Because they were both exceptionally good-looking, and Zhou Nanye had instinctively hugged Jiang Mianmian the moment he woke up, the doctor naturally assumed they were a couple.

Hearing this misunderstanding, Zhou Nanye’s face turned red. He decided that this time, he must explain clearly to avoid letting Mianmian be misunderstood again.

However, before he could speak, Mianmian responded directly, “Alright, Doctor. As long as this will help Xiao Nanye recover gradually, I’ll do it!”

The doctor nodded and explained, “It will still require several more sessions of psychological counseling, combined with self-directed speech training and some medicinal support…”

“But the most important factor is his own mindset. If he cannot let go of those painful shadows, no amount of therapy will help.”

“In short, as his girlfriend, it’s crucial that you give him more care, security, and love. With that, there’s a high probability his stuttering can be cured.”

The doctor concluded, and Jiang Mianmian, delighted, readily agreed.

Zhou Nanye, sitting silently by the bed, could only listen. He had no chance to get a word in, let alone clarify that they weren’t a couple.

Hearing the doctor repeatedly refer to Mianmian as his girlfriend, and seeing her not denying it, Zhou Nanye’s face turned an even deeper shade of red.

The shy young man felt flustered and helpless, while Jiang Mianmian calmly listened to the doctor’s instructions with a straightforward demeanor.

Even after leaving the hospital, the heat in Zhou Nanye’s face hadn’t dissipated.

After exhaling softly, he finally looked at the girl, who seemed to be in a particularly good mood, and hesitantly asked, “Mian… Mianmian, th-the doc… doctor… th-thinks w-we’re… a c-couple…”

“D-doesn’t… doesn’t th-this m-matter?”

“Xiao Nanye, you’re focusing on the wrong thing! Whether we’re mistaken for a couple isn’t important. Isn’t the most important thing the fact that your stuttering has a high chance of being cured?”

Jiang Mianmian beamed with joy. Although she didn’t mind Zhou Nanye’s stuttering, she truly wanted to hear him speak smoothly and fluently one day.

His clear, slightly deep and enticing voice as a young man—

Seeing Mianmian’s genuine, radiant smile, Zhou Nanye couldn’t help but feel much better.

Although he had recalled the terrifying memories he had long feared and suppressed, he no longer felt as panicked or repressed as before.

He could sense that he was slowly letting go of those shadows, gradually freeing his heart from its chains.

And all of this was because of Mianmian…

As they walked together, Zhou Nanye couldn’t help but inch a little closer to her.

This small, unconscious movement made his heart race faster.

At that moment, Jiang Mianmian began talking about the source of Zhou Nanye’s pain—his abduction. Her tone was filled with indignation.

“So, Xiao Nanye, you suffered so much because of being kidnapped. Those traffickers and the buyers will definitely be punished for what they’ve done!”

Although Jiang Mianmian knew from the storyline how much Zhou Nanye had endured after being abducted, she hadn’t expected the extent of his torment.

She couldn’t help but ask the system in her mind, “System, can’t you locate those traffickers and buyers and send their whereabouts to Xiao Nanye’s parents so they can find him faster?”

“Host, the system is not authorized to intervene in such matters, so I’m powerless in this case.”

Jiang Mianmian: “…”

“Y-yeah, they… they will…”

Although Zhou Nanye wasn’t sure if those vile people would ever face justice, he naturally echoed Mianmian’s words.

Jiang Mianmian stopped dwelling on the system’s limitations. After all, she knew from the storyline that Zhou Nanye’s parents would eventually find him.

Still, fearing that Zhou Nanye might feel sad remembering how being abducted had kept him away from his family, she encouraged him,
“Xiao Nanye, your parents are definitely working hard to find you. One day, you’ll reunite with your family!”

“Mm…”

Looking at Jiang Mianmian, Zhou Nanye wasn’t thinking about his long-lost family anymore.

Instead, he thought about how wonderful it would be if he could stay with Mianmian forever…

Realizing he had such an inappropriate thought, Zhou Nanye inwardly chastised himself.

How could someone like him deserve someone as good and radiant as Mianmian, who shone as brightly as the sun?

He should be content with just basking in a little of her warmth.

Simply watching her, silently staying by her side, was enough for him.

That’s what Zhou Nanye sincerely believed, until Ming Yao showed up, shamelessly trying to get close to Mianmian.

Deep inside, an uncontrollable feeling of unwillingness began to stir.

The possessiveness whispered insistently in his heart: Mianmian is mine…