The press conference was over.
Lu Jingyan stood behind the curtain, the muted roar of reporters still buzzing in her ears. Her throat was dry, heart pounding—not from fear, but from the vulnerability of it all. She had laid herself bare before the world. No script. No filter. Just her truth.
Mei Xiaotong handed her a water bottle, gently touching her arm. "You did great."
Hua Shu, ever composed, nodded once. "It's over. You held your ground."
Jingyan forced a small smile, trying to exhale the weight pressing against her ribs. That's when her phone buzzed in her palm.
Lu Xinyan.
She answered instantly. "Xinyan?"
There was silence.
Then his voice, soft and disbelieving. *"Jingyan…"*
Her heart thudded louder. "What is it? What's wrong?"
A shaky inhale crackled through the phone. Then:
*"He woke up."*
Her legs nearly gave out. She staggered back, catching the edge of a chair.
"What…? Who—who woke up?"
*"Dad."*
She pressed a hand to her lips.
*"He opened his eyes. He said your name. He's—he's really awake."*
Her knees hit the chair as she sank into it, breath hitching in her throat. "He said my name?"
*"Yes. Twice. He looked around, panicking when he didn't see you. I think… I think he's been trying to come back this whole time."*
Tears blurred her vision. Just an hour ago, she had stood before flashing cameras defending his legacy—defending herself. And now… now he was reaching for her again.
"I'm coming," she choked. "Don't leave him."
*"I won't. He's asking for you."*
She ended the call, trembling. Mei Xiaotong and Hua Shu were watching her with quiet concern.
Jingyan looked up, tears already streaking down her cheeks. "He's awake."
"Your father?" Hua Shu asked, her voice softening.
Jingyan nodded. "He said my name. He's asking for me."
Mei gasped, gripping her own wrist. Hua Shu stepped forward without hesitation, placing a firm hand on Jingyan's shoulder. "Go. We'll handle everything else."
She didn't wait. Jingyan bolted toward the exit, hair unpinned, heels clacking against the tile. Her manager shouted something about calling a driver, but Jingyan had already made it down the back stairs and into her car.
The drive to the hospital blurred past her—the city lights, honking traffic, the blur of pedestrians crossing wide intersections. Her heart felt as though it was suspended between hope and fear. What if it was temporary? What if he forgot everything?
But no. He remembered her. He said her name.
The car screeched to a halt in front of the hospital. She barely waited for the door to be opened before rushing inside, heading straight to the elevator like muscle memory.
When she reached the VIP floor, she burst into the hallway. A nurse looked up in surprise.
"Room 1203," she gasped.
The nurse pointed, recognizing her instantly. "He's awake. He's been asking for you."
She ran.
She burst through the door.
There he was.
Propped up against the pillows, an oxygen tube still resting beneath his nose, pale and gaunt—but his eyes… they were open.
And they were on her.
"Jingyan…"
She stumbled forward. "Dad?"
His eyes filled with tears. "You're here…"
She dropped to her knees at his bedside, grabbing his hand. It was warm. Weak, but alive.
"I'm here," she whispered. "I'm here, Dad…"
His fingers tightened around hers. "I knew you'd come… I kept trying… I heard you sometimes… talking to me…"
Her tears poured freely now. "I never stopped. I never gave up. I kept fighting—for you. For us."
He nodded faintly, his lip trembling. "You've… grown so strong."
She shook her head. "I'm just… trying to be someone you'd be proud of."
"I already am," he rasped.
Behind her, Lu Xinyan stood quietly, eyes reddened. Jingyan reached up, pulling him into the embrace too.
For a moment, it was just the three of them—together, whole again. The pain hadn't vanished. The damage hadn't reversed.
But her father's heartbeat beneath her hand, his voice in her ear—was enough to give her the strength to keep going.
And maybe, just maybe… this was the beginning of something new