After I Married the Comatose CEO - Chapter 18

Even though Xie Qiu had wiped down his husband’s body many times during this period, he always made sure to avoid that specific area, not even glancing at it with the corner of his eye.

But today, he was forced into a super close-up, frontal encounter.

Help! Through a thin blanket, how could it still look so impressive?

Xie Qiu froze for a few seconds before suddenly snapping out of it. He threw off the large hand holding him and scrambled backward.

In his retreat, he landed right in the chair behind him, making a sharp, grating noise.

The caregiver in the hallway heard the noise and immediately pushed open the door. “Eldest Young Madam, what happened?”

“No… nothing happened,” Xie Qiu replied, sitting in the chair and pretending to be calm. “I just moved the chair by mistake.”

“Oh, I see!” The caregiver didn’t doubt him. “Then I’ll head out. Call me if you need anything.”

The door closed again. Xie Qiu raised both hands to cover his bright red earlobes, trying to cool them down.

The man on the bed was motionless again. His pale, large hand was spread out on the sheet, looking as if it had no strength at all.

Xie Qiu called out tentatively, “Husband?”

He Siyan’s eyes were closed, and his face was completely calm.

“Looks like he’s asleep again,” Xie Qiu muttered to himself, then whispered a complaint, “Husband, are you part donkey or something?”

How could a man who had been lying in a sickbed for years suddenly explode with such hand strength? It was simply unbelievable.

But then again, considering He Siyan’s build before the accident—which was much more robust than a normal person—maybe it was thanks to the good physical foundation he had built.

Xie Qiu lowered his hands and, without looking elsewhere, tucked the man in. “Goodnight, husband. Sweet dreams.”

With that, he quickly got up and left the room.

What Xie Qiu didn’t know was that after he left, the man’s brow furrowed. His hands clenched into fists again, bracing against the bed as if he were trying his hardest to push up his upper body.

His hands were straining so hard that the veins popping on the back of his hands extended all the way up his arms. Against his pale skin, it looked almost terrifying.

This process lasted for about ten seconds. The man’s upper body almost managed to leave the bedsheet, but in the end, he fell back down weakly.

He Siyan’s heavily heaving chest gradually stilled, and his breathing slowly returned to normal.

Only his right hand remained gripped to the sheet, as if he were unwilling to sink back into the endless darkness.

After another moment, the hand finally let go of its strength and hung quietly by his side.

A few days later, it was finally the eve of Grandpa He’s birthday banquet.

Everything at the He estate was ready. To ensure the banquet went smoothly tomorrow, Su Wanrong went over the process one last time with the butler.

“Alright, let’s leave it at that for now,” Su Wanrong said with a slight wave of her hand. “Everyone should rest early tonight and stay sharp tomorrow.”

“Yes, Madam,” Butler Lin replied. “Don’t worry, I will make sure everyone stays alert and gives 120 percent.”

When Xie Qiu came downstairs, he saw Su Wanrong sitting on the sofa with her eyes closed for a short nap.

He lightened his footsteps, not wanting to disturb her, but he was one step too late.

“Xiao Qiu,” Su Wanrong opened her eyes and called out warmly, “Come, come sit here.”

Xie Qiu asked with concern, “Are you finished with your work?”

Su Wanrong patted the spot next to her. “Everything is arranged. We’re just waiting for the banquet tomorrow.”

Xie Qiu walked over and sat on the sofa beside her. “Mom, you’ve worked hard.”

“I haven’t worked hard, you have,” Su Wanrong held his hand. “Did you just finish telling Siyan a story?”

Xie Qiu nodded. “Yes, my husband should be asleep now.”

Lately, his husband’s movements had become more and more frequent. Dr. Chen said this showed his condition was getting better, but it still required time.

“Good child,” Su Wanrong paused and asked, “Xiao Qiu, do you have classes at school tomorrow?”

Xie Qiu replied, “Yes, I have two professional classes on Friday afternoon.”

“Then you should be back quite early,” Su Wanrong continued with a smile. “Xiao Qiu, since tomorrow is such a great day for Grandpa’s birthday, I want to introduce you to everyone. What do you think?”

Xie Qiu was slightly stunned and didn’t respond immediately.

Because Su Wanrong hadn’t mentioned him attending the banquet until now, he had assumed he would just need to stay in his room tomorrow.

He didn’t expect Su Wanrong to plan on officially introducing him to everyone.

“What’s wrong, Xiao Qiu?” Su Wanrong observed his expression. “Is there something bothering you?”

Xie Qiu opened his mouth, unsure of how to decline.

He knew very well in his heart that as soon as He Siyan woke up, the first thing he would do is divorce him and end this marriage that happened without his consent. Currently, only the He family knew they were married. Except for Su Wanrong, no one in the family took this ridiculous marriage seriously. When the time came, he would simply pack his bags and leave.

However, if Su Wanrong announced his identity to the public at the birthday banquet, it would be like putting He Siyan on the spot. If He Siyan tried to divorce him then, people might gossip behind his back.

Seeing his long silence, Su Wanrong advised him patiently, “Xiao Qiu, if you have something on your mind, you can tell me directly.”

“Mom, I don’t think now is a good time to go public,” Xie Qiu explained sincerely after organizing his thoughts. “My husband is at a critical stage of regaining consciousness. I don’t want to be distracted; I want to wait until he is officially awake before we talk about it.”

Su Wanrong was visibly moved. “Good child! You really love Siyan deeply!”

“If you want me to attend Grandpa’s banquet, of course I will,” Xie Qiu added after a thought. “But can I attend just as a member of the younger generation?”

“Yes, yes, of course!” Su Wanrong agreed repeatedly. “Xiao Qiu, you’ve thought of everything!”

