Su He remained unconscious after being rushed to the hospital.
She slept deeply, plagued by many nightmares. She desperately wanted to wake up, but while her mind was clear, her body refused to move. She tried to regain control of her limbs, only to find it utterly futile.
It was as if she were trapped by a paralysis spell, burdened by a weight as heavy as a thousand pounds. The more anxious she became, the less she could break free from the restraints, and in her desperation, tears streamed down her face.
"Why hasn't she woken up yet?" Lu Yanbei had stayed by her bedside all day, his gaze never leaving her. He hadn't touched the food that Cheng Jue brought, simply staring at her with a vacant expression.
Several doctors stood by the bed, equally puzzled.
Her vital signs were all normal, yet she remained in a deep sleep. Had her head been injured? To rule out this possibility, they had performed nearly every conceivable examination.
"Are the CT results ready?" the hospital director asked, rubbing his hands together, addressing the head of neurology.
"It will take a little longer," the director replied softly, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Go and hurry them up," the director instructed in a low voice.
Lu Yanbei had donated a building to their hospital, making him their VIP client, and they couldn't afford to be negligent.
The director acknowledged the instruction and personally rushed to the radiology department. He returned with a bag, practically running, not daring to waste a moment.
The director looked at the results, his expression turning serious.
Hearing the commotion beside him, Lu Yanbei turned to them.
The director quickly pointed to the examination results and explained, "Miss Su's brain has been injured before. The shaded areas indicate a blood clot, but it's not severe. A minor surgery should resolve the issue without much difficulty."
Lu Yanbei's grip on Su He's fingers tightened sharply.
"Is there any risk to the surgery? What's the success rate?" Lu Yanbei asked.
"I will personally perform the surgery, and I guarantee there will be no problems," the director stated. Having performed countless surgeries in his career, Su He's condition was relatively minor and presented no significant challenge.
Lu Yanbei then nodded. "Arrange the surgery immediately."
Before the director could respond, the neurology chief took action. "I'll notify the operating room to come and transfer her."
Five minutes later, Su He was wheeled into the operating room.
An hour and a half later, the surgery concluded.
Everything had gone smoothly.
However, undergoing cranial surgery meant shaving a portion of her hair. Su He would likely be heartbroken when she woke up. She had grown that long hair for a long time and had been reluctant to cut it.
After a two-hour observation period, Su He slowly opened her eyes.
The unfamiliar surroundings initially disoriented her.
"Don't move, be careful not to touch the wound." A voice, both strange and familiar, reached her ears. Su He turned her head, meeting Lu Yanbei's bloodshot eyes.
A flood of images flashed through her mind, causing Su He to clutch her forehead uncomfortably.
"Are you feeling unwell anywhere?" Lu Yanbei stood up, preparing to call for a doctor.
Su He tugged at his hand. "I'm fine, just a little dizzy."
Lu Yanbei clasped her cold hand back, finally regaining some composure.
"Would you like some water?" he asked after a moment's pause.
Su He licked her dry lips. "Yes."
The distinguished young master of the Lu family then personally poured a cup of water, adjusted its temperature, and brought it to Su He's lips, spoonful by spoonful.
Lu Yanbei's performance of these attentive tasks seemed incongruous, yet oddly natural. His movements were so practiced, as if he had undergone hundreds of training sessions.
It was truly astonishing.
As Su He marveled inwardly, she tried to recall what had happened. "How did I get injured?"
"You don't remember?" Lu Yanbei's fingers, holding the spoon, trembled slightly.
"I got into a blue taxi, and he suddenly swerved, throwing me out. My head hit the door handle, and then I felt dizzy and disoriented. I can't recall anything after that..."
"It's fine if you don't remember, don't trouble yourself," Lu Yanbei said softly, coaxing her. He didn't want her to recall those distressing moments.
"Did they catch the taxi driver?" Su He asked.
Lu Yanbei gave a soft "mm" and tucked her hand back under the covers.
"Did he… confess why he kidnapped me?" Su He, believing she had no enemies, desperately wanted to know the reason behind it.
"The police are still questioning him." Lu Yanbei lowered his gaze, concealing the intense murderous intent in his eyes. In the hours Su He had been unconscious, he had already ordered Zhou Yingzi to be brought from her home.
Whatever she intended to do to Su He, he would inflict upon her, and even worse.
This was the consequence of angering him.
At this moment, the He family was in complete disarray.
Zhao Yafen watched helplessly as Zhou Yingzi was taken away and immediately called Lu Yunting for help. "Yunting, Yingzi was taken by the Lu family's bodyguards. Quick, think of a way to save her!"
Lu Yunting, currently engaged with a married woman, sounded annoyed by Zhao Yafen's call. "What did her precious daughter do this time to anger Lu Yanbei?"
"She didn't do anything!" Zhao Yafen was unaware of Zhou Yingzi's scheme with Su An'an. "She's been staying home obediently lately, not going anywhere!"
"Don't you know what kind of person Yingzi is? She's the most timid! There must be some misunderstanding here!"
"Alright, I heard you. I'll call and ask later." Lu Yunting, engrossed in the comfort of his companion, had little regard for his adopted daughter's fate.
After hanging up, he plunged back into the embrace of his lover.
Zhao Yafen, waiting in vain for a response, had no choice but to shamelessly call the Lu family again, hoping the housekeeper would intercede on her behalf.
"I am not authorized to interfere in the young master's affairs," the housekeeper stated before hanging up.
Zhao Yafen's face turned crimson with anger.
What was she to the Lu family? Even a housekeeper dared to treat her with disdain! Despite her anger, Zhao Yafen continued to make calls, seeking assistance from anyone she could.
Unfortunately, after a round of calls, no one genuinely offered her help.
Who would risk offending Lu Yanbei for her? They weren't fools!
The next day, as dawn broke, a white van dumped a sack at the foot of the He family's building.
When Zhao Yafen went to retrieve it, Zhou Yingzi was already weeping inconsolably.
No matter how much Zhao Yafen questioned her, she refused to speak, only crying incessantly. She even clamored to leave B City, claiming she was too ashamed to face anyone, acting as if she were possessed.
"Mom, let's leave this place and go somewhere no one knows us..."
"My dear, what nonsense are you saying! Why would we leave when we live so comfortably here?"
"We must leave! Otherwise, I'll lose my life!"
"It's so scary! Waaah..."
"Yingzi, what exactly happened! Please tell me, won't you?"
Zhou Yingzi, however, simply shook her head.
She kept rubbing her exposed arms, as if she had contracted some terrifying virus, and repeatedly asked to take a bath.
Seeing the bruises and contusions on her body, Zhao Yafen nearly fainted from shock.