The Disgraced Heir of the Wealthy Family Has Gone Mad - Chapter 15

Shen Muyun’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and a jolt of alarm went through him. How did Lu Huainan figure out I was faking it? No, I cannot be exposed! Since he had already started the act, he had to see it through to the end. He could not just be dragged out of bed if he were “asleep.” Shen Muyun calmed his heart, keeping his face calm and his breathing steady, lying motionless on the bed.

Lu Huainan set the apple aside and observed Shen Muyun’s subtle movements. His eyelashes were twitching, and his breathing was no longer as steady as before. Lu Huainan pursed his lips, sat in a chair nearby, cut the peeled apple into small pieces, put them in a bowl, and began peeling an orange.

A voice echoed in Shen Muyun’s mind: “Respected Host, I must say, your acting is truly first-class. Why did you not win a Best Actor award? With this talent, you should enter the film industry; you would definitely make a fortune.”

Shen Muyun frowned, but he quickly returned to his “unconscious” state. No, I am acting. I cannot show any flaws. He did not even bother to respond to the System. The System, feeling ignored, fell silent.

After a while, Shen Muyun heard the ambient noise quiet down. Is there no one left? He did not hear Lu Huainan leave the room either. He squinted, opening his eyes just a sliver to see Lu Huainan’s current position and movements.

As luck would have it, a noisy commotion erupted at the door. “Mr. Lu, how is the situation here? Has Mr. Shen woken up yet?”

It was Qi Beichen’s voice. Didn’t he say I needed to rest? How much time has passed? Why is he already so impatient to make rounds?

Lu Huainan stood up, walked to the door, looked back at Shen Muyun on the bed, and gestured with a “shush” toward Qi Beichen. They both left the patient room to talk in the doorway.

“How is he?”

“He has not woken up yet; he is exactly as you see him. Dr. Qi, I am truly surprised to see you here. I thought you were always buried in the laboratory or the emergency room.”

Qi Beichen shrugged helplessly. “It was Shen Liuyun’s order. At the time, he said there was a horse race here and asked me to come as a field doctor. I thought it would be a nice break, so I came. Who would have thought something like this would happen? I have students in the lab, so I have not even had a peaceful holiday; I have been dragged here to act as manual labor.”

Lu Huainan let out a sigh of relief. “He did not fall off the horse; he might just be frightened. Is it possible that his current unconscious state is faked?”

Qi Beichen was stunned. “Hmm? Why would it be faked? From a medical perspective, even without a fall, it is possible to faint after experiencing great joy, great sorrow, or highly stimulating events. However, my previous examination showed no internal injuries. Are you overthinking this?”

Lu Huainan glanced into the room through the small window on the door. “Hmm, perhaps I am overthinking.”

Shen Muyun heard every word clearly. He turned over to face away from the door, opened his eyes, and thought: System, should I keep pretending? Lu Huainan already suspects me. If I keep lying here, the only one who will be embarrassed is me.

The System flashed and appeared before him. “Respected Host, actually, you could have woken up just now. I did not expect you to be so deep in character. Lu Huainan is an extremely observant person; he sees every move you make, even if he does not say it. Do not be fooled by his gentle exterior; Lu Huainan is far more complex than you imagine.”

Shen Muyun took a sharp breath. In that case, his tricks had likely been seen through by Lu Huainan long ago. No wonder he asked such strange questions earlier. He did not intend to keep pretending, so he stretched his limbs, sat up, got out of bed, and walked to the door.

Hearing the two men talking, he opened the door just a crack and leaned his head out with a smile. “Huainan, Dr. Qi, why are you talking in the hallway? Why not come inside?”

Lu Huainan heard Shen Muyun’s voice and frowned slightly. His reaction was faster than his brain; he reached out to steady him and said, “Why are you out of bed as soon as you woke up? Your brother asked me to keep a close eye on you. If something happens, I will not be able to answer to him. By the way, do you feel dizzy, or is there any part of your body that hurts? What if you fall again?”

“Cough, cough.”

Qi Beichen, unable to watch the two anymore, coughed softly. Do I really have to be a prop in their little play?

Shen Muyun looked at Qi Beichen awkwardly and immediately pulled away from Lu Huainan’s support. “Dr. Qi, I am fine. Thank you so much for your examination earlier. I feel refreshed now and have no major problems. Maybe I was just exhausted and the nap helped make up for it.”

Qi Beichen gestured for Shen Muyun to lie back down and performed another quick check. Satisfied that Shen Muyun was truly fine, he said, “It does seem there are no major issues. If you need anything, feel free to find me. Mr. Lu, you have my number; contact me anytime.”

