Chapter Four: Sister, Your Abs Are Truly Impressive

The medical staff were all curious about what kind of mother-in-law could inspire such filial devotion from her daughter-in-law. After all, Wen Yan’s shaky steps and her worry that her mother-in-law might go hungry had taken them by surprise.

So several doctors and nurses gathered by the door, crouching to sneak a peek at the mother-in-law. After checking each patient’s name, the nurse stopped at Wang Xiulian’s bedside. At that moment, Wang Xiulian wore a smug expression, swiping through photos of her grandson on the screen as she showed them to the aunt beside her.

“Hello, are you Wang Xiulian?” the nurse asked, confirming before handing over the meal.

“What? I’m not Wang Xiulian? Who do you think you’ve been giving injections to all these days? Didn’t you see my name tag?” Her tone caused the other patients and eavesdroppers by the door to fall silent and frown.

The nurse remained patient. “Your daughter-in-law asked me to give this to you. She’s worried that you haven’t eaten lunch and that it might affect your recovery.”

Before the nurse finished, Wang Xiulian began shouting loudly, “Where has she gone?! What kind of daughter-in-law lies around at home all afternoon while her mother-in-law is in the hospital? Look at the time! What a jinx! She’s not afraid of going to hell! Eating my son’s food, living in my son’s house! And now that my legs don’t work well, she’s hiding and not coming to care for me? Who’s got such shameless nerve?”

The nurse frowned. “Auntie, why speak so harshly of your daughter-in-law? She’s even rushed to the emergency room but is still worried you have no food.”

“Yeah, yesterday she was all proud, but today she doesn’t dare come see me! Tell her this isn’t over—I’ll break her legs when I get back!” Wang Xiulian grew more agitated, oblivious to the changing expressions around her.

Her stomach was already growling; glaring at the nurse, she grabbed a spoon and ate ravenously.

The doctor waiting by the door hurried in, pulling the nurse aside. Once downstairs, they couldn’t stop complaining about Wang Xiulian’s character. By midday, everyone in the hospital knew exactly what kind of person she was.

In the VIP ward, Chen Ye had just opened his eyes when two faces suddenly appeared inches from his own, startling him awake. He gasped, “Get lost!”

Duan Mengsheng took a step back, arms folded, clicking his tongue in amusement. “Wow, awake in just two hours? Does your stepfather know how tough you are?”

“Why don’t you tell him yourself so he doesn’t have to scheme against you? Your head’s like a steel drum—hit it a couple of times and you barely feel it!”

Chen Ye rubbed his throbbing temples. “Cut the nonsense! Is your hospital security just for show? Someone tampered with a VIP private elevator. Did you hire security guards from a technical school or something?”

“Come on, big brother,” Dr. Duan rolled his eyes and leaned toward Assistant Liu. “With how often your stepfather messes with you, even the White House wouldn’t keep you more than three days—presidential bodyguards can’t handle this kind of ‘love’ either!”

Chen Ye was speechless but suddenly remembered the girl from the elevator. “What about the other girl? The one in the elevator—she okay?” After all, he’d dragged her into this.

Duan Mengsheng quickly pulled back the curtain beside the bed.

Behind it lay a girl quietly sleeping, her striking beauty impossible to ignore even in slumber.

Long, thick lashes rested softly on her eyelids, fluttering slightly with each breath, every fine hair visible. Her lips were naturally pink and full with a perfect curve.

But Chen Ye suddenly sensed something was off…

“Mixed-gender ward? Duan Mengsheng, you know I’m allergic to the opposite sex! Were you so eager to brag to my father?”

“Is the Duan hospital going bankrupt, or am I, Chen Ye? Can’t you find two decent rooms?” Chen Ye lowered his voice, wary of waking the girl.

“She just saved your life, even gave you mouth-to-mouth. In the past, you’d have owed her your body! What’s wrong with sharing a room? It’s not small,” Duan Mengsheng grinned mischievously.

“Mouth-to-mouth? What are you talking about, Giloo?” Chen Ye was bewildered.

At that moment, Dr. Duan and Assistant Liu suddenly perked up, as if a switch had been flipped.

