By the time Ruoxi returned to the hospital, the sun had already set. The sky outside the large glass panels was washed in deep blue, the city lights flickering awake.
Inside Lixi's ward, Guo Min was packing her things into her bag.
Yufan sat on the sofa nearby, sleeves rolled up, collar slightly open. He looked exhausted, like someone who hadn't allowed himself to rest, which was exactly the case.
"You look like you haven't slept at all, Brother Yufan," Ruoxi said as she walked in, placing the takeaway bags on the small table before leaning in to hug Guo Min.
Yufan gave a faint smile. "Mm. I had to settle some urgent matters at the office since last night… so I can stay with her." His eyes drifted toward Lixi.
Guo Min and Ruoxi followed his gaze. Lixi lay still, the soft beeping of the monitor filling the quiet room.
"Have you eaten?" Guo Min asked, turning back to him. He didn't look well.
"…A sandwich. For breakfast."
Ruoxi's eyes widened.
Guo Min stared at him for a long second before frowning. "Are you serious? Your wife is unconscious, and you want to add to our problems by collapsing from starvation?"
She grabbed the takeaway bag with sharp efficiency, unpacking it and placing the food in front of him before sitting beside him.
"Eat."
Yufan looked at her, faint amusement flickering through his exhaustion. "You haven't changed. Still feisty."
"Good," she replied coolly. "Then listen."
Ruoxi hid a small smile as she handed him a bottle of water. Yufan hesitated only briefly before finally picking up the food.
As he took the first bite, Guo Min leaned back slightly, crossing her arms. "You don't get to fall sick. At least not now."
He swallowed and glanced at her again, this time more carefully. "You've been here all day too."
"That's different. I ate."
"Hmm."
Silence settled between them again, softer this time.
But was it really that different?
She had neglected work. Ignored calls. Pushed everything aside. The guilt had been slowly clawing at her, and yet here she was, scolding him for doing the same.
The tension in the room eased slightly as Yufan continued eating.
Ruoxi walked over to Lixi's bedside, gently adjusting the blanket. "You see this?" she murmured. "Everyone's a mess because of you. So wake up soon."
The steady hum of the machines answered in place of Lixi.
Guo Min's gaze lingered on her friend for a moment longer before shifting away.
A knock came, and the doctor entered with a polite smile. He administered Lixi's medication for the night, checked the monitors, then quietly left.
Yufan wiped his hands and looked at the two women.
"You both should head home." They were about to protest when he added, his tone firm but soft, "It won't be good for two girls to go home alone when the night gets quiet."
He paused briefly, then continued before either of them could argue. "…I don't want to take another risk." His jaw tightened slightly.
"Escort them to the Wang mansion," he instructed one of the bodyguards by the door.
"Yes, Young Master."
Guo Min stood and stepped forward, giving Yufan a brief hug. "Call if anything changes."
"I will."
Ruoxi hugged him next. "Eat properly," she warned.
He gave a tired nod.
"Good night, Brother."
They left the room, the door closing softly behind them, leaving Yufan alone again... with his wife, the machines, and the long night ahead.
When they arrived at the Wang estate, Ruoxi parked the car in the garage. The bodyguards who had escorted them stepped back and left once they were safely inside the compound.
Ruoxi and Guo Min walked toward the mansion together, but their steps slowed as they approached the front entrance.
Someone was standing there.
"…What do you want?" Guo Min asked flatly, her eyes locking onto Zihan's.
He stood by the steps, holding a small bouquet of flowers.
Ruoxi glanced between them, immediately sensing the tension. "I'll meet you inside when you're done," she said quietly before walking past them and entering the house.
Now it was just the two of them.
"…Guo Min," Zihan began.
For a moment, the confident man everyone knew seemed to struggle for words.
"I…" He exhaled. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry." He paused again before adding quietly, "Please… just come back home."
"No." The answer came firm and immediate.
Zihan stepped closer. "I'll do anything you want, Guo Min. Just come home."
