Chapter 413: Chapter 413 Sharing a Bed
“””
City First Hospital.
After changing her clothes, Lan Yan rushed to the hospital together with Xiao Lanxin.
Jiang Yan and Su He also showed up with others.
The matter of Mrs. Xiao’s drowning hadn’t been spread around.
It was an order from Old Madam Xiao.
“You rascal, how’s your mom? Has she woken up yet?”
Xiao Lanxin immediately began questioning Xiao Si as soon as she arrived.
Xiao Si replied, “She’s awake, so don’t worry—nothing serious. She’s just undergoing some tests inside as a precaution.”
Hearing the words “she’s awake,” Xiao Lanxin patted her chest and said, “She’s awake, thank goodness. Heaven bless us. If something happened to your mom, I genuinely fear your dad might follow suit.”
None of them had informed Mr. Xiao about the incident yet.
Lan Yan stood quietly to the side, but hearing that Mrs. Xiao was fine allowed her to breathe a sigh of relief.
Xiao Si glanced at her, but she had her head lowered at the moment.
The next moment, Lan Yan was pulled into a slightly cold embrace.
A familiar fragrance lingered around her nose.
Soon, a man’s deep voice sounded softly in her ear, “Thank you.”
Lan Yan froze for a second before responding, “It’s what I should have done.”
After all, Mrs. Xiao had truly been kind to her.
But if he found out that Mrs. Xiao’s drowning was related to Hu Yunqin, then between them perhaps…
Lan Yan hadn’t anticipated that after taking the first step to be with him, such a thing would happen.
Inside, she mocked herself.
She seemingly truly did not deserve this happiness.
“Were you hurt?”
Xiao Si felt guilty for not taking care of her in the moment.
Lan Yan shook her head, “No.”
She was grateful for her competent swimming skills; otherwise, she wouldn’t have known how to handle the situation.
“I’m sorry. At that time, I was focused solely on my mom and didn’t manage…”
Before he could finish, Lan Yan interrupted him, “You don’t need to apologize to me. Aunt Yun’s life was the top priority.”
Lan Yan had never blamed him for the incident. If it were her, she would have done the same.
Besides, with so many people present at the scene, she was never truly in any danger.
Just as Lan Yan was about to tell him that Mrs. Xiao’s drowning might not have been accidental, the door to the examination room was pushed open.
Mrs. Xiao was seated in a wheelchair, being pushed out by the nurse.
Lan Yan stepped away from him, saying, “Aunt Yun is out.”
The nurse said, “Doctor Xiao, your mom’s examinations are complete. The results have already been sent to Doctor Cheng’s office. You can go and find him.”
Xiao Si answered, “Okay, thank you.”
“Second Sister-in-law, how do you feel? Anywhere uncomfortable?” Xiao Lanxin walked up to inquire.
Liang Yun shook her head, indicating she merely felt some discomfort in her throat due to the water she had swallowed.
Then, Liang Yun looked at Lan Yan, raising her hand to signal her to come closer.
Lan Yan complied and walked over.
Liang Yun took her hand and gave her a gentle smile.
Her voice hoarse, she said, “Yanyan, thank you.”
Looking at her pale face, Lan Yan felt her guilt deepen further.
“Aunt Yun, as long as you’re okay, that’s what matters. Please rest well and don’t speak unnecessarily for now.”
Mrs. Xiao nodded.
Lan Yan and Xiao Lanxin then escorted Mrs. Xiao back to her hospital room.
Doctor’s office.
“Doctor Xiao, your mom’s brain CT results showed no abnormalities, which is good news. However, there’s some fluid in her lungs, so she’ll need to stay in the hospital for a while. I don’t need to tell you this—you already know there is a considerable risk of developing a pulmonary infection.”
Xiao Si looked over all the reports from Mrs. Xiao’s recent tests.
He said, “Okay, I understand. Please proceed with her treatment accordingly.”
