Feng Jiu’er returned to the bedside and wrapped her fingers around Jian Yi’s wrist, feeling for his pulse.

That faint, fragile heartbeat felt like a warning — things truly could not be put off any longer.

The surgery had reached the point of absolute urgency.

“Jian Yi.” Feng Jiu’er knelt half upright on the bed, both hands clasping Jian Yi’s palm and pressing it to her own heart. “Can you hear me speaking?”

“I am going to perform surgery on you. We agreed — the surgery must happen. Do you still remember?”

“It’s all my fault! If I hadn’t been sleeping in so late, you would never have been injured again trying to save me.”

She rubbed his large palm, which held almost no warmth. “Jian Yi, won’t you give me some response?”

“Truth be told, I’m a little afraid. I’m worried you won’t wake up. I’m worried about what it would be like without you there beside me, chattering away.”

“If I fail to bring you back, Qiaomu will never forgive me — and I’ll have put in all this effort for nothing, won’t I?”

“Jian Yi, you have to keep holding on. For my sake, for the sake of every family member who cares about you — you have to keep holding on. Do you hear me?”

Feng Jiu’er had no wish to cry — yet somehow, even her voice was catching in her throat.

“Jian Yi, can you hear me? I said: I am going to operate on you.”

“The surgery carries a certain degree of risk. Are you also willing to take that risk?”

“Jian Yi — if you agree, gently move your eyelids. Tell me — do you agree?”

Feng Jiu’er reached out one hand and softly stroked Jian Yi’s face, pale yet still bearing the marks of refined features.

“Look at you — you’re so handsome. If you were truly to die, what a waste that would be. I don’t want you to die, which is exactly why the surgery must be arranged at once.”

“But my opinion alone cannot be the whole of it. I want to hear yours too.”

She softly touched his face again, and Feng Jiu’er drew in a long breath, working hard to hold herself together.

“Jian Yi, I know you can hear me. If you agree to the surgery, move your eyelids — just once is enough.”

“If I have your agreement, I will go into the surgery with far more confidence. You know that, don’t you?”

“Jian Yi…”

Feng Jiu’er was about to say more when she suddenly saw Jian Yi’s eyelids truly flutter.

She rubbed her eyes, afraid she had imagined it — yet when she looked again with full attention, she saw it: a single glistening tear sliding from the corner of his eye.

Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips tightly together, refusing to let herself weep.

She blinked rapidly, trying to ease the wave of emotion surging through her.

“Jian Yi, you can hear me, can’t you? You truly heard me.”

Her nose was a little congested. Feng Jiu’er opened her mouth and let out a slow breath.

“I knew you could hear me. Jian Yi — you are stronger than so many people. Do you know that?”

“I knew you could hear me. I knew it.”

Watching a second tear slide from the corner of his eye, Feng Jiu’er leaned close and gently wiped it away.

“Jian Yi, I’m not afraid anymore! Because you are here too. You’ve given your agreement — and so I am not afraid.”

“You don’t need to be afraid either. Back then, meeting me was your fortune; and now, meeting me must still be your fortune.”

After wiping his right cheek, Feng Jiu’er stood up and wiped his left cheek as well.

She could feel it clearly — Jian Yi’s inner breath had shifted. He had truly heard her words. He had truly understood them. This was no coincidence.

“Jian Yi, in a little while we will fight through this together. Once we’re past it, there are so many good days still waiting for us.”

“You said I only need to eat and not worry about a thing. You had better not go back on your word — is that clear?”

Seeing Jian Yi’s eyelids flutter once more, Feng Jiu’er bit down on her lip, barely holding back tears.

She wiped his cheeks again and crouched down beside him, cradling his palm in both her hands, watching him without blinking as the storm in her chest slowly, steadily calmed.

By the time Huo Baixue entered, Feng Jiu’er’s emotions had settled considerably.

She casually wiped the corner of her eye, tucked Jian Yi’s palm back under the covers, rose, turned, and looked at the person who had entered.

“Jiu’er, take a look — are any of these suitable?” Huo Baixue carried the tray over to her.

Feng Jiu’er took the tray and set it on the low table, then crouched down beside it.

She studied the cups with great focus for a moment, then pointed to the one in the middle and looked up at Huo Baixue.

“This one is a match. Baixue — do you still remember which brother this blood belongs to?”

Huo Baixue leaned down and drew out a small leaf from beneath the cup.

“I will bring him in right away.”

“Good.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “Baixue — such great kindness needs no words of thanks. Once this battle is over, I will find a proper way to repay you.”

“We’re all on the same side here. No need for such formalities.” Huo Baixue said, turning to leave.

Shortly after, Huo Baixue not only brought in the soldier, but behind her and the soldier came three physicians as well.

“Jiu’er, the physicians say everything you asked them to prepare — everything that could be prepared — has been readied.” Huo Baixue glanced back at the physicians and gave a wave of her hand.

The several physicians went over and placed the medicine cases they had brought in, along with some medicinal materials they were carrying, on the table not far off.

“Miss Jiu’er, please look these over,” one of the physicians said softly.

Feng Jiu’er nodded, set down what she was doing, and immediately turned to go and inspect them.

Those in the tent said nothing, all eyes fixed on Feng Jiu’er, waiting for her instructions.

A person who had already lost his pulse, and yet could actually be brought back to life — this was something none of those present had ever heard of before. Everyone there held deep respect for this young woman standing before them, petite in frame and small in stature.

Even those who knew nothing at all about her background held their questions.

“The medicinal materials — these for the time being are approximately what we need. Please take them out to be prepared and brewed.” After inspecting them carefully for a while, Feng Jiu’er said quietly.

“Understood, Miss Jiu’er.” One of the physicians stepped forward with a nod.

“Yes, Miss Jiu’er.” The other two physicians followed.

“Remember — these are for the medicinal bath, these are for internal use, and these are for external application. Do not mix them up under any circumstances, and the dosage must be strictly measured.”

Feng Jiu’er sorted the medicinal materials and let her gaze fall on the equipment inside one of the medicine cases.

“Understood — we are clear.” One of the physicians nodded in response.

“Is the bathing tub prepared? It must be large enough, and deep enough — the water needs to reach above the patient’s heart,” Feng Jiu’er added.

“Miss Jiu’er, we have already found one suitable,” another physician replied.

“Good. Off you go — you have all worked hard.” Feng Jiu’er gave a wave of her hand.

Now that the decision had been made, she allowed no further second-guessing. What mattered most was that Jian Yi had also agreed.

“Baixue, are you able to stay and help? It may take at least two hours.”

“Of course — I can stay.” Huo Baixue nodded and glanced back at the soldier who had entered with her. “You rest for a while. Wait for further instructions.”

“Yes, General.” The soldier gave a nod and went to sit down on a chair not far off.

Huo Baixue said nothing more, and walked over to Feng Jiu’er’s side.

“Jiu’er, whatever you need — just say the word.”