Mu Linjing and Zhan Yichen took turns staying by Wen Yulan's bedside, taking diligent care of her.
During this time, Doctor Situ also prepared a medicated ointment for Mu Linjing, instructing her to apply it every morning and evening.
Seeing the visible improvement in the injuries on her face, Zhan Yichen's mood finally lifted slightly.
Forty-eight hours passed, and Wen Yulan still showed no signs of waking up, which sent Zhan Yichen into a panic.
He would talk to Wen Yulan for long periods every day, but the person lying in bed seemed deaf to everything, showing no reaction.
As the forty-eight hours predicted by the doctor passed, Zhan Yichen was both anxious and helpless. He knelt by the bedside, holding Wen Yulan's hand, filled with regret.
"Mom, as long as you wake up, I'll take back everything I said before. Did you hear me?"
He had said similar words many times over the past few days, but the outcome was the same as now, with no response.
Seeing him like this, Mu Linjing felt a pang of heartache. When Zhan Yichen had spoken those words to Wen Yulan for her sake, she had felt a sense of triumph. But looking at him now, she was filled with regret.
If she could, she would rather endure endless arguments with Wen Yulan than see Zhan Yichen so guilt-ridden and perpetually despondent.
"Yichen, Doctor William is here."
Zhan Mohan's voice made Zhan Yichen look up. Seeing William following behind them, Zhan Yichen felt as if he had seen a savior.
"Doctor William, please take a look at my mother. Can she still wake up?"
He led William to Wen Yulan's bedside. William, in his youth, had already been an internationally renowned neurosurgeon. He had also treated Grandpa Zhan in the past, and since then, the Zhan family had invested heavily in his research annually, which had forged their current relationship.
William had already been briefed on Wen Yulan's condition upon his arrival. He compared the readings on the instruments and then requested the medical records from the past few days. After reviewing them, he fell silent for a moment.
"You have taken great care of her, and the hospital's medication has been appropriate. Based on this situation, Mrs. Zhan should have been able to wake up within forty-eight hours after surgery. However, she hasn't woken up, and for the moment, I'm unclear about the reason."
These words sent a chill down Zhan Yichen's spine. He had placed all his hopes on William, but now even William was unsure of the situation. He truly didn't know who else could help him.
"Doctor William, please take another closer look, or conduct another examination. There must be a reason."
Understanding that he was Zhan Yichen's last resort, William attempted to soothe his emotions. "I will re-examine everything you've mentioned. However, it's also possible that her own unwillingness to wake up is the cause. Many patients are unable to wake up because, subconsciously, they don't want to. This falls under the realm of psychology."
This possibility presented Zhan Yichen with a dilemma. If it was truly Wen Yulan's own unwillingness to wake up, then how could it be treated?
They say that a heart ailment requires a heart cure, but that at least requires the person to be conscious. Now, it seemed that any action would be futile.
Watching William perform various examinations on Wen Yulan, Zhan Mohan placed a heavy hand on his shoulder. "Trust William."
Zhan Yichen didn't know what else he could do but nod. Yes, of course, he had to trust William. If even William couldn't help, then they could only resign themselves to fate.
After a series of examinations, William shook his head. "She has already undergone surgery. For now, I can only provide conservative treatment. We'll observe for a period before deciding on the next course of action."
This outcome was already considered relatively good. At least William could still administer medication, meaning there wasn't a complete lack of options.
For the following period, William continued to care for Wen Yulan. Zhan Yichen would also visit Mu Linjing after work each day, and then they would visit Wen Yulan together.
Wen Yulan's condition remained in a state of neither good nor bad, which also perplexed William.
Old Master Zhan would also come to visit from time to time. During these visits, William would discuss his research achievements over the years with him and also mention Wen Yulan's condition.
Speaking of this, William sighed. "In all my years of practicing medicine, I have never encountered such a situation. All her indicators are normal. From a medical perspective, she has already woken up, but now..."
Upon hearing this, Old Master Zhan glanced at Wen Yulan on the hospital bed, lost in thought.
After seeing Old Master Zhan off, Zhan Yichen arrived at the hospital shortly after finishing work. As usual, he went to see Mu Linjing first.
Mu Linjing was looking at the scars on her face in the mirror. The wounds had almost healed, leaving only the dense network of small scars on the side of her face, which were still quite noticeable.
Although Doctor Situ's ointment was very effective, and after using it for some time, she felt her skin was much smoother than when the bandages were first removed, as long as the scars on her face had not completely disappeared, she was constantly at risk of disfigurement.
Even if she didn't mention it to others, the worry in her eyes and her melancholy could never be entirely concealed.
Zhan Yichen saw her from outside the door and hesitated to enter. He no longer knew who to blame.
It was Mu Linjing who noticed him outside the door and quickly put away the mirror. "Yichen, you're here."
Hearing Mu Linjing's voice, deliberately raised, he knew she was trying to prevent him from worrying further. He truly couldn't understand, was someone as good as Lin Jing not superior to those young ladies from noble families?
"What's wrong? Are you in a bad mood?"
His low spirits were easily discernible. He had lost the ability to feign cheerfulness during this time; all his emotions were written on his face.
Hearing Mu Linjing's concerned question, he pursed his lips. "Amy has been found. If you want to meet and talk to her, I can arrange it for you."
Upon hearing this, Mu Linjing paused. Before Amy was caught, she had thought a great deal about how she would condemn her and vent her anger when the woman was apprehended. But at this moment, she found that her desire for vengeance was not as strong as she had imagined.
Even if she went and scolded Amy harshly, or disfigured Amy's face in the same way, would her own face miraculously return to its original state?
Meaningless revenge would only make her more monstrous and would not instill any sense of guilt in the other party.
So, she shook her head. "There's no need. Let her receive the punishment she deserves."
Zhan Yichen completely understood her sentiments. For a paranoid person like Amy, committing such acts was merely an act of venting and seeking her own demise. Since there was no intention of helping her repent, there was no need for such a meeting.
He looked at Mu Linjing's serene profile and gently said, "Linjing, when you've recovered, will you marry me?"