Chapter 64: Then Let’s Try It

Early the next morning.

Qin Mang was awakened by Wu Yuxi’s sobbing sounds of “ying ying ying.”
Anyone who didn’t know better would’ve thought she was dying.
Qin Mang sat up on the hospital bed, still dazed, her eyelashes trembling slowly.

The patient who was supposed to be resting in bed was instead dressed in white loungewear, wearing Bluetooth earphones, and seated on the sofa nearby in a video meeting.
His expression was calm and indifferent, his loose pants draping over his legs, hiding the bandages on his ankles. You’d never guess his right leg had been seriously burned.

She stared blankly at him for five full seconds.
Then she turned to Wu Yuxi and said, “I’m fine, I’m not the one who got hurt.”

Wu Yuxi had rushed in to see the girl lying on the hospital bed, looking so still she thought she’d stopped breathing—
That alone scared her out of her wits.
She’d assumed that phone call last night was Qin Mang just trying to comfort her.
She thought the injuries must have been serious!

“I’m going to check!”
Despite her panic, Wu Yuxi remembered to pull the curtain around the bed before gently lifting the blanket.

Qin Mang didn’t resist at first, but then recalled last night’s scene and a flicker of panic flashed in her dark eyes:
“No no no no no!”

Hearing that only made Wu Yuxi more certain something was being hidden.
“Wuwuwu, you’re definitely hurt!”
“Let me see!”

Although He Lingji had been rational enough last night not to go all the way in the hospital, Qin Mang’s palm was still swollen from friction, and her fingertips had no strength.
She couldn’t stop Wu Yuxi from pulling.

After a few seconds of tug-of-war, Qin Mang’s soft hands lost.
Honestly, she had to thank He Lingji for at least helping wrap her in a bathrobe last night.

However――
The bathrobe was his!
The sash had been lazily tied twice, and with that brief struggle just now, it had completely come undone.
A large area of fair, smooth skin was exposed, and more importantly, there were faint bite marks on her neck.

Those marks had come last night, when her wrists got sore from scratching him with little effort, and he’d “punished” her for it.
There were other traces scattered over her body too.

The two best friends stared at each other.
Wu Yuxi blinked.

A few seconds later…
Qin Mang collapsed back on the bed with a hopeless look. “I’m really fine.”

Wu Yuxi believed her.
Who would have the energy for that kind of thing if they were actually injured?

But――
This was all prime material for art!
Wu Yuxi reached out, “Let me see what shape the bite mark is.”

Qin Mang: “?”
“You little perv!”
“Ahh, no peeking!”

The next second.
The mint-green curtain was pulled open.
A man’s powerful presence entered. Wu Yuxi gulped and quietly sat back in the chair beside the bed.
She even smoothed her skirt deliberately.
Looking all proper and innocent.
Absolutely did not “defile” his wife.

He Lingji said nothing, his well-defined hands calmly rearranged Qin Mang’s bathrobe.
As he adjusted the sash upward, his cool fingertips brushed against her warm shoulder. His voice deep: “Put it on properly.”

Qin Mang shivered a little from the cold touch. “Your hand is so cold.”
Then she leaned closer instinctively.
A little heater like her just loved He Lingji’s body temperature.

Though she’d been terrified yesterday, after nearly an hour of being “bullied” by him, she surprisingly didn’t have any nightmares.
Instead, it was the best sleep she’d had all summer.

Just then, He Lingji tied a neat bow around her waist.
Qin Mang lowered her eyes and looked at the bow.
It reminded her of the gauze bow on her arm from that morning—
She had guessed he’d rewrapped her wound.
But seeing it confirmed was something else.

Her heart, which she tried to ignore, beat faster.
Thump, thump.
Like a fawn crashing around.

Until Wu Yuxi asked in confusion, “So, why exactly were you two hospitalized?”
“Was it just for hospital roleplay?”

Didn’t President He injure his leg?
She remembered seeing photos A-Tong posted—
The fire had reached above his ankle.

“Hospital… play?”
He Lingji slowly repeated the phrase.

Qin Mang’s lashes fluttered, and she quickly changed the subject.
“You’re a patient. What are you doing wandering around?”
She patted the bed. “Get back in bed!”

Wu Yuxi’s eyes lit up:
Ahhh!
Such heavenly material!
A mischievous little seductress trying to lure a god down from his pedestal, only to be――
Undressed by that god himself!

