Chapter 21

The emergency room doors slammed shut with a loud bang.

A buzzing echo reverberated through the corridor, fading after a few seconds. The red light above the doors flickered on.

The hallway outside the emergency room was eerily quiet—so quiet that Aunt Lin’s labored breathing could be heard…

And Pei Yu’s pounding heartbeat.

When Pei Yu saw Yun Yin’s lifeless form, he felt his heart stop beating for a split second, then surge into an erratic rhythm. A cacophony of voices clamored in his mind.

He had experienced death before, more intimately than most. He understood its finality.

He desperately tried to recall, to verify, whether Yun Yin had died of heart disease in his previous life.

Time stretched endlessly, feeling like a century.

The emergency room doors swung open, and a surgeon emerged, peeling off his mask. “Who are the patient’s family?”

Pei Yu strode forward. “I am.”

The surgeon frowned. “The patient has a heart condition. Were you aware of this?”

Pei Yu’s jaw tightened, his eyes dark. “Yes.”

Before bringing Yun Yin into his life, Pei Yu had thoroughly researched her background.

Her family history and past experiences were meticulously documented, and the information he found mentioned her delicate health. He hadn’t paid much attention to it at the time, but until her recent illness, Pei Yu had never considered it might be a heart condition.

Did she have heart problems in her previous life?

He couldn’t remember.

The doctor continued, “Does the patient have a family history of heart disease?”

Pei Yu paused. “…I’m not sure.”

The doctor glanced up at him but didn’t press further. “This is angina triggered by emotional stress. Has the patient experienced any chest discomfort or irregular heartbeats before?”

Pei Yu recalled the previous incident, his eyes darkening. “Yes, she has.”

“Given her condition, her family should be extra vigilant,” the doctor adjusted his glasses. “Intense emotions can trigger sudden heart attacks. Considering her symptoms, congenital heart disease can’t be ruled out.”

Pei Yu looked toward the ICU, his fingers curling inward. His voice was hoarse. “When will she wake up?”

“If there are no complications tonight, she should wake up tomorrow.” The doctor sighed. “Given her condition, I recommend a thorough medical examination. Your family should prepare yourselves.”

Pei Yu’s eyes darkened.

“I’ll go make my rounds now,” the doctor said. “Call me if there’s any change in her condition.”

After the doctor left, Pei Yu turned to Aunt Lin and asked calmly, “What happened when she returned from the Yun Family?”

“Miss Yun came back around seven o’clock and went straight upstairs. Her complexion looked unwell,” Aunt Lin replied, her voice tinged with guilt. “I should have noticed sooner. Miss Yun has always been in poor health.”

“How has her health been recently?”

“She hasn’t been sick much lately,” Aunt Lin said. “This sudden relapse is unexpected.”

Pei Yu recalled that Yun Yin’s mood was always subdued after visiting the Yun Family, but this time seemed particularly severe.

Something must have happened after he left.

A wave of regret washed over him.

He should have taken her away with him…

Perhaps she shouldn’t have left at all.

After a night of observation in the intensive care unit, with no complications, Yun Yin was transferred to a private VIP room the next morning.

The room was clean and bright, free from the harsh smell of disinfectant, and filled with a faint floral fragrance—a scent Yun Yin would have loved.

Pei Yu sat by the bed, his gaze fixed on her face, unable to tear himself away.

Yun Yin lay pale and bloodless, her hand resting limply on the blanket, cold and lifeless. Her breathing was shallow, and her entire being seemed devoid of vitality, so fragile she looked as if she might shatter at the slightest touch.

He had naively believed that simply keeping her by his side would be enough. But he now realized that beautiful, delicate flowers required careful nurturing.

He had underestimated the task.

He admitted he could no longer treat Yun Yin with his previous detachment.

In all his years, Pei Yu had encountered countless people, but none like her—beautiful, proud, and yet so vulnerable.

She stirred an irresistible urge to unravel her mysteries.

Something was quietly, imperceptibly shifting within him.

After a long silence, Pei Yu slowly reached out, his fingers curling to gently touch the tip of Yun Yin’s nose.

Only when he felt the faint warmth of her breath did he withdraw his hand, instead tightly clasping hers.

Her consciousness was sinking relentlessly, as if something were dragging her down, preventing her from escaping.

She felt trapped in an endless, boundless cage.

Just as Yun Yin’s consciousness was about to plunge into the abyss of darkness, a hand firmly grasped hers.

Her eyes snapped open, and she gasped for breath, her chest heaving violently.

“Awake?”

Pei Yu immediately noticed her movement. Seeing her eyes open, his taut nerves relaxed imperceptibly.

Yun Yin tried to speak, but her throat was painfully hoarse. After a moment, she managed to whisper two words: “Pei Yu.”

“Are you in any pain?” He lowered his head to look at her, his voice soft and gentle, as if a louder tone might frighten her.

Yun Yin shook her head, her gaze settling on the faint dark circles beneath his eyes. Her heart tightened slightly.

After she woke up, the doctor came to examine her again. “Everything seems stable for now. Get plenty of rest and avoid strong emotional fluctuations.”

