Sharing a ward, both women—stunning beauties—quickly bonded, becoming fast friends. Liu Weiwei admired Hua Yunyue's icy elegance, while Hua Yunyue marveled at Liu Weiwei's tender warmth.
"I'm so jealous of that guy," Hua Yunyue said. "To have you, Sister Weiwei, love him so deeply—he must've smashed countless prayer beads in his past life to earn such fate."
Liu Weiwei shook her head. "Fate or not, I'm content if he sees me as a woman. Watching him, caring for him—that's all I need in this life."
Her love ran so deep she dared not ask for more. In the world of love, she knew greed could cost everything.
"What, Sister Weiwei doesn't want to marry him?" Hua Yunyue asked, surprised. Liu Weiwei's mindset seemed odd. Loving a man so fiercely, shouldn't she dream of a life together, inseparable forever?
Liu Weiwei's face showed no trace of sorrow, only a gentle smile. "Yunyue, have you ever loved someone? If you had, you'd know his joy is your joy, his pain your pain, his life your everything. As long as he's happy, I'm happy. With the Lei family's status, do you think I could be his wife?"
As a renowned beauty in the capital, Hua Yunyue understood the rigid class barriers of elite families. For Liu Weiwei, born to an ordinary household, marrying into the Lei family was a near-impossible feat. Even if they accepted her, the crushing weight of high society would bear down.
"Why not?" Hua Yunyue countered. "For love, you have the right to chase happiness."
"That's forcing the impossible," Liu Weiwei replied. "It'd bring me pain, and him too. This way's better. As long as I'm in his heart, what's a title? I'm still happy."
Hua Yunyue fell silent, unable to respond. Never having truly loved, she couldn't grasp Liu Weiwei's perspective. Loving Lei Zhengyang with no way out, Liu Weiwei's surrender was to avoid losing everything.
Besides, that night's events had made it clear to Liu Weiwei: Song Yingfei was better suited to be Lei Zhengyang's wife.
She was content as a simple woman, quietly by his side for life—that was her place.
"Don't you feel wronged, Weiwei?" Hua Yunyue asked.
"How could I?" Liu Weiwei said. "Happiness is a feeling in our hearts. Honestly, I feel so happy."
"You're the best woman in the world," Hua Yunyue said, moved. "I'm touched."
Liu Weiwei laughed. "Best woman? I'm just a silly girl, lovesick and smitten. Not as great as you say."
Lei Zhengyang had woken, overhearing their talk. His heart swelled with emotion. He accepted Liu Weiwei because her love carried no pressure. Hua Yunyue was right—she was indeed the world's finest woman.
His hand slowly slid to her waist, startling Liu Weiwei. Turning, she saw Lei Zhengyang, after three days of coma, now awake, squinting at her with a smile.
"Zhengyang! Zhengyang's awake! Yunyue, he's awake!" Liu Weiwei shrieked with joy.
The door burst open. Doctors rushed in, examining Lei thoroughly. Soon, Xu Miaoli arrived, followed by Lei Qiuping and future Third Aunt Wu Xiaomin.
"Zhengyang, you nearly scared Mom to death!" Xu Miaoli wailed, tears and sniffles typical of a mother's love. "If anything happened to you, how could I go on?"
Lei grinned. "Mom, no need to be so dramatic. Even if I died, you've got Big Brother and Second Brother, right?"
"Don't say that!" she scolded. "You just woke up—your head's not clear. Heaven, forgive him!" Seeing her plead to the skies, Lei didn't dare joke further.
Lei Qiuping chuckled. "You're finally up. The family was worried sick. Father asked daily. Good thing you were just sleeping—looking lively now."
"Zhengyang, you owe Weiwei big time," Wu said. "She's been here day and night. Meeting her's your blessing. Honestly, she's a gem—treat her well." Despite knowing the class barriers, Wu was moved by Liu Weiwei's devotion.
Liu Weiwei looked haggard, worn from sleepless days. But she smiled, saying, "It's nothing, just tending to a patient. No big deal. Zhengyang, since you're awake, I should get back to work. Who knows if the company's fired me?"
Before Lei could speak, Xu Miaoli cut in, "Fired? So what? Weiwei, join my Tianhua Company. It's as good as Tianding, and I trust you completely."
Lei sat up. "Mom, stop talking nonsense. Weiwei, you've been here three days—stay one more. You're exhausted. You need rest."
"Zhengyang, what are you doing?" Xu Miaoli yelped as he moved to stand. "You can't leave yet—stay for observation!"
Lei laughed. "Relax, I know my body. I'm fine."
As he got up, Hua Yunyue, from the other bed, spoke. "Zhengyang, thank you. If not for you, I'd be dead. If you ever need help, just ask. If I can do it, I won't hesitate."
Lei waved it off. "No need for thanks. I didn't save you for you—it was for Third Aunt. She begged me; could I let you die? You owe me nothing. Third Aunt can repay me later."
"Fine, fine," Wu said, slipping into the role. "Third Aunt owes you one, I'll pay it back."
Xu Miaoli chimed in, "Looks like the Lei family's gearing up for a wedding! I need to talk to Father about making it grand."
As Lei led Liu Weiwei out, her tired face radiated happiness, waving goodbye to Hua Yunyue. A pang, like a bug gnawing at her heart, hit Hua Yunyue. Envy? Jealousy? She couldn't tell, nor understand why this strange feeling stirred.
The Leis left, leaving Wu Xiaomin behind.
"He didn't come?" Hua Yunyue asked softly, disappointment lacing her voice.
Wu knew she meant Knife, her father. Though it pained her to confirm, Wu couldn't lie for her master. Nodding gently, she said, "Master's swamped as Knife, tied up with duties. But he called to check on you. Knowing you're safe, he didn't come."
"I used to think big families lacked warmth," Hua Yunyue said. "But seeing the Leis, I feel I was wrong. Lei Zhengyang was once a useless playboy, yet his family treats him so well, so harmoniously. That's what a family should be."
Wu nodded. "You're not entirely wrong. Many elite families are cold, but the Leis are different. I heard the brothers weren't always close, but since Zhengyang's return, they've bonded. Even I can't help liking the guy. Being his Third Aunt feels like a joy."
Hua Yunyue sank into her thoughts. "If my mom were alive, she'd be here, by my side, like Xu Miaoli with her son. Even if she scolded me, it'd be full of motherly love. Honestly, I feel pitiful, so envious of Zhengyang."
"Don't say that," Wu countered. "Zhengyang was spoiled rotten. Big Sister—ugh, I can't even describe her. She dotes on him excessively. Half his old playboy ways came from her. Without that coddling, you grew independent. Look at you now—thriving."
Despite Wu's earnest comfort, Hua Yunyue wasn't swayed. "If I could choose, I'd rather be Zhengyang than Hua Yunyue. This independence, this resolve—it's too lonely, too isolating."
Unsure how to console her further, Wu patted her hand gently. "Yunyue, your past struggles are over. You're grown now—your future happiness is in your hands. I believe you'll find it."
Hua Yunyue said nothing, lying quietly. Her thoughts turned to her sister. Her own happiness didn't matter—her sister's did. If heaven could help, she'd give all her joy to her sister. Compared to her, at least she could stay near their father, even if she never felt his love.
But how could Hua Yunyue know that her death in the future would unravel Knife, a testament to his deep, hidden love? A love kept buried, never shown.
Knife loved his daughters more than himself.
Their misunderstanding, he bore silently. He'd done everything to protect them. As long as they lived well, he'd gladly die. But fate was cruel—due to their bloodline, neither could live as ordinary people, safe into old age. Danger lurked everywhere.