Zhuo Yun's injuries were not serious; her coma was mostly due to recalling some past events.
Luan Yu was not so lucky. She was already severely injured and not fully recovered. This time, she had exhausted her strength to open the interdimensional gate to help Zhuo Yun send those things back. Her body was completely drained. She lay in the hospital for a day and a night before waking up.
Dong Ling Sui was very unfamiliar with this world and understood nothing of human relationships or customs. He had also heard them say that suspicious behavior could attract unwanted attention, so the only thing he could do was stay by Luan Yu's side.
When Luan Yu woke up, she saw a furry head beside her, nodding off little by little.
"Hey..."
She hadn't expected her voice to be so hoarse and weak, and her throat hurt when she spoke.
But this movement still startled Dong Ling Sui awake.
He opened his eyes and looked at her with some confusion. The moment he saw she was awake, he immediately became alert. "You, you're awake!"
Luan Yu weakly gestured towards the water beside her. "Water."
Dong Ling Sui quickly got the water cup and held it to her with a straw so she could drink a little. Although he was not very familiar with it, a person who genuinely wanted to take care of someone would not make too many mistakes.
Luan Yu felt her throat was no longer so dry, so she stopped. After he put down the water cup, she asked, "How long... have I slept?"
"A day and a night."
She shifted upwards, wanting to sit up. Dong Ling Sui understood and quickly helped her sit up straight, getting pillows for her to lean on.
"Where's Zhuo Yun? How is she?"
"She woke up long ago. Her injuries weren't serious." Dong Ling Sui hesitated, then said earnestly, "You should really look at yourself more. When we were in Jin Yong, you never sustained such serious injuries."
"I didn't want to get hurt either," Luan Yu said weakly. "How could I know I'd be so unlucky? I encountered two powerful enemies consecutively, and they were both my bane. Truly, I shouldn't have come back if I'd known."
Dong Ling Sui was stunned for a moment, then asked, "We, how... Who are you, exactly?"
They had already died of old age in that world. Although his life had been full of hardship, after enduring tribulations, he had found true love and stayed together for life. He had achieved a high position and would be remembered for generations to come. In truth, he had no regrets.
He never expected that after his long slumber, he would return to his youth.
Luan Yu smiled at him. "Is it a bit late to ask that now?"
Dong Ling Sui pursed his lips and remained silent.
Luan Yu stopped teasing him. "Although I'd really like to tell you now, I honestly don't have the strength. I need to discuss something with Zhuo Yun. Go and call her for me."
Dong Ling Sui sat still.
"I swear, after this is resolved, I'll tell you."
"You're not well yet, can you stop worrying about those things?"
Luan Yu then realized he was concerned about her and smiled. "I'm fine. The situation is urgent, and I need to discuss it with her now. Be a good boy."
Dong Ling Sui still said nothing.
As they were in a stalemate, voices could be heard from the doorway, and then the hospital room door was knocked.
Luan Yu glanced at Dong Ling Sui and said helplessly, "Come in."
As expected, Zhuo Yun was at the door, followed by several other people, including Zhu Zhongyan, Sheng Qingchi, and Quan Shaocheng from that night.
However, Luan Yu had been severely injured and disoriented that night, so she couldn't see clearly and didn't quite remember him.
"You're awake, how do you feel?"
Luan Yu smiled weakly. "Still not dead. How about you?"
"I'm fine."
The group sat down, and Luan Yu said to Zhuo Yun, "I thought you were injured fighting those monsters. I was about to pass out from exhaustion, and you beat me to it, making me afraid to faint."
There was a hint of jest in her words, trying to lighten the somber atmosphere.
"I recalled some past events." Zhuo Yun didn't intend to elaborate. "The situation has improved somewhat these past two days, but I still have a bad feeling. I want to take the initiative. Can you find them?"
"Although I'd love to help you, I can't go anywhere right now."
Their conversation was somewhat cryptic, and the others couldn't quite understand.
"We'll talk about this when you're better," Dong Ling Sui said.
He looked at the others, his gaze falling on Zhuo Yun. "She's injured and needs to rest for a while. Can't we wait?"
Sheng Qingchi said sternly, "Those ordinary people can't wait."
They had met before, but they weren't close.
Sheng Qingchi hadn't had a good night's sleep in days. The fatigue was evident on his face, and his tone carried a sense of urgency. "I know you two are very powerful, with abilities beyond my comprehension. You are the only ones who can quell this crisis. I hope you can persevere, for the sake of those ordinary people, please."
His tone shifted from initial impatience to a plea. His eyes behind his glasses were red, whether from lack of sleep or the crushing weight of this crisis. An indescribable sense of dejection emanated from him.
Dong Ling Sui fell silent.
Zhuo Yun said firmly, "We will find a way. You must also save yourselves. This crisis has been brewing for a long time."
Ultimately, the origin of the alien crisis was the collective karma of humanity, a disaster they brought upon themselves. She could resolve the calamities that originated from her.
Everything that "she" had created, perhaps a part of herself that had been stripped away, in order to retaliate against her.
These things, she would resolve.
Not for merit points.
"You should go back and rest. I don't think they will return in the immediate future. 002 will handle other matters perfectly. Everything is stable now, and you should pay attention to your physical condition."
Sheng Qingchi lowered his head and left. His retreating figure gave the impression of being so frail that he could collapse at any moment.
Quan Shaocheng remained in the ward.
It was then that Luan Yu noticed him, looking puzzled. "And who is this?"
Quan Shaocheng choked, looking at her in disbelief. "You forgot?"
Dong Ling Sui's gaze flickered between the two of them, a subtle change in his expression.
Zhuo Yun couldn't help but say, "He's the one who brought you back that day."
Luan Yu realized belatedly. "Oh, it's you. Thank you!"
Quan Shaocheng: "..."