Then in an empty, cold, sterile, equipment-filled consultation room…
Hiss hiss hiss hiss.
Teacher Little Watermelon was suddenly struck by inspiration.
In just seconds, she’d already sketched the entire scene in her mind.

Just then, He Lingji’s phone rang again.
Qin Mang got out of bed to freshen up, pulling Little Watermelon to switch places with him.

This VIP hospital suite was really more like a luxurious apartment, with a semi-open design that surpassed most apartments in the city for comfort.

On the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window,
Qin Mang listened to Wu Yuxi chatting about online happenings—
Only then did she remember the big thing she forgot!

Meng Ting had told her yesterday to post on Weibo to let fans know she was safe.
These days, fans barely trusted celebrity studios anymore.
Since the fire, she’d focused entirely on He Lingji and hadn’t even checked Weibo.
She just assumed her agent was managing things.

Even though over twenty hours had passed, the top trending topics were still:
#Fire on the set of “Depression”
#Qin Mang trapped in the blaze
#Sense of Destiny

The first two made sense.
But what was with “Sense of Destiny”?

Qin Mang clicked it and saw a wide shot of He Lingji carrying her out of the fire.
Amid thick black smoke, flaming rose petals floated in the air, and the man held her tightly as he carried her to safety.
Fulfilling his promise to get her out.

This was Qin Mang’s first time seeing what happened to her from a third-person perspective after passing out.
Her red lips pressed together slightly.

When she saw netizens saying they were so well-matched, that it felt fated, like a story written by destiny—
Her slender fingers brushed the edge of her phone.

Wu Yuxi grinned. “So ironic, right? First, they said you two were the least likely couple in the world, and now they’re shipping you like crazy over a blurry photo.”
“How about you just make it public?”
“He saved your life, doesn’t our President He deserve a title at least?”
“Last time, people were even celebrating your breakup.”

Times had changed.
Last time, Qin Mang didn’t care about online comments.
She was an actress focused on her craft, not someone chasing clout through scandals.

But now――
Seeing that people were dragging in Tan Guannan and other male celebs she’d worked with…
Qin Mang frowned.
The next second, she decisively logged into her main account.

Qin Mang V: Safe. For saving my life, I gave myself to him two years ago.

A few seconds later—
Weibo exploded.

> “So glad you’re safe, but—what a bombshell!”
“You gave yourself to him two years ago? Hissss!”

“Whoa, bold guess: is that camo-clad guy her rumored boyfriend who lives off her?”

“Insider tip: he entered the blazing fire alone to save Qin Mang before rescue teams arrived. He barely had any protective gear, probably didn’t think he’d make it out alive.”

“OMG, this is like a life-or-death drama! Do men like this really exist?”

“The fire was that bad—if it wasn’t a rescuer, it must’ve been someone close. Since Qin Mang confirmed it, it must be true.”

“Wuwuwu, I’ll never say your man isn’t good enough for you again!”

“Even if he’s short, ugly, and broke, I don’t care anymore—he saved you!”

“I really love this. Now I understand why Qin Mang always defends him on Weibo.”

“I ship this couple so hard!”

“Wait a second, just looking at that waist-to-leg ratio in the photo—how does he look short at all?”

“Even if he’s ugly, short, and poor, I’d accept it… He saved a life, after all!”

“The fire was so intense, and he came out without any protection. Could he have suffered serious burns?”

Netizens imagined the horror of severe burns—
They were instantly shocked and shaken.
No sacrifice should ever be taken lightly.
But if someone is willing to sacrifice themselves for you, even the nastiest haters are silenced.

By every definition—
Qin Mang’s boyfriend was brave. He was a hero.
He should never be slandered.

Qin Mang was satisfied seeing people finally stop trying to pair her with random celebrities.
She could normally overlook it,
But this time—
No way.

It was clearly He Lingji who descended like a god and saved her from the sea of flames.
Why should someone else take the credit?

…
Just then,
There was a knock on the door.
Both families had arrived.

Qin Mang put down her phone and stood up.

Originally, Wu Yuxi had wanted to stay a bit longer to keep her company,
But with He’s parents and Qin’s uncle showing up unexpectedly, it felt awkward to stay,
So she left first.

Of course,
More importantly, she had to put her sketches to paper before the inspiration vanished—
It was crucial to expand the “Aurora” team.
She wanted to give her little lion a surprise.

