Chapter 1 The First Day
The first day passed uneventfully. Fang Er and Xi Tong showed no reaction, only the nutrient fluid in their hibernation pods turning from emerald green to murky gray, requiring replacement every six hours.
The second day dawned much the same. However, by afternoon, sounds began to emanate from the hibernation pod.
"Cough... cough..."
"Husband!"
Chai Yue cried out in alarm, rushing to peer through the window of the hibernation pod. The nutrient fluid had been replaced less than two hours prior, but under the pod's internal lights, what should have been clear fluid was now filled with reddish-brown blood clots. Fang Er, within the pod, was frowning, appearing to be in immense pain.
Suddenly, he coughed violently again. Clumps of blood spewed from his mouth and nose, rendering the entire nutrient fluid murky.
"Doctor!"
"True Man Sun..."
"Quick! Husband is waking up!"
Changsun Ling'er leaned over for a glance before turning and running out. In the next room, Li Xiuning, who was with Xi Tong, heard the commotion and hurried over to investigate. The medical staff waiting outside the ICU, along with Sun Simiao and others, also rushed in.
"True Man Sun, Divine Doctor Zhang, quickly examine my husband, he just coughed up blood, so much blood!"
"Please, take a look, is he... is he going to die..."
Chai Yue clutched Sun Simiao's arm, her nails digging into his flesh with anxiety.
Sun Simiao winced, "County Princess, please calm yourself. Allow us to examine him first..."
*It hurts, old man...*
Several people hastily opened the hibernation pod's lid. Hua Tuo drew out Fang Er's arms, and together with Zhang Zhongjing, they felt his pulse on either side. They then switched positions. After examining his pulse, a look of joy appeared on both their faces.
"It's working!"
"His body is beginning to recover! These blood clots are a sign of his lungs expelling foreign matter!"
The ICU door opened again, and medical staff wheeled in a CT scanner. After the nutrient fluid was drained, Fang Er underwent another CT scan. The head of the health team excitedly pointed at the report, "Princess Pingyang, look! It's confirmed, Mr. Fang's condition is improving!"
A wave of smiles spread across everyone in the ICU. This was incredibly good news! For Chai Yue and the others, Fang Er's recovery meant the family would have its pillar of support again. For the Z-faction, his recovery meant that the territory of that continent was secure.
The hibernation pod was filled with new nutrient fluid, and the women stayed close by. Following Fang Er, Xi Tong also soon showed signs of response. Hope was finally in sight.
The third day arrived. Chai Yue sat by Fang Er's hibernation pod, gazing at him through the small window as he slept. A smile touched her lips as she recalled old memories.
"Husband, do you remember the first time we met?"
"You were so shy back then, like a fool, too embarrassed to even look at me."
"And when others came to propose, they brought chests of gold and silver. But you, you actually brought a few bundles of paper made by the Fang Family Manor..."
"And it was toilet paper..."
"Can you tell me, what were you thinking then?"
Her voice was hoarse. She had recounted these stories countless times over the past few days, hoping to give Fang Er a reason to persevere. Sun Simiao and Zhang Zhongjing had said that this might help Fang Er wake up sooner.
Wiping tears from her face, Chai Yue's expression shifted, a mischievous smile appearing.
"Wake up quickly..."
"Bingxue and Yulu are still waiting for your affection."
"If you sleep forever, I'll marry them off to someone else."
"Just imagine, someone else sleeping with your women, spending your money, and idly using your child as a punching bag..."
"Can you bear that?"
"Bang!"
A muffled sound came from the hibernation pod, and Chai Yue's face lit up with surprise. Fang Er, submerged in the nutrient fluid, had opened his eyes at some point! He was glaring angrily, and the muffled sound was him slamming against the pod's lid.
"Husband is awake... Quick, quick, go call the doctor!"
Three days! In just three days, the gravely injured and near-death Fang Er had woken up! This was a miracle, both for the Southwest Military Region General Hospital and for Sun Simiao and his colleagues.
Hurried footsteps sounded from outside, and figures rushed in one after another. The hibernation pod was opened, and the liquid was drained. Fang Er was carefully lifted out. Chai Yue and Changsun Ling'er, their faces streaked with tears like painted cats, used sterilized towels to wipe away the residual nutrient fluid from his body. Xing'er, Xiao Qing, and Dabao held each other, weeping uncontrollably outside the crowd. These past few days, they had been like lost souls, devoid of spirit. Now that Fang Er was awake, they felt revitalized!
"You... you... who were you going to marry them to???"
On the sickbed, Fang Er weakly gripped Chai Yue's wrist, looking at her with a wry smile. He was utterly bewildered. The moment he woke up, he had heard those words. Sleeping with his wife and beating his child? Who dared? He would flay them alive! However, he was so weak that even speaking was difficult.
"Bah! If I had known saying that would wake you up, I would have married them off long ago!" Chai Yue glared at him, a touch of exasperation in her voice.
"You heartless man, do you know how worried your wife and sisters have been all these days?"
"And you, lying there pretending to be dead all day..."
She paused, then, ignoring the people in the room, leaned close to Fang Er's ear and whispered.
"Get well soon... When you're better, I'll let you drive a twelve-cylinder car..."
Huh?
The words instantly excited Fang Er! He was completely naked... And his excitement was revealed to everyone present!
"Ah..."
Changsun Ling'er, who was wiping his thighs, let out a startled cry at the sudden change. Everyone's eyes were drawn to Fang Er. The medical staff seemed unfazed, but Chai Yue and Xiao Qing appeared extremely embarrassed.
"Oh... Mother, please go out!"
Chai Yue suddenly reacted, pushing Li Xiuning towards the ICU exit. Li Xiuning chuckled, "Look at you, so nervous. It's been so many days, what haven't I seen?"