Aaron quickly arrived at the suite with several doctors.
They all looked at the monitor, only to find the current heart rate displayed as 120 and gradually decreasing.
Emmm…
At that moment, Xia Yang noticed it too. He rubbed his eyes, somewhat disbelieving, “How is this possible? Just now… Could it be that I was seeing things?”
Chief Doctor Aaron walked over and checked all the data on the monitor. Then, he turned to look at Han Yi, who was fiddling with the remote, showing no expression on his cold, handsome face—though there was a slight redness at the tips of his ears. Aaron glanced at the bedside and saw a basin full of water and a wet white towel. A thought dawned on him.
“Ahem, don’t worry, Mr. Han is fine,” Aaron said with a smile, reassuring Xia Yang.
The other two doctors seemed puzzled, lowering their voices to confirm with him, “Are you sure we don’t need to conduct further examinations?”
“No need,” the chief doctor asserted confidently.
The young man in front of them still had a puzzled look on his face, full of confusion. Aaron walked up to him, patted him on the shoulder to comfort him, then approached Han Yi and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Han, you really are a pure-hearted man.”
“……”
“But I still have to advise you: after surgery, it’s best not to engage in too stimulating activities, even unintentionally.”
“…………”
After the doctors left, Xia Yang returned to the room, relieved from the earlier scare.
Thinking about the cryptic conversation between Aaron and Han Yi, he couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity, “Mr. Han, what did the doctor say to you just now?”
Han Yi looked down, his tone calm, “He said the weather is nice today.”
“???”
Looking outside, the sky was gloomy, as if it might rain any minute. The weather forecast had even predicted a dip in temperature over the next couple of days due to early autumn showers.
“Uh, could Aaron have been drinking on the job? Should we get another doctor to check on you?” He suddenly felt a bit uneasy.
“No need,” Han Yi shook his head. “I’m not experiencing any discomfort.”
“Oh.”
Xia Yang didn’t say more. He glanced down at the towel in his hand, recalling the incomplete body-washing from earlier.
Technically, it was the client who chose to opt-out.
“Are you really not going to continue with the wipe-down?” he asked, shaking the towel. “As a highly-rated service provider, I usually don’t like leaving things unfinished…”
“No need,” Han Yi averted his gaze and firmly waved his hand, “I’ll still pay in full for this additional service.”
Xia Yang: “.” What a great deal!
*
Early the next morning, Xia Yang woke up to see someone moving on the bed beside him.
At first, he thought he was dreaming that Han Yi’s soul had left his body. He pinched himself, the pain confirming it was not a dream.
Someone was attempting to get out of bed!
“Damn!” His brain instantly cleared, and he sprang up from bed. “What are you doing? The doctor said you need to wait a few more days before trying to get up.”
However, Han Yi seemed not to hear him, adjusting the smart bed to a convenient height for getting out. He held onto the bed’s edge and slowly lifted himself up.
Halfway through, a sharp pain shot through his calf, making him frown.
Seeing this, Xia Yang quickly put on his slippers, circled to Han Yi’s side, and supported him, “Why are you pushing yourself when you know you’re weak!”
Han Yi’s frown deepened, “Who’s weak?”
He brushed off Xia Yang, gritted his teeth, and indeed managed to stand up.
Xia Yang: “…… Awesome!”
Not weak at all.
“Not bad for someone who can partner with me.” He clicked his tongue in admiration, giving a thumbs up.
Then Han Yi staggered a bit.
Xia Yang: “……”
Without further words, he braced himself against the taller man, helping bear some of his weight as a human crutch.
“Lean on me; I’m not afraid of being crushed.”
Han Yi: “.”
The warmth of his breath brushed against Xia Yang’s neck. A slight turn of his head, and his chin grazed Xia Yang’s soft hair.
A faint scent of jasmine shampoo wafted into his nostrils, and he could see his own reflection in the young man’s clear eyes.
