Sheng Xiangsi fetched some water, rolled up her sleeves, and patiently and slowly cleaned and changed Fu Mingzhu.
...
Qin Yanzhi and Fu Hanjiang sat across from each other.
"She's different from before," Qin Yanzhi pointed inside.
"Different?" Fu Hanjiang felt inexplicably annoyed. "You've only seen her a few times, and you can already tell she's different?"
"Tsk." Qin Yanzhi squinted. "Some things don't require many meetings to see clearly—her whole demeanor and gaze are different from before."
His tone sounded quite appreciative.
Fu Hanjiang felt even more annoyed and retorted, "A leopard can't change its spots. It's all an act!"
"An act?" Qin Yanzhi raised an eyebrow, not agreeing. "She might act in front of you, but does she need to act in front of me? You..."
Qin Yanzhi seemed to see through his brother, "I know you don't like her, but haven't you already signed the divorce papers?"
He then pointed inside again. "Considering how she cares for Grandma, don't be so harsh. Just treat her as a younger sister."
"Why are you talking so much?" Fu Hanjiang scoffed. "You're here to visit Grandma, haven't done anything useful, ate some food, and now hurry up and leave!"
"I won't." Qin Yanzhi retorted, "I promised my share to Xiangsi..."
"Enough!" Fu Hanjiang laughed and cursed, "Isn't she my sister? Do I need you to care about her? Just go already!"
"Alright then." Qin Yanzhi didn't argue further and quickly finished his breakfast. "I'll leave in a bit."
"Okay." Fu Hanjiang nodded. "I'll be there a little later."
They were working on a project together, and the original plan was for Qin Yanzhi to visit Grandma and then leave with Fu Hanjiang. But now Fu Hanjiang had to stay a bit longer due to the situation.
After Qin Yanzhi left, Sheng Xiangsi came out from inside too. She had cleaned Fu Mingzhu and changed her into clean clothes.
She was holding the soiled clothes in her hands.
A nurse quickly stepped forward to take them. "I'll wash these."
"Okay." Sheng Xiangsi nodded and released her hold.
Fu Hanjiang glanced at her and, in a rare moment, softened his tone. "Go wash your hands."
"Oh."
Sheng Xiangsi followed his instruction, indeed needing to wash up. When she came out, Fu Hanjiang pointed his chin at the chair opposite him.
"Sit."
Sheng Xiangsi was puzzled. "What's up?"
If there was nothing, she planned to leave. She needed to get back to rehearsals.
"Just sit when I tell you to."
Fu Hanjiang frowned, not known for his patience. "Is there a nail on the chair? Can't you sit?"
Sheng Xiangsi was speechless but had no choice but to sit.
Fu Hanjiang seemed satisfied, curling his lips and pointing to the breakfast on the table, his portion.
"Eat."
Huh?
Sheng Xiangsi was stunned, thinking she must have misheard. He was letting her eat? But just now, he clearly said... no.
"Uh, cough..."
Noticing her expression, Fu Hanjiang roughly guessed what she was thinking.
Forcing himself, he awkwardly said, "About earlier, I was wrong. I'm... sorry."
Sheng Xiangsi was astonished. He actually apologized? It wasn't easy; in her memory, this was the first time Fu Hanjiang had ever said those three words to her!
However, she knew it was because of Fu Mingzhu.
Sheng Xiangsi calmly said, "You don't need to apologize to me. I know you don't like me, that you hate me, so it's normal to feel unhappy seeing someone you dislike. But I'm here for Grandma... In the future, I'll be careful to avoid appearing in front of you."
She smiled lightly and pointed to the table. "You have nothing to apologize for. I won't eat the breakfast."
Apologizing yet still being rejected?
Fu Hanjiang's face instantly darkened. Coldly, he said, "What, you'll accept from Qin Yanzhi but not from me?"
As he spoke, he remembered her smiling at Qin Yanzhi earlier... anger flared up instantly!
Narrowing his eyes, he spoke maliciously.
"You seemed pretty happy smiling at Qin Yanzhi. What, are you interested in him?"
"!!"
Sheng Xiangsi was shocked. What was he talking about?
However, Fu Hanjiang wasn't done.
His eyes were filled with anger, brewing a storm, dark enough to ooze ink.
"Do you think you deserve Qin Yanzhi? Not to mention your notorious reputation in Jiangcheng, but as someone who has been with me, with your second-hand status, don't even think about any of Jiangcheng's elites!"
Sheng Xiangsi listened quietly, her face turning paler with every word...
Finally, Fu Hanjiang added, "A toad lusting after a swan's flesh!"
Instantly, Sheng Xiangsi's body stiffened, trembling uncontrollably.
How could there be such a vile person in the world? How could she have ever loved such a vile man?
She looked at him, smiling faintly.
"Yes, I'm a toad lusting after a swan's flesh, infamous. But what about you? Is it less despicable to lust after your sister-in-law? Is there anyone in Jiangcheng who doesn't know about your filthy desire, Fu Er Ye?"
The moment her words fell, a dead silence filled the air.
Fu Hanjiang clenched his fists, his eyes dark and menacing, "Sheng Xiangsi!"
Before he could explode, Sheng Xiangsi turned and ran, grabbing her bag from the sofa and rushing out the door.
"Hah!"
Fu Hanjiang's handsome face was dark, his lips pressed into a thin line. "I shouldn't have bothered with you!"
With nowhere to vent his anger, he kicked a couple of chairs, flipping them over.
However, his anger didn't dissipate at all!
What was wrong with him? Why did he get so worked up over Sheng Xiangsi?
...
In the evening, Sheng Xiangsi went to Mise as usual.
After her performance, she returned to the dressing room to remove her makeup.
Then she received an overseas call.
"Hello." Sheng Xiangsi answered seriously, "Dr. William."
"Hello, Junjun's mom."
Dr. William's tone was somewhat somber. "I want to discuss Junjun's condition with you."
"Okay." Sheng Xiangsi's heart tightened.
"A couple of days ago was a treatment day. Junjun had some vomiting and diarrhea, but he's been better these past two days."
Hearing this, Sheng Xiangsi's eyes dimmed, feeling an overwhelming sense of heartache. Without her there, Junjun must feel so lonely.
"Your friend has been with him."
He was referring to Yu Huanxi.
"Junjun is doing okay." Dr. William sighed. "I know you're from Jiangcheng. Since you're back, haven't you considered giving Junjun a sibling?"
She understood his meaning.
If there was even a glimmer of hope, she would grasp it.
Sheng Xiangsi shook her head. "It's not possible, Dr. William."
"Ah..." Dr. William sighed. "I spoke out of turn."
"Don't say that, you mean well."
After hanging up the phone, Sheng Xiangsi stared at her phone's wallpaper—a photo of Junjun, her eyes misting over.
"Junjun, my baby."
She choked up, whispering, "Mommy is working hard to make money and will bring you back as soon as possible!"