When Sui Yan woke up again, she was still lying on the floor of the laboratory. But unlike the previous times, Ti Zi was lying by her side, looking exhausted.
She looked around dazedly, then reached out and gently stroked Ti Zi. "Ti Zi, that wasn't my dream, was it?"
Ti Zi no longer had the energy for big movements. It lightly rubbed against Sui Yan, as if confirming her words.
Sui Yan looked at Ti Zi, her eyes gradually reddening. "Ti Zi, don't save me anymore, I'm so tired."
She murmured softly, "After I die, next time... next time you save me, can you take me back home? We... we'll never see them again. You must be able to find me."
Ti Zi's wolf-like eyes seemed to moisten slightly. It slowly closed its eyes and nodded gently.
Sui Yan smiled faintly, propped herself up, and continued her experiment.
Ti Zi watched for a while, then let out a weak call.
Sui Yan followed its gaze and immediately noticed the two thermos bottles on the security monitor screen.
She rubbed Ti Zi's head. "Alright, I'll go get them."
She walked slowly out of the lab, brought the two thermos bottles back to Ti Zi's side. "They prepared more medicinal cuisine for me? This meat is for Ti Zi."
Sui Yan ate only to maintain her body's normal functioning, so she often ate only when she was starving. But she insisted that Ti Zi eat on time to stay healthy.
Ti Zi had no choice but to watch over Sui Yan as much as possible, making sure she ate enough.
The two of them lived in the lab for a long time. They left the lab again only to deliver the medicine to Qi Linhan.
Qi Linhan had actually gone to see Sui Yan several times but never found her.
It had been quite a while since they last met.
Looking at Sui Yan, he said coldly, "Didn't they send you and Ti Zi food every day? How did you two get so thin?"
Sui Yan smiled. "It's fine, how are Bai Heng and the others?"
Qi Linhan pursed his lips. "They've woken up but are still in the hospital. They may need to stay a few more months."
Sui Yan breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. Can you help me deliver the medicine to them?"
Qi Linhan frowned slightly. "Won't you come with me?"
Sui Yan shook her head. "They'll worry about me again if they see me like this. Just tell them I'm doing well, just very busy every day."
For some reason, Qi Linhan started feeling a bit sour. He shook his head, not wanting to think about those things. "...Then rest well. I'll have someone make you some nourishing soup to replenish your body."
Sui Yan didn't refuse. "Thank you."
Qi Linhan wanted to say that he didn't need her gratitude. But he hesitated and said nothing.
Before Qi Linhan could leave, Sui Yan had already turned to go back to her room with Ti Zi.
The first thing she did upon returning was to open her phone and check it. Surprisingly, she had received quite a few messages during this period.
But from start to finish, she didn't see a single message from Bai Heng or the military doctor.
Sui Yan felt a bit disappointed, but also thought this was just like something they would do.
They always did this, never telling her any bad news.
Sui Yan slowly squatted down and sat beside Ti Zi. She said softly, "Ti Zi, Sui Yu messaged me again, but I don't want to respond to them at all."
Ti Zi looked at Sui Yan warmly, as if encouraging her to do as she wished.
But Sui Yan hesitated for a long time, and ultimately did nothing.
She lay in bed and slept for a long time. When she woke up again, she happened to receive a call from Qi Linhan.
Sui Yan had a slight headache. She massaged her temples, then answered the phone reluctantly. "Yes, what is it?"
Qi Linhan looked at the items in his hand and couldn't help but smile. "Want to go drink?"
Sui Yan was a bit dazed. "I... I've never drank before."
Qi Linhan gently persuaded her, "Why don't you try it? Just a little bit is fine."
Sui Yan's eyes flickered slightly. "Where are you?"
Qi Linhan knocked on the door in front of him. "Outside your door. Let's go drink in the courtyard."
Sui Yan slowly got out of bed. "Okay, wait for me."
She tidied herself up casually, then gestured to Ti Zi. "Ti Zi, let's go."
Ti Zi didn't stop Sui Yan, thinking she needed to vent properly.
It followed Sui Yan out, and Qi Linhan was waiting for them nearby.
Sui Yan looked at the item in his hand curiously. "What's that? What kind of alcohol?"
Qi Linhan slowed his pace to walk with Sui Yan. "Just some beer. If it's not enough, we can have the butler send more."
Sui Yan licked her lips. "Okay."
They didn't go far, as Sui Yan couldn't walk far. They stopped in the courtyard where Sui Yan usually sunbathed.
Qi Linhan casually brought out a small table. He poured Sui Yan half a glass of beer. "Try it."
Sui Yan swirled the glass, then took a small sip.
Qi Linhan's eyes crinkled with amusement. "How is it?"
Sui Yan smacked her lips. "I think... not quite right, it's still missing something."
Qi Linhan laughed helplessly. "Then next time I'll bring some other alcohol."
Sui Yan didn't say anything. She mimicked clinking glasses with Qi Linhan, then tilted her head back and downed the beer in one go.
Qi Linhan didn't have time to stop her. "Don't drink so fast."
But Sui Yan seemed more spirited now. She pushed her glass towards Qi Linhan. "Fill it up."
Qi Linhan gave in. "Okay, okay."
Ti Zi was also helpless, watching as the two kept downing glass after glass.
Qi Linhan turned to look at the tilted-back Sui Yan and suddenly asked, "Sui Yan, what do you want to do in the future?"
Sui Yan shook her head woozily. "Nothing in this life."
Qi Linhan felt there was something odd about her words, but he didn't know what. He only continued, "Why not?"
Sui Yan yawned, but still seemed quite sober. "This life has been uncomfortable. I want to plan things out properly in my next life."
Before Qi Linhan could continue asking, she narrowed her eyes and said, "I want... to open a bar... anywhere is fine. I want to sell the best drinks in the world, specially catering to those who have no home."
Qi Linhan's gaze softened, "So did I lead you astray? I only took you out for a drink once, and now you're obsessed with it."
Sui Yan went on rambling, "Not at all! I've wanted to drink alcohol for a long time. My grandfather said drinking is a joyful experience, but he didn't allow me to drink."
Qi Linhan casually asked, "But you're drinking now, aren't you?"
Sui Yan smiled happily, "I'll drink again next time! Next time... I'll do it in secret."
Qi Linhan kicked aside some empty bottles at his feet and gently picked up Sui Yan, "Alright, you can drink again next time. You're already drunk now."
Sui Yan didn't struggle, "I'm not drunk, I won't get drunk."