Once the examination was over, Yun Yin felt drowsy again.

Noticing her fatigue, Pei Yu tucked the blanket around her and said in a low, steady voice, “Sleep some more.”

She tried to stay awake a little longer, but the overwhelming drowsiness proved too strong. Slowly, her eyes closed, and her breathing gradually evened out.

Yet her hand remained tightly clasped around Pei Yu’s, refusing to let go even in sleep.

Like a drowning person clinging to the last piece of driftwood.

Yun Yin was kept under observation in the hospital for several days until she had no further relapses. Only then was she allowed to return home to recuperate.

As she stepped out of the hospital, a gust of wind swept through, bringing a chill with it.

Yun Yin shivered. Before she could tighten her coat, a black jacket settled over her shoulders.

“Turn around,” a low, husky voice came from above.

Yun Yin froze, blinked, and quickly realized who it was. She obediently turned around.

“Extend your arms.”

Yun Yin complied, letting him help her into the jacket.

Pei Yu stepped closer, enveloping her completely in his embrace, shielding her from the biting wind.

Yun Yin lowered her gaze and watched Pei Yu slowly and meticulously button her jacket. He stood so close that they could easily reach out and pull each other into an embrace.

After the jacket was secured and they were in the car, neither spoke.

Pei Yu was usually taciturn, but today he felt different. Yun Yin could keenly sense the oppressive, gloomy aura radiating from him.

He was unhappy.

Watching the scenery blur past the car window, Yun Yin slowly shifted her gaze and softly called his name, “Pei Yu.”

“Hmm?” Pei Yu didn’t look at her, his expression remaining indifferent.

Yun Yin moved slightly closer, tentatively asking, “Are you angry?”

This time, Pei Yu didn’t respond, and a deathly silence hung in the air.

Yun Yin pursed her lips, thinking, He really is angry.

If the mountain won’t come to me, I’ll go to the mountain.

She reached out and gently tugged at the corner of his sleeve. “Don’t be angry anymore. It was my fault.”

“What exactly was your fault?” Pei Yu finally lifted his gaze to meet hers.

“…” After a few seconds, Yun Yin ventured again, “Did I cause you trouble?”

Pei Yu remained silent for a long moment.

Just as she was about to speak, he suddenly moved closer. Yun Yin’s pupils constricted. In the blink of an eye, his fingers clamped onto her chin, forcing her head upward.

Her wrist, hanging limply at her side, was also seized in a firm grip. Unable to break free, Yun Yin stared into Pei Yu’s eyes, sensing an inexplicable undercurrent of danger.

They held each other’s gaze. Yun Yin’s initially tense body gradually relaxed, her expression turning serious. After a moment, she whispered, “Are you really angry?”

This time, Pei Yu finally spoke again. In the enclosed car, Yun Yin heard him softly hum in acknowledgment.

The sound was faint, yet she sensed the immense effort he was exerting to suppress his emotions.

Yun Yin’s heart fluttered.

“Are you worried about me?”

Due to her fragile health, she had fallen ill countless times. From initial fear and anxiety, she had grown accustomed to it. Yet, seeing someone worry about her still stirred a sense of panic and helplessness within her.

“I’m sorry,” Yun Yin said before Pei Yu could respond.

Though her voice was barely audible, it reached him.

Pei Yu paused, his grip on her chin loosening momentarily as he was taken aback. The pressure of his hand softened.

His dark eyes, however, grew even more intense as he gazed at her.

After a long silence, Yun Yin heard him ask, “Why are you apologizing?”

She shifted slightly, freeing herself from his restraint. Before he could react, she tilted her head and rested it on his shoulder, answering as if to herself, “Because I made you unhappy.”

Pei Yu’s hand, which had been hovering in mid-air, froze.

“I don’t think you’re a burden.”

“I know,” Yun Yin replied, closing her eyes. “You’re worried about me.”

Seeing Yun Yin nestled obediently against his shoulder, Pei Yu’s anger dissipated slightly.

It was rare for her to be so docile.

He reached out and grasped her hand, squeezing it firmly. “Why are you acting so aggrieved? Didn’t you know to speak up if someone was bullying you?”

Wasn’t she usually so talkative? Why was she silent now?

His grip tightened, causing Yun Yin’s hand to ache. The very person bullying her was him, yet she dared not voice her anger. “…I’m not aggrieved. No one bullied me.”

The original owner of this body was the one who was bullied.

“Not bullied? Then how did you end up in the hospital?” Pei Yu stared at her expressionlessly. “Or are you only brave enough to bully those weaker than you?”

“I’m not a bully!” Yun Yin retorted instinctively, her eyes flickering slightly.

“Then tell me what happened after I left yesterday.” Pei Yu loosened his grip, his calloused thumb gently stroking the back of her hand. A tingling numbness spread across her skin, reaching her fingertips.

“They didn’t bully me. They just told me to cling to you like a lifeline, preferably by marrying you. If you ever abandoned me, Yun Cheng would continue arranging marriage prospects for me…”

As Yun Yin spoke, her voice grew softer and softer. When she looked up, she noticed Pei Yu’s expression darkening, a tangible chill radiating from him and filling the car.