"Wake up sleepy head, you have slept enough."

"I don't want to."

"All right if you don't get up now, I will go and you won't see me for a long time"

"What? No don't go"

"Then open up your eyes little fox"

Feng Jiu subconscious pushed her to wake up. She groggily opened her eyes; blinking to refocus the images at her surroundings. She realized that it was only a dream. She was trying to make sense of her current situation. "It must be another trial for me. Si Ming was not joking around when he warned me about a painful death. Why am I here now? I need to get out from this place." Feng Jiu tried to move from her bed and forgot she was hooked up to all sort of machines. "Ouch!"

"How is my patient feeling this morning?"

A familiar voice startled her thoughts, but could it be him? Her eyes moved to the man who was talking to her "Who, who are you?" She hesitantly asked him.

"I'm your doctor. You gave me quite a scare, your heart was about to give out on me." He sat down next to her, staring her face with his intense gaze.

Feng Jiu recognized his black stone eyes but thought that she was still dreaming. "Dijun?" She quietly asked him.

"Yes?" He replied with a tender voice.

Feng Jiu subconscious recognized the tone of his voice, her heart started to beat fast; the heart monitor was showing her erratic heartbeats on the screen. "Are you okay? You seemed to be excited for some reason. Please calm yourself before I have to revive you again." He said on a teasing tone.

"Dong Hua?" She asked with teary eyes.

Dong Hua gulped hard holding back his tears, with a trembling voice he regarded her: "My mischievous little fox, I finally found you." Dong Hua came closer and gently kissed her forehead to calm her down. Feng Jiu was crying and hyperventilating. "Dong Hua, Dong Hua...."

"Jiu'er my love please calm down; you are badly hurt. I'm here now; I'm not going anywhere." He wiped her tears soothing her face.

"Dong Hua is it really you? I'm not dreaming again?"

"It is me Jiu'er, your husband. You are not dreaming my sweet little fox. We are finally together. I'm so sorry that I'm late."

"Dong Hua I really missed you so much!" She managed to say between her crying.

"I missed you too my love. Shhh, please calm down. I can't bear seeing you like this. You almost died in my arms again." Dong Hua kissed her forehead repeatedly holding her carefully in his arms.

"You are really here, did you saved me?" She was clinging to him.

"I did. I couldn't let you die my little fox. I've been trying to get to you, but I was detained. Please calm down. You need to remain calm sweet love for your own good. Let me check your vitals and see if you are stable. Then I can take you off from these machines okay?"

"Okay." Feng Jiu let go of him.

Dong Hua took his stethoscope and placed it on Feng Jiu's back. Hmm, your lungs are clear. I need to do more tests on you for any hidden signs of head trauma. You suffered a heavy impact. You have a couple of broken ribs fortunately no punctured lungs. Your legs are swollen but the swelling will go down, and your bruises will clear up. All of your internal organs are functioning. Fortunately, there is no internal bleeding. However, you suffered a heart injury, I did a heart surgery on it to close a small hole. You have a small scar on your chest. For now, you need to remain calm so you don't open up your stiches. It will heal." Dong Hua carefully disconnected Feng Jiu from the machines except the heart monitor. "The heart monitor will stay on for at least one more week. I want to monitor your heartbeats."

Feng Jiu attentively was watching Dong Hua tend to her. "How long I've been out?"

"Close to a month. I had to put you on a coma for you to recuperate. I'm glad that you were able to wake up by your own and that you have vocal and hearing functions. Those are good signs of no head injury. It will take at least a couple of weeks before you can start rehabilitation. You have a strong body for being petite." Dong Hua sweetly smiled at her.

Feng Jiu was taking all of this information "So how are we going to address each other in front of everyone else?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean are you my doctor or my husband?"

"Both. Don't worry about anything else. I'm here with you now and I'm not going leave your side. I'm the only physician in charge of your case, no other doctor is allowed to see you. Only me. The hospital staff knows that you are my wife. So, others will attend my other patients."

"How did you managed to get to me? Si Ming told me that you were in trouble. What kept you?"

