Chapter 7: Yu Heng Wakes Up  

Watching Pei Yuezhou across the table take bite after bite of the seafood porridge, Yu Zhi smiled with satisfaction, her eyes curving into crescents.  

Our A Yue is so well-behaved.  

Xiao Shui really wanted to roll her eyes.  

[Host Master, I suggest you get your eyes checked.]  

[Shut it.]  

Pei Yuezhou ate with deliberate grace, every movement refined and pleasing to the eye—a clear sign of his aristocratic upbringing and impeccable education.  

Yu Zhi felt like she could eat several more bowls just watching him.  

Silently, a figure clad in a tailored black suit appeared—Pei Yuezhou’s other assistant, Lin Zhi.  

Yu Zhi hadn’t met him before, so she didn’t recognize him.  

Lin Zhi approached respectfully, leaning in to whisper a few words into the man’s ear.  

A strange glint flickered in Pei Yuezhou’s eyes, as if thick darkness had been poured into them, churning beneath the surface with an unfathomable, dangerous undercurrent.  

His well-defined fingers set down the knife and fork, and he turned to Yu Zhi, his tone deceptively gentle:  

“I’ve made arrangements at the hospital. Tomorrow morning, I’ll accompany you to see your brother.”  

So it was finally time to wake the sleeping beauty. Yu Zhi couldn’t deny the little thrill of excitement in her chest.  

“Thank you, A Yue.”  

Pei Yuezhou: “I still have work to attend to. I’ll take my leave now.”  

With that, he rose, Lin Zhi in tow, and departed.  

The two passed through the bamboo grove within the estate and soon came upon a group of over a dozen mercenaries who had been waiting for some time.  

They greeted in unison: “Sir.”  

Pei Yuezhou gave a slight nod and, surrounded by them, stepped through the entrance to the underground chamber. The door sealed shut behind them, cutting off the outside world’s light.  

The corridor was dimly lit by yellowed lamps, barely enough to illuminate the narrow path.  

Leather shoes tapped against the concrete steps, each step descending deeper into the abyss.  

At the end of the passage stood a heavy iron door, its surface coated in peeling, dark-red paint. Lin Zhi gripped the cold brass handle and pulled with force.  

A thick, metallic stench of rust assaulted them, undiminished by the scent of disinfectant, mingled with a faint, sickly-sweet odor of something burnt—enough to make one’s scalp crawl.  

Pei Yuezhou wrinkled his nose in disgust, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket to cover it.  

Beyond the door was another world. Harsh white fluorescent light spilled over the walls lined with an array of metal tools, and a man was roughly bound to an iron chair.  

His clothes were torn, his face streaked with sweat and grime. He struggled uselessly, his wrists rubbed raw and bleeding against the shackles. When he saw the man at the doorway, his eyes filled with primal terror.  

His voice was thick with despair: “P-please… just… make it quick.”  

Pei Yuezhou stood at the threshold, backlit, the carefully cultivated elegance from dinner completely stripped away.  

He stepped slowly into the dim chamber, the gleam of his polished shoes pressing into the damp concrete floor—each sound like the toll of a death knell to the bound man.  

The man trembled violently as Pei Yuezhou’s tall frame loomed before him.  

Pei Yuezhou tilted his head slightly, studying every inch of fear on the man’s face. His gaze held no warmth, only something akin to cold amusement.  

“What a generous bargain you propose.”  

His face was devastatingly handsome, but beneath that veneer lurked a soul as rotten as a demon’s—chilling enough to make one avert their eyes.  

“I—I’ll cooperate with anything!”  

Pei Yuezhou didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he elegantly removed his tailored suit jacket and handed it to Lin Zhi. His pale, slender fingers trailed over the array of metal instruments before him.

He sighed helplessly, “Too late.”  

His gaze finally settled on a well-balanced cleaver.  

