Han Ziyue slept for an entire day and night before finally opening her eyes. She stared up at an unfamiliar ceiling, felt the softness of the comfortable bed beneath her, and took in the strange room around her.
Last night, she had drifted into unconsciousness in a daze.
Somewhere in her sleep, she had heard voices close to her ear, someone saying she had a high fever but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't open her eyes. Now, though her body still felt dizzy and weak, the gnawing hunger was gone.
It was like dying… and then clawing her way back to life.
"Miss Han, you're finally awake," a surprised voice said.
Han Ziyue turned her head and saw a woman standing beside the bed. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice still hoarse.
The woman smiled warmly. "I'm the nurse Mr. Zhang hired to take care of you."
Mr. Zhang?
Wasn't she at Third Master Shen's South Lake Villa?
Ziyue's body felt too weak, her mind still hazy with confusion. Before she could piece together her thoughts, the door opened, and a tall man in a black windbreaker stepped inside.
"Mr. Zhao," the nurse greeted, bowing respectfully.
The man was tall and striking, his features sharp and refined. His black eyes held a hint of cold detachment, and his presence carried both authority and a quiet, restrained danger.
Shen Zhenyu's fingers brushed the red rope tied loosely around his left wrist. "I'm Third Master's personal assistant, Zhang Wei," he said casually.
Han Ziyue's breath caught. Wasn't this the man from last night?
So… he was Third Master's personal assistant?
Han Ziyue let out a faint breath of relief. "Is Third Master here? I want to talk to him."
Shen Zhenyu's gaze locked on her face, his eyes sharp and unreadable. "And what exactly do you want to talk to him about?"
Her complexion was still pale, and even the smallest pajamas on hand hung loosely from her frame, making her look fragile like a paper doll that could be blown away by the wind. Yet her eyes, large and luminous, burned with a quiet determination, as if nothing could break her spirit.
"If you don't want to stay here," Shen Zhenyu said in a low, even voice, "I can have someone take you away."
He had already done his research and knew she had been forced into this situation.
Han Ziyue lowered her eyes, her fingers curling tightly into her palms. "Mr. Zhang… can you really make that decision?"
His lips curved faintly, though his gaze only grew more intent. "I can take full responsibility for Third Master's affairs…" his voice paused ever so slightly, "including you, Miss Han."
Her heart gave a sharp, startled thump. She gripped the bedsheets, realizing they had already investigated her. She hadn't expected to be exposed so quickly after arriving.
"I… I can't leave."
If she tried to, the Han family would only retaliate, bleeding her dry and cutting off her grandmother's medical care.
The thought pressed on her chest like a stone, stealing her breath.
Shen Zhenyu took a slow step forward, then another, until he was close enough for his shadow to fall over her. He bent at the waist until their eyes met, and her back straightened instinctively, her entire body taut.
His cool, dark gaze glinted with the faintest trace of a smile. "So… you want to be the Third Master's fourth wife. Hmm?"
She knew he had misunderstood, but she didn't correct him. Instead, she forced herself to meet his eyes. "I am also a daughter of the Han family."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Aren't you afraid of death?"
Her lips pressed into a thin line, her hands tightening against the fabric beneath them.
No one was unafraid of death. But she had nowhere to go. Better to stay here and take her chances.
The silence between them thickened.
Ziyue lowered her head, certain he would send her away. But then his voice came, deep and decisive.
"As you wish."
Her head snapped up, her eyes brightening. "Then… I can stay?"
Shen Zhenyu looked down at her from above, his tone cool but final. "You can stay but you will obey the rules here. And as Third Master's fiancée… you will fulfill your obligations."
"As for the Han family, as long as you stay by Third Master's side, they won't be able to take a single drop of your blood. And as for your grandmother's medical expenses, we can help you with that," Chen Xiang's information, though not very detailed, contained all the crucial points.
Han Ziyue's heart skipped a beat. Fulfilling obligations?
