Wushuang felt warm when she heard that Su Ran wanted to stay but thought that it was unnecessary. "I'm fine," she assured, "you don't need to accompany me. There are many doctors and nurses here. Aunt Su will be even more worried if you don't return."
"It's alright. I've already informed her that I won't be back after all. This room doesn't look like a hospital ward one bit. If I wasn't afraid of squashing you, I'd be sleeping in the same bed with you. I miss those days where we'd sleep and chat on the same bed."
Wushuang smiled as she reminisced. Best to let her be.
The fact was that it was right for Su Ran to stay. The medication was stinging and Wushuang's swollen foot hurt all night; there was no way she could have fallen asleep. The two ended up chatting the night away.
-
When Mu Jinchen returned to the old manor, Mu Zhilan was still waiting for him in the living room. She sat upright and looked like a little child in school, but her head could not help but nod off a little.
His elder sister was the most dignified woman he had ever seen. She lived a very refined life and was always extremely well kept. Even at home, she always had on elegant makeup and was clad in a qipao and high heels; forever noble and opulent to the outside world. The speed of her speech was always very slow, very gentle, and she had never lost her temper. She was an heiress among heiresses.
Perhaps it was due to his sister's influence that he had an affinity for women who were more graceful and subdued.
The elegantly decorated living room was lit by dim yellow ring lights. The atmosphere was rather quiet, and the servants should all be resting by now. Only Aunt Rong remained. Standing upright, she occasionally glanced up at the antique clock on the wall.
The servant emulated the master. Aunt Rong was also a dignified person with high etiquette.
Aunt Rong gently bowed when she noticed him and said, "Young Master, you've returned."
Mu Jinchen nodded in acknowledgment.
Mu Zhilan awakened from her slumber and called out softly, "Is Chen'er home?" Her voice was groggy and even got the direction of the front door wrong.
Mu Jinchen frowned as he walked over to her and sat down. "Didn't I tell you not to wait up for me? You should've gone to bed if you were tired. What if I didn't return until the middle of the night? How long were you going to wait?"
There was no blame in his tone, only a touch of heartache. Although they were of the same generation, his elder sister was like a mother to him. She would not listen and worried over him ever since he was little.
"No, no, I'm not tired. Let me look at you." She reached out to switch on the floor lamp next to her, and the surrounding area lit up.
Mu Zhilan stretched out her hand to touch his brows. "You grew slightly thinner. Stop frowning so much like a little old man. Are you hungry? Would you like some supper?"
Mu Jinchen sighed softly. He cradled her hand in his and patted the back of her hand gently. "Sis, I'm not hungry. Please get some rest, even Aunt Rong is tired."
Mu Zhilan glanced back at Aunt Rong and said with a slight tone of beratement, "Little Rong, I've already said that you don't have to stand when there are no guests. You just won't listen. Your waist hasn't yet fully recovered."
"Young Miss, rules are rules. Now that Young Master is home, let's retire for the day," said Aunt Rong as she moved to escort Mu Zhilan up from her seat.
Mu Zhilan missed Mu Jinchen greatly. She had dozed off earlier and did not feel tired; she was not willing to go to bed just yet. "I'd like to chat a little with Chen'er. You may rest if you're tired."
"But..." Aunt Rong was at an impasse and glanced awkwardly at Mu Jinchen. Young Master was the Young Miss' lifeblood, more important to her than anything.
"Sis, I'm tired. Can we continue our conversation tomorrow?"