Xin Yu shifted her body, gently pulling herself away, and slowly moved to the window.
She hugged herself tightly, gazing at the deep, bright night outside.
The moon was full, the stars countless.
On such a beautiful night, why did her heart feel so heavy, as if a breath was trapped inside?
Wasn't it the right time to see Old Master Mu?
She should have known the right time might never come.
But she still stayed by Mu Yichuan's side, unable to hide, unable to escape.
Even now, there was still a sliver of willingness in her heart.
Xin Yu looked back at the sleeping man on the bed; the coldness had faded, and his fair face even held a touch of purity.
She turned to look at the full moon, sighing inwardly, "Mom, I will absolutely not let myself go down the same path as you."
Absolutely not! "Come here."
Xin Yu was startled by the sudden, cold voice behind her. She quickly turned around, wondering if Mu Yichuan had heard what she had just said.
Slowly, she moved her aching body back onto the bed. He turned to her and forcefully pulled her into his arms.
"So much energy?" Was he not trying hard enough?
After three rounds, the little girl could still get up and admire the night view!
"No, I just remembered something." Xin Yu nestled in his warm embrace without struggling.
"What?" Mu Yichuan's expression darkened. Thinking about something in the middle of the night? Who was she thinking about?
At least it couldn't be him, could it?
Could it be…
Inadvertently, he found Xin Yu's hand and turned the ring on her finger.
"Nothing, just thinking about Mu Yi'ai." Xin Yu closed her eyes, trying to ignore his intentions.
"I missed you," the meaning of the ring was beautiful.
Yet, it was cruel.
Because missing someone meant they weren't together. Thinking about it, Xin Yu couldn't stay awake any longer and fell asleep, her small hand resting in Mu Yichuan's large palm.
"Ayu, this story is so long that I've already forgotten it."
He murmured softly, his dark eyes fixed on her until dawn…
When Xin Yu woke up naturally, she looked at the empty room, feeling relaxed yet also lonely.
After dressing, she went straight to the hospital, intending to ask Qiu Zhi about Mu Yi'ai's condition.
But as soon as she stepped inside, she bumped into Nan Juechen in camouflage. He looked cold, hard, and weathered, drawing the attention of almost everyone in the hospital, men and women alike.
Xin Yu quickly stepped aside, bowing slightly. "Hello."
"You… you're still not well?" Nan Juechen stopped, not expecting to run into Xin Yu at the hospital. Hadn't she been discharged that very night? Xin Yu waved her hand. "No, I'm fine. I came to see Dr. Qiu."
She looked up at his cold, handsome face. Had he come to the hospital for Nan Yu or Mu Yi'ai?
As she looked, this face flashed into her mind, replaced by the image of her mother's past doting affection—a love she hadn't been able to reach for the past five years.
Nan Juechen took in Xin Yu's clear, bright black eyes. He had to admit, she was beautiful, and her beauty was pure.
She was the purest girl he had ever seen in his forty years of life, like her former self, yet possessing an added resilience.
She inspired an urge to get closer.
"You—" Why was she looking at him like that? There was clearly a longing in her eyes for him!
"Ah!" Xin Yu awkwardly snapped back to reality, scratching her head and interrupting Nan Juechen's unspoken words. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Please go ahead with your work."
She really wanted to bang her head. How could she have been so lost in thought again! "What do you think I'm busy with?" Nan Juechen asked expressionlessly, but inwardly he couldn't help wanting to pat her head. Was her black hair as smooth as that person's?
Huh?
Xin Yu looked at Nan Juechen, somewhat bewildered. How could she know what he was busy with!
She had only noticed his hurried pace earlier.
"I plan to have Nan Yu enlist."
The words caught in their throats. Nan Juechen was stunned by his tone, which sounded almost pleading!
Xin Yu, on the other hand, was shocked by the news!
Have Nan Yu enlist?
To get away from Mu Yi'ai?
Didn't Mu Yichuan say she had amnesia?
"Why? Does Nan Yu agree?" Xin Yu looked up. "You...you can't use your commander's power!"
Even if she disliked Mu Yi'ai, she couldn't ignore the person's feelings when making such a crucial life decision, could she?
Nan Juechen wanted to laugh. This little girl was actually lecturing him, and the thing was, he didn't seem to mind.
"And," Xin Yu pursed her lips, taking a slight step back, afraid her words might offend him, "Actually, Mu Yi loves her…love comes in many forms, and everyone expresses it differently, but that doesn't affect—"
Xin Yu didn't dare finish. After all, Nan Juechen was the Qing commander, and so many years older than her.
They say there's a generation gap every three years, and between them, there were probably six or seven. She really didn't know if he could accept her words!
Sure enough, his sword-like eyebrows rose slightly. "Are you pleading for her?"
Xin Yu quickly shook her head. "I just…wanted to remind you."
Nan Juechen didn't speak, only stared at her, his eyes like stars in the dark night sky.
Xin Yu didn't dare breathe, marveling at his aura; it was truly unbearable.
Buzzing sounds.
She quickly answered the phone, pointing to the side as if grasping at a straw, "Hello? Henhen?"
