Su Chenzhu opened the door for Chao Musheng, who promptly pushed it halfway closed again. "Mr. Su, swinging the door wide open invites mockery, but leaving just a crack lets people enjoy the show."
Peering out from the doorframe, Chao Musheng’s perpetually unruly tuft of hair swayed back and forth, making Su Chenzhu’s fingers itch with the urge to ruffle it.
"Mr. Su, why are you staring at me?" Chao Musheng tugged him closer. "Look outside instead."
As if there was anything worth seeing.
Noticing Chao Musheng crouching awkwardly, Su Chenzhu pulled over a nearby chair. "Sit down if you’re going to watch."
"Join me." The chair was spacious enough, so Chao Musheng scooted aside and patted the empty space beside him.
The moment Su Chenzhu sat down, Chao Musheng slung an arm over his shoulder. "It’s a girl out there."
Su Chenzhu’s mind blanked at the contact, his focus narrowing to the weight of Chao Musheng’s hand on his shoulder, drowning out all other sounds.
In the hallway stood a girl around fourteen or fifteen, her hair dyed a striking pink. She was yanking at the sleeve of a man from Room 2 like a frenzied little beast, her voice shrill with hysteria.
"Ning, I know you’re worried about Mom," the man said, weariness etched into his face. "But it’s late, and the other patients need rest. Go home, wash up, and get some sleep. Come back tomorrow morning, alright?"
"Don’t touch me!" The girl dodged his outstretched hand. "Stop pretending to care! You’re the reason Mom’s like this—I’m calling the police on you!"
"Ning!" Exhaustion lined the man’s voice, though his eyes still held a father’s patience. "Your mother hasn’t woken up yet. Stop making a scene. Remember that bracelet you wanted? I’ll buy it for you later. Just go home for now, okay?"
"I don’t want your stupid bracelet!" Her voice cracked. "I want you gone!"
"Ning, I’m your father." His tone hardened. "If you keep this up, I’ll have to discipline you."
"You’re not my dad! I don’t have a father like you!"
Slap!
The man’s palm struck her cheek, leaving an angry red mark.
The commotion had long since drawn attention. Patients and their families, roused from sleep, simmered with irritation. Seeing the unruly girl finally silenced, some muttered in satisfaction.
"Kids these days are too spoiled. No respect for their parents."
"Teenagers are just rebellious. They don’t understand what parents go through."
Whispers of disapproval drifted through the hallway, though most spectators stayed silent, treating the scene as mildly entertaining drama.
From the shadows, Qi Shi observed the girl’s rage meter hovering at 99, then glanced at the man’s—and froze.
Despite his aggrieved expression, the man’s anger level was a mere 5.
No normal father would feel so little fury in this situation, with his daughter screaming and his wife unconscious.
"You have no right to control me!" The girl shoved him, but he blocked her, sending her crashing into the wall with a sickening thud before she crumpled to the floor.
"Ning, are you hurt?" The man bent to help her, but she slapped his hand away.
"Ning, I’m sorry. Let me check your injury."
"Get lost!"
To any onlooker, the man was a pitiable father dealing with an impossible child.
But Qi Shi’s blood ran cold when he saw the man’s anger drop from 5 to 2 the moment the girl hit the wall.
He wasn’t distressed by her pain—he enjoyed it.
Were they even related?
To Qi Shi, this so-called "understanding" father was far more repulsive than the rebellious daughter.
"Your teacher called me yesterday," the man sighed, staring down at her. "She said you need to dye your hair back before school starts. You’re too young for this. Until your mother wakes up, you’ll stay with your grandparents."
"Grandparents? Those leeches just want Mom’s money!" The girl sneered. "Don’t think you can boss me around just because she’s in a coma."
"You’re a minor, and I am your father—that gives me every right!" His voice rose. "Look at yourself! Pink hair, piercings, insulting your elders—what’s wrong with you?"
"Maybe tend to her head injury before scolding her." Chao Musheng pushed the door open and crouched beside the girl. "Your wig’s great quality, by the way. Where’d you get it?"
Zeng Ning looked up, eyes red-rimmed. "Who are you?" she sniffled.
"A fellow patient. My company has a project with your mom." Chao Musheng smiled. "Call me Uncle Chao."
"You look barely older than me." She wiped her tears roughly. "Trying to scam me into respecting you?"
"Ning, don’t be rude!" the man cut in. "This is Assistant Chao from Kunlun Group!"
Ignoring him, Zeng Ning eyed Chao Musheng skeptically. "You’re already a corporate slave at your age?"
"Ning!"
"Yep." Chao Musheng grinned. "A young, overworked one."
Doctors arrived, hesitating between the two figures on the floor.
"Your mom needs quiet. Come to my room—I’ll have someone tend to you." Chao Musheng waved toward the corner where a group of onlookers stood.
Among them, the players exchanged glances before nudging Xiaojuan forward—the only woman in their group.
You Jiu looked unsurprised; Qi Shi noted the girl’s rage meter dipping to 89, deep in thought. The other two players just stared enviously.
