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When Zhang Xiande was wheeled into the ward, his face was already pale.

Zhang's mother rushed forward and grabbed the doctor's arm, her knuckles turning white. "Doctor! I beg you! He's my only son! He can't... he can't be hurt!" Her voice trembled uncontrollably, filled with desperate sobs.

You Jiale stood beside him, stiffly holding Zhang's mother's trembling shoulders. His eyes were fixed on the lifeless Zhang Xiande on the hospital bed, his chest aching so much that he could hardly breathe.

After the surgery, the doctor came out and took off his mask, his face grave. "Three days are crucial. If he doesn't wake up within three days..." Upon hearing this, Zhang's mother swayed violently, almost collapsing to the ground. You Jiale quickly caught her, frantically comforting her, "Auntie, no, he'll be alright..." Although it's said that evil deeds live on for a thousand years, he was still extremely panicked.

For the next two days, You Jiale barely slept. The hospital smelled pungent of disinfectant, and the ward was eerily quiet. He moved a stool and sat by the bedside, his eyes fixed on the pale face. When he was exhausted, he would lean on the edge of the bed for a short nap, but the slightest noise would wake him instantly. On the third day, sunlight streamed through the window, falling on Zhang Xiande's face, making him appear even weaker.

You Jiale looked at him, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Only two days had actually passed, but it felt like an eternity; it had been more than half a year since they first met.

Zhang Xiande had always protected him, both openly and secretly, indulging his stubbornness. Aside from being a bit controlling, he had never actually done anything to hurt him. He was truly foolish; how could he have been so foolish as to think Zhang Xiande was playing him for a fool?

"Didn't you say... you wanted to be my man?" You Jiale's voice was soft, slightly hoarse, as if he were talking to himself. "If you just leave like this... what you said before... won't count. Then I... can get married in the future?" He paused, staring intently at Zhang Xiande, trying to discern something from that calm face.

"If you don't wake up... I'm really going to get married." You Jiale's voice carried a hint of defiance, but more so an undeniable vulnerability. Zhang Xiande lay quietly, his breathing weak. He was actually somewhat conscious, but his body was too weak to react. His fingers twitched slightly, a very small movement, which You Jiale didn't notice.

You Jiale's voice was choked with suppressed sobs, her eyes stinging with tears. "Please wake up, okay? I'm begging you! If you wake up, I'll... I'll... I'll promise you, and try it with you!" Her shoulders trembled uncontrollably.

Just then, the person on the hospital bed seemed to have used up all their remaining strength to squeeze out an extremely hoarse voice: "This...is...what...you...said..."

You Jiale suddenly raised his head, staring at Zhang Xiande in disbelief, his eyes widening instantly. "You...you tricked me!!" Immediately, a surge of immense joy welled up inside him. He disregarded everything else, jumped up, rushed to the door, and shouted, "Doctor! Doctor! He's awake!" His voice was trembling with tears, yet filled with surprise and delight.

After the doctor came in to examine her, he seemed more relaxed. "It's good that you're awake. You're out of danger now. You still need to be observed in the hospital for a few more days. You can't leave the hospital without permission."

For the next few days, You Jiale stayed by Zhang Xiande's side at the hospital. Zhang Xiande lay on the hospital bed, his face pale. You Jiale peeled an orange, the sweet and sour aroma filling the room, while chattering away, "Let me tell you, it's all been investigated. That bastard was a Japanese soldier, not from above. The liaison officer sent from above has already been killed. I told you, he didn't look like a good guy." He threw the orange peel into the trash can without even lifting his eyelids, "You should just lie there quietly now, worrying will only make you recover slower." The oranges were clearly bought for the patient, but he ate them himself first.

Every day, he would bring food prepared by Yunyintang and carefully feed it to Zhang Xiande, somewhat reluctantly, yet genuinely concerned. In the ward, You Jiale's voice, tinged with complaint yet gentle, would often ring out, "Eat slowly, it's hot... I know you're hungry, and no one's going to take it from you..." Looking at him, Zhang Xiande felt that this blow had been well worth it.

"Lele, what you said when I fainted... was it true?"

Upon hearing this, You Jiale immediately wanted to deny it, "What did I say? Are you dreaming? Don't make things up without any evidence."

Zhang Xiande suddenly frowned, "Ouch...that hurts!"

You Jiale suddenly stood up, her voice panicked, "Where does it hurt? I'll call the doctor right now!"

Zhang Xiande looked at him with a resentful gaze, "It hurts. How can it not hurt when you've been deceived?"

You Jiale glared at him, her hands itching to punch him, but she softened her voice, "I was just saying I'd try! Don't look like you want to eat me alive. I used to be a real man, turning gay takes time, right? We need to agree on some rules!"

Zhang Xiande's lips curled into a smile. "Alright."

You Jiale held up one finger. "Chapter One! You're not allowed to touch me without my permission!" He paused, frowned, and tried to think. "Chapter Two... I haven't thought of it yet. I'll tell you when I've figured it out!"

Zhang Xiande looked at him, his eyes full of doting and triumph, his tone tinged with amusement, "Okay, whatever you say."

However, Qin Zheng and Secretary Li walked in with the documents, only to find that their boss's assistant, You, was lying sprawled out on two-thirds of the large hospital bed, fast asleep, while their boss, Zhang Xiande, was squeezed to the side. The two exchanged a knowing glance, tacitly agreeing that this was probably their boss's peculiar hobby. Zhang Xiande gave them a look, signaling them to leave and return tomorrow to report.