Chapter 50

Drip, drip, drip…

The sound of the IV drip filled the quiet ward. Lin Xu glanced at Shu Qingyou with a strange look in her eyes and weakly tugged at the corner of her mouth.

Shu Qingyou felt uneasy under Lin Xu’s gaze, but her concern for Lin Xu’s condition took precedence—after all, Lin Xu had shielded her from most of the impact.

Her own injuries were minor: just a mild concussion and a few insignificant abrasions. She could be discharged after a few days of observation.

Lin Xu awkwardly avoided Shu Qingyou’s scrutinizing gaze. Fortunately, she was pretending to doze off, so it wouldn’t arouse suspicion.

She hadn’t had time to sort out her thoughts before the doctor and nurses knocked on the door, holding her medical records and monitoring data as they explained the situation.

As one of their esteemed SVIP clients with a special identity, Lin Xu had been arranged into a luxury ward. From the nurses to the attending physician, the service was top-notch.

Though she had mentally prepared herself, Lin Xu still found it unbelievable. What had she been thinking back then? In a moment of heat, she had blocked everything for Shu Qingyou?

The doctor was concise: the metal plate had struck her scapula, causing a minor fracture; two ribs were bruised; her left upper arm had been lacerated by shards, with a deep wound but no major vascular or nerve damage—it had just been stitched the day before.

No wonder it hurt so much; even a slight movement pulled at her entire body. Lin Xu mentally estimated her discharge time, which matched the doctor’s words: half a month.

The ventilator had been removed too. During this period, she needed an absolutely quiet environment.

But they had referred to Shu Qingyou as “Miss Lin’s wife”… Lin Xu felt a massive headache over her previous foolish actions. Facing Shu Qingyou next would be the real challenge.

As soon as the doctor left, Shu Qingyou’s clingy gaze returned. Throughout the explanation of her condition, Shu Qingyou hadn’t let go of her hand.

The touch was cool, and even now, Lin Xu—the patient—had to warm it for her. She didn’t even know to put on a jacket. Shu Qingyou had traded her life for this.

It might have been better not to recover her memories and stay that foolish, shameless version of herself forever.

Lin Xu was utterly engulfed in shame.

She planned to pretend to sleep, but her gaze inevitably met Shu Qingyou’s.

Without any makeup, her pale skin gave off a distant aura like morning dew that hadn’t yet melted, yet it dissolved into a pool of spring water in her gentle, shallow eyes.

The oversized hospital gown made her look slightly frail, accentuating her slender figure, with a stray lock of hair disheveled at her temple.

Shu Qingyou’s cold, serene beauty was the root of Lin Xu’s all-too-common infatuation. She knew well it wasn’t love at first sight—it was pure lust for her body. That was why, after losing her memories, she had clung to her like a shadow.

You’re just craving her body! Shameless.

Recalling her past embarrassing scenes, Lin Xu lowered her brows and eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Shu Qingyou leaned forward, as if wanting to talk.

Lin Xu caught a familiar yet strange sweet scent—the pheromones of a marked Omega, detectable only by Alphas, a way to declare ownership over others.

The higher the Alpha’s level, the purer the pheromones; even if the Omega washed, they couldn’t erase the marking etched into their bones.

Lin Xu swallowed, her throat aching from the pull. She moved her lips slightly. “Your… jacket.”

Shu Qingyou was momentarily stunned. Before Lin Xu woke up, the doctor had confirmed she had no concussion.

She had wanted to back out and leave once Lin Xu awoke. The accident was serious and had alarmed the legendary Old Lady Lin.

Old Lady Lin had looked grave, her gaze sharp. With one look, she understood Shu Qingyou was her granddaughter’s little lover and didn’t take it to heart, instructing her assistant to handle all hospitalization procedures.

No need for Shu Qingyou to worry.

The “wife” label had been Gu Huaiyuan’s own initiative when speaking to the doctor. Gu Huaiyuan felt rare guilt—the car accident had left her with some psychological trauma too, since she was the one who had called Lin Xu out for dinner that day.

She was grateful Shu Qingyou hadn’t ratted her out.

The driver responsible had been arrested for drunk driving.

Shu Qingyou’s concern after Lin Xu woke up dispelled her doubts. She said softly, “Okay.”

Even painful muscles tensed up around Shu Qingyou. Lin Xu silently exhaled, only for Shu Qingyou to turn back.

Lin Xu’s breath hitched again.

Shu Qingyou gazed at her affectionately, her face slowly flushing pink as she bit her lip.

Lin Xu’s last memory was of passionately kissing Shu Qingyou…

Unable to bear the amorous atmosphere, just as Lin Xu turned her face away, soft, cool lips suddenly pressed against hers.

Her lips were gently sucked, allowing Lin Xu to taste a sweet breath.

Lin Xu lost track of how long the light kiss lasted; she only felt her chest tighten, her breathing labored, and her eyes grow sour.

Shu Qingyou rose at the right moment, stroking Lin Xu’s cheek. “Tell me if you’re thirsty. The doctor said you can have some warm water depending on the situation.”

What a failure—she couldn’t resist at all. One kiss had left her dizzy.

Lin Xu let out a muffled hum. Shu Qingyou had taken advantage of her unguarded moment to… invade her.

A blush crept up her ears.

Lin Xu’s only escape was to cry out in pain and sleep, but every time she woke, Shu Qingyou was by her bedside, never leaving her side.

Three days straight— was Shu Qingyou made of iron?

The dark circles under her eyes betrayed her exhaustion.

Lin Xu asked weakly, “How long has it been since you slept?”

