Rong Wangzhi: …?

What are you all talking about?

You don’t really expect me to start working just because my finger can move, right?

The next second, Mama Rong excitedly said, “Wangzhi, it’s wonderful you’re aware! I can’t do without you! Let’s talk about some things! First, there’s a plot of land at the bonded port, just west of the Nalin Tunnel. The road hasn’t been built yet, it’s still in planning stages. We’re debating whether to acquire it or not, what do you think?” With a blah-blah-blah she explained the background.

Rong Wangzhi: …seriously?

Even as a vegetable, I have to work!

Can I just pretend to be dead!?

For the first time, “work machine” President Rong wanted to just play dead, but after ten seconds of silence, he still moved his finger twice.

Mama Rong: “See? That plot is a loss! I knew we shouldn’t take it! Haha, I’m a genius, your dad’s an idiot!”

She continued, “Wangzhi, also, there’s an HRBP vacancy, between Xia Cheng and Lin Yichuan who do you favor for promotion? Tap once for Xia Cheng, twice for Lin Yichuan.”

Rong Wangzhi: …

Won’t you stop already!

Another ten seconds of silence, a finger moved once.

Mama Rong beamed, nodding repeatedly.

She thought the communication was so smooth and immediately had Rong Wangzhi handle about ten business matters, noting down each conclusion one by one.

This communication efficiency is too satisfying! Mama Rong even earnestly discussed with Cheng Leyan if they should just let vegetative Rong Wangzhi return to work. Worst case, they could set up his office like a hospital room after all. Could totally be a boss just by saying “yes” or “no”!

He’d be the first vegetative boss ever, how impressive.

There are some bosses who, when asked “yes or no,” would still answer with “or,” but our Wangzhi would definitely not do that. Isn’t handling business efficiently?

Even Father Rong, who was avoiding seeing his son, couldn’t help but bring two long-debated issues to ask Rong Wangzhi.

After responding, Father Rong said, “Wangzhi, now I’m going to test you——”

Rong Wangzhi’s middle finger almost moved. Ultimately it didn’t, thanks to his self-restraint.

Then Father Rong suddenly had a brainwave, suggesting that if Wangzhi could move his hands, he could learn braille and read documents himself!

Mama Rong also followed the thought, that as Wangzhi could move his hands, learning Morse code would allow him to convey complex information too!

Even Zhuozhuo got inspired, saying that now daddy could tap his own electronic wooden fish himself.

Rong Wangzhi: …

Can you all just leave me alone?

He weakly raised his hand.

Everyone including Mama Rong focused intently, eager to hear any instruction from President Rong, only to see Rong Wangzhi’s hand decisively point in one direction.

Following the direction, they saw—it was the—

Door.

Cheng Leyan snickered. President Rong was essentially kicking them out.

Mama Rong also laughed. “Alright, alright, we won’t keep you working. Only ask you about truly difficult decisions, how about that?”

Rong Wangzhi raised his hand slightly again.

Cheng Leyan: “Hey, Wangzhi, is there something you need us to do?”

One tap.

Cheng Leyan: “Does this matter concern someone present?”

One tap.

Cheng Leyan tested everyone present in turn, each time getting two taps, until he mentioned himself, which became one tap.

It involved himself.

Cheng Leyan: “Is it something work-related you want me to do for you?”

Two taps. No.

Cheng Leyan: “Is it something life-related you want me to do?”

Two taps again.

A light bulb moment for Cheng Leyan: “Could it be you want to give me something?”

One tap.

Cheng Leyan felt inspired: “The Zilang Lake Villa? Is it the villa you want to give me?”

One tap.

Really?

Sugar Daddy hasn’t forgotten!

How touching is that, is there any boss like you in this world who remembers such things?

Ah, Sugar Daddy, you really didn’t have to, you could just transfer it when you wake up, it doesn’t matter, we’re so close by now, I trust you, I can wait, no matter how long.

Mama Rong said, “Xiao Cheng, is this what you mean by having a tacit understanding with Wangzhi! No problem, I’m Wangzhi’s proxy in special circumstances, will call Lawyer Zhao to transfer the Zilang Lake Villa to your name. Ah, would you like it today or tomorrow?”

Cheng Leyan answered instantly: “Today!”

Thank you, can’t wait even a second!

A villa, a big villa, I’m going to have a big villa!!!

I’ll decorate the big villa, redo a children’s room, so when President Rong wakes and my joy task is done, I move out, Zhuozhuo can still come stay with me!

In his past life, to treat Dad’s illness, Dad’s old small place was sold, and later Cheng Leyan worked to repay debts, never had money to buy a house. Now, he’s getting his own home!!

