Chapter 209: Chapter 210: Learning to Prepare Soup for Him

Director Yao removed his mask. “His ninth rib is fractured, but it’s not serious. However, to prevent pneumothorax or hemothorax, he needs hospitalization for observation. Don’t worry too much; young people heal quickly.”

Gu Qichen breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to see Xia Yangyang in tears. She was deeply shaken by the near-miss; the falling iron frame had felt like being submerged in a raging sea. Gu Zhaohan had pulled her to safety just in time.

Now, he lay in a hospital bed, his chest bandaged, sitting upright with a pained expression.

Gu Qichen approached the bed. “How are you feeling?”

Gu Zhaohan offered a weak smile. “Uncle, I’m fine. Please don’t tell Mom and Grandpa; I don’t want them to worry.”

“I understand,” Gu Qichen replied.

Gu Zhaohan’s gaze shifted behind Gu Qichen. Xia Yangyang approached, her eyes still red. Almost simultaneously, they both said, “Are you okay…?”

Silence fell. Gu Qichen frowned. Xia Yangyang broke the silence. “I’m not hurt, thanks to you.”

Gu Zhaohan glanced at Gu Qichen, his voice resuming its usual coldness. “I’m glad you’re okay. I would have done the same for anyone.”

On the drive home, Xia Yangyang, finally regaining her composure, sat in Gu Qichen’s car. He remained silent, his face stern, the car’s temperature seemingly plummeting. Xia Yangyang felt increasingly guilty. Gu Zhaohan was Gu Qichen’s beloved nephew, and she felt responsible for his injury. She resolved to make amends.

The next morning, Gu Qichen awoke alone. It was just past five. He frowned, got out of bed, and found Xia Yangyang absent. He found her in the kitchen, preparing porridge.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Making plain porridge for Xiao Han. He can only eat porridge right now.”

“You could have asked the housekeeper.”

“He saved me. This is the least I can do to show my gratitude.”

Xia Yangyang packed the porridge into a thermal container. “Go back to bed. I’ll take him breakfast and then go to school.”

For days, Xia Yangyang rose early to prepare porridge—rice porridge, chicken porridge, rib porridge—varying the menu daily. She wasn’t a skilled cook, but she’d sought advice from the family chef, practicing late into the night until she mastered the recipes. She also began learning to make soup.

Every evening, Gu Qichen would find Xia Yangyang diligently working in the kitchen. He’d silently retreat to his study, returning to their room late. Xia Yangyang noticed his increasingly late hours. Sometimes, she’d wait for him, busy herself in the kitchen, and then happily serve him a bowl of freshly made soup in his study. But Gu Qichen never drank it; the soup remained untouched on his desk each morning. Xia Yangyang felt disappointed but understood he was a picky eater. She resolved to improve her cooking.