Doctor Cheng assured, “It’s no trouble at all; it’s our duty.”
“Alright, I’ll head out for now.”
“If there’s any issue, I’ll get in touch with you.”
Xiao Si acknowledged this and got up to leave.
In the hospital room, only Lan Yan and Xiao Lanxin remained.
Su He and the others stayed for a while before leaving ahead of them.
Seeing Xiao Si come back in, Xiao Lanxin asked, “What’s the result?”
Xiao Si straightforwardly answered, “Nothing major, but she’ll need to stay in the hospital for some time. Liang Yun’s lungs have accumulated fluid, and there’s concern about infection.”
“A lung infection? Is that serious?”
Xiao Lanxin knew little about medical matters despite her family’s roots in medicine; after all, it wasn’t her area of expertise.
“Don’t worry, Aunt. I’ve got this covered. Go home and let Grandma know, so she doesn’t worry unnecessarily.”
At this, Xiao Lanxin agreed, “Alright, with you and Yanyan—two professionals—here, I definitely feel more reassured.”
Xiao Si’s report confirmed what Lan Yan had already anticipated.
“Alright, Second Sister-in-law, I’ll be heading home now. Rest well, and I’ll visit again tomorrow.” Xiao Lanxin said to Liang Yun, who was lying on the hospital bed.
Mrs. Xiao responded with a quiet sound of acknowledgment.
Before leaving, Xiao Lanxin turned to Xiao Si and added, “Also, remember to tell your dad—he’s still unaware.”
Xiao Si nodded, “Got it.”
After Xiao Lanxin left, Xiao Si went out to make a call.
In the hospital room, only Lan Yan and Mrs. Xiao were left.
Aunt Yun, why don’t you take a nap first?”
Lan Yan had initially wanted to ask Mrs. Xiao how she had ended up in the water, but seeing her poor condition, she decided against it.
She needed rest more than anything.
Hearing this, Mrs. Xiao agreed with a soft “Hmm,” closing her eyes afterward.
Lan Yan helped tuck her blanket in place before sitting beside her to keep watch.
When Xiao Si finished his phone call, he came back.
Standing next to her, the man reached out to pat her head and whispered, “Go rest for a bit. There’s another room here for resting. I’ll watch over Mom.”
Lan Yan shook her head and replied softly, “No need. I’m not tired.”
Xiao Si stared at her in silence for a moment.
Then, he leaned down and swept her up in a princess carry.
Startled by his sudden gesture, Lan Yan exclaimed, “What are you doing?”
Lower your voice—Aunt Yun is still here. Put me down!”
But Xiao Si carried her straight into the adjacent room.
Lan Yan: “…”
Xiao Si gently put her down on the bed, removed her shoes, and tucked her in snugly.
With his arms extended, he pinned her beneath him, gazing down at her with deep, ink-black eyes. “Be good. Rest for a bit.”
Lan Yan blinked, her chest filled with a mix of sourness and a subtle warmth of gratitude.
“Alright. But if anything comes up, make sure you call me,” she said.
Xiao Si nodded lightly, “Alright, sleep now.”
Then, he bent down and landed a gentle kiss on her pale forehead.
Though soft and fleeting, it was enough to stir a storm in Lan Yan’s heart.
An electric sensation coursed through her entire body, leaving her slightly stunned.
When she closed her eyes, he got up and left the room.
After hearing the door shut, she opened her eyes again.
She couldn’t sleep at all.
What was supposed to have been a great day had spiraled into such chaos.
She was immensely relieved that Mrs. Xiao had no life-threatening injuries, otherwise…
She couldn’t bear to think further.
As these thoughts troubled her, drowsiness eventually overwhelmed her, and she fell asleep unknowingly.
However, not long after, she woke up.
Xiao Si had just pushed the door open when she opened her eyes.
Her nerves were heightened—she woke at the slightest sound.
“Has Uncle Xiao arrived?”
