The pungent smell of disinfectant filled the air around her nostrils. Her drowsy head felt as if it were bearing a thousand - jin stone, an almost unbearable weight.
Shen Ximan forced her consciousness to stay alert and lifted her eyelids. The unfamiliar environment instantly put her on high alert. She quickly scanned the area and only relaxed after making sure there was no one else around.
Beep, beep, beep.
The beeping of the medical equipment in her ears added a touch of desolation to the quiet air. Memories gradually resurfaced in her mind.
She remembered Shen Yuliang's panicked yet determined face, Shen Shiyu's deathly pale face from excessive shock, and Bo Jingyu's panicked expression.
Shen Ximan remembered.
His voice, slightly trembling from panic, calling her name over and over again.
"Màn'er, Màn'er."
At this thought, tears involuntarily streamed down her cheeks.
Creak. The door was pushed open.
"President Shen!"
Xue Xiaoqi rushed over excitedly and painfully, then leaned over the bedside. "You're finally awake! You've worried me to death!"
Shen Ximan opened her mouth, only to find that her throat was so hoarse that she could barely utter a few words. It was dry and scratchy. In her anxiety, she yanked off the oxygen mask.
"How are Village Head Zhong and the others?"
"President Shen! At a time like this, how can you still be thinking about others?"
"We can't let them get involved."
Shen Ximan propped herself up on the bed, trying to get up. But after just a few feeble movements, a wave of dizziness swept over her. She felt as if she were stepping on cotton, with no strength at all. She was as weak as a piece of paper.
"Please lie down and rest," Xue Xiaoqi said, supporting her body.
"Where's Bo Jingyu? Where is he?"
Village Head Zhong meant as much to Shen Ximan as her mother. She didn't want innocent people to be involved because of her personal issues.
The only person who could take control of the situation was Bo Jingyu.
"He..." Xue Xiaoqi hesitated.
Seeing her expression, Shen Ximan's heart skipped a beat.
"What happened to him?"
"He doesn't even care about you at all. You should stop holding on to this unrequited hope."
"Impossible," she firmly denied. "Tell me what exactly happened!"
The President Shen that Xue Xiaoqi knew was a calm, strict, and meticulous woman. She was by no means the woman who was now wavering because of a man and constantly chasing after someone else.
"He's currently attending a dinner party with a rich young lady!"
Shen Ximan stood still, silent.
"It's a dinner party hosted by Su Minghan. All the outstanding and influential people will attend. Think about it carefully. What have you gained?"
Xue Xiaoqi tried to persuade her earnestly, afraid that she would be stubborn.
"You got yourself all battered and bruised for others' affairs, and now you're lying in the hospital with no one to take care of you. But that Second Young Master? He's off attending the dinner party, living a life of debauchery. Does he even care about you?"
Shen Ximan was in a daze, refusing to believe it.
"No, it can't be. When we were in Huazhi Village, we understood each other. He couldn't just ignore me. There must be some other reason."
"Maybe he was forced by his grandfather. He must have his own difficulties!"
Xue Xiaoqi angrily showed her the photos on her phone. "These were taken by A Kun and the others while they were staking out. Do you still think you're the only one in his heart?"
Shen Ximan felt as if she had been slapped hard in the face.
It burned with pain.
In the photo, Bo Jingyu was kissing a strange beautiful woman. This was the man she had just been so certain about.
No, it should be said that she had been living in a self - infatuated dream. The dream and reality were in conflict, and she didn't want to wake up.
"He has his own difficulties. I understand him."
Shen Ximan didn't know where she got the strength from. She got up, yanked out the IV drip and all the other medical wires, and ran out barefoot.
"President Shen! You're not fully recovered yet. President Shen!"
Xue Xiaoqi shouted in surprise and chased after her.
An hour ago.
"Second Master, we're here."
Ruochi cast a worried look, waiting for a response.
"Wait a little longer."
Bo Jingyu was constantly thinking about Shen Ximan in the hospital. His mind was in a complete mess.
"But the time for Young Master Su's dinner party is almost here. The old master personally told me to bring you to the mansion."
Looking at the magnificent mansion in front of him, he felt a great deal of pressure, not just because of Bo Yanhai.
"Any news from the hospital?"
Ruochi knew exactly what he was worried about. He shook his head regretfully and said words of comfort. "Second Madam is still unconscious, but don't worry. Qianli is there, so there won't be any problems."
Anxiety and uneasiness made Bo Jingyu feel extremely uncomfortable. He always had a bad premonition lingering in his mind.
Knock, knock, knock.
The car window was knocked on.
Ruochi rolled down the window and saw Steward Qin's face.
"Second Young Master, since you're already at the door, why don't you come in?"
The words carried a strong sense of command. Bo Yanhai must have seen the car.
"We just arrived," Bo Jingyu said as he got out of the car. "You don't need to come and convey the message a second time."
Steward Qin felt a bit embarrassed and forced a smile. "Second Young Master is still as fond of joking as ever."
After entering the mansion, Bo Yanhai was all dressed up and ready to go.
"Grandfather."
"Um," he replied calmly. "Why didn't Siming come back with you?"
"He and Shen Shiyu went to the dinner venue first to wait."
"I heard from Siming that you've been quite helpful in the Huazhi Village project this time. You deserve praise."
Bo Jingyu's eyes darkened.
Helpful?
He had been involved in the Huazhi Village project from start to finish, from persuading the villagers for the demolition and the start of construction to the current development of the tourist attraction. Bo Siming had hardly participated at all.
"As for other matters, I'll talk to you in detail after the dinner party."
Bo Yanhai put on his hat and walked out of the door slowly.
The streets of Yancheng were always bustling with traffic and brightly lit. What was even more eye - catching was that on the screens of all the commercial buildings, there were advertisements and movie previews of Xiao Shujing.
"The Su family has really invested a lot of capital. Thanks to the heir of the Su family, they've created such a strong public response."
Bo Yanhai vented all his grievances in one go.
"Ever since that ugly girl came to our Bo family, nothing has gone smoothly. We must set a date to renovate the mansion. Otherwise, I won't feel comfortable living here."
After saying that, he deliberately glanced at Bo Jingyu.
The latter remained expressionless and silent, as if he didn't care at all.
Bo Yanhai didn't want to make a fool of himself, so he pursed his lips and fell silent. Half an hour later, they arrived at the Su's Holiday Hotel.
"You'll stay with Li Xiaoru later. Don't leave her side for a moment."
As soon as he got out of the car, Bo Jingyu received this mandatory order.
Juan Yi Clothing Company was founded by the Li family. It was one of the leading companies monopolizing the clothing industry in Yancheng and had once cooperated with the well - known national brand A Hairui.
Li Xiaoru was the only daughter among the five children of the Li family.