Song Ning’s voice rang out first before she appeared. “Grandma, we’re back!”
Song Ning was a reserved person; it was rare for her to show her excitement. When Jiang Jin heard Song Ning’s voice, she knew Song Ning was especially happy.
Song Ning finally walked in with a large box in her arms. It blocked her line of sight, but she refused to let Mu Chen carry it.
Meanwhile, Mu Chen hovered next to her, just in case she needed his help. A doting smile could be seen on his face as he reminded her to be careful. He did not move his eyes away from Song Ning as he complained to Jiang Jin, “Grandma, you should tell Song Ning to take care of herself! She doesn’t listen to me at all.”
For some reason, Song Ning felt the atmosphere felt wrong. Her line of sight was blocked by the box so she could only turn to look at Mu Chen. She was taken aback when she saw the livid expression on Mu Chen’s face.
At this moment, Sister Yu quickly stepped forward and took the box from Song Ning. She asked, “Young Madam, what did you buy?”
It was after Sister Yu took the box away that Song Ning saw two strangers in front of her. No, they were not complete strangers. One of them looked slightly familiar. She subconsciously held Mu Chen’s hand; she could feel his hand was extremely cold. She called out to him in a soft voice, “Mu Chen.”
Mu Chen’s entire body was stiff. It was only when Song Ning called out to him that he seemed to regain his senses slightly. When he turned to look at her, his gaze was blank.
She looked at him and said with a faint smile, “Hubby, I’m thirsty…”
Mu Chen replied dully, “Okay, I’ll get you a glass of water.”
Following that, Mu Chen’s eyes were trained up ahead, ignoring everyone; they did not stray at all as he walked toward the kitchen. His steps seemed slightly unsteady and his back was straight.
“Grandma?” Song Ning looked at Jiang Jin anxiously.
Jiang Jin said to Mu Qing and Liang Zhou in a trembling voice, “Did you see that? Did you see that? Why aren’t you leaving yet? Do you want his life? Or do you want mine?”
“Mom…” Mu Qing’s voice was filled with guilt and pain. Who knew if it was for his mother, his son, or both?
Song Ning knew this was not something she could intervene in. She said anxiously, “Grandma, I’m going to have a look at Mu Chen.”
“Go. Hurry up,” Jiang Jin said, equally as anxious.
…
When Song Ning rushed into the kitchen, she saw Mu Chen did not even have a steady grip on the glass of water. When he dropped the glass of water on the counter, he absentmindedly reached out to pick up the broken shards.
Song Ning hurriedly grabbed his hand.
His fingers and palm were red from being scalded by the boiling water, and the shards from the broken glass left a few cuts on two of his fingers and palm.
Song Ning calmly brought the first aid kit out. She quickly ran his hand under the cool tap water before she stopped the bleeding, disinfected the cuts, applied the medication, and bandaged the cuts. After that, she applied burn ointment on the scalded skin.
Subsequently, she lifted his hand and kissed the skin that was unaffected. She smiled and said, “Look at how careless you are. All I asked for was a glass of water, but you ended up injuring yourself. How are you going to serve me in the future?”
Mu Chen stared at Song Ning’s warm smile in a daze. He raised his injured hand and slowly pulled her into his arms with his other hand.
Song Ning reciprocated by wrapping her arms around his waist.
He rested his chin on the top of her head.
She could feel the sorrow that his body emanated at this moment. She patted his back gently before she said, “Be good. I’m going to make something delicious for Grandma to eat today? Can you help me out?”
Mu Chen nodded slightly against Song Ning’s head.
…
When the couple came out from the kitchen, only Jiang Jin and Sister Yu were left. Everything seemed as it was before. It was as though the two strangers that were here earlier were just a product of their hallucinations.
When Jiang Jin saw Mu Chen’s bandaged hand, she panicked. “What happened?”
Song Ning smiled and said reassuringly, “Grandma, it’s nothing. It’s just a small cut. I’ve already treated him…”
Mu Chen was still in a daze.
Song Ning led him to the couch and pulled Jiang Jin over. “Grandma, look at him. He got hurt just trying to get me a glass of water. I understand now why you said he’s unreliable…”
Jiang Jin’s feelings were complex when she saw the warm smile on Song Ning’s face. She held Song Ning’s hand. “Ningning…” However, she did not finish her words. Only her eyes reddened.
Song Ning patted Jiang Jin’s hand as she called out, “Sister Yu, I bought new presents for you and Grandma!”
Sister Yu rushed over upon hearing Song Ning’s words. Similar to Jiang Jin, her eyes were red as well. Needless to say, she understood Song Ning’s intention. She cleverly played along. “Young Madam, you bought a present for me as well?”
Song Ning was moved. Sister Yu was truly like family as well. She hastily said, “Of course! Have a look!”
Song Ning let go of Jiang Jin’s hand to open the huge box. It was a little difficult so Sister Yu helped her.
When Sister Yu saw what was in the box, she was stunned.
It was two sets of Chinese-style jackets and skirts. One was red, and the other was pink.
“These… These are…” Sister Yu was speechless.
