After I Married the Comatose CEO - Chapter 1

With a muffled “thud,” Xie Qiu’s vision went dark.

He gasped, clutching his forehead and stumbling back two steps. He realized with a shock that he had just slammed his own head against the door.

A stranger’s harsh female voice rang out from outside the room: “You stay in there and reflect on your behavior! Don’t even think about coming out until you agree to this marriage!”

Xie Qiu’s head was still spinning, and he was completely confused. “What marriage?”

Something was wrong. Wasn’t he just sleeping in his rental apartment? How did he wake up in a completely different room?

“The marriage alliance between the Xie and He families was settled long ago. Even if He Siyan is a ‘vegetable’ now, our Xie family is still lucky to marry into theirs!” The woman outside sounded extremely agitated. “If you break this engagement and the He family blames us, you’ll be the one who ruins the entire Xie family, you hear me!”

Wait! The He family? He Siyan?

Xie Qiu’s brain felt like it had been struck by a bolt of lightning.

Before going to sleep last night, he had read a dramatic “dog-blood” web novel about wealthy families and “white moonlights.” The title was too long to remember, but there was a villainous “cannon fodder” character in that book who had the exact same name as him: Xie Qiu.

In the book, this Xie Qiu was engaged to the main male lead’s older brother. However, fate was cruel. A car accident turned the powerful head of the He family into a “vegetable” in a coma.

When He Siyan originally ran the family, the original Xie Qiu tried everything to stick to him. But once it seemed certain that He Siyan would never wake up, he immediately changed his face. He didn’t just demand to break the engagement; he also set his sights on the main male lead. He constantly interfered between the main couple and caused all sorts of drama. In the end, he got what he deserved: a car accident left him paralyzed, and his ending was miserable.

Thinking back to this, Xie Qiu couldn’t help but shiver.

As luck would have it, he had traveled into the body of the original character right at the moment he was throwing a tantrum to break the engagement.

While Xie Qiu was dazed, the person outside the door had already walked away.

Xie Qiu: “…”

Wait, she’s gone? At least give me a chance to change my mind and say yes!

Xie Qiu sighed. Remembering something, he quickly turned and walked toward the full-length mirror.

The mirror reflected a beautiful face with fair skin and long, curled eyelashes. There was a small mole under his eye, and his light-red lips had a tiny, delicate peak. He looked as exquisite as a doll in a shop window.

Xie Qiu realized this face was almost identical to his own—even the mole was in the exact same spot. The only difference was the slightly long, wavy hair; the original owner probably hadn’t had a haircut in a long time.

Since he was already here, he decided to make the best of it. After the initial shock, Xie Qiu lay back down on the bed to think about his plan.

The bed was very soft. As he brainstormed, his eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

When Xie Qiu was startled awake by a knock on the door, night had already fallen.

“Xiao Qiu,” the sharp female voice returned. “Your father said if you insist on breaking the engagement—”

Xie Qiu leaped off the bed, interrupting the threat: “I’ll marry him!”

Yao Man didn’t expect him to change his mind so quickly. She froze for several seconds before reacting, hurriedly opening the door. “Really? You’ve finally come to your senses?”

Xie Qiu looked at the slightly dramatic woman in front of him and nodded firmly. “Really. I am willing to marry He Siyan.”

Even though He Siyan was a “vegetable” and the He family would later be run by his younger brother, He Jingchen, the He family was still a massive dynasty. Marrying He Siyan meant he would never have to worry about food or clothes. Plus, he wouldn’t have to perform any “husbandly duties.” How was this any different from winning the lottery?

No way was he going to be the villainous cannon fodder. Let the main couple torture each other for three hundred chapters—having a rich husband in a coma was way better!

“That’s wonderful!” Yao Man cried tears of joy and lunged forward with open arms. “Mama knew the Xie family didn’t raise you for nothing!”

A strong scent of perfume rushed toward him. Xie Qiu nimbly dodged to the side, avoiding her embrace.

In truth, the original owner’s background was quite pitiful. His parents had died when he was young, and he was adopted by the Xie couple.

However, the good times didn’t last. Two years later, Yao Man became pregnant and gave birth to the family’s “real” young master. From then on, life in the Xie household became difficult for the original owner.

Now that the family business was struggling, the couple naturally forced their adopted son to marry into the He family to act as a “luck charm” to wake He Siyan. Not only could they “sell” him for a high price, but they could also lean on the powerful He family for support. It killed two birds with one stone.

Although Xie Qiu didn’t understand why people in the 21st century still believed in feudal superstitions like “marrying for luck,” this was a novel. If the author said it made sense, it made sense.

Yao Man missed her hug and felt a bit awkward. Fearing Xie Qiu might change his mind, she quickly urged, “Let’s go, Xiao Qiu. Come with Mama to tell the He family the good news.”

“Um…” Xie Qiu couldn’t bring himself to call her “Mama” yet. “I’m hungry. Can I have dinner first?”

