"Second Master Fu!"
Manager Wu was getting anxious. "The dressing room is full of girls. It's not appropriate for you to go in!"
This successfully stopped Fu Hanjiang in his tracks.
Indeed, barging in like that, what if he saw something he shouldn't...
He turned back and cast a cold glance at Manager Wu. "So, you're not willing to hand her over?"
"Heh heh."
Manager Wu plastered a smile on his face. "This is our business, after all. You, being the bigger person, if you would grace her with your presence, I'd save a seat for you. The young girl would certainly be grateful."
Hmph.
Fu Hanjiang sneered. This sly old fox was as slippery as an eel. There was no way he was going to turn this place upside down for a dancer.
"You want me to grace her with my presence?"
Fu Hanjiang's dark eyes held a smile devoid of warmth. "Well, that depends... on whether she has the skills to earn it."
With that, he strode out.
Just a dancer, would he really care that much?
"Second Master Fu, take care! Come again!"
Manager Wu nodded and bowed all the way, seeing him off.
…
Leaving Mise, Fu Hanjiang didn't return to Yintan but went to the south of the city. His grandmother had just had surgery, and he needed to stay the night.
Fu Mingzhu had passed the critical stage, but she was still very weak. She slept most of the time and was awake very little.
At night, there were nurses and caregivers with her.
Fu Hanjiang stayed mainly to be there in case of any emergencies.
Fortunately, the night passed without incident.
As the sky lightened, Fu Hanjiang was woken by his alarm. He had an important meeting in the morning and needed to prepare.
Taking the clothes Rong Zheng had sent over, he went into the bathroom to shower.
Meanwhile, Sheng Xiangsi arrived at the door of the hospital room and was about to push it open.
"You are...?"
Someone tapped her on the shoulder from behind.
Sheng Xiangsi turned around and smiled. "Young Master Qin."
"Mm?" Qin Yanzhi was somewhat surprised. "You recognize me?"
Another old acquaintance who didn't recognize her, Sheng Xiangsi was used to it and was about to introduce herself, "I'm..."
"Sheng, Xiangsi?"
To her surprise, Qin Yanzhi said her name.
"Yes." Sheng Xiangsi smiled and nodded.
"Ah."
Qin Yanzhi was quite amazed and didn't hold back his compliment, "Fengcheng's climate really nurtures people. You're so beautiful I almost didn't recognize you."
"You flatter me."
"Here to see Grandma?"
"Yes."
"Perfect, me too. Let's go in together."
"Okay."
Qin Yanzhi gentlemanly opened the door for her, "Ladies first, please—"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Inside the hospital room, the nurse was doing morning care for Fu Mingzhu.
Qin Yanzhi gestured to the sofa for Sheng Xiangsi, "Have a seat first."
"Mm, alright." Sheng Xiangsi complied and sat down.
"Want something to drink?"
"No..."
Before she could answer, Qin Yanzhi had already gone to the kitchen. When he came back, he was carrying two cups of coffee.
He placed one cup in front of her. "Is this okay?"
"Yes, thank you."
Not wanting to refuse his kindness, Sheng Xiangsi picked up the cup.
Qin Yanzhi smiled at her, urging, "Go ahead, drink."
"Alright..." Sheng Xiangsi had no choice but to take a sip.
It was so bitter that she instinctively frowned.
"What's wrong?" Qin Yanzhi asked considerately, "It's black coffee, nothing added. Not used to it? Want some milk?"
"No need to trouble yourself!"
"It's no trouble."
Qin Yanzhi went immediately and came back with some milk, pouring it into Sheng Xiangsi's cup.
"Is that enough?"
"That's enough, that's enough..."
"Oops, too much!"
Qin Yanzhi's hand trembled, intentionally startling Sheng Xiangsi. She was taken aback.
"Haha!" Qin Yanzhi laughed, "Just teasing you."
"..." Sheng Xiangsi naturally understood, looking at him helplessly. "You gave me a fright."
"Haha, are you a scaredy-cat?"
