Su Yue lay half-asleep, drifting in and out of slumber. In her daze, she vaguely felt the warmth at her abdomen disappear, only to return moments later—each time, it was that large, slightly calloused hand that brought back the comfort.
Jiang Ci pressed his lips together. Beneath his palm was her soft, warm belly—such a delicate part of the body. If it were to hurt, it would surely be unbearable.
His hand, like before, went cold again. He tried to pull away, thinking she might feel better with the heat pad alone. But the moment his warmth left her side, Su Yue’s body instinctively curled closer to him.
The corners of Jiang Ci’s mouth twitched.
Such a pampered little thing.
Though he appeared annoyed, his hand naturally returned to its place against her belly, resuming its quiet vigil.
The hospital ward was still, wrapped in an oppressive quietude only broken by the beeping monitors and faint rustle of sheets.
On the other side, Jiang Xuan sat leaning against the hospital bed. The moment Jiang Muhang’s hand stirred, her eyes flew open.
“Mu Hang! You’re awake?” Her voice trembled with excitement as she leaned over him, quickly pressing the call button for the doctor.
The medical staff arrived shortly after, performing a series of checks and giving post-op instructions before departing. As soon as they left, Song Xiaoqing came rushing in.
“Mu Hang, you scared your mother to death!” Her voice was sharp, a mix of lingering fear and maternal anger. “Even if you want to help someone, how could you ignore your own safety like that? That was police business! The situation was so dangerous—you should’ve let the police handle it!”
When she had heard her youngest son had been stabbed and rushed to the hospital, she had nearly fainted. Upon learning that he had put himself in danger for this daughter-in-law, Song Xiaoqing’s heart was torn between pride and resentment.
The police had filled her in. The rescued women were indeed pitiful, but hadn’t Jiang Xuan merely called in the case? If she hadn’t interfered beyond that, how could she have ended up being captured? And how would her son have gotten hurt trying to save her?
The doctor said it bluntly: if the knife had gone just a little deeper, he wouldn’t have made it.
Just the memory sent a fresh wave of cold terror through her.
Though she kept her composure, Song Xiaoqing’s voice grew harsher. “Your brother is already blind. What would I do if something happened to you too?” Her youngest son had been her pride and joy, especially after her elder son’s accident. All her motherly love had gone into raising him, cherishing him like a precious jewel. How could she not be distressed now?
“Mom, I’m alright. Don’t worry,” Jiang Muhang reassured her in a low, hoarse voice. He turned his gaze to his wife and saw her pale face, the rims of her eyes reddened. She looked fragile, as if she’d been crying for a long time.
“You’re not hurt?” he asked gently.
Jiang Xuan bit her lip and quietly hid her bruised hand behind her back, shaking her head with glistening eyes. “No… but you really scared me.”
She hadn’t told anyone how terrifying it had been. The mentally unstable man had tied her to a wooden bed, his words filthy, his fingers reaching for her face. She’d nearly broken down. Just when she was about to give up hope, Jiang Muhang had charged in, his cold, composed face filled with worry.
He fought the man barehanded—for her.
At that moment, Jiang Xuan had been utterly overwhelmed. She felt as though her entire world was filled with him. Perhaps her very rebirth was meant to be for this man alone.
“Let me see—did you get hurt?” Jiang Muhang had noticed her subtle movements and frowned.
“I’m fine, really.” Jiang Xuan tried to hide her hand again, not wanting him to worry.
Jiang Muhang raised his arm, attempting to reach for her, but the movement tugged at his stitches, and he sucked in a breath from the pain. “Hiss—”
“You pulled your wound again! Stop moving around!” Song Xiaoqing immediately stepped forward, preventing him from getting up. “Do you want the wound to split open again? Didn’t the doctor tell you not to move?”
“Xuanxuan, show me your hand,” Jiang Muhang said as he sank back into the bed.
