VII
At 5:58 the next morning, Lu Shiyan was jolted awake by knocking.
"Time to get up! Time to get up! Exercises!"
Uncle Wang's voice.
Lu Shiyan opened his eyes, paused for three seconds, and remembered where he was.
He glanced at his phone: 5:58 AM.
"It's two minutes before six." His voice was rough with sleep.
"Two minutes is still time! The early bird catches the worm! Get up!"
Lu Shiyan took a deep breath, threw off the covers, and opened the door.
Uncle Wang stood there in a sleeveless undershirt, palm-leaf fan in hand, looking full of energy. "Oh, you're awake! Looking better this morning! How'd you sleep?"
Lu Shiyan froze—he'd slept.
And he'd slept through the night.
He blinked and looked out the window. The sky was light.
"How long did I sleep?" he asked.
"Since yesterday afternoon. That's over ten hours!" Uncle Wang grinned. "You must've been exhausted."
Over ten hours?
Lu Shiyan couldn't believe it. He hadn't slept more than four hours in three months. Last night, he'd slept over ten?
"Come on, let's go do exercises." Uncle Wang pulled at his arm.
"I don't do exercises."
"You have to. It's the director's rule. New patients who don't do exercises don't get breakfast."
Lu Shiyan stopped. "What did you say?"
"No exercises, no breakfast," Uncle Wang repeated. "It's the rule."
Lu Shiyan's face darkened.
He wanted to say he didn't need breakfast, but his stomach growled.
He hadn't eaten last night—Dr. Zhang's braised pork was too salty.
"Come on, exercises are good for you." Uncle Wang pulled him downstairs.
In the courtyard, several patients were already lined up. Su Tang stood at the front in athletic wear, her ponytail high, radiating energy.
"Good morning!" Her voice was bright. "Today is our morning exercise time. Everyone, follow me in the 'Calming Exercises'!"
"Calming Exercises?" Lu Shiyan frowned.
"Yes, I invented them myself." Su Tang smiled. "The movements are simple. Just follow along."
Music started, and Su Tang began.
First movement: "Stretching the Sky"—arms up, inhale deeply, then slowly lower.
Second movement: "Picking Peaches"—rise on tiptoes, reach for an imaginary peach, then gently lower.
Third movement: "Rowing the Boat"—arms moving like oars, body rocking forward and back.
Lu Shiyan stood at the back, watching the others do the movements with enthusiasm, feeling like an idiot.
"New guy, why aren't you doing it?" Uncle Wang looked back.
"I don't want to."
"No exercises, no breakfast."
"I don't want breakfast."
"Then go hungry." Uncle Wang didn't push and continued the exercises.
Lu Shiyan stood there, watching these "crazies" waving their arms in the courtyard, and regretted everything.
Why did he come here?
Why did he listen to Qin Lang?
Why didn't he just stay home?
Just as he was lost in thought, Su Tang's voice came over: "Mr. Lu, if you don't want to do the exercises, that's fine. But could you do me a favor?"
Lu Shiyan looked at her. "What?"
"Count the repetitions for me?" Su Tang smiled. "I'm afraid I'll lose count."
Lu Shiyan paused. "How many per movement?"
"Eight."
"Fine."
Lu Shiyan stood there, expressionless, counting: "One, two, three, four…"
He counted seriously, like he was auditing a financial report.
Su Tang glanced at him from the corner of her eye, her lips curving slightly.
Step one, success.
VIII
After the exercises, Su Tang led everyone to breakfast.
Breakfast was made by Dr. Zhang—rice porridge, steamed buns, pickled vegetables.
Lu Shiyan hadn't planned to eat, but his stomach was empty, so he sat down.
The moment he picked up his chopsticks, Uncle Wang across from him started chatting. "Young man, what's your name?"
"Lu Shiyan."
"Lu Shiyan? Good name. Shi Yan—peaceful years, joyful life."
Lu Shiyan paused.
He'd never known his name had that meaning.
"Your parents gave you that name hoping you'd live a peaceful life," Uncle Wang said. "But you, you push yourself too hard. You've worn yourself out. If your parents knew, how heartbroken they'd be."
Lu Shiyan was silent for a moment. "They're gone."
Uncle Wang's expression softened. "Ah. No wonder. With no one to look after you, you just push and push. Young man, having enough money is fine. Your health is what matters."
Lu Shiyan didn't answer. He lowered his head and drank his porridge.
Su Tang sat nearby, watching. Her heart ached slightly.
So he was an orphan.
No wonder he pushed himself so hard. No wonder he was so alone. No wonder he didn't know how to take care of himself.
She thought about his sleep last night—Lin Xiaonuan had told her he'd slept from yesterday afternoon until morning without even turning over.
That meant he was severely depleted.
Su Tang silently adjusted her treatment plan.
What he needed wasn't just psychological therapy. He needed a home.
A place where he could let down all his defenses and rest.
And this shabby rehabilitation center might be exactly that kind of home.
Because here, no one knew Lu Shiyan.
No one treated him like the richest man. No one schemed against him. No one needed his signature, his decisions, his responsibility.
Here, he was just a patient named Lu Shiyan.
An ordinary person who needed care, attention, and understanding.
Su Tang finished her porridge, stood up, and walked over to Lu Shiyan.
"Mr. Lu, how was breakfast?"
"Fine."
"Is there anything you'd like? I'll have Dr. Zhang make it tomorrow."
"No need."
"Do you have any dietary restrictions?"
"No."
"Okay." Su Tang smiled. "Starting tomorrow, I'll develop a detailed treatment plan for you. For today, just rest and get familiar with the environment."
Lu Shiyan looked up. "What kind of plan?"
Su Tang considered for a moment. "First, tell me what you do at home."
"Work."
"Besides work?"
"Read reports."
"Besides reading reports?"
"Meetings."
Su Tang took a deep breath. "What I mean is, do you have any hobbies? Sports, reading, music…"
"No."
"None at all?"
Lu Shiyan thought. "Does accounting count?"
Su Tang nearly cracked. "No."
"Then nothing."
Su Tang was quiet for three seconds, then gave a radiant smile. "That's okay. Starting today, I'll help you develop some."
Lu Shiyan looked at her smile and felt there was something behind it.
But he was too tired to dig deeper.
"Whatever," he said.
Su Tang's smile grew brighter.
"Then it's settled."
She added silently: Lu Shiyan, you're not getting away.