Chapter 181
Guaizai didn't want to go back, but he also knew staying wouldn't be of much help. Obediently taking Zhou Ger's hand, he said, "Daddy, Guaizai will come see you tomorrow. Guaizai will listen to Uncle Zhou's words, don't you worry."
Zhao Ger gently stroked his big head. "Mm! Our Guaizai is the most obedient. Daddy isn't worried."
Guaizai ran into the room, leaned by the bedside, and told Xiao Feng he was going back and would come see him tomorrow, urging him to get well. He wasn't bothered by the lack of a response from Xiao Feng; he had spent the whole afternoon chattering like a little old man, babbling all sorts of things to him.
After saying goodbye to Xiao Feng, he went to cling to Fang Zichen, demanding three kisses before finally being satisfied and leaving with Zhou Ger.
During the third watch of the night (11 PM to 1 AM), Xiao Feng's fever finally broke, though he had not yet woken up.
Fang Zichen watched over him for another half a shichen. Seeing that the fever did not return, he then urged Zhao Ger to get some rest.
Zhao Ger rested for about a shichen before getting up again. The two of them took turns keeping watch.
The next day when Zhou Ger arrived, he found Fang Zichen sitting on the doorstep without a care for his appearance, his hair a complete mess.
Zhou Ger spoke to him, but received no reply. He could only look to Zhao Ger, his eyes asking what was wrong.
Zhao Ger said, "It's nothing. He gets like this when he doesn't get enough sleep." He was already used to it.
"Father, What's wrong with you ah?" Guaizai squeezed into his lap, looking up at him.
Fang Zichen just said one word: "Sleepy."
Guaizai thought Fang Zichen couldn't sleep because he couldn't hug him. His little brows instantly knit together in worry. He threw his arms around Fang Zichen's waist, nestling his face firmly against his chest. "Then Father, hug Guaizai and sleep quick. You gotta sleep to get your energy back, ah!"
Fang Zichen: "..."
Physician Xu got up in the morning and came to check. Seeing Xiao Feng was still breathing and his fever had subsided, he was astonished. After taking his pulse, he couldn't stop exclaiming what a miracle it was.
He asked Fang Zichen what he had done, but Fang Zichen didn't even glance at him. He just slightly lifted his eyelids, giving him a dazed look, then went back to sleeping with his head pillowed on the foot of the bed.
The marks from sleep were clear on his face. His brows were drawn together, a deep furrow etched between them. His lips, which seemed naturally unsmiling, were pressed into a thin line. When he looked over, there was a faint redness in his eyes.
He was like a captivating enchantress stealing people's hearts.
Physician Xu was momentarily stunned by his glance. Seeing Zhao Ger pat his back as if to soothe him, whispering comforting words in his ear, he couldn't help but shake his head.
He had always found Fang Zichen remarkable, but now that impression became even more vivid and undeniable.
With a husband who looked like this, it was no wonder the ger was so... devoted.
Physician Xu went to examine on his own and saw that Xiao Feng's wound was only covered with a light layer of medicinal powder. The medicine he had applied yesterday had been completely cleaned off.
The medicine boy, who had helped fetch water yesterday, had seen the general process and told Physician Xu about it.
Applying medicine thickly like that would trap the wound underneath, preventing ventilation and making it prone to pus and infection. Moreover, when Physician Xu had treated it, he hadn't disinfected the wound at all.
Although the ancient methods of observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking were remarkable, some things were still not clearly understood.
Therefore, in ancient times, most people with this kind of penetrating injury would end up lying on a wooden board (being dead and laid out for a funeral).
Zhou Ger relayed the message to Meng-shi, but even after three days in town, there was still no sign of her coming.
Xiao Feng had regained consciousness, though he still couldn't move. After enduring such a traumatic experience, this was when he most needed comfort and companionship. Yet Meng-shi never came, nor did she send any message through others. At first, Xiao Feng would still gaze toward the doorway, his eyes filled with longing. Though he said nothing, the hope in his eyes was clear for all to see.
By the evening of the second day, he seemed to have accepted it. Tears streamed down his pale face.
After Xiao Feng woke up, Fang Zichen went back to work, leaving only Zhao Ger to care for him.
"Your mother might be busy, so..." Zhao Ger tried to comfort him, but stopped halfway through the sentence.
The words felt too hollow and weak.
What could possibly keep her so busy in winter?
Even if she were swamped... after two or three days, could she really not spare half a day? Xiao Feng is her own son. What on earth could be more important?
She is... truly heartless.
At this moment, any further comfort would seem superfluous. Zhao Ger sighed. He didn't know what else to say. He could only tuck the quilt securely around Xiao Feng and sit silently beside him to keep him company.
The winter was cold, and given Xiao Feng's condition, it really wasn't suitable for him to touch water. For the past two nights, they had just wiped his face before letting him sleep. Today, Zhao Ger heated some water, planning to wipe Xiao Feng's body down after Fang Zichen arrived.
It wasn't that he couldn't do it himself, but Xiao Feng was eight years old and a little man. It was only proper to avoid impropriety.
Xiao Feng couldn't move. When Guaizai wasn't around, he would just stare at the ceiling.
The door creaked open.
Xiao Feng turned his head and saw Fang Zichen come in carrying a basin of water.
"Uncle... Uncle Fang."
"Mm!" Fang Zichen responded. Actually, he preferred Xiao Feng to call him 'big brother'. Being called 'uncle' made him feel a bit old. But if Xiao Feng called him 'big brother' and called Zhao Ger 'uncle', then he would be a whole generation younger than Zhao Ger.
He hooked a nearby stool closer to the bed with his foot and placed the basin on it.
Xiao Feng didn't overthink it. Assuming Fang Zichen was going to wipe his face, he obediently closed his eyes.
Suddenly, he felt lighter as the quilt was lifted off. Even with the door closed, a few threads of cold wind seeped in through the cracks.
The sudden exposure to the cold air made Xiao Feng shiver. He immediately opened his eyes and saw Fang Zichen's jade-like hand already reaching for his chest, about to undo his clothes. Flustered, he quickly pulled the quilt back over himself.
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