When Qi Siye returned to the hospital room with water, Wen Yan was already asleep, though the lights were still on.
He softened his footsteps, placing two bottles of water on the bedside table with slow, deliberate movements.
Wen Yan was sleeping soundly, her breathing even and steady. Her dark hair fanned out across the pillow, making her cheeks appear even fairer, while her long lashes cast faint shadows on her eyelids. Her red lips were slightly pursed.
Qi Siye couldn’t help but raise his hand, wanting to touch this face that only looked delicate and vulnerable in deep sleep.
His fingers hovered just inches from her cheek before slowly withdrawing.
He was afraid of disturbing this rare moment of peace. When awake, Wen Yan was kind and considerate, yet there was always something between them.
Not like now—with all her defenses down, she seemed pitiable and endearing, so much like the teenage Wen Yan.
Only when she was asleep could he gaze at her so freely.
He sat by the bedside for a long time until his phone vibrated, lighting up with Jiang Wantang’s name.
Glancing at Wen Yan, he stood up and left.
When Wen Yan woke up, she saw the two bottles of water on the bedside table.
Two unread messages popped up on WeChat—sent by Qi Siye that morning—explaining that he hadn’t returned promptly the night before because Jiang Wantang had taken a fall while he was out buying water.
Her heart remained as calm as a lake as she replied with a simple, “It’s fine.”
A middle-aged woman dressed as a caregiver pushed the door open. “Miss Wen, you’re awake.”
“And you are?”
“I’m the senior caregiver hired by Mr. Qi to look after you. My surname is Zhao,” the woman introduced herself, her tone warm and natural.
“Aunt Zhao, could you help me to the bathroom, please?”
Wen Yan didn’t ask further questions. In her current condition, she truly needed a caregiver.
Aunt Zhao responded promptly, helping her out of bed with practiced and steady movements.
After helping her freshen up, she assisted her back to bed, carefully arranging pillows behind her back.
“Miss Wen, I’ll go down to buy breakfast. What would you like?”
Wen Yan listed a few items, and Aunt Zhao noted them down attentively before leaving.
Not long after, she returned with breakfast—steaming hot and exactly as requested.
Seeing how efficient and attentive Aunt Zhao was, Wen Yan said, “Aunt Zhao, please return Mr. Qi’s payment. I’ll pay you myself.”
Aunt Zhao didn’t ask questions, simply nodding in agreement. “Alright.”
Having worked as a caregiver in hospitals for over a decade, she had seen all kinds of complicated relationships.
That Mr. Qi was keeping watch over a young girl on crutches in the next room while hiring her to care for Miss Wen here—she understood the underlying dynamics.
After breakfast, Aunt Zhao wheeled Wen Yan in a wheelchair for an X-ray. The results showed a moderate sprain, and the doctor recommended a week’s hospitalization with medication for a faster recovery.
Back in her room, Wen Yan called her best friend, Qiao Xi, asking her to bring a change of clothes and her laptop. She also requested Aunt Zhao’s help in purchasing some daily necessities.
No sooner had Aunt Zhao left than Jiang Wantang arrived on crutches.
“Wen Yan, is your foot alright?”
She slowly made her way to the sofa and sat down, her posture haughty.
“It’s fine. I’ll be discharged after a week of rest.”
Wen Yan’s tone remained gentle, as if addressing any ordinary visitor.
Jiang Wantang’s gaze lingered on her face before suddenly curving into a slight smile.
“Wen Yan, do you find this amusing?”
Her voice was still sweet and soft, but her tone carried a hint of malice.
Wen Yan was typing a reply to a work group chat, her fingers never pausing as she calmly replied, “I should be the one asking you that.”
Unfazed by her dismissiveness, Jiang Wantang continued on her own.
“When I was very young, my parents divorced and started new families. My brother and I only had each other.”
"After my brother left, Siye Ge took his place and became my entire world."
As she spoke the last few words, her gaze sharpened.
