As Nian looked at them, she grew shy and asked in a low voice, "What are you guys doing here?"
Xuanye chuckled. "We're here to see you guys. But I think we just disturbed you." She glanced at the boys, laughing.
The boys nodded their heads. Nian pouted and said, "Yay~ Xuanye, it's not like that! We were talking and he just… fell asleep on me," she said with an annoyed look.
The boys burst into laughter. Nian hushed them and glanced at DK.
Xuanye smiled and Joshua stepped forward with a bag. "We bought these fruits for you from the market. Eat them all, okay? Don't waste a single one."
Nian looked at them, touched. She peeked into the bag and smiled as she saw apples and oranges. "Guys… thank you so much for this," she said warmly.
Jun grinned. "It was a new experience for us. We don't go out much like this—it was fun, right guys?"
The boys nodded in unison. "Yeah~"
The girls chuckled.
Hearing all the noise, DK stirred and sat up, still groggy. He blinked at everyone and asked, "Where did you guys go?"
Nian giggled. "Loudie, are you still sleepy?"
He looked at her and smiled. "Yeah, but now that I've seen you, I'm fully awake."
Nian froze, caught off guard by his cheesy comment. The boys surrounded him instantly and started tickling him.
"DK, you're making our stomachs burn!" Scoups teased.
"Yeah!" Mingyu added. "If you and Minghao keep being this weird, we'll suffer from your cringe!"
DK laughed uncontrollably. "If your stomachs burn that much, then go fall in love too! Why are you punishing me?!"
Nian laughed at their antics as Xuanye sat beside her and placed a comforting arm on her shoulders.
"Nian, how are you feeling now?"
Nian gave her a gentle smile. "I'm fine, Xuanye. Honestly… just watching them makes me feel lighter."
Xuanye smiled faintly. "Nian… I'm sorry."
Nian turned to her, confused. "Why are you apologizing?"
Xuanye looked down. "If I'd picked up your call, none of this would've happened."
Nian reached for her hand. "Ye~ don't say that. The door locked by accident, and you were busy. If I get angry over that, then I'd be selfish. Don't blame yourself, okay?"
Xuanye nodded, eyes misty. They both looked over at the boys still teasing DK, who was now pleading for mercy.
Xuanye glanced at the time. "It's 6 PM. Guys, go get some dinner. It's getting late."
Nian checked her phone. "Yeah, you should rest now. Xuanye and I can manage here."
DK shook his head. "No way—we're not leaving until you're discharged."
Nian gave him a pointed look. "DK, why are you being so stubborn? You guys have practice tomorrow. Are you really going to sleep here and then go train?"
DK scratched his neck with a grin. "Actually, yeah! I thought going back and forth would be tiring. Thanks for the idea~" He patted her head. "What do you guys say?"
The boys nodded with playful smiles.
Nian blinked and whispered to Xuanye, "How can they just crash into a hospital room like this?"
Xuanye whispered back, "Once they make up their minds, that's it."
Nian sighed. "Let's leave them to it. But I'm starving…"
Xuanye chuckled. "Then start with these fruits. I'll go get food."
Nian stood and asked the boys, "What do you guys want to eat?"
They looked up and said, "Your choice, Xuanye! Just get what you're getting for yourselves."
She nodded and turned to go.
Minghao quickly caught up and gently held her hand. "I'm coming with you."
Xuanye blinked. "Hao~ why are you coming?"
He nodded. She sighed. "You're making this difficult… How can a top K-pop idol walk around with me?"
Minghao stood in front of her, leaning in. "Ye~ are you teasing me again?"
Xuanye covered her mouth, trying not to laugh, and shook her head.
"If anyone sees us, I'll just say you're staff. No one'll doubt me," he smirked.
Xuanye raised her brows. "Hao, you've become so cheeky."
Minghao smiled and nudged her forward as they headed to the shop.
Back inside, the boys surveyed the room.
Mingyu said, "We've got one bed, two sofas. Nian's got the bed. So let's split—me, Scoups, Jeonghan, Wonwoo, and Woozi on one sofa; Hoshi, Boo, Jun, Joshua, Vernon, and Dino on the other."
The boys scratched their heads.
Nian looked at them, exasperated. "Why not just go back to your dorms?"
Woozi said, "We're not leaving till you're discharged, Nian."
Nian was touched… but also concerned. Are they sacks of rice to sleep on sofas like this?
"Where will DK, Minghao, and Xuanye sleep?" she asked again. "If you're so eager, just rent a hotel room and visit in the morning."
Boo sighed. "To rent a room, we need money…"
The others nodded solemnly.
Dino added, "If we rent a room, our budget's gone."
Nian stared at them. Are you guys billionaires or broke billionaires?! I should be the one saying this!
She shook her head.
"But seriously, where will DK and Minghao sleep?"
The boys smiled mischievously.
Boo said, "DK will sleep with you. Minghao and Xuanye can decide.
DK gave a thumbs-up while Nian nearly choked.
"Boo! What are you saying?!"
Boo grinned. "You two looked like a married couple earlier. DK won't mind, right?"
DK nodded proudly. Nian looked at him. "Loudie… are you that excited?!"
DK, flustered, gave her a gentle push while the boys howled with laughter.