Yu Qing was walking at a brisk pace down the hall toward her brother's room. There had been a multiple car accident and it had been all hands on deck for almost two hours. She didn't resent the injured needing help but she was worried sick about A'Bin. 

The fiasco in the room had been whispered to her by a nurse who had been present. The nurse had promised she hadn't and wouldn't tell anyone else but the woman had known Yu Bin was her brother. She felt Yu Qing deserved to know. Now, the staff was forbidden entrance unless there was an emergency or until either she or Lan Xichen arrived. No one was willing to face the three police officers inside.

She understood the sentiment. Word of the severely broken arm needing two plates to repair it had spread. No one was naming the patient but it was whispered the slender detective had done it with ease. The nurse had mentioned him specifically in connection with clearing the room. The woman had no doubts if they hadn't left willingly, he would have made them leave. News of the Inspector who had punched Wen Chao hard enough to break his orbital socket and had ordered his men to 'hold it' if the man had to urinate, had also spread like wildfire. And then there was Nie Huaisang.

She wasn't sure what to think of the man. After talking to the admitting doctor, she knew all about Nie Huaisang threatening him. She gave a tiny smirk. That she kind of liked actually. While they had been watching the surgery, she had surreptitiously observed him. He may not know yet, but she'd bet a vacation in the Maldives Nie Huaisang was in love with her brother. His willingness to do anything necessary to protect her brother had her grudgingly giving him a respect she hadn't expected. She would wait and watch. If he treated Yu Bin as well as he protected him, she would give her blessing. If not... her thought trailed off as she quietly opened the hospital room door.

Inside, she saw Nie Huaisang talking on his phone via an ear bud. He was obviously talking about work. She hid a smile as she saw he was gently holding Yu Bin's hand. The handsome Inspector was on the sofa holding a battered child who was sound asleep. Even across the room, she could see the black eye. The split lip. The detective was holding the other patient's hand. They all looked exhausted.

She walked over to Yu Bin and carefully checked his vitals, his IV and examined his hand. They had pinned several of the bones together. When it healed, it would be almost unnoticeable to Yu Bin but while healing, it was frequently painful for patients. She hoped it wouldn't be for him. The swelling was extensive but that was to be expected. Overall, she was pleased with his condition. She looked at Nie Huaisang. His gaze was searching.

"He's doing well." she answered his unspoken question. The news brought a smile to the small man's face.

"Thank you."

She nodded looking at her little brother. He looked so young. Her fingers gently pushed his bangs back from his forehead to give him a kiss. Just as she had when they were children. When she realized Nie Huaisang was watching her with a smile, Yu Qing cleared her throat.

Standing upright, she went to the other patient. His vitals were good as was his color. She delicately examined his incision. A bit of bloody ooze but nothing out of the ordinary. She looked at the detective. He was watching her like a hawk.

"Dr. Yu Qing?" his voice was surprisingly deep.

"Yes, I am Yu Bin's sister. May I know your name?"

"Detective Lan Wangji. Thank you for looking after Wei Ying. How is he?" she noticed his gaze hadn't wavered. She hadn't been aware he was the man's lover.

"Your partner is doing well, Detective." She was surprised when he looked at her startled.

"Your brother is my partner." The man was obviously puzzled.

Now she was confused. Nie Huaisang was listening to the conversation and started quietly laughing. He turned toward them.

"Yu Bin is the Detective's partner at work. I am his partner... elsewhere."

"Ah..." she answered and then frowned trying to understand. "So the Detective and Wei Ying are partners elsewhere?"

'So someone else sees it.' Nie Huaisang thought. He cleared his throat.

"Let us just say the Detective and Wei Ying are a ... special circumstance." His voice was polite and noncommittal. Lan Wangji raised an eyebrow at Nie Huaisang who grinned back. She just nodded before turning to the last man.

She raised an eyebrow herself. "I am Dr. Yu Qing. Yu Bin's older sister. May I know you and the child's name?"

Jiang Cheng looked at the tiny woman and her feisty attitude then fought the urge to smile.

"I am Inspector Jiang Cheng. Your brother works for me. Wei Ying is my little brother. This is Wei Yuan, my nephew." He couldn't help his voice softening as he looked down at the sleeping boy. How could he sleep through everything that had gone on tonight?

'Maybe he really is Wei Ying's...' he thought.

Yu Qing took in the stern visage of the Inspector that went suddenly soft when he introduced his nephew and fought the urge to smile.

"I am pleased to meet all of you. I will be calling in two nurses to do their scheduled rounds. I have warned them to be quieter than normal and not to touch the patients more than absolutely necessary." she took out her phone and made a quick call.

"Come now." A pause.

"Yes, I'll be here the whole time. You'll be just fine." She rolled her eyes.

Jiang Cheng couldn't keep in the small smile that crept across his face. He liked this one.

-----

Jiang Yanli was twiddling with the hem of her shirt. It wasn't something she did often anymore. It was a habit of childhood but when she was severely stressed, it was there no matter how hard she tried to stop it. Now, alone in the elevator, she didn't bother to try.

