Kong Wenyu changed clothes and came back out. Everyone in the living room turned to look at him.
He walked down the stairs, then sat on the couch opposite them, sweeping his eyes over each person in the room, one by one.
Kong Wenyu crossed one leg over the other and propped his chin on his hand, appearing composed—but his thoughts were still lingering in the walk-in closet, on Nie Jun.
“Let’s just cut to the chase, Second Aunt,” he said lazily. “What outcome are you really after?”
Kong Lingru stared at him for two seconds.
“You’re going to hold a press conference immediately. Announce that Yongwang is the official partner—not Qingqing.”
“And?” Kong Wenyu asked, unfazed.
“The second thing,” she continued, “you will also publicly announce your wedding date with Qingqing. I already had someone check the calendar—May 20th is an auspicious day. Yunjian Hotel has an opening that day.”
Kong Wenyu was quiet for a moment. Then he turned his head and suddenly chuckled.
Before he could say anything, Man Mingzhi cut in:
“Why not double the joy? You can get married then too.”
Kong Wenyu licked his teeth and shut his mouth again, the smile returning silently to his face.
Kong Lingru blinked.
“Sister-in-law, what did you just say?”
“We’re all family—no need to mince words.” Man Mingzhi looked down at her with a composed, superior air and smiled faintly.
“As the eldest sister-in-law, I’m like a mother to you. I should help arrange things. Wenyu is still young, there’s no rush for him to marry. Frankly, I’m more concerned about you.”
Kong Lingru opened her mouth:
“I… that’s not necessary—”
“That won’t do,” Man Mingzhi interrupted sharply. “If I don’t settle things for you properly, how will I explain to your brother when I see him in the afterlife?”
Kong Lingru gave a helpless laugh.
“You’re being dramatic. I’m not particularly drawn to the idea of marriage, and besides—”
“Every woman eventually has to face childbearing. While you’re still young and healthy, you should take the opportunity. Time doesn’t wait for anyone.” Man Mingzhi cut her off again, showing no mercy.
Kong Lingru rubbed her hands together—something she rarely did. For once, she was truly at a loss for words.
“Our family lacks nothing but people,” Man Mingzhi continued. “I don’t care about his background or status. As long as you both truly like each other, I’ll make sure the wedding happens. Why not just set it for May 20? We’ll book two halls and host both weddings at once. If I have to, I’ll tie Kong Wenyu up and drag him to marry Miss Ao.”
Kong Wenyu lounged on the sofa, completely unbothered, sipping his water leisurely.
Since Man Mingzhi had entered the room, Ao Yongwang had shrunk like a quail, not saying a single word. Now, more than ever, he was invisible.
Kong Lingru cleared her throat.
“Sister-in-law, we were talking about Xiaoyu. How did this suddenly become about me?”
Man Mingzhi was dressed in a soft cashmere sweater and wore a smooth, draping shawl. Her demeanor was gentle, but her words were anything but.
“As long as you agree, it doesn’t matter if it’s the marriage or the business partner—he’ll do whatever I say.”
Kong Lingru could no longer force a smile.
Ao Yongwang tried to speak up, hoping to ease the tension.
“Auntie—”
“This is a family matter. Outsiders should stay out of it,” Man Mingzhi said without even looking at him.
Ao Yongwang shut his mouth and slumped back into the sofa.
Man Mingzhi turned to Kong Wenyu.
“You’re close with that boy Fuxi. Tell him to hold another floor at Yunjian Hotel for us on May 20.”
Kong Lingru immediately objected.
“Fuxi is just an illegitimate child. How much sway could he possibly have? Let me talk to someone more reliable.”
“The law recognizes illegitimate children as legal heirs. He’ll get a share one way or another. If he’s capable, I see no reason why the business shouldn’t go to him. Better him than some outsider,” Man Mingzhi said coolly. Then her tone sharpened, “And besides, he’s the only son of record. Don’t you agree?”
Kong Lingru’s face paled.
“I would never try to take anything from Xiaoyu. Sister-in-law, he’s still young and doesn’t have a firm footing in the company. I’m only trying to help him.”
