Aemeath, the Virtuous Wife
After the doctor and nurses left, only the two of them remained in the ward once again.
Aemeath breathed a long sigh of relief, turned around, gave Lu Yan a peace sign, and beamed with a triumphant smile, "It's all done! A-Yan, no need to worry about going to war with the world!"
Seeing her lively and cheerful appearance, Lu Yan also became happy.
Aemeath was incredibly efficient; she took the bill to the first floor, paid the fees, picked up her medication, and completed the discharge procedures all in one go.
To ensure Lu Yan's absolute safety on his way home, she didn't even call a regular taxi, but instead called a fully equipped medical transport vehicle.
More than half an hour later, two professional stretcher bearers pushed a mobile hospital bed into the ward.
As Lu Yan was transferred from the hospital bed to the stretcher, Aemeath was as nervous as a mother hen protecting her chicks, following closely behind and constantly muttering, "Slow down, brother, be gentle, don't touch his back... Yes, yes, put him down slowly."
Aemeath's cautious demeanor made the two stretcher bearers, who were used to seeing life and death, take a second look at her.
One of the older men even joked with a smile, "Young lady, you really care about your boyfriend. Don't worry, we're professionals at carrying stretchers, we'll make sure it's steady."
Aemeath blushed slightly and gripped Lu Yan's hand even tighter.
The medical transport vehicle drove smoothly through the city streets in early summer.
The carriage was spacious and quiet, with a faint smell of medicine in the air.
Lu Yan lay on the stable transport bed, looking out the car window at the receding cityscape.
The towering office buildings, the bustling crowds, and the colorful billboards along the roadside all seem so precious and beautiful.
Aemeath sat on the armchair beside him, their hands clasped tightly together, fingers interlocked, neither of them letting go.
They didn't speak, but the warmth of their palms touching conveyed a tacit understanding and deep affection that words could not express.
Forty minutes later, the transport vehicle slowly stopped in front of the familiar two-story detached house near the old town, an Aemeath had meticulously decorated.
The persimmon tree in the yard stretched its emerald green branches and leaves in the summer breeze, making a rustling sound.
The forget-me-not buds are blooming more vigorously, while the hydrangeas look somewhat wilted due to lack of care.
Several magpies chirped and chattered on the branches, as if welcoming their owner's return.
The transport staff carefully lifted Lu Yan off the vehicle and helped Aemeath place him securely in a wheelchair that had been prepared beforehand.
After thanking the transfer staff and watching the transfer vehicle drive away, it felt as if only the two of them remained in the world.
The gate to the courtyard was gently closed, shutting out the noise from the outside world.
Sunlight shines on the forget-me-not seedlings, reflecting a dazzling brilliance.
The smell of disinfectant was gone from the air; in its place came the fragrance of earth and a faint floral scent—the smell of their own home.
Aemeath stood behind the wheelchair, her hands gently gripping the handles.
She didn't immediately push the wheelchair forward, but stood there quietly, looking at the house she had filled with all sorts of furniture she had forcibly stuck on, and at the man sitting in the wheelchair, a real and tangible presence in her life.
All suffering has passed, and the cycle has come to a perfect end at this moment.
The wheelchair's rubber tires rolled over the smooth stone path in the yard, making a slight grinding sound.
Aemeath pushed Lu Yan through the sun-drenched courtyard, past the entrance hall, and slowly stopped in front of the deliberately small Yan Catcher in the living room.
The familiar surroundings, the familiar temperature—everything felt so reassuring.
Aemeath walked around the wheelchair and stood in front of Lu Yan.
She slowly squatted down and gently placed her hands on Lu Yan's knees.
She tilted her head slightly, and a smile that was brighter and warmer than the sunshine bloomed on her beautiful face.
Those dazzling golden eyes reflected Lu Yan's gentle face, and also their beautiful future that transcended time and dimensions.
Aemeath's voice was filled with sweet affection as she whispered in his ear, "A-Yan ~ let's go home~"
Lu Yan nodded from his wheelchair and said, "Yes, we're back home."
Back at their long-missed home, to make Lu Yan as comfortable as possible, Aemeath didn't push him directly back to the bedroom, but carefully settled him on the Yan Catcher in the living room.
To prevent pressure on the wound on his back, she specially placed several soft cushions on the back of the sofa so that he could lean back in a most relaxed semi-reclining position.
"You sit here quietly for a while, I'll go get you something to eat!" Aemeath leaned down, gently placed a kiss on Lu Yan's forehead, and then turned and flew briskly into the kitchen.