Hearing voices outside the room, she asked him.
Xiao Si walked over to the bed and glanced at her before nodding in confirmation.
Lan Yan lifted the blanket, preparing to get up.
But as soon as she did, the man leaned down to press her back into the bed.
She lay down again.
Without the blanket between them this time, she felt discomfort from their closeness.
Swallowing nervously, she asked, “What’s wrong?”
After staring silently at her for a few seconds, Xiao Si rolled over and effortlessly lay next to her.
“Nothing. Let’s sleep here together tonight. With Dad outside, there’s nothing to worry about,” he said.
Lan Yan turned her gaze to him, momentarily speechless.
She contemplated for a moment and proposed, “You take the bed. I’ll sleep on the sofa nearby.”
Saying so, she attempted to rise once again.
But in a swift move, the man encircled his arm around her waist and effortlessly pulled her into his embrace.
“Just sleep here. No need to go anywhere else. Don’t worry—I’m not so crude as to take advantage of you here.”
“…”
The warmth of his body, coupled with his faint, clean scent, surrounded her entirely.
Though their relationship had grown intimate—kissing, hugging—sleeping in the same bed was still a first, making Lan Yan feel a little uneasy.
At her smallest twitch, his low magnetic voice resounded again, “Don’t move around. I won’t do anything to you, but don’t torture me either. Be good. Sleep.”
Lan Yan: “…”
She instantly froze in place.
Though she remained awake, she stayed still. After some time, the sound of the man’s steady breathing indicated he had fallen asleep.
She drifted off later in the night.
——
Next morning.
As dawn broke, Lan Yan woke up.
Behind her lay a furnace-like warmth, reminding her that she had shared the bed with Xiao Si the previous night.
Assuming he was still asleep, she gently tried to remove his arm from around her waist.
But as soon as she grabbed his wrist, his grip tightened abruptly.
Lan Yan froze in momentary shock.
“You… you’re awake?”
Without even opening his eyes, Xiao Si rested his chin against her shoulder with ease, nuzzling slightly. “Mm, I’m awake.”
Lan Yan’s body stiffened under his natural show of intimacy.
She paused before responding, “You’re awake, so let’s get up.”
Still holding her, Xiao Si replied, “Let me hold you for a while longer.”
“…”
Sighing softly, she countered, “No, get up now. Aunt Yun and Uncle Xiao are still outside.”
“What? Feeling shy?”
“No, I just think it’s inappropriate.”
“What’s inappropriate? Liang Yun wouldn’t mind. She’d be thrilled if we gave her grandkids right now.”
Lan Yan was speechless: “… Can you not joke like that?”
Opening his eyes, Xiao Si smirked and teased further, “Where’s the joke? I’m being honest. If you don’t believe me, you can always ask Liang Yun later and see if I’m lying.”
“I’m not as childish as you to ask such things.”
With that, Lan Yan firmly removed his hand from her waist and effortlessly got out of bed.
Fortunately, the room came with an attached bathroom. After putting on her shoes, she went in to freshen up.
By the time she emerged, Xiao Si had already cleaned up and sat by the table, a steaming breakfast laid out in front of him.
“Come over, eat breakfast first.”
“I’ll go check on Aunt Yun first.”
“She’s still asleep. Just come over and eat.”
At that, Lan Yan had no choice but to sit down.
Midway through breakfast, Lan Yan hesitated before finally bringing up, “About Aunt Yun’s drowning last night, you should investigate further.”
Xiao Si responded indifferently, “Mm, I’ll handle it.”
He picked up a crystal shrimp dumpling and brought it to her lips. “Eat up and stop worrying about things like this.”
“…”
Seeing his obvious desire to avoid discussing the matter, Lan Yan decided not to press further.
Once finished, she left the room.
In Aunt Yun’s hospital room, Mr. Xiao was helping her with porridge.
“Aunt Yun, Uncle Xiao.” Lan Yan greeted both.