“I know.” Man Mingzhi’s smile disappeared. Her expression became solemn.
“I’m not asking you to step away from the board. Don’t get the wrong idea.”
Silence fell once again in the living room. It was so quiet, they could almost hear the wind rushing past outside.
Late spring winds weren’t usually this fierce. The weather must be turning again—temperatures would probably drop by morning.
Kong Wenyu let out a sigh—and in the dead-silent hall, the sound rang out like a pin dropping.
Everyone turned to look. Under their gaze, Kong Wenyu slowly rose to his feet, stretched his shoulders, and then—abruptly—froze mid-movement.
Man Mingzhi was the first to notice something was off.
“What’s wrong?”
Kong Wenyu braced himself with one hand on the sofa, the other pressing against his chest. His face had turned a shade paler.
“What’s wrong?” Man Mingzhi repeated, gripping the arms of her wheelchair. “Kong Wenyu?”
He seemed to collapse in on himself, his body curling inward. Aunt Zhu rushed toward him to help, but before she could reach him, Nie Jun had already come running down from upstairs and swept him into his arms.
Kong Wenyu released his grip on the sofa. His lips parted, breathing slightly ragged.
Nie Jun checked his pulse and heartbeat, then gently laid him flat on the floor.
“Call a doctor!”
Aunt Zhu panicked and fumbled for her phone.
Man Mingzhi had her wheelchair pushed over, leaning forward and calling his name anxiously.
“What happened?” Kong Lingru hurried over too. Just as she reached out to touch Kong Wenyu’s face, Man Mingzhi lifted a hand and blocked her.
“Kong Wenyu?” she repeated, pressing her face close to his, her voice heavy with worry. When there was no response, her expression shifted drastically.
“Is the doctor here yet?!”
Aunt Zhu, still holding the phone, stammered, “They’re coming! They’re coming!”
The living room plunged into chaos. Even Man Mingzhi, normally calm and composed, began raising her voice in a panic.
Nie Jun brushed aside Kong Wenyu’s bangs, revealing his smooth, pale forehead. He unfastened the top button of his shirt to help him breathe more easily.
His hands trembled uncontrollably, his fingers accidentally brushing against the chill of Kong Wenyu’s jaw.
Suddenly, Kong Wenyu reached up and tapped his shin lightly. Nie Jun froze and looked down—only to find himself staring directly into Kong Wenyu’s open eyes.
In the shadowed light, Kong Wenyu gave him a quick wink—then shut his eyes again.
Nie Jun’s fingers stilled. After a moment, he exhaled and his expression slowly returned to its usual calm.
The front doors burst open, and the doctor rushed in, followed closely by Hai Ming, lugging the medical kit.
“Everyone make way,” the doctor said as he dropped to his knees beside Kong Wenyu. “Don’t crowd him—he needs air!”
Man Mingzhi moved first, clearing a path.
“Well? What is it?”
Just as the doctor opened his mouth, Kong Wenyu shot him a warning look from beneath half-lidded eyes.
“…Angina,” the doctor improvised smoothly. He opened the kit, pulled out a pill, and placed it under Kong Wenyu’s tongue.
“Sublingual. Relax.”
Kong Lingru stepped forward, trying to help Man Mingzhi, but was immediately waved off again. The doctor wiped the sweat from his brow.
“He needs a full evaluation.”
Man Mingzhi nodded. Hai Ming rushed off to make arrangements. At 3 a.m., the Kong family’s long-unused infirmary—dormant since Mr. Kong’s death and Madam Kong’s move to the sanatorium—suddenly came alive with activity after three quiet years.
While waiting for the results, Man Mingzhi turned to Kong Lingru and said sharply,
“It’s late. You should leave.”
“How can I leave now?” Kong Lingru protested. “At least let me stay until he wakes up.”
“I’m here,” Man Mingzhi said, her face darkening, her tone brooking no argument. “Hai Ming, see her out.”
Hai Ming passed the supplies he was holding to Nie Jun, then walked toward Kong Lingru.
