The air of the VIP wing of the hospital was heavy with the sharp scent of antiseptic and an unspoken tension. Outside in the corridor, Xuyan, Zhenyu, and Fengning stood with worry etched deeply into their faces. Alongside them were Anya's brother Lu Wei and her mother, Lu Feng. Xuyan's fingers moved rapidly over her prayer beads, her eyes repeatedly drifting toward the closed door behind which her only son had returned from the edge of life and death.
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Part 1: The 'Icy' Patient and the Soup War
Inside the room, the world felt entirely different. Golden rays of sunlight pierced through the curtains, falling directly across Zain Yan's face. He lay propped against the hospital bed, his broad back crisscrossed with layers of bandages. The wounds were deep, yet the cold fire in his eyes had not dimmed. One name echoed relentlessly in his mind—Uncle Lu. He could not understand how news of his wedding had leaked.
Just then, Anya walked in. She was still wearing her torn wedding dress, now covered by a simple cardigan. In her hands was a bowl of hot soup, steam rising gently from its surface.
"Mr. Zain, please drink this. Medicines don't work on an empty stomach," Anya said, her voice soft but firm.
Zain turned his neck slightly, the familiar disdain clear in his gaze. "I told you already, I don't need your pity. Take it away—and look at yourself. You look like a broken doll."
Anya's patience snapped. She placed the bowl down sharply on the side table. "You will never change! Last night, you let your back be torn apart to save my life, and today you're back to being the same 'icy monster'? You can't even stand properly in this condition, yet you're issuing orders as if the entire world moves at your command!"
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Part 2: A Silent Blackmail
Zain was about to retort sharply when Anya's eyes caught the glass door outside. Xuyan stood there, her face wet with tears. Anya took a deep breath and leaned very close to Zain. The fragrance of her hair and the warmth of her breath brushed against him.
"Drink the soup," Anya whispered into his ear. "Mom is watching from outside. If you keep throwing tantrums, I'll walk out right now and tell her everything—that our marriage is nothing but a deal built on hatred. Do you really want to break her fragile heart right now?"
Zain's fist clenched tightly. He glanced toward Xuyan, who offered a weak yet hopeful smile from outside the door. He was helpless. He could fight the world—but not his mother's tears.
"Open your mouth, darling…" Anya said, the word 'darling' dripping like sweet poison.
Zain glared at her with hostility but opened his mouth. With every spoonful, he felt as if he were losing his authority—while Anya felt she was slowly chiseling away at stone.
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Part 3: Shenzhen's Stubbornness and Jian's Helplessness
The next morning, the atmosphere grew even more heated. Zain made it clear that he would not stay in the hospital a moment longer.
"I have to go to Shenzhen. My work is waiting for me there."
The doctor objected. Xuyan insisted. But Zain refused to yield.
"Mom, Anya is with me. She'll take care of me. I'll work from home—but I need to return to my city."
Anya noticed the beads of sweat on Zain's forehead. He was in pain, yet refusing to show it. She intervened gently.
"Mom, please let him go. If he stays here, he'll only grow more irritable. I promise I'll take care of every bandage and every dose of medicine on time."
With a heavy heart, Xuyan finally agreed.
That was when Fengning made her move.
"Brother, I'll come along too—but not in your car. I'll travel with lu wei and Auntie. After all, we're family now. We should get to know each other better!"
Lu wei face turned pale. A police officer who feared no criminal now stammered under Fengning's mischievous gaze.
"M‑Miss Fengning, but"
But Anya's mother, Lu Feng, warmly took Fengning's hand. "Of course, dear! Come with us. We'd be delighted."
Lu wei closed his eyes. He knew his journey was about to become difficult.
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Preparations to return to Shenzhen were in full swing. In Xuyan's luxurious mansion, the master bedroom was filled with the mild chill of early morning. Anya stood before the large mirror, getting ready. She placed her glasses on the table and began drying her damp hair, which fell just slightly below her shoulders.
On the bed, Zain struggled to button his shirt. Every movement sent sharp needles of pain through his injured back. He thought he would stand up and fetch his watch himself. The moment he placed his foot on the floor and tried to rise, a sudden wave of dizziness struck him. His legs faltered, and he was about to fall forward.
"Mr. Zain!" Anya cried out.
She turned with lightning speed and caught him in her arms before he could hit the floor.
Zain's heavy body leaned against Anya's slender shoulders. Silence filled the room. Anya held him firmly, refusing to let him fall. Zain opened his eyes—and what he saw left his mind numb.
Anya was so close he could count the flutter of her eyelashes. Without her glasses, her eyes looked like a deep, tranquil lake—innocent, wide, and filled with concern. Her loose hair brushed against his face, carrying a faint scent of rose and strawberry.
Zain felt his heart—frozen solid for years—begin to pound violently. In that closeness, Anya's beauty felt almost magical.
"I told you… to be a little careful," Anya said softly. This time, there was no anger in her voice—only care.
Zain steadied himself and gently freed his hand from her grip. He lowered his gaze, unwilling to let Anya read the turbulence rising in his eyes.
"Thanks," he said quietly.
It was a small word—but for Zain Yan, it was nothing less than admitting defeat.
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Part 4: A Laughing Family and the 'Glutton' Anya
When they reached the dining hall, the scene felt festive. Xuyan, Zhenyu, Fengning, Jian, and Lu Feng were all seated together, laughter echoing through the hall. Fengning was telling lu wei a joke, and lu wei was struggling to suppress his laughter, his face flushed.
Seeing her family and Zain's family blending so naturally, Anya's face lit up. For a fleeting moment, she forgot that all of this was built upon a contract.
She sat down, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the dishes.
"Mom! This all looks so delicious," Anya said, picking up a dumpling.
Xuyan smiled warmly. "You took care of him all night, dear. Eat to your heart's content today."
Anya began eating without the slightest hesitation. She ate with such delight that her cheeks puffed up like a squirrel's. Zain, silently sipping his coffee, watched her from the corner of his eye. Her joy was so contagious that a rare, genuine smile curved his lips.
Leaning toward her, he murmured softly so only she could hear, "Eat a little slower, glutton… or you might start chewing the plate too."
Anya glared at him with her stuffed cheeks and defiantly took another bite. This time, Zain's amusement was clearly visible in his eyes.
Fengning noticed and nudged Xuyan with her elbow. "Mom, look… brother isn't hungry at all. His appetite is completely satisfied just by watching sister‑in‑law!"
The hall erupted in laughter once again. Anya flushed crimson—but in that moment, she felt that perhaps a small space for love was beginning to form within this house of hatred.
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Part 5: The Moment of Departure
Breakfast ended, and it was time to leave. Two cars stood waiting at the portico. Xuyan hugged Anya and whispered into her ear, "Take care of him, dear. He is yours now."
One car carried Zain and Anya; the other carried lu wei, his mother, and Fengning. As Zain got into his car, he cast lu wei a warning glance—Take care of my sister.
Lu wei responded with his eyes alone—And you, take care of my sister.
Anya watched as Zain stood by the car, giving lu wei a few instructions. In Zain's eyes, lu wei saw the same resolve one brother demands from another when it comes to protecting his sister.
As the cars rolled out of the mansion, Anya finally breathed in relief. Sitting in the front seat, the cool breeze from the window and the satisfaction of breakfast lulled her into sleep. Her head slowly tilted toward Zain's shoulder.
At first, Zain thought of moving her away. But then, ignoring the pain in his injured back, he supported her and let Anya's head rest against his shoulder.
"The journey is long, Mrs yan… and perhaps now, there will be no turning back," Zain whispered silently to himself as he closed his eyes.