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"Brother Yong, you've come to visit me today, right?" Ye Fenglin's voice drifted lightly from the hospital room.
Xie Yong, however, remained unfazed and continued to clean up the mess for me.
His fingers were beautiful, with distinct bones, long and clean, every curve was pleasing to the eye, and beneath his pale skin were faint yet powerful veins.
Seeing that I didn't speak, Xie Yong was unusually gentle. There were a few intact cookies on the ground, which he picked up and ate.
I was extremely surprised. You see, Xie Yong is a complete germaphobe. Even when his beloved Samoyed comes to pounce on him, he will first calmly check the puppy's paws to make sure it hasn't gotten dirty from playing around, and then wipe them clean before allowing it to kiss him.
This is a hospital, even if this is a top-tier ward for the wealthy...
He's so inconsiderate!
I was afraid he would get an upset stomach, so I quickly pressed his hand down and shook my head.
I picked up the cookies and threw them into the paper bag, intending to throw them away.
Xie Yong glanced at the hand I had touched, then took the initiative to hold mine.
He slightly curled his lips, his expression arrogant and sharp, the upward curve of his lips revealing his good mood: "Can't you speak properly? Are you a patient here?"
I'm too used to his personality. He's arrogant and confident, and only believes what he sees in front of him. Since he misunderstood, there's no need for me to explain.
When I stopped pleading with Yu Xu, our lives became completely separate, and I let him do whatever he wanted.
"Brother Xie Yong?" Lin Zhi'en called out again. Perhaps she had been waiting a while at the door, because she came over.
I felt as if I had been burned, and quickly withdrew my hand from Xie Yong's palm.
Lin Zhien cast a curious glance at me and asked, "Are you Ye Zi's friend? Are you here to visit him too?"
I nodded and walked into the ward. When Ye Fenglin saw me, the coldness in his eyes seemed to solidify. He was hot and cold all the time, which I was used to. I handed him the biscuits that hadn't fallen out of the paper bag and threw the dirty ones into the trash can.
Ye Fenglin's eyes were cold and arrogant, exceptionally sharp. "You dropped it on the ground and then gave it to me to eat?"
"These didn't fall off," I explained on my phone, completely frank.
Ye Fenglin stared at me with his dark eyes, full of dissatisfaction, but his hands were quite honest; he took a piece and put it in his mouth.
"Did you make this yourself?" He commented, "It's alright, but don't burn it too much next time, it's a bit bitter."
Lin Zhien and Xie Yong were both looking at the two of us.
Xie Yong stood there with his hands in his pockets, his emotions unreadable, while Lin Zhi'en was extremely gentle. "Ye Zi, aren't you going to introduce her?"
Ye Fenglin: "I was almost shot to death a few days ago. Her boyfriend took a bullet for me. My mother was worried that I would be bored in the hospital, so she asked her to come and keep me company when she had time."
Xie Yong was stunned for a moment.
Then, a disdainful smile appeared on his lips. "Ye Zi, is it that your aunt is worried you'll be bored, or do you find it boring yourself? Do you think this is appropriate? She's the girlfriend of your savior, yet you're making such an unreasonable request of her."
Ye Fenglin coldly squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth: "I gave her money. Besides, I'm taking care of her boyfriend. Even if he doesn't wake up, I promised her I would take full responsibility."
Lin Zhi'en also disagreed, "Ye Zi... this is inappropriate."
"Otherwise what? Do you expect me to come see you every day?" Ye Fenglin smiled, revealing a hint of his true feelings. "Zhi'en, are you staying here today, or are you going to Yong-ge's birthday party later?"
I've never seen Ye Fenglin so openly mocking Lin Zhi'en before. Perhaps it's because he's in the hospital, and his vulnerability is easily triggered. Besides, Ye Fenglin is a guy who's most afraid of being alone.
Lin Zhi'en didn't expect him to say that. She fell silent, holding the sunflower she had bought in her hand. It seemed to have lost its vitality and looked wilted.
She lowered her eyes and said, "You're already in your twenties, yet you're still acting like a child, Ye Zi."
Ye Fenglin's expression changed instantly.
He liked Lin Zhi'en, perhaps his intention was just to act cute and hope that the girl would treat him more specially, but Lin Zhi'en was extremely disappointed in him. She said in a very soft tone, "When will you mature like Xie Yong?"
Ye Fenglin hates it when people compare him to Xie Yong, and this comment came from the girl he likes.
His specialty was his unpredictable emotional shifts, his sudden change of heart. Ye Fenglin looked at Xie Yong and suddenly curled his lips into a smile. "As you can see, Jiang Fu and I have something to discuss. Could you please leave first?"
Xie Yong stared at him, but Ye Fenglin looked back at him defiantly.
The two seemed to be arguing over Lin Zhi'en, so I thought for a moment and then left when they weren't looking.
It's clearly inappropriate for an outsider like me to show up at this time.
I glanced at my watch; there was still some time. I returned to school. It was nearing the end of the semester and also Christmas, so there weren't many people on campus. Pingli Art Studio was usually packed, but today there were only a few scattered students inside.
