When Gadelia woke up, the sun had already set. Only a waning crescent moon hung on the horizon, with no stars in sight.
“Mmh… Can you please stop talking behind my back?”
She rubbed her heavy head. In her dazed state, she seemed to hear Zhou Ming complaining about her staying up all night and sleeping during the day. Subconsciously, she felt he was talking about her behind her back.
Or maybe… she had actually heard him?
Zhou Ming looked at Gadelia with a speechless expression. He had just casually grumbled because she had fallen asleep leaning on the edge of the bed, making it hard for him to turn over.
And now she had concocted an entire scenario in her head—
If he said one bad thing about her, she would secretly record it, then suddenly jump up, grab his thin hospital gown, and yell:
“I knew you were up to no good! I finally caught you! So, do you want to settle this privately or go to court!”
Zhou Ming could almost see his empty wallet weeping in the wind.
He subconsciously patted his face.
Gadelia stood up unsteadily, preparing to splash some cold water on her face to wake up.
“The bathroom is over there. You’re going the wrong way.”
Zhou Ming could tell her state at a glance. He was all too familiar with that groggy feeling after pulling an all-nighter.
Out of courtesy, he raised a hand to point toward the bathroom inside the hospital room.
“Thank you.”
Gadelia thanked him and turned to enter the bathroom. She turned on the faucet, cupped her hands, and splashed water on her face.
Returning to the chair, she fiddled with the strands of hair hanging by her ears, not looking at Zhou Ming.
As a noble, even though she had long abandoned that status, she still had her pride. Being corrected after going the wrong way was somewhat embarrassing for her.
“Huff—”
“It’s about time.”
“You woke up pretty fast.”
She suddenly spoke:
“Is my image in your mind… really that bad?”
Her tone carried a hint of resentment. She didn’t know where she had offended Zhou Ming. Was it because she dealt with villains too often?
Then what did her efforts over the past two days count for? She did save his life, after all.
As for why he needed her to save him—that wasn’t important. The point was, she saved him.
Zhou Ming waved his hand, trying to explain, but Gadelia had already swiveled her chair to face away from him.
“Ridiculous.”
Gadelia expressed disdain for Zhou Ming’s “old-fashioned explanation.”
“Do you know your clothing size? I’ll have someone buy a few sets for you later. If you don’t know, I’ll have someone come take your measurements soon.”
She didn’t turn around, but her tone was deliberately softened.
“Does something like XXL count?”
Zhou Ming scratched his head and asked cautiously.
“I think it’s fine, but they might not agree with you.”
So that still means it’s not fine!
“I never said it was fine. You thought that yourself.”
“Gadelia, I feel so tired talking to you.”
Zhou Ming let out a long sigh and decisively gave up on communication.
Why was it so difficult to get along with this lifesaver? This wasn’t how the script was supposed to go!
Just then, the door opened, and a nurse in white walked in carrying a lunch box.
“Mr. Zhou, your meal.”
She completely failed to notice the strange atmosphere in the room. After handing the lunch box to Zhou Ming, she left.
“Gadelia…”
“I’m not eating.”
Of course.
Zhou Ming thought to himself: Isn’t this exactly thetrope of an angry female lead in a drama? What should I do next?
Unfortunately, he didn’t watch many dramas. It was his mom who watched them all. He should have paid more attention and learned from them.
Now…
Thinking of his parents, Zhou Ming’s heart grew heavy.
“Ability users have hidden paths to grow stronger.”
Gadelia suddenly spoke.
Hidden paths.
Those words hooked Zhou Ming’s heart like a fishhook.
Revenge was his only obsession now. Anything related to getting stronger made him unable to stay calm.
“Focus on recovering from your injuries first. I’ll tell you later.”
Gadelia stood up.
“I’ll have someone come to take your measurements later. I hope you’ll cooperate. I’m stepping out now.”
Not giving Zhou Ming a chance to react, she rushed out of the hospital room.
“What am I doing? Why am I getting angry over something like this?”
Walking down the corridor, Gadelia muttered to herself.
She had endured the torment of intrusive sounds for decades and had always been emotionally stable. Even when hearing endless malice, she had never lost control like this.
But today, Zhou Ming had managed to anger her.
And last night—
He actually thought she was a monster from a horror movie!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Her face flushed, her ears burned, and gritting her teeth, she rushed back to the hospital room.
Zhou Ming was just about to start eating when he saw her return, looking confused.
“Huh? Gadelia, what’s wrong? Are you hungry? I haven’t started yet. Do you want some?”
“N-no… It’s nothing.”
She suddenly stumbled over her words.
“It’s just too stuffy in the corridor. Came back for some fresh air.”
Putting on an act, she walked to the window, took a few deep breaths, and then silently left again.
Zhou Ming watched her retreating back, feeling a bit emotional.
This temper… is way too mild, isn’t it? She doesn’t even know how to say harsh words.
Although the process was strange, at least she wasn’t angry anymore.
A cause for celebration.
Later, Gadelia did leave the hospital, returning to her residence to bathe and change clothes.
As an ancient and wealthy noble, she couldn’t possibly wear the same set of clothes for an extended period. She basically changed every day.
A noble does not wear the same outfit two days in a row.
***
On the other side.
An elderly man was taking Zhou Ming’s body measurements.
After recording the data, the old man prepared to leave when Zhou Ming suddenly asked:
“How much are these clothes worth?”
“Ready-made ones are cheaper, a few hundred per set.”
“How many sets in total?”
“About a few dozen sets. Also, Miss Gadelia instructed to have a few custom-made for you, but those will take some time.”
Money! Money! Money!
Why can’t you just give me the money?!
Gadelia, I’m begging you, return all of these and just give me the money, please!
At this moment, Zhou Ming deeply understood—what it truly meant to be a wretched rich person.