The next morning, Hua Yunyue woke first.
"Yunyue, Yunyue, you're awake! You're really awake!" Wu Xiaomin, weary from a sleepless night, beamed with joy. Xu Miaoli leaned in, gazing at Hua Yunyue as her eyes fluttered open.
Her lips parted, a faint voice emerging: "Senior Sister… Zhengyang…"
Wu stepped aside, pointing to the next bed. "Yunyue, asking about Zhengyang? He's fine, just resting."
Xu Miaoli jumped in, "Fine? Hardly! To get you here, Zhengyang didn't rest a second. He's so exhausted he passed out, sleeping this long without waking. That boy's worrying me to death!"
Hua Yunyue stirred, concern for Lei Zhengyang etched on her face. Her weak voice trembled with anxiety. "Is… is he okay?"
Wu reassured her, "Zhengyang's really fine—just overexerted, probably in a deep sleep. Yunyue, don't worry, honestly, no need to fret."
"Take care of him."
"Of course, of course," Wu said. "Senior Sister will look after him, don't you worry. Here, sip some water to soothe your throat." After feeding her a little, Hua Yunyue's eyes closed, drifting back to sleep. Fresh from her ordeal, she needed rest. But her first thought upon waking was Lei Zhengyang—a far cry from the cold indifference of their first meeting.
Once Hua Yunyue slept soundly, Wu shot Xu Miaoli a reproachful glance. "Big Sister, what were you saying? Zhengyang's fine—you scared Yunyue! With a dozen wounds, she can't handle that stress."
"Scare her? I was just testing her!" Xu Miaoli retorted. "Zhengyang is still out. Filial Min, there's something there—Yunyue cares about him."
Wu was speechless. Even if Xu Miaoli was matchmaking, couldn't she give them time? They were both unconscious! But she finally understood Qiuping's words: Big Sister wasn't just warm-hearted—she was excessively so.
"Let it unfold naturally," Wu advised. "If it's meant to be, they'll fall in love. If not, no amount of meddling will help."
Xu Miaoli waved it off. "Young people need love's spark to heal faster. Zhengyang's sleeping so pitifully—I need to shake him up." She pulled out her phone and dialed Liu Weiwei, whose number she'd gotten for business. Now, it was useful.
"Hello, this is Aunt Xu, Weiwei! I've got news—Zhengyang's hurt, lying in the hospital, still in a coma."
A shriek burst through the phone. Xu Miaoli continued, "Yes, I'm terrified! I stayed up all night watching him. Just letting you know I can't work today—business can wait. He's at the military hospital. No, no need to come—doctors say he'll wake in a few days. He shouldn't die."
Moments later, Xu Miaoli hung up, a smug grin spreading. Wu, incredulous, asked, "Big Sister, who'd you trick now? Does Zhengyang have a girlfriend?"
"I'm not sure," Xu Miaoli admitted. "But this woman's got feelings for him. If she shows up, we'll see what's what. She sounded so shaken—Zhengyang's a lucky boy."
Wu shook her head, utterly dumbfounded.
At Tianding Group, Liu Weiwei was in chaos. Tears streamed down her face, unstoppable. Song Yingfei, stepping out, gasped, "Weiwei, what's wrong? What happened?"
Clutching Song Yingfei's hand, Weiwei cried, "Yingfei, what do I do? Zhengyang's in trouble—he's hurt!"
At that name, Song Yingfei yanked her hand free, her face a mask. "Don't mention him. His life or death means nothing to me. I'm busy—no time for this."
Normally, Song Yingfei's coldness would've silenced Weiwei, but not today. Blocking her path, she pressed, "Yingfei, I know Zhengyang wronged you, but he's dying! He's been in the hospital, gravely injured, unconscious for a day and night. Hate him all you want—if he dies, you'll be thrilled, right?"
"I don't blame you, but I can't lose him. Yingfei, I'm going to his side."
