Zhao Yanan wasn't in the mood for jokes. Her eyes filled with deep concern, and her voice carried a hint of sobbing as she said, "I'm sorry... Zixuan, I'm really sorry, I..."
Chu Yuxuan smiled and replied, "Silly wife, don't cry. How can I blame you? It's my fault for not protecting you well."
Zhao Yanan looked at the wound on the back of his head that was still bleeding and felt heartbroken. "Does it hurt a lot? Zixuan, I really feel like a jinx. Since childhood, everyone around me has been plagued by misfortune, including my mom and my dad... Today, I almost got you killed too... I'm sorry, I really am."
Chu Yuxuan gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. With one hand around her waist and his legs kicking underwater to keep them steady, he spoke softly, "Wife, you're not a jinx. You're actually my lucky star! Twice now, we've survived near-death experiences. Who else could be this lucky, hmm?"
Zhao Yanan raised her eyes and met Chu Yuxuan's gaze.
His eyes were so full of tenderness that it seemed like they would overflow. He playfully tapped her nose and said in a seductive voice, "Wife, you're so beautiful, the most beautiful in the world. Even if I were given an empire, I wouldn't trade you for it."
This man, when flirting, always carried a bit of a roguish charm, his voice filled with magnetism and allure.
Zhao Yanan blushed, slowly lowering her head. She bit her lower lip lightly, her eyes filled with a sudden, inexplicable heat.
Chu Yuxuan chuckled, "Wife, I really love you... so much, so, so much..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Yanan clasped his shoulders tightly with both hands and suddenly leaned up to kiss him on the lips.
The softness of her lips was overwhelmingly real, leaving Chu Yuxuan momentarily stunned, his eyes wide open!
Time seemed to stop.
A few seconds later, Zhao Yanan's anxieties began to resurface. She pulled away, lowering her head slightly, her breath rapid.
A thousand words were stuck in her throat, yet she couldn't utter a single one.
Or maybe, she just didn't know what to say.
Chu Yuxuan was still in a daze, but a moment later, he grinned foolishly and said, "Wife, I want more..."
Zhao Yanan, half laughing and half crying, scolded him softly, "Enough, you're covered in wounds..."
She glanced at the inflatable boat not far away and said, "Let's swim over first. You need to get to the hospital quickly."
Chu Yuxuan, still grinning foolishly, said, "No rush, I'm tough... Wife, I've got no strength left. Could you kiss me again for some motivation?"
Zhao Yanan bit her lip, fighting against the awkwardness caused by her condition. Shyly, she closed her eyes and was just about to kiss him again when suddenly, the sound of a buzzing drone filled the air above.
Immediately, Lao Wu's heavily accented English came from the drone, "Oh, God, I swear, I didn't mean to interrupt you guys, but... can you continue the kissing onshore? The inflatable boat is about to be swept away by the waves. Brother, your head is still bleeding, and it looks like Sister-in-law is kissing a hairy dragon fruit. D*mn, why did I come up with such a metaphor? I must admit, my Chinese is really improving."
Zhao Yanan's face turned red, so embarrassed that she couldn't lift her head.
Chu Yuxuan shouted, "Lao Si, deal with him for me."
Lao Si responded, "Aishiba..."
Lao Wu yelled, "Hey! Park Pucheng, what are you doing? Why are you clutching a crucifix? Can't you tell Big Brother is joking? F*ck! My arm's going to break! Ahh!"
At the hospital, Chu Yuxuan was undergoing a comprehensive examination.
His brothers waited anxiously in the hallway, occasionally praising Xiao Qing, who blushed so hard it seemed like she'd done something shameful. She looked like she wanted to find a hole and hide in it.
D*mn social anxiety.
Chu Haoran leaned against the wall, his face expressionless. Occasionally, when a doctor passed by and greeted him politely, he would return the gesture with a courteous smile, maintaining his gentlemanly facade.
Chu Zhiqing sat on a bench with Zhao Yanan, casually chatting.
"Girl, don't worry. Yuxuan's tough. He's just lost a lot of blood, so he looks a bit pale," Chu Zhiqing reassured her.
Zhao Yanan, face full of guilt, nodded and said, "Dad, I'm sorry to have caused you all this trouble..."
Chu Zhiqing chuckled, "Blame all you want, but it's not your fault. Besides, we're family. Don't be so formal from now on... Alright, alright, what's done is done. Let's turn the page."
Suddenly, his tone shifted, "Girl, don't hide anything from me. How's your psychological treatment coming along? I can tell you and Yuxuan are getting closer. To be honest, I'd really love to have a grandchild soon."
Zhao Yanan: "..."
Can we not change topics so drastically?
Chu Zhiqing continued, "Otherwise, I could arrange for a specialist for you?"
Zhao Yanan shook her head, "Dad, I'll figure it out myself..."
"Alright, alright..." Chu Zhiqing sighed softly, wanting to say more but stopping himself.
At that moment, the doctor emerged from the emergency room. The brothers quickly gathered around, and Zhao Yanan stood up eagerly.
Chu Zhiqing remained seated and asked, "How is he?"
As this was a private hospital under the Chu family, the doctor responded respectfully, "Master Chu, the young master is mostly fine. He has a moderate concussion and three broken ribs, but they're not deformed, so no surgery is needed. Just rest for a while. The rest are superficial injuries, which have been bandaged. It's all thanks to the young master's physical resilience."
Chu Zhiqing breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you. You may go now."
Chu Haoran stepped forward, "Uncle, now that Zixuan is okay, I can rest easy. I'll head back to the villa now; my parents are waiting for me."
Chu Zhiqing nodded with a smile, "Go ahead. Send my regards to your father and remind him to take care of his health. Time spares no one."
Chu Haoran picked up on the underlying meaning of his uncle's words but didn't comment. After a brief response, he left quickly.
When the nurse came out, the brothers were about to enter the ward to see their elder brother, but Lao Wu stopped them, gesturing toward Zhao Yanan and Chu Zhiqing.
Chu Zhiqing noticed the commotion and stood up, saying, "You bunch of rascals, each one of you is so skilled! Haha... Xiao Qing, I owe you a huge favor. Whenever you need it, just ask."
Xiao Qing, timidly, replied, "No, no, Chairman, I... it's what I should do."
Chu Zhiqing smiled and nodded appreciatively, then turned to Zhao Yanan, "Go in and check on your husband. I won't bother him anymore; I have some other matters to attend to."
Zhao Yanan responded, "Dad, take care. I won't see you off."
She then entered the ward.
Inside, Chu Zixuan's head was wrapped like a mummy, with an IV drip attached to his hand. His wrists and ankles were bandaged due to burns from explosives, and his upper body was strapped with a chest binder. Strangely, he looked somewhat like a zombie from an anime, which made the sight a bit funny.
Seeing his wife walk in, Chu Yuxuan couldn't hide his joy. A mischievous smile played on his lips, "Wife, this doctor isn't very good. My head still hurts a lot. I urgently need a healing kiss."
Zhao Yanan didn't joke back. Her gaze was filled with a complexity that couldn't be explained. She slowly walked to the bedside, took a seat, and held Chu Yuxuan's hand.
It was the first time she had ever initiated physical contact with him.