Night had fallen, and Xu Nian’an slept on the accompanying bed while Pei Yining and Pei Yicheng, the siblings, were sent home to rest by Xu Nianhua.
They hadn’t slept all night yesterday, so they really should get some proper rest.
After the lights went out, a small light remained on in the hospital room, convenient for the nurses to make their rounds and for patients so it wouldn’t be pitch-black at night.
"Second Brother, you should go back to school for classes tomorrow,"
Nianhua said in the dimness.
"No," Xu Nian’an immediately refused without thinking, "These few days are a critical period for your recovery. How could I leave? Little sister, there’s no room for discussion on this matter, and you’re not allowed to send me away."
Xu Nian’an’s tone was more resolute than ever before.
Xu Nianhua sighed and said, "I’m sorry for making Second Brother worry."
"Little sister, it’s not your fault. The blame lies solely with the driver who still drove after drinking. He’s gone too far." As soon as Xu Nian’an brought up the driver, he clenched his teeth in anger. He recounted to Nianhua about the driver’s family members coming over, saying, "Little sister, if they want to settle privately with money... I, I don’t want to agree."
Xu Nian’an hung his head. He wanted the driver to receive the punishment he deserved, not to smooth things over with money!
How could the pain and suffering his little sister endured be compensated with some money as if it never happened?
Yesterday, when Nianhua gave him money, Xu Nian’an had already started thinking about earning money. However, before he could act on it, Nianhua had the accident.
The idea of making money took root in his mind, grew slowly, and became extremely urgent.
"All right, I’ll do whatever Second Brother says," Xu Nianhua lifted the corners of her lips, understanding Xu Nian’an’s thoughts, and asked, "Second Brother, you haven’t told Mom and Dad, have you?"
When Xu Nian’an brought up the matter, he felt inexplicably guilty. He thought he would buy the wheelchair tomorrow, so that even if his little sister disagreed, it would be too late to argue.
When he heard the doctor say that his little sister’s leg needed at least over a month to heal, he casually mentioned getting a wheelchair, and Xu Nian’an had etched the thought deeply into his mind.
Xu Nianhua let out a sigh of relief and said, "As for my injury, it will be fine with some rest. By the time we go home, Mom and Dad won’t be so worried."
"No problem. When the time comes, I’ll say I didn’t tell Mom and Dad. If there’s any scolding or beating, it’s all my fault," Xu Nian’an said, reminding her, "Little sister, when the time comes, push all the blame onto me, understand?"
Xu Nianhua laughed out, afraid of tearing her wound, it was especially hard for her to restrain. She cleared her throat and said, "Second Brother, what do you take me for?"
"Little sister, are you in pain? If it hurts, you must tell me," Xu Nian’an repeatedly reminded her. The doctor had said that after she woke up, her injuries on the head and foot would definitely hurt. If the pain became unbearable, medication could be used for relief.
"It doesn’t hurt, not at all."
Xu Nianhua’s voice was relaxed, giving the impression she wasn’t injured at all. This little bit of pain, compared to what she’d endured in the past, she felt was nothing. Endure it, and it would pass.
"Second Brother, then on Thursday, you must go back for the exam, okay?" Xu Nianhua worried about Xu Nian’an’s exam.
If it hadn’t been for her, Second Brother would be at school during this time, revising thoroughly.
"We’ll see when the time comes," Xu Nian’an didn’t readily agree. He turned over, and with the aid of the faint light, could see Xu Nianhua lying on the hospital bed with white bandages and a plastered foot. He said, "Don’t worry, I’ll bring the books to the hospital when the time comes, and I can still review. If you’re recovering well by then, I’ll go take the exam."
Xu Nian’an comforted her, saying, "You shouldn’t worry so much. The doctor said you need to rest more, use your brain less, and not stress out."