Before long, the sound of pots and pans clattering came from the kitchen, accompanied by the bubbling of simmering food. A rich, sweet aroma, a blend of red dates, lotus seeds, and longan, began to slowly permeate the air.
Lu Yan leaned quietly against the sofa cushions, his gaze following the busy figure in the kitchen.
The afterglow of the setting sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long, golden patches of light on the floor.
Aemeath wore a light pink apron, and her sharp high ponytail had been replaced with braids that fell over her shoulders, making her look gentle and serene.
She was standing in front of the kitchen counter, holding a wooden spoon, gently and attentively stirring the ingredients in the pot. Occasionally, she would lower her head slightly to gently smell the rising steam, confirming that the heat was just right.
Seeing this scene, Lu Yan's eyes softened, and his heart felt as if it were soaking in a jar of warm honey, bubbling sweetly.
At this moment, Aemeath has shed the lively and agile appearance she had at the Star Torch Academy, and she has also been relieved of her burdens.
In this kitchen, the way she washed her hands and cooked for him looked just like a gentle and virtuous wife whose heart and eyes were only for her husband.
About half an hour later, the fire in the kitchen was turned off.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Aemeath walked briskly out of the kitchen, carrying a delicate ceramic bowl.
She walked to the sofa, placed a small folding plate in front of Lu Yan, and then sat down on the edge of the sofa with her bowl in her hand.
The bowl holds an incredibly soft and sticky eight-treasure porridge. The crimson of the red dates and the pale yellow of the lotus seeds adorn the thick, glistening porridge, emitting an enticing steam.
"I was planning to cook you a big meal to help you recover," Aemeath, gently stirring the porridge in the bowl with a porcelain spoon, trying to cool it down faster.
She looked up and smiled helplessly at Lu Yan, "But when you were discharged from the hospital today, the doctor specifically told you that your stomach and internal organs are still very fragile after repairing, and you can only eat easily digestible foods for now."
"After the doctor says your condition is completely stable in a few days, I'll make you your favorite food, okay?"
Looking at her gentle and considerate demeanor, how she always put his health first, Lu Yan couldn't help but smile deeply, "Okay, whatever you say. I like anything you make."
Aemeath blushed slightly at his straightforward words of love.
She scooped up a spoonful of eight-treasure porridge, gently blew on it to warm it to the right temperature, and then carefully offered it to Lu Yan's lips.
"Come on, open your mouth, ah~"
Aemeath opened her eyes slightly, as if she were coaxing a sick child, her voice so soft and sweet it could be drawn out, her eyes filled with tenderness.
Lu Yan obediently opened his mouth and put the spoonful of perfectly warm eight-treasure porridge into his mouth.
The sweet aroma of red dates and the soft texture of glutinous rice melt instantly in the mouth, flowing down the esophagus into the stomach, bringing a comforting warmth.
This sense of peace of mind is something that no amount of delicacies can replace.
Lu Yan swallowed the porridge in his mouth, feeling the warmth coming from his stomach. He couldn't help but sigh softly, his tone filled with a touch of emotion and lingering affection.
"It's so delicious... It feels like it's been ages since I've had food made by Aemeath."
Upon hearing Lu Yan's remark, Aemeath paused slightly in her porridge-scooping motion.
Looking at Lu Yan's face, she recalled the fear she had felt over the past two weeks, and her nose suddenly felt a little sore.
"Hmph~" Aemeath sniffed and let out a soft groan of heartache.
"Of course! You were unconscious for a full two weeks! You have no idea how scared I was to see you lying on the bed covered in blood... You were so worried about me!"
As she complained, a surge of relief at having regained what she had lost quickly welled up in her eyes.
She suddenly leaned forward and gave Lu Yan a big, loud kiss on the cheek.
"Smack!"
"This is the interest for punishing you for making me worry!" Aemeath raised her chin arrogantly, her eyes still slightly red, but her hands didn't stop moving at all.
She scooped up another spoonful of porridge, blew on it, and said, "Here, keep eating. The doctor said you need to eat more nutritious food to recover faster."
Lu Yan touched his cheek where he had been kissed, feeling the lingering warmth and softness, and couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.
He obediently opened his mouth, enjoying Aemeath's meticulous feeding.
A bowl of eight-treasure porridge was quickly emptied amidst the couple's sweet interactions and playful bickering.
After dinner, night had completely fallen.
