After the Sickly Child Differentiates into A - Chapter 40

Military District One Hospital.

Su Yue unwrapped the thick bandages around Lin Li’s eyes, observing the child’s tear-dampened eye sockets and slightly reddened eyelids. She shot Wen Jingzhi a meaningful glance.

What had happened to make the child cry like this?

Fortunately, the wound hadn’t been too severely irritated.

Su Yue remained silent as she finished the treatment, taking a fresh bandage and wrapping it around layer by layer.

“The wound needs to be protected carefully. Come to the hospital every three days for a dressing change.” Su Yue cast a faintly reproachful look at Wen Jingzhi, hinting, “Absolutely no contact with water.”

Wen Jingzhi pressed her lips together. Though she didn’t believe she had done anything wrong, under the doctor’s gaze, she inexplicably felt a twinge of guilt. She cleared her throat softly and pulled Lin Li into her arms. “I’ll be careful.”

Su Yue had initially trusted this “aloof goddess” who had saved Lin Li multiple times, but now, she needed to observe further.

Under Su Yue’s slightly concerned gaze, Wen Jingzhi remained expressionless as she carried Lin Li away.

After driving home, the child, exhausted from crying, drowsily wrapped her arms around Wen Jingzhi’s neck and yawned. Wen Jingzhi’s expression softened, and she whispered, “Go to sleep.”

Having cried freely and vented her emotions, Lin Li’s mood had improved significantly. She nuzzled against Wen Jingzhi and said softly, “Okay, goodnight, sister.”

Wen Jingzhi bent down to tuck the child into the soft bedding, pulled the covers over her, and walked out of the room. As she held the doorknob and slowly closed the door, she spoke in her cool, clear voice just before it shut completely.

“Goodnight.”

Sweet dreams.

After that night, the gloom surrounding Lin Li gradually dissipated. She no longer remained silent all the time and was willing to try walking on her own, feeling her way around. However, her personality couldn’t change overnight, and she still didn’t want Wen Jingzhi nearby during her practice sessions.

Wen Jingzhi respected the child’s wishes, never peeking. She would stay in the study or bedroom, occasionally hearing bumps from the living room. Each time, she would clench her fingers but restrain herself from intervening.

Even if the condition of Lin Li’s left eye was favorable, she would still need to wait six months for the third surgery, followed by a lengthy recovery period.

The extent to which her left eye could recover remained uncertain, while her right eye was already permanently blind. She would forever lose vision on her right side.

Even if her left eye recovered well, she would still have to endure nearly two years in darkness.

Moreover, to ensure she could return to school in the future without falling too far behind her peers in age, Old Master Wen would later hire a teacher to teach Lin Li basic Braille, allowing her to learn through listening and simple tactile reading.

Therefore, the child had to learn to reconcile with herself, eliminate thoughts like “I’m a burden to them, I might as well die early,” and learn to rely on them proactively.

Although the situation wasn’t as ideal as Wen Jingzhi had hoped, the child was slowly making progress.

She remained quiet and obedient during meals and when taking medicine, but after swallowing her pills, she would stick out her tongue and ask her sister for a piece of candy.

These small changes were enough to satisfy Wen Jingzhi.

The small felt toy kitten, which Wen Jingzhi had washed clean of bloodstains, was carried in Lin Li’s pocket almost every day. When she fell, clutching it in her hand seemed to give her the courage to get back up.

It was like a symbol, a token of solace.

Like Wen Jingzhi’s cool, snow-like eyes, which held a warmth that was fervent and unreserved.

Every time Lin Li held it, she remembered the dripping umbrella and the face that had flashed by outside the car window.

Sometimes when she bumped into a stool and fell onto the carpet, Lin Li would also break down. She hated the feeling of being unable to take care of even the simplest daily tasks.

At such times, she would lie down with her arms spread out and roll around on the carpet.

Just like playing in the snow with her grandmother.

Occasionally, in the confusion of darkness, her thoughts would drift.

She missed her grandmother, Xiao Huan, her older brother and sister, Xiao Xi and her sister.