And it’s a big villa!

Dad, are you seeing this, I’m getting a big villa!

Cheng Leyan thought happily, his jubilant heart about to fly away.

Seeing his smile, Mama Rong was infected too, laughing she said, “Wangzhi, Xiao Cheng is so happy now. Are you happy?”

A few seconds later, a slight finger move.

So subtle you’d miss it if not looking closely.

Later, when it seemed Rong Wangzhi had no other matters, Cheng Leyan said, “Mom, you all should head back, let Wangzhi rest. I’ll stay with him at the hospital today.”

Mama Rong said, “Both caregivers are here, you going back wouldn’t be an issue.”

Cheng Leyan replied, “It’s fine, it’s easier with family around. Zhuozhuo baby, let Grandpa and Grandma take you home later, and Butler Li can look after you at night, okay? Our Zhuozhuo is a big brave man now, he can do it, right?”

Zhuozhuo nodded earnestly, finally running over, leaving a magic kiss in Rong Wangzhi’s palm.

After they left, the hospital room quieted again.

Cheng Leyan adjusted the room’s temperature and humidity, checked on Rong Wangzhi’s condition, then couldn’t resist lifting his hospital gown to touch.

Alright, no abs.

Also, no pouty lips or buff-enhanced hands, President Rong was completely himself. Without those special parts, he couldn’t talk to him now.

He leaned over and said: “Mr. Rong, thank you for the villa. I’ll work hard. I’m beside you, just wave if you need anything.”

He smiled, eyes curved: “If there’s nothing, you can rest. Even a vegetative state requires dealing with work, must be tiring.”

As if he wasn’t the one who initiated the idea of having a vegetative person work.

Thinking for a moment, he simply picked up Rong Wangzhi’s hand: “Even if your mind doesn’t tire, hands do. Mr. Rong, let me give you a massage.”

He started massaging.

First the fingertips, then the pads, moving to the joints, palm, then wrist joints, pressure not too light or heavy, just right.

In the profound darkness enveloping Rong Wangzhi, amidst a universe-like expanse, tiny sparks erupted.

Before, Cheng Leyan had also massaged him, but while aware and able to think, he lacked sensation, unable to perceive anything.

Now it differed. After 250 converted points to “health,” offering him signs of awakening, he could control his hand, regaining some sensation.

He realized it wasn’t entirely positive.

He initially felt pain.

Pain emanated from muscles, joints, and organs, not severe but irritating. He longed to shift positions, yet couldn’t, body heavy as lead; the only movement possible was—his hand.

Only the hand.

Like a butterfly pinned to a specimen board.

But now…

Now, Cheng Leyan’s fingertips gently pressed his wrist, kneading his joints, as naturally as fire dispels darkness, pain was effortlessly eased. The butterfly on the specimen board felt the wind, the wind could take any form, but always lightly embraced it.

So, after Cheng Leyan finished massaging the whole hand, Rong Wangzhi seized it almost automatically.

Fingers tightly clasped.

Cheng Leyan chuckled, “Mr. Rong, still want a massage? Let me help. Told you, my skills aren’t shabby. Back then, my Dad—I mean my own dad—he was paralyzed, and I took care of him, massaged him daily. I looked after him well, not a single bedsore, and he even gained two pounds after half a year.

“Oh, let’s not dwell on that, let’s listen to silly news while massaging!

“A man went to Mount Emei, bought a monkey-repellent stick for five bucks, ended up having it snatched by a monkey, who used it to beat him. Hahaha, hahahahaha…”

Laughter echoed through the room; even the wind seemed to lighten.

That afternoon, Lawyer Zhao came to have Cheng Leyan sign the agreement. The property name change would take some time, once done, he’d present Cheng Leyan with the new property deed.

Cheng Leyan was overjoyed, celebrated by ordering a double Angus thick beef burger. Yes, double.

Got money, flaunt it.

That night, he stayed by Rong Wangzhi’s side at the hospital, sleeping on the companion bed, waiting till the next day, for the 24-hour monitoring to conclude.

Mama Rong took it seriously, specially came to the hospital, listened with Cheng Leyan to the doctor’s explanation of the results.

The doctor couldn’t hide his excitement: “Both of you, President Rong is doing remarkably! Moreover, we discovered something astonishing: President Rong’s brain activity enhances under certain conditions.”

Cheng Leyan’s eyes shone: “When I tap the electronic wooden fish?”

Doctor: “No, no connection to the electronic wooden fish—Mr. Cheng, whenever you’re beside President Rong, there’s a strong fluctuation. It peaks while you massage him. Leaving, it diminishes immediately.”