The next morning, Xie Qiu went to school for classes as usual.

Meng Ziye knew today was a big day and was even more excited than Xie Qiu. “Xiao Qiu! You’re going to Grandpa He’s birthday banquet today, right?”

Xie Qiu gestured to him. “Keep it down.”

“Okay, I’ll be quiet, I’ll be quiet,” Meng Ziye whispered. “So, are you going?”

Xie Qiu replied softly, “I’ll be there, but not in the way you’re imagining.”

“Ah, why?” Meng Ziye didn’t understand. “It’s such a good chance. Is the He family unwilling to recognize you publicly?”

“It’s not that,” Xie Qiu shook his head. “It’s a long story. Anyway, I just feel the time isn’t right.”

“Well, alright…” Meng Ziye sighed. “I just feel bad for you.”

“There’s nothing to feel bad about,” Xie Qiu suddenly remembered. “By the way, Mrs. He asked me to invite you. Do you want to go?”

Meng Ziye looked completely flattered. “Really? Mrs. He actually remembers me?”

Xie Qiu smiled. “It’s true. Why would I lie to you?”

“I have to go!” Meng Ziye clenched his fist with determination. “This is a He family banquet. I can brag about this for a year—no, ten years!”

“Okay,” Xie Qiu said. “Then just come with me directly after school.”

“Ahhh! I love you so much, Xiao Qiu!” Meng Ziye turned into a screaming fan and lunged forward to hug him.

Xie Qiu took a step back. “Don’t. I politely decline.”

Meng Ziye understood immediately. “I know, I know! You’re a married man now!”

Xie Qiu: “Keep it down, keep it down…”

After the last two classes in the afternoon, the two left school and took a car back to the He estate.

It was still early. Except for the He family, the other guests hadn’t arrived yet. Staff were moving back and forth through the huge old house, busy but organized.

Meng Ziye followed behind Xie Qiu, listening to the He family staff greeting him. Some called him “Master Xie,” some called him “Eldest Young Madam,” and others called him “Sister-in-law.”

No matter what they called him, Xie Qiu simply smiled and nodded like a robot.

Once they were away from the crowd, Meng Ziye couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “Sister-in-law! Hahaha! Someone actually called you sister-in-law!”

Xie Qiu: “…”

“But seriously, the one who really should be calling you sister-in-law is He Jingchen,” Meng Ziye complained. “He’s doing a terrible job as a brother-in-law. When are you going to make him say it—”

His voice trailed off and snapped shut.

He Jingchen was standing in the hallway, looking at them with an expressionless face.

The second young master was wearing formal attire today. His suit and bowtie made him look exceptionally handsome and tall, and his aura was starting to slightly resemble He Siyan’s.

“Hehe…” Xie Qiu gave a standard fake smile. “Sorry, he was just joking.”

He Jingchen asked, “Are you attending Grandpa’s banquet later?”

“Yes, I am,” Xie Qiu nodded. “But don’t worry, it’s just as myself.”

He Jingchen didn’t say anything else. He started walking away. “I’m going to go receive the guests.”

Xie Qiu watched him leave, then turned to keep walking inside. “Let’s go, Ziye.”

Meng Ziye followed behind him quietly, not daring to say another word.

Xie Qiu led him back to the room and into the walk-in closet. “Everything was a rush today, so I didn’t have time to take you to buy new clothes. There are many clothes here I’ve never worn. Pick a set you like and try it on. If it fits, you can keep it.”

Meng Ziye was stunned for a moment, then quickly reacted. “Xiao Qiu, you’re so good to me!”

On such a formal occasion, if he dressed too simply, he would look out of place. Luckily, their heights and builds were similar. Meng Ziye chose a deep blue suit that fit him perfectly.

He stood in front of the mirror, looking at himself from different angles, and sighed. “Xiao Qiu, I barely recognize myself in the mirror!”

Xie Qiu: “…”

Why does that line sound so familiar?

Xie Qiu also changed into a low-key white suit, quickly fixed his hair, and prepared to go downstairs. Before leaving, he remembered his husband. “Ziye, I’m going to check on He Siyan first.”

“Ooh la la!” Meng Ziye winked. “A day apart feels like three years, right?”

Xie Qiu didn’t feel like joking with him. He pushed open the sickroom door and said softly, “Husband, I’m back.”

He Siyan struggled to lift his eyelids but still couldn’t open his eyes.

Xie Qiu walked to the bedside and held the man’s hand. “Today is Grandpa’s birthday. The house is very lively, but it’s a shame you aren’t fully awake yet.”

He Siyan’s long, strong hand gripped his back, as if he were trying to tell him something.

“Don’t worry, Husband. I’ll just go down for a quick look and sneak back up as soon as I find a chance,” Xie Qiu promised with a smile. “I won’t use your name as Mrs. He to trick anyone.”

He Siyan frowned, and his fingers tightened even more.

“Husband, what do you want to say?” Xie Qiu leaned down and asked. “Do you not want me to attend the banquet?”

He Siyan couldn’t answer him; he simply wouldn’t let go of his hand.

“Good husband, I promise I’ll be back as soon as possible to read you your bedtime story,” Xie Qiu coaxed him in a soft, gentle voice. “Let go first, okay?”

As if he had thought it over, the man’s grip slowly loosened.

“Good boy,” Xie Qiu praised him, kissing the back of his hand as a reward.

Just then, Meng Ziye called out from outside, “Xiao Qiu, are you ready?”

“Coming,” Xie Qiu replied. He placed the man’s hand back on the bed and turned toward the door.

Behind him, the man lying on the bed curled his fingers and then opened them again, acting as if nothing had happened.

If Xie Qiu had leaned close to his chest at that moment, he would have heard that the heart hidden inside was beating much faster than usual.

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