Chapter 215 - 216: You’re Finally Awake
Hua Manman had a very, very long dream.
She dreamed of a time when she was little, traveling with her parents.
Her father lifted her high into the air, just so she could see the beautiful scenery in the distance, while her mother took a picture of the two of them with her phone.
The scene was warm and beautiful, as if bathed in a soft, golden light.
Later, her father’s company went bankrupt. With no outlet for his emotions, he grew more and more despondent, sinking into alcoholism. Whenever he got drunk, he would get violent.
Her mother couldn’t bear it any longer and, on one ordinary day, quietly left home.
Hua Manman never saw her mother again after that.
This memory was filled with darkness and pain. Even though Hua Manman knew she was dreaming, it was still incredibly agonizing.
Sometime after, Hua Manman was injured and hospitalized. Her maternal grandparents heard the news and came to take her home with them.
Her grandparents lived in the countryside. Although life there wasn’t as bustling or convenient as in the city, the scenery was beautiful and the air was fresh and pleasant. Every morning, she would wake up to the crisp sound of birds chirping.
Her grandfather also grew all sorts of fruits and vegetables in the front and back yards. Her grandmother was an excellent cook and would prepare a variety of creative dishes for Hua Manman every day.
Their warm companionship gradually healed the wounds in Hua Manman’s heart.
Little by little, she emerged from that world of darkness and pain, and the smiles on her face became more and more frequent.
Then, later, her grandparents passed away one after the other.
Hua Manman was all alone again.
She thought she would remain that way forever, but she never expected to suddenly travel through time and space to another, unfamiliar world.
In this world, she had a mother who doted on her, and also a husband in name.
’Right, I also have a system.’
The moment she thought of the system, an instinctive, sharp pain pierced her chest, as if someone were repeatedly stabbing a knife into her heart.
The pain was so intense she couldn’t help but cry out.
"It hurts... It hurts so much..."
Li Ji, who had been keeping vigil by the bed, heard Hua Manman’s cries and hurriedly called for the Imperial Physician.
"She’s crying out in pain again! Hurry up and treat her!"
The Imperial Physician was at his wit’s end.
He had already examined Hua Manman several times and truly couldn’t find anything wrong with her heart.
Wiping away his sweat, he could only say, "She is likely having a nightmare. Let’s wait a little longer. When she wakes up, we can ask her about the specifics of the pain."
Li Ji looked at Hua Manman’s pale, pained face, wanting to help her but not knowing where to even begin.
This feeling of helplessness made him extremely agitated.
He grabbed the Imperial Physician by the collar and demanded.
"When will she wake up?"
The Imperial Physician, terrified by his intimidating gaze, answered cautiously.
"I have already administered the medicine. Her fever has broken, so logically, she should have woken up by now."
Li Ji’s gaze was ice-cold. "But she hasn’t. Did you use the wrong medicine?"
The Imperial Physician desperately tried to defend himself.
"I absolutely did not use the wrong medicine! As for why she hasn’t woken up, I do not know either.
It is all up to her now.
In the best-case scenario, she will wake up tomorrow morning. As long as she wakes up, she will be fine."
Li Ji pressed him further. "And what if she doesn’t wake up tomorrow morning?"
The Imperial Physician stammered, "Th-Then... we can only leave it to fate."
Li Ji shoved him away.
"You useless fool!"
The Imperial Physician immediately dropped to his knees and begged for mercy. "Please, calm your anger, Prince Zhao! I have truly done my best."
Li Ji ignored him, his eyes fixed intently on Hua Manman.
Hearing her pained cries, Li Ji leaned down, placed a hand over her heart, and spoke softly in a gentle voice he had never used before in his life.
"Don’t be afraid. The pain will be gone soon."
Perhaps his reassurance had worked; Hua Manman really did stop crying out in pain. However, her brow remained tightly furrowed, and she still looked very uncomfortable.
Seeing this, the Imperial Physician immediately suggested.
"Lady Hua seems to be able to hear your voice. If you talk to her more, perhaps she will wake up."
Li Ji thought the idea was worth a try.
He dismissed everyone, then lay down on the bed next to Hua Manman, still fully clothed.
He reached out, pulling Hua Manman and her blanket into his arms. With his lips close to her ear, he called her name over and over again, promising that when she woke up, he would make her his main wife.
He would give her anything she wanted.
As long as she would wake up.
Hua Manman faintly heard someone calling her name.
The voice felt incredibly familiar, and she instinctively walked toward the direction it came from.
She didn’t know how long she walked.
The voice in her ear grew clearer and clearer, as if it were right beside her.
But no matter what she did, she couldn’t find the person calling her name.
She felt a surge of panic.
’My instincts tell me that person is very important to me.’
’I have to find him.’
"Manman..."
Hua Manman heard the voice again.
She looked all around but couldn’t see a single soul.
Frantic, she wanted to shout, but her throat felt as if it were blocked by something, and she couldn’t make a sound.
She subconsciously reached out her hand, trying to grab someone.
In reality, Li Ji felt someone grab his collar.
He looked down and saw that Hua Manman’s hand had somehow emerged from the blanket and was clutching his collar tightly.
His heart leaped with joy. He raised his voice and called Manman’s name several more times.
Hua Manman’s eyelashes trembled slightly.
A moment later, she slowly opened her eyes.
The first thing she saw was Li Ji’s handsome face, a mixture of shock and delight.
Hua Manman blinked slowly, her eyes gradually clearing from confusion to lucidity.
Li Ji looked as though he wanted to smile, but his voice trembled faintly.
"Manman, you’re finally awake."
Hua Manman stared at him in a daze.
In her memory, Prince Zhao had always been languid and composed. He could even face life and death with a smile.
She had never seen him so emotional and overjoyed.
Hua Manman couldn’t help but ask curiously, "Did I sleep for a long time?"
Li Ji replied, "You didn’t sleep for very long, just one night."
Hua Manman was even more confused. "Then why are you so emotional?"
Li Ji briefly explained how she had suddenly developed a fever in the middle of the night and had been unconscious ever since.
After hearing his account, Hua Manman felt a pang of lingering fear.
’In a world without even antibiotics, a simple cold or fever could be fatal.’
’I practically walked through death’s door last night.’
’Thankfully, it wasn’t my time to die, and I woke up in the end.’
Li Ji pressed his forehead against hers and felt that her temperature had returned to normal.
But just to be safe, Li Ji got up, opened the door, and had someone summon the Imperial Physician.
By now, the sky had brightened.
The morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden glow on the floor.
The Imperial Physician hurried in, walking through the light. When he saw that Lady Hua was awake, he let out a huge sigh of relief.
’As long as she’s awake, Prince Zhao probably won’t blame me anymore.’
The Imperial Physician then gave Lady Hua a thorough examination and confirmed that she was out of danger. All she needed now was a period of rest to recover.