“I once read in a book about a method called the Human Pig—removing the eyes, severing the limbs, burning the ears, forcing the victim to drink the Mute drug, and confining them in a cesspit. Even then, they could survive for about a week. I always found it unbelievable. Why don’t you sacrifice yourself to satisfy my curiosity?”  

His deep, pleasant voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for everyone to hear clearly. His tone was gentle, as if he were merely discussing something mundane, but the cold cruelty in his eyes told a different story.  

The man’s eyes widened in terror as he struggled violently. Soon, others stepped forward to restrain him. His voice was rough as he roared, “You lunatic! You really are a madman who escaped from a mental asylum!”  

Those words struck Pei Yuezhou’s rawest nerve. His expression darkened instantly.  

“Do it. Deliver him to Song Chuhe before tomorrow.”  

“Yes, sir!”  

The man turned and strode back into the dimly lit corridor. The cramped space only amplified his menacing aura, but Lin Zhi quickly caught up to him.  

“That man had no filter. Please don’t let it anger you, sir.”  

Pei Yuezhou struggled to suppress the violent killing intent surging in his chest, forcing his voice to remain calm. “And Song Yu’s sister… how is she?”  

At the mention of Song Yu, Lin Zhi felt even his swallowed saliva turn bitter.  

“Don’t worry, sir. I’ve already moved her abroad. Our people are guarding her—Song Chuhe won’t get a chance to act.”  

In the damp, shadowy corridor, Pei Yuezhou lit a cigarette. The swirling smoke gradually obscured his striking features, perfectly masking the fleeting, almost imperceptible sorrow in his expression.  

Then he crushed the cigarette butt, his voice slightly hoarse. “After gathering and cremating the remains, take him abroad too.”  

Burying him in a place like this would only taint his path to reincarnation.  

After all, he had always been fastidious about cleanliness.  

Lin Zhi nodded solemnly, watching as Pei Yuezhou left the cramped space behind.  

Though he stepped into the lights of the living world, not a single glimmer of brightness reached him.  

**In the Hall**  

Yu Zhi, wrapped in a blanket, was dozing heavily on the sofa when someone shook her awake. Blinking groggily, she saw the man crouched in front of her and instinctively reached out to hug him.  

Still half-asleep, she mumbled in dissatisfaction—perhaps too drowsy to think straight—”Not very CEO-like… others carry their lovers back to bed…”  

Warmth filled his arms, and Pei Yuezhou gradually felt a sliver of reality return. Unable to resist, he nuzzled her flushed cheek before lifting her gently.  

So she had really been waiting for him.  

Every step he took was cautious, as if afraid of shattering this fleeting dream.  

Half-asleep, Yu Zhi felt herself being placed on the bed, followed by a warm touch pressing against her collarbone.  

“Zhi Zhi, you won’t leave me, right?”  

It tickled, and she grumbled in protest, “Stop it…”  

The man chuckled lowly, humoring her. “Alright.”  

**The Next Morning**  

After washing up, Yu Zhi headed downstairs to find Pei Yuezhou already seated at the dining table.  

Today’s breakfast included her favorite soup dumplings, so she was especially eager.  

Since Pei Yuezhou had risen earlier, she had sneakily checked out his outfit and deliberately matched her dress to his color scheme and style.  

Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and Pei Yuezhou unconsciously curled his little finger slightly.

After the meal, they drove to the hospital where Yu Heng was staying. Unlike other for-profit private hospitals, this one served only Yu Heng from the beginning to the end, allowing for better monitoring of his condition.

Through the large glass window, Yu Zhi faintly saw the emaciated figure lying on the hospital bed from outside.

Pei Yuezhou hesitated before speaking: “Do you want me to come with you?”

He wanted to leave some space for the siblings.

Yu Zhi shook her head.

That wouldn’t do. A Yue was so sharp—if he came in with her, he would surely notice something unusual.

“Alright, I’ll wait for you in the lounge.”

His hand gave a gentle pat on Yu Zhi’s shoulder before he left with his assistant and the doctors.

