At the entrance of the business school, a stretched Rolls-Royce was parked.
On both sides of the car stood two rows of people, dressed in suits and wearing sunglasses, staring straight ahead.
Upon seeing Yan Xi, the bodyguards lined up neatly in front of her and said respectfully, "Young Madam, the Old Madam sent us to pick you up and take you home."
Young Madam? Yan Xi was stunned by the title. She hadn't even dated anyone, so how could she be a young madam?
Yan Xi frowned and said indifferently, "I'm sorry, I'm not your young madam."
The bodyguards expressionlessly presented a copy of her marriage certificate and replied, "Young Madam, we are merely following the Old Madam's orders. If you have any doubts, you can ask the Old Madam in person."
Yan Xi numbly took the marriage certificate from the bodyguard's hand. The bride was her.
When she saw the groom, Yan Xi's expression changed drastically.
The groom was indeed the young master of the Fu family, Fu Yan Ting.
Half a year ago, an accident had left him severely injured, and he had fallen into a vegetative state upon waking, confined to his bed ever since.
Originally, it was Yan Xiao who was engaged to Fu Yan Ting. However, her parents, disliking that Fu Yan Ting was now a vegetable, yet having already accepted the betrothal gifts from the Fu family, did not want to break off the engagement. Thus, they had dumped this mess onto her.
Yan Xi couldn't believe that they would do such a shameless thing for Yan Xiao.
Yan Xiao was their daughter, but what about her?
Had they ever treated her as a daughter?
Anger, grievance, and unwillingness surged in her heart at that instant.
"I'm sorry, this happened too suddenly. I need to go home and verify it."
Yan Xi tried her best to remain calm, but her trembling voice betrayed her.
"Young Madam, the young master and the Old Madam are waiting for you at home." The bodyguard looked at Yan Xi expressionlessly, then added after a pause, "The Old Madam said today is your and the young master's wedding day. Don't miss the auspicious time."
Yan Xi was resistant to this marriage from the bottom of her heart. She disregarded the auspicious time and continued to walk forward.
The bodyguard said in a deep voice, "Young Madam, we apologize for any offense."
Before Yan Xi could react, they forcefully lifted her up and put her into the car.
Inside the car, Yan Xi bit her lip. She still couldn't believe her parents would do something so insane. She was unwilling, so she dialed her father, Yan Jia Peng's, number.
She had to stop this absurd farce.
After a beep, the call was abruptly hung up.
Yan Xi's heart sank little by little.
Not long after, her phone buzzed. Yan Xi opened it to find a picture on WeChat.
In the ICU ward, a young man with a pale face, wearing an oxygen mask, lay dying on the bed, surrounded by expensive medical equipment.
Yan Xi's face turned pale. She didn't even feel the pain when her nails dug into her flesh, drawing blood.
That was her own younger brother, Yan Yi. Three years ago, he had suddenly developed acute kidney failure and had been lying in the hospital bed ever since.
"Yan Xi, I asked the doctor. The cost for dialysis and kidney transplant surgery will be at least one million yuan. With our family's current situation, we can't afford that much."
"I know you have a close relationship with your brother and want him to live. Just listen to us obediently, marry Fu Yan Ting, and serve him for three years."
Looking at the cold text message, Yan Xi felt a chill run down her spine.
After her brother's sudden accident, the enormous medical expenses left her with no time for anything else.
She couldn't help but approach Yan Jia Peng, hoping he would show brotherly affection and save her brother's life. He was still very young; he couldn't die.
To her surprise, he had used it as a bargaining chip for coercion.
She listlessly dropped her hands and closed her eyes gently.
Not long after, the car slowly drove into a detached villa in Deep Water Bay.
The bodyguards got out of the car, opened the door, and said to Yan Xi, "Young Madam, the Old Madam is waiting for you. Please come in."
Yan Xi took a deep breath and followed the bodyguards into the house.
Fu Yan Ting's grandmother, Mu Qing Xiang, sized Yan Xi up and was very satisfied.
She asked, "I heard you are still a university student."
"Old Madam, I graduate in half a year."
"I am Yan Ting's grandmother. You can call me Grandma from now on, too. Don't keep calling me 'Old Madam,' it sounds too distant."
"You should have heard about my grandson's condition. I know this is unfair to you, but don't worry, Grandma won't treat you unfairly."
Yan Xi clenched her fists tightly. It seemed Yan Jia Peng had already told the Old Madam about Yan Yi's situation.
However, exchanging three years of loveless marriage for her brother's health, Yan Xi felt it was worth it.
She agreed to the Old Madam's request with barely any hesitation.
The Old Madam gave a look to Zhang Ma, a maid in the household.
Zhang Ma, understanding the unspoken request, stepped forward, took Yan Xi's hand, and led her upstairs. At the door of Fu Yan Ting's room, Zhang Ma said, "Young Madam, the young master is waiting for you inside."
After speaking, Zhang Ma turned and went downstairs.
Yan Xi paced back and forth outside the room. She didn't want to acknowledge this marriage, didn't want to serve Fu Yan Ting, the vegetable, but the moment she thought of her brother's emaciated appearance, Yan Xi knew she had no other choice.
Yan Xi pushed open the bedroom door. As soon as she entered, she saw Fu Yan Ting lying on the bed.
Hearing the bedroom door open, Fu Yan Ting's hand moved slightly. His eyes were tightly closed, and his breathing was even.
Yan Xi comforted herself internally.
Don't be afraid. He's just a vegetable; he can't move. He's not dead yet. Sometimes, the living are scarier than the dead.
Yan Xi stood at the doorway, staring at Fu Yan Ting for a long time before mustering the courage to walk towards him step by step.
As she got closer to Fu Yan Ting, Yan Xi marveled at how such a bewitching man could exist in this world.
Perhaps due to his illness, Fu Yan Ting's face was a little pale. In the yellow lamplight, it held a touch of softness.
There was a tear mole at the corner of his upturned eyes.
Yan Xi walked over and waved her hands a couple of times in front of Fu Yan Ting. He didn't react.
Yan Xi muttered to herself, "What am I afraid of? He's a vegetable; how could he react?"
Comforting herself this way, Yan Xi's courage seemed to grow a little. Her hands began to playfully roam over Fu Yan Ting's face, and then, as she was touching him, Yan Xi's mischievous side kicked in, and she started to tickle him.
As a result, Fu Yan Ting still showed no reaction.
Hmm, Fu Yan Ting was indeed in a bad state, having lost all sensation. Yan Xi felt a wave of relief. However, in the next second, Yan Xi was terrified by what she saw.
Fu Yan Ting sat up, his dark, sharp eyes fixed tightly on Yan Xi...
Yan Xi was terrified, seeing Fu Yan Ting as if she had seen a cold-faced Yama. She quickly ran out of the room, shouting as she fled, "Zhang Ma, Fu Yan Ting is awake! Really, he opened his eyes!"