“Miss… miss? Are you alright?Dust swirled across the ground where two expensive cars had collided and come to a messy stop on the side of the road. The overturned wheels still spun stubbornly as thick smoke billowed around them.
In her dazed state, Shu Qianzhi could feel someone shaking her vigorously, but the motion made her dizzy, worsening her already muddled head.
Damn it…
The car accident hadn’t taken her out, but this shaking might finish the job.
Forcing her heavy eyelids open, Shu Qianzhi struggled to see her surroundings, but her splitting headache and vision obscured by countless layers of fog made it impossible to clear her sight.
Hovering between consciousness and unconsciousness, she seemed aware of her current situation yet uncertain, everything hazy and dim as her breathing grew increasingly rapid.
In that fleeting moment, she finally saw that familiar face.
He was still so handsome, his features so exquisitely carved that not a single detail could be faulted.
Yes, handsome… worthy of being the man she loved…
Her weakened body could no longer sustain her racing thoughts, but in this moment, she mustered all her strength to lift her hand and tightly grasp the man’s wrist.
This time…
She would absolutely not let go of his hand again.
……
The hospital room was extremely quiet, with only the rhythmic beeping of medical equipment breaking the silence. The heavy scent of disinfectant permeated the entire space.
Shu Qianzhi slowly opened her eyes, frowning as she tried to adjust to the glaring brightness.
Soon, her surroundings gradually came into focus. She glanced down at her body and suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of unreality.
“You’re awake?” A middle-aged man’s voice emerged. Noticing her slight movements, he immediately leaned closer. “Miss, are you alright? How are you feeling?”
Not alright…
Shu Qianzhi wanted to voice that every part of her body was in pain, but her lips felt numb and even moving them required tremendous effort. She gave up, staring hopelessly at the ceiling while trying to adjust.
Seeing her remain silent, the man continued with a stream of words, “This is a hospital. If you’re feeling any discomfort, you can speak up directly. There are doctors and nurses who can help you.”
…She was in pain, so much pain she couldn’t move, but she completely lacked the strength to speak.
Shu Qianzhi ignored him, closing her eyes instead as she endured the pain and tried to organize the fragmented, chaotic images in her mind.
“Miss, there’s no need to feel embarrassed. You saved us, and we will definitely repay you.”
The middle-aged man continued speaking, his tone gentle as if coaxing a child, but Shu Qianzhi could only feel like this person was here to punish her.
“Urgh…” So annoying.
Who was this person? Way too much nonsense.
…But what had he just said?!
Shu Qianzhi suddenly opened her eyes again, processing the man’s words.
She had saved them?
A loud crash suddenly echoed in her mind, followed by scenes playing back in her memory.
Ah, then this person…
The next moment, the hospital room door was abruptly pushed open. A third figure appeared in the spacious room – a man in a sharp suit with an upright posture, his powerful aura immediately filling the space.
The pale-faced patient on the bed showed clear emotional fluctuation upon seeing who had arrived, her previously calm expression now slightly dazed.
“How is she?” The man’s gaze lingered on the person in the hospital bed for only a second before indifferently withdrawing it. He walked directly to the sofa and sat down, even casually crossing his legs, looking more like someone here for leisure than to visit a patient.
The middle-aged man beside Shu Qianzhi immediately became deferential, no longer as gentle as he had been with her earlier.
He promptly reported, “The young lady is fine—just some minor superficial injuries.”
Shu Qianzhi felt like she could spit blood all the way to the ceiling.
Couldn’t this person tell how exhausted she was? How could he call this “fine” when she was in such agony…
“I…” Shu Qianzhi spoke weakly, her eyes fixed on the man sitting on the sofa like a work of art, struggling to utter a single word.
“What’s wrong?” The middle-aged man instantly grew alert.
Shu Qianzhi mustered all her strength to say one more word: “Pain.”
“Where does it hurt?” he asked, slightly urgent.
Everywhere hurts…
But Shu Qianzhi didn’t respond, leaving him to interpret the look in her eyes.
Fortunately, the middle-aged man still had some basic human decency and finally called for a doctor. Lying in bed, Shu Qianzhi let the doctor examine her, but she still couldn’t muster any strength.
“The patient’s injuries aren’t serious, but she has multiple superficial wounds that require special attention. Considering she might have a low pain tolerance, I’ve given her some painkillers. She should gradually recover after some time.”
…Just superficial injuries, and yet it hurt this much?
As the relentless pain gnawed at her nerves, Shu Qianzhi let her mind go blank.
She had almost wondered if she had some internal injuries.
Under the effect of the painkillers, she could feel her energy slowly returning, her body gradually regaining some strength, and she felt much more comfortable.
In the hospital room, the man who had only spoken once since arriving remained seated on the sofa, overseeing everything with an air of authority. Noticing her improved complexion, his assistant promptly got down to business.
“Young lady, what is your guardian’s contact information? We’ll reach out to them to come take care of you.”
At these words, Shu Qianzhi’s expression froze for a long moment.
Fragments of memories flashed through her mind, and suddenly, an idea struck her.
In less than half a second, her eyes turned vacant and lifeless, with a faint glimmer of tears welling at the corners.
She lowered her gaze and shook her head slightly, her voice soft and pleading, “I don’t know.”
The assistant was taken aback.
“Then what’s your home address?” he pressed urgently. “I can send someone to contact them.”
Shu Qianzhi shook her head again.
“Who are the members of your family?”
Shu Qianzhi continued shaking her head persistently.
Growing anxious, the assistant realized the gravity of the situation. “Then do you at least remember who you are?”
Shu Qianzhi’s gaze fell on him, filled with helplessness and pity. “I don’t know anything.”
Meeting her eyes, his heart clenched with sympathy. “Don’t rush, young lady. Try to think carefully—your family’s details, where you live, who they are, what they do.”
Staring at his concerned expression, Shu Qianzhi’s face suddenly went blank, tears shimmering in her eyes.
“I’ll go get the doctor again.” Sensing something amiss, the middle-aged man reported this and quickly stood up to leave.
But before reaching the ward door, a faint voice echoed from inside the room.
“He…” Shu Qianzhi slowly raised her hand, her trembling finger pointing toward the person on the sofa. Her strength still insufficient, her hand shook slightly while her lips remained dry and pale, her weakness evoking pity.
The man set down the magazine in his hand, his dark pupils fixed on Shu Qianzhi. His brow furrowed slightly with displeasure, yet he waited with keen interest for her to continue.
The middle-aged man who had just arrived at the ward entrance paused, wanting to intervene but clearly too late.
With a hoarse throat, Shu Qianzhi spoke pitifully, her voice filled with helplessness and fear.
“My brother.”