LDMDS Chapter 16

Before being discharged, Gu Xiuyi arranged a full medical check-up for Ji Ruan.

The morning check-up required fasting, so Ji Ruan was dragged out of bed at dawn. He visited various departments, starving to the point of seeing stars.

Leaning against the head of the  bed, he stared at Gu Xiuyi. He felt like Gu Xiuyi's face was floating to the sky and then crashing to the ground, making him so dizzy that he had to close his eyes and rest.

Aunt Zhao fed him half a bowl of porridge, but he was so hungry that his stomach hurt, and he threw up shortly after. What should have been a discharge that day turned into another night's stay due to the fuss, and he was finally brought home, weak, the next morning.

During the days Ji Ruan was sick, he lived on barely anything, with a sensitive stomach, only able to drink the well-cooked porridge Aunt Zhao made and occasionally nibble on some greens, leaving him utterly exhausted. He relied on Gu Xiuyi's help to get upstairs and back into bed.

The consequence of not eating was weight loss. Gu Xiuyi looked at the small exposed part of Ji Ruan's wrist from under the blanket, feeling distressed.

The meticulously arranged check-up brought back a disheartening report.

Gu Xiuyi read the report several times, even putting on his long-unused glasses, but still found it hard to believe, suspecting his eyes had a problem.

Anemia, hypoglycemia, malnutrition—all the indicators were a mess, barely scraping the passing line. It wasn't a major problem when singled out, but when added together, it was enough to be concerning.

That whole day, Gu Xiuyi had a headache, feeling that the little fragile thing he married to save trouble was becoming an uncontrollable, delicate little troublemaker.

The kind of troublemaker who couldn't be hit or scolded and would faint if reprimanded, making him even more terrifying and fragile.

Ji Ruan stayed in bed in a daze for two days. When his stomach felt better and he could eat more substantial food, he came back to life like a sprout after a long drought, revitalized by the spring rain.

Every day when he drank the different soups Aunt Zhao made, Ji Ruan would sigh, realizing that humans indeed couldn't live without meat.

Gu Xiuyi became busy again. Ji Ruan had been staying here almost the whole summer. Even though he knew Gu Xiuyi not returning to the villa was the norm, he would always call and chat, asking about Xiao An and what Aunt Zhao had made for dinner.

But these past few days, Ji Ruan hadn't received a single call, suggesting that Gu Xiuyi was exceptionally busy.

The next time Ji Ruan saw Gu Xiuyi was on a Saturday, the university's open day.

When Ji Ruan previously got sick, he was hospitalized before he could even start university and never knew what university life was like until he died.

Now, with a second chance at life, he was eager to step into the university campus, his heart pounding with excitement.

People's desires indeed grow. He used to think just surviving was enough, but now that he was alive, he wanted to live better, easier, and freer.

That night, Ji Ruan slept early. The next day, he wore a light blue short-sleeve shirt that looked like a watercolor painting. Aunt Zhao said he looked especially handsome dressed like that.

After breakfast, Gu Xiuyi picked him up from the courtyard.

Gu Xiuyi wasn't wearing a suit today, instead opting for a casual striped shirt and black pants. With his broad shoulders and tall stature, he looked like a vibrant senior from the campus.

Ji Ruan admired him for a moment, satisfied.

It had rained a couple of days before, and today's weather was nice, not too hot, with the sun occasionally peeking out.

"How's your health?" Gu Xiuyi asked in the car.

Ji Ruan was messaging Han Xiaolin. He continued typing as he replied, "Much better."

Gu Xiuyi carefully observed Ji Ruan. Though he hadn't gained back the lost weight, his spirits were much improved, and he seemed quite happy.

Today, he was dressed nicely, with a blue short-sleeve shirt, white shorts, and a casual shoulder bag. The bag strap pressed thinly against his shoulder, giving him a youthful and energetic university student look.

He was also the person Gu Xiuyi thought suited light blue the most.

Gu Xiuyi couldn't help but smile and asked Ji Ruan, "Have you been feeling dizzy lately?"

His anemia and hypoglycemia often resulted in dizziness and fatigue.

Ji Ruan gave Gu Xiuyi a look as if saying, "How do you know?" and replied, "A bit..." He smiled embarrassedly, "Especially when I'm hungry."