After some preparations, Yu Zhi entered the ward alone.

Looking at the familiar face on the bed, a wave of sorrow welled up in her heart, but she forced a smile onto her face.

“Big bro, you’d better work hard and earn lots of money for me to spend later.”

She reached out and grasped the man’s gaunt hand.

[Lock confirmed. Precision treatment in progress. Host, please do not release your grip until the beeping ends.]

A brilliant light erupted from Yu Zhi, engulfing the person on the bed, while all monitoring devices in the room were instantly obscured.

After what felt like an eternity, Yu Zhi’s trembling hands slowly loosened, and she bent down to examine him closely.

“Is he waking up now?”

Before Xiao Shui could respond, Yu Heng’s eyelashes fluttered slightly before his eyes slowly opened.

Upon seeing Yu Zhi’s face clearly, his mind went blank for a moment, as if scrambling for memories, but to no avail: “Yu Zhi… why are you looking at me with such a mushy expression?”

He glanced around the room, frowning as he tried to prop himself up. Yu Zhi quickly lent a hand to help him sit up.

“Not to be rude, but where the hell is this? Did you redecorate my room with some underworld-themed style while I was asleep?”

The familiar tone made Yu Zhi want to smack him. The emotions she had carefully built up were now mostly ruined.

Yu Heng’s vitals had not only returned to their prime condition but also gained a strength boost. He no longer looked as frail as before—like a thin sheet of paper that could be blown away by the wind.

Xiao Shui couldn’t help but gloat inwardly: [Hmph, this guy’s gonna realize he’s super strong later. He’ll be laughing his head off.]

Time was tight, and the mission was urgent. The room’s equipment was about to reactivate. Yu Zhi pressed a finger to her lips, signaling Yu Heng to stay quiet, then, under his utterly confused gaze, she burst into tears and dashed out.

“Doctor! Doctor! My brother’s awake—”

The scream nearly pierced Yu Heng’s eardrums.

Noticing the Pei family’s medical logo on one of the machines, Yu Heng rubbed his ears and grumbled, “Seriously, aren’t you being a bit too spoiled, sis? Forcing Pei Yuezhou to go along with your prank on me again.”

Wasn’t it trending online lately—secretly moving a sleeping friend to a strange place just to see their bewildered reaction when they woke up?

Damn, he’d become part of some couple’s little game.

But soon, as his memories gradually returned, the blaring sirens and violent impact echoed in his ears.

Suddenly, Yu Heng realized something and fell silent.

When Pei Yuezhou rushed over with the medical team, he saw his supposedly hopeless brother-in-law sitting on the bed, beckoning him with a finger.

His face was filled with disbelief.

Yu Heng raised his eyebrows. Well, well, this guy was usually so emotionally stable—this was the first time he’d seen him make such an expression.  

But Pei Yuezhou first handed Yu Zhi a tissue before walking over to Yu Heng, who was surrounded by a crowd of doctors. They were all staring at him with amazement, as if witnessing a medical miracle.  

“Bro.”  

Yu Heng patted his arm. “Thanks for taking care of my sister.”  

Pei Yuezhou shook his head.  

The doctors clicked their tongues in wonder, some even pressing their stethoscopes against him repeatedly.  

“My God, waking up after seven years in a coma—could this be a final rally before death?”  

The words made Yu Heng speechless. He shoved the man, sending him tumbling to the ground in an undignified heap.  

The doctor was older and, with the help of others, struggled to his feet with a pained grimace. “Young Master Yu’s got quite the strength, full of energy, huh…”  

Yu Heng, however, seemed to finally process something, his face blank. “Wait, seven years? Who was in a coma for seven years?”  

For a moment, everyone was distracted by his confusion, and no one dwelled on the earlier incident.  

Yu Zhi peeked out from behind Pei Yuezhou. “Yeah, that’d be you. Seven years. You almost got usurped, too, if not for my A Yue saving the day.”  

