The long five minutes felt like an eternity of torment for both of them.
Finally, after applying the medicine, Huo Jingmo covered her with the blanket and turned to wash his hands in the bathroom.
The sound of running water in the bathroom stopped.
The glass door slid open, and Huo Jingmo stepped out.
He had already straightened his attire, the sleeves of his white shirt neatly rolled up to his forearms, the collar slightly open, revealing a long and elegant neckline.
The imposing presence of a mature man and the distinct scent of fir once again filled the entire hospital room.
Lin Nianxi clutched the edge of the blanket, the heat in her cheeks spreading all the way to the tips of her ears.
The scene from just moments ago, with his cool fingertips and low, husky breaths, kept replaying in her mind, making her too afraid to look up at him.
To break the unbearable silence, she fumbled for the remote control on the bedside table and randomly turned on a TV channel.
The screen lit up, and the voice of the morning news broadcast filled the room.
“Breaking news from our station: Wang, a well-known local building materials supplier, was brutally attacked early this morning. According to informed sources, Wang suffered irreversible injuries to his lower body and is currently undergoing emergency treatment at City First People’s Hospital. Meanwhile, police received a real-name tip-off and conducted a surprise inspection of Wang’s building materials company overnight, uncovering substantial evidence of tax evasion, financial fraud, and involvement in illegal transactions. At present, the police have officially issued an arrest warrant for Wang…”
The screen switched to the crime scene, showing a shocking pool of blood on the ground, followed by footage of Boss Wang being carried into an ambulance.
Although his face and key areas were heavily blurred, Lin Nianxi would recognize that signature balding hairstyle, the belly as large as if he were ten months pregnant, and that garish tight-fitting shirt even if she were turned to ashes.
This was the same old man from the photo Zhao Yun had sent her last night.
Lin Nianxi stared at the screen, her almond-shaped eyes wide open.
The disgusting man who had been so arrogant last night, pressuring the Lin family to send her to the club—was he already brought down?
The saying “evil begets evil” had come true far too quickly.
An indescribable sense of relief surged in her chest, dispersing much of the pent-up frustration she had felt from being pressured by her uncle’s family over the past few days.
Lin Nianxi turned her head to look at the man standing beside the sofa. Huo Jingmo was leisurely wiping his well-defined fingers with a warm towel, his expression so calm it showed not a single ripple.
“Was it Mr. Huo who did this?” the young girl asked softly, pursing her lips.
Huo Jingmo placed the towel on the tray and strode over to the bedside.
He didn’t deny it. Instead, his broad, warm palm rested on the top of her head, gently ruffling her hair twice, as if comforting a frightened kitten.
“Those who hurt you should pay the price.”
His voice was deep and steady, carrying a reassuring tone.
Lin Nianxi’s heart skipped a beat.
In all her life, no one had ever said such words to her.
Huo Jingmo took a seat on the chair beside the bed, crossing his long legs naturally. His deep gaze settled on her porcelain-like face as he softened his tone slightly.
“Boss Wang is dealt with. As for Lin Jiancheng’s family, have you thought about how you want to get back at them?”
Get back at them?
Lin Nianxi was stunned.
The word felt too foreign to her.
Since losing her parents at the age of ten and living under someone else’s roof for the past decade, what she had learned most was endurance and compliance. When Zhao Yun scolded her, she would lower her head and listen. When Lin Xuewei took her things, she would silently walk away.
Her only thought was to endure—endure until she graduated from university, endure until she could earn money, and take her grandmother away from that home.
She was too weak, with no money, no background, and not even the means to resist.
“I don’t know,” she lowered her head, her soft hair falling forward. “Before… I only wanted to stay far away from them. I just wanted to avoid being bullied, to stop being controlled by others.”
Huo Jingmo watched the girl’s habitual retreat, his dark eyes deepening. He reached out, his warm fingertips lifting her delicate chin, forcing her to look up and meet his gaze.
“Running away won’t solve the problem,” he said seriously, looking into her clear but timid eyes. “Lin Nianxi, you have someone to rely on now.”
Lin Nianxi stared at him blankly, her porcelain-like face soft and adorable.
“I am your support,” Huo Jingmo’s thumb gently stroked her smooth, tender cheek. “You can use me as your support as much as you want.”
“From today on, if someone insults you, hit back. If someone slaps you, cut off their hand.”
The girl’s eyes widened.
This…
Wasn’t this a bit too brutal…
“Don’t be afraid of causing trouble. If the sky falls, I’ll hold it up for you.”
The man’s words were incredibly impactful.
Lin Nianxi had been taught since childhood to take a step back for the sake of peace, but Huo Jingmo was teaching her to repay evil with evil, an eye for an eye.
“They drugged you last night, trying to send you to an old man to be ruined. If I hadn’t gone, what would you be facing today?” Huo Jingmo guided her patiently, laying out the cruelest reality for her to see.
