Chapter 94 – The Moment He Woke
Grandpa Fu rushed down the hallway with a speed no one believed an old man could achieve. His steps were uneven from fear and urgency; he pushed through the hospital corridor so fast that the nurses were startled. By the time he reached the VIP ward area, a cluster of doctors had already gathered outside Fu Jian's room.
He tried pushing through them, but the crowd was too thick. Panic rippled through his chest. Had something else gone wrong? Did his grandson worsen?
Bai Sung saw the old man's trembling shoulders and stepped forward, placing a steadying hand on him.
"Don't worry, Grandpa Fu," he said calmly before tapping a doctor at the edge of the group. "Please, sir… what's going on?"
The doctor turned with excitement written all over his face.
"There's a patient inside who was supposed to remain in a coma for at least six months—maybe even a year. But a few minutes ago, he suddenly woke up!" He puffed up proudly. "Of course, this is due to our hospital's excellent staff and superior facilities. Please remember to bring your families he—"
He didn't get to finish. Madam Fu, Chu Sun, Bai Yan, and the others had just arrived. Madam Fu rushed forward, interrupting him.
"Doctor! Is my son really awake? Tell me—is it true?"
"Yes, yes," the man nodded eagerly. "He is definitely awake. They are running tests right now."
Madam Fu's knees nearly buckled, and Chu Sun quickly supported her. Relief washed through the entire family like a wave.
Minutes later, Fu Jian's attending doctor arrived and drove away the rest of the crowd with a cold glare. He closed the door behind him, shutting them all out. It felt like a lifetime before that door finally opened again.
Everyone surged toward him.
Madam Fu grabbed his sleeve. "Doctor—my son, how is he?"
The doctor exhaled slowly. "It is nothing short of a miracle. His brain scan shows no signs of trauma. It's as if nothing ever happened. His fractured arm will heal in a few weeks with proper rest."
A collective sigh of gratitude spread among them. Grandpa Fu's shoulders dramatically relaxed, and he wiped the corner of his eyes. For a brief second, a ridiculous thought crossed his mind: Was Jian worried he wouldn't wake in time to stop his marriage from being postponed?
He immediately shook it off. Nonsense. He's not that dramatic… probably.
A nurse stepped out. "He's awake, sir."
Before the words fully settled, Madam Fu burst into the room with Chu Sun behind her. Grandpa Fu followed closely. Bai Sung paused and turned to the younger ones.
"You should all stay with Bai Xia. Jian just woke up—too many people will overwhelm him."
With that, he entered the ward and closed the door gently.
Inside, Fu Jian lay pale against the pillow, his eyes half-open. The moment his mother's voice reached him, he turned sluggishly.
"Jian'er, how do you feel? Are you in pain?" Madam Fu cried.
His voice was hoarse, barely audible.
"…Mum… where is Bai Xia?"
Madam Fu froze, then laughed through her tears. "Your body is still weak, and the first thing you ask about is that girl? Don't worry—Bai Xia is safe."
Fu Jian visibly relaxed at that. He shifted slightly and recognized the faces standing near the bed. Bai Xia's parents.
"Hello… Auntie… Uncle." His voice trembled but remained polite.
Chu Sun immediately held his hand. "Thank you, child. Thank you for saving our Xia'er."
Bai Sung bowed slightly, speaking solemnly. "We owe you a life debt."
"Uncle, please…" Fu Jian whispered. "I just did what I should. It's… my responsibility to protect her."
Grandpa Fu stepped closer, relief overwhelming his features. "Jian, are you uncomfortable anywhere? Tell me. I'll call the doctor."
"Grandpa… I want to see Bai Xia."
"I'm asking about you."
"I know, but—ah!"
His sentence broke into a hiss of pain. Only now did he notice his arm wrapped tightly in a cast.
Madam Fu panicked immediately.
"Doctor!! Somebody call the doctor!"
"Calm down," Grandpa Fu muttered, holding her back. "Don't raise your blood pressure."
The doctor rushed in, examined Fu Jian, and then gestured politely.
"Please step outside. I need to re-bandage his arm."
Reluctantly, they exited the room.
---
In Bai Xia's Room
Meanwhile, Bai Xia sat on her bed with her knees drawn close. She had alarmed a nurse earlier when she realized Fu Jian was waking up, and she hurried back before anyone noticed she'd snuck into his room.
She was lost in thought when her door suddenly swung open.
Bai Xin rushed in first.
"Jie jie! Are you okay?"
Bai Xia reached out, patting her head.
"Your jie jie is the strongest in the world. How can I not be okay?"
Bai Yang snorted loudly.
"Strongest? With that bandage on your head? You look like an astronaut."
Bai Xia nearly choked. "You brat—"
"You always lecture us about looking both ways before crossing the road," Bai Yang continued. "And look at you now. You can't even follow your own advice."
"I'm fine now, aren't I?" she muttered.
"I guess you are." He sighed. "This is me being kind."
Bai Xia stared at him in disbelief. Such an unromantic little brother…
Then Bai Xuan and Bai Yan entered.
"Xia'er, are you hurting anywhere?" Bai Xuan asked as she sat at her bedside.
"No. Really. I'm okay."
"You'll say that now. But what were you thinking? If that man hadn't saved you—" Bai Yan snapped.
Bai Xuan immediately pointed a finger at him. "Say another word of doom and I'll smack your face into the wall!"
"I'm not cursing her!" he defended quickly. "I'm just worried!"
Bai Xia looked between the two brothers. Day by day, these two are turning into the same person… and both are equally unromantic.
Suddenly—
BANG!
The door flew open.
"Sister-in-law!!!"
Mei Mei jumped into the room like a missile.
"I was so worried! I prayed day and night! I even offered myself to the heavens—because where will I ever find another capable sister-in-law like you? When Brother Jian saved you I almost fainted—then when you passed out I cried harder than when my puppy died! And that puppy came from the monk temple—you won't believe what happened that day, so I was sitting in the car and then—"
"Mei Mei."
"Mei Mei."
Bai Xia and Bai Xuan said her name at the same time.
Even quiet Bai Xin looked annoyed. Bai Yang already reached out to grab her, but—
Bai Yan's expression darkened.
He turned slowly toward Mei Mei.
"…What do you mean sister-in-law?"
Everyone froze.