Mrs. Xiao smiled warmly when she saw her, replying softly.
“Yanyan, did you sleep well last night?” Mrs. Xiao asked warmly.
Her throat sounded significantly better, no longer so hoarse.
Though slightly embarrassed, Lan Yan nodded and replied, “Very well, Aunt Yun.”
“Good.”
Mrs. Xiao beamed at her, her smile seeming almost to blossom.
After a night of rest, Mrs. Xiao appeared visibly healthier.
Lan Yan’s heart felt noticeably more at ease.
At nine, the doctor arrived for rounds, briefly halting at the sight of the three inside the room.
Doctor Cheng chuckled, remarking, “It seems my presence here is largely unnecessary.”
With three such capable professionals present in the room, his sentiment wasn’t far from the truth.
Moreover, Lan Yan had honed her skills under Su He’s guidance, so anyone working alongside Su He was bound to be exceptional.
Doctor Cheng was no stranger to these three.
The duo of Xiao Si and Xiao Junyan—father and son—needed no introduction; both were giants in the medical field.
“Doctor Cheng, this is your domain. We’re just family here,” Xiao Si replied.
“…”
By noon, an uninvited guest arrived at Mrs. Xiao’s hospital room.
Inside were only Mrs. Xiao and Lan Yan.
Xiao Si and Mr. Xiao had temporarily stepped out for errands.
Recognizing the visitor as Hu Yunqin, Lan Yan’s brows furrowed in displeasure.
Standing up, she confronted her, “What are you doing here?”
Hu Yunqin, also dressed as a patient, looked visibly unwell.
But Lan Yan paid no attention to these details. To her, Hu Yunqin was nothing but trouble.
Between Mrs. Xiao and Hu Yunqin, Lan Yan had no question whom she trusted more—Mrs. Xiao’s temperament was not prone to impulsiveness or extreme behavior.
On the other hand, Hu Yunqin faced her with a complex expression.
The memory of last night remained vivid to her—how Lan Yan had coldly pried open her grip, abandoning her to rush toward Liang Yun.
It was undeniable that in Lan Yan’s heart, Liang Yun mattered far more than her biological mother.
Looking directly at Liang Yun lying on the bed, Hu Yunqin said, “I came to check on Mrs. Xiao and apologize.”
Until now, Mrs. Xiao hadn’t once initiated a conversation about the events of her fall into the water.
Lan Yan’s expression darkened at her words, her gaze sharp and biting: “Did you push her?”
At this moment, Mrs. Xiao suddenly grasped Lan Yan’s hand, saying, “Yanyan, no, she didn’t push me. Don’t overthink it.”
Mrs. Xiao’s words visibly stunned Hu Yunqin.
“Could you go buy me some oranges? I feel like having some,” Mrs. Xiao patted her hand, “Aunt Yun really wants to eat oranges.”
Lan Yan hesitated for a few seconds before answering, “Alright, I’ll go now.”
As she passed Hu Yunqin, she shot her a glance and said, “I hope you’re truly here to apologize.”
Her words carried a clear tone of warning.
Outside the room, Lan Yan paused instead of immediately leaving.
Lying in bed, Liang Yun’s gaze toward Hu Yunqin hardened into a cold glint.
Calmly, she said, “I won’t tell Yanyan the truth about what happened. I hope you’ll keep this secret too. But don’t think for a second that this matter is over.”
Hu Yunqin’s complexion worsened, alternating between pale and greenish hues.
Though her actions last night weren’t entirely intentional, by the time she realized it, it was already too late.
She had seen others rushing over, prompting her to jump as well.
Only she and Liang Yun knew the truth—there had been no other witnesses at the time.
“If you want me to let this go, it’s not impossible. But I have one condition.”
Mrs. Xiao lifted her gaze slightly, her demeanor icy and resolute. She fixed her sharp stare on Hu Yunqin.
“””