“The glass shards have been removed. She’s had three stitches. She’s running a slight fever, so let’s keep her for observation overnight. If the fever goes down, she can be discharged,” the hospital director said.
“Alright, thank you, Director Zhang,” Ale replied, escorting him out of the room.
Glancing at Fu Haoyan’s shirt, stained with blood and wine, Ale asked, “Brother Yan, are we heading back?”
“Prepare a set of easy-to-change clothes and a pair of flat shoes,” Fu Haoyan said as he stepped out of the ward.
“Understood!”
It was already 2 a.m. when Fu Haoyan got home.
Chen Jenny sipped a calming herbal tea and said, “What happened? I told you to take care of the girl—how did it end with her in the hospital?”
“I was taking care of her,” Fu Haoyan replied wearily. “That’s why I’m only getting back at this hour. Why aren’t you asleep, getting your beauty rest?”
“I was worried about the girl. Couldn’t sleep.”
Fu Haoyan loosened his tie. “She’s fine. Ale’s there.”
Lei Shaoxin woke up the next morning, greeted by unfamiliar surroundings.
She tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through her lower back, making her groan softly.
A nurse heard the movement and knocked before entering.
“Miss Lei, please be careful with your lower back. Don’t lift heavy objects. You have three stitches there, and the wound must not get wet before the stitches are removed.”
After checking her temperature, the nurse helped her sit up. “Your fever has gone down. Come back regularly to change the dressing and disinfect the wound. The stitches can be removed in seven days.”
Lei Shaoxin nodded. Glancing down at her red evening gown, she noticed the bloodstains at her waist weren’t very obvious. Then her eyes landed on the set of clothes placed by the bedside.
“Who brought me here last night?” she asked.
“It was Mr. Fu,” the nurse replied. “This is the Fu family’s private hospital.”
The nurse thought to herself that since this top-floor VIP ward was usually reserved for the Fu family, this woman must be someone important—so she answered honestly.
“I’ll help you clean up later, and then you can be discharged,” the nurse added, heading toward the door. “Let me know once you’ve changed. I’ll be right outside.”
“Alright, thank you.”
Lei Shaoxin picked up the clothes. As she swung her legs off the bed, she noticed a pair of flat shoes placed beside her high heels. Slipping into the slippers, she walked into the changing room.
After removing her dress, she finally saw the large patches of dried blood. The back of the gown had been cut open to treat her wound—it was easy to imagine how urgent the situation had been the night before.
Standing in front of the mirror, she stared at her reflection expressionlessly. Her fingers tightened around the dress until they turned pale, before she finally let it fall.
After freshening up, she told the nurse, “Please throw away that dress and the high heels. Thank you.”
As she walked into the sitting area, she noticed a suit jacket draped over the arm of a brown leather sofa—also stained with blood. She picked it up and carried it with her as she left the room.
Outside the hospital, Lei Shaoxin didn’t call for a driver. She simply hailed a taxi back to the Lei residence.
Unbeknownst to her, a pair of eyes watched from a distance—only turning away after her car disappeared into traffic.
Lei Residence
“If she doesn’t marry him, then I’ll have to! I refuse to marry that cripple!” Lei Zhiying fumed. “And she humiliated me in front of everyone!”
Gao Man patted her hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you marry him. If she didn’t still have some value, that wretched girl wouldn’t even be allowed to step into the Lei family.”
With a sharp tone, Gao Man turned to Lei Jiu. “Master Lei, Yingying cannot marry him.”
Lei Jiu frowned. “That’s enough. Stop talking like that—it sounds awful.”
Lei Shaoxin had just returned. Before even stepping inside, she heard the entire conversation at the door.
As if I even care about entering this family…
After listening long enough, she pretended she hadn’t heard anything and walked in calmly.
The three inside looked at each other awkwardly, like guilty conspirators. No one spoke.
“Miss, your room is this way,” a servant said, leading her upstairs. “Your luggage has already been placed inside. Let me know if you need anything.”
Lei Shaoxin smiled faintly. “Alright, thank you.”
