Overthinking

Su Hua desperately wanted to flee Ye Garden immediately, to avoid seeing Lin Xuan—that way, she could deceive herself into thinking A-Xuan didn’t despise her.

But she couldn’t bear to leave A-Xuan…

Even if he reverted to how he was over a year ago—constantly opposing her, always trying to escape her side—she still didn’t want to be separated from him.

Su Hua lay on her side, quietly watching Lin Xuan’s face, unwilling to close her eyes.

After this, she didn’t know if she’d ever have another peaceful moment like this with A-Xuan.

When Lin Xuan’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if he were about to wake, Su Hua quickly shut her eyes again, pretending to still be asleep.

After waking, Lin Xuan glanced at the clock on the wall—it was already 3 PM.

He had slept for four hours.

Snapping back to reality, he immediately checked on Su Hua’s condition.

He pressed a hand to her forehead and found it no longer feverish, just warm.

Lin Xuan let out a deep sigh of relief. Good, Hua Bao wasn’t running a fever anymore.

No fever meant she should recover soon.

Another half hour passed. Lin Xuan checked the time again, his brows furrowing tightly. “Why hasn’t she woken up yet?” he muttered.

Logically, Hua Bao should be awake by now.

But it couldn’t be much longer.

After a moment’s thought, Lin Xuan headed downstairs.

Butler Wang spotted him at the foot of the stairs, confusion written across his face.

Shouldn’t Young Master Lin be upstairs taking care of the young miss?

According to Secretary Jiang, Lin Xuan had been tending to Su Hua nonstop these past few days without rest. Even after returning to Ye Garden, Butler Wang had urged him to sleep and let the servants handle things, but Lin Xuan had insisted on staying by the young miss’s side.

So why was he downstairs now?

A thought struck Butler Wang, and his heart clenched. “Young Master Lin,” he asked nervously, “has something happened to the young miss?”

“No,” Lin Xuan shook his head. “Hua Bao’s condition is stable. She’s recovering steadily.”

Hearing this, Butler Wang exhaled in relief.

Good, good. As long as she was alright.

“Then why did you come downstairs, Young Master Lin? Weren’t you supposed to be with the young miss?” Butler Wang pressed.

Lin Xuan explained, “Hua Bao should wake up this afternoon. Her appetite will likely be poor at first, so I’m making her some congee. It’s easier on the stomach when she’s sick.”

Butler Wang’s eyes brightened.

The young miss would wake up this afternoon!

Wonderful!

“Young Master Lin, something as simple as congee can be left to the servants. You should rest.”

“No need,” Lin Xuan refused. “I think Hua Bao would prefer it if I made it for her.”

He had snuck out of Hua Garden behind her back, said so many hurtful things, and nearly gotten involved with another woman.

Making congee for her himself might soften her anger a little—maybe even shorten his time in the “dark room.”

Most importantly, Su Hua loved his homemade congee.

Butler Wang smiled approvingly. “Then I’ll leave it to you, Young Master Lin.”

Lin Xuan chuckled. “Hua Bao is my girlfriend. Doing these things for her is only natural. It’s no trouble at all.”

With that, he strode into the kitchen, tied on an apron, and began preparing the congee.

Butler Wang watched his retreating figure, nodding in satisfaction.

The current Young Master Lin was so attentive to the young miss. It was truly heartwarming.

If he weren’t a man of science, he might’ve suspected Lin Xuan had been possessed—outwardly the same person, but with an entirely different soul inside.

With a chef assisting in prepping the ingredients, Lin Xuan finished the congee in just half an hour.

Carrying the steaming bowl upstairs, he entered the bedroom—only to find Su Hua already awake.

She had propped herself up against the headboard.

Recalling everything that had happened during the half hour she’d pretended to sleep, she noted that A-Xuan still seemed gentle with her.

Just like before.

Did that mean… he didn’t blame her?

The thought made her pale lips curl into a self-deprecating smile.

How could he not?

This relationship had been forcibly taken by her from the start. How could Lin Xuan not resent her?

Especially now that he’d regained his memories…

Su Hua’s gaze drifted to the bedroom door, as if expecting someone to appear.

But as time passed, the hope in her eyes faded bit by bit.

Half an hour slipped by.

“A-Xuan left in such a hurry earlier… probably because he thought I was about to wake up and wanted to escape Ye Garden,” she murmured to herself.

A dark, turbulent emotion began gathering in her eyes.

Where had he gone?

Had those women Zhao Long arranged for him left such a strong impression that he’d gone back for more?

Or was he running away—to someplace she could never find him?

The thought sent a wave of destructive fury surging through her.

Gritting her teeth, she forced her weak body out of bed.

Staggering, she rushed into the bathroom.

Twisting the faucet, she splashed icy water onto her face, trying to calm herself down.

If she went after A-Xuan now, he’d only resist her more fiercely.

There’d be no chance of reconciliation left.

She had to take this slowly.

Yet the image of Lin Xuan surrounded by other women flashed through her mind. Su Hua clutched her chest, the sharp, stabbing pain inside nearly unbearable.

“A-Xuan, be good,” she whispered, her face ashen.

Don’t fool around with other women.

And don’t leave me.

Or I’ll lose control…

Lin Xuan had just brought the congee into the room when he realized Su Hua wasn’t in bed. His frown deepened.

Hua Bao must’ve woken up and gone somewhere.

But her body was still frail—if she wasn’t careful, the stitched wound on her chest could reopen.

Worry flared in his eyes. Setting the bowl down, he turned to search for her.

Then, a sound came from the bathroom.

Lin Xuan exhaled in relief.

So she’d just gone to the bathroom.

He walked toward it just as Su Hua pulled the door open.

The moment she saw the man approaching, she froze, her beautiful eyes widening in shock.

Hadn’t A-Xuan left Ye Garden?

How was he back so soon?

Her lashes lowered, too afraid to meet his gaze—afraid of seeing disgust or coldness in his eyes.

Lin Xuan closed the distance, scooping her into his arms.

“Hua Bao, you just woke up. Your body is still weak—you need to rest. If you need anything, just tell me. I’ll take care of it.” His voice was laced with concern.