Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Seeds Of Doubt II
Yun Li’s lashes trembled, then her eyes fluttered open, the monitors’ steady beeps gave her awareness.
She turned her gaze toward He Yuchen, who immediately noticed the subtle alertness returning to her face.
"You’re awake," he said softly, his hand still covering hers. "How do you feel?"
"Better," she murmured, her voice hoarse.
"Do you need water?" He asked, and she nodded.
He immediately rushed to pour her a glass of water. He placed it close to her lips and carefully fed her the water.
After she was done, she asked, sniffing. "Why was I out and how long was I out for?"
"The doctor had to sedate you because you went into shock after hearing what happened to Yue Ning." He Yuchen explained, then continued. "You were out for three hours."
Yun Li nodded in understanding. Then... silence fell between them.
He Yuchen studied her carefully, his brows drawn together. "Yun Li... tell me something. Who shouldn’t I trust? You whispered it before and Yue Ning said the exact same thing."
Yun Li blinked. ’Yue Ning warned him?’ She thought to herself.
However, she didn’t give any answer. Her lips pressed together, and her hands clenched slightly under the blanket.
"Why won’t you tell me?" He Yuchen pressed, his voice firm but low, careful not to alarm her. "I need to know. Both of you warned me. That can’t be a coincidence."
Yun Li’s chest rose and fell quickly, her eyes flicking toward him briefly, then it darted away from him. He could see the struggle in her expression. She wanted to speak, to warn him, but something restrained her.
It was... fear, unrestrained fear.
"I need the truth, Yun Li," he urged, leaning closer. "I need to know who put you in danger. I need to protect you."
She remained silent, her lips parting slightly as if about to speak, then closing again. The effort alone made him tighten his grip gently around her hand.
"Yun Li," he said, his voice dropping into a rougher tone. "If you don’t tell me, I’ll figure it out myself. I’ll find out who’s behind this, and I swear—no one will harm you again."
Her eyes met his then, faint fear reflected in their depths, but still she didn’t speak.
A soft knock at the door interrupted the tense moment. He Yuchen’s head snapped toward the sound.
"Come in," he said, though his heart raced.
The door opened slowly, and Madam He stepped inside, her posture poised and flawless, a polite smile gracing her face.
She carried herself like someone who belonged everywhere at once, and yet her presence immediately filled the room with unease.
"Yun Li, how are you feeling?" she asked smoothly.
Yun Li’s gaze instinctively shifted downward, her fingers tightening around the blanket.
He Yuchen stood, stepping slightly in front of her. "Mother," he called, his tone wary even when he didn’t want it to be. "You’re here."
Madam He’s smile widened faintly. "Of course. My daughter-in-law has been through a frightening experience. I wanted to see her myself, to make sure she is well."
He Yuchen’s eyes didn’t leave her. "I see. And do you know who might have tried to hurt her?" His voice was calm, but every word carried a weight she could feel.
Madam He tilted her head, studying him as if amused. "Why would I know such things? That’s why the authorities are involved. My concern is that she recovers fully."
He Yuchen’s jaw tightened. "Both Yun Li and Yue Ning have given the same warning. Someone... someone is not what they appear. And you visited her just as she was about to speak. Don’t you find that... interesting?"
Madam He’s eyes flicked subtly toward Yun Li, then back to her son. Her expression remained perfectly serene. "Yuchen, do you really think I could harm her? She is part of this family now. Everything I do is to protect her."
He studied her, his mind turning over every memory, and every interaction. Something about her calm, flawless composure didn’t feel right. It had never felt this calculated before. But, this wasn’t the image he had of his mother previously. Everything seemed... different.
Yun Li shifted slightly on the bed, her eyes flicking toward He Yuchen, as if pleading for him to read her silence.
He Yuchen’s pulse quickened. He needed answers. He leaned closer, voice firm, demanding. "Mother, I need to know. Who is the ’her’ that Yun Li and Yue Ning warned me about? Do you have any idea? Don’t lie to me."
Madam He’s lips curved into a faint smile, just enough to disarm. "Yuchen, I would never lie to you. You must rest. Stress will not help your wife’s recovery."
He Yuchen’s gaze hardened. "Stop avoiding me. Tell me the truth, now."
Madam He’s smile faltered almost imperceptibly, and for a moment, the mask of serenity wavered. She took a step closer, lowering her voice. "Yuchen... sometimes the truth is not what you are ready to hear."
He Yuchen’s fists clenched at his sides. "I’m ready. I need to hear it. If anyone in this family is dangerous... I’ll handle it. I need to protect Yun Li and everyone close to me."
Madam He paused, her eyes meeting his with an intensity that made the air between them tense. "Very well," she said finally, her voice almost whispering. "But remember, Yuchen, some truths will change everything you thought you knew."
The door behind her remained slightly ajar, the tension thickening the room. He Yuchen didn’t move, his gaze locked on her as he sensed the first real fracture in the family he thought he knew.
Yun Li watched quietly, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. She felt the moment, the tension, the silent battle of wills, and she knew the warning had been right all along.
Madam He’s smile lingered as she straightened. "I’ll leave you to rest," she said, voice smooth again. "But remember, my son, the family is always watching. Always protecting."
With a smooth urn, she exited the room, leaving it thick with unspoken threats and uneasy silence.
He Yuchen exhaled sharply, his hand still covering Yun Li’s. His mind raced. The doubts, the warnings, the near-fatal poisoning—they all pointed to one inescapable truth.
It was someone close, and someone he trusted.
He wouldn’t rest until he uncovered it.
And now, he knew... his mother was no longer the woman he thought he knew.