"You'll be receiving the divorce papers soon," she replied calmly. "So there's no need for me to come back."
She tried to walk past him toward the door, but Zihan caught her wrist and pulled her back, trapping her lightly against the wall beside the entrance.
"Guo Min," he said, voice low. "I know I made a mistake. I should have told you about my involvement in the underworld before marrying you. I know that now, and I'm sorry."
His eyes searched hers.
"But you can't leave me. You just can't." His voice dropped slightly. "You can hit me. Punish me however you want… but not with your distance."
A beat passed.
"…Please."
For a moment, Guo Min said nothing.
Then she pushed against his chest.
"Let's talk about this another time," she said flatly. "I'm sleepy."
Without waiting for another word, she walked inside. The door shut behind her with a quiet click of the lock.
Zihan remained standing there.
For a few seconds he didn't move.
Then he dragged a hand through his hair roughly, frustration breaking through his composure. With a sigh, he set the bouquet down by the door.
After one last glance at the closed entrance, he turned and walked away into the night.
At the Zhu mansion,
Dinner was quiet.
Zihan sat at the long dining table with his family, freshly showered and dressed in simple dark pyjamas. The food in front of him was untouched for a while as he stared down at his plate.
Across from him, his mother watched him with worry written plainly on her face.
"Have you gone to see your wife?" she finally asked gently.
His father and grandfather also looked at him, their expressions heavy with a kind of helpless pity.
Zihan paused, then gave a short nod. "Hmm."
He set his chopsticks down after a few bites, clearly having lost his appetite. Standing up, he gathered himself.
"I'm done," he said quietly. "Good night."
No one stopped him as he walked upstairs.
When he entered his room, the silence greeted him first.
Zihan stood still for a moment, his gaze drifting toward the vanity near the window. The small bottles and skincare products were neatly arranged just as she had left them.
He stared at it for a long time.
Too long.
She should be sitting there right now, he thought. Hair clipped up, tapping lightly on her phone while doing her skincare routine.
The image felt so vivid that for a brief moment he almost expected to hear her voice.
But the room stayed silent.
Zihan finally moved and walked to the bed.
He lay down slowly.
The duvet was soft and warm, just the way she liked it.
But the other side of the bed was empty.
A quiet sigh escaped him.
After a moment, he sat up again, restless. Sleep clearly wasn't coming tonight.
Grabbing a bottle and a glass, he stepped out onto the balcony.
The night air was cool.
Zihan leaned against the railing, pouring himself a drink. The city lights stretched far into the distance, but his mind stayed in only one place.
At the Wang estate.
Where his wife was sleeping.
Without him.
Next morning (Wang mansion).
The house was quiet, bathed in soft morning light.
Guo Min moved between the kitchen and the dining area, placing plates neatly on the table. Breakfast was simple but warm, something light, something easy. Beside it, she packed two lunch boxes with practiced efficiency, her movements calm.
Ruoxi's voice broke the silence as she descended the stairs. "Wow."
Guo Min didn't look up immediately.
"What's with the Islamic get-up?"
That earned her a glance.
Guo Min had just finished slipping into a flowing black abaya, the fabric falling effortlessly around her frame. Her hair was neatly tucked, her expression composed.
She gave a faint smile. "Who said it's only for Muslims? I just wanted to try something new."
She pulled out a chair and sat down, picking up her utensils.
Ruoxi joined her, still eyeing her curiously. "Hmm. You look… different. Calm. It's suspicious."
Guo Min didn't respond, only took a quiet bite of her food.
Then... "Madam!"
Both of them turned sharply. A man rushed in, slightly out of breath.
Guo Min's brows furrowed. "…Secretary Lin?"
"Good morning, ma'am," he said quickly, clearly flustered. "Uh… Sir... Young Master... he's… he's been hospitalized."
The room stilled. Guo Min's hand froze mid-air. "...Hospitalized?, Zihan?."
Lin swallowed. "Yes. He… got into an accident."
The words landed heavily.