The doctor examined Zhan Jingchen and declared him out of danger, though still weak. The family waited outside the ICU all night, unwilling to leave. The next morning, the doctor reported Zhan Jingchen had recovered significantly and family members were allowed in.
They all crowded into the room. Zhan Jingchen, propped up against the headboard, his eyes bright, ignored his family and focused solely on Pei Kexin. Seeing she was unharmed and holding hands with Jiang Nan Fang, a wave of happiness washed over him, and he couldn't help but smile. His smile was infectious, and everyone else started smiling too.
Tian Tian playfully swatted him and chided, "How dare you smile? You scared us all half to death! You're all grown up, how can you still be so reckless?"
Zhan Jingchen retorted, "Reckless? If my brother-in-law fell, you'd jump in too. Does age have anything to do with it?"
"Oh, Kexin isn't even your girlfriend yet, and you're comparing her to your brother-in-law?"
The remark made Pei Kexin blush crimson. Indeed, they weren't even boyfriend and girlfriend, yet he was willing to risk his life for her.
Sensing the opportune moment, Jiang Nan Fang played the supportive role. "Who says they aren't boyfriend and girlfriend? Xiao Wu has liked Kexin for a long time. He's even brought her to meet me and your father. We've long considered her a part of the Zhan family, so why can't he be compared to Dong Yang?"
"I think Xiao Wu did an excellent job. A man should protect his woman, even with his life. He's truly a good son to me."
Pei Kexin's face turned even redder. Jiang Nan Fang's words, coupled with the Zhan family's smiling faces, left her utterly flustered. Seeing her embarrassment, and the family eager for more, Zhan Jingchen couldn't maintain his composure.
"Exactly, Second Sister. You're young, but your understanding isn't as high as Mom's. I've brought her home to meet the parents, so why isn't she my girlfriend? Pei Kexin, tell me yourself, do you like me?"
Pei Kexin was stunned.
"Anyway, between the two of us... I wouldn't mind taking things further with you. Just tell me if you want that."
He was asking her if she wanted him, in front of everyone. It was too mortifying! Pei Kexin hadn't even given it much thought, and even if she had, she couldn't say it.
Seeing Pei Kexin's awkwardness, Ge Er swatted her brother again. "What kind of talk is that? What do you mean, whether she wants you? You're a man, can't you be more proactive? Just because your surname is Zhan, must she accommodate everything without you even pursuing her? Kexin, we all support you. Don't mind him. If you don't like him, just say so. This isn't something for moral coercion."
Zhan Jingchen, being scolded by both his sisters, looked pleadingly at Pei Kexin. Pei Kexin felt an inexplicable pang of sympathy. "No, why is it moral coercion? It's not that serious. I..."
Jiang Nan Fang reiterated her stance, "In any case, your father and I are eagerly anticipating becoming your future in-laws. Kexin, please consider it carefully."
"Xiao Wu is like his father – low EQ and speaks carelessly. You're a sensible child, don't take it too much to heart. I'm here. If you're willing to be with him, I'll help scold him more and ensure you never suffer any grievances."
Jiang Nan Fang, of all people, was humbling herself and asking her to join the Zhan family? Besides Zhan Jingchen, everyone present was a renowned figure in Nancheng. They were all so good to her, Pei Kexin felt she must have accumulated immense merit in her past life. She didn't truly dislike Zhan Jingchen, and they had already been intimate. At this point...
"Ms. Jiang, please don't say that..."
"You're still calling me Ms. Jiang? It seems you're unwilling."
"No, no... Auntie, it's my honor to join the Zhan family, as long as you don't mind."
As she finished speaking, everyone looked at Zhan Jingchen and began to clap with smiles. "Oh, congratulations, Xiao Wu, on finally finding a girlfriend, and such a good one at that. Kexin, a warm welcome to the Zhan family!"
After a round of laughter and playful banter, everyone was tired and went back to catch up on sleep. Pei Kexin still needed observation, and the family wanted to give the two of them some private time, so they left her alone.
With everyone gone, only the two of them remained in the room. Their relationship had been confirmed so suddenly, and meeting each other's eyes, Pei Kexin still felt a little unaccustomed. Although she was usually bold, her hands didn't know where to rest. She kept putting them behind her back, then in front, then by her sides, her eyes darting everywhere. Zhan Jingchen found her both amusing and pitiable. She truly had no experience in dating.
"Why are you just standing there blankly? Aren't you tired? Sit down."
Pei Kexin then remembered to sit. Seeing her seated far away from him, Zhan Jingchen glared. "I'm not going to eat you, why are you hiding so far away? Come closer, let me see you."
Blushing, Pei Kexin pulled her stool closer to his bed. Zhan Jingchen still felt it was too far. "Come a bit closer."
When she finally sat by the bedside, Zhan Jingchen held out his palm. "Give me your hand."
Pei Kexin hesitated before placing her small hand into his large, well-defined, and delicately youthful palm. His large hand enveloped hers, and a warmth spread between them, sending a jolt through both of them. Zhan Jingchen held her hand, caressing it for a long time. Not satisfied, he tried to bring it to his lips, but it was just out of reach.
The distance was too great, so he asked Pei Kexin in a voice so gentle it was terrifying, "Can you sit on the bed, and come a little closer?"
"Why?"
"Your hands are so cold, I want to warm them up."
To be honest, after staying up all night without moving, she was indeed a little cold. Pei Kexin, her face still flushed, moved to sit on the edge of the hospital bed. Zhan Jingchen grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed the back of her hand several times, as if it were a rare treasure.
"From now on, you're mine. No regrets."
Pei Kexin felt dizzy from his kisses, her head spinning as if her feet were treading on clouds, floating blissfully, lost in a daze. "Why would I regret it?"
Zhan Jingchen sighed. "My work ability isn't as good as yours, my experience isn't as much. Although I'm a man, my status and position are all given by my parents..."
Pei Kexin disliked his self-deprecation. "Don't say that. Having parents like this is also your strength. As long as you're willing to work hard, you'll definitely..."
"So you don't dislike me, and you definitely won't regret it?"
Pei Kexin realized then that he was playing innocent to catch her off guard. He wasn't inferior at all; he was clearly setting a trap for her to say those words. Realizing this, she couldn't help but grab his hand and bite it lightly. "I don't regret it. And you're not allowed to regret it. If you dare to regret it, I'll bite you to death."