Halfway through their journey, Xie Cheng received an urgent call from his company regarding a project that needed immediate attention. He had no choice but to leave ahead of schedule. Upon arriving at the hospital, Fu Liangmu settled Su Wanwan into a chair before heading off to complete the admission procedures.
Just then, her phone rang. Su Wanwan answered.
An excited voice erupted from the other end:
"Baby! We've won the bid!"
Su Wanwan's expression darkened. Zuo Qingyan was still oblivious to the gravity of the situation.
"Aren't you surprised?" he chuckled. "Didn't expect that, huh?"
Su Wanwan asked coldly, "I called you after one—why didn't you answer?"
"I didn't see it," he replied. "I was on the way to the bidding venue, and my phone was on silent."
"As soon as it ended, I called you back right away, didn't I?"
"Come on, tell your brother—how did it go last night between the two of you?"
Su Wanwan clenched her jaw.
"So that's why you didn't come looking for me?"
"Nonsense. Am I that kind of guy?"
Even through the phone, she could practically see his mocking smirk.
Zuo Qingyan hopped into his car, crossed one leg over the other, looking smug and self-satisfied.
"I was out looking for you at four in the morning—before the sun even rose. I wandered the streets, and eventually got so hungry I bought a bunch of breakfast wraps from a street vendor. Delicious, by the way. I may have eaten too much—couldn't help myself.
"You know how I get—once I'm full, I get sleepy.
"I figured you'd probably eloped with some wild man, had a night full of… intense activities, and wouldn't be up early anyway.
"One of us had to show up for the bidding, so I went back for a nap.
"And as it turns out, I was absolutely right."
Su Wanwan's fingers curled into a fist, fury rising.
"Zuo. Qing. Yan!"
He quickly tried to placate her.
"Don't be mad, don't be mad. It wouldn't have made a difference whether you showed up or not—the company's CEO didn't even attend."
Su Wanwan's expression grew colder.
"Why not? Didn't they want the project badly?"
"No idea," he replied lazily. "But it worked in our favor. We won the bid with barely any effort."
She hung up, frustrated.
Fu Liangmu returned from a distance.
"All done. Let's get an X-ray of your ankle."
"Alright."
The results came back quickly—it was just a sprain.
"Avoid strain over the next two weeks. Keep your right leg still and rest to prevent aggravation."
"We'll keep you in the hospital for three days for observation."
Su Wanwan hesitated.
"Is that really necessary? Can't I just take the medicine?"
Since the bidding was over, she planned to return home. Besides, hospitals were her least favorite place. Ever since childhood, her elder brothers would summon private doctors to treat her at home whenever she was ill.
Fu Liangmu's voice was firm, low and commanding.
"No. You're badly hurt. Stay here and recover properly. Don't think about running around."
After the paperwork was completed, he brought her into a private room.
Looking around at the furnishings, Su Wanwan closed her eyes tightly, steadying herself.
Fu Liangmu helped her onto the bed and casually pulled open the curtains.
"I'll take care of you these few days."
"No need," she refused without hesitation. "You came to the U.S. for business. I can manage on my own."
"Don't think of it as trouble—we're husband and wife," he said, his gaze deep and unwavering.
Su Wanwan averted her eyes. He could tell what she was thinking.
He added, "If Grandma finds out you're injured and I wasn't by your side, she'll nag me to death."
Su Wanwan tugged the blanket tightly over herself.
"Suit yourself."
Fu Liangmu's phone rang. He glanced at the screen, then stepped out, quietly closing the door behind him. He headed toward the emergency stairwell.
"Hello."
"Liangmu, the company just called, so I went to handle it. Also dropped by the bidding venue—but it was already over."
"Mm." Fu Liangmu responded flatly, emotionless.
Xie Cheng sighed deeply.
"This whole thing is my fault."
If he hadn't locked Su Wanwan in that room, she wouldn't have jumped out the window and hurt her ankle. None of this would have happened.
"I'll take Wanwan back home in a few days," Fu Liangmu said coldly.
Xie Cheng raked his hand through his hair, both surprised and relieved.
"You're not mad at me anymore?"
Fu Liangmu's eyes darkened, a chill behind them.
"There's a project that needs follow-up here. It'll take about a month. You stay and handle it."
Xie Cheng wailed in despair.
"No way! Liangmu, can't we talk about this—"
The only response was the abrupt end of the call.
Fu Liangmu leaned against the wall and pulled out a cigarette. A sharp flick, and it was lit. Smoke curled in the air, veiling the restlessness in his eyes.
Su Wanwan didn't feel at ease in the hospital room. Her heart was restless. She kept turning her phone on and off, the repetitive motion a reflection of her unease.
Only when Zuo Qingyan's call came did it break her trance.
"Hey brat, done playing yet? When are you coming back?"
"How much longer are you going to cling to that wild man?"
Her tone was calm.
"I'm at the hospital. Can't leave for now."
Zuo Qingyan, who had been lounging, sat upright in a flash. He adjusted his glasses, a hint of surprise and concern flickering in his eyes.
"Oh? Impressive. That guy must be quite something if he landed you in the hospital."
Su Wanwan ground her teeth.
"I swear I'm going to wash your filthy mind out with a fire hose."
He chuckled lightly.
"So what happened?"
"I twisted my ankle."
"I've warned you so many times—be careful. Even if you see a handsome guy, don't get that excited."
"Shut up!" Her furious voice echoed.
Fu Liangmu, who had just reached the door, paused mid-step, his hand raised, ready to push it open.
Zuo Qingyan, like coaxing a bristling kitten, softened his tone.
"Pick a time, and I'll swing by to switch your phone."
Su Wanwan frowned.
"Don't come."
"Why not?"
"My husband is with me."
Upon hearing that, Zuo Qingyan relaxed, the tension in his shoulders easing, his worry dissipating. He slumped back into the sofa, speaking lazily:
"So what? I'm your brother."
Su Wanwan was blunt.
"In short, don't come. I don't want him to see you, or know anything about our relationship."
Her identity in America had to remain tightly guarded.
After all, her marriage to Fu Liangmu had been arranged by her family head. Now that her investigation had turned up nothing, if she accidentally revealed anything in front of Fu Liangmu, it would be an irreparable mistake.
"Fine, fine. But if anything happens, call your brother."
"Got it. Bye."
She stuffed her phone beneath her pillow.
Outside the door, Fu Liangmu's hand hovered in mid-air, frozen for a long time.
…