Weiwei turned and left, leaving Song Yingfei frozen. The door slammed with a bang, and she collapsed onto the sofa, drained, hands covering her face. Unbidden emotions surged—she was crying.
"Crying for him? How could I cry for him?" she thought. "Just because he was my first? That wasn't my choice—it was his violation. I should hate him, want him dead."
Slumped on the sofa, she sobbed helplessly. She didn't know why her heart ached, but one thing was clear: no matter how she tried to forget, the scar that man left in her heart would never fade.
She hated him, didn't she?
If he died, who would she hate?
Liu Weiwei rushed to the hospital, bursting into Lei Zhengyang's ward. Ignoring Wu Xiaomin and Xu Miaoli, she flung herself at the still figure on the bed, grabbing his hand and weeping inconsolably.
Wu stared, slack-jawed. Just exhaustion-induced sleep, and this woman was acting like it was a funeral!
But it proved one thing: Lei Zhengyang, once branded a wastrel, wasn't worthless. A woman's genuine tears showed her heart. Only love could drive such grief.
"Weiwei, you came?" Xu Miaoli said. "I told you not to, but since you're here—Zhengyang's okay now. Doctors say he nearly collapsed from exhaustion. I was frantic all night. If you stay and care for him, it might give him the will to wake. Aunt Xu's grateful."
"Auntie, don't worry," Weiwei vowed. "I'll stay. If he never wakes, I'll care for him forever."
What a kind woman—beautiful, virtuous, the perfect daughter-in-law!
Wu watched Weiwei, impressed. Not only stunning but mature and steady, she now gently stroked Lei's hand, whispering to him, trying to rouse his consciousness.
Honestly, when Weiwei looked up, Wu felt too ashamed to meet her eyes. Deceiving such a woman felt like a cardinal sin.
Xu Miaoli, however, was shameless, her act so convincing it seemed she'd endured a life-or-death ordeal. Wu turned away, as if to declare to all, I don't know her. We're not related.
"Zhengyang, wake up," Weiwei pleaded. "Weiwei's here. I'm sorry for avoiding you. I won't be mad anymore. Just wake, and I'll stay with you every day. I mean it—whatever you want, I'll do."
Wu was touched by the raw emotion, but glancing up, she caught Xu Miaoli's smug, sly grin, reveling in her scheme.
Wu felt compelled to act. "You're Weiwei, right? I'm Zhengyang's Third Aunt. He fought to save Yunyue, then rushed her here, which is why he collapsed. But doctors say it's just deep sleep. He'll wake once his strength returns—don't worry too much."
Weiwei nodded faintly, eyes fixed on Lei. "Thank you."
"Weiwei, we'll leave him to you," Xu Miaoli said. "I'll go freshen up and cook some porridge. The hospital said he'll need food when he wakes. Talk to him—it might help him stir." Thrilled to have a woman tend her son, she ceded the role.
"Aunt Xu, go ahead," Weiwei said. "I'll take care of Zhengyang."
Seeing Weiwei's earnestness, Wu didn't bother speaking further. The woman's love for Zhengyang ran deep—words wouldn't ease her until he woke.
Truthfully, Lei's exhaustion was severe. Without his robust physique, he'd have collapsed battling the beastified gorilla. His newly attained fourth-tier Golden Dragon power, unleashed fully, had overtaxed him—especially while carrying Hua Yunyue back.
Two days unconscious, he slept on, even as Hua Yunyue could sit up. If not for his stable vitals and steady breathing, Weiwei's tears would've been even fiercer.
With Weiwei's devoted care, Xu Miaoli was relieved, visiting only to bring food, drinks, and essentials, spending brief moments with her son. Assured he was fine, she entrusted the rest to Weiwei.
Over those days, Weiwei and Hua Yunyue grew close. When Hua Yunyue sat up, Weiwei was struck by her stunning beauty, a pang of jealousy flaring. He must've risked his life because she's gorgeous, she thought. Wait till he wakes—I'll make him pay.
Despite her thoughts, she called Hua Yunyue "Sister Yunyue" warmly.