Han Yi hesitated for a moment, turned his head away, and pointed to the wheelchair beside the bed, “Bring that over.”
He could stand now, but not for long. He didn’t want to put all his weight on Xia Yang.
That small frame seemed too fragile to bear much, and being so close was making his back sweat.
The wheelchair was just a meter away. Xia Yang stretched his long leg, hooking it over with his foot.
“Do you need to use the bathroom? Should I help you?”
“No need.”
The wheelchair moved to the bathroom door, and Xia Yang followed closely behind.
“But you can only stand for a little while, right? What if you can’t finish and end up falling, hurting the little guy…”
“Your concern is overly comprehensive.” Han Yi cut him off, slamming the bathroom door. “I’m using the bathroom, not not venting my anger.”
Xia Yang: “.”
…
After freshening up, Fang Ming delivered a hearty breakfast right on time. They had just finished when Tang Siming called.
“Sister-in-law, how’s my brother Yi doing?”
Xia Yang glanced at Han Yi and replied, “Recovering well. He’ll probably be up and about in a few days.”
Tang Siming was astonished, “That’s impressive!”
“Yep.”
After inquiring about his good friend’s condition, Tang Siming switched to another topic.
“Oh, sister-in-law, there’s something else to discuss. The movie I’m supervising requires a script read-through tomorrow. A few days ago, I showed the director your profile and previous works. He had no objections but insisted you attend the read-through. Are you available?”
Xia Yang hesitated, looking again at the man beside him. Before he could respond, Han Yi had already answered for him, “He can go.”
The voice was clear and unmistakable, coming through the phone.
Hearing this, Tang Siming immediately laughed, “Great! I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning.”
After hanging up, Xia Yang fell silent for a moment.
He was still somewhat concerned.
Tomorrow would only be the fourth day post-surgery. The risk of infection, swelling, and fever still loomed, and the stabilization period wasn’t over.
“You… sure you can manage?” He looked at Han Yi’s bandaged legs.
Han Yi’s expression darkened, “Who said I can’t?”
“Well, there was this elderly bachelor living next door once. He had a sudden stroke and nobody noticed until…”
“I’m not an elderly bachelor, nor do I have a stroke.”
“…”
Xia Yang had to shut up.
Speaking of which, this was the most upscale and authoritative hospital in City A, filled with renowned doctors and top-notch resources.
On top of that, Han Yi had hired an international team of experts at a high cost. Any of them was far more qualified than he was.
As a contract partner, was he overstepping his boundaries in caring for the client? Was this beyond the normal scope of service?
Xia Yang shook his head, seemingly unable to figure himself out.
…
The next morning, Tang Siming came to take him to the hospital.
The director had scheduled the script reading in a hotel conference room. The roads were congested due to the rain, and by the time they arrived, the other actors were already there.
“Teacher Tangi is here.”
“Hello, Teacher Tangi!”
The actors greeted them warmly. The director’s eyes fell on Xia Yang, momentarily stunned.
He had never met him in person before, only hearing from Tang Siming that he was an idol. Now, seeing him in the flesh, he realized this face was genuinely exquisite. With a smile at the corners of his lips and clear, bright eyes, Xia Yang exuded an innate charisma, as if born for this profession.
Initially, when the movie star recommended a friend for the third male lead, the director had been reluctant. But now, he felt this young man suited the role perfectly.
The other actors knew Xia Yang was brought in by Teacher Tangi, treating him with enthusiasm. Especially the female lead, Bai Xiaoxiao, who hadn’t taken her eyes off him since he entered the room.
“Hi, little brother, have some milk tea~” The girl handed him one of the two cups she was holding. “This was supposed to be for my second uncle.”
“Thank you, but… isn’t this a bit inappropriate?” Xia Yang hesitated.
“No worries,” Bai Xiaoxiao waved it off nonchalantly, “my second uncle has diabetes.”
