Omegaverse: Salted Fish Life in the Yaoi Novel
Chapter 72: Ch 72: Discharge Day and New Beginnings
The hospital room felt lighter on the fourth day since Shen Guoxing had woken up, as if the walls themselves sensed the approaching freedom. Soft afternoon light streamed through the curtains, casting warm, golden patterns across the white sheets, the neatly made bed, and the medical equipment that had finally fallen silent.
The steady beeps of the monitors were absent now, leaving a peaceful hush in their place. The air still carried the familiar clean, sterile scent of antiseptic, but it seemed less oppressive than before, as if the room itself was ready to let go.
Toys and gifts from the guests and PD Xu Cui were scattered across the floor and tables, a colorful testament to the support the child had received during her stay.
Su Wanyan was carefully packing Shen Guoxing’s belongings into suitcases, her movements gentle and methodical. She had already sent half of the toys back to the villa with Mo Xingxue earlier, and now she focused on the remaining items. The room felt strangely empty without the constant hum of machines, but it was a quiet reminder that recovery was truly underway.
"Aunt Wanyan! Aunt Wanyan!" Shen Guoxing called excitedly, walking as quickly as her still-frail body allowed while carrying some of her smaller toys. Her steps were light but careful, a visible effort to help despite the recent surgery.
Su Wanyan looked up and smiled warmly. "Thank you for helping," she said gently, patting the child’s head with affection. Shen Guoxing accepted the gentle touch with a shy grin before turning back to the piles of toys, gathering them diligently to assist.
After a while, Shen Guoxing stopped, panting softly from the exertion. Su Wanyan noticed immediately. "Tired?" she asked, calmly scooping the child into her arms.
"Yeah, I’m going to rest a little bit, Aunt," Shen Guoxing murmured, leaning her head comfortably on Su Wanyan’s shoulder.
Su Wanyan smiled and gently patted the child’s back. After cradling her for a minute, she looked at Shen Guoxing’s adorable, peaceful face—the child had already drifted off to sleep—and couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
She gently laid Shen Guoxing down on the bed and tucked her in with care, making sure the blankets were snug but not too tight. Su Wanyan looked tenderly at the sleeping child and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. She backed up slightly and continued patting Shen Guoxing’s back soothingly until the child settled deeper into sleep.
Su Wanyan then quietly returned to work. She looked at the many toys sprawled freely across the floor. Shen Guoxing’s original collection had more than doubled thanks to the thoughtful gifts from the other guests and PD Xu Cui, all wishing for her recovery during the coma. Su Wanyan gave the pile one final look and sighed. She patted both her cheeks for motivation and pumped her arms. I’ve got this! She thought with determination.
After thirty minutes of careful cleaning and packing, Su Wanyan sat at the edge of the bed where Shen Guoxing slept. She looked at the twelve or thirteen suitcases lined up neatly and retrieved her phone. She quickly called one of her family’s drivers. After just one ring, the driver picked up.
"Good afternoon, Young Lady," the driver said, his tone light and respectful.
"Good afternoon, Mister Wen," Su Wanyan greeted him back warmly. "Mister, can you come pick up the suitcases here in Jiankang? In your Young Miss Shen Guoxing’s room?" The driver confirmed and Su Wanyan gently asked him to bring a helper. After saying goodbye, she hung up.
Su Wanyan looked at Shen Guoxing and smiled lightly, deciding to let the child sleep a little more while they waited for the designated driver sent by PD Xu Cui. She studied Shen Guoxing’s face with a tender expression. What a peaceful sleeping face, Su Wanyan thought with a light chuckle. The child had thick, heroic eyebrows, a high nose, and an overall cute and soft face that reminded her so much of the dreams she had weeks ago.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. "Come in," Su Wanyan said gently, turning her gaze toward the entrance.
Doctor Li came inside, holding a pouch full of medicines prescribed for Shen Guoxing. He quietly handed it to Su Wanyan. "Thank you," Su Wanyan said gently, appreciating his thoughtfulness.
The room was plunged into a comfortable silence again, the two adults not speaking, only the soft sound of Shen Guoxing’s breathing present. Doctor Li stood there quietly, while Su Wanyan sat calmly, looking at Shen Guoxing with a small smile.
She didn’t question why Doctor Li lingered—he had been one of the people who had cared for Shen Guoxing since she was a baby, so he might feel a little emotional and want to see her a little longer.
