Calling Zichen

Someone had tried to kill her.

And they succeeded, but to them they didn't.

Her gaze shifted toward the IV line attached to her hand. It was the most logical method of administration. If Dolitrezol had been given to her, then there was a higher chance that remnants of it, along with whatever else had been mixed in still in the IV bag.

She took a deep breath, steeling herself, before carefully removing the needle from her hand. A small sting followed but she ignored it.

She moved quickly, grabbing another IV bag from the supply cart in the corner. If the Wang family had their own hospital, they must have stocked all necessary medical supplies in their private labor room.

How convenient!

Chen Yiran hooked the fresh IV bag onto the stand, expertly inserting the needle back into her hand. It wasn't her first time dealing with this kind of thing, she was a doctor.

Once the new drip was securely in place, she took the used IV bag and sealed it in a sterile plastic pouch she found in the supply drawer. She wasn't going to throw it away, she needed it tested.

'If Dolitrezol alone wasn't deadly enough, then what else was in that IV?'

With that out of the way, she turned her attention back to Azalea. The baby had finally started to drift off, her tiny fists relaxed against the blankets.

Chen Yiran stood up and walked towards her crib. That short walk felt like she would scream though it was still bearable. She carefully placed her in the crib then walked back and laid down as well. Sleep took over.

At 10.30 pm, Chen Yiran stirred awake, her body still sluggish from fatigue. The room was dark except for the soft glow of the bedside lamp.

Her first instinct was to check on Aza, surprised as to why she hadn't woken up yet. Checking on her, the baby was still sound asleep, her little chest rising and falling in a peaceful rhythm.

She sighed.

'Was Wang Zichen home?'

With curiosity, she reached for the bedside remote and pressed the call button. A moment later, Mr. Lu, The butler, entered, his posture upright and professional as always.

"Miss Chen, Is there something you need?"

"Is Wang Zichen home?" Chen Yiran asked.

Butler Lu hesitated for a brief second before answering, "The master is still at work. He seemed that he won't come home tonight."

Chen Yiran eyes narrowed, "He won't be coming home?"

Butler Lu nodded, "Yes, Miss chen."

She exhaled slowly. She wasn't about to let this slide.

"Call him."

Butler Lu blinked, "Pardon?"

"Call Wang Zichen. He probably won't pick up if I call from my personal number, but he'll have to answer the house phone."

Butler Lu hesitated again but he did as he was told. He reached for the emergency house phone, dialed Wang Zichen's number and waited.

After a few rings, the call connected.

"Butler Lu?" Wang Zichen's voice came through slightly muffled.

Before Butler Lu could respond, Chen Yiran snatched the phone from his hand.

"When exactly are you coming home?" She asked, her tone calm.

There was a brief pause before Wang Zichen spoke again, "I'm busy."

"That's your excuse?" She paused, "I am not asking you to stay here with us the whole day. But considering the fact that you left your wife and a newborn daughter at home, Shouldn't that motivate you to get back?"

There was silence.

"...Chen Yiran..."

"Master Wang, If you are that busy, I will ship Azalea to wherever you are so you'll take care of your daughter!"

Wang Zichen exhaled sharply, "Chen Yiran what games are you playing this round?"

"Come home and be a present father to your daughter, Okay?" her voice softened.

A long silence stretched between them.

Finally, Wang Zichen spoke, "Go to sleep, Chen Yiran."

He hung up.

Chen Yiran stared at the phone in her hand, her fingers tightening around it, 'Why did I think I can change him?'

She sighed and leaned back against, "Bring me some fruits," She said, her voice low.

"Right away, Miss Chen." Butler Lu bowed slightly before leaving.

As she waited, she leaned back against the pillows, rubbing her temples. The events of the day weighed on her but before she could get lost in her thoughts, Butler Lu returned with a tray of fruits nicely sliced carried by a maid.

As Chen Yiran slowly ate, savoring the fresh taste of the sliced apples and apples, a small whimper broke the silence. She turned her toward the crib and sure enough, Azalea was stirring. Within moments, the whimper turned into soft cries, demanding attention.

Azalea was awake. Again.

She had thought that Aza would sleep longer since she bathed, but no.

Chen Yiran placed the half-eaten apple aside and reached for Azalea. Holding her close, she sighed, "You're always hungry, aren't you?"

She adjusted herself, letting Aza latch on. As she sat there feeding her daughter, the stale, heavy scent of the labor room filled nose. 

She frowned.

She found the smell suffocating, a constant reminder of what had happened on the operating room.

Tomorrow, she would move to her bedroom and Azalea would go to her nursery. This room if she stayed there, she'd be depressed.

Once Aza was full, Chen Yiran gently rocked her until her small body relaxed in sleep. She placed her in the crib, brushing a hand over her soft hair. Then with fatigue weighing her down, she climbed into bed and allowed sleep to claim her.

Wang Zichen arrived home at three in the morning. The house was quiet, the staff asleep except for the butler. He didn't stop in the hallway, just exchanged a few words with Butler Lu, He went straight to his study.

Work wasn't done yet. It never was. Or he just kept himself busy.

For two more hours, he pored over reports, answering emails, handling urgent matters. It wasn't until five in the morning that he finally pushed back his chair and let out a long breath.

He stood, stripped off his shirt and took a quick, warm shower in the study's bathroom. Freshly dressed, sleeves rolled up, he finally allowed himself a detour.

To the labor room.

The door opened, as he stepped inside. The dim nightlight cast soft shadows over the space. Chen Yiran was fast asleep, her breathing steady, peaceful.

His eyes landed on the crib. He stepped closer.

Azalea was awake.

Big dark eyes blinked up at him, unblinking, watchful.

Wang Zichen hesitated.

He wasn't sure what to do. He wasn't sure what he should do. So he just stood there, staring back at her.

Minutes passed. Neither of them moved. A silent battle of wills.

Then as if reaching her limits, Azalea's lips trembled. Her small face scrunched up.

A bad feeling settled in Wang Zichen's gut.

And then,

A piercing cry shattered the silence.

Wang Zichen stiffened.

Azalea wailed, tiny fists trembling as she screamed.

He just stared, completely at lost.

The crying grew louder.

Chen Yiran stirred at the noise, her brows knitting together before her eyes fluttered open. Her mind groggy. Disoriented, she blinked rapidly, her mind catching up with reality as she turned toward the sound.

Azalea was crying.

Chen Yiran rubbed her eyes, about to climb out to reach her daughter, when she noticed a tall figure standing by the crib.

Her gaze sharpened.

Wang Zichen!

The audacity.

"You absolute..." Chen Yiran bit her tongue and without a second thought, she grabbed the nearest pillow and launched it at him.

SMACK!