Shu Qingyou blinked. “I didn’t keep track. Off and on.”

“That means barely any sleep,” Lin Xu felt a surge of irritation. She hated troubling others, especially Shu Qingyou. “There’s a bed next to you. Go sleep now.”

Seeing no movement, she suppressed her impatience. “The nurses can take care of me. Be good.”

Shu Qingyou eyed the deep red on the back of Lin Xu’s hand, where the thick needle had been embedded for days, and felt uneasy. “Nurses aren’t as careful as me. Besides, you’re too proud to let them help you with…”

At first, Lin Xu didn’t get it, but following Shu Qingyou’s gaze, she nearly lost it.

Shu Qingyou was really taking advantage.

Proud? Too embarrassed for nurses to empty the catheter? She had practically pointed at her lower body. Luckily, Shu Qingyou only mentioned it in front of her.

Lin Xu irritably tossed out, “Fine, sleep if you want.”

After a silence, Lin Xu heard light footsteps and the rustle of bedding. She half-opened her eyes to see Shu Qingyou obediently lying in the small bed, hand pillowed under her cheek, facing Lin Xu.

It was like when they had just gotten together. Lin Xu thought Shu Qingyou preferred keeping some distance in their relationship, but she turned out to be an insecure little girl.

Sometimes Lin Xu would crook a finger at her, and Shu Qingyou would smile with crinkled eyes, loop her arm, lean on her shoulder—very obedient, rarely defying her.

In comparison, Lin Xu felt even more speechless about her own worthless clinging these past days.

Little girl… Suddenly, she realized she had overlooked something. Her heart thudded heavily.

Lin Xu feigned calm. “Qingyou… um, where’s Shu Rong?”

Shu Qingyou had just set her vibrating alarm and hadn’t closed her eyes yet. “Ningning’s watching her at home. Do you miss her?”

She did, but not in a longing way. Lin Xu didn’t think she could feel affection for kids.

Lin Xu tried to seem nonchalant, mumbling, “Back home, I saw kids her age going to kindergarten. Isn’t it time for her to enroll?”

She quickly added, “How old is she again?”

Exhausted from days of worry and busyness, Shu Qingyou answered everything. “Three years old, should be fine. I checked nearby kindergartens before—September for public ones, but some private schools accept year-round.”

“Um…” Lin Xu fell silent, unsure how to respond.

An Alpha could impregnate an Omega from above or below—as long as there was a deep marking, the Alpha’s pheromones could enter the Omega’s reproductive cavity through friction.

The chances were higher during the Omega’s heat period.

She racked her brain but couldn’t recall their intimate process.

Lin Xu said awkwardly, “Sister Shu, I miss Rongrong. When can she come see me?”

Heaven knew those words gave her goosebumps.

Shu Qingyou narrowed her eyes. “Okay, I’ll pick a time.”

A few more days passed. Under Shu Qingyou’s round-the-clock care, the stitches were removed. Though her hand was still swollen and bruised, Lin Xu gradually regained some strength.

To the medical staff, Shu Qingyou was the epitome of a virtuous wife and good Omega—attentive to every detail.

Most family members found caregiving boring and would step out or play on their phones, but Shu Qingyou only read books at most.

When Lin Xu coughed a bit harshly, Shu Qingyou anxiously pressed close, touching her all over. Lin Xu held her breath, afraid to move—the spots she touched burned like fire.

Itchy and tingling.

She called it “checking your body,” but she was clearly taking liberties!

The first visitor was surprisingly Gu Huaiyuan, who handed a vibrant bouquet to Shu Qingyou to put in the vase. Lin Xu disliked the garish red, purple, and pink petals.

“You’re so careless. Who brings flowers like that color to a patient?” Then she guessed, “From one of your suitors?”

Gu Huaiyuan shrugged. “Killing two birds with one stone—no waste. Besides, you can’t eat yet.”

Lin Xu sneered, disdainfully twitching her mouth. “I won’t eat them, but Shu Qingyou can. Don’t forget who was behind my car accident.”

Gu Huaiyuan’s sore spot was poked. Though not the main culprit, she bore the “accomplice” label, leading to her parents scolding her for not sending a driver.

Gu Huaiyuan looked sheepish. “Come on, with our relationship, can’t you let it slide? I won’t do it again.”

Lin Xu shot her a glance. “Oh, there’s a next time?”

When did Lin Xu get so sharp? Gu Huaiyuan quickly backpedaled. “No, no—if there is, ground me for a month.”

As if Lin Xu were her mom. No one would buy that.

Shu Qingyou said nothing, standing still like a calm cold pool, unmoving, eyes downcast as she listened to their intimate bickering.

Then Shu Wan Ning pushed the door open, holding Shu Rong.

All three pairs of eyes turned to them.

Lin Xu’s eyelids fluttered lightly.

Rongrong had big eyes with long, curly lashes that fluttered like little brushes. She gazed at Lin Xu on the bed with a beaming smile.

Lin Xu was speechless, staring at her in a daze—like a pebble rippling a thousand waves.

Silence spread through the room.

Among the five of them, not a word could be mustered—Shu Rong couldn’t speak anyway, or she’d have called big sister first.

“Ahem, Lin Xu, good sister, I’ll head out first.”

Gu Huaiyuan broke the silence first. Guilty as she felt, especially under Shu Wan Ning’s hostile glare.

It felt like an outburst was coming any second, and she wasn’t in the mood for a fight today.

Lin Xu snapped back, her gaze shifting to the bouquet. She lightly acknowledged with a hum.