"Who?" Di Mingjue asked agitatedly at the voice from the phone.
Whatever was said on the other end left him astonished and dazed.
Absentmindedly putting his phone away, Di Mingjue's gaze happened to fall upon the hospital bed, where he noticed Jiang Ziyu had opened her eyes.
"You're awake?" Di Mingjue put his thoughts aside, showering her with concern, "How do you feel? Does it still hurt?"
Jiang Ziyu shook her head. Her palms pressed against the bed, and she used her arms to push herself up, attempting to stand.
"Don't move." Di Mingjue's hand supported her lower back, and with swiftness, he placed a pillow horizontally underneath her. After making these preparations, he turned the bed crank to raise the headboard.
Enjoying his thoughtful actions, Jiang Ziyu observed the forced smile on Di Mingjue's face.
Recalling the recent phone call, she inquired curiously, "Was that your family?"
"Yes," Di Mingjue replied. "Grandmother said my father is alive and back."
His father?
It was as if a book in her mind was rapidly flipping pages upon his words, searching for information.
According to Jiang Ziyu's previous investigation, Di Mingjue's father, Di Jianhan, had died unexpectedly, which led to Di Mingjue taking over the entire family at a young age.
"Then you should go back first. Uncle must be most eager to see you right now," Jiang Ziyu advised.
Di Mingjue also yearned to see Di Jianhan. He had many questions, especially wondering why his mother hadn't returned if his father had. If it was an accident, why was only his mother's body found, and not his?
Jiang Ziyu gently stroked his hand, offering words of comfort, "Go. I'll take care of myself at the hospital. And once you're done with your business, I have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
"It's not appropriate to say now. Wait until you're free."
Di Mingjue saw a sense of ease he couldn't quite articulate in Jiang Ziyu's eyes. Her simple words could lift his spirits and help him make choices.
"Alright," he agreed with a nod.
However, Di Mingjue dared not leave completely as he had the previous night. As he departed, he called Shen Lin, instructing him to...
Upon returning to the Di residence, even before entering the main hall, he could hear the elder's excited cries of rediscovery.
"You! If you were fine, why did it take so long to come back!" the old lady wept, her voice choked with emotion.
Had it not been for her own resilience over the years, the Di family might have collapsed.
Di Jianhan lowered his head, guiding the old lady's hand to his chest. "Hit me. It might make you feel better."
He said it lightly, but he was a piece of flesh that the old lady had carried for ten months. Even before his incident, the old lady would have been reluctant to scold him, let alone now.
Breaking free from her grasp, the old lady admonished him fiercely, "You scoundrel! You're so sure I won't punish you!"
Di Jianhan, like a child, nestled beside his mother and acted spoiled.
Pausing outside for a moment, Di Mingjue raised his leg and continued inside.
"Mingjue is back!" the old lady exclaimed. "Quick, greet your father."
After years apart, in Di Mingjue's eyes, Di Jianhan looked almost unchanged from before.
"Mingjue!" Di Jianhan stood up from the sofa, calling out affectionately, and opened his arms as he walked towards him.
He affectionately placed his hands on Di Mingjue's shoulders, patting his back. "You've grown so tall. You're a man now."
When he left, Di Mingjue was a mere brash youngster. Now he was a grown man, exuding masculine aura.
Di Mingjue emerged from his embrace, looking him up and down. "Where have you been all these years?"
Mentioning this, Di Jianhan's face revealed a trace of bitterness. "It's a long story. I'll explain it to you properly later."