"Old Qiao, you were in a really dangerous situation this time!"

"Yes, yes, luckily you have a charmed life. Little He discovered you in time and brought you to the hospital. Otherwise—" The consequences would have been unimaginable.

"From now on, you should be more careful. Don’t work so hard. And at home, you should make better arrangements!"

"Exactly, before, Sister Seo from the union offered to introduce you to an old companion, but you adamantly refused! An old companion, an old companion, they are there for you in old age!"

After the doctor left, neighbors and colleagues from the faculty dormitory gathered around.

Everyone talked over one another, expressing both concern for Qiao Zhenbang and relief that he survived this sudden illness. More than that, they worried about his future life.

These people were roughly the same age as Qiao Zhenbang, in their fifties or sixties, formally stepping into the age of getting older and accumulating health issues or slowly becoming unable to live independently.

They have children, but some live in other places, abroad, and not many stay around them.

However, they were slightly better off than Qiao Zhenbang, at least they had a companion by their side.

Even if something happened, it wouldn’t be as miserable as Old Qiao’s condition: needing emergency treatment, having surgery, and not even having anyone to sign for him!

Luckily, they are teachers at University A; the school wouldn’t neglect them.

But the school inevitably has some distance, far less intimate and detailed than family.

Qiao Zhenbang: ...I’m indeed a loner, but you don’t need to pity me so much.

Patients are inherently vulnerable and sensitive; rationality told him these old fellows were worried about him, considering for him. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

However, seeing these people, either pitiful or learning a lesson from him, Qiao Zhenbang felt his heart squeezed.

Deep down, he felt a profound fear and an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

Especially having personally experienced consciousness fading, a foot stepping into Ghost Gate, Qiao Zhenbang for the first time felt the threat of death!

God knows when he opened his eyes and found his limbs could still move, breathing normally, his heart was full of ecstatic joy.

Alive!

I’m still alive, not paralyzed, not a cripple!

Qiao Zhenbang never realized that being able to live, solid and intact, is such a blessing.

For the first time in his life, he recognized the importance of health, gaining a more profound and clearer understanding of his future life.

"Professor Qiao, this is millet porridge I cooked; it’s fragrant, layered with rice oil, really nutritious!"

After finally bidding farewell to a group of enthusiastic neighbors and colleagues, lying alone on the hospital bed, seeing the other beds surrounded either by children or cared for by companions, an indescribable melancholy welled up from his heart.

Just at this moment, a familiar female voice approached from afar.

"Little He, thank you!"

Seeing "He Xiutian" coming in with a thermal container, Qiao Zhenbang’s face broke into a smile.

He politely thanked her, his gaze warming up visibly.

He Tiantian intentionally feigned embarrassment, softly murmuring, "Professor Qiao, no need to be so formal!"

This Professor Qiao was quite a generous person.

Upon waking, learning that "He Xiutian" had rescued him and was now caring for him on the school leadership’s arrangement, he immediately took his phone and transferred five thousand yuan to her.

Professor Qiao didn’t call it a "thank-you gift," he simply said it was her wage for the trouble of taking care of him.

He Tiantian maintained the original persona of being a typical middle-aged woman from a poor background, working hard to earn money.

Though she wouldn’t be seen as greedy, receiving the payment upfront nonetheless made her very happy.

She cared for Qiao Zhenbang more diligently and earnestly.

Twenty-four hours a day, tending to meals and drinks during the day, keeping bedside vigil at night, alone, more competent than several relatives in other families.

She took care of Qiao Zhenbang extremely well, more dedicated than other caregivers.

Some unaware family members of other patients saw this situation and, in an envious tone, said to Qiao Zhenbang: "Brother, what luck you have, such a caring wife!"

Qiao Zhenbang: ...

He, a professor at University A, a postgraduate supervisor, enjoying the school’s special talent allowance, could be considered a successful person.

And "He Xiutian," who was she, just an uneducated, unsophisticated rural woman.

In terms of personal conditions or family background, matching Qiao Zhenbang with "He Xiutian" would absolutely be an insult to him.

Yet, hearing the patient’s family’s words, knowing they misunderstood, Qiao Zhenbang didn’t feel offended at all.