Kong Lingru said, “One more person means one more pair of hands. Sister-in-law, if something happens, I can help.”
Man Mingzhi stared at her, then slowly shifted her gaze to Ao Yongwang.
Kong Lingru turned toward him.
“Xiaowang, you go home first. We’ll talk about the partnership tomorrow.”
Ao Yongwang jumped at the chance.
“Y-yes, I… I’ll do that…”
He glanced at the people gathered around Kong Wenyu in the inner room and said, “Then I won’t disturb you.”
Hai Ming saw him out. By the time he came back, the doctor was just coming out with the test results.
“Vasospasm,” the doctor finally landed on a diagnosis, handing the report to Man Mingzhi while pointing out the numbers. “She’ll need to be more careful from now on—no anger, no emotional outbursts. I’ll schedule regular checkups to help reduce the risk as much as possible.”
Man Mingzhi let out a breath of relief. “As long as it’s not a heart condition.”
Everyone nearby visibly relaxed. Only Kong Lingru looked concerned, furrowing her brow. “Is it serious?”
“There’s no need to think of it that way,” the doctor replied. “I’ll give you a list of things to watch out for. As long as she stays in a good mood, there shouldn’t be any major issues.”
Kong Lingru nodded. “Good to hear.”
“You can head out now,” Man Mingzhi said. “It’s almost dawn, your driver’s still waiting.”
They locked eyes for a moment before Kong Lingru finally gave way. “Then I’ll take my leave. You should rest too, sister-in-law. I’ll have someone bring over some supplements tomorrow.”
Man Mingzhi waved it off. Hai Ming opened the door again and walked Kong Lingru out.
Nie Jun hadn’t spoken a word the entire time. As usual, he stood silently at Kong Wenyu’s side. If it hadn’t been for his urgent shout—“Get the doctor!”—Man Mingzhi might not have noticed him at all.
“A new face,” Man Mingzhi remarked. “What’s your name? Kong Wenyu seems to trust you.”
“His name is Nie Jun,” Hai Ming answered from the doorway after returning inside. “He was just promoted—Wenyu’s new personal bodyguard.”
Man Mingzhi frowned.
There had never been talk of a personal bodyguard before. The team captain could’ve easily filled that role.
“He’s good,” Hai Ming added, “Better fighter than me. Faster reflexes too.”
Man Mingzhi looked Nie Jun over for a moment. “He does react fast.”
The doctor came out again, his expression more relaxed. “Mr. Kong is awake.”
Man Mingzhi had someone wheel her in. The wheelchair stopped at Kong Wenyu’s bedside.
Kong Wenyu opened his eyes to look at her. His face was still pale and drawn.
“How did you let yourself get like this?” Man Mingzhi gazed at him quietly. Her eyes were tired, but remembering the doctor’s advice, she held back from saying anything harsher. “Don’t go out so much. If you’ve got energy, use it to sleep.”
Kong Wenyu looked at her. It took him a long while before he finally said, “Okay.”
It had been so long since they’d spoken calmly like this. Man Mingzhi felt her nose sting. She nodded. “Get some rest.”
The caregiver pushed her wheelchair out of the room, and Hai Ming went to open the door. Once they were gone, only Nie Jun remained in the infirmary.
The walls were stark white. The instruments, cold and sterile. The lighting, harsh and bleached.
The earlier commotion had faded, and now, the silence was so profound, even the sound of breathing seemed amplified.
“Head back to your bedroom to rest?” Nie Jun asked, standing beneath the light.
“Worried about me?” Kong Wenyu glanced at him. Before he could answer, she asked again, “Am I being a pain?”
Nie Jun didn’t respond. Kong Wenyu looked up at the ceiling.
“Second Aunt’s about to make her move,” she said, lying on the bed. Her tone was distant, almost indifferent, but there was a trace of quiet anticipation. “I can feel it.”
Nie Jun asked, “What about your mom—will she be okay with it?”
“She’ll be fine,” Kong Wenyu replied. “My dad’s been gone for three years now. If I don’t give her something to do, she’s going to lose her mind.”
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