What was her sister like?

Like the warm, sunny daylight she loved to bask in.

But also like pure white, chilly snow.

She was a child born at the foot of the snow-capped mountains, a “gift from the heavens” whom her grandmother had brought home from the snowy fields, a life intertwined with snow.

She loved snow the most.

Even more than sunlight.

Another week passed, and Lin Li’s condition had improved significantly. Occasionally, when Wen Jingzhi was around, she was willing to feel her way and take a few steps.

The living room was already spacious, and many items had been arranged with consideration for the “blind.” After practicing for so long, she had become familiar with most of them and remembered their positions.

It was just her fear of the dark and the unknown that made her steps hesitant and unconfident.

The white cane had been custom-made long ago, but Wen Jingzhi hadn’t given it to the child yet. She wanted to wait until the little one’s emotions were more stable, worried that it might upset the sensitive child.

During this time, after waking up, Lin Li would get out of bed on her own, feel her way to the door, open it, and stand at the doorway calling for Wen Jingzhi, waiting for her sister to come and carry her.

Perhaps because she had secretly “trained” a bit too late the night before, the door to the child’s bedroom remained tightly shut past seven in the morning.

Wen Jingzhi had intended to check on her but didn’t get the chance her assistant, who had been holding back for half a month, couldn’t resist any longer and barged into the house with the live-streaming equipment.

It wasn’t that the assistant truly dared to act first and ask for permission later.

A couple of days ago, Lin Li’s condition had improved considerably, so Wen Jingzhi had relented and agreed to the live stream. However, she hadn’t specified the exact time. The agency had suggested 8:30 a.m. two days later, but Wen Jingzhi, uncertain about the child’s condition, hadn’t confirmed.

But the fans were making such a fuss that the company was struggling to handle it. Under pressure, the assistant charged over.

Fortunately, Wen Jingzhi understood the situation and didn’t get angry, allowing them to proceed with their preparations.

As it neared eight o’clock, the live-streaming equipment was set up.

After consulting Wen Jingzhi, the assistant posted the pre-written live-stream announcement. Normally, such announcements should be made one or two days in advance, but since their Ms. Wen hadn’t responded to messages, they had held back, not daring to post it.

Approaching the scheduled time, the staff double-checked and adjusted the equipment, while Wen Jingzhi quietly stepped into the child’s bedroom.

A small lump was curled up under the blankets, the sickly little face tucked into the quilt, flushed with sleep.

A soft smile touched the corners of Wen Jingzhi’s eyes as she watched for a moment before leaving.

Wen Jingzhi settled onto the sofa and gestured to the assistant, who immediately led the staff away to rest and wait upstairs.

At 8:30 sharp, the adjusted live-streaming equipment activated on time. The screen, already crowded with nearly a million viewers, slowly brightened, revealing the woman’s cool, snow-like face at the center.

She wore a dark cyan silk blouse, her jet-black hair cascading down her back. Her swan-like neck was slender, and the horizontal line of her collarbone peeked subtly from the neckline.

The live stream lagged for a moment before being instantly flooded with comments.

[Ahhhhhhh, my darling wife is mine!!!]

[Sister Zhizhi, long time no see! How are you? Are you feeling well? Have you been sick?!]

[I just fainted my mom asked what happened, and I said I was struck dumb by my wife’s beauty!]

Wen Jingzhi lowered her gaze slightly, watching the dense barrage of comments on the screen. Her thick, long eyelashes trembled faintly. “Slow down.”

“I can’t see clearly.”

She rarely livestreamed, this was only her second time since starting her career.

The barrage instantly slowed.

[Ahhhh that icy-cold voice of hers!]

[I’m sorry, wifey, I’ll stop right away!]

[Sister Zhizhi, are you really not sick? Why have you been inactive for so long?]

[Why did you leave the awards ceremony so abruptly last time? Did you think the trophy wasn’t worthy?]

[A hater? What a rare sight, sisters!]

