Huo Zhenyang didn’t say anything, merely turned around and lifted his head slightly, staring at the golden yellow rosewood door of the bedroom.

The butler, Mr. Ou, understood his thoughts: "Don’t worry, young master, we will take good care of Miss Jiayi."

He paused for a few seconds before finally speaking: "Tell the driver to bring the car around."

Mr. Ou agreed, then turned and walked out of the villa.

...

At the same time, in the second-floor bedroom.

On the four-poster bed, Jiayi’s eyelashes trembled lightly.

A dozen minutes ago, she had felt someone planting countless gentle kisses on her forehead.

Then his teasing yet hopeful voice sounded in her ear: "Sweetheart, here’s your final chance. Are you really not going to wake up to see me off?"

She wanted so badly to break free from the prison that bound her and respond to him.

She gave it her all, but couldn’t move at all.

Until he stood up, tucked the blanket snugly around her, and then the bedroom door closed softly with a faint sound.

She heard his footsteps grow fainter and fainter, until they disappeared completely.

Just seconds after he left the bedroom, tears streamed down her cheeks. But he didn’t see.

From downstairs came the indistinct sounds of the servants bidding farewell, along with the clatter of luggage.

"Safe travels, young master."

"May you have a smooth journey, young master."

...

She knew he was leaving. Again and again, she fought with all her strength to open her eyes, but time and time again, she lost the battle, eventually surrendering to quiet stillness.

"Wait for me, will you."

A voice inside her was trying to burst forth from her chest, but she couldn’t cry it out loud.

The sounds downstairs grew fainter and fainter, settling into silence as the servants gathered around Huo Zhenyang for his departure.

Suddenly, the woman on the bed twitched a finger ever so slightly. Her delicate eyelashes finally lifted slowly toward the ornate ceiling light.

Light—the vivid light belonging to the mortal world.

Jiayi took a deep breath.

Having lain in bed for two months, she felt surprisingly little discomfort: no soreness or pain. Except for a dull headache, she felt normal.

She wondered if it was because he had often held her and moved her limbs while she was unconscious.

Yes...

Her mind became clear.

She vaguely recalled him murmuring in her ear that he was leaving.

She steadied herself, pulled off the blanket, and jumped out of bed. The plush carpet underfoot had no shoes placed on it—as if no one believed she could walk.

She didn’t have time to call for anyone. Barefoot, she walked to the bedroom door. Perhaps because she hadn’t walked in so long, or acted too hastily, her body felt faintly weak, and each step left her heaving for breath.

Pushing the door open, she stood barefoot, stunned, staring at the decor below.

This was not Disheng. The style of the decor didn’t even appear to be domestic.

It was a villa, even larger than Disheng at Yunling.

The dome-like carved semi-circular ceiling resembled a Baroque church, the marble-patterned tile flooring, and the brilliant glow of Swarovski crystal chandeliers poured gold and splendor across the room.

From the doorway of the grand entrance came faint noises of voices and the sound of cars.

Suppressing the tumult beating in her chest, she instinctively let his name burst forth from her throat.

But there was no response.

At this moment, the first-floor grand hall was completely empty.

She gripped the railing, forcing herself to quicken her pace and steady her slightly stumbling steps as she rushed down the winding S-shaped staircase.

...

At this moment, the villa courtyard.

The driver had already loaded the luggage into the trunk and opened the car door: "Young master, we can head to the airport now."

Servants inside and out had gathered, led by Mr. Ou, lining up on either side of the villa entrance with bowed heads, sending the young master off.

Huo Zhenyang’s expression was quiet and unreadable as he bent forward, settling into the rear seat of the car.

The driver returned to the driver’s seat, turned the key, started the engine, and drove the car out through the main gate, heading onto the private road outside.

At the very moment the tail of the car left the gate, a slender, pale ankle stepped onto the villa steps.

She stared helplessly as the car pulled away from the villa, driving onto the private road outside the gate. Frozen for a brief second, she suddenly quickened her pace, racing across the lush lawn toward the entrance.

Perhaps her footsteps were too light, for the servants—focused on the retreating car—failed to notice someone emerging from behind them.

Only when a petite figure shot through the ornate villa gates and began chasing the young master’s car down the asphalt private road did they collectively snap out of their daze.

"It’s—it’s Miss Jiayi... God, Miss Jiayi woke up!"

A particularly sharp-eyed servant of South American descent screamed first!

The other servants erupted in commotion.

Sister Hui’s face changed. Beside her stood the maid who had entered Jiayi’s room with her yesterday. Overjoyed, the maid cried, "See? I told you I wasn’t hearing things yesterday. Miss Jiayi must’ve made a sound yesterday, and you said she didn’t..."

Sister Hui wanted to cover the maid’s mouth but was too late. Mr. Ou—the butler—was right beside them, and he heard it all. His cold gaze shifted toward Sister Hui, sending chills down her spine.

Mr. Ou had no time to deal with Sister Hui’s drama. Snapping back to reality, he issued an order: "Quickly, call the young master’s phone! Tell him to stop the car!"

"Yes, Mr. Ou!" A servant immediately turned back toward the villa.

On the asphalt private road, lined on both sides by shaded avenues, everything was tranquil. Beyond the shade lay the expanse of the West Coast.

The hem of her white sleeping gown lifted slightly as she ran, exposing her delicate ankles.

Jiayi grew accustomed to the even ground, her initial stumbling giving way to steadiness, her speed increasing step by step.

The silhouette of the man’s tall and upright figure was faintly visible in the rear window just five or six meters ahead.

She ran after the car, her voice calling out, but the front of the car heard nothing, and the driver took no notice.

The sea breeze puffed through her nightgown, while her throat burned raw from the forceful shouting.

...

Inside the car, Huo Zhenyang’s phone vibrated. He picked it up, listened for a few seconds, and his brows tightened sharply. Without thinking, he turned his neck and froze. His heart clenched fiercely, words spilling out: "Stop the car!"

The tires screeched—

An ear-piercing brake abruptly halted the car on the open asphalt private road.

The sudden stop left tire marks deeply imprinted on the smooth surface.

Jiayi saw the car stop, panting heavily as she halted her steps. A relaxed smile began to illuminate her face.

As the car door slammed open forcefully by the man, she raised the back of her hand to swipe away the sweat on her forehead. Before he could stride over, the smile faded, and, as if drained of strength, everything went dark, and she collapsed onto the ground.

**

That fainting spell led to a deep and sweet sleep.

Perhaps because she knew she had finally caught up to him, a heavy weight had been lifted from her heart.

When she awoke, her eyelashes fluttered for a moment before her eyes opened.

Beneath her was a soft, luxurious bed. From the texture, she could tell Huo Zhenyang had already carried her back to the villa.

She hadn’t even sat up when two arms swept her up, pulling her into a familiar embrace.

His hug was alarmingly tight, as if he couldn’t quite believe she had truly awakened, or as if afraid she might vanish the moment he let go.

"Ugh... you’re suffocating me," she finally muttered, unable to endure it anymore.

Only then did he loosen his hold slightly, though he still kept her firmly encircled within his arms. His deep-set eyes locked onto her face, as if gazing at a treasure he had miraculously regained. Regaining his composure, his face turned serious as he began to inspect her, ensuring none of her "parts" had malfunctioned:

"Still remember who I am?"