With a sharp scream, Zhang Xiao's eyes flew open. They were bloodshot, filled with lingering terror. Cold sweat drenched his body, soaking through his clothes, while his heart pounded violently against his chest, as if trying to break free.
But the moment his gaze landed on the white ceiling above him, reality slowly crept back in.
He was awake.
The nightmare was over.
This place… was familiar.
Too familiar.
In an instant, Zhang Xiao recognized it—
his VIP hospital room. His eyes shifted around the room.
Just like always, four people were present.
To his left sat his mother, tightly holding his hand, as if afraid he might disappear the moment she let go.
To his right was his grandmother, seated close beside him.
The moment they realized his eyes were open, panic flashed across their faces.
Though Zhang Xiao was awake, he looked far from calm. Even with the air conditioner running, his body was still drenched in sweat, his breathing uneven and shallow.
His grandmother immediately leaned forward, gently wiping the sweat from his forehead, her hands trembling with concern.
Mrs. Xiao hurried to pour a glass of cold water, holding it near him as she asked softly,
"Zhang… do you want some water?"
Zhang Xiao ignored both women. His gaze was distant, unfocused, as if part of him was still trapped in that nightmare.
But the dryness in his throat burned.
After a brief pause, he gave a slight nod.
Only then did he raise his hand and take the glass. At that moment, the two men who had been sitting quietly nearby" his father and grandfather, stood up and moved to the bedside.
They carefully helped Zhang Xiao sit up, lifting him just enough so he could lean back against the pillows for support.
Handled gently.
Cautiously.
As though he were something fragile something that might shatter with the slightest force.
Watching their overly cautious behavior, Zhang Xiao felt the urge to roll his eyes.
But that was never his style. So he chose to ignore everyone in silence.
By now, Zhang Xiao had already realized that his left arm and head were injured.
White bandages were neatly wrapped around both places,, clear evidence that the doctors had treated him while he was unconscious.
Mrs. Xiao [ Xiao Hua ] carefully brought the glass closer and helped him drink some water. The moment the cool liquid slid down his throat, Zhang Xiao felt noticeably better.
The suffocating heat faded. The cold sweat disappeared.
Even the lingering fear from the nightmare seemed to melt away. In its place—
A deep darkness settled into his eyes.
Cold.
Sharp.
Serious.
The hospital room fell into complete silence.
No one spoke.
The Xiao family had never been one for excessive conversation" except for Zhang Xiao's grandmother. So this silence felt… normal.
Heavy, but familiar.
Everyone remained quiet.
His grandmother was just about to say something when,,
Knock. Knock.
A sudden knock echoed against the door of the VIP ward.
The sound broke the silence" and for reasons unknown, Zhang Xiao's gaze darkened even further. As if instinctively sensing.
On the other side of the door stood Liu Yifei, flanked by Liu Jian and her stepmother, Li Mengya.
She looked extremely nervous.
The branded dress she was wearing felt painfully too short, even shorter than the one she had worn that day when Zhang Xiao's grandparents had visited the Liu family to finalize the marriage alliance between Zhang Xiao and Liu Yifei.
The thought made anger simmer inside her chest.
Once again
Her father had forced her to come here.
Just like always.
Yesterday, driven purely by his own selfish intentions, Liu Jian had called Mr. Xiao Zhang Xiao's grandfather [ Xiao Zhadan ].
The moment he learned that Zhang Xiao had been hospitalized,
Liu Jian insisted on coming to the hospital immediately.
Not because of concern for Zhang Xiao—
But to display his so-called worry for the Xiao family and more importantly, to use this opportunity to strengthen his ties with Mr. Xiao [ Xiao Ming ] Zhang Xiao's father.
Concern was merely an excuse. What truly mattered was connection, benefit, and status. Standing there in that revealing dress,
Liu Yifei felt less like a daughter, and more like a bargaining chip, pushed forward to serve someone else's ambition. Behind that closed door, fate waited.
Even though the Liu family's home was far from here, Liu Jian had booked a flight late last night without hesitation.
Within hours, they had arrived in Shanghai.
They spent the entire night at a nearby hotel,
and the moment morning came, Liu Jian and her stepmother hurriedly brought Liu Yifei straight to the hospital.
"And now."
They stood right outside the VIP ward.
Before anyone inside could open the door or invite them in a team of doctors strode past them with urgency.
They swiped a card at the VIP room door and entered without pause. This medical team had been specially assigned to Zhang Xiao.
They possessed full access to his room, authorized to enter at any moment, whether for emergencies or routine checks.
As they went inside, a male nurse walking alongside the doctors cast a brief glance at the three members of the Liu family and said calmly"
"Please wait outside until the doctors finish examining the patient."
His tone was polite, Yet firm. The door closed. Leaving Liu Yifei standing there once again.
Waiting.
Standing there felt deeply uncomfortable to Liu Yifei. On top of that, a sharp sense of humiliation crawled under her skin. Yet even so, waiting outside like this felt far better than meeting that unknown man inside.
Deep in her heart, she was still clinging to a fragile hope.
That somehow…
She would not have to meet him at all.
That somehow…
This marriage would fall apart before it ever began.
"Then she glanced around."
There were no seats in the corridor. After all, most VIP families preferred to stay inside the private rooms with their patients, leaving the hallway eerily empty and cold.
Time dragged on.
Nearly an hour passed. Finally, the door opened. The doctors stepped out. The moment Liu Jian saw them, he let out a sigh of relief. At last. Now, no one could stop him from meeting the Xiao family. No one could stand in the way of his plans anymore.
On the other hand, Li Mengya had been boiling with anger after standing for so long
But her patience had nothing to do with concern.
She wasn't here for anyone else. She was here for profit. If standing here meant money,
if enduring this humiliation meant valuable contracts and benefits then she didn't mind it at all. For people like her"
As long as the reward was high enough,
even dignity was negotiable. And beside them" Liu Yifei stood silently, feeling as if she were about to be handed over like an offering.
On the other side, the Xiao family was deeply worried about their son. The words the doctors had just spoken were something they had never expected, and the weight of that news hung heavily in the air. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts when"
Uninvited guests suddenly walked in through the open door.
Zhang Xiao didn't even bother looking in that direction.
He had no interest in knowing who had come to see him.
To him, it made no difference.
Meanwhile, Xiao Hua and Xiao Ming stared at the newcomers, unable to recognize who they were.
Only Xiao Zhadan and Xiao Lajiao immediately identified the three members of the Liu family.
And the moment Mrs. Xiao Lajiao's eyes fell on Liu Yifei" Something changed.
All the anxiety she had been carrying for her grandson seemed to vanish in an instant. Her mind shifted completely.
From worry, To calculation. From fear, To opportunity. Only one thought echoed clearly in her head now.
Marriage.
Perhaps…
Perhaps it was time to arrange Zhang Xiao and Liu Yifei's wedding as soon as possible.
As if, Only by tying these two together
could she finally feel at ease.
Unaware of the silent decision being made
Liu Yifei stood there quietly.
And Zhang Xiao still hadn't looked up.
Yet fate had already begun to weave its threads around them.