The bathroom door opened, and Fu Hanjiang saw—Sheng Xiangsi and Qin Yanzhi sitting on the sofa, smiling at each other...
Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks.
His gaze fell on Sheng Xiangsi's face. Because of the height difference, she had her face upturned, the corners of her mouth slightly curved, her smile soft and gentle.
In his memory, she had never smiled at him like this...
To him, she had only endless entanglement and questioning...
So, she could smile like this. Just, to another man!
For no reason, Fu Hanjiang's mood soured. He walked straight to the sofa and glanced at Qin Yanzhi.
"You're here."
Ignoring Sheng Xiangsi entirely.
"Yeah."
The hospital room door opened; Liang Cheng and Liang Shi came in with breakfast.
Qin Yanzhi's visit had been mentioned to Fu Hanjiang, so they had prepared his share. But Sheng Xiangsi's visit had not been anticipated.
When putting down the breakfast, Liang Cheng mentioned, "There are only two servings."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yanzhi quickly said, "No problem, Xiangsi, come eat! You can have mine."
Xiangsi? Fu Hanjiang was startled. Since when were they so close?
"No need..."
"That's not allowed!"
Sheng Xiangsi naturally wanted to refuse, but another voice interjected, coming from Fu Hanjiang.
What was going on??
Qin Yanzhi was stunned, awkwardly looking at the two of them.
Glaring at his friend, he reprimanded in a low voice, "What's your problem? Is it that serious?"
He knew Fu Hanjiang didn't like Sheng Xiangsi, but it was just a breakfast.
With that, he placed his breakfast in front of Sheng Xiangsi, "Xiangsi, eat! Ignore him! If you don't eat, you're disrespecting me!"
This...
Sheng Xiangsi hesitated for a moment, then had no choice but to accept, "Well, thank you."
"You're welcome." Qin Yanzhi grinned at her.
Sheng Xiangsi was amused by his expression, her lips curving into a soft smile, dimples appearing at the corners of her mouth.
Another smile like that! Fu Hanjiang frowned, small flames flickering in his eyes! Just as he was about to speak...
"Mmm, mmm..."
Suddenly, Fu Mingzhu's painful moaning came from inside.
All three of them tensed up, their expressions immediately serious, and they stood up together, heading inside.
"Mrs. Fu, it's okay. We're just changing the sheets and cleaning you up..."
"Mmm, mmm!"
Fu Mingzhu clung to her arms, shaking her head in refusal.
"What's going on?" Fu Hanjiang walked over, his face dark as he questioned the nurse.
"It's like this..."
As it turned out, Fu Mingzhu had her catheter removed last night, but the aftereffects of the anesthesia hadn't worn off, and she had an accident just now.
Fu Mingzhu had been strong all her life, and she couldn't accept this.
"Grandma..."
Fu Hanjiang frowned, not knowing what to do. "Please cooperate with the nurses..."
"!"
Fu Mingzhu didn't speak, shaking her head in refusal, and simply closed her eyes.
"I'll do it."
Sheng Xiangsi stepped forward, reached under the blanket, and held Fu Mingzhu's hand.
"Grandma, it's me, Xiangsi. Let me help you, okay? I'm not an outsider. If my grandmother were still alive, I would take care of her like this too."
"Xiangsi?"
Fu Mingzhu opened her eyes and gripped her hand tightly. The night before, even though she hadn't been conscious, she had been aware.
She knew that Sheng Xiangsi had cleared her phlegm with her mouth.
Even a granddaughter might not do that.
At least, her grandson hadn't!
Not that her grandson was unfilial, but only Xiangsi had thought of it!
"Mm." Fu Mingzhu, with tears in her eyes, nodded.
Sheng Xiangsi waved at the others, "You all go out. I can handle this alone."
"Alright."
"Okay."
The nurses and caregivers turned to leave. Fu Hanjiang and Qin Yanzhi followed, and as the door closed, Fu Hanjiang glanced back at Sheng Xiangsi.
His expression was complex, indescribable.