Chapter 1003: Chapter 1003: Happy New Year

Li Qiao leaned against the man’s chest, inhaling the scent on him that was faintly masked by disinfectant, her heart feeling unbearably soft.

She too had wanted to.

In the past few days, countless times she had picked up the phone wanting to hear his voice, but before she could dial the number, she mysteriously stopped all actions.

He Chen said that if she softened again, Shaoyan would surely be doomed forever.

Because he could be heartless to the whole world, yet he’d be ever so compliant with Li Qiao.

If she showed any reluctance, Shaoyan would undoubtedly personally terminate the treatment plan and return to Li Qiao’s side.

By then, everything would be completely out of control.

Li Qiao knew well that He Chen wasn’t making a fuss, so even if she felt pained at this moment, she could only bury her head in the man’s embrace and remain silent.

Shang Yu didn’t seem to need her response either; the two of them embraced silently for a moment, then moved to sit on a sofa nearby.

The light was very bright, and Li Qiao could easily see the man’s weary expression between his brows, great changes had occurred, giving off a few touches of morbid beauty.

She spread her fingers, slowly tightening them through Shang Yu’s, and with the other hand stroked his features, “You’ve lost weight…”

The man remained motionless, his gaze exceedingly gentle, “It will be better from now on.”

Li Qiao pressed her lips against his shoulder, closing her eyes with a slightly heavy heart.

If paranoia and mania could be cured so easily, they wouldn’t become key subjects of research for the Medical Alliance.

Psychiatric illnesses are an extremely protracted process to treat and are easy to relapse.

A sense of helplessness swept across Li Qiao’s heart, as she curled her fingers, inexplicably thinking of the culprit, Ming Dailan.

…

At half-past eleven at night, Li Qiao’s upper body was held in Shang Yu’s arms, lying on the sofa with her knees bent in light sleep.

The lights in the ward were turned off, leaving only a silver moonlight spilling in from outside the window.

Suddenly, the phone alarm by the sofa rang, hinting at Li Qiao’s wakefulness.

Shang Yu picked up the phone, turned off the alarm, and the pale light reflected on his handsome face, causing his gaze to linger for a long time.

Li Qiao’s screensaver was a photo of them holding hands as they stepped onto the Maple Forest Plank Road.

The man’s deep eyes were very bright, his thumb gently caressing the screen, unexpectedly unlocking the phone in the next second.

Li Qiao didn’t set a password or fingerprint, and there weren’t many apps, indicating it wasn’t used much normally.

With a peculiar feeling inside him, Shang Yu opened the alarm clock app in the most conspicuous position.

The page opened, and over a dozen set alarms suddenly came into view.

The man’s breath hitched, his heart seemed as if gripped, a hint of hostility uncontrollably stained his eyes.

He never knew why Li Qiao used to sleep for long periods without waking.

Shang Yu thought she was deliberately avoiding her, or expressing her resistance in this way.

Later, she woke up, seemingly as usual.

But with so many alarm reminders on the phone, most spaced about two hours apart, it was enough to show that Li Qiao and perhaps everyone else had something to hide from him.

She appeared to be… afraid to sleep.

Shang Yu gripped the phone tighter, his force gradually slipping out of control, what happened to his Qiaoqiao?

“Mm…” Suddenly, Li Qiao murmured in her sleep, her brow furrowing, and in an instant, she opened her eyes.

She didn’t sleep deeply, feeling a weight on her body in a daze, which made her very uncomfortable.

Just then, Shang Yu lowered his gaze, the shadow overcasting his brow had yet to disperse, luckily with the ward lights off, darkness became the best cover.

Li Qiao shifted her leg, rubbed her head against his chest, “What time is it?”

“It’s still early, go back to sleep.” Shang Yu held her nape, kissing her, “I’ll stay with you.”

Li Qiao’s forehead rested against his embrace, still groggy and wanting to sleep.

Though the ward was not cold, she felt a bit chilly, because she’d often held ice packs lately, her fingertips were always cool.

Unconsciously, Li Qiao reached out to find warmth, half-awake, her slightly cool hand slipped beneath the man’s hem, caressing his evenly toned abs repeatedly.

Shang Yu’s whole body stiffened, all his senses converging downward.

And yet Li Qiao was oblivious, soon inserting the other hand as well.

The man’s Adam’s apple rolled, the hostility in his eyes overshadowed by a blazing flame capable of wildfire.

But he endured certain torments, unmoving, allowing Li Qiao to continue kindling.

Until he let out an insuppressible low groan, compelled to lower his head and catch Li Qiao’s earlobe, his breath scorching hot as he said, “Qiaoqiao, stop touching…”

Li Qiao abruptly opened her eyes, still somewhat dazed, “Hmm? What?”

The man said nothing, just lowered his gaze, pointedly.

Li Qiao calmed down, realizing Shang Yu’s heavy breaths, certain reactions already pressed against her back.

The atmosphere grew delicate, Li Qiao blinked, just about to withdraw her hand, when suddenly a golden yellow firework exploded outside the window.

Midnight struck twelve, fireworks welcoming the New Year.

The colored glass in the city skies dispelled the room’s darkness, Li Qiao sat up from Shang Yu’s embrace, cupping his face with a gentle smile, “Happy New Year.”

All alluring thoughts receded like tidewater, the man lowered his handsome face to catch her lips, also placing his hand over her slightly protruding belly, “Happy New Year, I love you.”

That night, Li Qiao stayed at the hospital, with the human cub inside her, spending the first New Year with Shang Yu.

…

The next day, at ten in the morning, Li Qiao walked out of the inpatient building of the Royal Hospital’s psychiatry department.

Upon seeing her, Luoyu couldn’t hide her surprise, raising her eyebrows.

Today’s madam, her mental state has significantly improved.

Is this the power of mutual consolation through love?

Soon after, Li Qiao got in the car, leaning against the seat, rubbing her temples, and asked casually, “Is Ming Dailan in Parma?”

Luoyu was even more surprised.

She clutched the steering wheel, looking back with exceptionally bright eyes.

Since the master brought them back from the Solitary Island, this was the first time Li Qiao took the initiative to inquire about someone else.

Even if she had been awake for these many days, besides asking a few questions about the Li family’s situation, she hadn’t concerned herself with anyone else or anything else.

Luoyu, a bit excited, even raised her tone a bit, “She’s there, already sent to a sanatorium, with dedicated caregivers.”

Li Qiao looked out the window, speaking in a low, calm manner, “Take me there.”

Luoyu responded excitedly, stomping on the gas and pulling out of the hospital.

The madam finally had emotional fluctuations, maybe in a few days, she would fully restore to her old self.

…

At the same time, just as Li Qiao left, He Chen and Lih Yun arrived at the Royal Hospital.

The two of them went to the consultation center, opened the door to find many experts already sitting at the conference table waiting.

After all, Lih Yun was a celebrated figure in the MECT treatment field, listening to his consultation report offered great benefits.

He Chen couldn’t understand those obscure and difficult professional terms, so he stood up and left the room after only a few minutes.

In the hospital room, he pushed open the door just in time to see Shang Yu tossing a half-full pack of cigarettes into the trash.

He Chen raised an eyebrow, one hand in his pocket, walked forward, and looked at the trash bin, “Did the cigarettes offend you?”

Shang Yu pressed his lips without speaking, casually taking out a lighter and tossing it onto the coffee table, “Is the treatment plan set?”