.
Li Zhang followed Liu Wei faithfully.
The omega, scented faintly of roses, couldn't shake the surge of anticipation blooming inside her. For reasons she could barely explain, she longed to see Qui Mei again, to make sure with her own eyes that she was truly safe.
The explosion had stunned everyone, and its traces lingered all throughout the hospital—injured bodies, frightened voices, desperate faces.
Everywhere, grief and fear mingled.
Snatches of whispers floated through the corridors, gossiping about the cause of the blast. Some swore it had been an attempt on the queen's life, while others believed one of the candidates was the true target. Word traveled quickly, and soon it was no secret that the detonation had occurred in one of the empty boxes. That detail alone fueled speculation that a candidate had been marked… especially since neither Liu Wei nor Li Zhang had been there that night.
Li Zhang shuddered at the thought of an attack. As a refugee, her family had always lived under suspicion, carrying enemies who would gladly see them erased.
Yet, she doubted the bomb had been meant for Liu Wei. To harm her would mean to provoke Martana—and by extension, nearly the entire continent. The young omega was far too vital, too untouchable.
Gradually, the corridors grew quieter as they approached the infirmary's private wing. The hospital had both shared and individual rooms, but Qui Mei, heir apparent to the throne, was kept strictly apart, away from the world's intrusive gaze.
"There, make yourselves comfortable," the doctor said before leaving.
Liu Wei quickly pushed open the door.
Inside, Qui Mei had just been fitted with a sling by the nurse and now rested against her pillows, her face marred by red patches—burns, no doubt.
Liu Wei's chest tightened with conflicting emotions: sorrow at her cousin's pain, but relief—immense relief—that her life was not in danger.
Li Zhang stepped in first, Liu Wei close behind, shutting the door softly.
The sound stirred Qui Mei awake, and she turned toward them. Her gaze brightened at once. "Weiwei?!"
Liu Wei hurried to her bedside, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Idiot! How dare you scare me like that? Your face is all red…"
Anger and joy tangled in their reunion. Li Zhang let out a quiet laugh at the comical scene of two cousins scolding and clinging to each other.
Liu Wei gave Qui Mei a playful arm lock, and they ended up pushing, swatting, even nipping at each other in mock outrage.
The rose-scented omega laughed aloud. Qui Mei, only now noticing her presence, froze in surprise. "B-but… Li Zhang?!"
Liu Wei released her cousin, chuckling at the sudden flush spreading across Qui Mei's cheeks. "I brought her. Do you like it?!"
The alpha smiled shyly, and Li Zhang's face burned with embarrassment at the sweetness of it.
"Hi, Qui Mei…" she murmured.
Qui Mei's answering smile was so faint it was almost a whisper.
A strange silence settled in the room until Liu Wei broke it with a light slap to her cousin's head. "You deserved a punch in the face! Do you have any idea how worried your mother is? She was ready to drop everything and fly here herself!"
While waiting anxiously in the hospital, Liu Wei had managed to reach her aunt, informing her that news of Qui Mei was still pending. The Queen Mother had been so distraught she nearly boarded a plane with only the clothes on her back.
Her aunt's life was as demanding as her own mother's, full of responsibilities in their respective nations—abandoning everything without preparation would have been impossible.
Qui Mei chuckled guiltily. She hadn't meant to cause distress, yet she felt bad for being the reason. "Ouch… sorry. But—"
"But what?"
Liu Wei smirked knowingly. She could tell her cousin's flustered state was because of Li Zhang.
"Stop saying things like that in front of her! And it wasn't even my fault."
Liu Wei perched at the edge of the bed, Li Zhang sitting beside her.
Even without grave injuries, it was clear Qui Mei's recovery would take time.
"What really happened at the theater?"
Qui Mei leaned back against the headboard, eyes briefly closing as she tried to recall. At the time of the explosion, she had been on her way to the queen's box to greet her. She remembered only the sudden impact, a violent force striking her back and throwing her forward. Chaos followed—screams, panicked crowds, and hands pulling her toward safety. Within minutes, she and others were in an ambulance rushing to the royal hospital.
"I don't know… it happened too fast. One of the boxes just exploded. I didn't see it clearly."
The medication left her drowsy, her words fading as she drifted into a half-sleep.
Liu Wei and Li Zhang spoke softly while she dozed, until the door opened again. Anna stepped inside. "Liu Wei…"
The princess's pulse leapt.
Had Anna finally found Wang Zheng?!
Her heart brimmed with anticipation as she turned toward the beta.
She glanced at Li Zhang, who was watching her carefully. "Stay with Qui Mei. I'll be back soon."
Li Zhang smiled gently, understanding what this meant. "Of course."
Liu Wei hurried to Anna's side. "Well?"
"Yes," Anna replied evenly. "Come with me, miss."
Without another word, they walked together down the corridor toward the elevators.