Ji Ruan had always known he couldn't handle hunger well. Previously, being hungry just made him feel weak, but now, hunger made him dizzy. One morning, he even fell after getting up, despite the carpet being laid and sat on the ground dazed for a while before getting up.

"You have anemia, so you'll feel dizzy easily. Move slowly when sitting and standing, and be careful when walking to avoid falling." Gu Xiuyi repeated the doctor's advice word for word.

Ji Ruan touched his nose, not mentioning his recent fall, "Got it. I know."

The university's open day and orientation were lively from the entrance, with banners hanging along the long, tree-lined avenue, and new students, alumni, parents, and volunteers in blue vests bustling about.

Ji Ruan quietly walked beside Gu Xiuyi, occasionally glancing at passersby and the banners above.

The avenue was lined with plane trees, old and leafy, casting dappled light that made Ji Ruan squint, but he would look up again after a few seconds.

Gu Xiuyi watched Ji Ruan, feeling that he genuinely had a unique curiosity and longing for university life.

"Ji Ruan—!"

Han Xiaolin, far away, chatting with a senior in a blue vest, spotted Ji Ruan instantly and waved enthusiastically.

Ji Ruan laughed at his comical appearance.

Gu Xiuyi patted Ji Ruan's shoulder, "Go ahead."

Ji Ruan looked up at him, his eyelashes fluttering, "What about you?"

Gu Xiuyi's lips curved gently, speaking softly, "I'll join the alumni gathering at the North Plaza. I'll find you later."

"Alright..." Ji Ruan thought for a moment. Gu Xiuyi indeed had his own things to do.

"By the way," Gu Xiuyi reminded, "Don't run. Walk slowly."

"I know." Ji Ruan waved his hand and walked toward Han Xiaolin.

Gu Xiuyi watched Ji Ruan move through the crowd and join his friend. At first, Ji Ruan walked slowly, but as soon as he met Han Xiaolin, they ran a few steps with arms around each other.

Han Xiaolin said something that made Ji Ruan laugh, his smile high and bright, his eyes curving beautifully—an 18-year-old's unique smile.

Gu Xiuyi's expression softened unconsciously. He shook his head and turned to the alumni meeting.

The university had produced many talents, and Gu Xiuyi encountered many people he knew from the business world, all trying to get close to him. His phone vibrated—it was a call from Song Ling. Gu Xiuyi answered.

"Boss, Xiao Ya said you changed the delivery address back to the villa? Are you moving back?" Song Ling asked.

"Yes," Gu Xiuyi declined a glass of champagne and said, "From now on, send everything to the villa, not the apartment."

"So sudden... Have you been busy moving?" Song Ling asked in surprise. "If I may ask, why?"

Gu Xiuyi paused for two seconds, pursed his lips, "Xiao An doesn't recognize me anymore. It's better to spend more time with a pet cat."

Xiao An used to live with Gu Xiuyi in the apartment, with Aunt Zhao occasionally helping out. Since Ji Ruan moved in, Aunt Zhao took care of him and the cat at the villa.

It was a good excuse.

But Song Ling didn't seem convinced, even chuckling, "Really?"

It might indeed be for the cat, but perhaps not the pet cat.

Gu Xiuyi: "…I'm hanging up."

His throat felt dry. He tugged at his collar and asked a volunteer for a bottle of water.

"Have you seen the dorm assignment list in the group?" Han Xiaolin pulled Ji Ruan through a particularly crowded area.

"Yes," Ji Ruan was slightly out of breath, "How did we end up in the same dorm?"

Han Xiaolin laughed, "We were the leftovers. You're the only one from the Chinese department, and I'm the only one from the Sports department. The other two..."

"Fine Arts and Finance departments," Ji Ruan added, removing  the ribbon clipped in his hair.

The area they passed through was hosting an event, with lots of party poppers. Ji Ruan was covered in confetti.

"It's special. We're the only fully mixed dorm in the freshman year. Should I buy a lottery ticket?" Han Xiaolin laughed.

Ji Ruan sighed, "Good luck winning 50 million."

"Thanks," Han Xiaolin said, pushing open the glass door of the multi-purpose hall. "When's the military training? Are you moving into the dorm?"

