She removed the blanket from her shoulders and placed it onto her lap. She then bent forward and buried her face into the blanket.
Fan Shixin continued to wheel her back to the hospital.
She remained still throughout and did not move an inch even after they’d reached the hospital ward.
‘”Are you alright?”
She finally stood up and sat down. “I’m alright,” she said while sniffing.
How could she possibly be alright?
Fan Shixin carried her onto the bed, pulled the blanket over, and asked, “What would you like to eat for lunch? I’ll buy it for you.”
He did not console her any further. However, Mu Wansheng felt a great sense of comfort. Staring at Fan Shixin, she sobbed and said, “Anything is fine.”
Fan Shixin handed her his handkerchief. Shocked to see that it was a blue floral embroidered handkerchief, she said, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She picked up her mobile phone and hurriedly dialed the number that she had memorized like the back of her hand.
Fan Shixin knew who she was calling. However, he decided to stay out of it since it did not concern him.
The call went through quickly.
“Hello, it’s me.”
Zuo Xingwei did not expect to receive a sudden call from his girlfriend. He looked at the girl beside him before answering, “Hello, Wansheng, where have you been all this while? I’ve been trying to find you.”
“My mother broke my legs because I insisted on staying with you in spite of my family’s objection. I’m in the hospital now.”
Zuo Xingwei grasped his mobile phone tightly and exclaimed, “What! Why didn’t you tell me? Which hospital are you in? I’ll head there immediately.”
“Why didn’t I tell you? It’s all because you had to borrow money to pay for the down payment of our house. My medical bills are inching past 100 thousand dollars, can you afford that? I didn’t tell you about it precisely because I know that you can’t afford it. I didn’t want you to feel stressed out or add on to your burden. I was thinking of looking you up once I recover, yet I didn’t expect to have met you so soon,” said Mu Wansheng, who never liked to mince her words.
Zuo Xingwei subconsciously asked, “Are you at the First People’s Hospital?”
“Yeah. I saw you just now.”
Zuo Xingwei immediately said, “Why didn’t you call me immediately, then? I accompanied my colleague to the hospital. Which ward are you in? I’ll go look for you now.”
“You’re lying! Are you here to accompany her to a regular consultation or an abortion!?! Do you think I didn’t hear you!?!” Mu Wansheng exclaimed, feeling extremely heartbroken.
“It’s not like what you heard at all. Wansheng, don’t you know how much I love you? Aren’t you aware of how well I treat you? Why would I do something that’ll hurt you? Don’t malign me,” explained a flustered Zuo Xingwei.
“That’s the reason why I wanted to marry you regardless of what the consequences may be. But what happened in the end? Do you really treat me that well? If you do, why would you fool around and cheat on me with another woman?”
“Wansheng, hear me out, it’s not like what you think. We had a company gathering and drank too much. Thus, we ended up doing something we shouldn’t have. I’ve been feeling extremely regretful too. I don’t fancy her at all. You’re the one whom I love and want to marry. Wansheng, will you please forgive me this once?”
“You know what I’m like. Let’s break up and put an end to everything. From now on… let’s never meet again.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she ended the call and switched off her mobile phone.
Fan Shixin did not expect her to be so straightforward. Thus, he was momentarily stunned.
“I’m going back now. I’ll bring you lunch later in the afternoon.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t worry, he won’t be able to find you. The nurse is outside. I’ll ask her to come in and accompany you.”
“Okay.”
——
“Wow, what brings you here, Lord Xiao?” An Xiaoning teased upon the sight of Xiao Chenyang and Fang Erlan sitting on the swing.
“Your man did. We were waiting for you,” said Xiao Chenyang, who walked toward her while holding Fang Erlan’s hand.
“Waiting for me? Why?”
“To go to my mentor’s place.”
“When? Now?” An Xiaoning asked.
“We’ll arrive there in the afternoon. Let’s have lunch before setting off.”
An Xiaoning answered, “Deal. Hurry and come inside the house. Erlan, how’s your wound?”
“I’ve already recovered long ago. Sis Xiaoning, do ask Sis Yangyang along. Let’s have lunch together,” said Fang Erlan.
“Sure, I’ll call her now,” said An Xiaoning, who rummaged through her bag for her mobile phone. She then called Mei Yangyang to invite her over for lunch.
She was initially planning to just invite Mei Yangyang. However, the latter brought a plus one.
Long Tianze was having a day off from work and thus headed opposite together with Mei Yangyang.
Upon the sight of him An Xiaoning jested, “Hey, I didn’t invite you. Why have you come along?”
“Sis-in-law, it’s my duty to follow my wife around wherever she goes. Otherwise, what’s going to happen if she gets abducted?”
Mei Yangyang interjected angrily, “Do I look like the type that gets abducted easily? You’re more likely to be abducted than I am.”
“Yes, yes, yes, you’re right, my beloved wife. My worries are uncalled for.”
The pair sat down, after which An Xiaoning said, “Tell me everything you want to eat for lunch, I’ll instruct the cooks to prepare them.”
Long Tianze raised his hand and said, “Make me a sumptuous feast.”
An Xiaoning answered, “Sure, but you must finish everything before you can leave. How does that sound?”
“Hehe, I was just saying that casually…”
“I wasn’t being casual though. After all, Qingyan and I are the hosts for today. Hurry and give me a list of dishes that you’d like to eat. I’ll get the cooks to prepare the food beforehand.”
“I don’t have any cravings in particular, I’ll eat whatever is prepared,” said Mei Yangyang. She then looked at Xiao Chenyang and Fang Erlan. “What about you guys?”
“Same for us. We’ll eat whatever is available.”
“Since you guys are fine with anything, shall I impress you with my culinary skills?” An Xiaoning suggested, smiling.
“No!” Jin Qingyan interjected. He immediately stood up to nudge her back into her seat. “You don’t have to go to the trouble of cooking,” he said.
“I don’t find it tiring or cumbersome at all. I’ll feel accomplished after whipping up a meal for everyone,” said An Xiaoning, who tried to stand up again.
However, Jin Qingyan pulled her down once more and insisted, “I can’t bear to let you cook. Even if there are no servants at home, I won’t let you go to that trouble. I’d do it instead.”
Clucking his tongue in disdain, Long Tianze remarked, “Look at how mushy Eunuch Jin is. I’m about to throw up.”
Jin Qingyan glared daggers at Long Tianze, who immediately chuckled wryly and said, “Who told you to publicly display your affection in front of us? I have the freedom of speech and the right to express my thoughts.”
Mei Yangyang glowered at him and chastised, “Shut up. Why don’t I hear you saying such words to me at all? I’m always the one who has to cook and serve the dishes. I almost have to feed you too.”
