For days, the heavy downpour ruled out in the outside universe.  She wasn't affected, though, because she didn't have to go outside.

Was she home?  No.  Definitely not.  She was in her second home, most probably.  And no, it wasn't the office.  She was still at the hospital, staying in with her husband, Chen Linyun who was still soundly asleep.

Xue Jinxu adjusted the earbud sh.e.l.l of her earphones in her left ear.  If someone would peep at the patient's private room and describe the lady, that particular someone would have told the world that she was broodingly deep in her thoughts, preoccupied with it while watching the glamour of the rain.

Well, it must be true.  But Xue Jinxu had lots on her plate.  While watching the splendid tears of heaven sanctify the drought on earth, she was, in fact, working.

Through the 'read aloud' function on her email provider, she attended to her messages.  One by one, she listened to all those dreadful emails that had been hibernating in her inbox for… who knows since when.  Her mind was busy processing what her ears received, while her eyes mellowed with the rain outside.  All these things she did at once intending to placate her perturbed heart and soul, and simply because she had no choice nor some other leisure time to attend to it.

If, before, during her term as the COO of Xue s.h.i.+pping, she had already been such a busybody, now that she had been the delegated decision-maker for Chen Holdings, her responsibilities multiplied quite exponentially, not to mention, above all else, she's wife to Chen Linyun, and of course, a sister and a daughter as well.

A whole group of companies sought her approval and wise judgment as to how to proceed with business transactions.  She had been a business leader, yes, but sometimes, the decisions that Chen Linyun's trusted people would need from her were quite urgent with great consideration to timing.  Such was in the world of trading.  An opportunity now could only be good now, and the decision-maker would have to choose to grab it now, and never later.  An opportunity forgone was like a fateful encounter that was not taken advantaged of, that which nature would only remain to be a regret for the rest of one's life… Just like theirs, almost.

As a corollary, there were times when it is better to delay the execution of a plan to an indeterminate schedule, without any guarantee of success, because dire consequences await, such as monetary losses or sanctions, if pushed forth.

Though capable, Xue Jinxu found herself lost in a world where time matters most importantly.  It required not only technical expertise or training but such a good, sharp business sense and particular risk appet.i.te that would match the ambition and vision of the group of companies as a conglomerate.  One wrong move and the whole conglomerate would fall like an unstable house of cards.

Xue Jinxu sighed, pulled out her earphones, and placed it safely on top of the coffee table beside her.  She walked towards the s.p.a.cious hospital bed where her husband lies and snuggled close.  She lied beside him. Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.

When she sensed that she would have to be staying there for an indistinguishable amount of time, Xue Jinxu requested for a much bigger bed for her husband – a bed big enough for two.  She consulted the doctors, too, if the idea is amenable to them, and good thing was that they agreed for her to sleep beside her unconscious husband.  The doctors said that it would bring comfort, warmth, and familiarity with the patient, although it was not advisable in most cases.  Chen Linyun's case was different because it seemed psychological by nature.  His wounds had been healing smoothly, yet he had not gained consciousness, still.

Lying on her right side in a slight curl, Xue Jinxu drew weary circles on Chen Linyun's blanket's surface with the tip of her index finger.  "How do you do it?  You didn't look like you were having a hard time before.  Tired, yes.  Too much on your plate, yes.  But you seemed to be enjoying all of it then.  You're too brave, I must say.  You have that s.p.u.n.k, you know."

"You were nailing it, and you were making sound decisions too."

"And people look up to you because you are benevolent, and because of your integrity and character."

"You don't bow to money, and you can let go of an opportunity if need be and if it's at the cost or the expense of something dear to you."

"You're such a good, capable, intelligent person, Chen Linyun."

She closed her eyes.  Somehow, she got tired of crying.  She was past that point now.  Amid a hectic life, moping and sulking would not get anyone anywhere.  Her resolve, as strong as steel, was back.  The Xue G.o.ddess was back on her feet.

"…That's why I love you…" She brushed her soft lips on his cheek.  "It's just one of the millions of reasons why I love you…" She whispered as she wrapped one arm around his body loosely, across his chest.

Xue Jinxu sighed again.

"You must be extremely tired to be sleeping this long."

"Don't worry, I've got your back, honey.  I am taking care of everything." She snuggled closer.  Xue Jinxu rubbed her head amorously on his the nook of his neck.  "I miss you."

By 'everything', Xue Jinxu meant… every little d.a.m.n thing that concerns Chen Linyun.  She took care of his basic needs, as well, like shaving and cutting his nails.  She was careful not to hurt him.  She also gave him sponge baths using a moist towel, cleaning his face, neck, and arms.

Of course, there were nurses and caregivers, but she wanted to complete at least those things for him.

In the middle of online meetings and calls and decision making and reviewing of doc.u.ments and answering emails, and monitoring the Xue s.h.i.+pping fleet and all its corresponding menial day-to-day operations, and in the other subsidiaries too, she made quality time available for her husband.  'It's not enough that I'm physically here with you.  I want to do more for you, honey…'

'…Like how you were to me all these years…'

Xue Jinxu had always been about exceeding expectations, and outdoing herself in everything that she does… even in loving the only man in her life.  She was allergic to failure, and now that he's relying on her, she's making sure that she's doing the best in every possible turn of every situation.  She couldn't fail the husband, not now, not ever. 

Therefore, aside from being an attentive wife to him, and a reliable business partner, on the sides, she did not forget to protect those who are important to him. 

Mother Chen, upon hearing unfortunate fate that her son suffered, immediately booked a flight to Beijing.  Together with the other family members, she too, flew to the south when news of her son came about. 

Xue Jinxu and Mother Chen took care of the sleeping patient alternately, and simultaneously, together.  They gathered up all their strengths, diligence and grit and shared it with each other. 

Aside from her husband, Xue Jinxu looked after Mother Chen, too, and beside her, Chen Linyun's newfound sister, albeit clandestinely, since Mother Chen doesn't seem to know about her existence yet.

Though away, she had eyes on her, monitoring her on Chen Linyun's stead.  And on behalf of her, those pair of eyes came in the possession of her brother, Xue Guangxi.