Then she slowly walked up to Yu Heng and patted his head. “Heng, now that you’re awake, hurry up and go home to inherit the throne. Don’t just laze around wasting resources.”  

Yu Heng had just snapped out of the shock of learning he’d been asleep for seven years, and now Yu Zhi’s words nearly made him spit blood. “You’re really the best little sister a guy could ask for.”  

But his grip on the bedsheet tightened. A cold laugh echoed in his mind—now that he was awake, those old bastards wouldn’t get their way.  

The doctors ran a full-body check on him, confirming multiple times that all his vitals were normal before finally letting him go—though they insisted he stay in the hospital for three days of observation.  

Yu Zhi was the first to agree on his behalf. “Fine.”  

Yu Heng objected immediately. “No, I don’t want to stay.”  

Yu Zhi ignored him, chuckling before firing back, “You don’t get a say. I was the one who signed your critical condition notice back then. Staying or not isn’t up to you.”  

Yu Heng had no choice but to compromise. “Fine. Then have my assistant bring over the company’s project files and financial records from the past few years.”  

He sighed inwardly. Seven years’ worth of documents to review—what a nightmare.  

But it was good for him to catch up as soon as possible. Given her brother’s business genius, it shouldn’t be a problem, so Yu Zhi didn’t argue further. She found the assistant’s contact and sent a message.  

As for Pei Yuezhou, ever since their brief exchange, he had been sitting on the sofa, his gaze dark and fixed on Yu Heng—so intense it was unsettling.  

Finally, Yu Heng couldn’t take it anymore. “Bro, I get how you feel, but can you tone it down? I’m afraid that girl will get jealous and slit my throat.”  

Pei Yuezhou withdrew the complexity and scrutiny in his eyes, clearing his throat as if to cover it up.  

“Hey, Pei Yuezhou, while you’re at it, let Song Yu and the others know I’m awake. We’ll all catch up properly in a few days.”  

Yu Zhi’s eyes were full of laughter.  

Before Yu Heng’s accident, the group had been incredibly close. Whenever fights or disagreements broke out, it was always Song Yu, the peacemaker, who stepped in to mediate.  

No one noticed the momentary stiffness in Pei Yuezhou’s body, his fists clenched tight as he forced out a strained, “Okay.”

Yu Heng was scrolling through news and trending topics from the past two years on his phone when he suddenly paused. “Huh? The Song family? As in Song Yu’s family? What’s going on—did they shift their operations back to China?”  

He remembered the Song family had always been based in North America. Though not as deeply rooted as the Pei family, they were still a force to be reckoned with.  

At Yu Heng’s remark, Yu Zhi also seemed surprised. “Song Yu is from the Song family?”  

That meant there was some connection to Song Chuhe as well.  

Pei Yuezhou lowered his gaze, lost in thought. “Mm.”  

Yu Heng, however, was clearly pleased. “That’s great! At least we all have roots here now. We can look out for each other if needed.”  

Pei Yuezhou didn’t respond further.  

Yu Zhi wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she sensed something off about Pei Yuezhou’s mood. Thinking he might just be tired, she stepped forward and took his hand.  

The warmth and softness of her touch caught him off guard. He looked at her, only to see Yu Zhi pouting at Yu Heng. “Alright, get some rest. Stop pestering my husband.”  

“Your husband?! Holy—you two got married?! Wait, no, it’s been years, of course you would’ve by now. But damn, as your big brother, I had zero involvement in this?! Aaaah—”  

Yu Zhi pulled Pei Yuezhou toward the door, half-listening to the furious rant behind her. “Relax,” she said dismissively. “Just save up for your future nephew’s red envelope. You’ll make it to the full-month celebration.”  

That only made Yu Heng howl louder.  

Meanwhile, Pei Yuezhou felt something gently tap against his heart. He tightened his grip on her hand, fingers interlacing firmly with hers.  

He took her words seriously.  

And he wouldn’t forget.