Chapter 3

Their eyes met. Mu Shengsheng’s were filled with delight, while Xia Hanying remained comparatively calm and outright ignored her question. What a disastrous opening line. Even the air seemed to freeze. Mu Shengsheng wanted to slap herself. The woman was already standing right in front of her—why had she asked such a pointless question?!

Stay calm. Don’t panic! Mu Shengsheng took the initiative and offered, “Why don’t I help you?” After all, Xia Hanying was still quite weak, and who knew how long it had taken her to get from the bed to the restroom just now? Yet Xia Hanying simply walked forward without sparing Mu Shengsheng a single glance.

Her hand hung awkwardly in the air. Mu Shengsheng lowered it as though nothing had happened. This was the first time in her life that her warm enthusiasm had been met with such a cold shoulder, leaving her thoroughly dejected. Just because you’re beautiful doesn’t mean you can ignore people, all right?

The restroom was only about ten meters from the hospital bed, yet when Mu Shengsheng looked over again, Xia Hanying still had not reached it. She was supporting herself against the wall and inching forward little by little.

“You should still let me help you.” Mu Shengsheng hurried over and, before Xia Hanying could refuse, added, “You wouldn’t want the medical staff to walk in and see you like this, would you? Besides, I’m your guardian right now. If you slip and fall, wouldn’t all the responsibility fall on me? Let me tell you, I’m a very busy person!”

Hearing this, Xia Hanying looked at her in silence. Mu Shengsheng met her gaze expressionlessly and did not forget to add, “It would look bad, too. I don’t want to embarrass myself in public!”

As if she cared about embarrassing herself. Xia Hanying felt as though she had heard a joke and gave her a strange look. Someone who could threaten her in public and throw tantrums at the company at the slightest provocation was talking to her about losing face?

“I have a reputation to protect, too.” Mu Shengsheng met her gaze without the slightest trace of guilt. “Besides, my company also has an image to maintain.”

Xia Hanying did not doubt that. In public and at banquets held by wealthy families, this woman truly behaved like an entirely different person—one Xia Hanying despised.

She had finally compromised. Mu Shengsheng breathed a sigh of relief and carefully helped her to the bedside, whereupon Xia Hanying immediately pulled away from her hand.

What a perfect example of discarding someone the moment she was done using them! Mu Shengsheng was getting used to it, though. Xia Hanying had every right to be angry. If the scumbag top had done those things to her, Mu Shengsheng could guarantee that she [read the original at bailiantales.com]would have beaten her senseless after the very first incident! But now, she had absolutely no experience coaxing someone!

“Are you hungry?” Mu Shengsheng volunteered eagerly. “Would you like something to eat? I can go downstairs and buy it right now.”

“I wouldn’t dare trouble President Mu.” Xia Hanying finally spoke, though she did not say it while facing Mu Shengsheng. She lay down again with her back turned, even her silhouette radiating rejection.

“Why don’t you drink some water first?” Mu Shengsheng went to the water dispenser and poured a cup of warm water. If the mountain would not come to her, then she would go to the mountain. Mu Shengsheng immediately hurried around to Xia Hanying’s other side.

“How are you feeling? The nurse will probably come around eight to start another IV. Are you experiencing any discomfort right now?”

“I feel fine.” Xia Hanying turned over to the other side again, making it obvious that she did not want to look at her.

“Stop moving for a moment.” Mu Shengsheng hurried around the bed again and spoke before Xia Hanying could turn over once more.

“What I mean is…” Mu Shengsheng wore a smile and spoke with exceptional friendliness. “Even if you have a grudge against me, don’t take it out on the water! The water hasn’t done anything to offend you, has it?”

At those words, Xia Hanying finally deigned to raise her head and take a serious look at her.

“Here.” Mu Shengsheng placed the cup directly into her hands. “It’s warm—just right.”

This time, Xia Hanying did not refuse. She took a sip of water and lay down again. Just as Mu Shengsheng was wondering whether she should bother her some more by asking if she wanted breakfast, the doorbell rang.

“Miss, you’re awake!” Auntie Chen entered carrying an insulated food Read on BaiLianTales container, then looked again. “Miss Xia is awake too?”

“Auntie Chen.” Hearing the commotion, Xia Hanying opened her half-closed eyes and greeted her with a smile.

“Miss Xia, hurry and lie down.” Auntie Chen handed the insulated food container to Mu Shengsheng without a second thought, then rushed over to support Xia Hanying.

…

Mu Shengsheng stared dumbfounded at the insulated food container, then looked at herself and the two people in the room before sighing. Why did I have to transmigrate into the scumbag top?! At this point, anyone who appeared would probably be treated better than me by Xia Hanying, right?

“Auntie Chen.” Carrying the insulated food container, Mu Shengsheng walked over. She immediately saw Xia Hanying avert her gaze, but she continued forward and asked, “Why did you come so early?” It was not even six o’clock yet!

“I was worried Miss Xia might be hungry.” As Auntie Chen spoke, she opened the insulated food container. “I made some light, nourishing congee and stir-fried a few vegetables.”

“Miss Xia,” she continued, explaining to Xia Hanying, “you’ve only just started recovering, so you can only eat light food for the next few days. You can drink soup, though. I’ll go to the market later and buy a few fresh snakehead fish, as well as some pork ribs. I’ll simmer them in a clay pot for several hours, then add some chopped scallions…”

Good grief. Mu Shengsheng did not know whether Xia Hanying wanted any, but her own appetite had certainly been awakened. After all, she had only eaten some bland congee since last night. It might have been suitable for a patient, but it was far too plain for her.

“Thank you for the kind offer, Auntie,” Xia Hanying declined, “but there’s nothing wrong with me.”