Wu Yuxi was filled with a sense of mission!
The CP (couple pairing) they were shipping had over 800,000 fans!
While her Aurora CP only had 180!
She absolutely could not stand for it!

…
Qin Mang had initially dreaded facing her in-laws—
After all, she’d nearly gotten their only son killed.

But surprisingly,
He’s parents didn’t blame He Lingji for rescuing her.
In fact, Mr. He said matter-of-factly:
“As a husband, protecting his wife at all times is his duty.”
“If he had stood by while knowing his wife was in danger, he would be unfit to lead the He family.”

This wasn’t some grandiose speech meant for Qin Yan to hear.
Given He Sr.’s current status, he had no need for pretenses.

Qin Yan once again praised his own judgment—
Of the three candidates he had picked back then, he’d decisively chosen He Lingji.

With the He family’s upbringing, even if there had been no feelings involved,
He Lingji would never have left Qin Mang to die.

While uncle and niece were alone—
After confirming she was completely unharmed,
Qin Yan thought of the person waiting outside the hospital.
He hesitated for a while but ultimately said nothing.

Qin Mang never imagined that person would leave the Wanfo Temple—
After all, he hadn’t stepped out in over a decade.
So when she saw her little uncle’s expression, she thought—

“Did you almost lose me and finally realize how important I am?”
“When are you going to pay the pocket money you owe me?”

Qin Mang squatted in front of the wheelchair, spreading her hands, lips curved in a mischievous smile.

Seeing her grinning like a fool,
Qin Yan clicked his tongue, flicked her forehead with his thin, bony fingers,
“Must’ve owed you something in my last life.”

He reached out to his assistant and asked for a checkbook.
Handed it to her.
“Fill it in yourself.”

Whoa.
“Little Uncle, I love you!”
Qin Mang had only been teasing him, sensing something off in his mood,
But she hadn’t expected he’d actually go along with it this time.

Let her fill it herself?
A once-in-a-century opportunity!
She had to grab it.

But just as she tried to pull out a check, she couldn’t.
She looked suspiciously at the checkbook—
Qin Yan had his fingers holding it down.

“Little Uncle, don’t tell me you’re going to back out?”
“A proper elder going back on his word is not setting a good example for the juniors!”

Hearing her chatter away,
Qin Yan was relieved she hadn’t suffered any psychological trauma from the fire.
Then he casually said four words:
“Know your limits.”

Qin Mang finally got the checkbook and huffed lightly,
“When have I ever not known my limits when it comes to spending?”
She was the most sensible fairy in the world, after all.

Qin Yan leaned lazily in his wheelchair,
“Oh really?”

Qin Mang was full of confidence, “I have!”
Qin Yan said meaningfully, “You’ve grown up indeed. Go ahead—let’s see how ‘sensible’ you really are.”

The ever-so-sensible Qin Mang,
The moment the checkbook landed in her hands,
All thoughts of moderation vanished.

Everything was converted into gems.
She’d just been through a traumatic ordeal—
She needed 8… no, 88 gems to soothe herself!

Which converted to money as—
Starting from 9, she filled in the max amount per check.
Finished one and moved on to a second.
Was about to start a third when—
Qin Yan snatched it back.

Qin Mang pouted, “Why’d you do that?”

Qin Yan didn’t answer.
He flipped through the pages, then looked past her—
At the man standing at the hospital door.
Even with a casual stance, he radiated poise and calm.

Qin Yan said serenely,
“Her family can’t afford this spendthrift.”
“She’s your wife—you handle it.”

He Lingji’s thin lips curved faintly, and he nodded,
“Of course.”
Then he looked at Qin Mang, still squatting beside the wheelchair.

“Don’t make things difficult for Little Uncle.”
“He needs his money to take care of his own wife.”

Qin Mang’s eyes lit up in realization.
She blinked at He Lingji, then at Qin Yan.
“Ahhh! Am I getting a Little Auntie?!”
“Which lucky lady has such good taste?”

What auntie.
His niece-in-law was actually spreading rumors about him.

Qin Yan expressionlessly tore out a bunch of checks and tossed them to her.
“No.”

“Aww—”
Qin Mang looked disappointed.

Qin Yan wheeled himself away.
“Your Little Uncle has limited energy. He can’t afford a second spendthrift.”

He rolled off without a backward glance.

One extravagant.
One stingy.
A match made in heaven—he needn’t worry.