Everyone in the room burst into laughter. Later, Tang Siming told Xia Yang that the director was Bai Xiaoxiao’s second uncle.
Xia Yang: “…”
Everyone gathered around the table, and the director briefly explained the plot.
“Hidden Heart” is a modern suspense drama.
Just after Valentine’s Day, a murder occurred in Jiang City. The well-known fashion designer He He was found dead at home by an assistant. He was naked, with a leather collar around his neck, chains on his ankles, and bruises on his wrists. The police initially concluded it was homicide, with the murder weapon being the collar around his neck.
After some investigation, a female client of He He became the prime suspect. Her name was Lin You, the wife of Jiang City’s richest man and an actress in a theater troupe. She often ordered clothes from He He.
He He had gone to Lin You’s villa to deliver a custom-made dress the day before, only to be found dead the next day.
The police quickly summoned Lin You. To their surprise, she readily admitted to killing He He but couldn’t explain her motive. Moreover, her mental state seemed unstable. Her wealthy husband, Liang Yishan, quickly arrived to testify for her, providing an alibi.
The case reached a stalemate.
All three were prominent figures in Jiang City, quickly sparking rumors. Some said Lin You’s wealthy husband had discovered the affair and killed his wife’s lover in a fit of rage. Others speculated that Lin You, lonely in her marriage due to her much older husband’s focus on business, had taken He He as a lover. They were said to be BDSM enthusiasts, with He He’s death being an accident during their play.
Detective team leader Shen Xing specifically visited Lin You’s wealthy husband, Liang Yishan. He found him to be a gentleman, very polite. Not only was Liang successful in business, but he was also a philanthropist with a good reputation. On the day of the crime, Liang was at a high-end forum, with most of his time devoted to work, making him the least likely suspect.
The case stagnated until one day, a mysterious disappearance of an employee at Liang Yishan’s company revealed hidden truths. The whole case turned out to be far more complex than it seemed…
“Let’s start with the first dialogue between Shen Xing and Xiao Chang,” the director said, flipping two pages.
In the film, Tang Siming plays Shen Xing, the meticulous and skilled detective team leader.
Xia Yang plays his junior and rookie officer Xiao Chang, who comes from a wealthy family. He joined the force mainly because he idolizes Shen Xing and wants to be his supportive sidekick.
Script Reading Commences:
Shen Xing: “There’s a security camera installed outside the victim He He’s home. However, during the time from his return until his death, no one was seen entering the house on the footage. He lived alone. The biggest question right now is how the killer entered.”
Xiao Chang (smirking): “Maybe it was a ghost? A ghost that likes playing with collars and shackles.”
Shen Xing (slamming the table): “…Be serious.”
Xiao Chang (sticking out his tongue): “Alright, alright.”
Noticing the seriousness on Shen Xing’s face, Xiao Chang sobers up, speaking earnestly.
Xiao Chang: “I think the evidence from the security camera is just one aspect; we can’t entirely rely on it. Do you remember the ‘Invisible Hand’ case where someone tampered with the camera’s timestamp? Moreover, we need to thoroughly inspect the victim’s home. Since it’s a villa, there might be secret rooms or passageways. The entry point might not be captured by the camera.”
Shen Xing (deep in thought): “Good point. Let’s go there this afternoon. By the way, has Lin You’s medical report come out?”
Xiao Chang: “Yes, her mental state is indeed unstable. The doctor mentioned that this incident could have triggered a reaction, compounded by her previous depression. However… due to patient confidentiality, the doctor couldn’t disclose much. But I suspect that Lin You might not just be depressed; she could have a split personality.”
…
Xia Yang had already read the script twice and studied the role of Xiao Chang thoroughly. He delivered his lines smoothly without stumbling, which greatly pleased the director. “Great line delivery! No wonder Teacher Tangi highly recommended you.”
Xia Yang smiled humbly, “Thank you, please guide me well.”
…
The entire day flew by as they made significant progress with the script reading.
