses."
"Thank you, Uncle Lan." Lin Yan whispered.
Lan Wangji didn't respond. He turned and walked to Sizhui's bedside. Looking into his red eyes, he softened his tone and said, "Do you know you're wrong?"
"I understand." Si Zhui lowered his head, his voice muffled, "I shouldn't have doused myself in cold water, shouldn't have gambled with my body, and definitely shouldn't have let Brother Lin take the punishment for me."
"Yeah." Lan Wangji responded calmly, "Remember this pain. It's not to scare you, but to make you understand that your body belongs not only to you, but also to everyone who cares about you. When you abuse yourself, it hurts their hearts."
Si Zhui raised his head, looked at Lan Wangji, then looked at Lin Yan who was applying an ice pack to his hand, and tears fell again: "I won't do it again."
"That's better." Lan Wangji's tone finally softened, and he reached out to touch his head. "Take good care of yourself. When you recover, I'll practice swordplay with you."
Sizhui was stunned for a moment, then nodded vigorously, his eyes lighting up. He knew that this was his father's way of forgiving him.
In the evening, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji went back to take care of some things, leaving only Lin Yan and Sizhui in the ward. The setting sun shone through the window, casting a warm golden edge on the room.
Si Zhui looked at Lin Yan's hand and whispered, "Brother Lin, does it hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt anymore." Lin Yan smiled and took away the ice pack. The redness and swelling on his palm subsided a little, but it was still shocking.
"You're lying." Si Zhui frowned. "I saw you trembling in pain just now."
Lin Yan didn't argue anymore, but walked to the bed and sat down beside him: "As long as you behave yourself in the future and don't do stupid things again, my pain is nothing."
Si Zhui looked at him, then suddenly reached out, carefully hugged his arm, and buried his face in it: "Brother Lin, thank you."
"What are you thanking me for?" Lin Yan rubbed his hair.
"Thank you for taking the punishment for me, thank you for not being angry with me, thank you... for always being with me." Si Zhui's voice was muffled, with a strong sense of dependence.
Lin Yan's heart suddenly softened. He lowered his head, looked at the furry head in his arms, and whispered, "Silly girl, if I don't accompany you, who will?"
Sizhui nuzzled into his arms, like a contented kitten. The ward was completely silent, with only the ticking of the instruments and the steady breathing of the two men.
After a while, Sizhui suddenly remembered something and whispered, "Brother Lin, New York...are you still going?"
"Let's go." Lin Yan nodded, "But we have to wait until you recover, then we can go together."
"Really?" Sizhui's eyes lit up.
"Really." Lin Yan said with a smile, "When you're better, we'll set off. I'll take you to see the Statue of Liberty and eat the chocolate you want, okay?"
"Okay!" Si Zhui nodded vigorously, and finally showed the first real smile on his face since he fell ill.
The sun gradually set, and the lights in the ward came on. Lin Yan looked at Si Zhui's sleeping face and suddenly felt that those few spankings with the ruler were worth it.
The pain in his palm was still lingering, but it made him more certain that to protect someone, one must not only discipline him strictly when he makes mistakes, but also stand up for him when he needs it, take on the responsibilities he should bear, and let him understand what true cherishment means.
And he will always protect it like this.
Until the child truly grows up and truly understands what love is, what responsibility is, and what a sense of security is that does not require hurting oneself.
As the night deepened, Lin Yan leaned against the bed, looking at Si Zhui's peaceful sleeping face, a faint smile on his lips. The wound on his palm still hurt, but his heart was warm, as if it was filled with something.
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