Chapter 83 The Awakening of Zuo Qinghuan

Chapter 83 The Awakening of Zuo Qinghuan

Qin Teng and Shi Yunyang arrived at the hospital together. Han Shibin, though discharged, was pulling every string he had to get his hands on the car accident surveillance footage. He clearly underestimated the Qin family's extensive reach in the city. Despite his attempts at a cover-up, the Qin family had already seen everything.

"Sis, are you alright?" Qin Teng asked, approaching Qin Wanshu with concern.

"I'm fine. It's Zuo Qinghuan who was injured." Qin Wanshu replied, rubbing her exhausted eyes. She hadn't slept a wink all night, and Zuo Qinghuan was still unconscious. The waiting was agonizing.

"Miss Qin, you really need to get some rest. A woman in her thirties can't keep going without sleep," Shi Yunyang advised, noticing Qin Wanshu's pale and drawn face. She'd never seen Qin Wanshu look so worn down. In Shi Yunyang's mind, Qin Wanshu was always the picture of discipline, elegance, beauty, and composure – unlike anyone else she knew. But now, Qin Wanshu seemed utterly human, consumed by worry, fatigue, and anxiety.

Even when Qin Wanshu was married to Han Shibin, she'd always seemed somehow detached, untouchable. Han Shibin had seemed more like a devoted admirer than a husband. But now, Shi Yunyang sensed a shift – Zuo Qinghuan had, in a way, claimed Qin Wanshu.

Zuo Qinghuan had drawn Qin Wanshu into the messy reality of the world. She had carved out a significant space in Qin Wanshu's heart, perhaps even larger than Shi Yunyang's own place. This realization left Shi Yunyang with a pang of bitterness. In her eyes, no one was truly worthy of Qin Wanshu.

It was a feeling akin to the possessiveness fans feel when their idols get married. In their minds, these idols are not ordinary people, and they resent seeing them step down from their pedestal to live a normal life.

This sentiment wasn't Shi Yunyang's alone; Qin Teng felt it too.

"I can't sleep until she wakes up." Even with her eyes closed, Qin Wanshu would jolt awake, the horrifying image of Zuo Qinghuan being hit by the car replaying in her mind. The gut-wrenching fear was relentless. In those moments, she would instinctively reach for Zuo Qinghuan's hand, seeking the comfort of her warmth.

"You have to take care of yourself if you want to be able to take care of her," Shi Yunyang said, her brow furrowed. She felt as though a part of Qin Wanshu that she considered hers had been stolen by Zuo Qinghuan. When they were children, no matter how much mischief Shi Yunyang got into, she always knew Qin Wanshu was quietly watching over her. With Qin Wanshu nearby, she felt secure. Qin Wanshu possessed a calming presence, a quiet strength that could soothe anyone. She remembered how Qin Wanshu had guided her through the darkest days after her mother died when she was nine.

Shi Yunyang didn't fully understand the depth of her feelings for Qin Wanshu. If it was love, it was a love devoid of possessiveness.

Before, Shi Yunyang had playfully orchestrated opportunities for Qin Wanshu and Zuo Qinghuan, never imagining Zuo Qinghuan held any real significance in Qin Wanshu's heart. At most, she'd seemed like just another person touched by the goddess's grace. But now, it felt like that grace was being hoarded. Shi Yunyang believed Qin Wanshu's radiance shouldn't be for one person alone; it was a public treasure, meant for everyone.

Shi Yunyang and Qin Teng both looked at the unconscious Zuo Qinghuan, their feelings a tangled mix. They were grateful Zuo Qinghuan had pushed Qin Wanshu out of harm's way. In their minds, ten Zuo Qinghuans couldn't hold a candle to Qin Wanshu.

"I know my limits," Qin Wanshu said calmly. "Since you're both here, does that mean Grandpa knows?" she asked. There was no way to keep this a secret, and perhaps it was for the best. It was time to be honest with her family.

"Yes, Grandpa knows. He wants you home immediately." The atmosphere at the Qin residence was thick with tension. No matter how often Qin Teng had disappointed their grandfather, nothing compared to this incident involving his sister. This single event had left the old man and their parents reeling. Qin Teng knew it would be a long time before their grandfather would even think about finding fault with him again.