Qin Mang remained crouched in the hallway,
Clutching the stack of blank checks her uncle had thrown at her,
Watching the wheelchair disappear down the corridor.

After a few seconds, she muttered,
“Was Little Uncle throwing shade at me?”

He Lingji was using the elegant cane prepared by Assistant Cong—
Still not quite used to it—
But he walked slowly, step by step, to her side.

“Get up.”

A familiar hand appeared in her sight—
Perfectly proportioned fingers and palm, palm facing up, fingers gently curved.

Yet all she could think of was—
Last night, it was those very fingers, burning hotter than fire, that made her soul tremble.

In broad daylight—
What the heck was she thinking!
Not pure anymore!
Stay calm!
No dirty thoughts!

Qin Mang let out a breath and was about to push his hand away to stand on her own.

But He Lingji saw her expression clearly.
Before she could refuse, he already grasped her wrist and lifted her with one hand as if she weighed nothing.

Qin Mang: “…”
Being weak means having no dignity.

But then—
He Lingji pulled the checks from her hand.

Qin Mang reached out to snatch them back.
“What are you doing?”

“I’ll return them to Little Uncle another day.”

“That’s my pocket money!”
Why return them?!

He Lingji replied lightly,
“Oh. I’ll be the one giving you pocket money from now on.”

Qin Mang glanced at his still-unsteady leg.
Her lips curved slightly.
Then she quickly straightened them.

Deliberately stepping behind him, she drawled,
“Is this a subtle way of saying you’re taking me in?”
“I’m very hard to maintain.”

He Lingji turned his head slightly, his deep-sea-like eyes twinkling with faint amusement.
“Oh?”
“How hard to maintain?”

Qin Mang stressed,
“Extremely, extremely, extremely hard to maintain.”

He Lingji answered calmly, “Got it.”

After a moment, he uttered a short yet clear sentence:

“Then let’s give it a try.”

When she truly heard the answer she had been waiting for, Qin Mang suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Her uncontrollably pounding heart.

The sea of blazing roses, and He Lingji, who had carried her in his arms.

The father who set himself ablaze in a courtyard full of tulips.

And — He Lingji’s words, as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Qin Mang hesitated.

Yet she couldn’t help but want to get closer.

“What are you spacing out for?”

“About to cry again?”

The man’s voice, cool and teasing as always, rang out.

As if easily shattering the chains wrapped around her.

Qin Mang blinked and stepped forward, hooking He Lingji’s pinky with hers and shaking it slightly. “Someone’s willing to take care of me. Why would I cry?”

“I’m thinking about how to drain you dry!”

“So you’ll get a taste of how cruel the world can be.”

He Lingji let out a lazy chuckle. “I’ll play along to the end.”

“Don’t regret it.”

“Never.”

…

Meanwhile, outside the hospital’s inpatient ward, beneath a large cherry blossom tree—

A low-key silver-gray Bentley had been parked there for quite a while.

Inside the car—

Qin Yan boarded and immediately saw the man seated within — dressed in plain blue cloth, yet still exuding unmatched grace and charm.

Then, without any reaction, he looked away.

And said nothing.

Qin Han held a finely crafted wooden box.

His fingers gently brushed the carved tulip pattern on top. “Is she… badly hurt?”

Qin Yan’s gaze landed on the box in his hands.

His expression was complicated.

If this man weren’t his biological older brother who had raised him since childhood, he would’ve really liked to curse him for being a pervert.

In the end, he merely let out a sneer. “It would only take you three to five minutes to see her in person, yet you chose to wait here for two hours.”

But he could tell from his tone that Qin Mang was fine.

So he said no more.

Eventually, Qin Yan couldn’t hold back. “Big Brother, if your daughter had really gotten hurt in that fire this time… wouldn’t you have gone to see her?”

Qin Han was silent for a long while.

The calloused pads of his fingers tapped on the edge of the wooden box, the skin around his nails turning slightly pale.

It wasn’t until the outline of Qin Han’s reclusive mountain home came into view—

Qin Yan still hadn’t figured out how to persuade him.

To stop him from going back up that mountain.

But then he heard Qin Han’s quiet, almost ethereal reply: “I would have died with her and her mother.”

Qin Yan: “…”

A man known for his emotional control, yet only this father and daughter pair could anger him to this extent.

So after all this time…

Despite all the vegetarian meals and Buddhist chanting…

He still hadn’t given up on dying with his sister-in-law?

