Beneath the crystal chandelier, Fu Shiting’s eyes were like obsidian—deep, mesmerizing, and dangerous. Just as they had always been—chilling to the bone. The color drained from Fu Yechen’s face. He stumbled back several steps. “An'an—no, I mean, Aunt An'an. It’s… it’s late. I won’t disturb you and Uncle any longer!” A cold sweat broke out across Fu Yechen’s body as he scrambled out of the master bedroom. Watching him flee in disarray, Qin An'an felt her heart seize. A tremor ran through her body she couldn't control. *Was Fu Shiting awake?!* *They said he was dying!* She tried to speak, but no sound came out. She wanted to step closer, but her feet seemed rooted to the floor. A wave of unknown terror washed over her. She backed away... then turned and fled downstairs. “Mrs. Zhang, Fu Shiting is awake! His eyes are open!” At her cry, Mrs. Zhang hurried upstairs. “Mrs. Fu, the master opens his eyes every day. It doesn’t mean he’s conscious. See? We’re talking right now, and he’s not reacting at all.” Mrs. Zhang sighed. “The doctor said the chances of someone in a vegetative state waking up are very slim.” Qin An'an was still shaken. “Can I sleep with a light on tonight? I’m a little scared.” “Of course. You should get some rest. You have to go to the old family estate tomorrow morning. I’ll come wake you.” “Okay.” After Mrs. Zhang left, Qin An'an changed into her pajamas and got into bed. She sat stiffly beside him, her eyes fixed on Fu Shiting’s impossibly handsome face. She raised a hand and waved it in front of his eyes. “Fu Shiting,” she whispered, “what are you thinking in there?” But he remained completely still. A sudden wave of melancholy washed over her. Compared to his fate, what was her own suffering? “Fu Shiting, I hope you wake up. With all your money… if it falls into the hands of that bastard Fu Yechen, you’ll never be able to rest in peace.” The moment she finished speaking, the man’s eyes slowly drifted shut. She stared at him, stunned, her heart hammering against her ribs. Some vegetative patients were known to have a degree of consciousness. *Did he hear me?* Qin An'an lay down beside him, her mind racing. After what felt like an eternity, she heard herself let out a soft sigh. For now, she was Mrs. Fu. No one would dare to touch her. But what would the Fu family do with her after he died? A knot of anxiety tightened in her chest. Before he died, she had to use her status as Mrs. Fu to take back everything she had lost. And make those who had wronged her pay. ... The next day. Eight in the morning. Mrs. Zhang escorted Qin An'an to the Fu family estate to pay her respects to Old Mrs. Fu. The entire Fu clan was gathered. Upon entering the living room, Qin An'an greeted each of the elders in turn and presented them with tea. The matriarch watched Qin An'an, increasingly pleased. A girl this docile would be easy to control. “An'an, did you rest well last night?” A faint blush colored Qin An'an’s cheeks. “I did, thank you.” “And how is Shiting? He didn’t disturb you, did he?” Qin An'an thought of that beautiful, lifeless face with a pang of regret. “He doesn’t move at all, so he didn’t bother me.” *Though he lay perfectly still, his body was warm. Last night, deep in sleep, she had subconsciously treated him like a pillow, only to wake in the middle of the night to find her arms wrapped around him, her heart leaping into her throat in fright.* “An'an, I have a gift for you,” the old woman said, opening a purple box and holding it out to her. “This bracelet should suit your skin tone perfectly. Do you like it?” Qin An'an didn’t dare refuse the matriarch’s gesture in front of everyone. She accepted it immediately. “I love it. Thank you.” “An'an, I know you must feel wronged in some ways. After all, with Shiting in his condition… he can’t love you properly. However, there is a way for you to benefit greatly from this.” At this, the matriarch revealed her plan. “I’m afraid Shiting doesn’t have much time left. He was always so buried in his work, he never had time for relationships, let alone a child…” Hearing this, Qin An'an’s nerves tensed. A child? Surely the old woman didn’t mean for her to have a child with Fu Shiting? “I want you to have a child for Shiting. To carry on his bloodline.” As the matriarch’s words fell, Qin An'an’s mind went blank. Stunned expressions appeared on the faces of the others as well. “Mother, Shiting has been ill for so long. Surely he’s no longer fertile?” Fu Shiting’s older brother, Fu Han, spoke up. Although Fu Shiting wasn’t dead yet, everyone was already eyeing his fortune. The matriarch let out a laugh. “I wouldn’t suggest it if I hadn’t already had the doctors take precautions. An empire like Shiting’s cannot be left without an heir. I am determined that An'an will bear Shiting’s child. Even a daughter would be enough.” At once, every eye in the room fell upon Qin An'an.