"Ayu, where are you? The two numbers you asked me to monitor last time have come to the capital, one of them went to the headquarters of Zhongao International Hospital."
"What!" Xin Yu was shocked. Did her stepmother and stepsister follow her?
Otherwise, how could they be at the hospital?!
"Okay, I understand." After hanging up, Xin Yu saw that Nan Juechen was still there, and was watching her intently!
She rushed to his side, "Commander Nan, aren't you leaving?"
Nan Juechen narrowed his eyes, "I thought you hadn't finished speaking, so perhaps I should invite you—"
"Commander Nan hasn't left yet?"
An arrogant voice sounded from behind. Xin Yu trembled, turning around to see Qiu Zhi's provocative peach blossom eyes. What kind of expression was that?!
"Commander Nan, you should leave quickly." Xin Yu looked anxiously towards the door. They were in the most conspicuous place, and the man beside her was dressed in a way that made it hard to ignore! "Go?" Thinking of her anxious little face, Nan Juechen smiled. "It's not that your stepmother and stepsister are here again, is it?"
"How did you know?!" Xin Yu's eyes widened in surprise, staring at him incredulously. But then she realized her mistake and her face flushed crimson, like a tempting apple.
"Why can't I see them?" Was he afraid of two women?!
"This…" Xin Yu hesitated, unsure how to answer. Should she tell the truth?
"If you see them, wouldn't that be perfect for your 'beauty saves the hero' moment?" Qiu Zhi said coolly, arms crossed.
Xin Yu twitched her lips as she looked at him. Was this guy deliberately trying to antagonize her?!
What beauty saves the hero?! Huffing and puffing, too lazy to pay him any attention, she turned to Nan Juechen, pursing her lips, a little embarrassed. "Can I tell you another day?"
Seeing her pleading eyes, his heart inexplicably softened. He gave a low "Mmm" and left without looking back.
Leaving Xin Yu still reeling.
"Ninth Brother, this little girl is cheating on you—"
Damn it!
Xin Yu jumped up and snatched Qiu Zhi's phone, slamming it down as if she wanted to smash it to pieces!
"You—you bad guy! Have you got nothing better to do?!" She actually complained to Mu Yichuan about her?!
"Yes, I have nothing better to do. Who told you to 'date' Commander Nan at my hospital!"
A date?
This is blatant fabrication!
"We just happened to bump into each other, that's all!" Xin Yu said, head held high, eyes blazing with conviction.
"What a coincidence," Qiu Zhi pouted, looking utterly unconvinced. "I can keep my phone, I'll call from the landline when I get back."
He whistled and was about to leave when Xin Yu quickly blocked his way.
"How could you do this?" Though her tone was accusatory, it carried a hint of grievance. "What could possibly happen between Nan Juechen and me! There's such a big age gap!"
"You're wrong. Height isn't a barrier, age isn't a problem." Qiu Zhi disdainfully shoved Xin Yu's arm aside and turned to leave.
Xin Yu was furious. Did he really think she'd fall for someone else?!
She raised her foot to kick Qiu Zhi's shin. He openly complained, and she was secretly plotting against him!
But suddenly, someone rushed up from behind, shoved Xin Yu, and stood in front of Qiu Zhi…
Xin Yu gasped. If it weren't for her good balance, she'd be spending all her time at the hospital with Qiu Zhi's embarrassment! "Sister, what are you doing!" a soft voice questioned, her large, bright eyes sparkling with a pitiful charm. "Sister, why are you still so vulgar?"
Xin Ran?!
Xin Yu, who had just regained her balance, stretched forward and placed her foot on Xin Ran's leg.
"I feel that only by doing this can I live up to your so-called 'vulgarity.'"
"Ah!" Xin Ran fell backward, but without the expected support, she crashed to the ground.
Meanwhile, Qiu Zhi had somehow distanced himself from her!
"Miss, please get up quickly, are you alright?" A middle-aged man rushed over and considerately helped Xin Ran up, while the latter looked at Xin Yu with tears in her eyes.
"Sister, what did Ranran do wrong to deserve this!" She wiped her cheeks with the most beautiful gesture. "Ranran was just reminding you not to hurt people..."
"That's right, you woman, how can you lay hands on someone in public!" The man, as if protecting Xin Ran, shouted, "Apologize!"
Apologize?!
Xin Yu sneered, "Aren't there any doctors on duty in the neurology department today?"
"What did you say!" The middle-aged man was extremely angry, shouting loudly, "The world is going to the dogs! Such a pretty young girl, not only disrespectful, but also so insidious!"
His words caused many people coming and going to stop and look at them strangely.
Even more, those unaware of the situation began to point and whisper.
"Look at that little girl crying, so pitiful."
"That guy's got some good luck with women, two such pretty girls!"
"Damn! Is this some kind of third-party interference? These young girls nowadays, sigh..."
Upon hearing this, Xin Ran cried even harder, looking at Xin Yu with a pitiful expression, but her eyes gleamed with smugness.
"Don't go! Apologize!" The middle-aged man released Xin Ran, took a step in front of Xin Yu, and proudly held his head high, as if he truly possessed two beauties.
"Get out of my way," Xin Yu said coldly, her eyes flashing.