Joy and relief battled for control as Shen Ruihan processed the news. Five years of uncertainty and worry seemed to melt away, replaced by a glimmer of hope. The possibility of her waking up any moment filled him with joy, and a warm smile gradually spread across his face.
"Auntie Wang, thank you so much. "
"No need to thank me. You did all the crucial work by yourself. All I needed to do was to take care of her all these years. It was nothing. "
She tossed another pili nut into her mouth but missed. Tossed again and still missed. The third time she tried to toss the nut, she nearly choked.
"I'll get going now.. cough.. since there's nothing left .. cough.. for me to do here.. cough.. Ruihan, your hard work paid off!"
Auntie Wang flashed a smile and instantly disappeared from the study.
He did not chase her off, so why was she in a hurry to leave? Shen Ruihan decided not to dwell on it. Auntie Wang had always been an odd one.
Shen Ruihan was left alone in his study. Instead of continuing with his work, he thought about five years ago when he left the girl alone for more than a month when he had no other choice.
It was a race against time, so he did everything he could. Good thing he came back just in time. Otherwise, he could have lost her. Now, it seemed everything was worth it.
Shen Ruihan grabbed his cellphone to make a call, which quickly went through.
"Xiao Yan, take care of the office for the next seven days. I'll be working from home."
"Roger that, boss!"
Shen Ruihan immediately hung up after that and went straight to the girl's room.
When he opened the door, his eyes swept across the room. Although it was decorated well, in his eyes, it was no different from a hospital room. Every time he stepped into the room, his heart could not help but ache, but seeing it now, he felt different. He was happy. It was all going to change for the better.
Shen Ruihan made his way next to the bed and sat on the edge. He then carefully held her hand as he looked at her face.
Her pale complexion only added to her ethereal beauty, like a delicate porcelain doll. As she lay there, serene and still, the phrase "sleeping beauty" seemed apt. Her features were perfectly proportioned, and even in slumber, she radiated a quiet loveliness.
She would be even more beautiful when she woke up. Wouldn't she? She had grown so much.
Shen Ruihan thought.
He accompanied her for the rest of the day. The only time he left her side was when he had to go to the bathroom or when the nurse had to bathe her. Other than that, he stayed by her side and even ate by her side. Normally, he would not have looked at the food, but he had made a promise to Auntie Wang to at least eat two bites. A beauty wouldn't want to see a hungry man when she first opened her eyes, wouldn't she? That's what she said.
The first person she saw after she woke up; it had to be him.
The night came, and she still had not woken up. Shen Ruihan was hopeful. He was hopeful that she would wake up soon. So after taking a shower, he still went to sit next to her bed on a side stool and held her hand.
The clock hit midnight. She still had not woken up. Shen Ruihan eventually dozed off. His head leaned on the bed supported by the other hand. His head felt heavy.
After nearly half an hour, the girl's eyes were open. She seemed confused as she surveyed her environment by tilting her head. Her eyes finally landed on a figure that was holding her hand. Although the curtains were open and the moonlight shone on the room through the big windows, she still could not see clearly.
In her state of confusion, she tried to move her hand that was being held. The head that was leaning on the bed instantly shot up. Now that she had adjusted her sight, she could vaguely see the man's handsome face that was staring at her.
After what seemed like eternity, the girl broke the silence by forcing out a few words.
"Who are you?"