Morning finally came as the sun began to shine brightly over Imperial. It beams with warmth to welcome a new day for those awake.
*knock knock
While the people went on with their usual day, a light knock sounds from behind the door to a private ward inside Imperial Military Hospital.
Without waiting for an answer, the doorknob turned, and the door is slowly pushed open as if to not make a sound.
Grandfather Ji quietly enters the room to check on his granddaughter. He was no longer wearing his military uniform, but clothe in a gray loungewear set. In his hand was a blue shopping bag.
The time was half past eight in the morning, but he wasn't sure if Yue Ling was already up or still asleep. He made sure everything that follows after the knock was done so quiet, that no sound could be heard.
However, to his surprise, Yue Ling was already up.
She wasn't laying down on the hospital bed but was sitting on a chair near the window.
A faint smile curls on his lip to see her up, but he sighs inside.
"Ah Ling, why are you up? When did you wake up?"
Yue Ling slowly turn to look at her grandfather. She cast him a smile as she had heard him enter but pretended to not notice until now.
"I woke up not too long ago."
Although she had spoke her words, it wasn't the entire truth.
After she cried herself to sleep, she had woke up a little before the sun rose. Not being able to go back to sleep, she got up and sat by the window to watch the sunrise.
Her insomnia was also because she was worried about Lu Tian and the others. After their short phone call, she had heard nothing from them.
Grandfather Ji slightly narrow his eyes at her as he knew she did not answer him honestly. However, he brush it aside and walks over to her.
Placing the bag down, he sits down on the chair by the bed. "I figured you would want to feel comfortable while you wait for Lu boy, so I bought you a change of clothes."
As he spoke, a shade of pink flush on his wrinkled face and he massage the back of his neck like a shy boy.
"My choice may not be like yours, but its more comfortable to wear than the hospital attire."
Yue Ling stares at the old man with one arch brow. Why did he buy her clothes? He could have gone to her and Lu Tian's house to pack some old clothes for her.
Shifting her gaze to the blue bag, her eyes slightly narrow in suspicion. The last time he bought her clothes, it was so small that it could only fit a toddler.
"I know what you are thinking. Don't worry, I bought the right size this time."
Just as Yue Ling's hand was about to touch the bag, Grandfather Ji spoke with a confident look on his face.
It's true that he used to always get Yue Ling and Ji Jingxu's sizes wrong, but it was intentionally. He bought them toddler sizes, because no matter how old they get, that was the age he would always see them.
However, ever since he learned of his illness, he knew that this couldn't continue. So he started buying them the correct size. With the time he has left, he wants to spoil them with many things so when he leaves this world, it won't just be his memories that remains.
Quickly as the thought came, Grandfather Ji brush it aside and chuckles heartily to Yue Ling.
"Alright, go and change. I'll inform a nurse to bring you your breakfast."
Yue Ling who was unaware about his thoughts returns the smile. She held the bag and walks toward the lavatory inside the private ward.
As the sound of the lavatory door closes, the smile on Grandfather Ji's face disappears. He cannot show her this devastating side of him. He wants her to remember him as the strong and powerful man she has always known. Not the weak and exhausted him.
Inhaling a deep breath and stood up from the chair to inform a nurse.
Inside the lavatory, Yue Ling washed her face and brush her teeth the she changed out of the hospital attire and put on the ones her grandfather had bought.
She stood in front of the mirror hung above the sink and she shook her head. Even if she had makeup right now, it would not be enough to hide her swollen red eyes and the bags under her eyes.
Turning to the door, she looks at her reflection in the long mirror and she scoffs a chuckle.
The old man had picked out a white t-shirt with her brand printed on the front in black. He matched it an oversized cardigan in a tangerine color and comfy black jeggings.
Fortunately, he did not lie and bought the correct sizes this time.
The only things left in the bag was a pair of white sneakers and a few scrunchies, but because she was staying in the hospital, she didn't feel the need to wear the shoes.
Instead, she took one of the scrunchies and put her hair up in a high ponytail.
As she walks out of the lavatory, she couldn't help but chuckle when she saw her grandfather sitting back down on the chair.
"I have to say, not bad."
She set the bag down on a chair and then walks over to the bed to sit down.
"But I find this color a little too bright for me."
Grandfather Ji was in awe when he saw his granddaughter, but hearing her words, he rolled his eyes.
"Clothes is clothes, color is color. It's all the same for me. Anyways, how are you feeling?"
He knows that her wardrobe barely has any bright colors, but he had purposely chosen this tangerine color.
Yue Ling sat on the bed and crisscross her legs. She held a reassuring smile with a light nod to her head.
"I'm feeling better now."
Though she was smiling, Grandfather Ji knew she was still in grief. Anyone who knows her would no doubt agree with him at this moment.
He glance at the cardigan and he sighs. He had chosen the color because he wanted to add a little more color to her. However, despite her fair complexion a match for the bright color, he couldn't help but feel she looked a lot paler than usual.
Noticing his expression, Yue Ling tries her best to keep her smile.
"Yeye, I am really fine now."
She must stay strong because she had thought about a lot of things in one night.
She decided that she will try her best so that everyone else won't worry about her and continue on with life.
Even if her child is gone, she will take the memories of him with her.
Even if she cannot have a child anymore, she still has Inu.
Thinking this, she looks her grandfather in the eyes and tells him her other decision.
"Yeye, I've made up my mind. I will do as you say and take over Corps."
"…"