"How's Yinan doing now?"
Shen Lang asked worriedly, "The wound on her wrist won't get infected or leave a scar, right?"
"No, it's just a minor issue."
Zhang Xiuni brushed her golden hair back and answered seriously.
"What's important now is her mental state, which is quite severe. She can't go through another shock like this for a while."
"I see."
Shen Lang nodded thoughtfully, watching the elderly couple talk with Ye Yinan.
He wasn't in the mood to flirt with this foreign beauty right now.
"Shen Lang, let's add each other as friends. I'll probably be staying in the country for a while since I'm Ye Miss's psychologist."
Zhang Xiuni smiled warmly. "Right now, you're the key to her recovery. Let's add each other so we can discuss her condition later."
"No problem."
Shen Lang took out his phone without hesitation and added Zhang Xiuni on WeChat.
It was all for the sake of the potentially unpredictable little rich girl.
"Daughter, how are you feeling? Better?"
Zhong Meiru gently touched Ye Yinan's face, which was regaining some color, and said with concern,
"From now on, your dad and I won't interfere in your private interactions with Xiao Shen. You need to focus on recovering and not have such thoughts again."
Ye Yinan froze, looking at Zhong Meiru in disbelief, then at Ye Hai behind her, arms crossed and face complicated.
"Dad won't be strict with you anymore. Just focus on getting better."
Though reluctant, Ye Hai sighed and said, "After the New Year, you can marry Shen Lang."
"Wait, what? Marry after the New Year?"
Shen Lang, who was busy labeling Zhang Xiuni's contact, quickly stepped forward to interrupt.
"Who made you my parents? Why do you get to decide my life? I don't agree!"
"What do you mean you don't agree? Are you saying you don't like my daughter, or that our family isn't good enough for you?"
"Of course, I don't like her!" Shen Lang refused firmly. "I have a girlfriend, okay? You saw it when you came looking for me earlier."
"Dad, Mom, I don't like Shen Lang either."
Ye Yinan gave Shen Lang a resentful glance but explained calmly, "We're just friends."
"Then why all the drama?"
Zhong Meiru was dumbfounded.
"Auntie, we're really just pure friends. We're just close, that's all."
Shen Lang patiently clarified, "You can think of my relationship with Yinan as something like best friends."
At this critical moment, Shen Lang would never admit he liked Ye Yinan.
If he so much as nodded, Ye Hai would make them get married right after the New Year.
Fortunately, the little rich girl was smart enough to realize Shen Lang was trying to muddle the truth.
If she didn't explain, Shen Lang would have a hard time making this lie stick.
Ye Hai gave Shen Lang a serious look, then said with mixed emotions after a long silence,
"Fine, if you two don't have that kind of relationship, I won't force you. Just stay friends."
"And make sure you don't betray your girlfriend."
Ye Hai patted Shen Lang's shoulder heavily, making his meaning clear.
Ye Hai wondered if Shen Lang and his daughter were lying to him.
But he couldn't figure out why they'd lie—surely his daughter wouldn't willingly be a mistress and deceive him?
That would be utterly absurd.
Besides, their interactions weren't overly intimate or private. Saying they were close friends of the opposite sex seemed plausible.
"This guy's really fearless, daring to coax Ye Yinan into lying."
Zhang Xiuni, who knew the truth about their relationship, couldn't believe it.
She couldn't understand why Ye Yinan liked such a two-timing scumbag.
And she even willingly lied to her parents to protect him.
What was so special about this guy?
---
Late at night, the elderly couple finally left with their bodyguards after comforting Ye Yinan for a long time.
As the wealthiest couple in Jianghai City, they had countless daily responsibilities. They'd postponed many things to care for Ye Yinan.
"Look, this woman's called Xiaomei..."
In the ICU, Shen Lang lay on a nearby bed, leisurely scrolling through Douyin, planning to stay at the hospital to accompany the little rich girl.
Ye Yinan turned her head, quietly watching the relaxed Shen Lang. A faint smile of satisfaction appeared on her pale face.
After Zhang Xiuni went to the restroom, only the two of them remained in the ward.
Ye Yinan struggled to get out of bed and slowly walked toward Shen Lang.
"What's wrong?"
Shen Lang quickly got out of bed to support her. "Do you need the restroom? I'll call a nurse."
"No."
Ye Yinan blushed and leaned into Shen Lang's arms, murmuring, "I want to sleep with you."
"Hey, stop messing around."
Shen Lang nervously supported her weak body and glanced anxiously toward the door.
"If your doctor comes back and sees us like this, she'll definitely think we're not just friends."
"Then message her and tell her not to come back."
Ye Yinan dismissed his concern with a hum, holding his hand and collapsing onto his bed.
"You're unbelievable."
Shen Lang chuckled helplessly and messaged Zhang Xiuni on WeChat: "Dr. Zhang, why don't you head home and rest? I can handle taking care of her."
The reply came almost instantly:
"Okay. Since you're the real remedy here, call the nurses if there's any trouble. I'll leave you to it."
"Hurry up, Shen Lang. It's cold out here."
Ye Yinan lifted the warm blanket and patted the spot next to her invitingly.
Apart from her pale complexion, she didn't look like someone who'd just attempted suicide.
"Damn, this feels more like a hotel than a hospital."
Shen Lang muttered with a laugh but still climbed into the bed.
The bed, faintly smelling of disinfectant, was warm. The little rich girl snuggled into Shen Lang's arms, holding his muscular arm tightly.
She raised her delicate, fair face and, with anticipation, said something shocking:
"Shen Lang, let's..."
"Do what lovers do. I know that's what you're going to say."
Shen Lang interrupted quickly. "But you're still sick. Let's wait until you're better, okay? How about we just scroll through Douyin for now?"