The nurse sighed, seeing the determination in Li Xiyan's eyes.
There was no convincing her otherwise. With a resigned nod, she offered her assistance to help Li Xiyan get out of bed.
Shen Rui, who had been quietly sitting, now moved towards the bed.
Li Xiyan noticed the little girl and smiled faintly, trying to reassure her. "It's okay. You don't need to stay. Go back to whatever you were doing. I'll be fine."
Shen Rui hesitated, her small face a mix of concern and uncertainty.
She nodded but made no move to leave, standing still beside the bed.
Li Xiyan looked at her, speechless for a moment. Her heart softened, but she knew she had to press forward.
"Shen Rui," she said gently, "You can go back now. I'll be okay."
But Shen Rui stayed rooted to the spot, unwilling to leave her side.
With a sigh, Li Xiyan resigned herself to the situation. She turned back to the nurse, who was ready to assist her, and took a deep breath.
Carefully, she placed her feet on the floor and, with the nurse's support, attempted to stand up.
The effort was taxing, and every movement sent sharp pangs of discomfort through her. The nurse's supportive grip was firm, yet the discomfort was undeniable.
Li Xiyan clenched her jaw, determined to push through.
Shen Rui, suddenly spoke up, her voice soft. "Sister... please don't force yourself. It's okay to rest a bit longer."
Li Xiyan turned her gaze to the young girl, noting the genuine concern etched on her delicate features. The child hadn't spoken that much to her since she woke up.
Shen Rui's gaze dropped, her fingers twisting the hem of her sleeve.
A gentle smile touched Li Xiyan's lips as she replied, "Thank you, Shen Rui. But I need to regain my strength. The sooner I can move on my own, the sooner things can return to normal."
Shen Rui hesitated, then stepped closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "But... if you push too hard and get hurt again, it will take even longer. I just want you to be safe."
The sincerity in Shen Rui's words made Li Xiyan pause.
With a soft sigh, she nodded.
"Alright. I won't push myself anymore."
Shen Rui's tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and though her mask concealed her mouth, the light in her eyes revealed a small, relieved smile.
The nurse, witnessing the exchange, suggested gently, "Perhaps we can start with some seated exercises to build up your strength before attempting to stand. It will be safer and more effective in the long run."
Li Xiyan considered the advice and then agreed. "That sounds reasonable. Let's start there."
Li Xiyan spent the day at the Shen estate and, to her surprise, felt a reluctance to leave.
The care she received was exceptional: meals were thoughtfully prepared to aid her recovery, and the staff attended to her needs with genuine concern, creating a comfortable environment.
What touched her most was Shen Rui's unwavering attention.
The young girl barely glanced at her books, dedicating her time to ensure her well-being.
This genuine concern was a new experience for Li Xiyan.
Reflecting on her past as Yan Xiuran, she couldn't recall a time when anyone had shown such care.
She remembered once passing out from a fever; upon waking, it was Doctor Wei who had tended to her. Although her family had been informed, none had even asked about her condition.
Now, receiving this kind of attention, especially from a child, left her both touched and surprised.
As night fell, Li Xiyan sat propped up in bed.
Nearby, Shen Rui sat with a book open on her lap, occasionally glancing at her after a few minutes.
Li Xiyan even wondered if the child had understood what she was reading, given how often Shen Rui had glanced up at her.
Sighing, Li Xiyan called out, "Shen Rui."
The little girl looked up, her eyes bright with anticipation. "What is it, Sister?"
Li Xiyan smiled softly at her. "What are you reading?"
Shen Rui blinked, a little surprised by the question, then looked down at the book in her hands.
It was a thick volume, the kind most children her age would struggle with, but Shen Rui wasn't most children.
At five years old, her mind worked far beyond her age, and her knowledge rivaled that of a ten-year-old.
"It's... a book about history," Shen Rui answered, her voice quiet, as though unsure whether to share more. "About the early dynasties... the ones that came before."
Li Xiyan's eyebrows lifted in interest. "History? At your age? That's impressive."
Shen Rui blushed slightly, "I like stories about the past," she explained. "The way people lived... the way things changed."
Li Xiyan leaned back slightly, resting against the pillows as she studied the young girl.
She could tell that Shen Rui's intelligence was beyond her years, something rare and special.
"I see. Well," Li Xiyan began, trying to ease Shen Rui's mind, "I never was very good at history myself. But maybe you could explain some of it to me? I'd love to hear more about the things you've learned."
Shen Rui's eyes brightened, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
She straightened up and began to speak, her voice gaining confidence as she talked about the dynasties, the rulers, and the ancient civilizations she had studied.
As Shen Rui spoke, Li Xiyan couldn't help but be amazed. She had only asked the child to ease her own mind and focus more on her reading.
Yet, to her surprise, Shen Rui's explanation revealed even more than she expected. And Li Xiyan herself had a solid foundation in these topics.
This little girl really is a genius.
"You're incredible," Li Xiyan said after a moment. "You already know so much."
Shen Rui shook her head. "It's just... fun," she said shyly. "It's easy when you like something."
She gave a soft nod, a gentle smile appearing on her face. "How about you read some more and tell me what you learn tomorrow? That way, I can still learn new things while I'm recovering. Does that sound okay?"
Shen Rui's face brightened with a smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Okay, I'll read more and tell you all about it."
With that, Shen Rui returned to her book, her attention now fully absorbed in the pages, no longer sneaking glances at Li Xiyan.
Watching her, Li Xiyan finally relaxed.