'How do I tell him my mother sold my brother?' kept wandering around her head trying to connect to some sort of answer, solution. It came down to her having to just open her mouth and say it. The thought was enough to make her nauseous.

With a jarring ding, the door opened. In front of her was her husband waiting by the bank of elevators. They were not usually a publicly touchy couple but tonight none of that mattered. She put her arms around him and leaned in. His arms encircled her and brought comfort. Warmth. Safety.

"A'Yanli?" his voice was confused, concerned. "Are you okay? What has happened that you were crying?"

She laid her head on his chest for a moment and just absorbed his presence. His scent. His strength.

"We need to find a place to talk privately." she whispered.

"There should be a chapel. Maybe that will be empty at this time of the morning?" He called over to the grumpy receptionist who had treated him like he was crazy. "Where is the chapel, please?"

She had frowned at him and then pointed. "Go that way and then follow the signs." Her voice was irritated. Then she humphed at him. He narrowed his eyes. It was a good thing she wasn't talking to his Yanli that way. He wouldn't have allowed that but A'Yanli was already upset so he settled for another glare and he began to head down the indicated hallway with his wife safely tucked close beside him.

-----

Lan Xichen was tired. It had been a hellacious night. The emergency room had been busier than usual and he hadn't been able to check in with his brother. The cuts on his face, hand and shins weren't bad but that was his little brother. Lan Xichen had protected him his whole life. He wasn't about to stop now.

He wouldn't tell Lan Wangji but he had done the surgery on Wen Chao. Behind his mask he had smiled at the damage his brother had caused. Not very professional but he was proud of his brother's prowess.

They had also removed the last of the glass. He didn't know what Wen Chao had looked like originally since when he arrived in surgery the right side of his face was full of glass and the left was bruised and swollen from being punched by an Inspector in the emergency room apparently. Whatever he looked like before, it wouldn't be the same. The bruises and swelling would go down on both sides but the scarring would be extensive on the right side. Getting the tiny glass fragments out wasn't easy. Add the ones removed from his torso and the man would be covered in irregular webs of scarring.

Arriving at the VIP room, he sighed. A visit to check his brother and Wei Yuan, the two patients and then a shower. He smiled. Hot showers were a gift from the gods.

He entered quietly with the grace Lan Xichen was known for. His presence was most often described as 'soothing' by patients. He was comfortable to be around and it gave him a report with his patients not often found.

"Hello." He smiled at all in the room and slightly bowed. "Di-Di? How are you?" He smiled at his brother holding Wei Ying's hand. He had never seen his brother behave this way. Normally, he shunned touch. Keeping a carefully gauged distance physically and emotionally from others. But here he was, worried and holding Wei Ying's hand openly.

'This is promising.' he thought with a slightly wider than average smile.

"I am fine and Dr. Yu says both Wei Ying and Yu Bin are doing well. We are waiting for the nurses currently. Wei Yuan has slept most of the night. How are you? You look tired."

Lan Xichen came closer and examined the cuts on his Di-Di's face and hand. They looked good. Clean. They would heal well without scarring. A quick glance at his shins, despite the look of 'Really?' given to him by Lan Wangji, and he smiled at his brother. He would be just fine. 

"It was a long night but it went well. Is there anything anyone needs? Food or something to drink?" Everyone shook their heads no. The one thing they all needed was sleep but everyone was still keyed up from everything that had happened. Maybe now that they knew the men were doing as well as could be expected, they could at least rest for a couple of hours.

"I hope it won't be considered rude but I need to take a shower and try to get a few hours sleep. You should try to sleep also. All of you look bone-weary. Dr. Yu, if I may talk to you in the hallway for a moment."

Lan Wangji nodded at his brother as he left with Dr. Yu. He was tired all the way through. Maybe just a nap wouldn't hurt.

"How did they look?" Lan Xichen asked quietly.

"Good. Yu Bin's hand is severely swollen but I understand he was trying to get his hand and arm off the board earlier so it isn't surprising. If it doesn't begin to go down in the next twenty-four hours, I'll start worrying. Wei Ying is doing quite well. Solid vitals and breathing easily. Oxygen levels stable at ninety seven. Remarkable considering the surgery was on his left lung." Yu Qing was professional and specific in the information she conveyed.

"Go home, Lan Xichen. You look like hell." she grinned at him.

"Thank you so much." Lan Xichen mock huffed at her then smiled. "You should follow your own advice, my friend."

"I will. Soon. I want to see Yu Bin conscious first. Then I'll go home and grab a few hours." She gave him a small smile, a nod good night and went back to watch her brother.

Lan Xichen rubbed his face. 'Ahhh what a day...' he thought as he walked to the elevator leading to his home.

-----

For DBDavenport8, Happy Birthday, Sweetie! 🎉🎂🥰😘❤️

Sending Smiles to Everyone! 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

❤️🍫🫖❤️