“Hurry and show him,” Song Xiaoqing snapped. “He’s lying there with a wound that nearly cost him his life, and all he’s thinking about is your little scratch. If you really cared, you’d at least get it bandaged, not walk around with it exposed for sympathy!”
She didn’t hide her displeasure. Though she didn’t say it outright, her heart was full of blame toward Jiang Xuan. Her son had almost died for this woman, and now she had the nerve to sulk?
Jiang Xuan, sensing the hostility, lowered her head in grievance. Her long lashes trembled as she extended her hand slowly. “It’s just a small scratch… really nothing serious. Don’t worry.”
“It doesn’t look too bad. Still, go see the doctor later and get some disinfectant.” Song Xiaoqing sighed. “Mu Hang, you rest. I’ll go home and have the kitchen prepare some proper soup. You’ve lost a lot of blood, you need to replenish your strength.”
“I know, Mom. You should go home and get some rest too. Jiang Xuan can stay and take care of me.”
It was a polite dismissal, and Song Xiaoqing heard it loud and clear. Her expression stiffened, but she didn’t argue.
“Alright. Jiang Xuan, take good care of him. I’ll send someone to deliver food. Hospital meals are hardly nutritious compared to what we have at home.”
“I will, Mom,” Jiang Xuan replied softly.
Once Song Xiaoqing left, Jiang Xuan finally relaxed. Her tightly strung nerves loosened, and tears welled up in her beautiful eyes, falling quietly down her cheeks.
“Why are you crying?” Jiang Muhang asked worriedly. “Did you get hurt somewhere else?”
“No…” she shook her head, her voice trembling, “I was just… so scared. Thank God you’re alright.”
She sniffled, her tears falling one after another. When Jiang Muhang was unconscious, she had forced herself to hold it in, fearing she would disturb him. But now that he was awake, her dam of emotions burst open.
“Alright, I’m fine now. Don’t cry.” Jiang Muhang reached out to wipe her tears, his voice soft and hoarse. “In the future, don’t act so rashly. If something happens, come to me first, don’t go risking yourself alone.”
He truly thought she was too kind—too soft-hearted.
Jiang Xuan lowered her eyes, her slender neck exposed as she murmured, “I’m sorry… She was so pitiful, all covered in wounds. She even knelt and begged me to help her. I couldn’t bear to walk away. If I’d known things would turn out like this, I would’ve called the police instead…”
She genuinely regretted it. Her moment of sympathy had caused him to be hurt.
“It’s over. I don’t blame you,” Jiang Muhang said, his voice tender. “But in the future, always protect yourself first.”
Hearing that, Jiang Xuan’s heart trembled. Her nose burned with emotion.
After leaving the ward, she received a call from her manager.
“This accident turned into a blessing in disguise, Xuanxuan! Hurry, check online!”
The agent sounded thrilled. “The production team just released the news—you saved someone and assisted the police in solving a major case! You’re trending right now. Even the woman you saved publicly thanked you online. Netizens are praising you for being beautiful and kind!”
In just a few hours, her followers had skyrocketed by over 200,000. At this rate, she’d hit a million before nightfall.
“We’ll ride this momentum. The team’s prepping material to promote you further. You should make a public appearance soon.”
“But my husband’s still injured. I need to take care of him…” Jiang Xuan was touched by the attention, but her gaze drifted back toward the ward.
“Xuanxuan, this is a golden opportunity!” her agent urged, exasperated. “You’ve got background, but you never use it! This time, it’s your own merit. Don’t waste it!”
“…I understand.” Jiang Xuan bit her lip, her voice soft.
—
By the time Su Yue woke up at noon, her snow-white cheeks were tinged with faint red. She was still lightheaded, but more lucid than before.
When she stirred, she became aware of a large hand still resting against her stomach.
“Jiang Ci?” she whispered, attempting to move.
He opened his eyes lazily. “Awake?”
She looked up at his face and then down at his hand… inside her clothes.