“I’m not sick.” Wen Jingzhi tilted her head casually and pressed the inhibitor patch on the back of her neck. “I left suddenly because of an emergency.”

Her heat had arrived two days ago. Today was the third day, and she still felt somewhat fatigued.

[What emergency could be more important than receiving an award?]

[President Wen from Yin Entertainment left too, what’s your relationship?]

[Where did this tactless hater come from?]

[They’re so dumb I almost feel bad roasting them, sisters.]

The barrage remained relatively slow, but messages in the fan group kept pouring in one after another.

[Everyone, don’t mention President Wen!]

[Don’t bring up the trending search with Chen Qing either!]

[Not sure where these haters came from, just ignore them.]

[There are some things Zhizhi hasn’t explicitly addressed let’s pretend we don’t know.]

Wen Jingzhi swept a cold glance over the barrage. “It was indeed more important than the award.” She picked up her vibrating phone, opened it, and took a quick look.

It was a message from Wen Xihe.

[Dearest little sister, should you announce our relationship, or shall I start spreading rumors?]

[Just kidding, if you’re angry, you can just go public with it.]

[What about Xiao You? It’s been so long, and you still won’t let us visit. At least send a photo?]

[Answer me, answer me, answer me!]

[Tch, you ice block!! I’m going to start spreading rumors!]

She had so much free time today, she was actually watching the livestream.

Wen Jingzhi raised an eyebrow, put her phone away without responding, and answered a few questions from fans. At one point, the barrage started repeating, [What could be more important than the award?] Annoyed, she furrowed her brows slightly and parted her lips to speak.

Click.

The sound of a door opening suddenly echoed.

Wen Jingzhi’s brows twitched, and she stopped herself from speaking, turning to look.

A little child wearing dog-print pajamas stood holding onto the doorframe of the bedroom, sniffed the air, and then turned her face precisely in Wen Jingzhi’s direction.

The scent of snow.

Lin Li had accurately located her sister.

Seeing that Wen Jingzhi kept looking away and had fallen silent, the fans grew curious and began asking in the barrage.

The person they were questioning paid them no attention, her gaze fixed intently on the thin, frail-looking child.

Not hearing her sister’s voice, the child tilted her head in confusion.

Wen Jingzhi’s lips curved into a faint smile, thinking how well the pajamas suited the little one. She slowly stood up and asked softly, “Do you want me to come over?”

Why hadn’t she said anything?

[Who is it? Who is it? Who is it ahhhh!]

[Does wifey already have a wifey? Ahhh!]

[I want the icy-cold wifey from earlier! You’re not allowed to be this gentle!]

[I’m so jealous I could grind my teeth to dust!]

The child pursed her lips and shook her head very lightly, then turned and felt her way back into the bedroom. Soon, she reappeared at the door, clutching something in her right hand.

“Sister, stay right there.”

“I’ll come to you.”

This time, it’s my turn to walk toward you.

Wen Jingzhi’s pupils trembled, overwhelmed by a surge of complex emotions, her lips curling into a smile before she could even process it.

Her gaze remained fixed unwaveringly on that small figure as she slowly sat back down.

“Okay, I’ll wait for you.”

[Wait for who, wait for who, wait for who? Wait for me to bring the household register, right? Okay, I’m coming!]

[What sister? What sister? Ahhh, damn it, my heartbreak is so sudden!]

[Wait a minute, this voice sounds a bit young, doesn’t it?]

[Wife fans, calm down first.]

Lin Li took a deep breath, released her grip on the doorframe, and took the first step.

The figure reflected in her light-colored eyes was so frail it seemed a gust of wind could knock her over. Her eyes were covered with thick bandages, and though her steps were unsteady, she faced Lin Li directly, each step resolute.

The snowflakes drifting in the darkness were so pure and clear, emanating a comforting aura.

That was her destination, her final stop.

Her calf brushed against a stool leg, and the small figure swayed slightly. Lin Li’s cold eyes trembled, and her slender, jade-like fingers curled slightly.

The figure steadied herself and took another step.

