This was an awkward situation, as their conversation had been overheard. Seeing Ji Mingyi's face flush red, Han Dong decided to lead her out. Before they left, however, he took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, ensuring she wouldn't catch a chill as they stepped outside.
They walked a good distance before stopping. Han Dong didn't hide his true feelings, laying them all out for Ji Mingyi. She didn't know how to respond, but Han Dong held her hand, and she couldn't pull away. Noticing her expression, Han Dong shifted his approach.
"I don't need an answer right now. I just want you to give me a chance. You said before that you were older than me and it wasn't suitable. Well, I'm not as young as I used to be. Can you accept me now?"
"But you're still younger than me, aren't you?" Ji Mingyi, though flustered, wasn't easily swayed by Han Dong's attempts.
"I don't care! This time, I won't let go again, and I won't give your niece the chance to raise you! Whether I have children or not really doesn't matter to me, as long as that person is you. We've already missed so many years!" Han Dong's words were shameless, but what did that matter? Was pride more important than his wife?
Ji Mingyi considered for a moment before speaking, "Not only am I older than you, but I'm also divorced. Your family, however, is quite..."
"Don't worry about my family! This is my business, and I can handle it myself. Besides, after all these years, they already know my feelings! It was even Han Shi, my nephew, who helped me arrange to meet Xing'er today! See, even my nephew knows I like you, so how could they not? The whole world knows I love you, except you, who always thought of me as a younger brother. Now you know. Can you accept me?"
"Let me think about it!" With that, Ji Mingyi turned and went back inside. This time, Han Dong didn't stop her. He watched until she entered her home before leaving. His feelings were clear, and she hadn't refused him. His chances were quite good. He had more important matters to attend to now. He'd return after dealing with them. He needed to give her some time to accept him, didn't he?
When Ji Mingyi returned home, she saw Ji Xingmi and Bi Qingchu hiding by the doorway. Seeing them like this, Ji Mingyi felt her face flush again.
"What are you two doing?"
"Nothing, we were just planning to go for a walk to aid digestion!" As Bi Qingchu spoke, Ji Xingmi covered her face. What a terrible excuse! Seeing Ji Xingmi looking as if she wanted to disappear into the ground, and Bi Qingchu looking like a cat had stolen her tongue, Ji Mingyi couldn't help but laugh.
Seeing Ji Mingyi smile, the mother and daughter joined in. They had come out because she hadn't returned for a long time and wanted to check on her. They hadn't expected to stumble upon a confession, and naturally, they were curious about the outcome.
"Alright, if you're going to eavesdrop, fine. But saying you're aiding digestion? Are you planning to have a midnight snack after you've digested?"
"Hehe, Aunt! Since you know, why don't you share your current feelings? Do you agree or disagree? I think Uncle Han is quite good! But I'm not sure about the situation with the Han family. Should I go ask Han Shi about it...?"
"Didn't you say you wouldn't help him?"
Ji Xingmi was speechless. It was over! Not only had she been caught eavesdropping, but it seemed her previous involvement had also been discovered. Ji Xingmi made a zipping motion across her lips and quickly ran off.
Bi Qingchu, however, couldn't escape. She could only stand there and offer an awkward smile. Ji Mingyi glanced at her, then turned and went back into her room. Bi Qingchu let out a sigh of relief after she left and headed towards Ji Mingxue.
"I told you earlier not to go peek! But you insisted on playing around with Xing'er. Well, now you've been discovered. How embarrassing!"
"But I was just curious! Aren't you curious about what's going on between Big Sister and Han Dong?"
"What's there to be curious about? As long as Big Sister is willing, that's all that matters!"
Bi Qingchu didn't believe Ji Mingxue and shot him a glare before returning to her room. Ji Mingxue remained in the living room for a while before finally heading to his room.
After that day, Han Dong didn't show up, and Ji Mingyi didn't mention him. However, Ji Xingmi visited the hospital, brought there by Ji Haocheng.
"Mmm, the wound is healing well. Continue using the ointment you have. How much is left?"
"About half!"
"Good. I'll make a new batch when I get back. You can switch to it when you run out!"
"Okay, Xing'er, thank you. I don't know what else to say."
"It's alright. Our meeting was fate. If you really want to thank me, thank my elder brother. Otherwise, we wouldn't have met!"
At Ji Xingmi's words, Ji Haocheng and Xu Rui both blushed. Seeing this, Ji Xingmi raised an eyebrow. There was definitely something going on here. Seeing their shy expressions, she decided not to tease them further. She said she was going to buy some medicinal herbs and left. Ji Haocheng wanted to escort her back, but Ji Xingmi refused.
"Xiao Ji is with me, Brother, so you don't need to send me. I'm waiting for your good news~"
"Don't talk nonsense!"
"Yes, yes, yes, I'm talking nonsense. You have absolutely no interest in her! I was even thinking about whether I should put in a good word for you with Grandpa Xu. It seems I don't need to, alas~"
"Xing'er! Must you tease your brother like this?"
"Alright, alright, I'm leaving! I'm planning to visit Elder Zhou. I'll find my way back myself later."
"Okay, Xiao Ji, Mo Gu, I'll be counting on you to look after Xing'er." Ji Haocheng gave Xiao Ji and Mo Gu a few instructions and watched them leave. Only after they were gone did he turn and head back into the hospital.