Our major courses ended last week, and we have two weeks left to finish our assignments. The thought of having to visit Yu Xu at the hospital every day made me work faster. By the time I finished, it was already pitch black outside. @Unlimited good articles, all at Literary City
It was time to go home. I quickly packed up my art supplies, grabbed my bag, and headed out.
State universities are not designed as closed campuses. Located in the heart of the Empire State, the campus buildings blend seamlessly with the city, and the purple torch logo can be seen hanging everywhere on the buildings along the streets.
Tomorrow night is Christmas, and this is the central area of the commercial street. Even at 10 p.m., it's still bustling with people.
Cars weaved through the lanes beside us, Christmas trees lined the streets, and shop windows lit up. Even though the sky was overcast, looking like it was going to snow heavily tomorrow, the surroundings were still as bright as day, and everything looked very festive.
I had only been walking for a short while when I felt a car following me.
"..."
My panic and racing heart showed no signs of calming down. I didn't dare to stop, thinking that maybe I was just overthinking things. I walked to the department store window on the side of the street and stared intently at the giant teddy bear and festive decorations inside.
Actually, I just wanted to secretly look behind me through the glass.
Porsche, Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini... one luxury car after another passed by behind me, their reflections catching the eye of the smiling teddy bear in the shop window. I couldn't see the car that terrified me; the turmoil in my heart, like heavy clouds, was slowly being blown away by the wind.
Not far away, the clock in the square chimed heavily; it was already eleven o'clock. I didn't want to disturb Lu Qixi any longer, so I quietly went back.
Before leaving, I couldn't resist taking a few pictures of the teddy bear with my phone, looking at its adorable appearance.
When Yu Xu wakes up, even though Christmas is over, these photos will make him, someone who loves taking and sharing photos, less regretful.
Just as I put away my phone and was about to turn around...
Beneath the teddy bear's eyes, the glass reflected the black Rolls-Royce parked on the street corner behind me, hidden in the alternating light and shadow. I even felt that the people inside the car were probably smiling, watching my clumsy actions.
Fine beads of sweat glistened on my forehead, and I heard deafening thuds in my ears. I couldn't go to Lu Qixi's place, I thought. I quickly ran to the street, hailed a taxi, and asked the driver to take me to the Imperial Hospital.
There are doctors and nurses on duty there 24 hours a day, so it's very safe. I reassured myself, and the driver, seeing me shivering, thought I was freezing outside and thoughtfully turned up the temperature inside the car.
Faster, faster! Even though I knew there was nothing behind me, I couldn't help but keep looking back.
The road grew darker and darker, like the bottomless throat of a wild beast. I bit my lip and lowered my head.
The Imperial Hospital was brightly lit. I got out of the taxi and ran towards Yu Xu's ward. My heart was still pounding. The patients in the hospital were all resting, and the doctors and nurses on duty were in their offices. The subtle atmosphere made me more and more afraid.
I opened the door to the ward, and Yu Xu was still sleeping soundly. The jasmine flowers that had been placed there that morning were still delicate and pitiful. I breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at Yu Xu's vital signs through the monitor screen. There were no problems.
The ward has a private bedroom for family members to accompany the patient, complete with toiletries.
I had brought some spare clothes with me. I went inside, took a shower, changed into my nightgown, and snuggled into bed, falling asleep. Perhaps it was the change of sleeping place, or perhaps it was the lingering shadow of that black Rolls-Royce from tonight, but I dreamed of that car again.
In my dream, I was sitting in a car, driving along a winding mountain road, surrounded by lush, verdant mountains.
As the car drove halfway up the mountain, through the black carved gate, we came to an exceptionally luxurious manor villa, entirely white, surrounded by neatly manicured lawns.
The servants stood at the door, bowing slightly. "Miss Xiao Fu, you're back."
I'm back? I hesitated, but had already handed my uniform jacket and schoolbag to the maid, who smiled and said, "Miss, the young masters are waiting for you by the pool. Please go quickly."
Another maid handed me cake and orange juice, gesturing for me to take them to the poolside.
I slowly walked over there. European antique materials, furniture, fireplaces... the villa seemed to be full of works of art. The corridor led to a huge swimming pool next to the garden. The pool was empty, and the azure water was crystal clear. On the shore, Jiang Mingzhuo leaned back in the sofa, looking lazy and casual.
Beside him sat Jiang Zhao. Perhaps he had just come out of the pool; a towel was draped over his shoulders, revealing thin layers of powerful muscles. His short hair was splashed by the pool water, exposing his forehead. He was handsome, aristocratic, and even somewhat... @Unlimited good articles, all at Literary City
Both brothers exuded an air of superiority, which they casually revealed despite their relaxed attire.
“I’ve found something I’ve been wanting,” Jiang Zhao said softly.
"Hmm? Your Highness, what do you want?" Jiang Mingzhuo asked curiously. "You've just returned to the country, you probably haven't met many people yet."
"The one next to you." Jiang Zhao said bluntly, his voice low and husky, slightly cold and heavy.