The Next Morning
Early the next day, Fu Haoyan was woken by the sound of his phone.
“Brother Yan, Miss Lei has been discharged. She left on her own in a taxi.”
“Alright. Get some rest and return to the office this afternoon,” he said.
But after the call, he was no longer sleepy. He got up and headed straight to the company.
At the same time, Lei Shaoxin lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. A dull ache pulsed from her lower back now and then.
Was that how much it hurt for him back then, too…?
“Hand over the money.”
Three delinquent older girls had cornered her in an alley.
She had only been ten years old—but she still dared to swing a shattered glass bottle in front of her, trying to scare them off.
The girls reached out, trying to tear at her school uniform.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
A voice cut through the tension.
Fu Haoyan walked in, a backpack slung over one shoulder. At seventeen, he wore his high school uniform. Taller and older than them, his presence alone was enough.
The girls glanced at him—then quickly backed off and scattered.
The little girl, like a frightened rabbit, kept her eyes shut, still waving the broken bottle wildly, not even noticing him approach.
Then—
“Hiss—”
She froze.
Opening her eyes, she saw a thin line of blood running down his arm to his fingertips. She stood there, stunned, not knowing what to do.
“Big brother… I’m sorry. Let me take you to the doctor,” she said softly.
“It’s nothing. Go home early, kid,” Fu Haoyan replied, turning to leave the alley.
Lei Shaoxin followed him. His pace was fast, and she had to jog to keep up.
“Brother, cuts from glass need stitches—and a tetanus shot. We should go to the hospital,” she insisted, worried.
“Are you done yet? Stop following me,” he said impatiently.
She hesitated, then spoke timidly, “I’m scared they’ll come back… Can I walk with you?”
He stopped abruptly and turned around. She nearly bumped into him.
“Are they from your school?” he asked.
“Yes.” She looked up at him, her eyes red, lashes still wet with tears.
Seeing that, Fu Haoyan reached out and took her small hand, intending to walk her home first.
In the end, after being nagged the whole way, he gave in—and went to the hospital for stitches and a tetanus shot.
Knock, knock, knock.
The sound pulled Lei Shaoxin out of her thoughts.
A servant stood at the door. “Miss, it’s time for dinner.”
“Okay,” she responded.
She didn’t have much luggage—just a single bag.
From it, she took out a brown envelope and pulled out the slightly wrinkled documents inside. A faint smile tugged at her lips.
The Lei Group… not a bad place to start.
She slipped the papers back into the envelope and locked them in the cabinet.
Her eyes flicked briefly to the electric guitar resting by the door before she left for the dining room.
As soon as she sat down, Lei Jiu spoke.
“Xinxin, the engagement announcement was just that—an announcement. The wedding won’t be until six months later. During this time, get along well with Zhuosheng. Besides, he’s not a bad match.”
It wasn’t a discussion—it was a notice. He hadn’t asked for her opinion, nor shown any concern about her injury from the night before.
Lei Shaoxin listened… and then smiled.
Her smile was stunning—her fox-like eyes turning charming and alluring.
“The engagement is fine,” she said calmly. “But I have one condition. I want a position in Lei Group, plus 3% of its shares. I’ll start work in the middle of this month.”
Quick and decisive. In six months, she’d already be back in the UK.
Lei Jiu was briefly stunned. He hadn’t expected her to agree so easily. As for 3% of shares—it wasn’t enough to change anything.
“Alright,” he said.
Across the table, Gao Man and Lei Zhiying couldn’t hide their smiles.
Lei Jiu continued, “About last night—you splashed wine all over President Fu. He’s not someone the Lei family can afford to offend. Go apologize to him as soon as possible.”
Hearing this, Lei Zhiying immediately seized the opportunity.
“Dad, I’ll go apologize to President Fu. After all, I share some responsibility for what happened.”
“That works,” Lei Jiu said with a wave of his hand.
Lei Shaoxin had already lost her appetite. She stood up and left.
Walking into the garden, her phone rang, stopping her in her tracks. She answered it while continuing forward.
“Alright, Mike. I’ll head over now.”