Lin Nianxi recalled the desperate heat she felt in the car last night and the twisted, mocking faces of Zhao Yun and Lin Xuewei. A cold sweat instantly broke out on her back, followed by a surge of anger rising from the depths of her heart.
Why should she always be bullied? Why could they use her to make money without any limits?
“I want them to taste what I went through last night,” Lin Nianxi clenched her small fists, mustering the courage to speak.
Huo Jingmo raised an eyebrow, signaling her to continue.
“Hasn’t Zhao Yun always hoped for Lin Xuewei to marry a rich man and enjoy a life of luxury? Doesn’t she think it’s a blessing to accompany that Boss Wang?” Lin Nianxi tightened her fists, her nails digging into her palms. “Then let Lin Xuewei accompany those ‘rich men’ she talks about. Let Zhao Yun watch as her most precious daughter becomes a bargaining chip for her own gain.”
After saying this, Lin Nianxi looked at Huo Jingmo anxiously.
Was she… being too vicious?
Huo Jingmo curved his lips, his usually cold, stern eyes softening with gentle ripples. He bent his finger and affectionately tapped the bridge of her nose.
“That’s more like it,” he praised her. “A good girl needs kindness, but your kindness must have an edge. Kindness without an edge is weakness, and it will only make those vampires take advantage of you even more.”
He stood up and tucked the blanket around her. “Leave this matter to me.”
“As for Lin Jiancheng’s company, which is on the verge of bankruptcy, I’ll add fuel to the fire so they won’t even have a chance to recover.”
Lin Nianxi looked at his broad shoulders, feeling a long, sweet warmth spread through her heart.
This feeling of being firmly chosen, unconditionally favored, and even having her darker thoughts accepted—it was something she couldn’t help but crave.
“Do you… think I’m a bad girl?” Lin Nianxi bit her lip, speaking somewhat shyly.
“Of course not.” Huo Jingmo’s long, slender hand gently ruffled the girl’s soft hair. “I hope this little rose of yours grows sharp thorns to prick anyone who intends to harm you.”
Lin Nianxi stared at him blankly, a faint sweetness welling up in her heart.
Why… was he being so good to her?
At that moment, the man’s phone on the bedside table began to vibrate.
Huo Jingmo picked up the phone, glanced at the screen, and answered.
It was Chen Ming calling to report on the situation at the city center hospital.
The hospital room was very quiet, and Lin Nianxi could faintly hear the voice coming through the receiver.
“Arrange for a transfer,” Huo Jingmo said in a calm tone. “You personally oversee the specialist team. Replace all medications and equipment with the best. The elderly woman is weak; there must be no mishaps during the transfer.”
After giving a few brief instructions, he hung up.
Huo Jingmo softened his voice. “I’ve already arranged a medical team for your grandmother.”
“Things are progressing smoothly over there. In less than a month, your grandmother will recover and be discharged.”
Lin Nianxi was completely stunned.
The crushing weight of surgery fees and medical expenses that had burdened her shoulders for an entire year, suffocating her, had just been effortlessly lifted by him with a few words.
She had compromised and endured for her grandmother, even nearly sacrificing her entire life, while he only needed a phone call.
Just a few words were enough to resolve everything.
This made her realize the vast chasm between ordinary people and those in power.
Lin Nianxi’s eyes quickly grew hot. Sniffling, she looked at him with reddened eyes, choked up and unable to form a complete sentence. “Mr. Huo… thank you…”
If she weren’t so weak all over, Lin Nianxi would have thrown off the covers, gotten out of bed, and kowtowed to him right then and there.
No, not just one—ten kowtows.
“No need to be so polite with me,” Huo Jingmo said, amused as he looked at her.
Lin Nianxi clutched the corner of the blanket, lifting her tear-streaked face to look at him.
“If I marry you, will you always protect me?” she asked softly, with cautious hope.
As soon as she asked the question, she regretted it a little.
He had no obligation to protect her forever.
She should be satisfied with the two times he had already protected her.
Why was she so greedy?
Who in this world would stay with someone forever?
Huo Jingmo paused in his movements. Looking at this obedient, soft, timid yet stubborn girl before him, a tender corner of his heart was struck hard.
He leaned down, placing his hands on either side of her, completely enveloping her in his presence.
“Good girl,” he murmured in a low voice, his deep, dark eyes gently fixed on her pitiful little face. “Of course I will. Stay obediently by my side, and the entire Huo family will be your support.”
Lin Nianxi gazed into his profound eyes.
He was mature, steady, handsome, sensual, and unshakably powerful.
If her parents were still here, they would probably protect her like this too, never letting her suffer any grievances.
She would have been a happy little girl, cherished by her elders and carefree.
Huo Jingmo was like an all-encompassing daddy—gentle, tolerant…
Lin Nianxi nodded. Her dark, soft eyes sparkled as she looked at him, mustering her courage to say softly, “Mr. Huo, I am willing to marry you.”