With Chao Musheng’s intervention, the hallway quieted.
Patients who’d feigned indifference now chimed in:
"Arguments with kids need patience. Hurting her like this will devastate Director Zeng when she wakes."
"Mr. Chao, you’re ill—let the girl rest in our room instead."
"Mine’s free too. It’d be nice to have company."
The once-silent ninth floor buzzed with the lively chatter of spectators, the stark shift leaving the players amazed. Were these NPCs chameleons in disguise?
"Thanks, everyone, but it’s late." Chao Musheng declined politely. "My team can handle one kid easily."
Zeng Ning kept her head lowered, resistant to the others’ invitations. She knew these adults didn’t truly care about her—they just wanted to put on a show in front of the young man.
"Thank you," Zeng Ning murmured, unwilling to stay with her father. When a cleaning lady came over to accompany her, she obediently followed Chao Musheng into the hospital room.
The man tried to follow them inside, but a bodyguard at the door raised a hand to stop him. He retreated with practiced ease. "My child is being difficult. Sorry to trouble CEO Su and Mr. Chao."
The bodyguard gave him a cold glance and nodded indifferently.
The doctor examined Zeng Ning and confirmed it was just a minor bruise, prescribing a bottle of anti-swelling spray.
"I’m sorry for waking you up," the girl, who had been shouting in the hallway earlier, now spoke meekly. "And for causing so much trouble."
"You didn’t wake me. I was already up," Chao Musheng said, coughing lightly.
Su Chenzhu touched his forehead—his fever had gone down—then stood to pour him a glass of warm water. "Drink some water."
Zeng Ning, still a teenager of fourteen or fifteen, didn’t understand adult social cues and could only express her goodwill through compliments.
She glanced at the man fussing over Chao Musheng, gathered her courage, and blurted out, "Your boyfriend treats you so well. You’re both so good-looking—you make a perfect couple."
Xiaojuan, who was applying the spray to Zeng Ning’s wound, nearly fumbled the bottle, almost spraying the girl’s hair instead.
Boyfriend? Perfect couple?
Little girl, do you have any idea how much those words are going to inflate CEO Su’s ego?
"Cough—!" Chao Musheng choked on his water, coughing violently.
Su Chenzhu’s eyes darkened slightly as he gently patted his back. "Chao Chao, are you alright?"
"I’m fine." Chao Musheng wiped his mouth with a tissue, glanced at Su Chenzhu’s calm expression, and gave Zeng Ning a helpless smile.
He could see the girl’s nervousness. If he corrected her now, she might want to vanish into the ground. "Are you worried about your mom?"
Zeng Ning dodged the question. "You don’t believe what he said, do you?"
Everyone present knew who he referred to.
"Grown-ups don’t take sides based on one-sided stories," Chao Musheng said, rubbing his throat, still irritated from coughing. "Your mom will recover. Don’t worry."
Tears welled up in Zeng Ning’s eyes, spilling over despite her efforts to hold them back.
She had met too many adults who sided with her father, all praising him for his hardships, making her feel like an ungrateful child.
Now, finally, someone was on her side. All her stubbornness melted into raw hurt. "His kindness is just an act!"
Between sobs, she recounted grievances that might seem trivial to outsiders but had wounded her deeply—her grandparents taking her mother’s money to build a house for her uncle while badmouthing her behind her back, her father standing by silently.
"The day Mom fell, Dad came home very late," Zeng Ning said, tears streaming uncontrollably. "The caregiver looking after her now is someone he hired. I’m scared he’ll hurt her."
She pulled out a bank card, desperation in her voice. "Brother Chao—no, Uncle Chao—I’ve saved a lot of New Year’s money. Can you help me find a professional caregiver? If you don’t believe me, I can withdraw it right now—"
She stood up, ready to leave.
"It’s too late for you to go out alone," Xiaojuan stopped her. "Let’s talk this through properly."
"Legally, only you or your father can decide your mother’s care," Su Chenzhu finally spoke, his tone measured. "As a minor, even if Chao Chao arranges a suitable caregiver, your father can refuse."
Zeng Ning froze, her face blank with confusion. "Then… what should I do?"
"In principle, yes," Su Chenzhu said, taking the bank card from her and placing it in Chao Musheng’s palm. "For now, leave this card with us as collateral. Once your mother wakes up and pays the caregiver’s fees, we’ll return it."
Xiaojuan nudged Zeng Ning, who was still dazed. "CEO Su and Brother Chao agreed to help. Say thank you."
"Thank you, Uncle Chao! Thank you, Uncle Su!" Zeng Ning bowed deeply. "May you two… live happily together forever!"
Chao Musheng’s face stiffened. He shot a furtive glance at Su Chenzhu.
Kid, watch your words. If you annoy him, he might take back his offer.
A stack of red bills was pressed into Zeng Ning’s arms. Su Chenzhu closed his now-empty wallet, expression unreadable. "Since you called us ‘uncles,’ it’s only right we give you a gift."
Xiaojuan eyed the cash enviously. This kid’s got a bright future—look how pleased she’s made the boss.