Jiang Mingzhuo's thin lips curved into a smile as he nodded and laughed heartily. "Hahaha, brother, that's not a thing, she's a person. What do you want her for? A girlfriend, a playmate, or... a future mistress?"
Jiang Zhao suddenly chuckled, his sharp and arrogant aura still lingering. "Be my wife."
Jiang Mingzhuo seemed to have heard a joke. He narrowed his eyes, his eyes and brows full of laughter, but anyone who knew him well knew that Jiang Mingzhuo was about to get angry.
He smirked. "Wanting to be your wife isn't something you can just decide with a few words. I know you're used to taking things from me, but she's different. You have to invest time, effort, and sincerity to make her willingly stay by your side, even if you lose everything. Can you do that?"
A cold, sharp glint flashed in Jiang Zhao's eyes as he looked at Jiang Mingzhuo and asked provocatively, "Can you do it?"
Jiang Mingzhuo had already seen me carrying juice and cake.
On a gloomy summer evening, with gray clouds hanging in the sky, Jiang Mingzhuo smiled and said, "Of course, I am very patient, and I will stay by her side for the rest of my life. Even if she gets tired of me one day, she will never leave me."
Jiang Mingzhuo turned to the side, "Xiao Fu is here, I'm not talking to you anymore."
After saying that, he stood up and took the things from my hands. I looked into his eyes; they were bright, calm, and held a determined, aggressive edge.
Seeing that I seemed curious about Jiang Zhao, Jiang Mingzhuo smiled, as if every word was directed at me.
Don't, think, leave, me.
The dream quickly changed; I seemed to see a venomous snake, its tongue flicking, greasy and cold, walking on a soft, white carpet. It encountered two plump, beautiful cherries and coiled around them.
The cherries had grown tired of playing with the jasmine, so the snake continued downwards, flicking its tongue. The already fragile jasmine flowers were further tormented by the snake's touch and battered by the rain.
"..." I felt a very gentle kiss, which instantly drove away the venomous snake that had been tightly coiling around me. The arms around my lower back were frighteningly hot. I thought it was Yu Xu. Only he would hold me so gently as I sat up. He liked to kiss me like this.
Yu Xu's fingers were so strong that I couldn't refuse. I opened my eyes vaguely. The ward was eerily quiet. Even the instruments that used to beep were silent. I looked up at the glass opposite the bedroom. The ward was completely dark. All the instruments seemed to have been turned off.
The VIP ward was extremely sensitive; who had come in? I woke up with a start.
Who is the person deep inside me? I felt a chill run through my body. I reached out to pry his fingers off my waist and struggled desperately. I finally managed to fall off the bed and opened the door to the ward. Only then did I realize that there wasn't even a light in the corridor. It was dark and gloomy.
Only the green signs for the emergency exits emitted a faint glow in the dim light.
Someone, please save me! I cried out in fear, running forward as fast as I could, searching for the doctor's office by memory. I remembered it was downstairs... I groped along the wall in the dark, terrified that someone would catch up with me. In my panic, I opened the emergency exit door and hid in the doorway, my body trembling, but I dared not make a sound or move.
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In the early morning, as the sky outside began to lighten, I heard the nurse push open the door and slowly opened my eyes.
Thinking of last night's nightmare, I broke out in a cold sweat. I looked down and found myself fully dressed, with even my feet and calves clean. I clearly remembered that I had tripped and fallen while running away last night, but there wasn't a trace of it.
Was it really a dream? I quickly grabbed a cardigan, draped it over my shoulders, and went outside.
In the ward, all the instruments showed normal readings. I pulled the nurse aside, thought for a moment, then lowered my head to type and handed her my phone.
I asked, "Was there a power outage last night?"
She was puzzled: "No, Ms. Jiang, are you under too much pressure? All the family members here are like this... They often worry about the patients, put a lot of psychological pressure on themselves, and often have nightmares. I'll take you to the special psychological clinic over there later."
My face was pale.
She comforted him, saying, "Look, the patient is recovering very well. He might wake up on Christmas Day and give you a surprise."
I looked down, and in my nightgown, I could clearly see the red welts on my thighs where someone had scratched me. It wasn't a dream. My heart pounded with fear, and I clutched my chest. I knew that last night's "power outage" was just a warning. If things continued like this, not only would I be taken back like last time, but Yu Xu's life would also be in someone else's hands once again.
We need to find a "stand-in".
I bit my lip hard. I knew that my existence was the greatest threat to Yu Xu's life. Unless I turned my attention to another man, acting as if I couldn't live without him, and completely attracted his attention, Yu Xu could not be saved. Otherwise, I would definitely kill him.
Who am I looking for? I looked in the mirror, my long eyelashes fluttering incessantly.
It was just past nine o'clock when I pushed open the door to Ye Fenglin's ward right on time.
Holding a beautiful, delicate bouquet of jasmine flowers, along with some sweet and creamy handmade cookies I had specially bought, I slowly walked towards the man who was still playing games on the bed.
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