Su Wan slowly opened her eyes amidst a cloud-soft silk, a faint scent of sandalwood permeated the air, a familiar fragrance that inexplicably relaxed her nerves, as if something was quietly eroding her vigilance.
Su Wan gently moved her fingers; her body was still a little soft, weak as if all strength had been drained, but her consciousness was much clearer than before.
"Awake?"
A voice as warm as jade came from beside her, carrying a hint of irrepressible joy.
Su Wan turned her head sharply, her pupils contracting instantly.
Yan Shaoyou was sitting upright on the carved sofa by the bed, holding an exquisitely bound ancient book in his hand, dressed in a tasteful beige loungewear, exuding a gentle, domestic aura.
His iconic gold-rimmed glasses reflected a soft glow in the morning light, yet they couldn't hide the fleeting heat in his peach blossom eyes behind the lenses.
Su Wan sat up abruptly as if struck by lightning, scanning her surroundings warily.
This was a luxurious bedroom, with thick Persian carpets covering the entire room. Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the figures of patrolling soldiers could be vaguely seen.
Everything exuded a sense of an exquisite cage.
"Where is this?"
Yan Shaoyou gently closed the book in his hand and slowly rose to walk to the bedside. He picked up the exquisite bone china water cup from the nightstand, its wall still engraved with delicate rose patterns.
"Dawn Base, your home," Yan Shaoyou's voice was still as gentle, "Drink some water to moisten your throat; you've been asleep for a whole day and night."
Su Wan stared intently at the water cup, showing no intention of taking it. She pushed aside the silk quilt covering her, wanting to get out of bed, but Yan Shaoyou's outstretched hand gently pressed down on her shoulder.
"Don't rush, Wan Wan," Yan Shaoyou's voice was as soft as a feather brushing her heart, his eyes revealing an almost reverent concern, "The doctor just checked and said you need rest, especially now... you're carrying our child in your belly."
Su Wan trembled all over, keenly catching the abnormality in his words. What did he mean by "our child"?
"Yan Shaoyou, what exactly do you want to do?" Su Wan unceremoniously pushed Yan Shaoyou's hand away.
Yan Shaoyou's gaze trembled slightly, then he pushed his gold-rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose. A hint of hurt flashed in his peach blossom eyes, but it was quickly masked by gentleness.
"Wan Wan, I'm bringing you home," Yan Shaoyou's tone was still gentle and refined, yet it carried a sense of entitlement.
"Father has always been worried about your safety. Here, we have the nation's top medical facilities and the safest protective environment. It's the best choice for you and for the child."
Su Wan's eyes blazed with even stronger anger, "When did I say I wasn't coming back? How dare you abduct me back on your own initiative? What about Lu Shiyan? What about Xiao Han and the others? What have you done to them?"
Upon hearing Lu Shiyan's name, Yan Shaoyou's facial muscles visibly stiffened for a moment, but he quickly resumed his gentle-as-jade expression, though a hint of gloom flickered deep in his eyes.
"Them?" Yan Shaoyou chuckled softly, a trace of imperceptible coldness in his voice, "Wan Wan, you shouldn't mention that man's name again. He will only bring you endless danger and pain. Moreover, Father would never allow you to have any further involvement with Lu Shiyan."
"Father? Yes, Father, I want to see him! I want to see him now!"
Yan Shaoyou's smile grew even gentler, yet it sent a chilling shiver down Su Wan's spine.
"Of course. Father was so happy to know you returned safely that he barely slept all night, but you were still in a coma."
Yan Shaoyou reached out to stroke Su Wan's hair, but she deftly dodged him. "He specifically instructed that once you wake up and feel a bit better, someone should be sent to call him. Breakfast is ready, all your favorite dishes from before. Have something to eat first, and I'll accompany you to see Father."
Su Wan stared intently at the man before her. That gentle and refined face always wore a polite and perfect smile, but the obsession and madness hidden behind that smile sent shivers down her spine.
The Yan Shaoyou in the original novel, though deeply in love with Su Wan, was never this almost pathological possessive...
Could it be that her appearance had changed the plot's direction?
"Okay." Su Wan took a deep breath, suppressing the panic in her heart, trying to make her voice sound calm, "I'm hungry."
In the astonishingly luxurious dining room, the three-meter-long solid wood dining table was laden with exquisite and tempting food.
There were freshly steamed, still-hot xiaolongbao, golden-fried French toast, and a fresh seasonal fruit platter... Everything was as exquisite as a work of art.
This was nothing like the food one would expect in an apocalypse.
But Su Wan had no appetite; her attention was not on the food at all.
Yan Shaoyou sat opposite her, occasionally serving Su Wan dishes with gentle and thoughtful movements.
"Shaoyou, Wan Wan."
A voice, authoritative yet clearly joyful, came from outside the dining room, accompanied by steady, powerful footsteps.
Su Wan looked up and saw a dignified middle-aged man in a sharp military uniform striding in.
Su Zhengyan.
This man was tall and upright, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, his face bearing a striking seventy percent resemblance to "Su Wan," especially his eyes, which were almost identical.
His brows carried the sharp aura of someone long in a high position, and his entire being exuded a powerful presence that commanded respect without needing to show anger.
But at this moment, this authoritative man was trembling slightly with excitement, even his eyes were a little red.
"Dad!"
The moment the word escaped her lips, Su Wan's heart constricted sharply.
Her voice carried a complex emotion she herself hadn't noticed—a mix of unfamiliarity, closeness, and an inexplicable sense of attachment.
The original body's memory told her that this man's doting on "Su Wan" was almost to the point of fulfilling her every wish, one could even say he pampered her to the core.
"Oh, my dear daughter! You've finally come back!"
Su Zhengyan almost scurried to Su Wan, his rough hands trembling as he grasped Su Wan's hands, looking her up and down. When he saw Su Wan's noticeably thinner cheeks, a hint of heartache flashed in his eyes.
"You've lost weight, really lost weight... You must have suffered!" Su Zhengyan's voice was a little choked, "You wretched girl, the only time in my life I didn't act according to your wishes, I almost lost you forever..."
Su Wan's nose tingled, and tears instantly welled up.
This emotion came too suddenly, too intensely, astonishing even Su Wan herself.
She clearly knew this man was not her real father, clearly knew she was just a soul from another world who had transmigrated, but why... why was there such a heart-wrenching attachment?
"Dad, I'm fine." Su Wan voluntarily threw herself into Su Zhengyan's embrace, feeling the long-lost warmth of paternal love.
"Still saying you're fine!" Su Zhengyan gently stroked Su Wan's hair, his tone full of clear heartache, "Shaoyou has reported everything to me in detail, how much suffering you endured on this journey!"
He turned to Yan Shaoyou, his eyes filled with approval and gratitude: "Shaoyou, this time, I really owe it to you for bringing Wan Wan back safely. You've rendered great service, Father won't forget it!"
Yan Shaoyou smiled modestly, pushing up his glasses: "Father, you overstate it. Taking care of Wan Wan is simply my responsibility and duty."
"Good! Very good!" Su Zhengyan nodded contentedly, pulling Su Wan to sit at the dining table, "Quick, eat more. Your face is so thin it breaks my heart. From now on, at home, Dad will have the kitchen make your favorite dishes every day. You must get your health back."
Su Wan looked at Su Zhengyan's benevolent face and carefully began, "Dad, I have something I want to tell you. About..."
"I know what you want to say," Su Zhengyan interrupted her, the smile on his face fading a few points instantly, a complex look flashing in his eyes, "It's about that man named Lu Shiyan, isn't it?"
Su Wan's heart suddenly pounded.