readsfreenovel Chapter 20 Rikkai University Tennis Club: A Routine Visit to the Sick
Chapter 20 Rikkai University Tennis Club: A Routine Visit to the Sick
Inpatient Department of Jinjing General Hospital.
The cherry blossom tree outside the window had only a few scattered blossoms left. When the wind blew, the loose petals fluttered and fell into Yukimura Seiichi's hospital room.
Three full days have passed since Wang Yueling and her top medical team arrived for consultation and finalized the surgical plan.
During these three days, Yukimura did not actually run into Mochizuki Ryo even once.
He was either undergoing neurological examinations or conducting preoperative psychological assessments. By the time he returned to the ward, the boy who always had a warm smile had already left.
All that remained on the table were the fresh flowers arranged on it, the exquisitely packaged food box, and a neatly folded handkerchief with a faint floral scent.
Yukimura Seiichi leaned against the headboard, gently stroking the little doll beside his pillow with his fingertips, then held it up to his eyes and looked at it for a long time.
The doll is really cute.
Her azure eyes were slightly curved, and the corners of her mouth were also smiling. A small mole hung at the corner of her mouth. She wore a neat silver-gray school uniform from Hyotei University, and every stitch was exquisitely made.
He stared at the small mole on the right corner of its mouth for a few seconds, then raised his hand and gently touched it.
A soft murmur.
"Are you coming today?"
Yukimura spoke softly to the doll again, with a hint of distress, "Do you think he's doing it on purpose? He clearly said he would come to see me, but he always misses it."
It's like talking to a doll, or like talking to yourself.
The baby, of course, didn't answer; she just looked at him with her eyes crinkled, her expression adorable.
Yukimura couldn't help but chuckle softly, placing the doll back next to his pillow so it could sit comfortably against it.
He knew, of course, that Mochizuki Ryo didn't do it on purpose.
My phone was constantly buzzing with messages. The other person would rush to the hospital during lunch break and send a message like, "I'm going to the hospital now. Are you getting checked out?"
In the evening, I'll post another message: "I finished training with a friend late today, so I won't be able to come over."
It always ends with a pitiful "I didn't see her again, sob sob sob."
Thinking this, Yukimura picked up his phone and glanced at it.
Hmm... no new messages.
The last conversation was last night.
Wang Yueling sent me a photo of a stack of documents with an empty coffee cup next to it.
【Wang Yueling】: I've been so busy until now, and my grandma said I'll die suddenly if I keep going like this. Also... Jing Shi~ I went to the hospital twice today, but I didn't see you. Waaah.
[Yukimura Seiichi]: Then get some rest and don't stay up late so often. Let me know in advance next time you come, and I'll arrange the time so we can meet.
【Wang Yueling】: Okay~ Then I'll definitely come right on time next time, I'm determined to catch you.
His words, brimming with youthful stubbornness, softened Yukimura's heart.
If Mochizuki Ryo were there, she would definitely complain pitifully that she was so busy she was spinning like a top and her feet were never touching the ground.
After school, he would go to the abandoned sports field to coach Shishido and Ootori, helping them correct their movements and refine their techniques. He also had to find time to handle the family's new project, as it was the first project he would officially lead as the head of the Mochizuki Group, and there was no room for carelessness. During his free time at noon and in the evening, he would rush to the hospital almost at the last minute, but each time he perfectly avoided Yukimura's check-up time.
The regret is real, and so is the longing.
However, Wang Yueling did not let these emotions affect her work. She would just whine and complain to Yukimura in text messages, like a large dog seeking comfort.
So much so that every time Yukimura looked at the text message, the corners of his lips would unconsciously turn up.
Yukimura put his phone back on the bedside table and glanced at the vase on the windowsill.
It was a bunch of sweet-smelling pomelo blossoms, their petals layered upon each other like tiny lotus flowers, arranged in a white ceramic vase, their heights and shapes creating a captivating fragrance. He couldn't tell what variety it was, only that it was a Japanese pomelo.
When he came back from his check-up yesterday, he was quite surprised to see it. He had never imagined that these flowers could be made into bouquets to give to people.
However... the fragrance of the flowers is light and not pungent, and Yukimura always feels particularly comfortable when he smells it.
Wang Yueling's flower arranging skills are excellent. It's not the kind of flower arrangement that is deliberately complicated, but rather casual yet exquisite. The angle of each branch is just right, exuding a French lazy beauty.
Every time Yukimura saw the newly replaced flowers, he would silently admire the other person's skill.
