Chapter 53: When Exactly Did You Two Start? Part 3

She went upstairs to change into flat shoes. On the way to the orchestra, she bought some medicated patches, thinking the injury would pass. But after a full day of work, by quitting time, the ankle was purple, hot, and swelling dramatically. She couldn’t put weight on her right foot; even touching it stung.

“You need to go to the hospital—might be fractured.” Jiang Jingjing lifted the cuff of Miao Zhu’s jeans. “Get an X-ray or MRI. Come on, don’t delay. I’ll go with you.”

Jiang Jingjing carried the cello for Miao Zhu and carefully helped her leave the concert hall.

Seeing Miao Zhu wince in pain while walking, Jiang Jingjing fumed. “What’s with that young lady’s temper tantrum? Staining your clothes is one thing, scalding your hand we could overlook, but how did she injure your foot this badly?”

Miao Zhu looked down at the road. “She didn’t mean to.”

“Whatever,” Jiang Jingjing sighed. “Must hurt like hell—I heard your section say you kept missing beats in rehearsal today. Orthopedics hospital? It’s closest.”

Miao Zhu seemed to have thought ahead; her words came without hesitation. “Pearl Hospital.”

“Got it.” Pearl Hospital was near Moon Reflection Villa, a private one with better service. Jiang Jingjing figured Miao Zhu had records there and was used to it.

Past daytime clinic hours, they went to the ER. A nurse brought a wheelchair and took Miao Zhu for checks.

“Ankle avulsion fracture with soft tissue contusion.” Half an hour later, the orthopedist reviewed the MRI images on the computer and outlined treatment. “The bone fragment is small, no obvious displacement. To be safe, we can cast it for two weeks.”

The doctor hadn’t been absolute—room for discussion. Miao Zhu and Jiang Jingjing exchanged glances; Jiang Jingjing got it immediately. Casting was uncomfortable, so she took over talking to the doctor. “Doctor, any other options? In a month it’s Spring Festival, and it’s the end of our busy season. Work’s intense; casting would be inconvenient. Look at my hand—still not healed, but I have to perform anyway.”

The doctor said, “A brace works too, but rest lying down these first few days. No random movement to avoid shifting.”

“Got it.” Miao Zhu could barely walk with her right foot on the ground now, let alone move freely.

The doctor tapped on the keyboard, updating the medical records and issuing a prescription while explaining the precautions: “Come back for a follow-up every two weeks. At home, apply an ice pack—fifteen minutes every two or three hours is enough, but be careful not to get frostbite. After forty-eight hours, switch to warm compresses to promote blood circulation. When resting, prop your ankle up on a pillow higher than your heart level to reduce swelling.”

Miao Zhu noted it all down. “Got it, thank you, doctor.”

“Spray the pain-relief and bruise-dissolving medication a few times a day. The first couple of days will hurt—if it’s unbearable, take the painkillers I’ve prescribed. If the swelling worsens or the pain doesn’t ease, come back to the hospital right away.”

The doctor printed out the medical records and medication list. Jiang Jingjing went to pick up the drugs while the doctor fetched the brace and taught Miao Zhu how to wear it properly. Miao Zhu’s eyelashes fluttered lightly. “Doctor, one question—I’m on SSRI medication. Can I take the painkillers at the same time?”

The doctor looked up, shifting their gaze from the brace to Miao Zhu’s beautiful face, and considered before replying, “In theory, combining medications always carries some risk, but these two shouldn’t pose a major issue. Start with the recommended doses, and if you notice significant side effects, stop and come see me.”

Miao Zhu thanked them again. “I understand.”

Jiang Jingjing contacted Xie Dasu, who rushed to the hospital. The two of them escorted Miao Zhu back to Beautiful Garden.

After they left, Miao Zhu sat on the sofa. On the coffee table in front of her, an enamel pot simmered with hot apple orange tea. It had been boiling for a while, and the air was filled with the tangy sweet scent of oranges. She stared blankly at the white steam rising from the spout. Her phone chimed once.

It was a message from Emma.

Emma had gone to the beach with the Hidden in the Morning and Evening crew for location scouting that day. Chen Aiming had hosted a small bonfire party, and Emma sent Miao Zhu a video of the fire. Across the flames, Tang Yuwen was chatting with Chen Aiming.

Miao Zhu replied with a photo of her right foot wrapped in the brace.

“Poor thing. I’m not even in Cloud City right now, and Jiang Jingjing’s hands aren’t fully recovered yet. Are you sure you can manage on your own?” Emma called, unable to hide her worry for Miao Zhu.

“I’m okay. Just a bit inconvenient to move around, but I have crutches. I’ve taken time off too, so I’ll rest at home for a couple of days and see how it goes after that.”

As they spoke, the doorbell rang.

“My dinner’s here.” Miao Zhu switched the call to speakerphone and set her phone on the sofa. She gripped the armrest and slowly stood up.

Emma’s voice rose and fell with the sound of waves from the speaker. “You ordered takeout?”

“Yeah, I got a pot of soup.” Miao Zhu was still getting used to the crutches. Luckily, the apartment was small, and she reached the door in just a few steps. She opened it.

“. . . Mia? Mia!” Emma heard the sound of the door opening, but then there was nearly half a minute of silence on the line. “Mia, did you get your takeout? Everything okay?”

Miao Zhu steadied herself against the door.

The night breeze blew in from the corridor. Mu Shanyi stood outside.

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