Chapter 70: Discharge from the Hospital

Standing at the bus stop with Xin Yu’s warm money in my hand, I couldn’t help but find it amusing. Today must be a day destined for me. From the moment Murong Shanshan called me out of bed this morning until now, I’m actually heading out in the middle of the night to see her for the third time. I truly have no idea what debt I owed her in my previous life…

Twenty minutes later, I finally hailed a cab. The XX Hospital wasn’t far, but if I’d walked, I’d probably end up lying there alongside Murong Shanshan by the time I arrived. I was barely dressed—if I got any colder, I’d surely fall sick just as she had.

The nurse on duty at the front desk was quite pretty. Seeing me rush in against the wind and snow, she smiled and asked, “Is there anything I can help you with, sir?”

Brushing the snow off my shoulder, I smiled back. “I’m looking for Murong Shanshan; she’s admitted on the third floor, though I’m not sure which room.”

The young nurse looked down, checked the records, and nodded, “Yes, she’s in Room 302 on the third floor.”

I headed upstairs immediately. The hospital’s central heating made it much warmer. It was already past eleven at night, and the staircase lights were dim, but fortunately, I only needed to reach the third floor. The nurse on duty there was already asleep at her desk, her chin resting in her palm.

I knocked lightly on Room 302’s door. Soon, someone came to open it. It was Coco, who made a quiet gesture and gently closed the door behind me. Inside the VIP ward, Murong Shanshan was already asleep, her snowy, delicate face showing traces of fatigue, her long lashes flickering ever so slightly.

I lowered my voice and asked Coco, “When did she fall asleep?”

“She just did. You… came to see her?” Coco whispered back.

I nodded, and Coco’s face lit up with delight. “That’s good! You’ll stay with her tonight then—I’m going home to sleep!”

I was stunned, eyes wide. “Isn’t that a bit inappropriate? I’ve only known Shanshan for less than a month—are you really comfortable leaving her in my care?”

Coco grinned, pouting at the sleeping Murong Shanshan. “It’s not that I trust you, but she does!”

I was lost for words. Coco, still giggling, tidied her purse, waved goodbye, and left the room.

Now, with the door closed, only Murong Shanshan and I remained. It suddenly struck me how absurd this was—I’d come to see a patient empty-handed, not even a bouquet in sight.

I’d only slept four hours since yesterday, and my head throbbed painfully. Glancing at the room, it was simple—just a bed, a TV, and a few chairs.

Murong Shanshan slept soundly. I pulled a chair up to her bedside, resigned to spending the night leaning there. In this cold, I missed the comfort of my warm bed…

Perhaps my movements were too noisy; Murong Shanshan frowned and, without opening her eyes, murmured, “Coco, get me a glass of water, please~!”

I didn’t reply, simply poured a glass of water and set it on the bedside table before sitting down. “It’s right here at the head of the bed. Will you take it yourself, or shall I hand it to you?”

Hearing my voice, Murong Shanshan sat up with a start, her expression adorably surprised.

“You… Lin Fan… How are you here?”

I quickly pulled the quilt back up over her chest and said helplessly, “Lie down quickly, don’t catch another chill. Do you think I want to be here? It’s your dear friend Coco who ran off to sleep, leaving me stuck here. I barely slept last night, and now tonight’s good rest is ruined again…”

Murong Shanshan shook her head, picked up a down jacket from beside her, draped it over her shoulders, and pulled the quilt higher, settling herself against the headboard.

“What a shame—all that time I could have spent leveling up tonight is wasted…” she said, sounding slightly dejected.

“What’s there to regret? You’re lying in a hospital bed, and you’re still thinking of that!” I exclaimed.

Murong Shanshan immediately gave me a look of astonishment.

I quickly corrected myself, softening my tone. “You can always gain back your levels. Focus on getting better first.”

“I thought you really didn’t know how to swear!” she said, smiling with pursed lips. “By the way, since I couldn’t log on tonight, did you make any progress?”

I laughed, “Of course. I took down a boss and it dropped a blue sword called Dark Sword—attack 170–245!”

“What?” Murong Shanshan exclaimed, quickly setting her glass aside. “That’s much higher than mine! What level boss was it, and how many people did you have?”

“Solo. Couldn’t see the boss’s level, but it’s at least level thirty-five. Also dropped another piece of equipment, but don’t shout.”

“What kind of equipment—wait, is it a purple item?” Murong Shanshan’s eyes sparkled as she blinked rapidly.

I nodded without saying a word.

“You… you’re not serious, are you?” She clutched the quilt so tightly it slipped.

I helped her pull the quilt back up and said, “Of course I am. Heart Blue Guardian, a level thirty necklace—Stamina +37, Intelligence +42, and healing effect increased by 45%!”

“What? Forty-five percent?!” Murong Shanshan’s fingers were already at her lips.

Seeing her eyes gleaming, I quickly said, “It’s a great necklace, but don’t get your hopes up—I’ve already decided to give it to a colleague.”

She shot me a look. “Is it the beautiful woman who was with you the other day?”

“No, it’s someone else…” I tried to explain, but suddenly added, “Wait, why does this feel like you’re interrogating me about having an affair?”

Murong Shanshan burst out laughing, took another sip of water, and said, “Look at how nervous you are. Even if you liked your colleague, I wouldn’t eat you alive!”

I muttered under my breath, “If only you would…”

Her expression chilled. “What did you say?”

I grew anxious. “Nothing. Hurry and sleep—once your fever’s gone tomorrow, you’ll be discharged.”

Suddenly, Murong Shanshan smiled sweetly. “You’re allowed to sleep at the bedside, but you’re not allowed on the bed. That’s it—goodnight!”

I didn’t see her expression as she looked at me. I simply reached out, turned off the light, and fell asleep leaning beside her bed.

…

Who knows how much time passed. All I knew was that dawn had arrived. I looked up and saw Murong Shanshan still sleeping—it was already seven in the morning. Though I hadn’t slept comfortably, my strength had nearly recovered. The room was warm, so I hadn’t felt cold at all.

“Hm? Why did morning come so quickly?” Murong Shanshan opened her eyes. It seemed she’d slept well last night.

“Lin Fan, go call the nurse. Let her check my temperature—I’m going home!”

I nodded and brought the nurse in. Murong Shanshan’s constitution was quite good; after just one night, her fever had completely subsided. I stretched lazily—damn, now I can get back to pushing for level thirty-two!