The recollection ends, and the perspective returns to the present.
The room Yu Xian was in was actually a single-occupancy ward, relatively spacious. But now, with Qingque, Fu Xuan, and Bailu all crowded around the bedside, Yu Xian truly felt the space was a bit cramped.
For instance, at this moment, ignoring Bailu, who was only half a head taller than his hospital bed and practically invisible if one didn't look carefully both Qingque and Fu Xuan, two charming young girls with distinct styles, were leaning over his bed without any sense of personal space. They were even touching him, intentionally or unintentionally...
Just like Qingque was doing; that wasn't just touching she was pressing her entire soft, fragrant body against him, almost as if she had the words "Free Service" written all over her!
And Fu Xuan was even more outrageous. In Yu Xian's eyes, she had always been extremely aloof toward him, often looking at him with a look usually reserved for garbage, always acting like she couldn't stand him yet now, she was behaving almost identically to Qingque, his actual girlfriend. Without the slightest hesitation, she was freely reaching out and touching him all over.
Yu Xian couldn't help but think.
'Master Diviner, Qingque is right here watching! Is this really okay?'
Watching as Fu Xuan quickly failed to maintain her deliberately feigned indifference and aloofness, instead starting to check his physical condition all over. a perfect example of a tsundere in all her cuteness. After all, while Fu Xuan's current behavior might be her true nature or reflect her genuine feelings.
Before Fu Xuan could bury her head completely against his chest, potentially even pressing her delicate nose against him to smell his scent, Yu Xian silently shifted his position backward, putting a little distance between himself and Fu Xuan.
"Ahem, Master Diviner, I'm fine, there's no need to check any further."
Yu Xian retreated closer to Qingque's side and explained awkwardly.
"It seems I had a minor physical issue earlier, but it was all an accident. I'll recover completely after some rest and recuperation. Master Diviner, you really don't need to worry so much."
As he spoke, Yu Xian glanced at Qingque. The corners of her eyes were still red.
He didn't need to guess to know how long this silly girl had stayed awake, staring anxiously, or how many tears she had secretly shed during the time he was trapped in the simulation.
"Qingque, look, I'm fine now. Let me rest for a couple of days, and then we can go play cards together." At this point, Yu Xian couldn't very well explain the whole simulator situation. All he could do was try to comfort the two girls, hoping to ease their minds or at least get them to stop staring at him so strangely.
It felt uncomfortable, like they were looking at someone's funeral portrait.
However, Yu Xian's hopes were one thing, but reality was another...
Bailu, who looked like a young girl and had a similarly youthful mentality, furrowed her brows and shouted while hopping on her feet.
"Hey, you guys! Make way for this lady! I'm the doctor here! The patient is awake, let me examine him, hey!"
Hearing this, Fu Xuan and Qingque awkwardly stepped aside.
Only then did Bailu approach the bedside. She stood on her tiptoes, gripped the edge of the bed, and then gave a strong pull—
The blanket covering Yu Xian was instantly yanked off, and a chill immediately seeped into his body.
Hisss...
Yu Xian couldn't help but shiver. But immediately afterward, he and the women present discovered an even more critical issue:
"My arm is gone?!"
"Thank goodness, your body has stopped dissipating!"
Huh?
Seeing Yu Xian missing an arm, Bailu showed no surprise whatsoever. Instead, she nodded, a look of immense relief spreading across her face.
Then, seemingly noticing Yu Xian's confused gaze, she cleared her throat and explained.
"You've been unconscious these past few days, so you probably didn't know. Your body has been continuously dissipating. It started with your fingers, then your forearms, moving up to your upper arms..."
"When I checked yesterday, your entire arm was already gone, and the dissipation showed no signs of stopping." Bailu spoke seriously, a slight smile finally appearing on her porcelain-doll-like face.
"At that time, Qingque, the others, and I were worried sick. Who knew if, after another couple of days, the dissipation would spread directly from your arm to your chest, and eventually, even your heart vanished? If that happened, you would have been truly beyond saving."
"Thankfully, you woke up. Your body has stopped dissipating." As Bailu said this, she let out a sigh of relief. "Although I don't understand the mechanism, the important thing is you're still alive. That's the one piece of good fortune in this misfortune."
"That's—"
"Yes, that's right. You're still alive... that's wonderful."
Before Qingque could even finish her second word, Fu Xuan cut in first. The girl's voice, carrying a faint milky quality, resonated in the small hospital room, effectively blocking the words Qingque hadn't yet spoken.
For a moment, both Qingque and Yu Xian were stunned.
Fu Xuan, this... this isn't right. Why are you more anxious than both of us?
Of course, at this moment, Fu Xuan herself had no particular ulterior thoughts and was completely unaware of how unusual her current behavior was. She just patted her chest, causing a certain captivating motion a slight sway. Then, she tilted her head slightly, allowing her dark golden eyes to meet Yu Xian's directly.
Fu Xuan continued, "Although your arm is gone, in today's Xianzhou, such a disability is hardly significant. Yu Xian, you are a short-life species, an outsider, but the Xianzhou's prosthetics shouldn't cause any rejection issues with your body. Later, I myself will select a suitable prosthetic for you to be fitted with, and then I myself will teach you how to..."
As she spoke, becoming increasingly impassioned, Fu Xuan suddenly noticed the somewhat odd looks from the other three people in the room. Realizing she had probably said too much, she quickly withdrew her outstretched hand, forming it into a loose fist which she brought to her mouth, clearing her throat softly twice.
"I... got ahead of myself." Qingque's gaze seemed to contain some peculiar thoughts, making Fu Xuan feel slightly embarrassed. "I... I merely appreciate Yu Xian's talent. If anything were to happen to him, it would be... undesirable to me."
Her heart!
Her heart was pounding wildly!
On the surface, Fu Xuan still maintained a calm and composed demeanor, but inwardly, she was in utter turmoil!
Somehow, ever since having that strange dream a few days ago, the moment Fu Xuan laid eyes on Yu Xian, she couldn't help but recall the scenes from the dream: her interactions with him within it, his heroic figure as he slew the Denizens of Abundance and saved the civilians during the divination, and finally... Yu Xian's cold, lifeless body...
Every time she thought of these things and then saw the real Yu Xian before her, her heart would race, her breathing would quicken, and her mind would become somewhat foggy.
It was as if... she had been put under some kind of spell. Tch...
Fu Xuan shook her head, touching her cheek which had somehow become flushed and warm. Biting her lower lip, she felt deeply perplexed.
Why was she acting so strangely?
Ahem. "In any case, regarding Yu Xian's matters... I shall leave them to you all. I will not involve myself further."
"There is still much official business in the Divination Commission. The Luofu Xianzhou has been rather unsettled lately. I shall take my leave..."
Abruptly and without proper closure, Fu Xuan hurried away with quick, small steps.
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A/n: Hey over on my patreon there are currently two for the time being exclusive books which are
Life Simulator: Starting in Genshin Impact!
Zenless Zone Zero: Loving Daily Life Starting in New Eridu
patreon.com/deadlygoober