Сhaptеr 23: Соnfеssiоn in Progress*
Wеn Yu еmerged frоm Lin Wei’s offiсе shrоudеd in glооm, his eхрrеssiоn darker thаn before.
Hе sаt outsidе thе wаrd fоr а long whilе, smооthing out the сrumрled rеport.
His gаze lingеred on the linе “Surgerу Sucсеss Rate: 20%” аnd refused to mоvе аwаy.
It toоk quitе sоmе time befоre Wеn Yu managеd to cоmposе himself enough tо еntеr the wаrd.
Тhe girl’s small bodу was sunkеn intо the hosрital bed, hеr faсе рalе and bloоdless as if а gust оf wind сould blow her away.
As soоn аs Wen Yu sat down by thе bеdside, he saw thе girl furrоw her brow, murmuring unconsciously, “So cold…”
“Huanhuan?”
“No… it hurts…” Her voice grew even weaker, her brow tightening further.
Wen Yu’s heart felt as if gripped by something. He pulled the blanket up to cover her properly, the icy touch against her forehead making his heart ache even more.
His large hand enveloped her bandaged, scarred, and cold little hand, pressing it against his lips.
Wen Yu said softly, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”
Xu Jinhuan’s eyelashes fluttered, then slowly opened her eyes.
Wen Yu couldn’t feel joy, because her gaze was empty and unfocused, completely different from the bright, lively sparkle she once had.
Wen Yu whispered, “Huanhuan, are you still cold?”
Xu Jinhuan seemed like a rusted machine, taking a moment to process the question before slowly shaking her head. “Not cold.”
Just that simple movement made her vision darken in waves, accompanied by sharp, stabbing pain.
“Hiss…”
Wen Yu quickly supported her bandaged head. “Don’t move.”
“The doctor said you have a moderate concussion and need rest and observation.”
Xu Jinhuan’s voice was very faint. “I’m fine…”
Looking at Wen Yu’s troubled expression, memories from earlier resurfaced, and she asked, “Are you feeling better? Does your chest still hurt?”
Wen Yu felt a sting in his heart.
She was so severely injured, nearly ending up in the ICU, and the first thing she did upon waking was worry about him.
Wen Yu, how oblivious you are.
“It doesn’t hurt, but you nearly scared me to death.”
Wen Yu gently touched the girl’s forehead with the back of his hand and said quietly, “Xiao Xiao is fine, and Huanhuan was very brave. But promise me, next time you encounter evil people, try to run first. Don’t confront them head-on.”
Only then did Xu Jinhuan realize how close Mr. Wen was to her, their breaths mingling together.
Her hand under the blanket curled slightly as she evaded the topic.
“You’ve even grown stubble…”
Wen Yu asked, “Is it ugly?”
“Not ugly.” Xu Jinhuan’s eyes trembled slightly as she turned her gaze away, her eyelashes casting shadows.
“You’re still as handsome as ever.”
Wen Yu slowly covered Xu Jinhuan’s hand with his large palm, gently but firmly prying open her tightly clenched fingers to prevent her wounds from reopening. “If I’m so handsome, why won’t you look at me…”
“Huanhuan, I have something to tell you.”
Xu Jinhuan’s body stiffened, her face growing even paler.
The heavy stone hanging over her heart finally crashed down. She knew it—Mr. Wen must have taken issue with it after all.
Anyone who heard such unsavory things about their friend would surely turn cold.
Meteor showers truly couldn’t be trusted; wishes made upon them never came true.
He wouldn’t be kind to her anymore…
It was time to wake from this beautiful dream.
Xu Jinhuan looked at Wen Yu like a prisoner awaiting judgment, her voice hoarse as she said, “…I have something to tell you too.”
Wen Yu replied, “Though ladies first, today, let me speak first.”Xu Jinhuan lowered her eyes and did not respond.
Wen Yu gently smoothed the girl’s bangs with his fingers, his deep, magnetic voice filled with tenderness. “I told you before that I was single. Actually, I’m not a believer in staying single forever—I just hadn’t met a girl I liked. But a few months ago, I did.”
“I’m not as thoughtful or perfect as you imagine. I’ve made mistakes too. When I saw you lying in a pool of blood, I was terrified and filled with regret—afraid that my confession of love would come too late, after something terrible had already happened.”
At this point, Wen Yu paused and said earnestly, “Huanhuan, I like you.”
“This confession might have come a bit late, but every word is sincere. Will you be my girlfriend?”
Like…
The word struck Xu Jinhuan like a blow, leaving her dizzy and ears ringing.
Mr. Wen had just said he liked her.
How could he like her?
Instead of feeling relieved, Xu Jinhuan was filled with panic. She stammered, “Why would you like me? I’m not worthy of you…”
Wen Yu patiently asked, “In what way are you not worthy?”
Xu Jinhuan’s gaze drifted into the distance as she murmured, “I… I’m not good enough. My family background is poor, very ordinary. I didn’t even go to college… You’re so outstanding, you could definitely find a better partner…”
“Huanhuan, finding a partner isn’t like hiring an employee for a company,” Wen Yu said. “When I like someone, it has nothing to do with her education or family background.”
“You are unique in my heart, without needing any additional conditions.”
Some say that so-called love at first sight is just a disguise for being attracted to someone’s looks.
But Wen Yu wasn’t like that.
The Wen family was a wealthy, century-old dynasty. Wen Yu’s grandmother was even a distant relative of the President of France, making their status exceptionally noble.
His background destined him for a life different from ordinary people. While other children were still playing house, the occasions he attended and the knowledge he possessed already placed him far beyond his peers.
Of course, there were girls more beautiful than her, with better family backgrounds, and even more skilled at “pleasing” men.
But Wen Yu had never paid them any attention.
Until the moment he met her, when time itself seemed to stand still.
Wen Yu felt a sense of destiny—neither the shallowness of attraction based on looks nor the depth of affection that grows over time. It was a resonance and attraction that came from the depths of his soul.
Perhaps, as the old man would say, it was like a turtle seeing a green bean—they just clicked.
“But I…”
Xu Jinhuan bit her lip, unsure how to continue.
She came from such a terrible family, sold to another household at a young age, and had been with other men… How could he like her?
They were completely mismatched—how could there be any talk of liking?
Wen Yu said self-deprecatingly, “Actually, if we’re going to talk about it, it should be me who isn’t worthy of you.”
Hearing this, Xu Jinhuan was so shocked her eyes widened.
Mr. Wen was so good—he was more than worthy of her a thousand times over. How could there be any talk of him not being worthy?
Wen Yu said, “I’m just older and have a bit more life experience, but in the end, I’m just an ordinary person.”
Xu Jinhuan unconsciously pinched a corner of the blanket, unsure what to say.
“Huanhuan, you’re only 20 this year, in the prime of your youth, while I’m already over 32, a full 12 years older than you. If we were together, I’d be the one troubling you to take care of me most of the time.”
Xu Jinhuan stammered, “It… it can’t be calculated like that…”Wen Yu said, “Fortunately, I have the habit of exercising regularly and undergo annual health check-ups, so my body is still quite healthy. I’ll try my best not to leave before you.”
“So, don’t rush to reject me. Give me a chance, okay?”
Wen Yu looked into Xu Jinhuan’s eyes, gentle and warm. “I won’t force you, nor do I ask for an answer right now.”
“I only hope that you can set aside your identity, family background, and all the external factors you need to consider. From the perspective of a woman looking at a man, think it over carefully before giving me your answer, alright?”