Cheng Leyan: !!!

It clicked for Cheng Leyan: “Mom, I get it, this is how I boost my luck! Maybe because my brain waves resonate with Wangzhi’s, triggering an effect, that’s why I stimulate Wangzhi’s brain, aiding his quicker recovery! It’s not superstitious or paranormal at all, it’s scientific power!”

Mama Rong: “What are you saying, Xiao Cheng, it’s clearly the power of love! Love, I say!!!”

Her voice trembled with excitement: “Let’s hold your wedding tomorrow, consummate the day after, might just stimulate Wangzhi awake! If it doesn’t, Wangzhi’s to blame!”

Cheng Leyan: …

Almost choked on laughter.

Consummation, mom, what are you thinking!

Cheng Leyan: “I haven’t heard of a vegetative marriage, Wangzhi, how would he say ‘I do’?”

Mama Rong: “His hand can move, tap once for yes, twice for no will do fine. No, wait, tap once for yes, standing up, run 800 meters, spin 1080°, and breakdance means no, that should suffice!”

Cheng Leyan laughed till he snorted: “…Mom, you seem affected by peculiar traits. Anyway, let’s wait for Wangzhi to wake up, then consider it.” He pondered: “If massaging helps him, I’ll massage him daily going forward.”

Actually, he didn’t mind, though Mama Rong felt apologetic: “It’s troublesome, doing so monthly and adding 30% to your allowance. Ah, but Xiao Cheng, truthfully, marrying Wangzhi, his money is your money, oughtn’t give you allowance like this, don’t mind, alright?”

Another 30% raise!!

His salary’s practically soaring!

Cheng Leyan practically blossomed: “Mind? How could I? Mom, you’re the world’s best boss!! Come, let me massage you a bit.”

Inducing continuous laughter from Mama Rong.

The examination yielded perfect results, doctors suggesting regular hospital visits for Rong Wangzhi, adding hyperbaric oxygen, acupuncture, and neural stimulation treatments to awaken him further.

Cheng Leyan and Mama Rong then took Rong Wangzhi home.

En route, Mama Rong shared plans of keeping Wangzhi’s consciousness a secret. Considering Rong Lizhi’s imminent return, no disturbances should crop up until Wangzhi’s full recovery.

Cheng Leyan agreed.

He also reported recent updates on Zhuozhuo’s matters to Mama Rong, primarily describing intensive language input.

Mama Rong even couldn’t help but be silent: “Your efforts speaking to him truly commendable.”

Cheng Leyan: “It’s not laborious, I enjoy speaking, just like my name suggests ‘enjoy speech’. Pity intensive output hasn’t yet borne visible results.”

Mama Rong: “Take it slow. Good news will come.”

Right she was. Two days later, good news did arrive: Zhuozhuo opened up to Dr. Yan for the first time.

Dr. Yan was guiding him in painting; later, Zhuozhuo painted a scene, expressing an ideal home representing his dream life.

The picture showed four figures, two adults and two kids. The smallest, clearly Zhuozhuo; one adult donned in a suit and tie, likely Rong Wangzhi; another held a golden apple, grinning widely, clearly himself.

Upon seeing the artwork, Cheng Leyan felt thoroughly warmed.

Zhuozhuo’s envisioned future life included him!

His presence too!

Zhuozhuo, what virtue do I have, to hold a place in your future.

…Would your stepfather live to see this day?

An additional mystery dawned: who was the other kid??

Dr. Yan mentioned Zhuozhuo hadn’t said, she inquired, Zhuozhuo merely smiled, not answering, thus she refrained from prying. But it certainly served as a breakthrough point.

Unaware Zhuozhuo grew up in an orphanage, she suggested inquiring relatives if they know about the older child’s situation.

Cheng Leyan called Mama Rong, puzzled, she said she was clueless.

Naturally, Cheng Leyan then opted to ask Rong Wangzhi.

After all, his husband was conscious and could play chicken soup for the soul.

Back home that day, he ran to Rong Wangzhi’s bedside, “Mr. Rong, can you hear my voice?”

Rong Wangzhi’s index finger moved discreetly.

Cheng Leyan: “Great, great! Here’s the thing, Mr. Rong, today I took Zhuozhuo to Dr. Yan and…”

Blah blah, he retold the whole story, asked, “Mr. Rong, do you know who the child might be? Seems crucial to Zhuozhuo.”

Rong Wangzhi pondered briefly and tapped once.

Cheng Leyan excitedly: “Wow, fantastic! Now, did Zhuozhuo know them before knowing you, or after?”