“Of course!” Yao Man shouted as she walked out, “Aunt Wang, hurry up and heat up dinner!”

A moment later, Xie Qiu walked downstairs and ran into a teenage boy.

“Hey, at least you’re being sensible.” Xie Hengyu held his head high with a proud and disdainful expression. “Our Xie family doesn’t feed useless people.”

Xie Qiu pursed his lips and didn’t reply.

“Damn, what kind of look is that?” Xie Hengyu acted as if his tail had been stepped on and jumped up. “Our family raised you for so long, shouldn’t you do something—”

“Excuse me.” Xie Qiu spoke politely, cutting off the one-sided lecture.

Xie Hengyu choked on his words. “You… you…”

At that moment, Xie Jin, who was reading the newspaper on the sofa, spoke up: “Xiao Qiu, come here.”

Xie Qiu lowered his eyelashes, walked past the stunned Xie Hengyu, and stood before the sofa.

“Don’t blame us for being heartless; this is all for your own good,” Xie Jin said with a tone of deep concern. “Setting everything else aside, once you marry into the He family, your good days are ahead of you.”

Xie Qiu curled his lips into a small smile. “Then I should probably give this ‘good fortune’ to my younger brother instead.”

Xie Jin’s expression changed instantly. “Xie Qiu, you—”

“I’m joking.” Xie Qiu smiled again. “I know what to do.”

“As long as you know.” Xie Jin’s face softened slightly as he stood up. “Xiao Yu, go back to your room and study.”

Xie Hengyu left unhappily, leaving only Xie Qiu in the living room. He sat down peacefully at the dining table and began to eat.

Aunt Wang brought out half a plate of roast chicken. “Young Master, eat slowly.”

Xie Qiu looked up, hesitating to speak.

Since she had watched him grow up, Aunt Wang wiped her eyes and said, “Young Master, if you feel wronged, just tell me. You’ll feel better if you let it out.”

“Aunt Wang, can you put some cumin on the roast chicken?” Xie Qiu blinked. “Chili powder works too.”

No matter how wronged he felt, he couldn’t let his stomach suffer.

Early the next morning, Xie Qiu was still dreaming when he was woken up by a loud “bang bang” on his door.

He waited a moment to wake up, then walked to the door and opened it.

Yao Man stood outside, speaking very fast. “Xiao Qiu! Madam He wants to see you today. Hurry up and get ready to go to the He house!”

As soon as she finished, she closed the door for him.

Xie Qiu went to the closet. There were many clothes, but very few he actually wanted to wear.

He finally pulled out a hoodie and a pair of loose jeans. Looking in the mirror, he thought his hair really needed a trim.

He already had somewhat feminine features; keeping his hair long might cause people to be confused about his gender.

So, on the way to the He house, Xie Qiu stopped at a barbershop to get a haircut.

After the haircut, he took a nap in the car. When he woke up, the car was parked in front of a massive estate villa.

The heavy, grand gates slowly opened, and the car drove inside.

After driving for a few minutes, the car stopped, and someone immediately opened the door for him.

Xie Qiu said thank you and followed a man who looked like a butler inside.

When the top-tier luxury mansion described in the novel actually appeared before his eyes, he tried his best to keep a straight face. He didn’t want to look like he had never seen anything before.

Still, Xie Qiu couldn’t help but marvel in his heart. No wonder the protagonists in “forced love” novels could never escape the CEO’s house.

But if it were him, he wouldn’t run away. He had a terrible sense of direction; in a place this big, he’d just get lost.

After many turns, Xie Qiu finally reached a bright, grand living room.

Butler Lin spoke respectfully: “Madam, Young Master Xie Qiu has arrived.”

Xie Qiu looked up and saw a beautiful woman sitting on the sofa.

She showed no signs of aging. Her clothes and makeup were subtle but couldn’t hide her wealth. Every movement she made was elegant and noble.

Xie Qiu greeted her politely: “Madam He.”

At the same time, Madam He was quietly observing him.

The young man before her had a small face, fair skin, and sharp, delicate features. His large eyes looked as bright and beautiful as glass beads.

They had met briefly before, but she only remembered his hair being quite long. She hadn’t noticed such a handsome face hidden underneath.

Madam He nodded slightly and called out, “Xiao Qiu, come here.”

Xie Qiu took a few steps closer.

Madam He nodded again. Not only was he exceptionally good-looking, but he also had a tall, straight posture and a calm, confident aura.

Madam He spoke gently: “Xiao Qiu, I heard from your mother that you agreed to marry Siyan?”

“Yes, Madam He,” Xie Qiu gave a firm answer.

Actually, the reason the original owner was engaged to He Siyan was quite ridiculous.

When He Siyan was a child, he faced many misfortunes. Once, in the middle of winter, he fell into the family lake and nearly died.

Perhaps the richer people are, the more superstitious they become. Master He found a master to read his grandson’s fortune. The master said He Siyan would face one more great disaster as an adult and must marry someone with a specific “fate” to break the curse.

