A gust of wind swept past his ear, followed by a slap.
Shen Lin clutched his stinging cheek, looking innocently at the culprit, Di Mingjue.
The slap was meant for Jiang Ziyu, who was trying to escape, but it landed on Shen Lin by sheer coincidence.
Di Mingjue cleared his throat and lowered his voice, "Is the matter handled?"
"Yes, everything has been dealt with. The shareholders have been escorted out of the company, and the stock market is stabilizing," Shen Lin reported.
Di Mingjue nodded, "I understand. You may go."
"Don't you need me by your side?" Shen Lin couldn't help but ask.
Ever since Di Mingjue woke up, Shen Lin had been his constant eyes and ears, staying by his side almost all day, except for when he slept. Now, not being by his side felt rather unsettling.
Shen Lin followed Di Mingjue's instructions and left the office.
...
Evening.
The darkened Di residence regained its light amidst Yuze's pain.
"What's going on?" Di Mingjue pressed urgently.
"Don't worry, President Di. It's just an allergy, nothing serious," the doctor said, putting away his tools.
Allergy?
Di Mingjue questioned Jiang Ziyu, "What did you feed him?"
To avoid Di Mingjue, Jiang Ziyu had stayed in the room with Yuze since returning from the company. They even made excuses to stay in the room during dinner. If he had an allergy, Jiang Ziyu was solely to blame.
Seeing Yuze disoriented and covered in red, swollen bumps, Jiang Ziyu felt immense guilt. She shook her head, her mind in a complete mess.
Her silence made Di Mingjue feel dismissed. After seeing the doctor out, he ordered Yuze to be taken away.
Ignoring Jiang Ziyu's pleas, he issued a cold warning, "From today onwards, you are not allowed to go near Qianqian. An aunt will take care of her daily needs; you are no longer required to manage them."
"I am her mommy, why can't I go near her!" Jiang Ziyu regained her senses and questioned him indignantly.
Di Mingjue sneered sarcastically, "Mommy? Let me remind you again, she is not your biological mother, and you will never be her mother."
Yuze was carried out of the room.
Jiang Ziyu lunged forward in a frenzy to stop them, but with Di Mingjue blocking her path, and fearing she might hurt Yuze while he was ill, she could only watch helplessly as he was carried away.
The commotion in the night also woke the old lady from her sleep. Upon learning that 'Qianqian' had a food allergy, she tenderly took her to her own residence.
During the three years Di Mingjue was in a coma, Qianqian had spent most of her time with the old lady. The old lady's residence still kept the small bed Qianqian used to sleep in as a child.
"Mingjue, you should go and rest too. We can resolve any issues tomorrow," the old lady advised.
Jiang Ziyu did not sleep all night. While she knew the people around the old lady would take good care of Yuze, she couldn't stop worrying. Similarly, Di Mingjue, consumed by anger, also stayed awake all night.
As soon as it was dawn, Jiang Ziyu got out of her room.
She went to the old lady's residence but was intercepted by the waiting servants.
"Young Madam, Young Master has instructed you not to see Miss Qianqian. Please do not make things difficult for us."
With Yuze only a door away, Jiang Ziyu turned away in anger to confront Di Mingjue.
No sooner had she left than Yuze woke up from his sleep.
Already weak, the seemingly minor allergy had drained him of his energy.
Looking around the unfamiliar environment, he opened his mouth to ask something, only to see the elderly old lady stroking his face.
"Are you still uncomfortable?" the old lady asked.
Yuze shook his head and looked for paper and a pen so he could write.
The old lady realized and ordered someone to fetch them.
"I want Mommy!"
Seeing what Yuze had written, the old lady sighed, "Eat your breakfast first. Once you're better, you can see your mommy."