"Sister!" Xin Ran's tone was brimming with barely concealed smugness. "You actually went to the toilet!"
And, shamelessly, she was banging loudly on the bathroom door!
"Little sister, I really didn't know you had such a fetish!" Xin Yu, while bracing herself against the door, bowed apologetically to Nan Juechen. "Standing outside, does it smell good?"
"You!" Xin Ran stomped her foot in anger, haughtily raising her eyebrows and leaning against the door. Today, she was determined to block the man out of the bathroom.
"Sister, don't worry, Ranran will wait for you outside." Xin Ran stretched her neck and said in the gentlest voice, "Ranran will take good care of you later."
Damn it!
Xin Yu really wanted to curse! "Alright, since my sister is so considerate, then please come in and help me." With that, Xin Yu bowed again, gesturing for Nan Juechen to hide behind the shower curtain. She turned and turned the handle.
Xin Ran shuddered, wanting to peek inside but afraid Xin Yu might actually do something.
Just as she hesitated, a heavenly voice rang out, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
Xin Ran stared at Qiu Zhi, her eyes immediately lighting up with hearts. Good heavens!
How could there be such a handsome man!
However, she remained cautious, puffing out her chest with feigned modesty and saying softly, "I…I came to see my sister."
Qiu Zhi's eyes flickered. Xin Yu's stepsister?
"What's your sister doing?"
Xin Ran pointed to the bathroom behind her. "Sister's in there."
"I'm in there," Xin Yu said in a drawn-out voice. "Xin Ran, you're just in time. I caught a chill last night, and my stomach's upset. You said you'd take care of me, so you can help me with my clothes."
The doorknob turned, and Xin Yu poked her head out, shaking a ball of clothes in her hand. "Xin Ran, hurry up! Do you want me to embarrass myself in front of such a handsome doctor?"
She reached out to grab her, and Xin Ran, startled, rushed out of the room. "Sorry, sister, my stomach suddenly hurts too."
Xin Yu straightened up and looked at Qiu Zhi. "I'm fine, you can go out now."
Qiu Zhi raised an eyebrow and forcefully pushed open the bathroom door.
Nan Juechen happened to be standing right behind Xin Yu!
Ignoring the undercurrent of tension between the two men, Xin Yu rushed to the door of the room and looked outside. Thankfully, Xin Ran and Liu Shulan were gone.
"Commander Nan, I'm so sorry about just now!" She turned around and apologized sincerely.
Although she understood that Nan Juechen was asking her why with his eyes, Xin Yu stammered for a long time without being able to give a clear answer, especially considering Qiu Zhi's reaction. What was he doing?
Why were his eyes blazing with anger?!
"The people just now were your…"
"My stepmother and stepsister," Xin Yu didn't hide it, nor was there any need to, "but you heard it too, our relationship is worse than nothing."
Nan Juechen looked deeply at Xin Yu, wanting to press her further, but Xin Yu spoke first.
"Commander Nan, please go back first. I'm really sorry about just now. If anyone asks you if you know me, please say you don't!"
Nan Juechen's eyes flashed. Was she afraid that the mother and daughter would cause him trouble?
He had never been afraid of trouble before!
"Is that alright?" Xin Yu pleaded, hoping she wouldn't even have to see them.
"Yes." Nan Juechen agreed, nodded to Qiu Zhi, and left. Xin Yu stared at his resolute, cold back, truly unable to understand why someone could look so much like her mother!
If he ever found out, would he be curious? Would he want to see her mother?
But where was her mother now?
"Ah—" Xin Yu was startled when Qiu Zhi dragged her into the ward from the doorway. Her heart pounded loudly in the quiet room.
"Qiu Zhi, what are you doing!"
Qiu Zhi glared at Xin Yu, this brat!
How dare she so blatantly lock Nan Juechen in the bathroom?!
She didn't even explain why in front of him!
And she so brazenly ignored him! He slammed the door shut, dragged Xin Yu to the sofa by the window, and coldly asked her, "Tell me, why did you lock Nan Juechen in there! What were you doing?"
"What's it to you?"
"Of course it's none of my business," Qiu Zhi said lazily, crossing his arms. "It's about Ninth Brother! If Ninth Brother finds out—"
He paused, not finishing his sentence, and turned away.
Xin Yu quickly stepped in front of him, blocking Qiu Zhi's path. "Um, could you please not tell Mu Yichuan? I had no choice just now, I had to resort to extreme measures."
"No choice? Forced to?" Qiu Zhi laughed as if he were a joke. "Do you think everyone is as cowardly as you? That's a commander with real power!"
Besides, in his opinion, Nan Juechen was definitely suspicious. With his current status, would he be afraid of that mother and daughter?
And obediently follow Xin Yu's orders, hiding in the bathroom?!
What else could it be but ulterior motives! "I'm afraid of trouble?!" Xin Yu pointed to her nose, then deflated. Well, she was indeed afraid of that mother and daughter. If they knew what Nan Juechen looked like, who knew what kind of trouble they'd cause!
