The first thing Jiang Meilin noticed as she drifted back to consciousness was the warmth enveloping her hand. Her eyelids fluttered open, adjusting to the harsh hospital lights. As her vision cleared, she found herself staring into Zhao Jingshen's anxious face.
"Meilin," he breathed, relief washing over his features. "You're awake." He quickly pressed the call bell for the doctors to come check on her.
She tried to speak, but her throat was dry. Immediately, Zhao Jingshen reached for a glass of water, gently supporting her head as she sipped.
"How long..." she managed to croak.
"Three days," Jingshen replied, his thumb caressing her hand. "You had us worried there for a while."
Meilin attempted to sit up, wincing at the pain in her abdomen. Jingshen was instantly at her side, adjusting pillows and fussing over her comfort.
"Easy now," he murmured, his usual stern demeanor replaced by tender concern. "The doctor said you need to take it slow."
Meilin couldn't help but smile at his attentiveness. "Who are you and what have you done with Zhao Jingshen?" she teased weakly.
Jingshen blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "I... what do you mean?"
"The Zhao Jingshen I know doesn't fuss," Meilin explained, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "He glares problems into submission."
A faint blush colored Jingshen's cheeks, a sight so unexpected that Meilin wondered if she was still dreaming. "I don't glare," he muttered, avoiding her gaze.
"Oh really?" Meilin challenged, her strength returning with each moment of banter. "What about that time at the cafe when the waiter spilled coffee on your shoes?"
Jingshen huffed, a mix of embarrassment and indignation on his face. "That was different. He was incompetent."
"Uh-huh," Meilin nodded sagely. "And the time you made that street vendor cry because his dumplings weren't 'structurally sound'?"
"They were falling apart!" Jingshen protested, before catching the mischievous glint in Meilin's eye. "You're teasing me," he realized, his lips twitching into a reluctant smile.
"Maybe a little," Meilin admitted, squeezing his hand. "But it's nice to see this side of you."
Over the next few hours, Jingshen's attentiveness bordered on reverence. He anticipated her every need, from adjusting her blankets to feeding her small spoonfuls of broth. His gentle touches and soft words were a stark contrast to the ruthless businessman she had come to know.
At one point, when Jingshen was carefully arranging her pillows for what seemed like the hundredth time, Meilin couldn't contain her laughter. "Jingshen," she said between giggles, "I'm not made of glass, you know. And I'm pretty sure those pillows are now the most meticulously arranged in all of Xia City."
Jingshen paused, looking slightly sheepish. "I just want you to be comfortable," he mumbled.
"I know," Meilin said softly, her heart warming at his concern. "And I appreciate it. But maybe you could take a break? You look exhausted."
"I'm fine," Jingshen insisted, stifling a yawn that betrayed his words.
Meilin saw an opportunity. "Why don't you go home and rest for a bit? I'll be okay here for a few hours."
Jingshen's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm not leaving your side until you're fully recovered," he said firmly.
Meilin bit her lip, torn between the warmth his presence brought and the urgent need to contact her shadow guards. She decided to try a different approach.
"But what about your work?" she asked innocently. "Surely the great CEO Zhao can't neglect his empire for too long."
Jingshen waved his hand dismissively. "Chen Li is handling everything. You're my priority now."
Meilin's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Who are you and what have you done with the real Zhao Jingshen?" she asked, only half-joking this time.
Jingshen's expression softened, a vulnerability in his eyes that made Meilin's heart skip a beat. "I'm still me," he said quietly. "Just... a version of me I didn't know existed until I met you."
The sincerity in his voice made Meilin's breath catch. She reached out, cupping his cheek with her hand. "Jingshen, I..."
Before she could finish, a nurse bustled in to check Meilin's vitals. Jingshen stepped back, the moment broken but the intensity of his gaze unchanged.
As the nurse worked, Meilin made one last attempt. "You know, you really should go home and shower," she said, wrinkling her nose playfully. "You're starting to smell like hospital disinfectant."
Jingshen actually looked offended for a moment before catching the teasing glint in her eye. He leaned in close, a mischievous smirk on his face. "Nice try, Miss Jiang," he whispered. "But I'm not going anywhere."
Meilin sighed in defeat, realizing she'd have to find another way to contact her guards. But as she looked at Zhao Jingshen's determined face, she couldn't help but feel a rush of affection for this man who was so clearly out of his depth in matters of the heart, yet trying so hard for her sake.