Chapter 5: Replacing Your Life (5)

The male lead woke up already?

Tong Ling’s face fell, resembling that of an overworked employee hearing their boss declare there would be no day off. Yet her professional demeanor kicked in; upon seeing Ye Xu, she feigned immense surprise with a delighted expression. “Ye Huan is awake?” she exclaimed hastily. “That’s wonderful! I’ll go see him right away!”

Ye Xu swiftly restrained Tong Ling, feeling increasingly uneasy at her apparent concern for Ye Huan. He said, “Hold on, he just came out of surgery. Due to the anesthesia, he’s still quite drowsy.”

Though visibly worried, Tong Ling felt secretly relieved inside. She asked, “When will he recover fully? His injuries were severe; it must be incredibly painful…”

“Ye Huan has a robust constitution, and his fractures are minor,” Ye Xu replied, striving to present Ye Huan’s condition optimistically so as not to worry this woman further. “With some time in the hospital, he should heal well.”

“One more thing,” Ye Xu added, his expression turning serious. “Don’t breathe a word about Ye Huan’s accident to anyone outside. I’ve already locked down the information within the hospital—nothing gets leaked. The car Ye Huan was driving that day—I had someone tow it away, and I’ve smoothed things over with the driver involved.

Here’s the story we’re going with: Due to the rain, the driver lost control of his speed and hit Ye Huan at a turn in the road while he was walking alone by the side. Upon impact, Ye Huan was rushed immediately to the hospital. Throughout the incident, the driver only saw Ye Huan—and no one else—in the vicinity.”

Tong Ling immediately grasped Ye Xu’s meaning—she was being completely absolved from any involvement in the accident. Deeply moved by his gesture, she resolved to fully utilize him as her ally and ensure that Ye Xu’s efforts would not go wasted.

“But isn’t this dishonest?” Tong Ling hesitated, “Ye Huan got out of the car because he saw me; I…”

Ye Xu gently took hold of Tong Ling’s shoulders, his deep gaze fixed intently on hers. “You’re now abroad, and the accident has nothing to do with you. This isn’t about lying or deceiving anyone; all you need to do is remain silent.”

“What if someone witnessed the crash though?” Tong Ling fluttered her eyelashes anxiously, still visibly uneasy. “Even though there were few pedestrians due to the rain, surveillance cameras at the intersection are always active…”

Surveillance. Right! The issue of surveillance needed addressing too. Ye Xu nearly overlooked this crucial aspect, but thankfully, he caught it just in time. His mind swiftly recalculated, formulating a plan.

Seeing Ye Xu’s composed demeanor, Tong Ling realized there was no need for concern. Yet, feigning worry, she said, “Actually, there’s no need for such trouble; there’s really nothing to hide about this incident.”

“Foolish girl,” Ye Xu murmured, “that woman Shen Man isn’t so easily swayed. If she discovers any link between you and her son’s car accident, she’ll undoubtedly blame you.” He lowered his head, pressing his forehead against Tong Ling’s. Their noses touched gently as their breaths intertwined. A faint smile gradually graced Ye Xu’s initially cold features. “Won’t you listen to me this once?”

As if stunned by Ye Xu’s sudden intimacy, Tong Ling froze for a moment before her face slowly flushed red. She nodded repeatedly, stammering, “I-I understand.”

“Little gege…” Tong Ling squirmed slightly, her gaze drifting towards the distance. “Why are you standing so close?”

“To check your temperature,” Ye Xu replied, swiftly justifying his abrupt closeness. His hand released her gently, brushing through her hair with feigned casualness. “It seems like your fever has indeed gone down. But remember, recovering from a cold takes more than just a day or two. Make sure to take your medication properly over these next few days and look after yourself.”

Tong Ling gazed at Ye Xu’s pseudo-serious, finely sculpted face and couldn’t help but remark to m577, “Hey there, Little M, did you see that? How utterly coquettish he is being!”

Had something triggered a new trait in Ye Xu? To think he would now dare to seduce her so openly—such audacity!

m577 averted his gaze, feeling utterly conflicted:

“Hehe, this version is far more exciting now,” Tong Ling said with an innocent expression on her face. Yet when conversing with m577, she adopted a seasoned player’s tone. “I prefer them spicier; he still hasn’t let loose enough. What kind of man doesn’t take the initiative?”

m577 fell silent for a moment before struggling to respond:

Tong Ling retrieved the hospital scene’s plot from her memory for a quick review. It was simple, easily summarized in just a few sentences.

After discovering that the woman he’d hit bore a striking resemblance to his girlfriend who had gone abroad, Ye Huan—driven by hidden motives—began visiting her at the hospital intermittently. When the injured woman expressed her affection towards him, he proposed they could become lovers under one condition: she must mimic Yu Yurou’s appearance. The arrangement would end naturally once Yu Yurou returned from overseas. To formalize their agreement, they even signed a contract stating it was purely transactional in nature.

Oh boy, what a scumbag! No wonder the female protagonist, Yu Yurou, kept backup options around—the two of them truly did seem well-matched in some twisted way!

After expressing her sentiments, Tong Ling eagerly prepared to dive back into work.

“Which room is Ye Huan in?” she asked Ye Xu. “I know he’s asleep, but I just want to stay by his side.”

Ye Xu desperately wanted to prevent Tong Ling from visiting Ye Huan, yet he had no grounds upon which to do so outright. Instead, he cautioned her, “Are you aware of the risks involved in accompanying him? The truth about Ye Huan’s accident won’t remain hidden for long. It would be best if after seeing him, you leave immediately. Otherwise, when Shen Man arrives and finds you here—having been deceived once before—I doubt she’ll let it go easily this time.”