“Jiang Ci, can you… move your hand?” Her voice was slightly hoarse. “When did you even—”
His hand had slid under her clothes, directly pressing against her belly. His fingers were rough, with faint calluses that brushed against her sensitive skin whenever they moved.
“My hand’s numb,” Jiang Ci replied nonchalantly, his lips quirking. He spoke with no trace of guilt, as if this were the most natural thing in the world. His waist and abdomen were toned and firm, and compared to that, her skin was too soft—it was simply comfortable to touch.
Su Yue’s face turned even redder. She immediately reached down and yanked his hand away.
“Thank you, Jiang Ci. I’m feeling much better now.”
Jiang Ci hummed lazily, a smirk playing at his lips.
“Su Yue,” he said, eyes fixed on her, “I’m just fine.”“Hmm?”
Jiang Ci slowly withdrew his hand, his thin lips curling into a lazy smirk. “I served you all morning. Don’t you think I deserve a little reward?”
Su Yue blinked, suddenly catching on. “In a few days… I’ll bake you a mango cake?”
Jiang Ci turned his body, lying flat again with one long leg casually bent. His expression was clearly dissatisfied. “Su Yue, don’t go too far. Are you looking down on me?”
Propping herself up on one hand, Su Yue sat up. Her long, jet-black hair fell over her shoulders like a silky waterfall, swaying slightly with her movement. Her gaze dropped to the scar on the left side of Jiang Ci’s face. Somehow, in this moment, it didn’t look as harsh—almost like it had grown on her.
“You shouldn’t eat too much,” she said seriously. “Having two at a time isn’t good for your health.”
“I’m not asking for two mango cakes,” Jiang Ci muttered, raising his brows with mock grievance. “I just want to take a bite from your lips and call that my cake.”
Su Yue widened her eyes. “Forget it. Let me just be an ungrateful scoundrel then.”
At that exact moment, the door creaked open. Xiao Haohao waddled in, clutching coriander in his small arms. His big, innocent eyes blinked as he caught sight of Su Yue and Jiang Ci still lounging on the bed. He stared for a moment—then dramatically pouted.
“Shame on you!” he declared with exaggerated disapproval. “Get up! The sun’s about to burn your butts!”
Su Yue’s face flushed crimson. She had no idea where the little guy had picked up such a line, but the way he said it in his soft, milky voice while wearing an old-soul expression was downright comical. She quickly jumped out of bed, avoiding the boy’s all-knowing gaze.
Later that afternoon, Su Yue, feeling much better, headed back to campus for class.
“What were you up to this morning? I asked for leave on your behalf,” Jin Mingyuan whispered, sidling up beside her with a look of curiosity.
“I had stomach cramps from my period. I’m feeling fine now.” Su Yue glanced around at the vibrant, youthful faces on campus and found her mood inexplicably light.
“But you used to be half-dead from the pain. You’d curl up like a shrimp. How come you bounced back so quickly today?”
Xu Xue chimed in softly from the side, “Maybe you’ve been eating too much cold and raw food lately. It might’ve triggered it.”
“Alright, I’ll listen to your advice.” Su Yue nodded earnestly. Quitting cold foods wasn’t hard for her; she used to diet often.
Xu Xue blushed at Su Yue’s agreement, a shy smile blossoming on her face.
“Lao Shen taught class this morning,” Jin Mingyuan added dramatically. “When I asked for leave for you, that poker face of his almost scared me to death. I felt like I owed him money or something.”
“Thanks,” Su Yue said with a warm smile.
“Don’t thank me, Xiao Yueyue! Just don’t look at me like that again—your face is too stunning, I haven’t built up immunity yet.” Jin Mingyuan sighed in mock despair. “Now that you’re a beauty, you could walk through the world with your head held high. But please, spare us your killer smile.”
Su Yue chuckled. “I thought I’d look pale and worn today… Why do you think I look prettier than yesterday?”