Assistant Liu nodded vigorously, eager to act it out. “Yes! I saw it clearly. While you were unconscious, that lady stayed by your side, wiping your sweat and helping you breathe. When all else failed, she gave you mouth-to-mouth—your face was pale then. Thanks to her!”

Chen Ye was stunned, instinctively touching his lips, his mind blank.

He rolled up his sleeve—his arm was smooth, not a single red rash in sight.

Dr. Duan examined it closely, stroking his chin. “Interesting. I’ve never seen you not allergic to a woman in twenty years. I thought you two had some academic connection, but the test results proved me wrong.”

“Do you two know each other?” Duan Mengsheng asked, curious.

“No,” Chen Ye answered firmly, looking at the girl.

“You don’t know her, but your body does? Like some destined connection from a novel.”

“I’m your poison—” “I’m your antidote,” Assistant Liu and Duan Mengsheng held hands, almost kissing.

“You’re asking for death!” Chen Ye grabbed a pillow and hurled it at them.

“Alright, alright, back on topic. Try to interact with her and see if our theory holds,” Dr. Duan said seriously.

Chen Ye paused. “You mean she might not trigger my allergy?”

“Exactly!” Dr. Duan nodded.

“That’s why you put us in the same ward. Pretend to have fallen or fainted so she can help you. Even if you do react, the hospital can immediately give you an anti-allergy shot.”

Chen Ye fell silent, eyes wary. “What if she’s bait sent by someone else?”

Duan and Assistant Liu exchanged a glance, exasperated. Dr. Duan sighed, “We said close contact—not close enough to share a bed!”

Chen Ye hadn’t finished hearing this when he recalled the girl saying she was delivering food to the mother-in-law. He cut her off sharply, “She has a family. Why would a man and woman share a ward? Enough, transfer me.”

“She can’t have a family,” Dr. Duan seemed to see through his thoughts and said confidently, “At most, she just graduated college. My eyes are sharp! You’re not ugly either. Once you’re fully awake and fine, she’ll be discharged soon; she won’t be here long.”

As he spoke, the girl’s lashes fluttered, as if waking.

The three exchanged glances and quickly drew the curtain, holding their breath, afraid to disturb Wen Yan.

These powerful figures in the capital were sweating nervously, even Duan Mengsheng felt guilty, almost forgetting his medical role as the three men pressed their ears to the curtain, looking sheepish.

Wen Yan opened her eyes, seeing the empty ceiling, happy to be alive. She sat up eagerly, not noticing the curtain nearby.

Before the system could speak, she jumped up, shouting, “I’m not dead! Ha ha ha! I’m not dead! Demons and ghosts, begone! Thanks to heaven, earth, daddy, and mommy!”

On the bed, she danced wildly, celebrating her survival.

“How embarrassing, host!” the system yelled, trying desperately to stop her.

“Please stop! You look like a crab just out of boiling water—so embarrassing!” The system was at its wit’s end.

“What’s wrong? I’m happy I’m alive!” Wen Yan pouted.

“I worked so hard to awaken you, and you wake up to go die in front of the villain!”

Only then did Wen Yan notice the curtain and froze, covering her mouth.

“Ugh, so embarrassing,” the system wept, caught in awkward sympathy.

Behind the curtain, the three men were clearly stunned, thinking, “Why does such a beauty have such an abstract personality?” They couldn’t reconcile her stunning looks with this behavior.

“No wonder she’s mentally unstable—multiple personalities?” The thought grew more ridiculous.

Wen Yan dared not move. “Is that behind me the villain, Chen Ye?”

Only the sound of the system banging against the wall answered.

Suddenly, Dr. Duan remembered he was a doctor and didn’t need to hide. Without giving Chen Ye time to react, he swiftly pulled back the curtain.

Assistant Liu smoothly slid behind Duan Mengsheng.

Chen Ye, realizing the situation, tried to get out of bed and run, but the floor was slippery. He slipped and awkwardly stopped beside Wen Yan’s bed.

Wen Yan sat like a monkey on the bed, back turned, covering her face. Chen Ye spread his hands to keep balance; the ward was deathly silent.