Tong Ling pondered for a moment, seemingly reaching a decision within herself. “I understand that leaving might be the wisest choice,” she said softly, “but my heart can’t bear it. This is precisely when Ye Huan needs someone to care for him; how could I abandon him now? I must find a way to stay.”

Ye Xu’s expression hardened instantly. His tone, previously gentle as flowing water, turned icy cold. “Is your attachment to him truly that strong? Or perhaps you don’t trust me enough to believe I can take proper care of him?”

“How could that be!” Tong Ling hastily reassured him, “Why wouldn’t I trust you? It’s not that at all. I simply feel like I’m imposing too much on you with these trivial matters. You have so many other responsibilities—you shouldn’t waste your precious time on such inconsequential issues!”

With unwavering sincerity, Ye Xu replied, “When it comes to you, there are no ‘trivial matters’ or ‘inconsequential issues’ for me.”

Feigning embarrassment, Tong Ling quietly lowered her head.

Ye Xu was the first to yield. With a sigh, as if resigned, he said, “I’ll arrange for a caregiver to look after him, and you can stay here to watch over him too. If Shen Man comes by, I’ll inform you beforehand.”

Tong Ling stole a glance at Ye Xu, then gently hooked her pinky finger around his own. “Don’t be angry anymore, okay?” she pleaded softly. “I know it might seem overly impulsive of me; sorry…”

Ye Xu felt his heart flutter once again at Tong Ling’s tender gesture. Strangely, he found himself increasingly unable to remain composed around her.

“Please don’t hold a grudge, Xiao-gege.” After intertwining their fingers, Tong Ling began tickling Ye Xu’s palm with her fingertips. “Just let go of your anger… just this once…”

The sensation spread from his palm straight to his heart. Quickly grasping Tong Ling’s mischievous hand, Ye Xu asked with mixed emotions, “Do you do this with others too? Would you casually touch any man like that?”

Tong Ling glared at Ye Xu indignantly. “Just now, you touched my head! Why wouldn’t I have the right to touch your hand? And why call it casual? I only ever act like this with you!”

With those words, she turned away in a huff. “Fine then—I won’t ever touch you again!”

Ye Xu felt his heart melt like honey sugar. He hastily caught hold of Tong Ling’s wrist, “There’s a difference between how I touch you and how you touch me,” he explained hurriedly.

Tong Ling raised her eyebrow. “How is it any different?”

Ye Xu’s gaze instantly turned dangerous. He wrapped his arm around her waist and leaned down, gradually closing the distance between them.

A shudder ran through Tong Ling as she stammered, “Wh-what do you mean to…”

Her words were cut off by a kiss.

Ye Xu’s lips descended with ferocity and passion, tearing away his usual mask of gentleness. With overwhelming intensity yet deep affection, he kissed the woman who held his heart captive. Before she could push him away, he gently gripped the back of her head, nipping at her lips before plunging his tongue past their barrier. His technique was crude, devoid of finesse, but his pursuit of this hard-won sweetness was insatiable—a greedy quest for the joy that had eluded him so long.

This scorching kiss set both their hearts racing wildly. Ye Xu watched as the woman in his arms closed her eyes, her long lashes trembling ever so slightly. Her vulnerable appearance, seemingly unable to resist, only fueled his desire further…

As the kiss ended, Ye Xu brushed aside the tears glistening at the corners of Tong Ling’s eyes. With a hint of satisfaction, he whispered softly into her ear, his voice slightly husky from exertion, “Don’t forget—one day, your little gege will be just another man.”

Breathless, Tong Ling opened her eyes. Shocked and embarrassed, she stumbled backward two steps without uttering a word. Like a frightened rabbit, she bolted off into the distance—only to reappear mere seconds later, drawn back by an irresistible force.

“Um…which room is Ye Huan’s?” Tong Ling timidly asked.

Ye Xu let out a bitter laugh at her question. Even now, she couldn’t forget about that blasted boyfriend of hers.

“Follow me.” Ye Xu maintained some distance from Tong Ling as he led the way. Before she entered the patient’s room, he deeply gazed into her eyes and said, “Don’t be afraid of me; I would never harm you.”

Tong Ling nodded with her head bowed before swiftly slipping into the病房.

Inside, the man lying on the hospital bed instantly opened his eyes upon hearing the door open.

Ye Huan felt weak and exhausted, yet despite his desire to sleep, his mind remained unsettled.

He remembered that after being wheeled out of surgery, the first face he saw was Ye Xu’s. His brother had explained that Yu Yurou had called him, unable to find anyone else who could sign the surgical consent forms for Ye Huan. Ye Xu assured him that he’d contained the news for now. Once Ye Huan felt up to it, he should call Shen Man and fabricate an excuse to disappear for a while. The goal was to keep the accident under wraps for as long as possible—without allowing Shen Man even a hint of Yu Yurou’s involvement…

Ye Huan understood Ye Xu’s intentions all too well; he needed no reminder from him. He was even more determined than Ye Xu to protect his girlfriend!

Though aware that Yu Yurou and Ye Xu were friends—and thus bringing Ye Xu into this situation had been her wisest choice—he couldn’t help but bristle at Ye Xu’s overly protective attitude towards his girlfriend as if it were second nature.

He had not the slightest desire to see Ye Xu’s face right now; all he wanted was to reunite with the woman he loved most in the world.

So Ye Huan waited, anticipating Yu Yurou’s arrival.

Yu Yurou indeed didn’t keep him waiting long. However, as he gazed upon the woman before him—with misty eyes, swollen lips showing signs of abrasion, and an aura carrying the sweet scent of someone who’d recently been cherished—doubts began to creep into Ye Huan’s mind.

“Your mouth…how did you get these cuts?” Ye Huan has never been one to mince words. Staring intently at his girlfriend, he sought answers on her face, “Did something happen?”