Chapter 160

Chapter 160: The Door to Rebirth in the Apocalypse – Full Novel Website

Chapter 160

“Don’t let the wound touch water before it heals, and avoid eating stimulating and spicy foods. UC Novel Network: It’s best to stay in the hospital for a few more days for observation and a detailed physical examination,” the doctor instructed while noting down the precautions. “But it’s really strange. Given how severe her external injuries are, she should have broken a few bones by now.”

After the doctor left, Ji Qige turned to Ji Jiuzhe and asked, “Should I investigate?” His face was grim, clearly referring to the origin of Gu Ning’s injuries.

Before Ji Jiuzhe could respond, Ji Zhaotang, who had been observing quietly, exploded with anger. “Investigate! Why not?! Ninth Sister-in-law has been beaten up like this! This is the capital, right under our noses. How could we let Ninth Sister-in-law suffer like this?” He didn’t even know Gu Ning’s name and just referred to her as “Ninth Sister-in-law.”

Ji Jiuzhe didn’t correct Ji Zhaotang’s address and said, “No need. I’ll handle this matter.” He knew better than anyone how Gu Ning got injured. Letting them investigate would only lead to more trouble.

“You can go back now. I’ll stay here.”

Ji Qige knew it was inappropriate for them to stay and said, “Alright, call me if anything comes up. I’ll be available anytime.”

Then he dragged the confused Ji Zhaotang away.

Ji Jiuzhe turned and entered the ward. Gu Ning, wearing a light blue striped hospital gown, lay quietly on the bed, sleeping soundly. Her already pale face looked almost transparent. Her wounds had been treated, but there were few patches of unblemished skin exposed, covered in scratches everywhere.

Ji Jiuzhe sat down on the chair beside the bed and quietly watched Gu Ning.

During the few hours of her coma, he had traveled to another world—a cruel apocalypse with decaying faces and walking corpses—ending in a pitch-black night sky.

When he woke up, he didn’t open his eyes immediately. Two sets of memories intertwined in his mind, eventually merging completely.

Yet, he didn’t experience any mental confusion. Instead, he calmly connected the image of Gu Ning appearing out of nowhere on the monitor. By the time he opened his eyes, he had pieced everything together, forming a clear picture.

When Gu Ning disappeared from this world, she appeared in another. The time she disappeared in that world existed in this one. Last time she went missing without reason, she had gone to the apocalypse. At that time, her special ability had vanished, preventing her from returning, which allowed him to catch the loophole.

The first time he saw her in the apocalypse, she had already been infected with the zombie virus but disappeared right before his gun. If he wasn’t mistaken, that was her first time traveling from the apocalypse to this world.

She must be exhausted.

Ji Jiuzhe thought, looking at the deeply sleeping Gu Ning. He couldn’t imagine the immense pressure her petite body had endured. She was covered in injuries, with the most severe being her elbows, where large chunks of flesh had been scraped off, leaving bloody wounds stuck to her clothes. Even Ji Jiuzhe winced while cleaning her wounds, but Gu Ning didn’t make a sound, only gripping the bed frame so tightly that her hands turned white.

She was much stronger than any girl he had ever known—strong and resilient, as if it had become a habit. But how many tears had she held back to make it a habit? Ji Jiuzhe felt a pang of heartache. He didn’t say anything, just silently took Gu Ning’s hand from the bed frame and held it tightly.

“Seventh Brother, I finally understand why Ninth Brother never showed interest in any of the girls we introduced to him before,” Ji Zhaotang suddenly blurted out from the passenger seat.

Ji Qige was silent for a moment, then said, “Gu Ning is a girl who evokes sympathy. What’s even rarer is that this is the first time your Ninth Brother has liked a girl in so many years. This time, Gu Ning suffered so much. Even though your Ninth Brother doesn’t say it, when have you ever seen him with that expression? He must be heartbroken. Later, get something nice to show your respect to your future Ninth Sister-in-law.”

“Do I need you to tell me that? If she really ends up with Ninth Brother, even if she asks for the moon as a dowry, I’ll pluck it from the sky for her!” Ji Zhaotang said matter-of-factly. After a while, he asked, “Should we tell Auntie about this? She’s been pestering me for information recently.”

Ji Qige replied, “Let’s wait a bit. Gu Ning is all bruised up now, not suitable for meeting the elders. Besides, Gu Ning hasn’t agreed to be with your Ninth Brother yet. Having the family come over uninvited would be too rude.”

When Gu Ning woke up, it was already dusk, with the setting sun hanging halfway over the distant buildings.

She blinked a few times before her consciousness gradually cleared. She turned her head slightly and saw Ji Jiuzhe standing by the window, gazing outside. From her angle, his profile was as sharp as a statue, with the soft golden glow of the sunset casting a gentle light on his usually stern features.