The person in her line of sight moved slowly but with determination, as if absolutely certain she was there.

Closer.

The final step.

“Sister.” A thin arm lifted, palm open, revealing a slightly misshapen felt bear resting in her pale hand. “I’m here.”

In that instant, the always calm, indifferent eyes, tinged with a chill, surged with emotion.

The child who had endured so much suffering, in the terrifying darkness, had resolutely walked toward her.

The sound of her heartbeat was loud, and an unfamiliar emotion left Wen Jingzhi momentarily speechless.

Was it moved? Or satisfied?

She didn’t know.

She lowered her gaze to the familiar felt bear, let out a soft, amused huff, and reached out to take it. With a swift motion, she wrapped her arm around the child’s waist, pulling her onto her lap and holding her tightly.

“Mhm.” She placed the felt bear on the coffee table and gently ruffled the child’s hair. “You’re here.”

The person in her arms was light, yet her presence weighed heavily on her heart.

Lin Li was also happy, smiling as she groped for her sister’s neck and hugged her. “I’m amazing, right?”

“Mhm, very amazing.”

Lin Li’s cold gaze shifted to the screen, as if finally remembering there was still a live stream.

[Ahhh, this child!]

[I remember now!]

[What happened to her eyes?]

[It’s a child, not a wife!]

[When I saw the child’s back, I was so happy, I really should be ashamed!]

[Ahhh, I really should be ashamed!]

[Is this the so-called illegitimate daughter?]

[Wait, why are you still here?]

[Could she be the one more important than receiving an award?]

“Little sister.” Wen Jingzhi’s right hand cupped the back of the child’s head, gently stroking her soft hair while avoiding the bandages. She replied nonchalantly, “Yes.”

Not an illegitimate daughter, a little sister.

More important than receiving an award.

“Sister?” The child tilted her head in confusion. “Who are you talking to?”

[Wuwu, why is our little sister so thin?]

[Is she not in good health?]

[Poor thing, how did her eyes get injured?]

[That “sister” was so sweet she’s a little sweetheart, ahhh!]

Wen Jingzhi noticed the comment calling Lin Li a “little sweetheart” and curled her lips in an ambiguous smile. She explained to the child, “I’m live streaming.”

“Oh, are you talking to the people on the other side of the screen?” Like the “live stream” when her sister received an award before?

“Mhm.”

Suddenly losing interest, she yawned and nestled against Wen Jingzhi’s shoulder. The latter glanced down at her. “Still sleepy?”

“A little.”

Wen Jingzhi glanced at the time nearly ten o’clock. It was time to prepare lunch and heat the medicine.

“That’s all for today’s livestream. Thank you for your concern.”

[Noooooo, stop, wifey !!!]

Ignoring the chorus of wails, Wen Jingzhi directly ended the broadcast.

Her assistant, who had also been watching the stream, quickly came downstairs as the screen went dark, packed up the equipment, and left.

Only then did Wen Jingzhi pick up Lin Li and stand. Noticing the little bear felt doll on the coffee table, she asked the child, “Why did you give me this?”

The child, unusually shy, bit her lip and whispered, “Because I like you, sis.”

Huh?

What kind of answer was that?

Wen Jingzhi chuckled softly, ruffled the child’s hair, set her down, and headed to the kitchen.

While heating the medicine, the image of the child’s eager, joyful face on the playground flashed before her eyes. She paused, ladle in hand.

She finally understood the meaning behind the child’s answer.

That run in the wind, it was the first time she had knocked on the tightly shut door of the child’s heart.

After placing the medicine on the dining table, Wen Jingzhi walked back to the sofa, picked up the little bear felt doll, held it up before her eyes, and let out a brief laugh.

Looking closely, it was rather cute.

She took the doll into the bedroom, then came back out and scooped up the child, who was sitting cross-legged on the rug, lost in thought.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, the sunlight was just right, illuminating the tall figure by the dining table and the small, slender silhouette beside her, casting long shadows across the soft carpet.

Those shadows stretched and intertwined at a certain point.

Support