Such a game of yes/no.

Except this time, Rong Wangzhi’s hand didn’t move.

Awaiting, assuming his Sugar Daddy slipped unconscious, suddenly a small notebook materialized beside Rong Wangzhi’s hand.

Picking it up, roughly A5 size, black leather cover, emblazoned in gold letters were grand five characters:

Master’s Command.

Cheng Leyan: …………

My silence is deafening.

Is it the “Master” I think? The “command”? That meaning??

In his mind, 419 spoke, 【Huh?? This tool! It’s precisely the meaning you think, commands from Master appear in the notebook, rewards given for completion, punishment for failure. Once signed, binds to the law of causality, unless higher-level tools intervene, modifications are impossible.】

419’s tone suddenly ramped up in excitement, 【What does he mean?? Sudden awakening? Wow, host, what’s he planning for you? Or what’s he want you to do for him? Will you comply? Will you execute Master’s command?】

Cheng Leyan: 【…Why so excited! Uh, tasks openended? Asking someone to get into Tsinghua is fine?】

419: 【Possible, yet rarely does anyone request such a task. A small notebook allows ten tasks, very valuable. Some infinite worlds employ this for contracts; thus, this tool fetches high prices externally.】

The system’s chatter grew thrilled, 【Host, I know now, is your husband conveying messages through tools? Surely senior 250 discovered a new application! Told you, 250’s amazing, conjures profound uses, no wonder it’s them!】

The system babbled on, fanboying hard.

Cheng Leyan flipped open the notebook, the first page bore a slash; ahead was “Rong Wangzhi” name, the rear blank. Most likely signing meant his name appeared there.

Turning a page, it read:

【Master’s Command 1: Locate Gu Qin’s guardian, arrange Zhuozhuo to meet Gu Qin.】

【Task Details: Zhuozhuo had a very close relationship with a child he called “Gu Qin Ge.” He relied heavily on him. Zhuozhuo was abandoned, from shortly after birth; the orphanage catered only for basic survival needs, disregarding infant cries, never holding babies, believing once infants felt it, they’d crave frequent holds, complicating care. Back then, five-year-old Gu Qin tended to Zhuozhuo, holding daily, consoling him. Likeliest, Zhuozhuo’s painting depicted Gu Qin’s presence.

【After adopting Zhuozhuo, I took him back once to see Gu Qin at the orphanage.

【Later, upon learning Gu Qin found relatives, leaving the orphanage, I tried contacting his guardian, but before managed, I met with an accident. Mr. Cheng, please, help.

【Ten “commands” in all, mentally repeat “I will” thrice, activate reward/punishment. Solely for conveying information, won’t misuse, rest assured.】

【Task Reward: Xingrong Manor Resort Hot Spring Suite permanent usage rights.】

【Task Penalty: Lose a dollar.】

Cheng Leyan: !!!

Astonished!

Not stunned by the tool’s usage, but—Gu Qin! That’s Gu Qin!!

Such a familiar name, the protagonist from the book 《Imprisoned Love》.

So, Zhuozhuo knew the protagonist from early on? They had such connections?? Not mentioned in the original!

What about Zhuozhuo? Still remembers Gu Qin Ge, yet paints him as significant, as he grows, will he recall him?

Original book’s details about them were foggy, confusing at best.

Adult villain Rong Jishi and Gu Qin never spoke of past events; their first meeting, Gu Qin, brought the protagonist uke dinner out of a date cancellation by Rong Jishi.

Blocked them outside a restaurant. Smoked stick after stick, when protagonist uke and Gu Qin emerged, ground littered with butts. Rong Jishi paused on seeing Gu Qin, then chuckled, gesturing with a cigarette, “Ranran, don’t tell me you fancy this.”

Gu Qin frowned deeply, curtly said: “Put out the cigarette.”

Scenes said to be jealous and rivalrous, upon closer inspection, if they previously knew each other, it made sense! As Zhuozhuo once adorable and obedient, grew into a smokestack, who wouldn’t want to say “put out the cigarette.”

The two also met alone, conversations mainly the protagonist uke’s, yet always a peculiar aura lingered, indescribably strange.

They even fought over the protagonist uke, resulting in Rong Jishi’s rib fracture, and Gu Qin receiving a dozen stitches. Hospitalized sharing a room, weird ambiance persisted.

Ending the book, following the villain’s demise, Gu Qin left flowers at his tombstone.

So, what’s this, the infamous—RanWinter?!

Cheng Leyan’s mood turned chaotic: Zhuozhuo, geez, your love life’s surprisingly intricate!