"I can't leave right now." Qin Wanshu shook her head. She wouldn't leave the hospital until Zuo Qinghuan woke up.

"What about Grandpa and Mom and Dad? And Han Shibin – what are you going to do about him?" Although Qin Teng had already beaten Han Shibin to a pulp before coming to the hospital, he was far from finished with him. Anyone who dared to harm his sister would face his fury.

"I'll handle Grandpa and Mom and Dad. As for Han Shibin, we'll deal with him when Qinghuan wakes up." If Zuo Qinghuan didn't wake up, Qin Wanshu would make Han Shibin pay with his life. But she had faith that Zuo Qinghuan would pull through, and she would leave the decision of Han Shibin's fate to her.

Shi Yunyang gazed at the still-unconscious Zuo Qinghuan. In a way, you've won the lottery. she thought. Just one car accident, and you've managed to claim Qin Wanshu for yourself. Privatizing Qin Wanshu – something I never even dared to dream of – has been accomplished by a woman who, frankly, doesn't seem all that special.

Qin Teng also studied Zuo Qinghuan. It seemed this woman was serious about his sister. But then again, his sister was someone people fell for easily. Even if you are serious, he thought, it doesn't mean you're worthy of her.

Qin Teng knew that no matter how much he resented it, his hands were tied. His sister was notoriously stubborn; once she made up her mind, there was no changing it. As long as Zuo Qinghuan didn't walk away, his sister would never give up on her.

After Shi Yunyang and Qin Teng left, Qin Wanshu noticed her phone was dead. She swapped the battery and called her mother, knowing her mother's heart was the most tender in the family.

"Mom, it's Wanshu." Qin Wanshu spoke softly.

"Are you alright? We couldn't reach you, we were so worried..." Lin Jingxian's voice was thick with concern.

"Mom, I'm fine," Qin Wanshu reassured her. The old man's mood had been dark for days. Lin Jingxian desperately hoped this was all just a misunderstanding. Her daughter, always so obedient, wouldn't intentionally cause them worry or disappointment.

"Is it true? Is it because you like women that you divorced Han Shibin? Or is that just his excuse?" Lin Jingxian offered Qin Wanshu an escape route. If her daughter denied it, they would choose to believe her.

"Mom, it's true, I do like her. The divorce wasn't just because of her – there were many reasons. I'll explain everything later." Qin Wanshu spoke honestly.

"But… she's a woman too. How can a woman love another woman?" Lin Jingxian was deeply traditional. In her world, women could only share friendship, not romantic love. She simply couldn't grasp such feelings.

"She's just herself, Mom, gender aside. If you met her, you'd like her too. But she's still unconscious, so I can't bring her to meet you yet." Speaking of Zuo Qinghuan, Qin Wanshu's voice softened.

Lin Jingxian sighed quietly. She knew her daughter was feeling isolated and had reached out to her first. But what mother truly wanted her daughter to love another woman? Still, she couldn't bring herself to pressure Qin Wanshu. After all, Wanshu had always been so sensible, even as a child. Perhaps the best course of action was to meet this woman before making any judgments.

"What about Grandpa?" Lin Jingxian asked. The old man had always doted on Wanshu, but this situation had him so upset he'd barely touched his lunch and retreated to his room.

"I need to stay here and take care of her right now, so I can't come home. Can you tell Grandpa for me?" Qin Wanshu pleaded.

"Dad, Wanshu just called," Lin Jingxian mentioned casually. Among all of Qin Zheng's daughters-in-law, he valued Lin Jingxian the most. The Lin family was prominent, a good match in status, and Lin Jingxian's gentle and virtuous nature had been a good influence, shaping Wanshu into such a refined young woman.

"Is she alright? Still at the hospital? When is she coming home?" Qin Zheng asked. Despite his newfound dislike for Han Shibin, he knew not everything Han Shibin said was a lie. He'd already looked into Zuo Qinghuan's background. Someone from that kind of upbringing was hard for Qin Zheng to accept, especially given her messy connection to his precious granddaughter and that scoundrel of a former son-in-law.

