Nangong Yichen glanced at Ouyang Ruobing. Some things, she had to see for herself to truly let go.
Of course, there were also things that, once she chose to give up on them, were destined never to come back.
Nangong Yehen swept a cold look at Ouyang Ruobing. Just then, Chu Junyu appeared at the top of the stairs, shouting down excitedly, "Dad, Mom's awake!"
Hearing this, Nangong Yehen strode upstairs.
He moved swiftly yet gracefully, and Ouyang Ruobing could tell he was deeply concerned about Chu Lingzhi.
"Mom, let's go up and see Lingzhi," Nangong Yichen said, looking at Ouyang Ruobing.
"Yichen, Lingzhi is your mother. You should call her Mom."
Nangong Yichen spread his hands. "It feels awkward, doesn't roll off the tongue." Actually, calling her Lingzhi was pretty nice too.
Ouyang Ruobing smiled, took his hand, and headed upstairs.
Chu Lingzhi had just woken up, her head throbbing with pain.
Especially the spot where she'd been hit—it ached in sharp, pulling jabs.
Nangong Yehen and Chu Junyu stood by the bed, one tall and one small, staring at her with strange expressions.
"Big treasure, Mom's head really hurts," Chu Lingzhi whined, pouting as she looked at Chu Junyu.
"Serves you right!" The one who spoke wasn't Chu Junyu, but Nangong Yehen.
Chu Lingzhi felt a pang of grievance at that, pouting even harder.
Ouyang Ruobing and Mo Chen had said he was special to her, but even when she was injured, he didn't show any concern.
"You were so fierce when dealing with me, but you're this pathetic against a woman? Got yourself a concussion," Nangong Yehen said scornfully.
"It's all because of you," Chu Lingzhi shot back, glaring at him.
"Still won't admit you're stupid? Having too much money makes you a target—can't you be more alert?"
"I'm always alert."
"Alert enough to end up like this?" Chu Junyu pursed his lips, joining Nangong Yehen in his disdain. "Lying here and still talking tough."
"Big treasure, if your dad hadn't suddenly burst out of the water back then, would I have missed Lin Ling attacking me from behind?"
Chu Junyu's eyes lit up at that. "So you got beaten up because you were sneaking a peek at Dad swimming?"
A hint of amusement flickered in Nangong Yehen's eyes as he looked at her with an inscrutable expression.
Chu Lingzhi's cheeks flushed. "I wasn't sneaking a peek at him swimming! He jumped out suddenly, and I thought he was in danger..."
Nangong Yehen leaned in, his eyes smiling as he looked at her. "You were worried about me?"
Chu Lingzhi rolled her eyes at him. "Can't I be?"
She glanced coldly at his arm. "Your wound hasn't even healed, and you're jumping around in the water."
Nangong Yehen reached out, patted her cheek, and said in a cheerful tone, "Since you were checking out my body, I won't call you stupid anymore."
"Who was checking out your body?" Chu Lingzhi's eyes widened.
"You were watching Dad swim, so weren't you checking him out?" Chu Junyu covered his mouth with a sly grin.
"I wasn't watching! Ouch, my head hurts so much." Overexcited, a sharp pain shot through her brain.
Chu Lingzhi reached up to hold her head.
Nangong Yehen's eyes darkened, and he snapped, "Don't hold your head!"
He grabbed her hands firmly, glaring at her sharply. "Holding your head will only make it hurt more!"
"It's all your fault for provoking me..." Chu Lingzhi's voice trailed off as her gaze met Nangong Yehen's angry eyes.
She saw worry and tension in his eyes—was he anxious about her injury?
"You're worried about me?" she asked, staring at him blankly, her voice barely a whisper.
A flicker of something crossed Chu Junyu's eyes. "Mom, Dad stayed by your side for hours!"