“Whether anything is wrong or not, you should still nourish your body,” Auntie Chen said. “Listen to Auntie. Once you’re discharged, let me take good care of you.”

Afraid that Xia Hanying might still have reservations, Auntie Chen immediately turned to [bailiantales.com]Mu Shengsheng. “Miss, what do you think?”

She had absolutely no objections! Mu Shengsheng said, “We’ll do whatever Auntie says.”

This answer pleased Auntie Chen considerably. She felt that her young miss seemed much more willing to listen to advice this time.

“Auntie, thank you for your kindness—”

Auntie Chen had witnessed this sort of situation far too many times and immediately knew what Xia Hanying intended to say. “Then it’s settled.” Patting the back of Xia Hanying’s hand, Auntie Chen said, “Miss Xia, you wouldn’t want me to spend half the day working, only for no one to eat what I make, would you? All my good intentions would go completely to waste.”

Mu Shengsheng watched as the beautiful and kindhearted Xia Hanying was left speechless, but she knew Xia Hanying must be unwilling. The same thing had happened in the book. Xia Hanying had run straight from the hospital to school, only to faint in class less than two days later. All kinds of wild rumors had spread around the school afterward.

“Auntie Chen,” Mu Shengsheng interjected at the right moment, “let’s have breakfast first. The nurse will be coming to administer the IV soon.”

“All right.” Auntie Chen stopped talking. With Auntie Chen present, Xia Hanying obediently ate her breakfast. Mu Shengsheng secretly glanced at her from time to time, feeling immensely grateful that Auntie Chen had come.

While Xia Hanying was still eating, Auntie Chen pulled Mu Shengsheng aside. “Miss, what do you think of Miss Xia now?”

When Mu Shengsheng fell silent, Auntie Chen became anxious. “It isn’t that Auntie wants to meddle, but if you like her, you should behave as though you like her. If you don’t, then you should end things decisively and make everything clear—”

I think you’re absolutely right. Mu Shengsheng nodded repeatedly, but she could not end things immediately! After all, in Xia Hanying’s eyes, she was someone who had used her father to threaten her.

Their one-year contract had not yet ended. If Mu Shengsheng took the initiative stolen contentto terminate it now, Xia Hanying’s first reaction definitely would not be relief. She would assume that Mu Shengsheng was plotting something again.

Besides, if she truly made a clean break with Xia Hanying now, Mu Shengsheng could guarantee that before the other female lead even appeared, Xia Hanying would be devoured until not even scraps remained. After all, the scumbag top had previously paraded her around within her own social circle.

“Miss, what exactly is your position on this?” Seeing her nod without answering, Auntie Chen grew anxious.

“I…” Mu Shengsheng considered it briefly. Her own feelings were not the important thing right now. Xia Hanying’s feelings were what mattered!

“Miss, do you like Miss Xia or not?” Auntie Chen asked bluntly.

“Of course I like her!” Mu Shengsheng blurted out. She liked her very much. Xia Hanying was her favorite fictional character lately.

Auntie Chen smiled. Mu Shengsheng was just about to explain that the kind of “like” she meant was different from what Auntie Chen meant when she heard someone cough. Turning around, she saw Doctor Zheng. Mu Shengsheng was instantly so mortified that she could have dug an entire two-bedroom apartment out of the floor with her toes.

“Doctor Zheng.” Seeing that the doctor had arrived, Auntie Chen hurriedly asked, “Are you here to examine her?”

“Mm.” Doctor Zheng nodded expressionlessly.

“Please, come in.” Auntie Chen warmly ushered her inside, not forgetting to glance at Mu Shengsheng outside.

Were doctors really this dedicated, coming in so early? Mu Shengsheng, who wanted nothing more than to run into a wall, spent a long while mentally preparing herself before calmly entering the room. Doctor Zheng appeared to pretend that she had not heard what Mu Shengsheng had said and questioned Xia Hanying seriously. Auntie Chen’s attention was also focused on Xia Hanying.

With no one paying attention to her, Mu Shengsheng quietly slipped inside. After chatting for a while, Doctor Zheng turned to Auntie Chen ​bailiantales.com​and explained some dietary matters that required attention.

“The patient can be discharged today,” Doctor Zheng said while holding the medical record.

“Today?” Wasn’t that too soon? Mu Shengsheng was stunned.

“All right,” Xia Hanying readily agreed.

Fine. She would keep quiet. However, Mu Shengsheng still asked one more question. “Doctor Zheng, when would it be appropriate for her to undergo the examinations?”

“Let the patient recover her strength first,” Doctor Zheng said. “There’s no hurry to perform any examinations.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Xia Hanying said. “I don’t need any examinations. I can be discharged shortly.”

“You still need an IV this morning,” Mu Shengsheng said. “There’s no need to rush.”

“That’s right,” Doctor Zheng agreed. “As the younger sister, you should listen to your older sister. I only said you could be discharged today, but—”

Before she could finish, Xia Hanying interrupted her. “She isn’t my older sister.”

You certainly know how to focus on the important part. Mu Shengsheng was just about to salvage the situation when Auntie Chen added, “That’s right, Doctor. You may have misunderstood. They aren’t sisters.”

“Is that so?” Zheng Yiru adjusted her glasses and turned to Mu Shengsheng.

“Yes,” Mu Shengsheng answered awkwardly. She now seriously suspected that Doctor Zheng was either hard of hearing or doing this deliberately!

“Then what is your relationship?” Zheng Yiru asked.

Did she absolutely have to ask about their relationship? Could Mu Shengsheng not simply be a kindhearted passerby who had stepped in to help someone in need? Zheng Yiru smiled. “I have absolutely no intention of prying into the patient’s privacy. It’s simply that the patient needs to maintain a healthy state of mind, and the people around her—”

“Miss Xia is Miss Mu’s girlfriend,” Auntie Chen said.