Chapter 837 Caught
Chapter 837 Caught
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“Who did it?” Ye Cheng demanded the moment Li Jing fluttered her eyelids open. The question hung heavy in the sterile air, a stark contrast to the frantic beeping of the heart monitor beside the bed. His voice, usually smooth and controlled, was a low growl, laced with a fury that sent shivers down Li Jing’s spine. It was clear: he meant war, and whoever dared to harm her would face his full wrath.
Li Jing flinched at the harshness in his tone, the throbbing pain in her head amplifying every sound. Groaning, she attempted to push herself upright, wincing as a fresh wave of agony shot from her ankle.
Ye Cheng, his eyes filled with a dark storm, was there in a flash.
“Easy, love,” he murmured, his voice softening as he saw the flicker of pain cross her features. His hands, surprisingly gentle despite the storm brewing in his eyes, pressed down on her shoulders, guiding her back onto the sterile white sheets.
“Don’t try to move yet.”
Li Jing, her vision blurry and heavy, blinked slowly, trying to focus on the man looming above her. His face, etched with worry and a dark fury she’d rarely seen, sent a shiver down her spine. It was both comforting and terrifying.
“You need rest.”
Li Jing blinked, trying to focus. The sterile white walls, the drip connected to her hand, the bedsheet – it all confirmed her worst fears. She was in the hospital. The explosion… it wasn’t a dream.
The harsh fluorescent lights overhead blurred her vision. “Ye Cheng?” Li Jing croaked, her voice dry and scratchy.
“I’m here, love,” he said, his grip loosening slightly. “Don’t worry about anything. Just rest.”
Rest?
Easier said than done. “The imposter…” she rasped, her voice weak and hoarse. The events of the day — the memory of the kitchen, the searing heat, and the deafening roar of the explosion came flooding back, replayed in her mind like a horrifying movie. Fear, cold and sharp, pricked at her heart.
Who was it? Why target her?
“Was she found?” Li Jing inquired. “Who was she?”
Sensing her growing agitation, Ye Cheng squeezed her hand gently. “Tell me what happened,” he said, his voice low and soothing.
Li Jing recounted the events in a raspy whisper, detailing the strange encounter their staff had with the imposter, the apple pie order, and then the deafening explosion. Her voice trembled as she spoke of the fear she’d felt, not just for herself, but for Ming Xi and Butler Wu.
As she finished, a heavy silence descended upon the room. The only sound was the steady beeping of the heart monitor beside her bed. Ye Cheng’s jaw clenched tight, his face a mask of suppressed anger.
“There was someone else in the house,” he finally said, his voice low and dangerous. “Someone who looked like you?”
“I couldn’t find out if she really looked like me. But Ming Xi felt I was the one.”
Li Jing nodded, chills crawling up her spine. “Obviously the imposter set the bomb.”
“Why?” Ye Cheng muttered, his brow furrowed in thought. “Who would do such a thing? I doubt Chairman Zhang did.”
Li Jing shook her head, a fresh wave of dizziness washing over her. The pain medication they’d administered was starting to kick in, and the edges of her vision were blurring.
“I don’t know much, but I believe Bai Qing Mei hates me. And her grandfather is hellbent on making you suffer,” she whispered, exhaustion pulling at her eyelids.
Ye Cheng leaned closer, his eyes searching hers. “But we’ll find out,” he vowed, his voice steely. “Whoever did this will pay.”
He pulled a chair closer to the bed, his large frame dwarfing the space. He sat down, but his posture remained rigid, his eyes fixed on her face with an intensity that made Li Jing feel a little breathless.
Despite the pain, a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. It warmed her to see him like this, his entire world seemingly revolving around her well-being. “You shouldn’t have left your meeting,” she said softly. “Those shareholders must be furious.”
Ye Cheng scoffed, his expression softening slightly. “They can wait. It is Yin Lifen you should see. Your investors were ignored. Meetings and investors can wait, but you, on the other hand, cannot.” He reached out, his hand hovering over hers for a moment before gently intertwining their fingers. “Is FenFen here?” Her gaze flickered around the room in search of her friend. “Yes. Relax. She is outside. One person could be allowed in due to your rest.”
“Alright. What about Butler Wu and Ming Xi?”
“They are fine,” Ye Cheng assured her.
Just then, the door creaked open and a doctor, a man with kind eyes framed by wire-rimmed glasses, entered the room. Relief washed over Li Jing as he approached the bed, his demeanour calm and professional.
“Mrs. Ye,” he greeted, his voice carrying a gentle lilt. “How are you feeling?”
Li Jing managed a weak smile. “A bit sore, but otherwise alright, I think.”
The doctor gave her a brief examination, checking her vitals and ankles. “Nothing serious,” he assured them. “Just an ankle sprain and a few minor cuts. You’ll be here for a day or two for observation at most, but you should make a full recovery.”
Li Jing let out a sigh of relief. A hospital stay wasn’t what she was looking forward to, but it was certainly better than the alternative. As the doctor finished his rounds and exited the room, Li Jing turned her gaze back to Ye Cheng.
“There’s something else,” she confessed, her voice barely a whisper. “Before the explosion, I thought of something – a name.” She could see his growing interest. “What name?”
“Li Xiu.”
Ye Cheng’s eyes narrowed. “Li Xiu?”
“Yes. However, the one who loves an apple pie most is Li Xiu. I believe she has a hand in this.”
“Whoever it is Jing, just know I’ll soon be torturing them.”