The sun rose from the eastern horizons, chasing away the shadows of the night.
It was still early in the morning yet the city of Beijing can already be seen buzzling with activity, with countless white-collar workers squeezing in amidst crowded public buses as they rushed towards their respective workplaces.
Another busy day for the common populace...
A stark contrast to the tranquility of the seventh floor of Sheng Yi Private Hospital where even doctors and nurses held their breaths and lightened their footsteps as they walked through it's pristine white hallways.
Beep! Beep!
The ECG monitor beeped countless times, showing a gradual rise in the patient's heartbeat, from it's former declining state to the current even rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute, greatly surprising the grieving couple on the patient's bedside as they hurriedly called for their daughter's attending doctor, sending the once silent and gloomy ward into a frenzy.
Amidst this hustle and bustle, Ling Yue slowly opened her eyes and saw the people around her, her gaze filled with relief as she hoarsely called out to them.
"...mom... dad.."
The woman choked up as she caressed the girl's cheek, tears falling down from her bloodshot eyes. "It's good to wake up... It's good to wake up."
Ling Yue wanted to say a few words to comfort her but found herself unable to as her throat felt parched due to not having drunk water for a long time.
"Drink some water first to moisten your throat."
The man, having noticed her discomfort, helped her to sit up and brought a glass of water to her lips.
Ling Yue looked at him gratefully and took a few sips before slowly pulling away, indicating that she was done and was about to lie back down when she suddenly recalled something very important.
"Dad, how is my sister?"
"What about her? That ungrateful thing! To think that she actually pushed you down the stairs, almost causing you to die!" The woman gritted her teeth. "If I knew this would happen, I wouldn't have brought her back even if she starved to death out there!"
Ling Yue was shocked!
"...mom... you.."
"Yue'er, you don't have to be afraid of her hurting you again. Mom has already taught her a lesson. I've locked her up in her room to reflect on herself."
"Mom! It wasn't sister who pushed me."
"Yue'er, I know you are kind but you don't have to cover for her. That vicious girl must be sent away!"
Ling Yue hurriedly held her mother's hand in a tight grip and said seriously. "Mom, I'm telling the truth. It really wasn't her. I..."
Recalling what the previous occupant of her body had done from her fuzzy memories, Ling Yue had a severe headache.
However, the truth from back then still had to be said, although it wasn't exactly her who had done the deed.
"I fell down by myself. I... I had been feeling uneasy ever since sister returned to the family and thought you would abandon me, so... I tried to frame her by falling down the stairs."
Ling Yue's voice was weak as she said the words.
She really felt wronged!
Meanwhile, the Ling couple were silent.
A moment later, Mother Ling raised her hand.
Ling Yue thought she was going to hit her and resignedly closed her eyes. However, the pain she expected never came but instead felt a warm caress on top of her head.
"Silly girl, whether you are our biological daughter or not, you would always be a child of our Ling family."
Ling Yue's eyes reddened as she buried herself in her mother's embrace, tears streaming down her face.
Many sleepless nights, she had thought of countless scenarios after she made such a confession in front of her parents.
Even this ending, she had thought of it.
But still, those countless fantasies could never compare to the reality in front of her.
"Mom, Dad... thank you."
Thank you for always loving and believing in me.
...
Half an hour later, Ling Yue finally calmed down as she wiped her face with a warm towel.
"Dad, can you call back home to check on sister? I want to apologize to her."
"Hmmm." Father Ling nodded and took out his phone to call his eldest daughter but no one picked up for a long time.
Father Ling frowned and dialed the old butler's number. "Check on what the eldest miss is doing in her room. She's not answering my calls."
"Right away, Sir."
A few minutes later, the butler's terrified voice ssounded from the other side of the phone.
"Master, Miss isn't in her room!"
Father Ling's face darkened. "Did you check clearly?"
"Master, I've already searched the entire bedroom. She's nowhere to be seen. Also, the window was open. Miss must've escaped from there!"
Hearing the butler's words, Father Ling felt dizzy and he almost fainted. Escaped from the window? His two daughters' rooms were on the fourth floor!
Aside from him, Mother Ling also swayed, and if she had not supported herself in time, she would have fallen on top of Ling Yue.
"That rebellious girl! What if she fell and hurt herself?!"
"Mom, calm down. Sister should be fine." Ling Yue patted Mother Ling's back to calm her down.
Thinking of something, Ling Yue smiled. "After all, big brother used to climb down from the fifth floor's window with ease when we were much younger, so the fourth floor shouldn't be that dangerous."
"WHATTT?!!!"
Mother Ling's scream reverberated across the ward, and into the quiet hallways, startling the doctor who was passing by.
"Why that little...!"
Seeing that her mother's rage had been redirected, Ling Yue breathed a sigh of relief as she silently lit a candle for her big brother in her heart.
As for whether she felt guilty exposing her eldest brother? Well, just a little bit.
However, compared to her sister being scolded by their mother, she can only push him out.
Anyway, his skin is quite thick.
A few beatings wouldn't hurt.