Yun Li’s lashes trembled, then her eyes fluttered open, the monitors’ steady beeps gave her awareness.
She turned her gaze toward He Yuchen, who imdiately noticed the subtle alertness returning to her face.
"You’re awake," he said softly, his hand still covering hers. "How do you feel?"
"Better," she murmured, her voice hoarse.
"Do you need water?" He asked, and she nodded.
He imdiately rushed to pour her a glass of water. He placed it close to her lips and carefully fed her the water.
After she was done, she asked, sniffing. "Why was I out and how long was I out for?"
"The doctor had to sedate you because you went into shock after hearing what happened to Yue Ning." He Yuchen explained, then continued. "You were out for three hours."
Yun Li nodded in understanding. Then... silence fell between them.
He Yuchen studied her carefully, his brows drawn together. "Yun Li... tell sothing. Who shouldn’t I trust? You whispered it before and Yue Ning said the exact sa thing."
Yun Li blinked. ’Yue Ning warned him?’ She thought to herself.
However, she didn’t give any answer. Her lips pressed together, and her hands clenched slightly under the blanket.
"Why won’t you tell ?" He Yuchen pressed, his voice firm but low, careful not to alarm her. "I need to know. Both of you warned . That can’t be a coincidence."
Yun Li’s chest rose and fell quickly, her eyes flicking toward him briefly, then it darted away from him. He could see the struggle in her expression. She wanted to speak, to warn him, but sothing restrained her.
It was... fear, unrestrained fear.
"I need the truth, Yun Li," he urged, leaning closer. "I need to know who put you in danger. I need to protect you."
She remained silent, her lips parting slightly as if about to speak, then closing again. The effort alone made him tighten his grip gently around her hand.
"Yun Li," he said, his voice dropping into a rougher tone. "If you don’t tell , I’ll figure it out myself. I’ll find out who’s behind this, and I swear—no one will harm you again."
Her eyes t his then, faint fear reflected in their depths, but still she didn’t speak.
A soft knock at the door interrupted the tense mont. He Yuchen’s head snapped toward the sound.
"Co in," he said, though his heart raced.
The door opened slowly, and Madam He stepped inside, her posture poised and flawless, a polite smile gracing her face.
She carried herself like soone who belonged everywhere at once, and yet her presence imdiately filled the room with unease.
"Yun Li, how are you feeling?" she asked smoothly.
Yun Li’s gaze instinctively shifted downward, her fingers tightening around the blanket.
He Yuchen stood, stepping slightly in front of her. "Mother," he called, his tone wary even when he didn’t want it to be. "You’re here."
Madam He’s smile widened faintly. "Of course. My daughter-in-law has been through a frightening experience. I wanted to see her myself, to make sure she is well."
He Yuchen’s eyes didn’t leave her. "I see. And do you know who might have tried to hurt her?" His voice was calm, but every word carried a weight she could feel.
Madam He tilted her head, studying him as if amused. "Why would I know such things? That’s why the authorities are involved. My concern is that she recovers fully."
He Yuchen’s jaw tightened. "Both Yun Li and Yue Ning have given the sa warning. Soone... soone is not what they appear. And you visited her just as she was about to speak. Don’t you find that... interesting?"
Madam He’s eyes flicked subtly toward Yun Li, then back to her son. Her expression remained perfectly serene. "Yuchen, do you really think I could harm her? She is part of this family now. Everything I do is to protect her."
He studied her, his mind turning over every mory, and every interaction. Sothing about her calm, flawless composure didn’t feel right. It had never felt this calculated before. But, this wasn’t the image he had of his mother previously. Everything seed... different.
Yun Li shifted slightly on the bed, her eyes flicking toward He Yuchen, as if pleading for him to read her silence.
He Yuchen’s pulse quickened. He needed answers. He leaned closer, voice firm, demanding. "Mother, I need to know. Who is the ’her’ that Yun Li and Yue Ning warned about? Do you have any idea? Don’t lie to ."
Madam He’s lips curved into a faint smile, just enough to disarm. "Yuchen, I would never lie to you. You must rest. Stress will not help your wife’s recovery."
He Yuchen’s gaze hardened. "Stop avoiding . Tell the truth, now."
Madam He’s smile faltered almost imperceptibly, and for a mont, the mask of serenity wavered. She took a step closer, lowering her voice. "Yuchen... sotis the truth is not what you are ready to hear."
He Yuchen’s fists clenched at his sides. "I’m ready. I need to hear it. If anyone in this family is dangerous... I’ll handle it. I need to protect Yun Li and everyone close to ."
Madam He paused, her eyes eting his with an intensity that made the air between them tense. "Very well," she said finally, her voice almost whispering. "But rember, Yuchen, so truths will change everything you thought you knew."
The door behind her remained slightly ajar, the tension thickening the room. He Yuchen didn’t move, his gaze locked on her as he sensed the first real fracture in the family he thought he knew.
Yun Li watched quietly, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. She felt the mont, the tension, the silent battle of wills, and she knew the warning had been right all along.
Madam He’s smile lingered as she straightened. "I’ll leave you to rest," she said, voice smooth again. "But rember, my son, the family is always watching. Always protecting."
With a smooth urn, she exited the room, leaving it thick with unspoken threats and uneasy silence.
He Yuchen exhaled sharply, his hand still covering Yun Li’s. His mind raced. The doubts, the warnings, the near-fatal poisoning—they all pointed to one inescapable truth.
It was soone close, and soone he trusted.
He wouldn’t rest until he uncovered it.
And now, he knew... his mother was no longer the woman he thought he knew.
Reviews
All reviews (0)