Chapter 79: It Looks So Terrifying

A brilliant light flickered in Xi Junle’s eyes, but Xianyu Zhen couldn’t decipher its meaning. “I was only speaking my mind,” she said. After a pause, she added, “If it were Xinxin, she would probably think the same.” Xi Junle was puzzled. What did this have to do with Xinxin?

But then, realization dawned on him—Xianyu Zhen might have misunderstood, thinking something was going on between him and Nangong Xin.

“Zhenzhen, I…” He rose to explain, but just then, the door to the hospital room was abruptly pushed open. Jiang Mohe’s imposing figure strode in, his gaze fixed on Xianyu Zhen. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” Xianyu Zhen replied. “It’s Young Master Xi who’s injured.”

“I see.” Jiang Mohe’s eyes swept coldly over Xi Junle.

After parking his car, Jiang Mohe had come upstairs only to find Xianyu Zhen missing. He’d inquired with a nurse, who, distracted by his handsome face, had answered vaguely, “The head nurse took them to the downstairs ward to stop the bleeding.” At once, Jiang Mohe hurried over. As he approached the room, he overheard Xi Junle’s heartfelt words to Xianyu Zhen.

He’d known it—the young master of the Xi family had ulterior motives for bringing Xianyu Zhen to the hospital!

Xi Junle sensed the hostility in Jiang Mohe’s gaze and returned it with a probing look of his own. Why did this bodyguard’s aura feel so unusual? Could it be that he too was…

———

Xiaoyu’s emergency surgery was a success; once again, she escaped death’s grasp. Yet, the attending physician informed her mother, “If we don’t proceed with a bone marrow transplant soon, Xiaoyu’s condition will deteriorate, and by then, nothing more can be done.”

Xiaoyu’s mother, now composed, replied, “Thank you for the warning. I understand.”

She realized she’d lost control earlier and affected Xi Junle’s mood. She knew he’d already done much out of gratitude, and she shouldn’t add to his burden.

She urged him, “Young Master Xi, Xiaoyu just came out of surgery and won’t wake for a while. You’re so busy with work—you shouldn’t waste more of your time here. Please come visit again when you’re free.”

Xi Junle considered this and said, “When Xiaoyu wakes, tell her to focus on getting well. I’ll come see her again in a few days when I’m off.”

“All right.” Xiaoyu’s mother nodded.

She then turned gratefully to Xianyu Zhen. “Thank you, Miss Xianyu, for coming to see Xiaoyu.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll visit again this weekend.”

Now, Xianyu Zhen’s visits to Xiaoyu were of her own volition and not just at Xi Junle’s behest.

———

Xiaoyu’s mother felt comforted. “With you both caring so much, she’ll be so happy when she wakes.”

Upon leaving the inpatient ward, Xi Junle’s agent, Sun Ge, was already waiting downstairs. The moment he saw the bandage around Xi Junle’s hand, he nearly jumped out of his skin. “My goodness, what happened to your hand?”

“It’s nothing, just a minor cut,” Xi Junle replied calmly.

But Sun Ge glanced suspiciously at Jiang Mohe. Was it this burly fellow who hurt my genius?

Then, catching sight of Xianyu Zhen, Sun Ge’s eyes lit up. When did my genius friend such a lovely girl? Honestly, the two of them looked rather well-matched!

Jiang Mohe shot him a cold look, which made Sun Ge shudder. Goodness, this guy seems terrifying!

Xi Junle wanted to bid Xianyu Zhen a proper farewell, but Jiang Mohe spoke first. “Miss, it’s crowded here and there are too many prying eyes. We’d better leave quickly.”

Indeed, Xianyu Zhen thought. Xi Junle was a public figure—if someone recognized him and snapped a photo of them together, Nangong Xin would surely come looking for trouble again!

“Young Master Xi, goodbye,” she said hurriedly, and followed Jiang Mohe toward the parking lot.

Xi Junle watched her departing figure, unable to collect himself for a long time.

Sun Ge couldn’t help gossiping, “Whose young lady is that? You seem close?”

Unwilling to elaborate on his tangled feelings, Xi Junle answered only, “It’s none of your business.”

Sun Ge: “…”

All right, so as a manager, I’m just a figurehead! I can’t make decisions about his career or his love life.

While Sun Ge lamented this, he failed to notice that not far away, someone had already taken several rounds of photos.

On the way back, Xianyu Zhen noticed that Jiang Mohe seemed colder than usual. When they first met, he’d been a little aloof, but after getting to know him, she’d found his demeanor softened. Why was he back to his old self?

Before she could ask, Ning Wenyan called. It turned out that a neighbor’s brother from her hometown had passed away, and his sister, harassed to the point she couldn’t stay, had come to Imperial City to seek Ning Wenyan’s help finding work.

That neighbor sister had always been close to Ning Wenyan’s family, so she explained the situation to Xianyu Zhen. Since Xianyu Zhen was now with the Nangong family, it would be easy to find a servant’s job for her.

But Xianyu Zhen couldn’t make the decision herself. The Nangong family was unlike other wealthy households: all servants had to be selected and trained at the villa before they could be hired.

———

Still, Aunt Rong was an old servant of the Nangong family; perhaps she’d know a way. After returning home, Xianyu Zhen discussed the matter with her.

Aunt Rong thought for a moment, then said, “I have an old friend working in another household. They’re short-staffed, and the rules aren’t as strict as here. As long as your friend doesn’t mind servant work, I can introduce her.”

Xianyu Zhen shook her head at once. “She doesn’t mind at all. Sister Liu is very diligent—she can do any job.”

If her family hadn’t been so poor, with her wits, she’d have gone to university. But she was hardworking, too.

So, the matter was settled.

That evening, after helping Aunt Rong tidy the kitchen, Hua Xiaocui went upstairs to attend to Xianyu Zhen. The tasks Xianyu Zhen assigned her were simple: besides basic cleaning, she was to look after the little blue cat whenever Xianyu Zhen was at school.

“Not a problem!” Hua Xiaocui patted her chest. “I was an expert animal-keeper back home!”

She crouched to greet the kitten. “Little one, from now on, I’ll be in charge of your food and care, all right?”

She’d barely finished speaking when the blue kitten swiped at her with its paw.

“Oh my!” Hua Xiaocui fell back in alarm. “Why is this little thing so fierce?”

Xianyu Zhen was puzzled, too. The kitten only responded to her and Jiang Mohe; even when Aunt Rong tried to feed it, it would stay huddled in its bed, refusing to come out.

Hua Xiaocui tried coaxing the kitten for a long time, but it either ignored her or irritably lashed out. At last, she admitted defeat. “Miss, your cat has such high standards. It doesn’t like me!”

Xianyu Zhen sighed. “It’s fine. When I’m not home, I’ll have Mr. Jiang look after it.”

Mentioning Jiang Mohe, Hua Xiaocui’s gossip-loving nature flared up.

“Miss, Mr. Jiang is really strong! I just saw him lift two hundred-pound bags of cement with one hand to help Xiao Zhao—he’s incredibly powerful!”

Xianyu Zhen: “…”

You haven’t seen him kick someone—now that’s truly awe-inspiring!

“Miss, can you ask him to teach me? That way, I could protect you even better!”

But Xianyu Zhen could only smile helplessly. “You’d better go help Aunt Rong instead.”