Chapter 186: Home

*Runze’s POV*

The house feels strangely empty after Bael leaves.

Not lonely. Just... quieter.

The bedroom door barely clicks shut before the silence settles back into every single corner of the room. I stand right where he leaves me for another full minute, staring blankly at the dark wood panel.

*A good day?*

His uncle’s funeral is today. How can that possibly be a good day for anyone?

...And what exactly does he mean by *eat me?*

The more I think about his parting words, the hotter my face becomes. My cheeks feel like they are on fire.

The doctor said one week.

He knows that rule. There is no way Bael will ignore the medical instructions, not after how obsessively he follows every single order from the clinic since I woke up from the coma.

So why did he say something like that with such a straight face?

"...Ridiculous," I mutter under my breath, shaking my head.

I give up on trying to understand his mind. Sometimes Bael simply enjoys watching me panic. It is the only time his deadpan expression ever cracks.

***

After washing up and putting on some loose, comfortable clothes, I slowly make my way downstairs. My slippers make soft, rhythmic slapping sounds against the wide steps.

Mrs. Wen is already waiting beside the long dining table, smoothing down the edge of the white cloth.

"Young Master," she greets me with a warm smile. "Breakfast is ready."

"Thank you, Mrs. Wen."

The dining room feels much larger and quieter than usual. Grandmother isn’t sitting at the head of the table. Bael isn’t sitting across from me. It is only me.

Mrs. Wen pulls out my usual chair before quietly placing one covered dish after another in front of me. She lifts the lids, revealing a massive spread.

Warm congee, soft steamed buns, a plate of freshly sliced fruits, a glass of warm soy milk, a perfectly boiled egg, and another bowl of chicken soup.

It is easily enough food to feed three grown people.

I look at the array of dishes, then back at her. "...Mrs. Wen."

"Yes, Young Master?"

"I really don’t think I can finish half of all this."

"You don’t have to force yourself," she says, her eyes crinkling gently. "But Master Bael calls down before he leaves. He said you must eat a little more today."

My chopsticks pause in mid-air.

Of course he did.

I quickly lower my head, hiding the small smile that tries to break through.

*Eat a little more.*

*You’ll taste better.*

The heat rushes straight back into my ears, burning hot.

"...Shameless," I mutter to my bowl.

Mrs. Wen blinks, leaning forward slightly. "Young Master? Did you say something?"

"...Nothing at all," I say quickly, my voice jumping a bit.

I pick up my spoon and concentrate entirely on my food instead. The congee is warm and thick, heating up my chest with every bite. It is comforting.

Outside the dining room windows, the morning breeze moves gently through the gardens, making the green leaves sway back and forth. Everything looks peaceful. It almost feels like an ordinary morning.

Almost.

Somewhere far outside the estate gates, Bael and Grandmother are currently attending a funeral.

My thoughts drift briefly to the news headlines from two days ago—

*Wuchen Ming Found Dead In Prison Cell.*

The word *suicide* still sits uncomfortably in my mind, a jarring contrast to the proud, stubborn man I remember.

But I stop myself, placing my spoon down for a second. There is no point dwelling on questions that can never be answered anymore.

The reality sinks in quietly, bringing a grounding wave of relief to my chest. He is gone. The constant threat hanging over our heads is entirely erased. The person who nearly took our baby away before they even have a chance to breathe can never reach us again.

We are safe.

I pick my spoon back up and scoop another mouthful of congee.

***

Halfway through the meal, my phone vibrates sharply against the wood beside my bowl. The sudden noise makes me jump.

I glance down at the screen.

**Feifei.**

My eyebrows lift. I didn’t expect a message from her. Not so soon, at least. She only visited the estate a few days ago.

I wipe my fingers quickly on a cloth napkin before unlocking the screen.

Feifei: Good morning. How are you feeling today?

A small bit of warmth spreads through my chest.

Out of everyone in the Li family... she is the only one who ever truly tried.

She couldn’t visit me while I was still hooked up to machines in the hospital, but during her visit here the other day, she finally got to see me with her own eyes.

It was only after she left that Mrs. Wen told me Feifei had been calling Grandmother almost every single day just to ask about my condition.

She actually cares about me.

I type back using my thumb.

Me: I’m alright. Just having breakfast now.

The little "Delivered" tag appears under the text almost immediately. I am about to set the device back down when it buzzes in my palm again. Another message pops up.

Feifei: Mom and Dad... They’re ready to see you now.

Feifei: If you’re feeling better, could you come home sometime this week?

My fingers freeze against the glass. For several long seconds, I simply stare at the words.

*Home?*

Which home does she mean? I cannot even remember the last time that word made me think of the Li family residence.

*Mom and Dad.*

The titles feel strangely distant, like words from a foreign language I used to speak but forgot.

I do not hate them. I simply... do not know them anymore. The only familiar person in that entire house is always Feifei.

As for my parents...

When everything happened months ago... When the original engagement exploded into total chaos... When I am pushed toward marrying Bael to settle the mess... They just discarded me easily.

And after the terrible accident... After I almost died... After the doctors fought for hours to save both me and the baby... They did not come to visit. Not once.

Even Feifei came. They never did.

If Feifei needed to convince them to see me now, it means they did not want to see me in the first place.

My eyes drift away from the screen.

Beyond the windows, the wind stirs the white roses Grandmother loves so much.

Somewhere upstairs is the large bedroom I now share with Bael, the sheets presumably still messy from the morning. Down here, Mrs. Wen moves quietly around the edge of the dining room, humming a soft tune to herself as she tidies up the sideboard.

This estate... somewhere along the way... it quietly became my home.

Grandmother. Bael. Mrs. Wen. That is enough for me.

I look back down at the phone, my fingers move slowly, pressing the keys one by one.

Me: The doctor advised me not to travel or put myself under any unnecessary stress for now. I’m sorry, but I won’t be coming over. Please thank them for thinking of me.

I read the text over once to make sure the tone is polite but firm. Then I press send.

The message has barely been delivered before the device lights up, vibrating wildly in my hand.

Feifei Calling.

I look at her name flashing across the screen. The phone makes a loud, steady ringing noise in the quiet dining room. My thumb hovers right over the green answer button.

Then, slowly... I lower my hand.

The phone continues to ring, lighting up my palm over and over. I watch the screen bounce with the call until the timer runs out and the display finally goes dark.

Without another thought, I click the side button to switch the phone to silent. I flip it face down on the tablecloth beside my bowl so I do not have to look at it.

Mrs. Wen returns to the table, carrying a small glass dish filled with fresh berries. "Young Master, would you like some fruit to finish?"

"Yes, please."

I do not look up as she sets it down. She gives a small, smile and quietly walks back toward the kitchen, leaving me alone again.

I pick up my spoon. The congee is still warm, steam rising from the center of the bowl. I take another slow bite.

Somehow... it no longer tastes like anything at all.

The phone stays facedown beside my bowl. It doesn’t ring again. I know Feifei won’t give up that easily. She never does.

A small part of me feels sorry for ignoring her call. Not because I changed my mind, just because... none of this is really her fault.

I take another spoonful of congee and chew slowly.

When Bael gets home tonight, he’ll probably ask whether I finished breakfast.

...I definitely shouldn’t tell him I almost didn’t eat because of his stupid "dinner" comment.

My face grows warm all over again.

"...Seriously."