Rebirth as a Rich Family's Heiress

Chapter 2: Drowning Fish (2)

I woke up close to dusk, the lights in the ward already switched off and the hospital bed adjusted to a comfortable height.

Although I was apprehensive about the unfamiliar surroundings, lying here, I suddenly felt a sense of "it's good to be wealthy," and I couldn't help but smile contentedly.

Just as I was about to turn over and continue sleeping, a stranger's voice suddenly echoed in the room.

"Yeah, I've just arrived."

"Dad, I'll follow his instructions. Please convey that to him."

Startled, I opened my eyes cautiously and followed the sound, only to see a man leaning against the window with his back to me, seemingly on a phone call.

His voice was low, with a hint of hoarseness and weariness, and his tone was somewhat cold.

"I understand. That's all for now."

He hung up, paused, turned around, and walked over. Seeing this, I quickly closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep.

I sensed him approaching, standing by the right side of the bed, and then there was silence.

Who was he? What was his relationship with Mu Xiayun?

Assuming that pretending to sleep would make him leave quickly, I didn't expect that he had no intention of leaving after a long while.

Feeling a strong gaze fixated on me, I dared not open my eyes, tense.

Coldly, he said, "Stop pretending, I know you're awake."

Instantly, I felt a tingling sensation as if my scalp had been pierced, my heart rate becoming erratic. But never mind, I decided to keep up the pretense till the end!

Noticing my oblivious act of feigning sleep, he paused, his tone turning colder and more impatient, "Mu Xiayun... You know I have little patience."

After his words, I felt the bed sink deeply on both sides as if a tall figure had pressed onto it. A warm breath then hit my face, accompanied by steady breathing.

Coming back to my senses, my nostrils were filled with a refreshing scent of men's cologne.

My heart skipped a beat, and I instinctively turned my head away nervously.

Seemingly observing my reaction, a chuckle sounded from his direction, his tone filled with ridicule, "Keep pretending, huh?"

In this strange atmosphere, I was on the verge of opening my eyes, but just as my eyelids fluttered, the door suddenly swung open, and the ward flooded with light.

The weight beside me vanished, and bright light poured into my vision. I quickly shielded my eyes, finding it a bit dazzling.

Recognizing the familiar voice, I realized it was Mrs. Yin.

"Huh? You're back so soon?"

"I thought you were busy. Do you... want to grab a meal together?"

Squinting, I watched the man conversing with Mrs. Yin from behind, who seemed surprised but couldn't hide her smiling face.

"No, I have other matters to attend to." His tone remained indifferent.

Observing the man grab his coat and briefcase from the sofa, nodding to Mrs. Yin without another word before leaving, I didn't even catch a glimpse of his face!

Who was he, and why did he exude a vague sense of disgust towards Mu Xiayun?

Questions swirled in my mind, but to avoid arousing Mrs. Yin's suspicion, I refrained from asking about the man.

After a simple dinner, my head started throbbing again. Chatting with Mrs. Yin, I fell asleep once more...

I woke up groggily the next day, my eyes blurry, feeling warmth in my palm as if someone was holding it tightly.

Lazily moving, I muttered, "Mom... What time is it?"

"Almost ten."

A voice laced with warmth and indulgence, deep and magnetic, came from my side.

"...Oh."

I replied, adjusted to a comfortable position, wanting to continue sleeping, but suddenly realizing something was off... I snapped open my eyes, turning in surprise to look at the person beside me.

The man before me had broad brows and bright eyes, handsome and refined. His exquisite gaze seemed to hold an enchanting power, and his distinct fingers completely enveloped my hand.

His eyes were deep and gentle, his gaze flickering with a thousand unsaid words. Looking at me, they sparkled with laughter, as if trying to capture me within them.

"Xiayun, it's me, I'm back."

Suddenly remembering I had just woken up, unsure how disheveled I looked, yet he gazed at me so tenderly, I was stunned speechless.

Yesterday, there was an icy man; today, a warm-hearted, gentle guy?

He smiled, lowering his gaze to gently rub the blue woven bracelet on my wrist, "You're still wearing it."

I observed his intimate gesture with confusion, but strangely, though I didn't know him, I didn't reject his actions, instead feeling a sense of familiarity.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he smiled.

I didn't answer, unsure how to respond.

"Do you miss me?"

As I was about to reply, he didn't wait for me to speak, "I've been thinking about you every day."

"I heard the surgery went smoothly, that's great. I was worried you wouldn't find a matching heart in time for the optimal treatment period."

"I rushed back as soon as I got Anna's call, but unfortunately, there was a flight delay..."

"It took a lot of effort to rebook a flight from another city, and then I bought the earliest flight from that city back."

"As soon as I landed, I rushed here, but it seems I was still late. I'm sorry... We agreed, I was supposed to be the first person you saw when you woke up from surgery..."

"I failed, I'm sorry..."

Looking at the man's face filled with self-blame, although I didn't know him at all, his words touched my heart.

But sensing the unmasked ambiguity in his words, I was awkwardly torn about how to react. However, considering his sincere and earnest greeting, I stammered, "It's okay..."

The man, whose eyes had been filled with jest and warmth, suddenly fell silent. He furrowed his delicate brows and leaned closer to me.

His proximity made me subconsciously shrink back, lowering my head awkwardly, unaware he noticed these gestures.

"Xiayun, have you... really lost your memory?"

I lifted my gaze to meet his, noting his seemingly hurt expression due to my actions, fingers twitching on the bedsheets, guarded, saying nothing.

He tried hard to jog my memory about him, but I had absolutely no recollection of him.

Of course, I wasn't the original owner of this body, so how could I know about Mu Xiayun's past?

Thinking this, a strange sense of self-reproach crept into my heart.

Feeling guilty, I opened my mouth to inquire, but he suddenly sighed, lowering his eyes, "I thought you were pretending to be sick, didn't expect it was real..."

"Xiayun, whenever you remember our memories, just remember this: I'm the most important man in your life."

With that, he held my hand, enveloping it with his warm, broad palm, "My name is Cheng Haixia, you've called me Hai since you were young, don't forget."

...The most important man in my life?

Stunned, listening to his unashamed words, I quietly speculated about Cheng Haixia and Mu Xiayun's relationship in my mind. But after a moment's thought, my face flushed red, and I dared not look at him!

Could it be... he was Mu Xiayun's boyfriend!?

His gaze, his words... weren't how one would regard a regular female friend.

Mustering courage to question him, Cheng Haixia's phone conveniently rang at that moment.

He took his phone from his pocket, frowned at the screen, seemingly displeased with the caller.

He glanced at me a few times, turned away, and stood up, walking towards the window.

"Father," he said.

Wasn't Cheng Haixia on good terms with his father? I had wanted to eavesdrop but thought better of it, respecting privacy, and waited quietly.

After a five-minute call, Cheng Haixia returned to me, his previously fresh and handsome face now tinged with fatigue.

"Sorry, Xiayun, I might have to go home first."

Something must have happened at home. Seeing his apologetic look, I smiled and nodded, "Go ahead, thank you for coming today."

He stared at me, then forced a smile, "I'll visit again next time." Picking up his jacket, he left the ward.

Watching his hurried figure, I suddenly recalled his earlier words, pursing my lips, pulling the covers up, hiding my already flushed face.

Cheng Haixia... Hai?

Was he Mu Xiayun's lover?

Heavens, what is this situation!