System: “Host, what’s this pose? What are you doing with your beautiful face?!”

Wen Yan was too embarrassed to speak, wishing she could disappear.

“Hello, I’m Dr. Duan. Are you feeling unwell anywhere?” the doctor asked, breaking the silence.

Wen Yan tried to turn but lost balance on the soft mattress, falling onto Chen Ye. He couldn’t dodge and fell with her.

Before Chen Ye could react, Wen Yan’s hand was already exploring his smooth, taut abs.

Chen Ye, initially panicked, grabbed her hand to stop her, then realized he wasn’t allergic. He looked at her with surprise and joy.

Assistant Liu stood frozen, grinning foolishly. Dr. Duan grabbed him, shaking him excitedly.

System: “Ahhh! Host, what are you doing? Say something to save the situation!”

Only then did Wen Yan realize she’d caused trouble. Hearing the system’s prompt, she stammered, “Sister, your abs are really well-trained!” But it was too late.

System grabbed its head. “Host, rest in peace! Remember to keep your eyes open when you sleep tonight.”

Chen Ye nervously pushed Wen Yan away, closed the curtain, and buried himself in the covers. Dr. Duan and Assistant Liu quickly fled the ward.

Assistant Liu left in such haste no one knew why.

Chen Ye gritted his teeth, sending a message to Duan Mengsheng.

Wen Yan wrapped herself in the blanket, leaving only a small gap to breathe. Her ears were like radar, capturing every sound beyond the curtain.

Her heartbeat thundered, pounding in her chest so loudly she wondered if Chen Ye could hear it too—the ward was so quiet even a dropped needle would echo.

Meanwhile, Chen Ye’s side was no better. Since age ten, he’d never been alone with a woman for so long. He closed his eyes, his ears involuntarily flushed.

Thinking he couldn’t stay another moment, afraid of eye contact with the girl, he finally gave in.

He slowly rose, tiptoed to the curtain, and gently parted a narrow slit.

His gaze met Wen Yan, cocooned in the blanket.

Thinking she was asleep, he quietly slipped out of the ward.

Wen Yan heard footsteps, imagining her grim fate of being thrown into a fish pond to die. The system’s voice pulled her back.

“Gone, gone!” The system wiped sweat from Wen Yan’s brow.

Wen Yan hurried out from under the covers, breathing deeply the fresh air. She’d been sweating profusely inside.

“So, why did you suddenly disappear just now? Did you stop the elevator?”

“That was me!” The system’s tone was adorably smug.

“But my power isn’t strong, so I couldn’t do much. You need to complete more tasks so I can gain more power to help you!”

Wen Yan’s opinion of the system improved, realizing it had some use.

Closing her eyes, she pictured Chen Ye’s abs, the firmness and tightness unmistakable even through clothing. The clear lines pressed against her palm.

Though she’d become desensitized to male bodies in the hospital, she still felt a bit shy.

“Host, he’s the villain! And he might kill you anytime! Could you stop thinking dirty thoughts now?” The system was exasperated.

“Oh, I’m just appreciating art—and he hasn’t hurt me yet. I have a soft heart; maybe he won’t retaliate. At least I complimented him,” Wen Yan tried to persuade herself.

The system gave up.

Meanwhile, in bed 99 on the fifth floor, Wang Xiulian’s stomach growled ominously…

Yesterday, Wen Yan’s kick had landed her in orthopedics. Now, she longed to be bedridden for real. Before, Wen Yan would have tended to her every need. But now Wen Yan was gone, her son Li Jingyan was admitted to urology by Wen Yan, and her daughter had returned to the countryside, barely caring for her. Her nightmare was about to begin…

“Host, your medication is kicking in!” The system’s voice made Wen Yan grin, ready to reap her revenge.

Wang Xiulian curled up in bed, a dull ache lingering in her waist. Suddenly, a sharp pain twisted deep in her abdomen like a cold hook, piercing the fragile calm without warning.

At first, it was a faint spasm, as if countless cool snakes silently slithered and coiled within her intestines.

She frowned, sinking deeper into the covers, trying to soothe the torment beneath the warmth.

—End—