And Su Wanyan was right. Doctor Li lingered because he had long viewed Shen Guoxing as one of the important people in his life, not just because she was technically like the adopted daughter of his boss, but as a child he had grown close to since infancy.
Doctor Li felt emotional seeing that Shen Guoxing could finally go outside after being cooped up in the hospital for all her life. Thinking about that again, Doctor Li felt immense pride and joy for the kid. Still, he knew he couldn’t linger for long as he had more patients to care for and didn’t want to disturb his boss.
He looked at Shen Guoxing’s peaceful face one last time, then turned his attention to Su Wanyan. However, just as he was about to say his farewells, he studied Su Wanyan’s face and then Shen Guoxing’s again, noticing some resemblance between the two.
So the theory that you’ll look alike to the person who raised you is true, Doctor Li thought with a small smile. He quietly shook his head and addressed Su Wanyan.
Su Wanyan looked at him and hummed questioningly. Doctor Li smiled and bowed. "I’ll take my leave," he said.
Su Wanyan smiled. "Okay," she said simply.
Doctor Li straightened up and quietly left the room. Left alone in the room with Shen Guoxing, Su Wanyan returned her attention to the child’s sleeping face. Shen Guoxing had thick, heroic eyebrows, a high nose, and a cute, soft overall face.
Just then, Su Wanyan’s dreams from a week and a few days ago popped into her mind—a child calling her "Mother" and Mo Xingxue "Mama." Su Wanyan’s thoughts paused as she looked intently at Shen Guoxing. Now that I think about it.. that kid looks like Shen Guoxing, she thought.
Not to sound crazy, but did.. did something develop between me and Mo Xingxue in the future? Su Wanyan shook her head with a light laugh. No way, she and I are just friends. I should probably stop putting meaning into everything. Her laughter grew a little louder.
Unbeknownst to her.. this moment would come back to her weeks later. But that was a story for later.
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Su Wanyan’s phone vibrated softly on the bedside table. She picked it up and answered the call from the designated driver PD Xu Cui had sent. The driver’s voice was polite and efficient, confirming he was waiting downstairs. "I understand," Su Wanyan said warmly. "We’ll be heading there immediately." She thanked him sincerely before hanging up, a small, relieved smile touching her lips.
She stood up and gently shook Shen Guoxing awake. "Xing’er, Xing’er," Su Wanyan called softly, her voice tender as she leaned over the sleeping child.
In response, Shen Guoxing groaned sleepily and simply turned to the other side, burrowing deeper into the pillow. Seeing that, Su Wanyan couldn’t help but chuckle.
"Xing’er, Xing’er," she tried again, her voice a little louder this time, laced with amusement.
Still, to no avail. Shen Guoxing just covered both of her ears and went back to sleep, her small body curling up stubbornly. At that, Su Wanyan couldn’t help but burst out laughing, the sound light and warm, filling the quiet room. She stopped after a moment and sighed tenderly, unable to keep a fond smile from her face.
She recalled Mo Xingxue and herself when they were kids. In the past, Su Wanyan had always been a light sleeper and morning person, so whenever they had sleepovers, she was in charge of waking Mo Xingxue.
Just like Shen Guoxing now, young Mo Xingxue would simply turn to the other side and cover her ears. There were also times when Mo Xingxue would straight up throw a pillow at Su Wanyan’s face.
Recalling those memories, Su Wanyan chuckled tenderly. Good old days, she thought, shaking her head with affection. Thanks to the recollection, an idea came to her—a method she had often used on Mo Xingxue too.
"Xing’er, Xing’er, if you don’t wake up now, I’ll leave you," Su Wanyan said, her voice playfully stern.
Immediately, Shen Guoxing flung her eyes open and sat up. "No!" she protested coquettishly, letting out a big yawn.
Got ya, Su Wanyan thought with a mental grin before lifting the child into her arms.
"Haha, of course Aunt Wanyan was just kidding," Su Wanyan said, bouncing Shen Guoxing gently. The child pouted but laid her head on Su Wanyan’s shoulder, drifting back to sleep almost instantly. Su Wanyan laughed, her laughter like honey—sweet and sugary—filling the room with warmth.
This child, Su Wanyan thought, shaking her head fondly as she walked toward the door. When she opened it, she couldn’t help but look back at the room one last time, she looked down at Shen Guoxing who was sleeping peacefully in her arms. She smiled softly. A new Chapter was waiting for the two of them. Su Wanyan smiled and closed the door behind her, not looking back once again.
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They’re literally so cute, it makes me wanna kms.