They had boxed lunches together at noon, and in the evening, the director suggested they have a nice dinner, which was booked at the hotel’s Japanese restaurant, Meizi Hai.
On the way to the restaurant, Bai Xiaoxiao walked up to Xia Yang, “Hey, little brother, I followed you on Weibo. That cruise ad you did was amazing.”
“Thank you,” Xia Yang replied politely, “I’ll follow back.”
“Let’s add each other on WeChat too, so we can discuss our scenes,” Bai Xiaoxiao suggested, handing over her QR code.
Xia Yang added her, noticing her nickname was [Entertainment Circle Sea King].
“By the way, my friend’s bar is opening tonight. After dinner, I’m inviting the whole group to go drink. You should come too!” Sea King suggested.
Xia Yang remembered Han Yi’s “warning” about his poor alcohol tolerance and his suggestion to avoid drinking outside.
“I don’t drink,” he said.
“No worries, we’ll get you a bottle of Yakult,” she teased.
Xia Yang: “…”
This dinner was quite extravagant, with individual Japanese set meals costing over 200 yuan per person. As the dishes were served, Xia Yang picked up his drink, only to realize it was grapefruit honey tea, which he had to put down.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?” asked Li Ke, who was sitting next to him and had sharp observational skills.
“I’m allergic to honey,” Xia Yang explained honestly.
“Oh, then have my rose vanilla tea.”
“Thank you,” Xia Yang felt very welcomed by this drama team.
“Don’t mention it. Let’s add each other on WeChat to discuss our scenes.”
“…Oh.” He once again pulled out his phone.
…
Meanwhile, back in the hospital suite, Han Yi was focused on handling emails when his phone buzzed with messages from Tang Siming.
[Oscar-Winning Mr. Tang]: I have to say, sister-in-law’s charm is something else. The director’s niece hasn’t taken her eyes off him, and she even gave him milk tea in front of everyone.
[Oscar-Winning Mr. Tang]: Plus, a few young actors are lining up to add him on WeChat. Can I interview the husband here? Are you jealous? [Yellow Bean Grinning]
Han Yi glanced at the messages, expressionless, and typed a reply.
—[Han Yi]: No.
[Oscar-Winning Mr. Tang]: I don’t believe it. If you’re jealous, you’ll have to pee standing on your head!
[Han Yi]: ….
After replying, he didn’t immediately exit WeChat. He noticed a red dot indicating a new post in his Moments feed.
He paused, clicked in, and saw that Xia Yang had just posted a new update four minutes ago, a group photo captioned: “First team-building of ‘Hidden Heart,’ [Heart]~.”
He clicked on the photo to enlarge it. Despite not being in the center, the refined and handsome young man stood out clearly in the crowd.
Han Yi hesitated, feeling a rare urge to like the post. Just as he was about to tap the little heart, his eyes caught something in the photo that made him stop.
In the picture, two people flanked Xia Yang, both holding onto his arms, looking quite close.
The girl on the left even leaned her head on his shoulder, gazing at him with a suggestive look.
Han Yi withdrew his hand, pressed his lips together, and the thought of liking the post vanished instantly.
Just as he was about to exit WeChat, his phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from Xia Yang.
[Yang]: The director’s niece invited the whole group to a bar. It’s hard to refuse, so I’ll join them for a bit. Don’t wait up for me tonight; go to bed early~
[Yang]: Oh, by the way, how are you feeling today? Any discomfort?
Han Yi stared at the message for a few seconds, his lips pressed tightly together, and then began typing a reply.
[Han Yi]: Yes.
[Yang]: Huh?? What’s wrong? Where do you feel uncomfortable??
[Han Yi]: My legs hurt. Chest tightness. Trouble breathing.
Author’s Note:
…
Keep me fueled with caffeine! Support me on Ko-fi! ★~(◡‿◡✿)
Han Yi this big boss, yet so cute !