“No kidding,” Jin Mingyuan muttered, clicking her tongue. “Your skin’s porcelain-white, your features are so delicate, and those eyes—one look and I’m ready to give you my heart. And what’s worse, you’re wearing a light pink top with slim jeans. Simple, but damn… it works. Don’t think I didn’t see it—those guys who just passed us? They were totally stunned.”
“You sure you didn’t drink some kind of fairy dew? You look like you just stepped out of a painting. Thank God Jiang Ci’s blind, or he’d be completely bewitched.”
Thinking of Jiang Ci, Su Yue’s smile softened. Last night, she had coaxed him out of his sulking. With all the back-and-forth, she probably lost a few pounds. She hadn’t even looked in the mirror this morning.
“There’s no fairy dew,” she said with a faint blush. “Just… a man.”
Jin Mingyuan squealed and pinched Su Yue’s flawless cheek. “Xiao Yueyue! You’ve become naughty! I swear, if I could lose weight and get half your looks, I’d live on steamed buns for the rest of my life.”
Though not obese, Jin Mingyuan had a fuller figure and wasn’t particularly obsessed with her appearance. But now, watching her once-chubby friend turn into a dazzling beauty, she felt a mix of happiness and envy. After all, every girl wants to feel beautiful.
“You don’t need to eat just steamed buns. I know plenty of healthy ways to lose weight,” Su Yue said kindly. “But everyone’s body is different. You might not slim down the same way I did.”
“Then I’ll rely on you for my transformation, Yueyue!” Jin Mingyuan’s eyes sparkled with determination.
When they returned to class, the bell hadn’t rung yet. A small crowd was gathered near the class monitor, chatting animatedly.
Just then, a slightly awkward boy walked over to them. He glanced nervously at Su Yue, then pushed his glasses up as if trying to mask the blush spreading across his cheeks.
“Su… Su Yue, Jin Mingyuan, and Xu Xue,” he stammered. “There’s no class this Friday, and the class monitor’s invited everyone to his family’s farm for a two-day trip. Do you guys want to come?”
Jin Mingyuan raised a brow. “A farm? Sounds boring.”
“There’s fishing, shrimp catching, barbecuing, camping… and even horseback riding,” the boy said eagerly, sneaking another glance at Su Yue.
“Horses? On a farm?” Jin Mingyuan asked, clearly skeptical.
“There’s only one,” the boy explained quickly. “The monitor’s father raised it. He said we could take turns riding it… quietly.”
“Well, I’ve ridden horses at real ranches, so that’s not exactly thrilling,” Jin Mingyuan said dismissively. “But camping sounds kinda fun. What do you think, Yueyue? Xu Xue?”
“I don’t mind,” Xu Xue said softly. “If you’re going, I’ll go too.”
“I’m in,” Su Yue said with a smile. She’d never gone on an outing like this and was genuinely curious.
The boy visibly lit up. “You can bring friends too. The monitor said there are enough tents.”
“Since Yueyue’s going, I’m in too,” Jin Mingyuan shrugged.
“Great! I’ll sign you up now. The details will be posted in the group chat later.” The boy rushed off, practically floating with joy.
“Did he say we could bring friends?” Jin Mingyuan turned to Xu Xue with a teasing grin. “Perfect time to invite your senior. Boost that romance!”
Xu Xue blinked, then lowered her gaze shyly. “Okay… I’ll ask if he’s free.” Her cheeks turned bright red.
That evening, Su Yue told Jiang Ci about the weekend trip.
Leaning lazily against the back of his chair, Jiang Ci gave a cold snort. “Su Yue, I’m not the least bit interested in your schedule.”
“I wasn’t asking for permission. I was informing you.” Su Yue shot him a glare.
It took him a second, then his expression darkened.
“You’re staying out overnight?” His voice lowered, clearly displeased.
“It’s a two or three-day trip. Of course I’m staying out. What’s wrong?”
Jiang Ci’s eyes narrowed, his brows sinking as a cold gloom swept over his face. “Su Yue, it’s not right for a woman to stay out all night.”