Chapter 324: He Seems to Like You
The successful healing was a good thing, but the dozen or so people outside the glass wall stood stunned for over ten seconds.
The scene was actually quite comical.
Someone wanted to laugh, but then Xie Youchen and Baili Jing stepped forward from a corner, both with cold expressions. Any budding laughter was hastily suppressed.
Mo Sinan came to his senses and suppressed a laugh. "Miss Jiang," he asked over the communicator, "what’s going on? Why is he covered in vines and wearing a grass skirt?"
"It’s a long story." Jiang Qingli glanced at Fang Chi, the grown man with the mind of a nine-year-old who was clutching the sleeve of her protective suit. "Just check his condition for now," she said briefly. "Once you confirm he’s stable, take him for treatment. He has a lot of wounds that need to be treated."
"Understood. Please have him remain quiet in there for ten minutes, just like last time."
Mo Sinan nodded and had the researchers send in a few diagnostic instruments.
The moment the diagnostic instruments approached, Fang Chi stepped forward to shield Jiang Qingli. The vines on the ground shot up, taking an aggressive stance.
Jiang Qingli patted his shoulder. "Fang Chi, they’re just for a medical exam. They won’t hurt you."
Fang Chi tilted his head, his expression tense. "Really?"
Only after seeing Jiang Qingli nod did he lower his guard, standing stiffly as the instruments conducted their scans. Still, he kept glancing outside from time to time.
Jiang Qingli assumed he was scared of the uniformed researchers and reassured him, "It’s alright, they’re good people. They’re going to help treat your injuries in a bit."
"That’s not it." Fang Chi shook his head and whispered, "Those two people who aren’t in uniform keep staring at us. It’s kind of scary."
He took another step, blocking Xie Youchen and Baili Jing’s gazes from Jiang Qingli. "It’s okay, Sister Qingli! I’ll protect you!"
Jiang Qingli peeked out from the side and looked over.
Outside the glass wall, Baili Jing waved at her, his smile gentle and warm. Beside him, Xie Youchen’s lips curved slightly, the frost between his brows melting away.
’How are they scary? They seem perfectly friendly.’
Fang Chi gasped as if facing a mortal enemy. "They can change their expressions in a flash!"
Jiang Qingli was exasperated. "That’s my Beast Husband and my brother," she explained. "You don’t need to worry."
Fang Chi nodded, and only then did he lower his guard.
「—」
The test results were relatively stable; Fang Chi’s pollution value had already dropped to 45%.
The glass door opened, and researchers pushed in a gurney, planning to take Fang Chi to the medical bay to treat his wounds.
But Fang Chi clutched the hem of Jiang Qingli’s clothes, refusing to let go no matter what she said and calling out "Sister" a few times.
A handsome man in his twenties, following a girl younger than himself around with a look of pure, foolish innocence. He called her "Sister" over and over, like an unweaned child, yet wore an expression that said it was the most natural thing in the world. The whole scene was bizarre...
Jiang Qingli told Fang Chi to go on ahead, promising she would change her clothes and come right over. Only then did he reluctantly release his grip.
After he was gone, Jiang Qingli briefly explained how Fang Chi had woken up claiming to be nine years old.
"His mind and body likely suffered immense trauma, so he’s instinctively regressing to a carefree, safe childhood," Mo Sinan analyzed thoughtfully. "And you, Miss Jiang, saved his Spiritual Body. As a result, he’s imprinted on you, viewing you as someone he can trust and depend on, but also someone he must protect."
Xie Youchen’s brows furrowed deeper. "How long will it take for him to recover?"
Jiang Qingli wanted to know too.
’Those photos resembling Ye Linyuan that I saw in Fang Chi’s memories... they’re really bothering me.’
Jiang Qingli had asked a few questions earlier while Fang Chi was weaving his grass skirt, but the nine-year-old version of him knew nothing. She would have to wait until his memory returned to get any answers.
One of the researchers looked troubled. "This condition is extremely rare. There were three cases in the Third District two years ago, and none of them have recovered yet..."
