Tang Yucheng would be filled with worry whenever Mu Wansheng headed out to buy some food.
He would also be thrilled and elated to see her coming back in one piece.
It had begun snowing outside. Thus, he repeatedly reminded Mu Wansheng to be careful while she was out to buy food.
Mu Wansheng told him not to worry and assured him that she would be back soon.
She held onto Snowman’s leash and left the ward without the navigation device.
After reconnoitering around the hospital for two days, she knew exactly where to find a jewelry store.
She did not have to rely on the navigation device and only needed Snowman’s guidance.
Upon arriving at the store, she removed the necklace on her neck and handed it to the lady at the counter. “I’d like to pawn this necklace. May I know how much I can receive?”
“I’ll have to check with the store manager. Please give me a moment, Miss.”
“Alright.”
She stood still and waited.
A while later, the store assistant returned and said, “Miss, our store manager would like to verify if you’re really blind. Can he?”
“Sure, but I suffered burns on my face and the scars are grotesque.”
“It’s alright.”
Mu Wansheng proceeded to allow the store manager to take a look at her face. Upon hearing the shrieks of terror from the store manager and assistant, Mu Wansheng frantically covered her face and said in apology, “I’m so sorry to have frightened you guys.”
“It’s… it’s alright,” the store assistant said, still unable to recover from the shock.
After adjusting her apparel, Mu Wansheng asked, “This necklace was bought at a high price and I’ve only worn it for a few months. How much can it be sold for?”
“No matter how much the original price is, it’s still considered a secondhand good. There’ll definitely be a huge depreciation in value. We’re willing to offer you 30 thousand dollars.”
“Regardless of how great the depreciation may be, it should at least retain half of its value. I’m willing to sell it to you for 45 thousand dollars. Take it or leave it,” she said assertively.
“Um… let us consider it for a while.”
“Alright.” She waited patiently for their answer.
At last, the store manager conceded and bought it from her for 45 thousand dollars.
She was paid in cash.
Mu Wansheng stowed the cash away into her bag before leaving.
She felt much more relieved and walked back to the hospital with Snowman.
She no longer had to worry about money and the potential expenses for her child.
On the way back, she bought some takeout and brought it back to the hospital.
She was walking at an exceptionally slow pace, and so was Snowman, who tried to match her pace.
Nonetheless, a child who was running about bumped into her.
Mu Wansheng’s mind went blank the moment she fell to the ground. Fear filled her, and she did not know what the consequences would be. She pressed one hand against the ground and gripped tightly onto Snowman’s leash with the other. Given her current size, she had become much clumsier and, therefore, it was harder for her to get up on her feet.
At this very moment, a pair of arms helped her up. Panting heavily, Mu Wansheng said, “Thank you.”
The person who helped her up was none other than Fan Shixin. He let go of her, placed the food container back into her hand, and said, “Don’t mention it. Be careful.”
Mu Wansheng stood rooted to the ground, at a complete loss for words.
Noticing that she was not speaking, Fan Shixin asked, “Are you alright?”
“I… I… I’m alright.”
“Be careful of your own safety.”
Mu Wansheng waited for him to leave before walking Snowman back to the hospital ward.
Although there was a stinging pain in her palm, she did not allow it to bother her at all.
Mu Wansheng handed the money to Tang Yucheng upon returning to the ward.
“Where did you get so much money?”
“I sold my necklace for money. I decided to do it since it could help us tide over the crisis. Rest well. Nothing is more important than your health right now.”
Tang Yucheng was incredibly touched. He knew that the necklace had meant a lot to her because he had witnessed her holding onto it and pondering over something on several occasions. He did not expect her to sell it at all.
After being hospitalized for a week, Tang Yucheng could finally go home.
Tang Yucheng continued to recuperate for a period of time. On the 26th of December, the two of them began shopping for some festive goods.
The New Year would be arriving soon.
Tang Yucheng asked Mu Wansheng what she was craving for, to which she answered, “Pork and celery dumplings.”
Hence, they bought lots of pork, beef, celery, and other vegetables. After much persuasion by Mu Wansheng, he decided to buy a refrigerator too.
However, she turned down his suggestion to buy her a mobile phone because she could not see what was on the screen anyway.
Yet, he decided to go ahead and buy her a mobile phone without her approval, because he felt that it would be much more convenient for her to contact him when he was out of town for work.
There was a speed dial function that allowed her to call his number just by pressing the digit “1” on the number pad.
She could not turn it down since he had already bought it.
What mattered most during a festive season was feeling joyous.
Mu Wansheng and Tang Yucheng spent the whole of New Year’s Eve making some dumplings. She was in charge of stuffing the filling and wrapping the dumplings while Tang Yucheng made the dough skin of the dumplings.
They had made quite a few dumplings in total. In the evening, Tang Yucheng began to cook the dumplings while she helped him start the fire, in spite of his refusal to let her help.
She had a much more enjoyable and pleasant New Year this time, compared to the past New Years that she had spent in the Mu family home. Although they were living a plain and simple life, she did not have any complaints.
―
Ever since Mu Qixing married Lu Jingrao, the newlyweds had been living blissfully. To her surprise, her in-laws were extremely understanding and kind toward her. They did not have any objections against their decision to get married in a flash. After returning from their honeymoon trip, Mu Qixing and Lu Jingrao proceeded to have dinner with Mu Qixing’s family.
Mrs. Mu made a rare appearance during their reunion dinner.
Wu Pingyang had barely seen her ever since Mu Wansheng met with a mishap. Upon the sight of her, Wu Pingyang gibed, “Second Aunt, you’re finally here. We haven’t seen you in such a long while. Have you been reflecting on your mistakes and mourning over Cousin’s death?”
Mrs. Wu glared at her, hinting for her to stop being a spoilsport. Wu Pingyang pursed her lips and returned to her seat.
Mrs. Mu completely disregarded Wu Pingyang’s snide remark. Remaining calm and composed, she sat down and proceeded with the meal.
Everyone ignored Wu Pingyang as well.
It seemed everyone had forgotten about Mu Wansheng.
Or, perhaps, they just didn’t want to bring up a deceased person.
That was more or less the case.
After dinner, Mu Qixing said, “Auntie.”
Mrs. Mu looked at her and asked coldly, “What’s the matter?”
“I heard that Cousin was supposed to get her marriage registered with her fiancé on the day of the accident. However, she did not manage to do so because you wanted her to accompany you to pay your late parents her respects at their graves. She also did not manage to be rescued because of your intervention. I’ve actually always wanted to tell you this in person, but I haven’t gotten the chance to meet you. I’m very devastated about what happened to Cousin. Although I barely spent any time with her ever since we were children, I know she definitely didn’t expect that her own mother would be the one to cause her death.”
