Volume One, Chapter 13: Has Xu Mi Awakened?

Upon entering the room, Xu Mi lay quietly on the hospital bed, her breathing steady. At first glance, there seemed to be little change. Yet Lin Chen, having spent countless days and nights by her side, was not so easily deceived. He keenly noticed that compared to before his business trip, her cheeks had grown rosier. They had become fuller, softer—her face was no longer the gaunt appearance from their first meeting, but far more attractive, radiating a mature femininity.

Moreover, her breath was more even, and even from a meter away, he could sense the burgeoning vitality within her. Everything was improving, no longer fragile like a candle flickering in the wind.

Lin Chen observed this with joy swelling in his heart. Though he wasn’t certain if she had truly awakened, her recovery was undeniable.

“My love, three days apart—have you missed me? Because I’ve missed you terribly,” he murmured, stepping forward to massage her muscles.

But as soon as his hands touched her, something felt off.

Xu Mi’s body was warm, indistinguishable from that of a healthy person. Could it be that she was truly awake?

To test his suspicion, after the massage, Lin Chen boldly traced his fingers lightly and slowly along her fair neck and cheek in a teasing manner.

As expected, Xu Mi’s body trembled involuntarily; her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, like the rosy hues of a sunset.

Lin Chen’s heart leapt with delight.

“Sweetheart, you’re really awake... or at least, you’re conscious. Maybe you’re pretending to sleep because you don’t know how to face me yet.”

But the more she acted this way, the more determined he was to tease and win her heart.

After massaging her, Lin Chen lay down beside Xu Mi. He distinctly felt her body tense up. Yet he disregarded it, pulling her into his embrace, their faces pressed close, greedily breathing in the sweet scent she exhaled.

With a playful grin, he said, “My love, the air you breathe out is so sweet... I once heard from a dating guru that lovers can survive just by breathing in each other’s carbon dioxide. I used to think that was cheesy and disgusting. But since meeting you, I finally believe it.

“Darling, if it weren’t for work and making a living, I’d just stay like this beside you, doing nothing, twenty-four hours a day. I love you. And if one day you wake up, please don’t ever leave me.”

After speaking, he drew her close and kissed her lips.

Their lips met with a soft pop.

Lin Chen felt Xu Mi’s body stiffen once again. Then, a faint moan whispered near his ear, and he sensed her cheek turning slightly toward him, as if awkwardly yielding.

This discovery thrilled Lin Chen.

If she could so willingly respond, could it mean she had begun to accept him inwardly? At the very least, she was no longer rejecting him outright.

His heart swelled with happiness.

If only it could be this way…

He had long anticipated the day Xu Mi would awaken, and since then, his emotions had been a turbulent mix of hope and fear—worried that once she opened her eyes, she might no longer want him.

After all, he was merely a means to revive her. To truly become her husband, he needed her genuine acceptance.

Her hesitant compliance was already a great step.

As for her unwillingness to open her eyes and fully awaken, he resolved to let her continue pretending. He would use his actions to move her heart until one day, she would open up completely and embrace him.

...

After a long, lingering kiss, Lin Chen licked his lips and smiled brightly as he pulled away.

“Sweetheart, I think that was our first real kiss. Does that count as a first kiss? I really like how it feels. Can we kiss every day from now on?”

Upon hearing this, Xu Mi’s body shuddered noticeably. It was unclear whether it was a sign of resistance or pleasure.

Lin Chen chuckled and rose from the bed. Glancing at his phone, he saw it was already past nine in the evening.

He spoke softly, “Darling, I have to go now. If I don’t get back soon, the dorm will be locked. Once I move out of school, I’ll be able to spend all day with you. Good night.”

After planting a gentle kiss on her cheek, Lin Chen prepared to leave. Just then, his mother, Zhao Xiuxiu, called unexpectedly.

He answered instinctively, only to be met with his mother’s booming voice.

“You rascal! Are you trying to rebel? What do you mean by what you said? Why didn’t you pick up my calls? Do you want to drive your mother crazy?”

Listening to her furious scolding, Lin Chen suddenly remembered that he had been so focused on Xu Mi that he’d completely forgotten his mother.

Hastily, he explained, “Mom, I was just joking. Why are you taking it seriously?”

“Not serious? How could I not be? Li Chao already has two kids, and you don’t even have a girlfriend. You won’t go on blind dates either. Be honest with me: do you really not like girls?”

“I…” Lin Chen felt a headache coming on.

He thought bitterly, this was the bitter fruit he had sown; he would have to swallow it himself.

“Mom, I really was joking. I’m a perfectly normal guy.”

“Then tomorrow, you better go on a blind date.”

“Blind date?” Lin Chen quickly covered the phone, afraid Xu Mi might hear. “Mom, I really don’t want to.”

“Then you’re sick.”

Lin Chen could only laugh and cry. At that moment, words seemed powerless.

After hesitating, he whispered, “Mom, to be honest, I actually have a girlfriend.”

He glanced at Xu Mi lying beside him.

That, he thought, should not count as a lie.

“Girlfriend?!” Zhao Xiuxiu sounded doubtful. “Are you pulling my leg again? If you had a girlfriend, why didn’t you say so earlier? You rascal, are you trying to fool me?”

“No, I’m not lying. She’s right here with me. But she’s a bit special, and I was worried you wouldn’t approve... so I kept it from you.”

His words were both true and false at once.

“Alright, I’ll believe you for now. I’m going to the provincial capital tomorrow. Arrange for her to come out; we’ll have a meal together.”

Clearly, Zhao Xiuxiu was still reluctant to believe it.

“What? You want me to meet her?”

Lin Chen couldn’t help but shout aloud in surprise.