"Voluntary... voluntary?"
Jin Yongping was dumbfounded, completely stunned.
Having gone through a failed marriage, she never dreamed that the usually well-behaved, shy, and sensible Xia Qianqian would say something so outrageous the more she thought about it, wishing she could scold Xia Qianqian for being shameless.
But thinking about Xia Qianqian's uncertain journey abroad for medical treatment, with each passing day potentially being her last, she couldn't bear to refuse. After a brief hesitation, she retreated outside the hospital bed curtain, feeling heartbroken.
Separated by a curtain, her loving heart couldn't rest easy. After a moment's thought, she couldn't help but earnestly persuade:
"Qianqian, Mom never opposed your freedom to love, but your heart disease has suddenly flared up, and the priority is emergency treatment. Besides, this young man surnamed Chen, while handsome..."
On the hospital bed behind the curtain, although Xia Qianqian firmly believed Chen Xiao wasn't taking advantage of her, she still felt extremely embarrassed facing Chen Xiao massaging her chest. Hearing Jin Yongping's words unexpectedly, she felt even more mortified and, in a panic, quickly interrupted:
"Mom, what are you talking about? I'm voluntarily accepting Chen Xiao's treatment, not dating..."
Before she could finish, she belatedly realized that Chen Xiao's left hand on her chest was as cold as ice, while his right hand was as hot as fire. Her voice immediately ceased, her expression filled with shock.
What she found most unbelievable was that with Chen Xiao's almost bizarre massage, the severe chest pain that felt like it could take her life at any moment was rapidly and effectively relieved. In its place was a sense of ease and comfort she had never experienced before.
For a moment, she even wondered if everything happening before her was a dream.
Subconsciously, she grabbed Chen Xiao's hand, her face filled with panic, and pleaded:
"Chen Xiao, please tell me this isn't a dream, because you promised in junior high that you'd definitely cure my illness when you grew up. You won't go back on your word, right?"
"Hmm?"
Chen Xiao was slightly taken aback. He suddenly found Xia Qianqian somewhat familiar, and coupled with Jin Yongping's address for Xia Qianqian, he finally remembered who Xia Qianqian was, feeling a bit surprised. Scenes of their three years as deskmates in junior high involuntarily flashed through his mind.
But the priority was the massage, as the Yin-Yang Strange Hand technique consumed a lot of energy. If he lost focus or paused, he might not have the strength. So, gritting his teeth, he broke free from Xia Qianqian's hand and continued massaging through her thin clothing. Forcing himself to calm his mind, he managed a weak smile, his voice lacking strength:
"Classmate Qianqian, this is certainly not a dream. Just lie back and relax. I'll do my best."
"Mmm-hmm!"
Xia Qianqian nodded vigorously, as if responding to Chen Xiao, or perhaps comforting herself:
"I believe you. Otherwise, you wouldn't have called my mom earlier saying you could cure me without a heart transplant."
"You're Jin Yongping's daughter?"
Chen Xiao was stunned again. Xia Qianqian being his deskmate and the school beauty for three years in junior high was surprising enough. To find out she was also the beloved daughter of Jin Yongping, the boss of Jin Fang Pharmaceutical, was simply a stroke of incredible luck!
Because of his distraction, the intensity of the Yin-Yang Strange Hand technique suddenly became uncontrolled, causing the hospital bed to creak. Xia Qianqian's face contorted in pain due to the unbearable alternating cold and heat, and she cried out involuntarily:
"Ah! It hurts! Chen Xiao, be gentler..."
Just then, Xu Jingyin, who had quickly gone to get the medicine, returned. Chen Xiao, his mind buzzing, quickly tried to control the force of his hands and urgently urged:
"Nurse Xiao Xu, quickly get me Shenbao Pian! Now! Immediately! Right away!"
"Why are you taking Shenbao Pian at a time like this?"
Outside the curtain, Jin Yongping heard her precious daughter's cry and then Chen Xiao's request for Shenbao Pian, leaving her speechless and stunned once more.
But Xu Jingyin didn't ask any questions, nor did she overthink. As an emergency nurse working in the emergency department, the only thing she could do was obey the doctor. Before Jin Yongping could react, she swiftly handed Shenbao Pian and a cup of water into the curtain.
Chen Xiao managed to free one hand to take the Shenbao Pian and swallow it quickly, then returned his full attention to the massage.
"Hoo..."
The painful sensation of alternating cold and heat instantly disappeared. Xia Qianqian, her heart still pounding, let out a weak sigh:
"Finally... finally, it doesn't hurt anymore!"
"Chen Xiao, what exactly are you doing to my Qianqian?"
Jin Yongping, as someone who had been through a lot, felt increasingly uneasy the more she heard. She could no longer sit still and, with an imposing aura, pulled back the curtain.
Seeing Chen Xiao still massaging Xia Qianqian's chest, and that Xia Qianqian was otherwise fine except for her outer jacket being torn, Jin Yongping secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Just then, Zhao Yanli returned from the restroom, calling out urgently before even entering:
"General Manager Jin, the representative from the Ye family just called. They've been waiting at the company for a long time. You need to hurry back to sign the contract, or they won't acquire Jin Fang Pharmaceutical."