In the Capital Military District General Hospital, Hua Yunyue was wheeled into the operating room. Lei Zhengyang, having carried her at breakneck speed, collapsed onto a bench, drained of his last ounce of strength. Even breathing felt like a chore.
He couldn't pinpoint why he cared so deeply for this woman. Was it a lingering memory, or his bond with Instructor No. 2? Lei didn't know. All he knew was he didn't want Hua Yunyue to die—he wanted her alive and well.
"Thanks, Instructor Lei," Cold Wind said, arriving and eyeing Lei on the bench. "We'll handle it from here. You've done enough—go rest." His tone was polite but distant, laced with detachment.
Wu Xiaomin snapped, "What nonsense! Without Zhengyang, Yunyue wouldn't be alive. Why shouldn't he stay? You're the one who should leave."
Lei waved her off, exhaustion overwhelming him. Once Hua Yunyue was in surgery, he could do no more, good or bad. Smiling faintly at Cold Wind, he said, "Fine, I'll take my leave. It's in your hands now. I really need rest."
Without lingering, Lei trudged out, fatigue weighing every step. Wu, indignant, huffed and caught up. "Zhengyang, don't rush off! Yunyue was calling your name in her coma—she'd want to see you when she wakes. Stay a bit."
Lei chuckled weakly. "Third Aunt, can't you see I'm about to pass out? Can we find a place for me to crash? Don't sacrifice your nephew just for your junior sister, okay?"
Wu studied him, seeing his utter depletion. "Rest in this ward," she said. "I'll talk to the dean to get you checked. Don't worry—I'll watch over you."
Lei wasn't being prideful—he was genuinely spent. Entering the ward, he collapsed onto the bed and passed out. Wu tried to rouse him to change his blood-soaked clothes, but he wouldn't stir. With no choice, she called the Lei family.
"What? Zhengyang's fainted? Where? Tell me quick—what's wrong with my boy? I'm terrified!" Xu Miaoli answered, her voice trembling. She hadn't seen her son in ages, knowing only that he was training troops. This call sent her into a panic.
Once Xu Miaoli knew, the entire Lei family was alerted.
Half an hour later, the Leis stormed the hospital. Xu Miaoli, heedless of decorum, grilled the dean about her son's condition. Though Hua Yunyue was still in surgery, her focus was solely on Zhengyang.
"Madam Lei, no need to worry," the dean assured. "Young Master Lei's just exhausted and in a temporary coma. His constitution's strong—he'll wake after rest. Don't disturb him, and prepare some liquid food. He'll be ravenous when he comes to."
Relieved her son was fine, Xu Miaoli dragged Lei Qiuping out of the ward and unleashed her fury. "What kind of Third Uncle are you, working Zhengyang to death? Does he deserve this? Don't drag him into your messes again, or we're done!"
Qiuping squirmed, caught off-guard. Zhengyang hadn't collapsed from training—he'd overexerted himself saving Hua Yunyue. Heroic, even romantic—maybe she'd repay him with her heart. But saying so now, with Yunyue's fate uncertain, felt premature.
"Big Sister, I'm so sorry," Wu interjected. "Zhengyang risked everything to save Yunyue. He's a true man. On behalf of my junior sister, thank you."
Xu Miaoli could snap at Qiuping, but her future Third Sister warranted courtesy. Grasping Wu's hand, she softened. "Oh, Third Sister, my apologies—my tone was harsh. You know my boy's always been frail, not built for overwork. Thankfully, he's okay this time, or Father would've lost it. You said Zhengyang saved Yunyue—the military's Hua Yunyue?"
Wu nodded. "That's her."
"How's she doing? Is she safe?" Xu Miaoli asked.
"She's still in surgery," Wu replied. "I believe she'll pull through—lucky and blessed."
Xu Miaoli beamed. "Of course, of course. With all Zhengyang's effort, she'll be fine. If she recovers and offers herself to him, that'd be perfect. My boy still needs a girlfriend, you know."
