Chapter 5 Let go of your dirty hands

Pen slipped into his coat pocket, Ethan smiled and said, "His stomach isn't in the best shape, and his body is quite frail and susceptible to diseases. When you go shopping for food in the future, try your best to choose fresh stuff, and pay some attention. The reason for today's mishap might be that he ate some expired food."

Hearing this, she felt a touch of guilt in her heart, looking at the listless James lying on the bed, "I'm really sorry, I didn't anticipate this, I just thought about buying food because it was on sale..."

James took a deep breath to suppress his annoyance, "Haven't I told you before that I'll be responsible for household expenses?"

Caught by his question, she lowered her head, not daring to look straight into his eyes, murmuring an explanation, "How much can a waiter like you earn? We'll have to raise children in the future, there will be expenses everywhere, I just wanted to help you lighten the burden. Do you know how much diapers cost nowadays, they're expensive..."

As Emily finished her sentence, Ethan couldn't help but burst into a soft laughter, patting James' shoulder, "Brother, not trying to insult you here, but it's rare to find women who know how to economize for the household and their husbands, you really need to cherish her."

James looked helplessly at the ceiling, rubbing his forehead, managing to spit out through gritted teeth, "Stop!"

His anger frightened her, she quickly intervened, "How can you talk to the doctor like that?"

Then, turning to Ethan, she apologized on James' behalf, "I apologize Dr. Ethan, he's a bit ill-tempered, please don't take it to heart."

Ethan lifted the corner of his mouth into a smile, "It's fine, it's just your husband's temperament, I hope you can put up with it in the future! Let me tell you, little lady, if you are newlyweds, you should be setting rules for him now. Anyway, he will have to stay here for a few hours for his drip, why don't you just leave him alone here to taste the harshness of the world, so that he will appreciate you more when he returns home..."

While Ethan was musing over the little details, he felt a chill down his spine, the icy stares from James no doubt.

He didn't turn around, he waved Emily towards the door of the ward, "Remember my words, young lady, a man should not be pampered!"

She found Ethan intriguing, with a weighty nod, the corner of her lips curling into a smile, closing the room door, once again treading back.

Before she could sit still, she heard the icy voice of the man, "Still not leaving?"

Emily was taken aback: "Where can I go here?"

Instantaneously, as if a reflex response, she couldn't help but smile, "You don't really think that I take Dr. Ethan's words as gospel, do you?"

"Isn't that so?" He asked in return, staring at her with somber eyes.

After all, when he was sick in the past, he took care of himself alone, let alone just now he really saw her and Ethan nodding in agreement!

Emily looked at the man on the bed, his usual cold, hard image faded due to illness, glaring at her own petulant childlike figure with annoyance.

She couldn't resist extending her fingers to soothe James who was frowning, her voice warm and tender again: "You're my husband, and a patient, how could I be so heartless as to leave you alone here, don't think anymore, have a good sleep."

Perhaps her voice was too warm, or the effect of the sedative drip, James was somewhat relieved.

He dropped his gaze, unknown thoughts brewing in his mind, only to drift into a heavy sleep moments later.

When he was conscious again, the IV drip had been removed from his hand.

And Emily was leaning against the bedside, her hair a tousled mess, sensing the movement of the person on the bed, rubbing her eyes, she lifted her head: "You're awake?"

"Hmm." He propped himself up, looked at the dim light outside the window, and asked: "What time is it?"

Emily took out her mobile phone: "It's six o'clock already, if you're awake, let's go home."

Packing up their belongings, the two left the hospital together.

The day had not fully broken, but in front of the hospital, quite a few breakfast shops had already opened.

Under the warm yellow light, the steamy dumplings looked especially inviting.

Elderly people leading their grandchildren by the hand, the other carrying small school bags, taking the little ones to school.

A young couple got up early for work, hastily eating their breakfast pancakes on the go as they ran towards the subway station, managing to steal a swift peck on the forehead of their partner in their frenzied goodbye.

Such a tableau brimming with life was something James had never witnessed before.

From his childhood to adulthood, he had always been surrounded by privilege: breakfast prepared by a housekeeper, a personal chauffeur to ferry him around. His childhood car rides were spent reviewing homework and as he joined the company, those moments in transit were devoted to reviewing documents.

Seeing him looking around in what seemed like disbelief, she couldn't help but give his sleeve a little tug.

"What are you looking at? Never seen the city at six in the morning before? Hurry up, or we'll miss the bus."

James retracted his gaze, his lips pressed into a tight line, following in her steps, as if compelled by some unseen force, onto the bus.

After two stops, the bus started to fill up.

She noticed two elderly men boarding and instinctively stood to offer her seat. Seeing James not reacting, she hurriedly tugged at his clothes: "Stand up!"

"Why?" James, unaccustomed to the crowded transportation, was looking out the window trying to calm himself, slightly annoyed by the unexpected shove.

She whispered: "Don't you know respect for the elderly? Or are you still not feeling well? It's okay, I'll explain to them for you..."

Only then did James notice the judging eyes on him. He silently stood, imitating Emily by holding tightly onto the ring behind her.

In less than a few minutes, the bus driver made a sharp turn, causing Emily to lose her footing, falling backwards.

A pair of large hands wrapped around her waist, the smell of a man's shower gel wafted into her nostrils, stunning her for a moment.

She lifted her head, meeting his deep-set eyes, captivatingly beautiful, seemingly capable of drawing one in.

"Take your filthy hands off!" The icy voice of the man resonated, frightening her to the point of a startle.