COUNTRY F
Private Hospital Room
The hospital room was quiet but heavy with tension. Lu Jingyan lay unconscious on the pristine bed, her body pale and fragile beneath the soft blankets. Monitors beeped rhythmically, a reminder that she was still fighting.
Leng Xuanmo sat beside her, his hand wrapped gently around hers. He hadn't left her side since the transfer. His eyes were shadowed with exhaustion, jaw clenched like he was holding himself together with sheer will.
The door burst open.
"Where is she?!"
Lu Xinyan's voice echoed through the hallway before he appeared in the doorway, slightly out of breath. His eyes darted around until they landed on the still figure on the bed.
"Sis—" His voice trembled as he stepped inside.
Lu Zhenwei followed behind, calmer, but his gaze swept the room in full assessment. Then it landed on Leng Xuanmo.
"You didn't even inform us you were moving her to Country F," he said with quiet authority.
Leng Xuanmo didn't let go of Lu Jingyan's hand. "She was deteriorating fast. The doctors here are better equipped. I had no time. I had no choice but to transfer"
Lu Xinyan clenched his fists. "You didn't ask."
"Xinyan," Zhenwei said softly, placing a hand on his son's shoulder.
But Xinyan shook it off, tears welling up in his eyes. "You always say you love her, but you do everything on your own! She's not your property!"
Mei Xiaotong appeared by the door, her arms crossed tightly. Mo Tianyi stood just beside her, silent, tense. Hua Shu had taken the far chair near the window, her eyes never leaving Lu Jingyan.
"She's my sister," Lu Xinyan continued, voice breaking. "And you— You let her get hurt. You let them touch her."
Leng Xuanmo's lips parted, but no words came.
Then, quietly, he said, "I didn't protect her. I know. But I'll make sure they pay for every bruise on her body. That's a promise."
Mo Tianyi stepped forward. "He hasn't slept since she was brought here. And he's done everything right. We should be focusing on her recovery, not pointing fingers."
Lu Zhenwei walked to the bed and looked at his daughter. His hand gently touched her forehead. "Focus on helping her wake up. The rest… can wait."
Lu Xinyan wiped his eyes but didn't respond. He sat on the opposite side of the bed, taking her other hand, holding it to his chest.
In the background, Mei Xiaotong whispered to Hua Shu, "She'll wake up. She has to."
Hua shu sighed tiredly as she also kept her gaze on Lu Jingyan
"She will. She must"
Leng Xuanmo didn't speak again. He just tightened his grip on her hand — refusing to let go.