The He family searched and searched until they found the original Xie Qiu. The Xie family was more than happy to connect with such a powerful family, so the grandfather immediately arranged the engagement.

However, after He Siyan became an adult, he focused entirely on his career. He ignored the original Xie Qiu and refused to follow through with the ridiculous engagement, so the wedding was delayed again and again.

Because of this, after He Siyan’s accident, Master He firmly believed it happened because the two hadn’t married in time to break the bad luck.

Madam He, having no other choice, placed her last hope on Xie Qiu. She hoped that once they married, He Siyan would wake up.

Madam He touched the clear jade bracelet on her wrist and asked, “Then may I ask why you suddenly changed your mind?”

She had heard rumors that Xie Qiu had been throwing a massive fit at home recently to stop the wedding.

Xie Qiu replied in a low voice, “After all, I had an engagement with Brother He first. Besides…”

Madam He pressed, “Besides what?”

Xie Qiu lowered his eyelashes. “Besides, I do have feelings for Brother He. It makes me very sad to see him like this, and I want to do my part to help.”

His delicate brows furrowed, and his long eyelashes trembled slightly. He looked so fragile and lovely that anyone would feel sorry for him.

Madam He immediately forgot her younger son’s warnings. She comforted him warmly, “Good child, I didn’t realize you were so loyal. I misunderstood you; there must have been some mistake.”

How could such a beautiful boy have bad intentions? she thought.

Without waiting for Xie Qiu to reply, Madam He stood up. “Come, Xiao Qiu. I’ll take you to see Siyan.”

Xie Qiu replied, “Okay, Madam He.”

They walked through many doors and arrived at a bedroom on the second floor.

Madam He pushed the door open. “Come in, Xiao Qiu.”

Xie Qiu entered the bedroom and looked around.

It was clear that this room had been turned into a home medical suite suitable for a patient.

Xie Qiu turned his gaze toward the bed and suddenly froze.

A man lay there sleeping. His face was pale and his cheeks were thin. Even with his eyes closed, his high nose and sharp facial features showed that he must be a very handsome man.

Since the main lead of the original book was He Jingchen, the author hadn’t described this older brother in much detail before he was written into a coma.

The book only mentioned that He Siyan became the head of the He family at a young age and built a true business empire in just a few years.

Unfortunately, this genius didn’t have “protagonist luck.” A sudden car accident left him lying lifelessly on a bed. He wasn’t supposed to wake up until near the end of the story.

Xie Qiu pursed his lips. How could the author not mention that He Siyan is this handsome?

Beside him, Madam He noticed his gaze. She became even more convinced that this boy truly had feelings for Siyan.

“The doctors say the key window for waking him up has passed. The chances of him waking…” Madam He looked at the person on the bed, her expression turning sad and her voice trailing off. “Even though you have an engagement, you should think carefully.”

“I have thought it through, Madam He.” Xie Qiu walked toward the bed. “Madam He, I believe Brother He will definitely wake up.”

“Really?” Madam He turned to him, her voice urgent. “Do you really believe Siyan will wake up?”

Since the accident nearly half a year ago, everyone had been repeatedly reminding her that the chances of her eldest son waking up were tiny.

But now, someone was firmly telling her that he would definitely wake up. She felt like she had found a lifeline.

“Really.” Xie Qiu reached out and held the large, elegant hand on the bed. “I have confidence—”

Before he could finish, he felt the fingers under his palm seem to twitch against him.

Xie Qiu was startled. He pulled his hand back as if he’d been shocked and stared at the hand.

Madam He looked over too. “What’s wrong?”

The large hand resting on the white sheet was long and pale. The blue veins were clearly visible, and it looked lifeless.

Xie Qiu regained his composure and tried holding the hand again.

Right under their eyes, He Siyan’s finger moved slightly.

Tears instantly filled Madam He’s eyes. She said happily, “Xiao Qiu! Siyan knows you’re here!”

Before coming here, Xie Qiu had researched this. Some people in comas have reflex movements, but it doesn’t always mean they are conscious.

It was these tiny reactions that often made families unable to give up, constantly dreaming that the patient would open their eyes and speak.

However, Xie Qiu knew He Siyan would wake up eventually, so he promised, “Madam He, I will definitely take good care of Brother He until he truly wakes up.”

“Good, very good!” Madam He grabbed his other hand. “Siyan is lucky to have you!”

Xie Qiu felt he didn’t deserve such praise. “Madam He, you’re being too kind.”

“Oh, you silly child, why are you still calling me Madam He!” Su Wanrong (Madam He) wiped her eyes and teased, “Hurry and call me ‘Mom’!”

Xie Qiu: “Huh?”

“Do you think it’s too fast?” Su Wanrong saw him freeze and gave him an out. “It’s okay, Xiao Qiu. No rush. You can call me ‘Mom’ after the wedding.”

Xie Qiu breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you for understanding.”

Su Wanrong looked at him eagerly. “So, how about you and Siyan get married tomorrow?”

Xie Qiu: “…”