Chapter 83 — A Nightmare

Creak—Fu Liangmu stepped into the room, quietly taking a seat on the chair. He picked up a magazine from the side table, flipping through it absentmindedly. The atmosphere was unnervingly still, so silent that even breathing seemed intrusive.

Su Wanwan lifted the empty glass from her bedside table and glanced toward the distant water jug. Helpless, she spoke, "Could you pour me a glass of water?"

Fu Liangmu said nothing, but rose and did as she asked.

Su Wanwan gently touched the tip of her nose, her wide almond eyes filled with a trace of embarrassment. The two of them sat in the same room, saying nothing, exchanging not even a glance—wasn't this unbearable awkwardness?

To make matters worse, not long after finishing the water, Su Wanwan felt the urge to use the bathroom. She quietly shifted toward the edge of the bed. Just as she moved her uninjured leg from beneath the blanket, Fu Liangmu's brows furrowed.

"Don't move."

"Lie still."

Without a word, Su Wanwan placed her foot on the floor. As she pushed against the bed to rise, Fu Liangmu suddenly stood and forcefully pressed down on her shoulder. His towering presence loomed, his face darkened, voice tinged with displeasure.

"Su Wanwan, is it so difficult for you to follow instructions?"

She looked up, her delicate eyes clear and fearless, laced with a hint of grievance.

"I need to use the bathroom."

Fu Liangmu paused, coughing lightly, his previously cold aura suddenly softening.

"I'll help you."

"I don't need it." Su Wanwan raised an arm to the side, subtly evading his attempt to support her. "I can manage on my own."

"If you aggravate your injury, you'll be here for more than just three days," Fu Liangmu replied flatly. Then, without another word, he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bathroom within the ward, closing the door behind her and waiting outside.

After returning to bed, Su Wanwan resolved to neither eat nor drink again, hoping to avoid another such humiliating moment. But to her dismay, Fu Liangmu returned that evening with an assortment of food—including her favorite desserts.

Content and full, she leaned comfortably against the headboard. At that moment, a soft knock sounded at the door.

Xie Cheng cautiously peeked inside, his eyes flitting nervously until they met a pair of cold, expressionless ones.

Fu Liangmu shot him a frosty glance.

"What are you doing here?"

"Thought you might not be much good at taking care of people. I came to check in."

Exposed, Xie Cheng strolled in unbothered, glancing at Su Wanwan's injured foot.

"Feeling better?"

"Much better."

He exhaled in relief and flashed a roguish grin, about to speak—when a chillingly elegant voice interrupted him. Though calm, it carried an unmistakable undercurrent of danger.

Fu Liangmu sat there, seemingly indifferent as he lifted his gaze, eyes sharp as blades.

"You've seen her."

"You may leave."

"It's late. Wanwan needs her rest. Don't disturb her."

Su Wanwan glanced silently at the clock—it had just passed eight.

Xie Cheng twitched at the corners of his mouth, stunned.

"Come on, man. Can't you let me redeem myself?"

Fu Liangmu considered this for a moment, then suddenly rose and grabbed him by the collar.

Xie Cheng protested as he was dragged out.

"As long as I don't have to stay here a whole month, I'll do anything!"

Fu Liangmu said coolly, "Then find out who the man connected to Su Wanwan really is."

Xie Cheng nodded confidently.

"No problem. Leave it to me."

"If it's identity investigation, I'm your guy!"

…

A storm loomed outside, the wind howling, dark clouds rolling in. Raindrops lashed the leaves, sharp and relentless.

Fu Liangmu shifted on the sofa, seeking a more comfortable position. Just as he was drifting off, a faint whimper pierced the silence.

His eyes flew open. He glanced toward the bed. Under the moon's pale glow, he saw the blanket trembling slightly.

Fu Liangmu swung his long legs off the sofa and hurried to her side.

"Wanwan?"

Su Wanwan's face was drained of color. Her hands clutched the blanket tightly, knuckles pale from the force. Her brows were furrowed, a sheen of sweat covering her forehead. Her lips parted slightly, murmuring in anguish,

"No… don't leave me…"

Realizing she was having a nightmare, Fu Liangmu immediately turned on the bedside lamp and gently patted her shoulder.

"Wanwan, wake up."

Her exquisite features twisted in pain, as though haunted by something terrifying in her dream. Silent tears trickled down her cheeks—not loud sobs, but heartbreakingly fragile.

"Don't go…" she whispered, a plea drenched in vulnerability.

Fu Liangmu carefully pried her fingers loose, his voice low and tender. He leaned down, his breath brushing her ear like a lover's hushed vow.

"I'm not leaving."

"I'm right here."

That single sentence became her lifeline. Su Wanwan instinctively reached out, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.

Fu Liangmu let out a long sigh and lay beside her. Like a kitten, she nestled into his embrace, seeking warmth.

He held her close, one hand stroking her hair, the other gently patting her back like soothing a child. He whispered softly, again and again, until her sobs quieted and peace returned.

…

A shrill ringtone shattered the calm.

Still half-asleep, Su Wanwan fumbled for her phone under the pillow, pressed it to her ear, and mumbled a greeting.

"Wanwan! Which hospital are you in? I'm in the U.S. now—I'm coming to see you!"

Su Wanwan jolted awake.

"Kelan? What are you—"

Xia Kelan cut her off, breathless with excitement.

"No time to explain! Just send me the address—we'll talk when we meet!"

Her voice was so loud that Fu Liangmu, who had just set breakfast on the table, heard every word clearly.

He said nonchalantly, "Xie Cheng mentioned he's coming too. Might as well have him pick your friend up on the way."

Su Wanwan nodded and passed the message along. After hanging up, Xia Kelan wheeled a large suitcase out of the airport and spotted a familiar car.

Before she could approach, the door swung open and a tall, handsome man stepped out.

"Tired?"

Xia Kelan strolled over lazily.

"Someone bought me a first-class ticket, so I had a lovely time. Pretty sure I ate enough to bankrupt the airline."

Zuo Qingyan chuckled and gave her figure a sweeping glance.

"Pity it all went to horizontal growth."

She scowled, raising a fist at his face.

"Would it kill you not to mock my height for once?"

Zuo Qingyan stepped back and handed her a phone.

"Oh, and when you see my precious Wanwan, do help me switch back the phones."

Xia Kelan frowned, clearly confused.

"You're here in the U.S.—why not go yourself? Why drag me into this? Got too much free time?"

Zuo Qingyan leaned lazily against the car, removed his glasses, and meticulously wiped them with a handkerchief. His lowered lashes shadowed the sharp glint in his eyes.

"I would love to. But my darling's empress and concubine are both there. I can only lay low for now."