Pain!
Every part of her body felt as if it had been shattered.
Fang Mian didn’t even have the strength to cry.
Apart from her eyes and nose, any slight movement of her other limbs made her gasp in agony.
At this moment, she missed her mother terribly.
If she died here, what would happen to her poor, helpless mother?
She had finally grown up, bought a house, and reached the point where she could finally take care of her—only to end up dying here.
But at least she hadn’t actually borrowed money from Gu Tingye.
Otherwise, after her death, her mother would be burdened with a debt of ten million.
Such a tragedy must never happen to her mother.
Suddenly, something cold and slippery began slowly crawling up her calf.
It moved left, then right…
A snake!
Instantly, Fang Mian felt her blood run cold, her hair standing on end.
Tears of utter despair slid uncontrollably from the corners of her eyes toward her ears.
She had always been terrified of slithery creatures like snakes.
Wuwu… Someone, please save her.
She was still so young, with so many dreams unfulfilled. She didn’t want to die so soon.
“Fang Mian…”
“Miss Fang…”
“Fang Mian…”
The snake seemed startled and slithered away.
That smooth, icy sensation was something Fang Mian would never forget for the rest of her life.
“I…”
She opened her mouth, only to feel her throat burning as if cut by a knife.
After swallowing hard, she managed to whisper weakly, “Here… I’m here…”
She struggled to lift her leg, kicking at the scattered stones nearby.
The motorcycle engine stopped briefly, then roared to life again.
“I heard a sound. Fang Mian, is that you?”
It was Gu Tingye’s voice.
It sounded like music from heaven.
Fang Mian wept uncontrollably, her throat too choked to speak.
Finally, Gu Tingye spotted a patch of moonlight lying in the thicket—the exact color of her gown.
His heart racing, he twisted the throttle and sped forward.
It was her!
Gu Tingye cut the engine and dismounted. “How are you? Can you move?”
Seeing her lying there, barely breathing, he dared not touch her, afraid she might shatter at the slightest contact.
Seeing him like this, Fang Mian became even more convinced that her injuries were severe.
Sniffling, she asked tearfully, “Are my intestines spilling out?”
Gu Tingye frowned.
“Or are my kidneys shattered?”
“Did you see my brains?”
“Is my body in pieces?”
Fang Mian sobbed, “Why aren’t you saying anything? Am I just a head now?”
At this moment, Gu Tingye’s emotions were indescribably complex.
He wanted to sort out exactly what he felt for Fang Mian.
If she were just an ordinary subordinate…
Where did the fear he felt earlier come from?
If he were just toying with her…
Where did this overwhelming joy of finding her again come from?
“Is this heaven? Have I ascended?”
“Gu Tingye, say something! I don’t even know if you’re real or just an illusion…”
Gu Tingye’s dazed eyes gradually focused.
Fang Mian’s delicate frame was still trembling unconsciously.
Her silver-white gown was torn to shreds, stained with fresh blood.
The stark contrast of red and white was horrifying to behold.
Her lovely face was also marred by several bruises and scratches.
Her misty eyes, brimming with anticipation, gazed at him.
Gu Tingye half-crouched, took off his coat, and wrapped it around her.
Then he reached out, slowly pulling Fang Mian’s cold body into his embrace.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
Resting his chin on the top of her head, he held her silently, not uttering a word.
Using his own genuine warmth to dispel the fear that had long accumulated in her heart.
Feeling his warm, vibrant breath, Fang Mian somehow couldn’t hold back her emotions, no matter how hard she tried.
Tears flowed silently, ceaselessly.
One drop… two drops…
The skin soaked by her scalding tears felt as if burned by lava, the pain piercing straight into Gu Tingye’s heart.
It hurt so much he could barely breathe.
That heartache was as agonizing as being cut by a knife.
The strength with which he held her tightened considerably.
He couldn’t imagine how she had endured after facing danger alone.
Or how she had ended up so injured.
Thankfully, she was safe and sound…
Thankfully, everything was still in time…
First People’s Hospital of Li Country
Inside the VIP ward.
The female doctor had already treated the wounds and completed the bandaging.
“This young lady is truly fortunate. Aside from some severe sprains and bruises on her legs and back, the rest are just superficial injuries.”
“Two days of injections, regular anti-inflammatory care and bandage changes for the wounds, and resting for half a month should be enough for recovery.”
“Let her rest well for now. Call me if anything comes up!”
“Thank you, doctor!”
“You’re welcome!”
Fang Mian lay in bed, covering herself tightly with the blanket.
Only her eyes were visible, first watching the female doctor leave, then fixed on Gu Tingye.
Gu Tingye spoke up: “Don’t cover yourself too tightly with the blanket; it’s not good for wound recovery.”
If he hadn’t said anything, it would have been fine, but his words made Fang Mian blush with embarrassment.
Earlier, to facilitate applying medicine and treating her wounds, her dirty clothes had been taken off by the female doctor and discarded.
Under the blanket, she wore nothing.
Fang Mian shifted her gaze from him to the floor: “Go get me a set of patient clothes, a large size.”
Gu Tingye replied nonchalantly: “What’s there to be shy about? There’s no part of your body I haven’t seen before.”
The blush on Fang Mian’s face deepened another shade.
Gu Tingye: “Lie down and rest properly, try not to move around.”
She pursed her lips, lowering her head in silence.
Gu Tingye picked up his phone and asked her: “What do you want to eat? I’ll order for you.”
After a whole night of turmoil, she was probably hungry.
And he was hungry too.
Originally, Fang Mian was reluctant to engage with him, but then she thought…
She spoke up: “You’re too far away; I can’t see the menu items.”
Gu Tingye then sat by the bed, holding his phone in front of her: “Is this better now?”
As they browsed the menu together, their heads drew closer and closer…
Gu Tingye stared at her eyelashes and lips: “Have you decided yet? My arm is getting sore from holding it up.”
Fang Mian said to the screen: “I don’t know if the takeout here is any good. I need to keep my eyes wide open and choose carefully.”
“How much longer do you need to choose?”
“Almost done… why are you asking?”
As Fang Mian looked up, the skin of her cheek inadvertently brushed past Gu Tingye’s lips.
Like a feather’s gentle touch.
Gu Tingye’s gaze lingered on her face, his eyes burning with intensity.
In his dark pupils, starlight flickered, carrying a trace of tenderness not easily revealed.
Fang Mian felt herself sinking into it.
Sometimes… he really was quite charming.
“Assistant Fang, you’re injured right now, could you please not entertain any improper thoughts?”
Fang Mian suddenly snapped back to reality, her face flushing slightly. “I’m injured like this, what improper thoughts could I possibly have…”
Gu Tingye handed her his phone. “Order it yourself.”
He needed to calm down.
“Okay.” Fang Mian took it over, secretly pleased.
He had seen right through her.
She actually was entertaining improper thoughts.
This was the first time she had gotten hold of Gu Tingye’s phone.
She needed to make the most of this rare opportunity.
Find that passionate video and secretly delete it.