Considering that Lu Yan's body was covered in subcutaneous lacerations and absolutely could not get wet, Aemeath strictly followed the doctor's orders, brought over a basin of warm water, and carefully used a soft towel to wipe his body, avoiding the scabs and gauze, and changed him into a clean and loose set of pure cotton pajamas.
Throughout the entire process, Aemeath performed with effortless grace. Although the two had already shared the most intimate relationship, under the light, seeing Lu Yan's well-defined muscles and those shocking scars, her ears still involuntarily turned bright red.
With everything tidied up, it was finally time to get ready for bed.
In the bedroom, the lights were turned to the softest warm orange.
Aemeath helped Lu Yan lie down carefully on the bed.
After covering him with the blanket and tucking the corners in, Aemeath didn't immediately snuggle into his arms as she usually did.
Instead, she turned and walked to the wardrobe, took out a thick spare quilt, and then started to make a makeshift bed on the floor next to Lu Yan's bed, right next to the edge of the bed.
Lu Yan leaned against the pillow, watching Aemeath's busy figure, and frowned in confusion.
"Aemeath..." Lu Yan called her softly, "What are you doing? Why are you sleeping on the floor?"
Aemeath neatly spread the sheets on the floor mat, patted the soft pillows, and then turned to look at Lu Yan.
She answered matter-of-factly, "Sleeping? I'll sleep here tonight!"
"Sleep here?" Lu Yan frowned even more. He looked at the wooden floor, which, even with a blanket, was definitely not comfortable.
He said with concern, "No, the ground is so hard and uncomfortable. You've been taking care of me in the hospital for the past two weeks, and you haven't had a proper rest."
"If you don't want to squeeze into this bed with me, then go sleep in the bedroom upstairs. You can get a good night's sleep there too."
Lu Yan knew that Aemeath was afraid to sleep with him.
He is now covered in scabs and wounds. Aemeath usually likes to cling to him with both hands and feet when she sleeps. She must be afraid that she might accidentally bump into him or hurt him while she is asleep, so she chose to sleep in separate beds.
How could he bear to let his girl suffer by sleeping on the cold floor?
"No way!" Aemeath's tone was unusually firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
She took off her slippers and crawled directly into the quilt on the floor, her golden eyes shining brightly in the dim light.
"I'm not going to sleep on the second floor."
Aemeath gripped the edge of the blanket with both hands, her gaze fixed on Lu Yan lying on the bed, her voice tinged with lingering fear, "I'm going to stay here and watch over you."
She moved closer to the edge of the bed until her face was only a few centimeters away from Lu Yan's hand hanging by the bedside.
"Your body isn't fully recovered yet. What if your wound suddenly hurts tonight? What if you want to drink water? Or... what if your Frequency becomes unstable again? And... only when you're here can I sleep comfortably..." Aemeath's voice grew softer and softer, finally carrying a heartbreaking vulnerability.
I want to be as close to you as possible. That way, if anything happens again, I can grab you in time.
Hearing her words, Lu Yan felt as if an invisible hand was kneading his heart, a bittersweet feeling lingering in his chest.
He realized that the two weeks of emergency treatment and the tearing pain in her dream had left a very deep psychological scar on Aemeath.
Aemeath now extremely insecure; she can only feel at ease when she sees him in person and hears his breathing.
Lu Yan did not continue to persuade him.
He knew that for Aemeath at this moment, a comfortable bed was far less important than him being within her sight.
He turned around with difficulty, facing the edge of the bed, and slowly stretched out a hand from under the covers, letting it hang down.
Aemeath immediately understood, and stretched out both hands from the floor, holding Lu Yan's hand tightly in her palms and pressing it against her warm cheek.
"Okay~ I won't kick you out. You can sleep wherever you want." Lu Yan's voice was so gentle it could melt your heart, and his fingertips lightly caressed Aemeath's smooth cheek.
"But promise me, if you're uncomfortable sleeping on the floor, you must tell me, okay?"
"Okay, okay, you're a patient now, so don't worry about so much~" Aemeath rubbed her palm contentedly, and a sweet smile finally bloomed on her lips again.
Aemeath tilted her head slightly and, using the height of the bed edge, placed a gentle kiss on Lu Yan's lips.
This kiss lacked the aggression and burning passion of the past; it contained only the purest prayer after weathering countless storms.
"Goodnight, A-Yan," Aemeath murmured softly.
"Goodnight, Little Aemeath," Lu Yan replied softly.
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Please, meow~
Please, meow~