The Overnight Chosen Wife: Darling, Kiss Me Deeper

"I have to go." He cupped her face. "Stay here." He ordered before she could suggest tagging along.

"But…"

"Not now, Lanni."

Realizing immediately that he sounded harsh, he kissed her lips briefly. "It's late. Go to bed first, okay? I'll brief you on the situation and you can come tomorrow."

She rose onto her knees as he grabbed a coat in a rush. "Be careful, okay? Don't drive on your own. Let the chauffeur drive you there." She insisted on the last part. Heaven knew he might just floor the accelerator and arrive in twenty minutes if he could. That would be dangerous.

He nodded and left the room. She pressed a hand on her ċhėst as she stared at the door. She could only hope that Ji Huifen would be alright, for the sake of Xiehan and Ruby.

Her phone rang after what felt like forever. She shuffled to grab it and frowned at the unknown number. Who would call her so late at night? It was definitely not Xiehan since he had carried his phone with him. Her heart skipped a beat as she answered it, remaining silent for the other party to speak first.

"Lanni?"

She sighed in relief. "Ruby? I was scared out of my skin."

Ruby sounded worried. "I'm sorry. My phone went off. Is my brother there?"

"He left a while ago." She answered, moments before she heard Xiehan's voice in the background as he called out. Ruby had heard it too, because she sighed.

"Oh. He's here."

Lanni frowned when Ruby suddenly ended the call. That was weird.

___

"Where's he?" Xiehan asked worriedly as soon as he got home.

"Sir was rushed to B City Hospital." The butler informed him, and he immediately made a beeline for the garage once again.

"Brother, can I come?" Ruby asked behind him. He had noticed her tailing him but he let her into the car.

"Of course. Why not?"

He figured Wen Lin must have made her stay at home but he couldn't understand why she would.

When they got to the hospital, he was shown to the emergency room where Ji Huifen was, but no one was allowed to go in yet.

"Mother?" He caught sight of Wen Lin waiting outside and rushed over to her. When he pulled her into his embrace, she pushed him away like he was a plague. .

"You finally know your way back. Are you trying to drive your father to the grave?"

He ignored her accusation. "What happened?"

"I already told you, he had a heart attack." She dabbed at her tearful eyes. "He's had a lot to deal with lately, especially with you leaving the city like that."

He was certain his leaving couldn't cause such an impact on its own. However, it was not the time to play blame games and start pointing fingers at each other. He remained silent and let her cry it out.

"Xiehan, your father may have done some awful things but he is still your father, ok?"

"I know." He placed a hand on her shoulder. He didn't want it to come to this either.

It was only hours later that Ji Huifen was wheeled into the recovery ward and they were allowed to see him briefly. Before Xiehan could go in, Wen Lin grabbed his hand.

"Don't pick a fight with him." She warned.

"I know better than to do that." He ran a hand down his face.

She forced a smile before letting him go first.

He walked into the ward, looking down at his bedridden father and suddenly not knowing what to say. He had an oxygen tube on his nose and while his eyes were open, he looked unfocused.

"Father." He called out softly.

A small smile crossed Ji Huifen's lips as if he was relieved. "When I felt that stab of pain, I couldn't stop myself from wondering whether you would be at my funeral."

"Don't say such things." His gaze trailed to the monitors.

"Why not? It's nothing but the truth." His ċhėst rose and fell faster and Xiehan squinted his eyes in worry. It was only a while later that Ji Huifen softly spoke again. "At least the company will be in good hands. He sighed."

"Nothing is going to happen to you." Xiehan balled his fists at the sides.

"Yet." Ji Huifen interjected. "Did Lanni come with you?"

"No."

"Okay. I will talk to her later. For now, let's talk about other things, okay?" He placed a shaky hand on Xiehan's which had reached out to tuck him in.

"I always wanted to see you settle down and have a family of your own." He started, making Xiehan's brows furrow.

"I'm married. And my wife is pregnant. If this is not considered as settling down, I don't see what is." He countered, his face expressionless.

"The wedding is a major part of it, right?" Ji Huifen looked deep in thought before asking, "Can I ask you for a favor, from a father to a son?"

When Xiehan nodded, he continued, "If anything happens to me…" He paused and shut his eyes for moments. "If I don't make it, could you let Meiling take my place at your wedding?"

"And let her stab my wife at the altar? Not happening." He bit back without flinching.

Before Ji Huifen could respond, he inched closer to his face. "Since you so badly hope for something to happen to you, I will help you with that."

Then he pulled the oxygen tube off Ji Huifen's nose.

"Xiehan!" Wen Lin let out a shrill cry and burst into the room. The entire door was made of glass and she had been studying them. Panic washed all over her face.

"Don't you dare come closer." Xiehan shot her a warning glare.

___

AN

Why would Xiehan do that to his own father? To make sure he didn't get Ji Meiling to go to the wedding? To protect Lanni? Out of hate? Make a guess below!