Chapter Sixty-Eight

The days spent in the hospital were, without a doubt, the happiest moments Old Yu had experienced in his two years of marriage. He enjoyed every comfort—meals delivered to his bedside, clothes brought to him—and basked in Yi Xiaoyu’s meticulous care and attention. Whenever he voiced a small request, Yi Xiaoyu would always oblige. Old Yu felt so carefree and content that he was reluctant to leave the hospital.

During Old Yu’s stay, Yi Xiaoyu refrained from mentioning any of the past conflicts between them, as though all their disagreements had dissolved into thin air. Yi Xiaoyu now wished only for Old Yu to recover completely, so they could return together to V City and settle the remaining matters.

While Old Yu was hospitalized, Wen Ming, who was also in town, visited him, though he didn’t exchange many words with Old Yu. Instead, he spoke with Yi Xiaoyu out in the corridor for about ten minutes. During their conversation, Old Yu climbed out of bed, hid behind the door, craning his neck to sneak a peek at the two from a distance.

When their discussion seemed to end and Yi Xiaoyu turned to head back into the room, Old Yu hurriedly scrambled back to his bed, pulled the covers over himself, and turned to gaze out the window with an exaggerated look of despair, murmuring, “Oh, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts…”

Yi Xiaoyu frowned, “What nonsense are you going on about? Are you a broken record?”

Old Yu sighed deeply, still facing away, and stroked his own face, muttering, “Ah, I’ve gained weight these days, my cheeks are fuller. I’ll have to work out seriously after I’m discharged, or else my looks will lose out to my rivals and my wife will despise me… Ouch!”

Yi Xiaoyu lightly slapped Old Yu’s forehead.

Of course, Yi Xiaoyu understood the implication behind Old Yu’s words. Raising an eyebrow, he said, “Fatty, do you believe I’ll go out and look for Wen Ming right now?”

Old Yu quickly grabbed his wife’s hand, grinning sheepishly, “I was joking! You know I’m always saying silly things.”

Yi Xiaoyu sat by Old Yu’s bedside with a cold expression, pinching his nose and shaking it gently, “You can be jealous, but if I ever catch you doubting my feelings for you, see how I deal with you.”

A chill ran down Old Yu’s spine, and he hastily raised his hand to swear, “If I ever doubt my wife again, may I never have a good—”

Before he could finish the word, Yi Xiaoyu pinched his lips shut, flustered and furious, “Why would I want you dead! That mouth of yours never says anything good.”

---

Each day at noon, Yi Xiaoyu would go to the hotel near the hospital to pack up Old Yu’s favorite foods. Today was no exception. Yet, as he approached the hospital entrance with a food container in hand, he saw, from a distance, a line of black sedans parked in perfect order, exuding an impressive aura.

Yi Xiaoyu guessed that a person of considerable status was either visiting for treatment or to see a patient.

Arriving at the floor where Old Yu’s room was located, Yi Xiaoyu stepped out of the elevator and immediately saw five or six men in black suits and sunglasses, standing expressionless outside Old Yu’s room—like bodyguards straight out of a movie.

Judging from the scene, Yi Xiaoyu surmised the main figure must be inside the room.

Puzzled, he wondered why these men were gathered outside Old Yu’s door. Old Yu was the only patient in that room, so their objective was clearly him.

Before Yi Xiaoyu could ask, one man stepped forward, blocking his path and speaking in a cold, indifferent tone, “Sorry, sir, you can’t enter right now.”

Through the door, Yi Xiaoyu faintly heard voices, seemingly two or three people inside.

“Who are you...?” he began.

The man didn’t introduce himself, merely said, “Please wait a moment, sir.”

This made Yi Xiaoyu even more uneasy. He worried that perhaps some old enemy of Old Yu had come for him. If it weren’t for the fact that these men were numerous and burly, he would have forced his way in.

“I am the partner of the patient inside. If you have no legitimate reason, you have no right to stop me from entering,” Yi Xiaoyu said, lowering his voice, “I’ll call security from downstairs.”

The man seemed surprised, “You’re...the Second Young Master’s partner?”

Yi Xiaoyu hesitated, “Second Young Master? Who?”

The men exchanged glances, as if communicating silently. After a few seconds, one said, “Please wait a moment.” Then he turned and opened the door to go inside.

Within a minute, the door reopened, and the man who had gone in now made a respectful gesture, “Apologies for not recognizing your identity earlier, Mr. Yi. Please, come in.”

Yi Xiaoyu wondered how the man knew his surname, but did not ask. All he wanted was to confirm Old Yu’s safety.

Inside the room, Old Yu was unharmed, though he leaned against the bed with a look of grievance. Beside him sat an elderly man, appearing around sixty, with sharp features that gave an impression of severity, but his gaze toward Old Yu was gentle and kind. Behind the old man stood a tall, impeccably dressed man in his thirties, with steady eyes and remarkable bearing. At a glance, Yi Xiaoyu recognized him as a fellow professional, though the man’s aura of seasoned business expertise seemed even stronger than his own.

Yu Hanze nodded politely to Yi Xiaoyu as he entered, then turned to the elderly man seated beside him and said, “Dad, Old Yu’s partner is here.”

“Oh.” The old master turned, appraising Yi Xiaoyu from head to toe, then nodded with a satisfied smile, “Yes, very good. Truly an outstanding young man—my son has excellent taste.”