Zhen Jiu’er didn’t know how to answer this question.
There was nothing wrong with the nerves in Young Master Jiu’s legs, but the expression on his face as he spoke now held not the slightest hint of joking.
He truly couldn’t stand — it wasn’t an act?
“Nine— um, Young Master Jiu, would you like to try?”
Was it that he’d been in the wheelchair so long that, subconsciously, he believed he couldn’t stand?
“Also, Young Master Jiu’s legs have always been kept well-exercised…”
“The doctor gave advice — daily exercise is required.”
Lu Beicheng closed his laptop, his long finger pressing a button on the wheelchair.
The wheelchair immediately rose, turned, and extended its armrests.
Bracing himself on the armrests, Lu Beicheng stood up.
But Zhen Jiu’er saw it clearly — all his strength was in his arms; his legs seemed to have no power in them at all.
“Young Master Jiu—”
“I can try.” Knowing what she wanted to say, Lu Beicheng eased the strength in his arms slightly, attempting to support his body with his legs.
But his arms quickly returned to bearing the full weight, his legs unable to find any strength.
His expression didn’t change, his manner remaining natural — only, between his brows, there appeared a faint, barely perceptible touch of cold pride.
This man was proud — he would absolutely never reveal his vulnerable side in front of others.
And so, the moment he realized his legs couldn’t bear weight, he gave up at once.
“Young Master Jiu, honestly… even if the attempt fails, no one would laugh at you.”
Lu Beicheng said nothing, but his expression grew far colder than before.
The wheelchair’s armrests lowered, and he settled quietly back down, his expression unchanged from start to finish.
Zhen Jiu’er sighed silently.
Faced with such a proud patient, she had no idea how to offer comfort.
“It’s fine, there’s still plenty of time ahead, later…”
“It’s late.” he suddenly said.
Jiu’er had no choice but to stand up: “Then I’ll head back first. Young Master Jiu, rest early—”
Footsteps sounded from outside, along with voices in conversation — Ji Mingyu and Qin Fei had arrived.
“Young Master Jiu—”
Seeing Jiu’er there too, Ji Mingyu nodded at her, saying gently, “Miss Jiu’er, still not resting? We set out early tomorrow morning, best to sleep soon.”
Good rest meant the stamina to keep up.
“I just finished checking Young Master Jiu’s legs, and I’m about to head back to rest now.” Jiu’er packed up her medicine kit.
Ji Mingyu’s expression turned strange: “You… checked Young Master Jiu’s legs?”
He glanced furtively at Lu Beicheng.
Young Master Jiu’s face showed not the slightest expression.
Ji Mingyu didn’t dare say another word, didn’t dare ask anything more.
Young Master Jiu’s legs — ever since three years ago, no doctor had been permitted to examine them.
No one knew why.
Miss Jiu’er was the first doctor in three years to examine him!
Truly something out of the ordinary!
“I’ll head back to rest now.” Zhen Jiu’er picked up her medicine kit and made to leave.
Qin Fei saw her off, saying with a smile, “You go on to sleep, I’ll be back soon.”
“…”
The atmosphere inside the tent suddenly turned strange.
Ji Mingyu, extremely sensitive to such things, immediately felt a chill run down his spine.
Qin Fei, a little slow to catch on, having seen Zhen Jiu’er off, came back and said to Lu Beicheng with a smile, “Young Master Jiu, we just checked the surroundings out there, nothing—”
“So you’re saying you have a lot of free time tonight?” Lu Beicheng’s gaze darkened slightly.
The smile on Qin Fei’s lips froze in an instant.
“Y-Young Master Jiu, I didn’t—” What did Young Master Jiu mean by that?
Heavens!
Why was Young Master Jiu’s gaze so terrifying? Had he done something wrong?
“Young Master Jiu—”
Lu Beicheng flicked his fingertips, his tone icy: “Since you have so much free time, you can stand guard tonight — and don’t come within a hundred paces of the camp.”