Dong Hua breathed in and exhaled hard "Little fox, you are always so eager to know things. Can we discuss this topic when you are more stable? I don't want you to get agitated or angry at me anymore." Dong Hua caressed her temples.

"Dong Hua don't keep things from me, this is the reason why we are like this now." Feng Jiu said pouting at him.

"I know Jiu'er and for that I greatly regret behaving like I did before leaving you in the dark for the three months we were separated. It's all my fault. Please forgive me. I will try my best to better understand your motives behind your actions before reacting the way I did. I will do anything to make it up to you." Dong Hua held her hand and gently kissed her knuckles.

"I will forgive you if you promise me to tell me everything. It is important for me that you trust me as your wife and equal. I love you Dong Hua and I care about what happens to you, small or big." Feng Jiu resolve was firm.

"And I love you too Jiu'er. I promise to tell you what you need to know when you are better. For now, you need to concentrate on getting healthy and recuperate before we go back."

"Where are we back home?"

"Our immortal bodies are at Bihai Cangling. Zhe Yan, Mo Yan and your mother are there guarding them. We are safe. But you need to get strong little fox, your ascension waits for you at Qing Qui."

"I know, Si Ming told me. He said that you will help me."

"Yes I will. But for now, be at ease that you are safe with me. I miss having you in my arms."

"And I miss your long silver hair to soothe me." Feng Jiu ran her hand on his black short hair.

"You do?" Dong Hua asked her. Feng Jiu nodded at him pouting.

"I thought about that so I brought you an incense warmer with your favorite scent." He pointed out to the night stand next to her bed.

"White sandalwood! You know me the most; oh thank you, husband. I love you." Feng Jiu closed her eyes sniffing the soothing scent while being in his arms.

"I dote you the most don't I?" Dong Hua grinned at her.

"You do, but don't stretch it, you are still on hot waters Dr. Dijun." She pointed at his chest and giggled at him.

Dong Hua pouted at her "How I missed that sound my mischievous little fox." Feng Jiu smiled at his face and gave him a chaste kiss on his lips. The heart monitor went crazy...

"Jiu'er, behave, be a good girl." Dong Hua tenderly warned her.

"Sorry I couldn't help it. I wanted to make sure that you are real."

"If you misbehave then you will not get better and if you don't get better then we can't kiss."

"Are you being persuasive with me Dr. Dijun? Feng Jiu teasingly asked.

"I have to secure my most precious patient wellbeing. After all I am your doctor." He gently pulled her nose.

Let's see about that" Feng Jiu mentally said and smiled back at him with her eyes closed.

"How long are we staying here?"

"Until you get better. I don't want to move you yet. Although you have this mortal body your heart injury needs to heal first. I'm not taking any chances."

"I didn't know that you could be a heart surgeon?"

"When it comes to you little fox, I'll do anything."

"Anything?" She sweetly fluttered her eyelashes to him.

"Little fox" Dong Hua warned her.

"Okay, I will behave."

"That is much better."

For the next weeks Feng Jiu entered physical rehabilitation, she was able to regain muscle coordination and strength on her legs. Her mortal body was healing, but she felt a bit frustrated "I want to run already" She said pouting.

"Take it slow Jiu'er you are doing great." Dong Hua was monitoring her progress along with her trainer.

"I want to go back home." Feng Jiu protested.

Dong Hua sighed. "Not yet Jiu'er, you need to be stronger. You are healing fine too, and your tests results came negative for head trauma. Your progress is where it needs to be at this point. Don't rush it and risk yourself for another injury." He patiently told her.

"Right on Dr. Dijun." Feng Jiu teased him.

"I miss that teasing mouth of yours." He wickedly smiled at her.

"If you do, come and show me how much you miss it" Feng Jiu sweetly grinned at him.

"As much as I want to, you can't handle that type of excitement yet." Dong Hua responded raising his eyebrow with a teasing smile.

Both of them were getting heated in front of the physical therapist.

"These two are shameless." She thought. "Dr. Dijun you are not helping here, please let your wife continue her therapy. You can sit on the chair and watch her from there." Feng Jiu's trainer ordered Dong Hua.

