These matters had always weighed on her heart like a heavy stone, suffocating her. Now, she felt a sense of immense relief.
"Are you tired? Get some rest. I'll be here with you the whole time."
Jiang Ze Xi instinctively reached out to stroke her hair, only to realize her head was bandaged.
He could only tightly clasp her hand in his, wanting to give her a sense of security.
Xia Wan Fu smiled back, no longer showing any fear or unease.
"I've slept for a long time. I want to talk with you."
"Okay."
Jiang Ze Xi gazed at her tenderly, yearning to hold her close and cherish her like a precious treasure.
The moment she truly awoke, his dormant heart came alive again.
"Xia Wan Fu…"
"Hmm?"
"Xia Wan Fu, Xia Wan Fu, Xia Wan Fu…"
"What is it?"
For some reason, Xia Wan Fu's heart began to race as he called her name, even though he was just saying it.
"Wife, you can never leave me." Jiang Ze Xi placed her hand over his chest. "Do you know? When your life was hanging by a thread, I was also close to death."
Xia Wan Fu felt the hand he held grow warm. Pressed against his chest, she could feel his strong heartbeat, and she cherished the present tenderness.
Jiang Ze Xi leaned closer, resting by the bedside like a child, his magnetic voice laced with enticement.
"Xia Wan Fu, darling, wife…"
Outside the door, Situ Jun's hand, poised to push the door open, froze. His expression was as ugly as if he had eaten excrement.
He turned and left without hesitation, gritting his teeth and cursing, "...Fuck."
Inside the room.
"You… stop calling me that."
Xia Wan Fu wanted to cover his mouth, to stop him from speaking. People were coming and going outside the hospital room; how embarrassing if someone overheard!
Jiang Ze Xi slowly closed his eyes, the curve of his lips deepening.
Xia Wan Fu felt a pang of unease and fear.
How could he possibly be alright?
Repeatedly calling her name was merely to reassure himself.
He had endured as much agony as she had spent unconscious, never closing his eyes for a proper sleep.
After a long while, the person resting by the bedside showed no reaction. Xia Wan Fu softly called out, "Brother Ze Xi?"
Jiang Ze Xi's breathing was deep and even; he slept profoundly. How exhausted must he be to sleep like this?
Xia Wan Fu was unable to move. The hand that was not injured was still tightly held by him. They remained in this position, both finding peace in each other's presence.
When Zhou Yu Qing arrived, she witnessed a scene of both of them soundly asleep.
She couldn't help but slow her steps, gently placing the food container on the bedside table.
She first draped a blanket over Jiang Ze Xi, then tucked in the corner of Xia Wan Fu's quilt.
Looking at the sleeping pair, only one thought occupied her mind.
As long as they could live their lives well, healthy and safe, she cared about nothing else. Any slight prejudice she had against Xia Wan Fu had completely vanished.
Her son couldn't live without her.
If her son met with misfortune, she wouldn't live either.
What was wrong with loving someone along with the person she loved? All she wanted was for her son to be well.
In truth, Xia Wan Fu wasn't entirely without merit. At least, in the past five years, only she had been able to heal her son's pain.
Having done all this, Zhou Yu Qing quietly left the ward.
Warm sunlight streamed down, falling on the windowsill and the sleeping couple, bathing them in a golden hue.
It made Xia Wan Fu's face appear even fairer, her features gentle as flowing water.
…
Xia Wan Fu was out of danger.
With Xia Wan Fu out of harm's way, Situ Jun and Li Bo Wen no longer needed to keep vigil over Jiang Ze Xi. They left the hospital together, Situ Jun still looking dejected.
"Did you hear how mushy and disgusting what Ze Xi said was? I almost threw up my dinner."
Li Bo Wen suppressed a smile and said faintly, "Envy makes one's appearance ugly."
Situ Jun seemed to have suffered ten thousand blows, clutching his chest. "Why is it always me who gets hurt?"
"Who told you you're single?" Li Bo Wen raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "I'm leaving. My girlfriend is waiting for me!"
With that, he got into his car and sped away.
Situ Jun stood frozen on the spot.
The clown was me all along.
I shouldn't have stayed here.
…
Li Bo Wen drove directly to the entrance of Nan Jia University to wait for Wen Xuan Xuan to finish her class. After a few days apart, it felt like centuries.
However, it was strange. It had been a long time since classes ended, yet only a sparse number of students were emerging.
This was the first time such a situation had occurred. Li Bo Wen was filled with questions, completely unaware of what was happening.
He sent a message to Wen Xuan Xuan, but she didn't reply.
Meanwhile, within the campus, a certain teaching building was completely surrounded.
Beneath a osmanthus tree stood a striking figure with his hands in his pockets.
He had a tall, upright posture, wearing a loose light gray sweater and jeans. He exuded a casual, lazy aura, a striking beacon of beauty.
Despite the surrounding noise and commotion, he remained oblivious, slightly raising his gaze to the second floor, his eyes fixed only on the blushing young girl leaning over the balcony.
Qiao Xin Yue and Wen Xuan Xuan were pressed so tightly they couldn't move. Ever since Wen Yan publicly announced their relationship, these two had become major celebrities on campus.
Wen Xuan Xuan was the object of everyone's admiration, while Qiao Xin Yue was the target of much jealousy. Some deranged fans had even done many outrageous things.
Fortunately, Wen Xuan Xuan was tough enough that no one dared to provoke them easily.
Wen Yan's high-profile visit to Nan Jia University was specifically to pick up the two of them.
His attitude represented everything. It was intended to make those with unrealistic hopes retreat.
"Brother Wen Yan, Brother Wen Yan, I love you!"
"Brother Wen Yan, Brother Wen Yan, look at me!"
"Brother Wen Yan, I've liked you for many years, Brother Wen Yan."
…
These fans were truly fervent. Wen Yan was besieged, and love letters, flowers, chocolates, and other gifts were thrown at him indiscriminately. Fortunately, there were enough security guards present.
After overcoming countless obstacles, Wen Xuan Xuan and Qiao Xin Yue finally managed to squeeze out of the crowd.
Qiao Xin Yue's face was flushed red, unsure if it was from being squeezed or from shyness. Wen Yan's arrival was entirely unexpected.
This was the first time they were seeing each other since confirming their relationship and parting ways.
Initially, Wen Yan had planned to come the next day, but plans changed, and he had to work, only getting free today.
During this period, they could only date online, which had its own unique charm.
In front of everyone, he held both their hands and, under the escort of bodyguards, walked step by step towards the school exit.
The crowd either cheered, wailed, or cursed, but they still followed closely.
Wen Xuan Xuan frowned, feeling only disgust at such a scene.
"These people have no manners, crowding around for what? Why don't they go worship national heroes and meritorious individuals!
If you ask them about celebrities, they can list them endlessly, but ask them if they know any heroes."
Qiao Xin Yue gave a slight cough, feeling a bit awkward, as she herself had been part of that crowd before.