After finally coaxing Fang Miaomiao to sleep, Wen Zhiyan tenderly held her hand.
He had barely drifted off when Miaomiao's whimpers and cries reached his ears.
He jolted awake to see Miaomiao on the hospital bed, clutching the blanket tightly, sobbing softly, half her body dangling precariously off the edge.
Wen Zhiyan quickly sat up and maneuvered himself into his wheelchair.
Fortunately, the gap between the beds wasn't wide.
He had almost failed to catch Miaomiao.
After shakily placing Miaomiao back in bed, she was still murmuring incessantly.
"Grandma, I was wrong, Grandma, don't go, please."
"Miaomiao."
"Don't go, Grandma, Miaomiao will be good."
Wen Zhiyan looked at the sweat on her forehead, her sweat mingling with tears, soaking the pillow. Her pale lips continued to call out,
He had no choice but to forcefully wake her.
Miaomiao, upon waking, held him tightly.
He dared not ask, so he simply held her back in the same way, constantly comforting her.
He knew Miaomiao wasn't from this world, but Miaomiao hadn't told him, so he couldn't ask.
He had to wait, wait until his Miaomiao fully trusted him, wait until his Miaomiao was willing to tell him about her past.
…
"Miaomiao," Wen Zhiyan tightly gripped Fang Miaomiao's hand, his eyes deep as he looked at her, "You must tell me, you can't deceive me."
Miaomiao, this light that shone into his life, he didn't want this light to leave.
Even if it meant resorting to some less-than-ideal methods.
Miaomiao.
"Miaomiao, Miaomiao."
"Don't leave me."
At this moment, Wen Zhiyan shed his usual gentle demeanor, a hint of madness and obsession clouding his face.
"Miaomiao, you'll never leave me, will you?"
The next morning.
When Fang Miaomiao woke up, Wen Zhiyan was gone. Only Wen Yan'an sat obediently by the bedside, flipping through a book.
"An'an, good morning."
"Mom, good morning."
Wen Yan'an put down his book and poured Fang Miaomiao a glass of water, "Warm water. Mom, be careful."
"Thank you, An'an," Fang Miaomiao took the cup and drank it down in one go, "By the way, An'an, where's your dad?"
"Dad woke up very early and left today."
"Is that so?" Fang Miaomiao recalled what he had said last night about going to S City for a collaboration, "I see."
"Madam, Young Master, I've brought breakfast."
A kind-looking middle-aged woman stood at the doorway, holding two insulated containers.
"And you are?"
"I am a temporary nanny hired by Master Wen to prepare meals for Madam and the Young Master. If you don't mind, you can call me Mama Lin."
"Alright, Mama Lin, thank you for your help during this time."
Mama Lin had made a vegetable and lean pork congee, thick and delicious.
"It's my duty," Mama Lin said with a smile, "Because Madam is injured, could we perhaps keep the flavors relatively light?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"You can arrange it as you see fit."
Fang Miaomiao was the type of person who wouldn't skimp on her own meals, nor would she offer unsolicited advice when others cooked, especially when Mama Lin's cooking was genuinely good.
"Certainly, as long as Madam and the Young Master like it."
After breakfast, the nurse came to check on the patients as usual.
Following closely behind was Yuan Chao.
"Dr. Yuan, why are you here?"
"Looking at your expression, it seems you're quite surprised to see me."
His white coat drew quite a few glances.
"That's not what I meant."
Yuan Chao smiled and asked the nurse who was tending to Fang Miaomiao's wounds, "How is the wound healing?"
"Dr. Xiao Yuan, this is only the first day of admission." The nurse meticulously cleaned Fang Miaomiao's wound, "Be careful not to get the bandage wet, not even with sweat."
"I'll be staying in the ward, so there won't be much sweat."
After tying the bandage, the nurse nodded slightly at Yuan Chao and left with her tools.
Yuan Chao then asked, "Sister-in-law, where is your Wen Zhiyan? I haven't seen him all morning."
He had wasted his effort getting up so early today.
The terms "Sister-in-law" and "your Wen Zhiyan" made Fang Miaomiao blush, "Behave yourself."
Yuan Chao leaned against the wall, a smirk playing on his lips, "Sister-in-law is blushing."
"Wen Zhiyan is on a business trip. If you need to find him, call him yourself."
"What do you mean, Sister-in-law?" Yuan Chao raised his eyebrows, his thick eyelashes obscuring the amusement in his eyes, "I specifically came to see you, Sister-in-law. Wen Zhiyan is just an afterthought."
"An'an, don't you agree?"
Wen Yan'an glanced up at the teasing Yuan Chao, then lowered his head to continue reading his book.
Yuan Chao feigned disgust and tutted, "Both of you are fellows who can barely string a sentence together. Sister-in-law, how do you put up with it?"
Fang Miaomiao was left speechless, "Wen Zhiyan really isn't here. Why don't you call him yourself if you need him?"
"Alright then." Yuan Chao finally dropped his playful demeanor, "I'll call him later and see if he can free up some time."
Rehabilitation training was a crucial matter that couldn't be taken lightly. Last night, based on Wen Zhiyan's current physical condition, he had drawn up a general rehabilitation plan and intended to take him to try it out first thing this morning.
But instead, Wen Zhiyan had left for S City without a word.
It was ridiculous.
"Okay."
Yuan Chao nodded, "Well then, Sister-in-law, you get some rest. I'm going home to catch up on some sleep."
"Go ahead."
After seeing Yuan Chao off, she noticed Wen Yan'an holding her phone, "Mom, you can play, but don't use your injured hand, and don't play for too long. Dad told you the most important thing now is to let your hand heal."
"Good son, you're doing great."
Fang Miaomiao took her phone and praised Wen Yan'an generously, "Don't worry, I'll rest after playing for a bit, and I won't disturb your reading."
Just as Wen Yan'an was about to say, "It's okay, Mom will never disturb An'an," he saw his mother already half-reclined on the bed, a radiant smile on her face.
He shook his head helplessly, then smiled again. He poured Fang Miaomiao another glass of warm water before climbing onto the adjacent bed to read his own book.
Fang Miaomiao took out her phone.
She opened her chat application.
The group chat "Let's Travel Together" had over 999+ messages.
Since she was bored, Fang Miaomiao read through it all.
In summary, most of the group members had seen last night's live broadcast. Chen Tianming had even posted in the group saying he wanted to revise his contract with her.
Just Want to Be a Salted Fish: Director, how are we going to revise the contract @Director Chen Tianming, will my pay increase?
Chen Tianming: ??? Fang Miaomiao, are you sure your conscience doesn't hurt saying that?
Cui Mantong: Miaomiao, you're finally speaking. After the live broadcast, I messaged you but no reply, and when I called, you didn't pick up. I thought you'd been murdered.
Just Want to Be a Salted Fish: Mantong, I'm fine. The main point now is that the director wants to revise the contract for me.
Fang Miaomiao typed excitedly. Revising the contract meant she could get a pay raise. Her little money bag!