Dong Hua gave the trainer one of his famous deadly stares, making her feel uncomfortable. She began sweating bullets. The trainer gulped hard and nervously said: "Or if you prefer you can stand near me, but please don't tease her."

"Much better." Dong Hua sternly replied to her.

"Oh, don't mind my husband Mrs. Lee, he is always so bossy." Feng Jiu smiled.

"All right Mrs. Lee my wife seems to be done with her therapy for today. She can follow her next therapy session at the rehab pool."

"Yes, she can, aquatic therapy is also beneficial for sprains, strains, and tears. I will recommend her swimming or walking in the water as preferred rehabilitation exercises for injuries to ligaments, muscles, or tendons. She could do 3 additional sessions at the pool to complete her physical rehabilitation and I will discharge her from my care then, after that she is all yours doctor.

"Thank you, Mrs. Lee. Three more weeks and we could go back home?" Feng Jiu asked Dong Hua.

"Yes, my love." Dong Hua hold her in his embrace. He was content for her progress. "Jiu'er, I'm scheduled for surgery this afternoon, will you be okay being by yourself for a few hours? I can send Mrs. Lee to your room if you don't want to be alone."

"No need. I'll be fine. I will do my walking routine in the lobby so I don't get bored."

"Just don't strain yourself too much and don't wander around the hospital or you will get lost."

"All right Dr. Dijun, I will behave."

"I will take you back to your room before I leave to get prep for surgery."

"Okay let's go."

Dong Hua carried her all the way back to her room. The hospital staff was already accustomed to his affection ways towards his wife. Feng Jiu always blushed out of embarrassment when they arrived at his floor. All the nurses giggled when they saw their adorable interactions.

"Mrs. Wu, I will leave my wife in your care while I'm on surgery, don't let her wander around the lobby or other areas in the hospital, understood?" Dong Hua ordered the CNO.

"Of course, Dr. Dijun you can go at ease, she will be fine" Mrs. Wu responded.

"I'll see you later Jiu'er be a good girl and listen to Mrs. Wu." Dong Hua kissed her forehead before leaving for surgery.

"Yes doctor." "He looks so yummy this way too" Feng Jiu giggled at her naughty thoughts.

All the nurses were waiting for Dong Hua to leave so they can come and keep Feng Jiu company. They all came to chat with her. "Ok Mrs. Dijun when are you going to surprise Dr. Dijun?" Mrs. Wu asked her. "Yes, please tell us", the rest of the nurses said.

"Huh? I don't know what are you referring to."

"You know with a baby. You guys look great together but we know that deep inside Dr. Dijun wants to be a father. Right ladies?" "Yes, he does", they all answered to Mrs. Wu.

"And how do you all know that?" Feng Jiu asked her.

"Because he's doing surgery on a newborn baby this evening. He's been at the nursery during the past nights when you are sleeping studying this baby case. He personally asked for this surgery. When you were in coma, he will always stop at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and spend hours there, soothing them and finding ways to make them feel comfortable. He has a heart of gold Mrs. Dijun, you should have seen him; we have pictures to prove it. Here look at him." Mrs. Wu handed her phone to Feng Jiu and she saw Dong Hua handling some premature babies at the NICU. Her eyes misted. She felt so proud for him.

"He has saved many premature babies lives at the NICU ever since he started working here. He's one of the top chief heart surgeons in the country. We are blessed to have him here with us." Mrs. Wu said.

Feng Jiu smiled at this realization. "He is capable of so many things Mrs. Wu. Thank you for sharing these pictures with me. I was not aware of my husband's charitable deeds and desires. I guessed we haven't talked about it yet because we are not fully prepared or the time has not yet been the right one. Maybe when I get better, we can try."

"He will be a wonderful father, that I guarantee you Mrs. Dijun. The way he handles himself around children let me know how much he desires to have one. Don't wait too much and start preparing yourself Mrs. Dijun while you are young." Mrs. Wu told her.

"You think that we are ready?" Feng Jiu quietly asked Mrs. Wu.