Wu nearly choked, stunned by Xu Miaoli's boldness. Saved her, so she should marry him? Glancing at Qiuping, she caught his helpless look, as if to say, See? That's our Big Sister.
Click. The surgery room doors swung open. A doctor removed his mask and asked, "Who's Hua Yunyue's family?"
With her iron-cold father absent, Wu stepped forward. "I'm her sister. Is she okay?"
"She's past the critical stage," the doctor said. "Lucky you got her here fast—minutes later, and it'd have been dicey. Care for her well; she'll likely wake tomorrow. Report any issues tonight—we'll monitor closely."
"Thank you, doctors!" Wu exhaled, her junior sister safe at last.
Xu Miaoli, elated, said, "Third Sister, this is great news! Yunyue's fine. Let's put her in Zhengyang's room—easier to care for them together. What do you think?"
Wu agreed, and soon Hua Yunyue was wheeled out, placed in Lei Zhengyang's ward, which had two beds—perfectly convenient.
That night, the Lei family—minus Lei Yunbao—flooded the hospital. Even Lei Chunping, once critical of his son, showed up. Now, Zhengyang was his pride.
"Big Sister, is Zhengyang okay?" Lei Dongping, Fourth Uncle, asked, fresh from sealed submarine training. He'd rushed over, desperate for Zhengyang's well-being—his submarine systems still needed the boy's genius.
Second Uncle Lei Xiaping cut in, "Don't ask what you shouldn't. Zhengyang's served the nation this time—impressive. Father will be thrilled. Big Sister, take care of him. If you need anything, He Fen's your woman—no need to be shy."
Zhengyang had brought the Lei family immense honor, recovering the stolen X-substance files—outshining even Saber Team. Though Xiaping had no direct role, as a Lei, he basked in the glory, proud to be Zhengyang's uncle.
Xu Miaoli waved them off. "Enough. I've got this. You big-shot men have your business—go. Don't disturb Zhengyang's rest."
She shooed everyone out, including her husband. Wu sent Qiuping packing too. Caring for patients was women's work.
Xu Miaoli changed Lei Zhengyang's bloodied clothes, while Wu tended to Hua Yunyue's. After bustling about, they sat to chat.
"Big Sister, looks like Zhengyang's the Lei family's darling now," Wu said, checking Hua Yunyue's steady breathing, relieved. "Why'd people call him the family's waste before?"
Xu Miaoli gave a wry smile. "Back then, Zhengyang was spoiled rotten, never home, ignoring even Father's words. We gave up on him—plenty of Leis, so let him squander. It broke my heart, but I was helpless. Then, after vanishing for a year, he returned transformed—dutiful, obedient, and sharp. Third Sister, you won't believe this, but the lost X-substance files? That substance was Zhengyang's creation."
Wu's eyes widened. She didn't know X-substance's details, but Lei patriarch had said it could double national military strength. That Zhengyang pioneered it was unthinkable.
Seeing Wu's shock, Xu Miaoli grinned, thrilled. "Since we're family, I'll let you in. Ever heard of Longteng Company? That Longteng system? Zhengyang developed it. He owns ninety percent of the shares—even I, his mom, can't compete."
"Really, Big Sister?" Wu gasped. "Longteng's system is Zhengyang's? You're not kidding?" She'd known he wasn't the old wastrel, but X-substance and Longteng? Unfathomable.
Now she understood why, when she told Lei patriarch about her and Qiuping, he hadn't objected. The Lei family's status had soared, and he wanted their shine.
"There's more," Xu Miaoli began, but recalling Father's warnings, she held back. "Third Sister, once you're a Lei, you'll see how extraordinary Zhengyang is. What do you think of him and Yunyue? They'd make a great pair. When she wakes, shall we nudge them together?"
Wu had no objections. Two sisters marrying into the Lei family would be nice company. But it wasn't her call. "I'll talk her up when she wakes and gauge her feelings. Love needs fate, not force."