Another researcher chimed in, "I seem to recall hearing about a male whose mind regressed to a ten-year-old’s. Expert Xu from the First Royal Hospital treated him, and he recovered in just three years!"
With that, they rushed off to contact him.
Xie Youchen: "..."
Baili Jing smiled. "Well, no need to worry too much. A nine-year-old can be independent. Xiao Li doesn’t have to stay by his side."
A moment later, a researcher entered with leaves scattered all over his head. "Director Mo," he said awkwardly, "Mr. Fang Chi is refusing treatment."
Mo Sinan asked, "Why?"
The researcher said, "...He can’t see Jiang Qingli and suspects we’ve locked her up."
Mo Sinan turned to Jiang Qingli with a pleading look.
Jiang Qingli had no choice but to follow the researcher into the medical bay.
Fang Chi sat on the hospital bed, his eyes holding an innocence that didn’t match his appearance. Seeing Jiang Qingli, he broke into a wide grin. "Sister Qingli, you’re here!"
A few vines lay on the floor, and the doctors each had a leaf or two tangled in their hair. It looked like there had been quite a "fierce battle."
But the moment Jiang Qingli walked in, Fang Chi became perfectly obedient, holding out his arm for the doctor to draw blood.
Jiang Qingli sat beside him and checked his data. It had improved a lot.
About half an hour later, Expert Xu from the Royal Hospital’s psychiatric department rushed over.
Arriving with him was Song Zhizhou.
"Qingli, long time no see!" Song Zhizhou greeted her with a grin. "You’ve gotten even more incredible. To think you can heal a male in this condition. By tomorrow, the entire Star Network will be singing your praises."
He thought of something and lowered his voice. "Though, with your brother’s personality, he definitely won’t want too much news about you getting out. He’s probably afraid someone will get jealous and cause trouble. So petty. What a shame..."
"Shut up," Xie Youchen said coldly.
"What for? If I had such an amazing sister, I’d plaster her face on a banner and carry it around. You’re way too cautious," Song Zhizhou said with a shrug. "You’re even more controlling than her actual husband."
Jiang Qingli: "..."
Xie Youchen narrowed his dark eyes dangerously.
Song Zhizhou didn’t understand what had made him angry, but he still meekly went outside to strike up a conversation with the other researchers.
After finishing his examination, Expert Xu left the room to report to Mo Sinan.
Fang Chi looked up at Jiang Qingli. "Sister, can you ask them to leave? I have a secret to tell you."
After the two men reluctantly left, Jiang Qingli asked, "What secret? Did you remember something?"
"Come here." Fang Chi beckoned to her.
Jiang Qingli bent over and leaned her ear closer, waiting with some anticipation.
Fang Chi lowered his voice. "I think... the one in the black clothes is your husband. He seems to like you."
Jiang Qingli paused, her gaze shifting to the other side of the glass window. Xie Youchen, dressed all in black, was watching them with a frown. Beside him, Baili Jing, in a white casual shirt, smiled at her.
’Compared to him, Baili Jing seems gentler, a better fit for the ’brother’ image.’
Fang Chi pulled back his gaze and continued, "The one in white clothes, your brother, seems to like you too."
Jiang Qingli pressed on his head, pushing him away gently. The tips of her ears grew warm. "What’s a kid doing gossiping about things like that? Just focus on your exams and take your medicine so you can get better soon."
"Will you come see me again then?"
’There should be a few more healing sessions,’ Jiang Qingli thought. "If you take your medicine like you’re supposed to and cooperate with the doctors’ exams," she said, "I’ll come see you the day after tomorrow."
"Okay!"
Fang Chi agreed, then uncertainly held out his pinky. "Pinky swear."
He only relaxed after she linked her pinky with his.
Outside the glass window, Song Zhizhou watched the scene unfold, then glanced at Xie Youchen. Something didn’t feel right. "Hey," he probed, "you’re not getting jealous, are you?"