Shen Yuxing froze for a moment.
He had thought Jiang Xun would keep pressing him about the argument, or launch into a barrage of self-righteous lectures without hearing him out, like Duan Qizhao.
Instead, Jiang Xun simply released his wrist and bounced back toward the room. At the door, he turned his head and added, "Zhao, go get a few paper bowls from the Nurses' Station, and ask for a pack of tissues while you're there."
As if granted a pardon, Duan Qizhao dashed off.
Shen Yuxing stood in the doorway for a few seconds, then followed him inside.
Jiang Xun had already curled up in bed again. Holding the insulated food container in his lap, he twisted the lid twice but failed to open it. Shen Wangjing reached over and took it, silently unscrewed the lid, then accepted the bowl Jiang Xun handed him.
The aroma of soup spread through the room, mingling with the hospital's distinctive smell and somehow lending it a strange sense of peace.
Duan Qizhao soon returned, eagerly handed out the paper bowls, then pulled up a chair and squeezed in beside the bed.
Jiang Xun pushed the first bowl toward Shen Yuxing.
"Drink." He tipped his chin up. "It'd be a shame not to try Wang Ma's cooking."
Shen Yuxing looked down at the bowl of soup. Two goji berries floated on its surface, and steam brushed his face. His eyes suddenly stung a little. Pressing his lips together, he picked up the bowl and began drinking in small sips.
Duan Qizhao had already returned to his usual grinning self and was pestering Shen Wangjing with questions. "Brother Jing, I heard you can take down four burly guys all by yourself. Teach me sometime, will you? With my skills, I always come off worse