"I know so Mrs. Dijun. Babies have an emergent sense of self right from the very start. So long as it grows well, this young part of us is the source of mindful wonder and creativity throughout our lives. Quite naturally babies are like little waves that fearlessly crest from oceanic waters or subside into them. To flow both ways, they need two gifts: embodied connection to their ground of being, which is the maternal body, and respect shown to their emergent sense of self which belongs to the paternal body. Lack of proper connection and respect impedes babies' life flow, and they risk becoming cut off. I have seen how Dr. Dijun treats you. When he brought you here at the ER, he fought with everything he got to keep you alive. We've seen him in action before but with you it was different. He took charge of the situation with precision and force. He absolutely adores you Mrs. Dijun. You two share an unbreakable bond and a solid connection. When your body gets completely healed, go on a journey of purification and start preparing your womb to give life. It's a wonderful experience. Think about it. Surprise him, he will be overjoyed." Mrs. Wu told her.

"You think so?" Feng Jiu asked.

"We know so, right ladies?" "Yes Mrs. Wu."

"How about eating dinner or do you prefer to wait for Dr. Dijun to come. He should be done with his surgery."

"I will wait for him."

"Okay, we will have your dinner ready. Let us know when you want to eat together so we can send your food right away." One of the nurses said.

"Thank you for the talk girls." Feng Jiu thank them while they were leaving her room. Mrs. Wu stayed behind.

"Mrs. Dijun, you are very fortunate to have someone who is fated with you that isnt afraid to fight for you every day with every ounce of his being no matter what and is willing to do anything to see you happy. Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections. You can't change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future. Hold him deep in your heart and don't give up on him so easily. Externally he might appear to be a bit aloof sometimes or might say the wrong things or act apathetic; but internally he will go crazy if something happens to you. Don't doubt his feelings for you. He is a keeper. A love that is sincere, good and pure doesn't come easy. It takes time to cultivate it, to mature and grow. Don't let anyone or anything destroy your precious marriage. You are made for each other. Fight for your love. Go against the grain if you have to but make it happen. Great things are worth fighting for. Remember these words my dear." Mrs. Wu tenderly told her.

"Thank you, Mrs. Wu, I will treasure your words in my heart." Feng Jiu felt reassured by her words.

"Now I will let you rest. Let me know if you need anything Mrs. Dijun."

"Thank you Mrs. Wu."

Feng Jiu meditated on Mrs. Wu words. She went deep in thought about her husband wanting to have children, her upending ascension trial at Qing Qui and the heavy impact of her mortal trials experiences. Time passed and she didn't noticed Dong Hua by the door observing her.

"I wonder where my wife is at this time, being so lost in her thoughts."

"Dong Hua you are back. How was surgery?"

"Everything went smooth. I come to take you out for dinner."

"I can't walk for long so where are we going?" Feng Jiu excitedly asked him.

"I will carry you. Come, I asked Mrs. Wu to prepare us a private room for us to dine in peace." Dong Hua placed her on a wheelchair and went to the hospital terrace. A small table was prepared with everything for them. He helped Feng Jiu sat on her chair. "It is now my turn to feed my wife"

"You are not going to let me feed you? I love doing that." Feng Jiu quietly said.

"I know but I want to feed you for a change. When we go back home, you can feed me all you want. Deal little fox?"

"Deal my husband."

"I hope you like it. Mrs. Wu cooked for us. Here, taste" Dong Hua carefully spoon fed her.

"Mmm is delicious. Dong Hua can we take Mrs. Wu with us?"

"Why? Do you like her?"

"She can keep me company. I like her a lot. She is a wise woman and very caring, she can be with us at Qing Qui and Tai Chen and help Migu and Zhong Li whenever they are busy."

"That means she needs to ascend as an immortal."

"Do you trust her?"

"I do; but it will be her choice Jiu'er. We can't force someone to abandon their world just like that."

"Would you think about it?"

"I will think about it Jiu'er but please eat before it gets cold." Dong Hua admonished her.

"You are so bossy Dr. Dijun."

"And you are such a naughty little fox Mrs. Dijun." He scoffed at her.

They ate the rest of their meal teasing each other and enjoying each other company. Dong Hua returned Feng Jiu to her hospital room and laid next to her.

"Dong Hua please hold me." Feng Jiu pleading gaze met his.