Chapter 473: Doctor

Chapter 473: The Doctor

Just as Bai Lingmiao carefully made her way toward the carriage after washing her clothes, she suddenly felt the other end of her bamboo pole being grasped.

Gazing at that vague patch of red, Bai Lingmiao softly said toward the tip of the bamboo pole, "I can actually see clearly now, it's just that things are a bit blurry."

The two spirits ahead did not respond, but took hold of the bamboo pole and walked toward the carriage.

When they reached the side of the carriage, Bai Lingmiao, with Li Sui’s help, placed the washed clothes to dry on the roof of the carriage and the backs of the horses.

"Li Sui, where is your father?" Bai Lingmiao asked toward that vague withered yellow—Li Sui’s raincoat.

After so much time spent together, Bai Lingmiao had already adapted quite a lot to Li Sui’s terrifying appearance.

Though she couldn’t treat him like a daughter as Li Huowang did, at least she could face him with a normal heart now.

"My father went into the forest ahead. He said he’ll be back in an hour," Li Sui replied, holding his book.

"Oh, let’s start a fire to cook," Bai Lingmiao pulled out a flint from inside the carriage and walked toward the pile of firewood.

Starting a fire, setting up the pot, fetching water—Bai Lingmiao had done all this many times before, but today something went wrong. In a moment of carelessness, she accidentally stuck her left hand straight into the flames.

Although she quickly pulled her hand back, several delicate fingers were still burnt white and swollen.

The two spirits stepped forward and pushed her aside, then began cooking with practiced ease. Watching the blurred figure bustling about in front of her, Bai Lingmiao’s face showed a bitter expression.

Tears welled in Bai Lingmiao’s eyes—not from pain, but from frustration over her impending burden.

When the aroma of food reached her nose, Bai Lingmiao perked up, picked up the bamboo pole, and walked toward the forest ahead.

The bamboo pole tapped continuously against the ground, producing crisp sounds and guiding Bai Lingmiao along the path.

Soon, in her blurred vision, Bai Lingmiao saw that splash of red—the blood-red robe of her senior brother, Li Huowang.

"Senior Brother Li, dinner’s ready!" Bai Lingmiao called out to that red patch from afar.

Hearing the voice, Li Huowang looked over and smiled slightly, saying, "Thanks, Mom."

"Heh, don’t say thanks to me like that," Sun Xiaoqin said, sitting on a stool beside the bed, opening the food box in her arms.

The meat dish was braised pork ribs, the vegetable was stir-fried hollow mustard greens, and the soup was carrot lamb soup—well-balanced nutritionally.

"Son, I know you don’t like carrots, but you mustn’t be picky. Eat more carrots to get more vitamins," she said.

"Mom, I really am not picky anymore," Li Huowang said, taking a spoonful of carrots and chewing them.

"Ah, it’s good that you’re not picky, my child. Our son is becoming more mature every day," Sun Xiaoqin nodded approvingly. Li Huowang’s recent stability had visibly improved her complexion.

"Mom, I forgot to ask earlier—where do you live? You’re not staying in this prison, are you?"

"I originally wanted to buy a folding bed for your dad to come here and stay with you, but no matter how much I begged, they wouldn’t agree. Now I have to rent a room nearby."

Hearing this, Li Huowang nodded and said, "That’s good, that’s good."

"Is it okay, Senior Brother Li? Is this really fine?" Bai Lingmiao stood before Li Huowang, looking at him with sorrow. "Why did you lie to me, saying this illness is cured? How can it be cured..."

After speaking these words, Bai Lingmiao sighed softly, her expression growing dim. "But how could I blame you? I never told you, and my heart hasn’t let go either..."

Senior Brother Li, do you think it would be better for both of us if we were apart? But you… I truly don’t feel safe..."

"I’m fine, I’m doing well. Don’t worry about me. Look, in the past one or two months, my condition has stabilized greatly."

"Ah, son, don’t say that. Although you’ve gotten much better than before, you’re still not fully recovered. The closer you get to recovery, the more careful you must be."

Li Huowang listened patiently to his mother’s chatter, enjoying this kind of babbling—only when it’s gone does one realize how precious it is.

"Don’t worry, someday, I will recover. Someday!"

Just as Li Huowang said this, there was a clang. The iron door suddenly opened.

Li Huowang turned toward the sound and immediately saw two doctors in white coats, accompanied by three male nurses entering from outside, one of whom was pushing a wheelchair.

Seeing them, Li Huowang’s eyes filled with caution. He cautiously asked, "Lingmiao? Li Sui? Is it you? Please step aside for a moment—I’ll be right back."

Sun Xiaoqin stood up nervously, blocking Li Huowang. "Hey! Who are you people? Who let you in here?"

"Ms. Sun, please don’t panic. We just want to conduct rehabilitation training for your son, to strengthen his muscles. Otherwise, if his entire body wastes away completely, he’ll spend the rest of his life in bed."

With that, they began their actions. They undid the restraints on Li Huowang, exposing his pale, emaciated body to the air.

His limbs had become significantly thinner than before, appearing as straight as chopsticks.

Even with the nurse’s support, Li Huowang couldn’t stand up. The prison guard at the entrance let out a deep breath of relief—the mad martial man had finally calmed down.

"This... what’s going on? Why has my son lost so much weight!" Sun Xiaoqin panicked.

"Ms. Sun, don’t worry. This is just muscle atrophy due to lack of exercise—it’s normal. With rehabilitation training, it can return to normal. By the way, your son has no pressure sores at all. Your nursing skills are excellent," the doctor said.

Hearing this, Sun Xiaoqin relaxed. "I turn him every few hours. I learned that from people caring for paralyzed elderly on Douyin."

Under the doctor’s command, the nurses helped Li Huowang onto the wheelchair and prepared to push him outside.

"Wait! Where are you taking me?! I can’t leave now!" Li Huowang struggled fiercely, but was firmly held down by the nurses.

If he left, who knew where he’d end up on the other side?

A balding middle-aged doctor knelt down and looked curiously at Li Huowang. "Why can’t you leave? Can you tell me why?"

Li Huowang stared at him and said, "Just a little longer. Just a little more time."

"Why not now? Why can’t you leave this room when you're conscious? What are you afraid of?"

Hearing the doctor’s words, Li Huowang’s heart tightened. This man already knew he was awake at this moment?