Gu Jiayin was sleepless all night. With Gu Yachen’s life hanging in the balance, how could she possibly sleep? She thought about calling Sheng Qianchi, but hesitated, fearing her excessive concern might provoke his jealousy. Tossing and turning until dawn, she finally drifted into a light sleep from sheer exhaustion. Yet within half an hour, she was jolted awake by a nightmare. She dreamed of Lan Yue, covered in blood, reaching out to her and calling her name, "Jiayin," tears of guilt streaming down his face, "I’m sorry, I can’t take care of you anymore." Just as his face was about to disappear before her eyes, three faces appeared simultaneously: Gu Yachen, who had jumped into the Luo River seven years ago; the masked man who saved her on the Eagle Emperor Cruise; and Lan Yue, who pushed her into the void at the Eagle Emperor Insurance Building. The three faces intertwined and finally overlapped, sharing a singular trait—their eyes were miraculously identical. She suddenly uncovered the secret etched in stone: Lan Yue was Gu Yachen, her long-lost brother she had yearned for day and night. Yet he became more and more blurred, more and more distant, like a fleeting illusion, about to vanish with the wind. Gu Jiayin awoke abruptly, drenched in cold sweat. The sky was just beginning to brighten, tinged with a faint blue hue in the morning light. She turned her head to gaze outside the window, her heart pounding so violently that it churned her stomach. Recalling those three pairs of eyes in the dream, her heart twisted inexplicably. Could Lan Yue really be Gu Yachen? She remembered Sheng Qianchi’s question from the night before: Was she making up fairy tales? Merely for a childhood sweet, could he indeed risk his life for her twice? But if he truly was Gu Yachen, why wouldn’t he reveal himself to her? His face had changed, his voice too; how serious were his injuries when he was in the river those years ago? Everything seemed like layers of mist, enshrouding the slender woman lying in bed. Suddenly listless, she slowly pulled herself out of bed, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and gazed at the sky filled with blue light in a daze, murmuring, "Brother..." As if by some telepathic connection, Sheng Qianchi also awoke when Gu Jiayin did. A wave of unease surged through him inexplicably. He immediately called Mo Jun, "How is Lan Yue?" Mo Jun’s voice was filled with overnight exhaustion, "The surgery was successful. He was just moved out of the operating room and into a high-class ward." Sheng Qianchi breathed a heavy sigh of relief, "Notify me as soon as he wakes up." After hanging up on Mo Jun, he sent a text message to Gu Jiayin, "Lan Yue is fine, and has already left Licheng City." Yes, he had promised to save him, but he wouldn’t change his decision to never let her see him again, so he lied to her. Hearing the message tone on her phone, a dazed Gu Jiayin rushed back to her bedside, picked up the phone, and swept open the screen. Upon seeing the words Sheng Qianchi sent, she felt as if a heavy weight was lifted off her chest, and she collapsed onto the floor. After showering and changing into fresh clothes, Sheng Qianchi left his room only to find the butler waiting respectfully outside the door. "Young Master Chi," the butler, having served the Sheng Family for decades, executed every etiquette perfectly, "The master is awake. I heard you visited him last night, and he’s very pleased. He wants you to join him for breakfast." "Alright." Sheng Qianchi did not refuse and strode towards Sheng Lanzhang’s room. Sheng Lanzhang’s room was a spacious presidential suite; Sheng Qianchi, led by the butler, entered the dining room directly. The dining room was large, with a gigantic rectangular table already adorned with various breakfast dishes. In truth, Sheng Lanzhang, bedridden for years, consumed very bland food, and today’s lavish breakfast was all prepared for Sheng Qianchi. "Father." Sheng Qianchi called respectfully from an appropriate distance. Sheng Lanzhang, leaning on exquisite crutches, sat by the dining table, smiling kindly at Sheng Qianchi, "Qianchi, sit." A servant pulled out a chair for him, and Sheng Qianchi elegantly sat across from Sheng Lanzhang, leisurely picking up his utensils to eat breakfast. Though not raised within the grand mansion, nor nurtured in the company of his parents, he possessed an inherent elegance and grace, naturally refined. Sheng Lanzhang, sipping plain congee, kept his loving gaze locked on his tall, handsome son; they indeed bore a striking resemblance. Sheng Qianchi showed his appreciation by finishing all the breakfast on his plate. Seeing his son had finished eating, Sheng Lanzhang promptly instructed the servant, "Pour tea for the young master." Without any intention of rushing off, Sheng Qianchi accepted the tea, sipping lightly, "Dad, how’s your health recently?" In fact, it was noticeable to everyone that Sheng Lanzhang’s health had been improving ever since he saw Gu Jiayin. After a moment’s thought, Sheng Qianchi spoke earnestly, "Dad, I want to get married." Despite being mature and decisive from a young age, Sheng Qianchi was only twenty-three years old, the same age as Gu Jiayin. As the heir to a prominent family, it was rare for someone his age to be considering marriage. Yet he had thought about it. Sheng Lanzhang’s gaze flickered for a moment, "With whom?" Sheng Qianchi raised his eyes to look at the elder who had endured much illness, clearly stating, "Jiayin." The room fell silent for a few seconds. A layer of amusement danced in Sheng Lanzhang’s wise eyes, and soon even the corners of his lips curved into a joyous arc, "Are you serious?" Sheng Qianchi nodded, "Very serious." "Hahaha..." Sheng Lanzhang laughed heartily, leaning on his cane, "Good, very good. Make sure it’s done well; don’t let Jiayin be wronged." Receiving his father’s approval, Sheng Qianchi’s mood cleared like a sea after a storm, tranquil yet profound, "I won’t let her be slighted, but..." "But she’s not quite willing yet?" Sheng Lanzhang continued with a smile. Google seaʀᴄh noⅴelfire.net Sheng Qianchi nodded, the light in his eyes embodying determination, "I’ll make sure she’s willing." "Jiayin has her concerns, that’s normal, take your time." Sheng Lanzhang’s spirits lifted immensely, "I’m glad you finally realized your feelings and found somewhere to belong emotionally." Sheng Qianchi looked up, "Thank you, Dad." Before Gu Jiayin entered the picture, the father-son relationship was cordial yet neither too distant nor too close, but she brought them closer together. One wishing she would marry into the Sheng Family as his daughter-in-law, the other wishing she’d marry into the family as a wife. Having a shared topic kept Sheng Qianchi from leaving immediately; instead, he continued to chat with Sheng Lanzhang. Their conversation mostly revolved around Gu Jiayin. Sheng Lanzhang seemed intent on compensating for his guilt towards Gu Qiyun by bestowing upon Gu Jiayin abundant honors and wealth. Sheng Qianchi did not oppose any of it, listening with a vivid smile. Until Mo Jun discreetly reported, "Young Master Chi, Lan Yue has awakened."