Ji Ruan had been worrying about it, "I don't know. I don't want to do the training. I'll discuss it with Gu Xiuyi. Maybe I'll move in later."

His eyebrows were delicate, and his skin was fair. When he frowned slightly, it had a lingering elegance.

Han Xiaolin stared for a moment, mumbling, "I'm sure Gu Xiuyi will be reluctant to let you do the training…"

Ji Ruan: "?"

The Chinese department's registration was at the entrance, while the Sports department's was inside. Han Xiaolin changed the topic, "I'll head over. Should I wait for your call?"

Ji Ruan shook his head, "Gu Xiuyi is coming to find me."

His clear eyes had a knack for quietly making single people envious.

".....Alright," Han Xiaolin smiled, "Goodbye."

A gust of wind swept past Ji Ruan. Han Xiaolin, despite looking thin like a monkey, was all muscle, quickly disappearing.

The senior at the Chinese department's registration desk lit up upon seeing Ji Ruan, "Junior brother, are you from our department? Are you here to register?"

"Yes," Ji Ruan pursed his lips and smiled.

The senior sister was enthusiastic. She slapped a form on the table, "Come on, come on, sit down and fill this out."

Ji Ruan, not used to such enthusiasm. He pulled out a chair and sat down, "Thank you, senior."

The multi-purpose hall had central air conditioning, but with so many people, it was barely effective. Most departments brought their own large fans.

Ji Ruan felt a bit dizzy from the fan in the Chinese department, so he moved his chair slightly to the side before continuing to fill out the form.

As he wrote, the graceful curve of his neck resembled that of a ballet dancer. A light sweat made his nose and the area around his eyes slightly flushed, blending a calm and youthful energy that was strikingly attractive.

More and more people began to gather around him for no reason, approaching him one after another.

“Junior, can I add you on WeChat?”

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

“Do you prefer someone older or younger? Would you date someone the same age?”

...

As the crowd grew, the air became thin, making Ji Ruan feel dizzy. He paused for a moment, then looked up and smiled gently, “I’m already married.”

The room suddenly fell silent as if someone had turned on a mute button.

Ji Ruan sighed in relief and quickly finished filling out the form, handing it to the senior student.

A few seconds later, the noise returned.

“Married? Really?”

“It might be true. He’s wearing a ring on his ring finger...”

“Oh my god, we just graduated high school, and he got married faster than I got my driver’s license. I’ve failed the second driving test five times!”

...

Ji Ruan took the gift bag from the senior student and quietly turned to leave.

“Hey! Isn’t he that... Gu... looks like him...”

“Wow, that photo... it really is... Gu Xiuyi...”

“Eighteen years, got into a prestigious university, married into a wealthy family, beautiful as a flower... what a winner in life...”

Ji Ruan once again underestimated Mr. Gu’s influence. He never expected to be recognized so quickly. His heart tightened, and he quickened his pace to leave.

But there were so many people around him that Ji Ruan was flustered.

Fortunately, Gu Xiuyi called at that moment. Without thinking, Ji Ruan quickly answered, “Hello?”

“I’m here...” Gu Xiuyi paused, suddenly sounding much more serious, “Why is it so noisy there?”

Ji Ruan tightly covered his ears, afraid his phone might be knocked out of his hand. His voice shook a bit, “I’m—”

As he spoke, he spotted Gu Xiuyi standing outside through a gap in the crowd. The moment they made eye contact, Ji Ruan immediately hung up and ran out.

Gu Xiuyi must have run over too. Despite the seemingly long distance, Ji Ruan had barely taken a few steps before his hand was caught, and he bumped into Gu Xiuyi.

Ji Ruan’s palms were sweating.

Gu Xiuyi held his shoulders, “Were you scared?”

Ji Ruan swallowed and steadied himself, shaking his head, “A lot of people were asking for my WeChat, so I said I was married, and then they recognized me as your partner...”

His brows furrowed, looking both anxious and shocked.

Gu Xiuyi glanced ahead. His cold expression carried an aura that naturally kept people at a distance, effectively isolating the crowd at the steps.

“It’s okay,” he said, taking Ji Ruan’s hand, “Let’s go.”

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The author has something to say:

Gu Xiuyi: Good boy, you knew to reject their advances.

Ruan Ruan: They surrounded me, I was scared to death!