Before the door could even swing fully open, the sound of frantic footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Madam Qiao burst in first. Clad in a dignified Chanel suit, her usual elegance was replaced by eyes red with weeping. The moment she saw Ye Xiaoxiao, she lunged forward, hugging her so tightly Xiaoxiao could barely breathe.
"Feifei!! My baby!! You're finally awake!!"
Xiaoxiao's eyes went wide. "Ah... I... uh... ugh..."
Qiao Fei (the soul) slapped her own forehead. "Calm down! You're Qiao Fei now. Hug her back, or my mom will get suspicious!"
Xiaoxiao's limbs flailed like she was trying to plug a wire into the wrong socket. She patted Madam Qiao's back twice. "Ma... Mom?"
Qiao Fei's soul: "...Why did you say it like a question?! You're her daughter, not a customer calling a clerk for a checkout!"
Madam Qiao burst into fresh tears of joy. "My sweet daughter! You finally called me Mom!" She laughed through her sobs, trembling like a leaf in the wind. "When you were little and felt wronged, you never leaned on anyone... you'd even dodge my hugs. As you grew older, you became so stubborn, carrying everything on your own. You never, ever called me 'Mom'..."
She gripped Xiaoxiao tighter. "You once said, 'I don't have the right to act spoiled because I don't want to rely on anyone.' You were only seven years old then... a seven-year-old forcing herself to be as tough as an adult. It broke my heart every time. So, hearing you call me 'Mom' today... I'm just... so happy..."
Xiaoxiao: ??? (What did I just do??)
Qiao Fei's soul: "...Whatever. As long as she's happy." (Her tone was a mix of disdain and helpless resignation.)
Master Qiao stepped in. His posture was so straight he looked like he could stomp squares into the carpet. He didn't cry like his wife, but as he stood by the bed, his voice was low and heavy. "Feifei, how are you feeling? Any discomfort?"
Xiaoxiao: "I... I..."
Qiao Fei's soul hissed in her ear: "Don't say 'I'm fine,' or my dad will call ten doctors to swarm the room! Just say—'A bit tired, but okay.' Say it now!"
Xiaoxiao repeated it like a mantra. "A bit... tired, but... okay."
Master Qiao nodded, his gaze softening for a fleeting second. "It's good that you're awake."
Suddenly, three distinct presences entered the room.
First Brother: Qiao Sheng (The Stoic CEO)
He led the way, his black shirt crisp enough to slice the air. He looked like the kind of man who could silence a boardroom with a single glance. "Fei is awake?"
Qiao Fei's soul whispered: "Big Brother is always brief. You don't need to be overly enthusiastic."
Xiaoxiao nodded. "Mm... awake."
Qiao Sheng stared at her, his gaze so sharp it felt like he was looking right through her. Xiaoxiao's heart nearly stopped.
Qiao Fei's soul: "Don't blink so fast!! You look as suspicious as a hamster caught in a spotlight!!"
Second Brother: Qiao Lin (The Gentle Doctor)
A white lab coat was draped over his arm, and he seemed to radiate a soft, healing light. "Feifei, does anything hurt? Want water? Food? Do you want—"
Qiao Fei's soul rolled her eyes. "Second Brother always asks in threes. Just pick one."
Xiaoxiao: "...Water?"
Qiao Lin's eyes lit up. He immediately took a glass from a maid. As Xiaoxiao reached for it, her hand shook.
Qiao Fei's soul: "...Sister, if you shake any more, I'll think you're auditioning for a bubble tea shop."
Third Brother: Qiao Yi (The Devoted Musician)
Dressed in a casual hoodie, he looked like he'd just stepped out of a piano studio. The moment he saw Xiaoxiao, his voice turned to honey. "Mom told me you woke up. You scared me to death, Feifei. From now on, I'm coming with you on every tour."
Qiao Fei's soul: "Third Brother just... unconditionally spoils me. Just smile."
Xiaoxiao gave a smile that was stiffer than a marble statue.
Qiao Fei's soul: "Natural! Smile naturally! Corners up, not a muscle cramp!"
Xiaoxiao felt like a hamster drowning in the overwhelming love of this family. Qiao Fei's soul stood nearby, watching with a rare, quiet touch of emotion. "Now you see? How much this family cares about me." Then she immediately snapped back to her sharp self: "So please, don't blow your cover. I don't want my family thinking I'm possessed."
[Back at the Film Set]
The wardrobe room was its usual chaotic mess. Amidst the flying sequins and hissing irons, Wayne was enjoying his afternoon tea. Just as he took a sip of his "Jujube and Longan Health Tea," his phone vibrated.
He was ready to snap at whoever dared disturb him, but when he saw the caller ID, he froze.
—Xiaoxiao's Mom.
Wayne answered brightly, "Hello, Auntie~"
A trembling, frantic voice came from the other end. "Wayne... Xiaoxiao... she suddenly collapsed on the street. The ambulance is taking her to the hospital..."
CLATTER.
The tea hit the floor. The room went dead silent.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE COLLAPSED?!" Wayne's voice was so loud it could be heard in the next trailer. "She was fine yesterday! Is it the heat? Low blood sugar? Did someone bully her?!"
Xiaoxiao's mother was sobbing. "I don't know... she just fell... she's at the Municipal Hospital..."
Wayne felt like he'd been struck by lightning. He grabbed his sequined shawl and threw it over his shoulder. "Auntie, don't cry. I'm coming now! I'll beat the ambulance there!"
After hanging up, he was a whirlwind of panic. His face was paler than an unpainted actor. He fumbled for his keys, his hands shaking.
"I'M GOING! TO THE! HOSPITAL!" he roared.
As he charged out in his signature sequined sandals, the assistants looked at each other in shock. "Wayne... is actually terrified." "He scolds her every day, but... he treats her like his own daughter."