"I misspoke, you're not afraid!" Qiu Zhi decided he absolutely had to tell Mu Yichuan about this, otherwise, what if Nan Juechen really had some kind of plan…
"I'm afraid! I'm afraid! I'm really afraid!" Xin Yu pleaded, looking at Qiu Zhi.
"You'll have to explain to Ninth Brother later." He remained unmoved, pointing to the hospital bed, "Lie down."
"Qiu Zhi!" Xin Yu pouted, "How could you do this! You're a doctor, you should protect your patients' privacy!"
He twitched his lips. He never knew this girl could twist the truth like this!
She even brought up the privacy of patients and doctors!
"Lie down—"
Click, the sound of the doorknob turning.
Qiu Zhi paused. He had locked the door!
He stepped forward to open it! Xin Yu quickly blocked the way, anxiously asking, "Who is it?"
Please, please, it can't be her stepmother or stepsister again!
"A-Yu."
It's Mu Yichuan!
Xin Yu quickly opened the door, peeking out. Only he was there…
"Ninth Brother."
Mu Yichuan's cold eyes flashed. He glanced at Qiu Zhi, then looked down at Xin Yu beside him. "Why did you lock the door!"
"Because—"
"Ah!" Xin Yu quickly interrupted Qiu Zhi, "Two mice ran in just now. I was scared, so I asked Dr. Qiu to close the door."
Qiu Zhi rubbed his forehead. No one would believe that explanation!
"Is the examination finished?" Mu Yichuan didn't say anything, turning to ask.
Qiu Zhi performed the examination on Xin Yu under immense pressure and coldness. This was even more nerve-wracking than his first surgery! It seems Ninth Brother misunderstood, but he's truly in a bind...
Xin Yu also belatedly realized that Mu Yichuan was angry.
"Rat? Hmm?" He leaned closer, his hawk-like eyes filled with coldness. "Do you know that lying is less forgivable than making a mistake?"
His voice was devoid of warmth, his tone flat, yet it sent chills down one's spine.
"I...I didn't lie." Xin Yu shrank back. To her, her stepmother and stepsister were more annoying than rats. Only she knew how difficult the past few years had been for her.
"Is that so?" Mu Yichuan reached out and pinched her chin. "Then should I find you a few rats to calm your anger?"
Damn it!
Mu Yichuan, is this really necessary?!
"Looks like it is." He abruptly pulled his hand away and got up to leave.
Xin Yu's body trembled. Instinctively, she stood up, knelt on the bed, and reached out to hug Mu Yichuan from behind.
"No, don't do this." How was she going to explain Nan Juechen's matter?
She had acted rashly in a moment of madness.
If she explained the truth, would Mu Yichuan, with his petty nature, believe her?
Besides, she didn't know how to mention her mother; it had been five years…
Mu Yichuan froze, staring down at Xin Yu's slender arms encircling him, her small, white hands clasped tightly together, and her soft, trembling body—he felt it all very clearly.
"Don't be angry," Xin Yu said, her face pressed against Mu Yichuan's broad back, so solid and reassuring. "It's just locking the door."
He whirled around, scrutinizing Xin Yu. What had she just said?!
Xin Yu raised her head, looking up at Mu Yichuan. "Don't even mention daytime, even at night, what could possibly happen between me and that guy Qiu Zhi!"
Her conviction left him speechless. "Think about it, who is Qiu Zhi? A top doctor, a top doctor from a wealthy family! He could have any woman he wanted, why would he like someone like me, who's penniless and penniless?" Xin Yu swallowed the self-deprecating humor.
"Also, when I stayed at Qiu's house a while ago, he wouldn't even eat with me. I guess he might be a germaphobe."
Seeing Mu Yichuan fall silent, seemingly his anger subsiding, Xin Yu continued, "He grew up with you, you're so close, you don't know, he's always thinking about you. I think he might like…"
She paused, narrowed her eyes, and smiled ingratiatingly.
"He might like someone?" Mu Yichuan asked coldly.
Xin Yu continued to ingratiate herself, patting the bedside, "Are you tired? Sit down and rest."
Mu Yichuan obediently sat down, reaching out to pull Xin Yu onto his lap, "Qiu Zhi is a top doctor from a wealthy family, and what about me?"
Him?
Does it even need to be said! The renowned Ninth Master!
"Rich, powerful, and influential."
Mu Yichuan raised an eyebrow. This little girl's choice of words…!
"You know he still longs for me? What about you?!"
"I…of course I do too," Xin Yu mumbled, her voice barely audible. She didn't want to confess under these circumstances; it was too dangerous!
"Hmm? I can't hear you."
"Mu Yichuan, I want to be discharged. I want to go back to the capital." Xin Yu had originally planned to wait until Mu Yi'ai woke up before leaving, but she really didn't want to see that mother and daughter again. What if her father came too? Sigh.
"No." He refused. She seemed to have recovered her spirits, but her health still needed to be observed for a few more days.
Especially that bump on her head—it was so big.
"Please," Xin Yu said, rolling her eyes. "Look at me, I'm perfectly fine. Who stays in the hospital all the time? I still have classes, internships, work... hey."
Mu Yichuan simply laid her down on the bed, pressing down on her. "So energetic, huh?"