Chapter 36 – Leave it to me

When Bian Ji woke up again, he saw the hospital’s somewhat dirty ceiling and the glaring overhead lights.

Several people in police uniforms stood around him, there to investigate the traffic accident. Although there was only one surveillance camera in the area and it was far away, it had basically captured the incident. The blind spots would need to be supplemented with evidence from on-site inspections.

Before leaving, the police instructed the injured to rest well. Bian Ji tried to get up to see them off but was stopped by a nurse, “You’d better not move right now.”

“How’s my friend?” Bian Ji asked anxiously, “The tall one, wearing black!”

The nurse pointed outside, “Mainly his arm was hit, but his injuries were lighter than yours. As long as the wounds are disinfected and don’t come in contact with water, he’ll be fine.”

Bian Ji let out a sigh of relief, “Where is he?”

“He probably went to handle your hospitalization procedures. Later, he has to make a statement,” the nurse checked his IV drip and warned, “Lie still, don’t run around.”

Yan Ankuo had been busy for nearly an hour before he could return to the ward. His left arm was wrapped in bandages, and there was a plaster on his right forehead.

Bian Ji looked at his bandages, his eyebrows knitted together, “Where did you get hurt?”

Yan Ankuo sat beside Bian Ji’s bed, gently supporting his right knee, and instead of answering, he asked, “Does it hurt?”

“No pain,” Bian Ji shook his head.

“Tell the truth,” Yan Ankuo stared into his eyes, making it hard for him to hide anything.

Bian Ji could only obediently say, “A little bit.”

“The doctor said you didn’t injure any bones, but you’ll need at least two weeks of rest before you can move freely,” Yan Ankuo raised his foot higher, his eyes filled with heartache and restraint, “Give me your foot.”

Yan Ankuo’s expression was neutral, but his voice trembled heavily. Seeing Bian Ji didn’t react, he reached out further, “Give it to me.”

At least Bian Ji didn’t persist; he relaxed and allowed Yan Ankuo to press around his ankle.

“You’ll need to promote blood circulation over the next few days. I’ll help you press for now. If necessary later, we’ll call in a nurse.”

“I don’t need it. Your own arm is still bandaged, don’t bother.”

“Don’t move,” Yan Ankuo interrupted him firmly before Bian Ji could protest, “Is it still painful like this?”

“Hiss…” Bian Ji frowned, “Painful.”

Yan Ankuo’s face practically spelled out the words ‘soft-hearted’; he couldn’t bear to see Bian Ji like this and wished he could take the suffering for him.

“I just finished checking the surveillance footage with the police. The driver who hit us seems to be Wu Hongying’s ex-husband, but we can’t confirm it yet.” Yan Ankuo rarely spoke to Bian Ji in such a serious tone, as if explaining a criminal premise to a judge.

“Your divorce case client?” Bian Ji remembered Yan Ankuo mentioning some details about the case.

Yan Ankuo nodded, “Yes. Regardless, this time it was definitely aimed at me. I’m sorry for getting you injured like this. Consider it a favor I owe you.”

Bian Ji was stunned by what he said and shook his hand, “It’s not your fault. Who could have predicted this? There’s no need to talk about owing favors between us, don’t worry about it.”

Yan Ankuo waved his hand noncommittally and tucked the blanket around him.

“I’ll bring you meals during your hospital stay,” he said decisively, “Don’t move around by yourself.”

Bian Ji wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, “Aren’t you working? I can…”

“You can’t do it alone,” Yan Ankuo cut him off firmly, “Lie down properly.”

Bian Ji had no choice but to lie still. Yan Ankuo told him he would arrive at six in the evening. Bian Ji said “Okay,” and Yan Ankuo asked if there were any friends he wanted to notify to visit him. Bian Ji didn’t want to bother others, shook his head, and said it wasn’t necessary. Yan Ankuo then instructed the nurse to change the water and call someone when needed, turned on the TV, put on the film Bian Ji liked last time, and went to work.

Although they hadn’t been deliberately notified, Nie Hang and the others could obtain news of Bian Ji’s injury through the sick leave application. After getting off the plane, they called immediately to ask what happened. Bian Ji gave them the hospital room number, and soon everyone arrived.

In addition to Nie Hang, several colleagues who usually got along well also came. The small ward was crowded with five people, all carrying supplements, making it difficult for anyone to move.

Bian Ji said helplessly, “It’s just a minor injury, don’t worry.”

Nie Hang exploded directly, “This is a minor injury? This was a car accident! You almost broke a bone!”

Bian Ji kept saying “it’s not that serious” while trying to adjust the hospital bed so they could sit on chairs by the bedside. Nie Hang hurriedly said “don’t move,” Bian Ji smiled bitterly, “I’m just moving around, I’ve been lying down for too long and I’m anxious.”

“What’s the rush for? A patient should be lying down!” Nie Hang insisted.

Bian Ji could only let himself be taken care of, answering each question from Nie Hang, roughly understanding the current situation.

“You’re really unlucky,” Nie Hang couldn’t help but say, “Where’s Yan Ankuo? He left you here alone?”

Bian Ji was about to explain that it wasn’t like that, he had left a nurse, and that Yan Ankuo would be back soon.

Before he could speak, the door opened.

Yan Ankuo pushed the door open, seemingly responding to Nie Hang’s words, asking Bian Ji, “Have you eaten dinner?”

Bian Ji shook his head, “Not yet.”

“I brought stewed soup and ribs, does it suit your taste?” Yan Ankuo asked.

Bian Ji propped himself up to look, hesitating to say, “I… I’ll just have some soup.”

As soon as Yan Ankuo arrived, Nie Hang and the group of colleagues felt awkward and said they didn’t want to disturb, preparing to leave.

Bian Ji called out for them to take back the supplements, but naturally, no one responded. They all wished him a speedy recovery, exchanged pleasantries for a while, before Bian Ji retracted his gaze.

“Are they all your colleagues?” Yan Ankuo asked.

Bian Ji laughed, “Yeah, they must have seen the sick leave form I submitted and guessed, insisting on coming to see me.”

“You have really good relationships with people,” Yan Ankuo suddenly said this, and Bian Ji sensed something hidden in his words.

“It’s alright,” Bian Ji said tactfully, “So I’m used to being pampered and don’t know how to pursue people very well.”

Yan Ankuo raised his eyebrows, retreated a few centimeters, and looked at him from a distance, “Really? Didn’t seem that way.”

“Attorney Yan thinks I’m quite skilled?” Bian Ji went on the offensive, “Praising me?”

Yan Ankuo didn’t bite, putting on half of his earphones, seemingly making a work call. When he closed his laptop, Bian Ji said, “If you’re busy, you can go home first. I can manage myself here.”

Yan Ankuo shook his head, changing the subject, “It was Wu Hongying who called just now.”

Bian Ji showed concern, “Her ex-husband… feels like his mental state isn’t very stable. Has she been affected?”

“No, she went to her relatives’ place in Hong Kong with her child last week. Her ex-husband couldn’t find them, so they escaped this disaster.”

“That’s good,” Bian Ji nodded, “What’s his name again? Yuan Dong? He’s crazy enough, couldn’t find the client, so he came to take revenge on the lawyer representing her. I wonder what he was thinking.”

“He’s crazy, and stupid,” Yan Ankuo said, the severity in his eyes suddenly becoming very evident, “If this was really him, it was originally just a civil dispute. With this, the nature needs to be reassessed.”

Bian Ji was startled, “That serious? Is there anything I can do?”

“Take care of your injuries,” Yan Ankuo returned to a warmer tone, “Leave the rest to me.”