Then she whispered to the little baby, "He seems to be good at everything. He's good-looking, has a good temper, can arrange flowers, and can make desserts..."
His tone held a pride he himself was unaware of.
Most of the time, Wang Yueling would come to the hospital in person. If she was too busy, she would have the housekeeper deliver flowers, desserts, and therapeutic meals to her ward.
The food was always warm, the flowers were always dewy, the details were perfect, and the thoughtfulness was beyond words.
Yukimura was not originally the type to be drawn to such gentleness.
But these past few days, he's found himself subconsciously paying attention to the sounds at the door, hoping that the blond boy will walk in with a smile, revealing his fangs, and call out "Seiichi" to him.
Longing crept in silently.
-
It was a little after 3 p.m.
A commotion came from outside the door.
Kirihara Akaya's voice was the loudest, audible even across the corridor: "Captain! We're here!"
Then came Sanada Genichiro's deep, reprimanding voice: "Akaya, be quiet."
Kirihara's voice immediately lowered, but he still couldn't suppress his excitement: "I know, I know, I'm just too happy..."
The door was pushed open, and a group of people filed in.
"Minister! We've come to see you!"
"How is the minister's health? Has the surgery date been set?"
Yukimura looked up at them, a gentle smile spreading across his lips.
The entire Rikkai University tennis club came.
Leading the way was Kirihara, carrying a large bag. Upon seeing Yukimura, he shouted, "Captain!" Sensing the death stare from the vice-captain behind him, he toned down his voice considerably, but his eyes still sparkled, and he wore a wide smile.
Genichiro Sanada walked a little behind him, wearing a black hat and all black casual clothes, with a serious expression; Renji Yanagi carried several notebooks, still calm and composed; Bunta Marui chewed gum and carried a bag of strawberries, waving excitedly; Jack Kuwabara followed behind him with a simple and honest smile; Masaharu Niou tilted his head, looking nonchalant; Hiroshi Yagyu pushed up his glasses, exuding a refined and scholarly air.
The boys entered the room, instantly enlivening the previously quiet ward, and the things they brought filled an entire table.
"Why is everyone here?" Yukimura leaned against the headboard, smiling gently, as if lilies were blooming behind him, but his tone was dangerous.
Today is not the weekend; it should be the tennis club's regular club activities time. Genichiro, as the vice-captain, is actually leading the way in skipping training!
Sensing his childhood friend's dangerous gaze, Sanada adjusted his hat and explained, "Uh, I heard from your aunt that your surgery date was set, and she mentioned it in the group chat. Since the tournament is over, they kept insisting on coming to see you, so..."
"Of course we had to come for something this important! Besides, we won every single match in the tournament without dropping a single point, so we came specifically to tell you, Minister, this great news!"
Kirihara Akaya had already squeezed to the edge of the bed, pointing to the large bag on the table, "Captain, Captain! I also brought you some delicious food! A new cake shop opened near our school, and this blueberry cake is super popular. I waited in line for ages!"
"Aka also has a heart."
"Seichi." Renji Yanagi came up and placed a stack of notebooks on the bedside table. "These are my recent study materials, covering all subjects, and the notes are all organized. There are also a few tennis magazines, the latest ones."
"Thanks."
"Please sit down," Yukimura said, gesturing to everyone. "Don't all stand."
Marui and Kuwabara helped set up the chairs, and a group of people sat down around the hospital bed.
Kirihara sat at the front, his hands resting on the edge of the bed, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Yukimura: "Captain, you look much better!"
"Really?" Yukimura touched his face. "I also feel a bit better than before."
"That's right!" Kirihara's voice unconsciously rose again. "Captain, you'll definitely get better! The surgery will definitely be successful! We'll wait for you to recover..."
"Akaya." Sanada's voice came from the side.
Kirihara shrank back slightly, lowering his voice a little, but still couldn't help continuing, "I'm just happy for the captain..."
Marui chuckled beside him, and Kirihara glared at him irritably.
Because of his family's medical background, Yagyu asked the question that everyone was most concerned about: "Minister, we heard that your surgery date has been set, is that true? What did the experts say?"
These words silenced everyone, and all eyes turned to Yukimura, filled with worry and anticipation.
Yukimura nodded slightly, his tone resolute: "Yes, the time is set, this weekend. The experts coming that day are all top international motor neuron specialists. The examination results are better than expected; the nerve damage has not worsened, and the success rate of the surgery is very high."