Sensing Gu Ning’s gaze, Ji Jiuzhe turned to look at her. Their eyes met halfway, locking in a quiet stare.

“You’ve been asleep for a day,” Ji Jiuzhe said as he walked over. Seeing Gu Ning trying to sit up, he naturally slid one arm under her back and the other under her knees, lifting her into a sitting position. He even smoothed her messy hair, causing Gu Ning to stiffen.

“Hungry?” He picked up a large thermos from the nearby table. “I had someone make some porridge for you.” As he unscrewed the lid, a puff of steam rose.

“I can do it myself,” Gu Ning said, reaching for the cup. But as she moved her elbow, a sharp pain made her frown. Ji Jiuzhe had already blown on the porridge to cool it and brought it to her lips, his gaze commanding. “Open your mouth.”

She obediently opened her mouth and ate the porridge, keeping her eyes down.

Ji Jiuzhe seemed pleased with her compliance, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly as he fed her another spoonful. Gu Ning ate it just as obediently.

One fed, the other ate, with no extra movements or words. The room was quiet, and soon the large cup of porridge was empty.

Ji Jiuzhe screwed the lid back on and placed the cup on the table, then asked, “Full?”

Gu Ning nodded. “Yes, you can go now.”

Ji Jiuzhe frowned. “You’re kicking me out?”

“No… Don’t you have things to do?”

“No.”

“…Alright.”

Ji Jiuzhe picked up a magazine from the table and casually flipped through it.

The room was quiet except for the sound of pages turning. After a while, Gu Ning suddenly asked, “How are you feeling now?”

Ji Jiuzhe immediately looked up from the magazine, closing it and turning to her. “What do you mean?”

Gu Ning, a bit nervous from his serious tone, pointed to her head. “Is your mind… confused?”

Ji Jiuzhe said, “No.”

Well, Ji Jiuzhe was Ji Jiuzhe. When she first returned, she had been disoriented for a long time, but Ji Jiuzhe seemed to accept the unbelievable reality with such calmness.

After a moment of speechlessness, Gu Ning continued, “Have you tried going back there?” She had already confirmed with Ji Jiuzhe that his situation seemed identical to hers.

Ji Jiuzhe asked, “How?”

Gu Ning began explaining as someone who had been through it: “Just have the thought of wanting to return to that world.”

Ji Jiuzhe focused slightly. “…It didn’t work.”

“…Close your eyes and try again.”

Ji Jiuzhe gave her a strange look but complied, closing his eyes.

Then he opened them and looked at Gu Ning. “…Still didn’t work.”

“…How can that be?” Gu Ning felt a headache coming on. If Ji Jiuzhe couldn’t return, how would she explain his disappearance to Zhuang Chen and Yi Shaoqing? She couldn’t just reveal such an unbelievable truth. Even if she were willing to share her biggest secret, they might not believe her and could think she was fabricating a story to cover up Ji Jiuzhe’s death.

“Gu Ning,” Ji Jiuzhe suddenly called her name seriously.

Gu Ning snapped out of her thoughts, looking at him with confusion. “Hmm?”

Ji Jiuzhe said, “Forget about that. Right now, I’d rather discuss something between us.”

Gu Ning’s expression froze instantly, her mind flashing back to what happened in the waiting room on the first floor that morning—the kiss that had left her flustered and heart racing. She had been deliberately avoiding it, but Ji Jiuzhe’s sudden mention caught her off guard, leaving her panicked.

Ji Jiuzhe continued, “It’s hard for me to like someone, so now that I’ve finally fallen for you, I don’t want to miss this chance. But things are different now…” He paused, his gaze softening as it enveloped her, though his voice carried a hint of helplessness. “I think I’ve fallen in love with you.”

Gu Ning felt as if she had been struck by lightning, staring at Ji Jiuzhe in shock. She opened her mouth several times but couldn’t find the words.

Ji Jiuzhe went on, “I’m certain I won’t fall in love with anyone else. Since I’ve confirmed my feelings, I’m ready to spend the rest of my life with you…”

“Wait—” Gu Ning gasped, looking at Ji Jiuzhe in disbelief. “Don’t tell me you’re planning to propose.”

“…” Ji Jiuzhe gave her a strange look and said, “I haven’t had time to buy an engagement ring yet.” After a pause, he added, “I thought you’d want to start with dating first.”

Gu Ning flustered, “That’s not what I meant—”

She carefully chose her words. “…You don’t know me well enough.”

Ji Jiuzhe gazed into her eyes. “…Trust me, by the time you joined the Five-Star Brigade, I already knew enough about you.”

“…I don’t know you well either.”

“Then you can start getting to know me now,” Ji Jiuzhe said, then thoughtfully added, “Or do you need me to compile a detailed profile for you?”