Chapter 132—The Grand Finale

Lin Xiaowen, who had fallen into a coma, slept for a full year before finally deciding to wake up!

Aside from looking a bit dazed and silly, there was nothing different about her. Her round eyes darted everywhere, scanning the face of everyone standing by the bed one by one. Her gaze held questions, confusion, and, above all, a sense of unfamiliarity.

After examining her, the doctor gave instructions to the group at the door, stating that the patient had fully regained consciousness. However, because her head had been struck by a heavy object, there might be lingering side effects. Things like forgetfulness, occasional headaches, or perhaps becoming dim-witted—just as she appeared now.

Yet, after some deliberation among the group, they unanimously agreed that Lin Xiaowen wasn't dim-witted; she had simply lost her memory.

Yes, amnesia!

"Life really is a melodramatic soap opera. Hey, even the idol dramas wouldn't film it like this, right?" Xu Ningning said, bumping her shoulder against Cheng Yishu in frustration.

Cheng Yishu seemed to snap out of a trance, cleared his throat, and said, "What does amnesia matter? In the future, I will help Xiaowen find those memories back. Even if we can't find them, we will create new, even better memories to fill the void!"

"Will Xiaowen even forget Ranran?" Su Nian asked, frowning deeply.

"It doesn't matter. Once Xiaowen's health recovers a bit, I will take her to Hong Kong. I know an expert in this field; we can give it a try!" Si Nan said in a low, firm voice.

"That won't be necessary!" Cheng Yishu squinted at Si Nan and said, "If anyone is taking Xiaowen there, it will be me. Don't trouble yourself, Mr. Si."

"Xiaowen is a member of the Si family. Isn't it a bit too distant to talk about trouble?"

"Hiss... choose your words carefully. Ranran may have your Si family's blood flowing through her veins, but until Xiaowen agrees, please do not act on your own and treat them as the exclusive property of your family, because I don't agree!" Cheng Yishu said impatiently.

"That is a matter between me and them—the mother and daughter. What is there to discuss with an outsider like you?" Si Nan retorted, looking as if he didn't want to engage with him.

"Who are you calling an outsider?" Cheng Yishu said indignantly. "I am Xiaowen's boyfriend. Her current boyfriend, do you understand?"

"But I am Ranran's uncle!" Si Nan raised an eyebrow, ready to fight to the end.

"So what if you're her uncle?" Cheng Yishu shouted. "You have the nerve to say that? Logically, you should be calling Xiaowen 'sister-in-law,' yet you insist on shamelessly asking her to marry you..."

"And so what?" Si Nan raised his voice as well. "Our ancestors have had such precedents!"

"Bullshit!" Cheng Yishu was truly furious. "What ancient history are you digging up? Still clinging to those Qing Dynasty customs? The Qing Dynasty fell ages ago!"

"You..."

"You what? Can't handle the truth?"

"Alright, can you two stop arguing!" Xu Ningning sat down beside Lin Xiaowen, sighed as she looked at the dazed girl, and said, "Xiaowen is in this state, and you two still have the mood to quarrel?"

"It's okay... let them argue!" Lin Xiaowen curled her lips, her gaze sweeping softly over each of them. To be able to hear their voices and see their expressions once again, with her loved ones and friends alive and well—to Lin Xiaowen, even their arguing seemed endearing.

"See, even Xiaowen thinks I'm right, don't you, Xiao... wen!" Cheng Yishu suddenly felt something was off. The others also looked simultaneously at Lin Xiaowen's smiling face.

"Xiaowen..." Xu Ningning's trembling hand grasped Lin Xiaowen's. She continued, "You, you..." Xu Ningning didn't know how to start or what to ask; she just kept saying "you" over and over.

Cheng Yishu, anxious, pulled Xu Ningning aside and leaned in, almost pressing his face against Lin Xiaowen's. As their eyes met, Lin Xiaowen's held nothing but a light, playful smile and the sight of Cheng Yishu's desperate concern.

"Xiaowen, do you... remember me?" Cheng Yishu's voice trembled uncontrollably, and his grip on her hand tightened.

Lin Xiaowen knitted her brows in pain, pouting with slight dissatisfaction, and said in a dry, raspy voice, "Great Actor Cheng, congratulations to you!"

The single sentence was hoarse and jarring, yet to everyone's ears, it sounded like heaven.

"You remember me, and you even know what happened this past year... So, every time we spoke by your side, you could hear us? Xiaowen, I'm not dreaming, am I?" Cheng Yishu was so overwhelmed he didn't know what to do, finally pulling Lin Xiaowen into a fierce embrace.

"Xiaowen, you're really okay. Oh my god, this is wonderful..." Xu Ningning covered her mouth, sobbing with joy.

Si Nan's lips moved, but no sound came out; he only gripped his cane tighter. Su Nian smiled silently, putting an arm around Xu Ningning's trembling shoulders, and Xu Ningning leaned into her.

The hospital room, cold and lonely for a year, was filled with warmth and emotion for the first time.

Everything had finally come to an end.

Xu Ningning and Su Nian were the first to leave, citing that Su Mo was waiting for them. Si Nan naturally wouldn't overstay his welcome, but before leaving, he left a message: "I will pick up Ranran from school. You two... let Xiaowen get some rest!"

Cheng Yishu hadn't quite processed it earlier. It wasn't until Si Nan had been gone for a while that he suddenly realized—was he stepping aside?

Lin Xiaowen tapped Cheng Yishu on the forehead and teased, "What are you daydreaming about?"

Cheng Yishu snapped back to reality, holding Lin Xiaowen as he laughed, "Nothing, it's just..."

"Just what?"

"Let me tell you something!" Cheng Yishu's expression was so serious and sincere that it stirred Lin Xiaowen's heart. This face, which had never left her thoughts even in her dreams, could finally be seen clearly now.

"What is it?" Lin Xiaowen straightened up as well.

"That... lend... Ranran to me!" Cheng Yishu said, his face turning bright red, his tone very unnatural.

"Why?" Lin Xiaowen looked at him sideways, finding the sudden request strange. She was her own daughter, and now she had become his little shadow—what was this? Was being a big star so impressive?

"'Daddy is here'..." Cheng Yishu had never been patient with explanations, so he forced out only those few words.

"Huh?" Lin Xiaowen blinked her round eyes, still completely confused, and had to ask humbly.

"The company arranged for me to participate in a parent-child show... you idiot..." Finally losing his patience, Cheng Yishu flicked her on the head. "You silly woman, how much more direct do I have to be..."

Cheng Yishu looked with embarrassment and affection at Lin Xiaowen, who was laughing even more brightly in his arms.

"So?" Lin Xiaowen played along; even though she understood perfectly, she still feigned ignorance.

"So?" Cheng Yishu looked at her with a mock cry, then suddenly flashed a wicked smile. "So, welcome my little SpongeBobs into my vast ocean of love!"

A deep kiss silenced the words Lin Xiaowen hadn't yet spoken. Her trembling eyelashes shimmered like happy crystals, and at that moment, the sunlight outside the window was warm, and the breeze was gentle.

[The End]