"Wanshu is fine. It's just… the girl is still unconscious. After all, she did save Wanshu, and Wanshu wouldn't abandon someone who saved her life." Lin Jingxian carefully skirted around the incomprehensible romantic aspect, focusing solely on the debt of gratitude. She knew her father-in-law well. No matter how much he disapproved of Wanshu's relationship with this girl, he wouldn't force Wanshu to leave the hospital at a time like this.

"If it weren't for this girl, none of this nonsense would have happened," Qin Zheng grumbled, though he didn't immediately demand Qin Wanshu's return. Gratitude was one thing, but inappropriate entanglement was another.

"You haven't had proper rest in two days. I'm worried you'll collapse before Zuo Qinghuan even wakes up. You should rest, I'll stay here," Li Xin urged.

"It's alright. I'll just rest my head for a bit. I'll take care of myself. How else am I going to look after her in the future?" Compared to what Zuo Qinghuan was enduring, her own exhaustion was insignificant.

"Zuo Qinghuan, wake up soon, okay? Your goddess looks absolutely worn out. If you don't feel sorry for her, I certainly do," Li Xin murmured to the still figure in the hospital bed, half-believing Zuo Qinghuan could somehow hear her.

"She's probably just deeply asleep and needs more rest. She'll wake up when she's ready," Qin Wanshu said, offering Li Xin a determined smile.

Li Xin was slightly taken aback. Earlier, when she'd said Zuo Qinghuan would wake up, it was likely more to reassure herself. But seeing the unwavering resolve in Qin Wanshu's eyes, Li Xin found herself truly believing it. Though Qin Wanshu was visibly drained, Li Xin could still sense the immense inner strength radiating from her. Qin Wanshu is truly an extraordinary woman, Li Xin thought. How could Zuo Qinghuan bear to leave someone so exceptional?

"Still sleeping in?" Qin Wanshu gently kissed Zuo Qinghuan's fingers, speaking to the unconscious woman. "No matter how long you sleep, I'll be here waiting." Qin Wanshu placed Zuo Qinghuan's hand over her heart, making a silent, solemn promise.

Zuo Qinghuan felt adrift in a dream. In it, Zuo Yan and Qin Wanshu were calling to her from opposite ends of a path. Each time she moved towards Zuo Yan, Qin Wanshu's anxious voice would call her back. Zuo Yan promised her that if she followed, she would be a good mother and banish all loneliness. Zuo Qinghuan's feet seemed to move of their own accord towards Zuo Yan, but Qin Wanshu's increasingly desperate calls tugged at her heart. She couldn't bear to see Qin Wanshu so distressed, but for some reason, she couldn't reach her, no matter how hard she tried. The frustration brought tears to her eyes.

"Come with me, and you won't feel any more pain. Being with her will be a long, hard road, filled with loneliness and helplessness that she can't fix for you..." Zuo Yan, who had rarely shown her such tenderness, held her in an embrace so comforting, Zuo Qinghuan longed to stay there forever. But the insistent pull to reach Qin Wanshu was stronger. Only Qin Wanshu's embrace could truly bring her peace.

"As long as I can be with her, I'm not afraid of anything." Zuo Qinghuan pushed gently away from Zuo Yan and ran towards Qin Wanshu.

Zuo Qinghuan's fingers twitched, and slowly, she opened her eyes.

"I knew you wouldn't keep me waiting too long." Qin Wanshu looked down at Zuo Qinghuan, finally awake, and a smile trembled on her lips. But her eyes betrayed her, welling up with tears she could no longer contain. Crystal drops streamed down her face, a silent release of all the fear and emotion she had been holding back. The truth was, she hadn't been nearly as confident as she'd pretended. She had been terrified Zuo Qinghuan wouldn't wake up.

"Why are you crying? You look so tired," Zuo Qinghuan murmured, her fingers reaching up to gently touch Qin Wanshu's cheek, feeling the warmth of the tears that burned into her heart.

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