Qi Beichen fled the room. The vibe between those two was all wrong. Run. Better to escape before I am force-fed their public displays of affection. Wait, have they not only known each other for a short time? Never mind, I do not have the energy to dwell on their affairs.

Lu Huainan skewered a piece of cut apple and handed it to Shen Muyun, who took it instinctively.

“Huainan, about today, I really owe you. But do you not think we are standing a bit too close? If rumors start, it will not be good.”

Lu Huainan pulled up a chair and sat directly by the bedside. “I was in a rush today. With so many people around the track, everyone was just watching from the sidelines. You are Liuyun’s brother; I could not just watch you get hurt. I did not think much of it.”

Shen Muyun nodded. Looking at Lu Huainan, he felt a bit of doubt, but the strange, lingering tension finally dissipated.

“As for public opinion, do not worry. I have already sent people to handle it. The race was exciting; I did not expect you to know how to ride.”

Shen Muyun smiled. Of course. In his previous life, he had been a prize-winner, but he had gradually abandoned his hobbies to focus on experiments. It was actually nice now; being a wealthy young master meant he could do whatever he liked.

“I learned when I was a child, but I have not really touched a horse since I fell off years ago. I suppose the competitive spirit was just ignited because my opponent was Zhou Shiqing. By the way, how is Himi? I need to go see it. Is the injury serious?”

Lu Huainan had not expected Shen Muyun to be so compassionate. He was the one who stabbed the horse, and he was the one who hurt it. The crowd had been calling him a madman, yet he did not seem to care at all.

“I just came from there. Do not worry, the wound is not fatal, and it did not hit any major blood vessels. The vet was surprised you were able to be so precise. It should be jumping around again in a month or two. However, the horse holds a grudge, so you will have to give it a few more gifts before it forgives you.”

Shen Muyun nodded. He had not intended to hurt it, and he felt a pang of guilt. “That is good.”

“Does this count as me owing you another favor?”

Lu Huainan was about to say something when his phone vibrated. He gave Shen Muyun an apologetic look, signaled that he had to take the call, and walked out of the room.

Shen Muyun looked at the medical chart at the head of the bed, which suggested observation for one or two days. He did not want to stay in this place for even a second; the lingering smell of disinfectant constantly gnawed at him.

“System, come out! Is there any way to get discharged immediately?”

“Respected Host, actually, you were lucky to survive this time. I honestly thought I was going to have to choose a new host. Life follows a law of conservation of luck; since you were a ‘big victim’ in your previous life, your luck in this one is bound to explode. The missions will definitely be over-achieved, and you might even gain a new lease on life.”

“Stop with the flattery, System. Has my current behavior affected the main plot of the book? And has there been any dramatic fluctuation in the affection level?”

The System flickered, calculating the values. After a while, it replied, “Based on the current progress, this race caused a shift in values, and the main plot has been affected to a certain extent. How should I put it? It is even a bit of a correction. Previous hosts have tried to open this ‘hidden side quest’ too, but they failed, and the main story just proceeded in its usual lukewarm fashion. Respected Host, have a little confidence. This is your life. It is your freedom to live it how you want; my existence is merely to ensure you have more fun.”

Before Shen Muyun could reply, Lu Huainan pushed the door open and hurried in, looking apologetic. “Brother Yun, there is a problem with the land in the north of the city. I need to go check it immediately. As for here…”

Shen Muyun smiled. “I am fine. Go ahead and get to work.”

Lu Huainan felt a bit awkward. Shen Muyun’s personality was strange, and he could not quite put his finger on what was wrong. He decided he would have to keep observing him for a while.

“Brother Yun, even though you were not injured, make sure to get some rest.”

Shen Muyun nodded, leaned back against the pillows, and watched Lu Huainan leave the room. Only then did he let his guard down and continue talking to the System.

“System, do you mean that nothing here actually has a fixed answer?”

Shen Muyun took a bite of the apple, the sweet juice filling his throat.

“Yes, Respected Host. This is just a book with a failed ending; it never had a conclusion to begin with. Therefore, anything is possible. You have the initiative, as long as you stay within the critical thresholds.”

Shen Muyun caught a key piece of information. “System, what is the ‘critical threshold’?”

The System flew in a circle around him and stopped in mid-air. “You knew on your first day; you only have three years of life. Everything is based on that premise. Now, try to extend your lifespan as much as possible so the game can continue. As for the critical threshold, the System does not have a precise definition; it just reminds you that everything should be done in moderation.”

Shen Muyun rolled his eyes. This System was a master at playing dumb and dodging questions. “You have not answered anything at all. Oh, System, how are you so ignorant? I am tired now and want to rest. You dismissed.”