Only when Qin Han carried the tulip-engraved wooden box and disappeared up the mountain path step by step—

Did Qin Yan regain his composure, and then realize—

All along, his older brother had never given up on the idea of suicide. His heart had died the day Guan Yueyan passed away.

What remained now was only a body.

His last lingering thought — was that his daughter wanted him to live.

So, he lived. But merely as a shell.

—

On the day of discharge, He Lingji was neatly dressed in a sharp suit, regaining his usual cold and noble demeanor.

However—

The next moment—

Qin Mang personally wheeled in a brand-new, sleek wheelchair from outside.

Right in time to meet He Lingji head-on.

She pointed naturally at the wheelchair. “Come on, try sitting in it.”

She had specially asked her little uncle’s assistant to custom-order it.

The same model her little uncle used.

Absolutely the most comfortable wheelchair in the world!

He Lingji stepped around her to head out. “Mrs. He, I’ve already recovered.”

Qin Mang grabbed his wrist and forcibly pressed him into the chair. “During early recovery, your skin is still delicate. What if you accidentally bump into something?”

“It’s much safer in a wheelchair.”

“Your leg was injured because of me. I need to take responsibility.”

As she spoke, her beautiful, shimmering eyes misted over again. “My little uncle personally sent this over. Are you looking down on it?”

Qin Mang knew how to use her strengths to get what she wanted—

And took full advantage of her acting talent.

She even used this to “hone” her performance skills.

Not only that—

Seeing He Lingji sitting in the chair expressionless, her red lips curved slightly. Then she insisted he change out of his formal wear, in case the stiff fabric irritated his injuries.

Lastly, she fished out the silver-rimmed glasses he only wore at night while reading. The lenses shimmered faintly under the light. She propped her chin and sighed, “Now that’s the vibe — elegant scoundrel, dark and brooding but sickly.”

He Lingji adjusted the glasses on his nose, lips curling into a subtle smirk. “What now, is the game of flower thief and little damsel not satisfying enough for you, Mrs. He?”

“What role am I playing this time?”

“A doctor? Or the patient?”

Qin Mang looked at He Lingji.

Behind him was the hospital’s cold white wall.

The man, in a pure white casual outfit, really did resemble a villainous yet refined doctor from a manga.

It made her heart itch a little.

But—

Qin Mang pushed the wheelchair forward, her pretty little face full of righteous determination: “This is your mobility aid, not a play tool!”

So it was that when He Lingji returned to work after his burn injury—

He wore no suit, and was in a wheelchair—

Causing both partners and employees to stare in astonishment.

After all, the He Lingji they knew was always professional to the extreme, never mixing business with pleasure, meticulous and restrained no matter the occasion.

Inside the conference room—

“President He, is everything alright?”

“Are you feeling unwell?”

Employees didn’t dare ask, but one of the business partners politely brought it up during small talk.

The same He Lingji who had been reluctant earlier in front of Qin Mang—

Now casually twirled the wedding ring on his finger, looking thoughtful.

To onlookers, it seemed like—

There was some unspeakable reason?

As business partners, they naturally did their research on his likes and dislikes, even digging through his few sparse Weibo posts countless times.

Their eyes landed on his long, straight legs that still looked impeccable even in a wheelchair—

Could it be… he’s being abused by his wife?

President He’s so tall and strong though, surely not?

Secretary Cong glanced down at his boss, suddenly struck by divine inspiration: “No need to worry, President He just suffered a minor injury. It’s just that our Madam—”

He paused, then said, “You all understand, right?”

This high-level display of affection couldn’t be done by the person himself — it needed a supporting cast.

Cong Zhen felt certain he’d just secured double the year-end bonus.

“The hardest debt to repay is the kindness of a beauty. We understand, we totally understand.”

“Yes, yes, Madam He is truly thoughtful and virtuous, beautiful and wise.”

“No wonder she’s President He’s wife — a real virtuous helper—”

“…”

Listening to their never-repeating stream of praise—

He Lingji finally spoke: “Say a few more compliments.”

Everyone’s polite chatter abruptly stopped: What now?

“C-compliment what?”

He Lingji said calmly, “Naturally — my wife.”

“Where did you leave off? Thoughtful and virtuous? Continue.”

Everyone: “?”

The conference room fell into dead silence.

He Lingji’s thin lips parted again: “Well said—”

Then—

He tapped twice on the contract with his index and middle finger.

The meaning was clear.