Ruan Qingzhi was obedient, walking over quietly.  

Her movements as she sat by the bed were soft and light, as though she weighed nothing at all.  

She was so frail that it made one’s heart ache for no reason.  

Her almond-shaped eyes, glistening with tears, never left his face, her youthful features filled with worry.  

Silently, she met his gaze, and silently, tears began to fall.  

A few drops rolled down, enough to make the man forget that he was the one who had just narrowly escaped death.  

Shen Zhanwu’s spine stiffened. When he saw the tears fall, his hand instinctively rose—  

His fingers paused midair. Dark eyes fixed on her, he spoke stiffly, “Don’t cry. I’ve already woken up, haven’t I? It’s fine now. Everything’s over. Stop crying. Wipe your tears.”  

Ruan Qingzhi obediently wiped her tears away, blinking her damp lashes as she gazed at him tenderly.  

Shen Zhanwu’s breath hitched.  

It felt like a piece of his heart had been hollowed out.  

Meeting the girl’s gaze, he asked in a low voice, “Who are you?”  

“Your wife.”  

Shen Zhanwu’s brow twitched. “I meant your name.”  

“Ruan Qingzhi.”  

He fell silent for a few seconds before speaking again in a gentle, steady voice, “As far as I know, we don’t have a marriage arrangement. Is there some misunderstanding?”  

Ruan Qingzhi followed his words. “Yes, there is.”  

“Half a year ago, our parents exchanged photos of you and my sister. Both of you said you were interested in each other, so the engagement was set. Your family even gave 500 yuan as a betrothal gift, just waiting for you to come back and marry her.”  

“A few days ago, my family received news that you’d lost a leg. My sister didn’t want a disabled husband, and my stepmother refused to return the betrothal money, so they gave me to you instead.”  

Ruan Qingzhi glanced at the man’s long legs beneath the blanket. “When I saw you today, I realized you weren’t disabled after all. If you don’t want me… then I’ll go back and switch places with my sister.”  

The girl lowered her eyes and stood up as she spoke.  

Shen Zhanwu’s pupils trembled. He reached out and grabbed her wrist.  

The moment he felt how delicate and soft her wrist was, he was startled and immediately let go, explaining, “Half a year ago, I did send 500 yuan home, but it wasn’t a betrothal gift for your sister. I’ve never seen her photo, and I had no idea I was engaged to someone back home.”  

Ruan Qingzhi turned her head, her red-rimmed eyes looking at him. “Your family found you a wife but didn’t tell you?”  

Shen Zhanwu: “I’ll look into this and give you an answer.”  

The girl’s eyes were tinged with faint red, her voice so light it seemed unreal. “Then what about us? My stepmother already had someone file a marriage certificate for us with the local authorities. It was mailed to Shenyang days ago…”