"What do you need me to do?" she asked warily.
Shen Zhenyu's gaze swept over her slowly, his lips lifting in a faintly mocking curve. "Third Master is not so depraved as to be interested in a little girl like you. This is just a transaction. As long as you behave, it'll be fine."
Was there really such a good thing in the world? She didn't believe it.
When she noticed his gaze lingering, Ziyue's eyes widened, and she crossed her arms tightly over her chest, glaring at him. "What are you looking at? Don't look!"
A faint flush spread over her pale cheeks.
Shen Zhenyu let out a low, disdainful sneer, effortlessly taking control of the situation. "You have one day to think about it. I hope you think it through. This is not a place you can come and go as you please. You absolutely cannot leave until Third Master allows it."
With that, he turned and strode out.
Han Ziyue was so irritated, this man had actually laughed at her.
She glanced down at herself. Her figure wasn't much now, but she was still young, there was room to grow.
Still, the thought made her exhale in relief.
Just then, a caregiver entered with a tray of steaming pork liver porridge.
Ziyue realized she was starving. She ate two full bowls, along with an assortment of small desserts and a glass of milk, enough to finally feel full.
She leaned back, savoring the sensation, eyes half-closed. From childhood to now, she had never eaten so much in one sitting, never even known what it felt like to be full.
At the Han family, she had always lived according to Su Kexin's moods, and Han Meilin had never allowed her any comfort.
After eating her fill, Ziyue's thoughts returned to what "Mr. Zhang" had said.
Although it seemed like she was taking advantage of the situation, she knew Third Master had already lost three fiancées in a row. Being his fiancée was a high-risk position.
If she left, the Han family would be furious, cut off her grandmother's medical care, and drain her blood until she died.
If she stayed, she could be careful… maybe even survive.
Having made up her mind, she went to find "Mr. Zhang."
…
Meanwhile, in another room—
Chen Xiang sat in a wheelchair, scars marring the side of his face. He looked at Shen Zhenyu in confusion. "Third Master, Miss Han wants to stay. Why are you…?"
He was puzzled. Third Master had disliked Han Ziyue from the start, yet now he seemed intent on keeping her.
Shen Zhenyu shot him a cold glance. "Don't ask what you shouldn't. Just do as I say."
Chen Xiang hesitated, then recalled that Han Ziyue had met Third Master the night before. Since the world saw Third Master as a disfigured, crippled man, his current identity would be safer.
He nodded.
At that moment, a caregiver entered to report that Miss Han was looking for Mr. Zhang.
Chen Xiang glanced at Shen Zhenyu and lowered his head.
Shen Zhenyu walked out and found Han Ziyue standing there, barely reaching his chin. He raised an eyebrow. "Do you need something from me?"
She instinctively stepped back, intimidated by his presence. "Mr. Zhang, can you keep your promise?"
His lips curled into a cool, ambiguous smile. "What do you think?"
Relieved, she smiled faintly. "I've made up my mind, but I have one more request."
His eyes narrowed. "What is it?"
Her eyes brightened with sudden determination. "I want study materials for the college entrance exam and at least thirty sets of practice papers, fifty if possible."
She was a high school senior with only a little over a hundred days left before the exams. In the past, she could only study at night in secret at the Han family, afraid of being caught by Han Meilin. Now she had the chance, she had to fight for it.
Shen Zhenyu studied her with mild surprise. "Are you sure?"
Ziyue nodded eagerly, her gaze clear and hopeful. "Can you do it?"
He raised an eyebrow. "With your ranking as second-to-last in the school, are you sure you can even understand them?"
Her pale cheeks flushed slightly.
"Study materials and practice papers are no problem," he continued. "Do you need me to hire you a tutor as well?"
"Thank you, Mr. Zhang, but no," she replied with quiet resolve. "I also want to go back to the Han family to get some things."
Although she owned little, what she had was precious.
Shen Zhenyu nodded and ordered a driver to take her.