"So, I absolutely won't allow anyone to take him away."
Wen Yan paused her movements and looked up at her.
A twenty-year-old girl, with rosy lips and pearly teeth, dressed in designer brands—clearly well cared for.
At this moment, those beautiful eyes held resentment, possessiveness, and a trace of panic she probably wasn't even aware of herself.
"Jiang Wantang, for you, seeing a psychologist is more important than clinging to Qi Siye."
"At twenty years old, giving up an Ivy League education, neglecting your studies, running back to fight over a man—are you crazy?"
She held no real hatred for this girl who was only a year older than her sister. Jiang Wantang's faults paled in comparison to Qi Siye's mistakes.
He had taken on the responsibility of caring for her, but all he knew was to spoil her endlessly, turning her into this state.
"That's right, I am crazy."
Jiang Wantang changed her attitude, raising her voice sharply.
"But it's all your fault! Only if you leave Siye Ge can my life get better!"
Wen Yan frowned tightly. "Miss Jiang, I am not responsible for your life."
As soon as she finished speaking, a voice came from outside the door.
"Jiang Wantang, what are you running around for?"
Xie Cheng stood outside the door, looking annoyed.
Jiang Wantang, who had just been furious, instantly changed her expression, smiling brightly. "Cheng Ge, were you looking for me?"
"Your brother asked me to check on you."
As he spoke, Xie Cheng walked in, pulling over a stool by the hospital bed and sitting down.
Jiang Wantang leaned on her crutches and stood up. "I came to see Wen Yan Jie. Let's go back to the next room."
But Xie Cheng didn't move. Instead, he looked at Wen Yan and said directly, "I've booked the best orthopedic specialist in the hospital to see you this afternoon."
Wen Yan was momentarily stunned, then politely declined. "No need, it's just a sprain."
"Qi Siye asked me to arrange it. You and Jiang Wantang will both be examined, so don't feel like you owe me anything."
Xie Cheng spoke bluntly, leaving no room for refusal.
So it was Qi Siye who had asked. A flicker of disappointment passed through Wen Yan's heart, and she lowered her head with a self-mocking smile.
Jiang Wantang looked suspicious. "Cheng Ge, are you and Wen Yan Jie close?"
She rarely saw Xie Cheng take the initiative to care for anyone, let alone someone like Wen Yan, whom he had only met once.
Xie Cheng thought of what happened at the hotel and replied indifferently with two words: "Not close."
Wen Yan also sneered. "As a small-time reporter, I dare not presume to associate with Young Master Xie."
Xie Cheng pretending to be poor in Europe was nothing more than fearing she coveted the Xie family's wealth.
Whether it was just for fun or a test, he had humiliated her sincere feelings.
Xie Cheng's expression shifted slightly. The words "presume to associate" felt like a slap across his face, and his raised head lowered slightly.
Between them, it had always been him presuming to associate with her.
Jiang Wantang secretly rejoiced. It seemed Xie Cheng had specifically invited the specialist for her. As for Wen Yan, she was just benefiting from her connection.
Just as the atmosphere in the room grew subtle, another head poked through the doorway.
Lu Zheng, dressed in casual clothes, squeezed in colorfully, one hand holding a huge bouquet of flowers and the other carrying an enormous fruit basket.
Seeing two other people in the room, he grinned. "Reporter Wen, are you here for a hospital stay or to hold a press conference?"
Wen Yan looked at the overly festive bouquet, both touched and amused. "With such a minor injury, how could I dare trouble Officer Lu to visit in person?"
Jiang Wantang chimed in from the side. "Officer Lu is so good to Wen Yan Jie. It's hard to find flowers with such a complete range of colors even in a garden."
Lu Zheng didn't catch the sarcasm in the words, chuckling cheerfully.
"We've met before," he said, looking at Jiang Wantang. "Last time, Mr. Qi got into a fight for you at the restaurant. You must be Mrs. Qi, right?"