Chapter 246: Heartwarming Daily Life

The smell of disinfectant in the hospital was still heavy.

Yang Yixie, familiar with the place, entered his mother's ward and gently pushed the door open.

On the sickbed, his mother Zhiruo was staring out the window, lost in thought.

Hearing the door open, she turned her head, and upon seeing Yang Yixie, a smile immediately appeared on her face.

"Xiao Xie is here."

"Mom," Yang Yixie walked to the bedside, placed the insulated bag on the nightstand, "How do you feel? Are you better today?"

"Much better, really." Zhiruo grasped her son's hand and gave it a gentle pat.

"It's just that lying here for so long is a bit stifling, Xiao Xie. Mom wants to be discharged and convalesce at home."

Faced with Zhiruo's sudden request, Yang Yixie's expression showed little change; his gaze swept the ward, finding no other people.

"Didn't the doctor say it's best to observe a few more days? And what about Aunt Wang?"

Zhiruo's eyes flickered for a moment.

"It seems Aunt Wang's family was attacked by Aberrant Species, and the hospital hasn't been peaceful lately… I heard from the nurses that the hospital even cleared several floors to isolate those injured by Aberrant Species."

She paused, her gaze dropping slightly.

"Besides, you're alone at home, and Mom worries… It's so chaotic outside now."

Yang Yixie instantly understood.

His mother's request to be discharged, besides fearing for his safety, was also to return home and see with her own eyes that he hadn't been drawn into that game.

His older brother was far away in the capital, so his mother could only place all her hope on him.

Yang Yixie didn't reveal anything, just nodded.

"I'll ask the doctor; if the doctor says he can convalesce at home, we'll go home."

"Alright, then we'll follow the doctor's advice."

Yang Yixie found his mother's attending physician and explained the situation.

The middle‑aged female doctor, after listening, simply pushed her glasses back and sighed.

"Your mother's vital signs are currently fairly stable; the main issue remains chronic overthinking, requiring rest and regulation."

The doctor glanced at Yang Yixie, her tone sincere.

"Given the current situation outside… the state suddenly announced such shocking news; not only patients, many medical staff are mentally in disarray themselves."

"Your mother is emotionally sensitive, so feeling uneasy is normal. If she convalesces at home, having family around might aid her recovery."

She paused, then added.

"However, be sure to schedule regular follow‑up examinations, and give her more a sense of security; that's crucial to her condition."

"I understand, thank you, doctor," Yang Yixie said solemnly, expressing his gratitude.

Since the decision was made, the discharge paperwork would be handled that afternoon.

Yang Yixie carefully supported his mother, carrying a modest bundle of luggage as they left the hospital.

On the taxi ride home, Zhiruo kept staring at the passing street scenery, silent, yet she never let go of Yang Yixie's hand.

"Mom," Yang Yixie spoke up, breaking the silence.

"There's something I need to tell you: I have a friend who might stay at our house for a few days soon."

"A friend?" Zhiruo turned her head, a bit surprised.

Since her husband passed away, Yang Yixie's demeanor had changed; he now preferred staying home to read rather than going out, and certainly didn't bring friends over.

"Well, it's a gaming buddy I met online; we've known each other for many years," Yang Yixie explained, trying to keep his tone relaxed and natural.

"You call him Xi Ren Sheng; he's a bit over the top, and something came up on his end recently, so I invited him to stay for a few days."

Hearing this, Zhiruo's face broke into a gentle smile.

"That's the 'Xi Ren Sheng' you mentioned a few times before, right? Mom remembers you talked about him a lot since middle school."

"It's fine; we have a spare room, just need to tidy it up, but…" she laughed shyly, "Mom's cooking might not suit your younger tastes."

"I'll handle the cooking, and he won't be picky at all."

A faint smile lifted the corner of Yang Yixie's mouth.

"Also, his hair is dyed a rather eye‑catching color; Mom, don't be startled when you see it."

Zhiruo was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter.

"Dyeing hair… young people chase individuality; Mom understands."

They returned home and opened the door.

When they entered, Xi Ren Sheng was still lying on the sofa, a noisy variety show playing on the TV, but he was boredly rolling around on the couch.

Seeing Yang Yixie supporting a slightly pale woman entering, he was momentarily stunned, then as if electrocuted he sprang up from the sofa, not knowing where to place his limbs.

The exaggerated expression he habitually wore vanished completely.

"A‑Aunt, hello!"

Xi Ren Sheng stood up straight, his voice eight notes more proper than usual, and his once‑brash green hair now looked a bit comical as he strained to appear well‑behaved.

Zhiruo looked at the young man with vivid green hair, whose expression was unusually tense, first blinking slightly, then a kindly smile blossomed on her face.

"So you're 'Xiao Xi'? Xiao Xie often mentions you; don't just stand, have a seat."

Her voice was warm and gentle, carrying a magic that could make anyone relax instantly.

"Xiao Xie said you'd be staying a few days? Treat this place as your own home; our house is a bit small, so don't feel slighted."

"Not at all, not at all! Aunt, you're too kind!"

Xi Ren Sheng quickly waved his hand, his face flushing slightly, stealing a glance at Yang Yixie, his eyes full of awe and envy.

No wonder his partner has to act cute at home; his partner's mother is so gentle and beautiful, he can't let Hua Jian Lei see.

In front of Zhiruo, he completely lost the joking demeanor he showed before Yang Yixie, behaving as obedient as a cat that has retracted its claws.

Mom, you sit first, have some water.

Yang Yixie helped his mother sit on the sofa and poured a cup of warm water.

Xirensheng, with good eyesight, promptly handed over the TV remote.

Auntie, what are you watching? I'll adjust it for you.

Just casually watch; I don't understand the shows you young people watch.

Zhiruo smiled as she took the remote, switched to a channel playing an old TV drama, and set the volume not too loud.

The atmosphere instantly became warm and cozy.

Xirensheng sat properly on the single sofa at the side, back straight, hands on his knees.

He occasionally glanced at Zhiruo with his peripheral vision, then quickly looked away.

Yang Yixie went to the kitchen to reheat the food, and the three of them ate a simple dinner together.

Zhiruo occasionally used the communal chopsticks to serve Xirensheng food, naturally asking about his family situation; Xirensheng vaguely said his parents were busy working away, and he was used to living alone.

She advised Xirensheng that young people should also pay attention to eating on time, and eat more to be able to withstand things.

Xirensheng gradually relaxed from the initial nervousness, also proactively picked two trivial funny stories from his college days, embellished them as ordinary college student daily life to tell Zhiruo, making Zhiruo laugh lightly several times.