090 What Was Concealed

Si Qingchen belatedly realized that while certain little creatures required a gradual approach, too much indulgence was never wise. In some respects, he would have to be a little more forceful, only then could he make her confront the truth within her heart. Otherwise, she might very well scamper off like a kitten, relying on his tenderness and reluctance to let her go.

The little one was formidable after all; catching her was no simple task, which explained why he’d failed to grasp even a hint of her presence for so many years. Now that he had finally caught her tail, he was determined to hold on tightly, and perhaps tease her from time to time. Only when she lost her composure would she lose the strength to escape, leaving her no choice but to stay obediently by his side.

If the moment called for it... a little bit of feigned suffering would not be out of the question.

At that very moment—

The man, who had been brooding over how to win over his “wife’s” heart, suddenly heard an anxious voice from the driver’s seat, sounding cautious as he said, “Boss, there’s a problem.”

Si Qingchen: “...”

****

Six-thirty in the morning, the Mu family residence.

Mu Qingcheng was already awake. In truth, from the moment she returned to the Mu home, tidied up, lay down, and then got up again, only three hours had passed. Still weary and fatigued, Mu Qingcheng washed her face with cold water, managing to rouse herself for the time being.

Downstairs in the dining room—

The old master Mu, advanced in years, had not yet risen after yesterday’s ordeal.

The household staff, however, were each at their posts, moving with quiet efficiency. When Mu Qingcheng entered, Steward Ji was directing the servants as they packed breakfast to send to the hospital. Upon seeing her, Steward Ji was slightly surprised, but immediately pulled out a chair for her and ushered her to sit.

He promptly instructed, “Serve breakfast for the Fifth Miss.”

Within moments, several breakfast dishes were brought out. Mu Qingcheng took a bowl of porridge and began eating slowly.

After a while, Steward Ji personally brought a bowl of bird's nest soup and placed it before her. “The old master had this specially prepared for you yesterday. Please drink it while it’s hot.”

“Thank you, Uncle Ji,” she replied.

Steward Ji nodded and turned back to his duties.

About an hour later, Mu Qingcheng appeared punctually at the door of Mu Qing’s hospital room.

But—

For reasons she could not fathom, she sensed something strange in the expressions of the medical staff and the few patients around her. It was as if something had happened, but she herself knew nothing of it.

Even Mu Qing, usually reserved and quiet, looked at her with a hint of hesitation.

Suppressing her doubts, Mu Qingcheng helped arrange Mu Qing’s breakfast, all the while quickly considering the situation in her mind.

It was only when she handed the spoon to Mu Qing that he finally could not resist asking, “Qingcheng, what are you doing here?”

Mu Qingcheng gave a faint smile, pausing her movements for the moment. Looking at this refined and aloof young man, she asked directly, “Second Brother, what exactly has happened?”

As she spoke, a trace of coldness unconsciously appeared in her manner. She looked at Mu Qing, unwavering and resolute.

Mu Qing’s brows knitted slightly, as if pondering how to begin. But before he could speak, Mu Qingcheng’s phone rang, interrupting him.

She stepped aside to answer, and after a brief exchange, her expression turned icy.

In that moment, the girl dressed in white stood calmly by the window. Perhaps because she was growing more familiar with Mu Qing, she was gradually loosening the restraints she had imposed upon herself, revealing traces of her true nature—sharp, incisive, and utterly composed, so unlike the surface she showed the world.

Just then, the door to the hospital room swung open from the outside.

Two burly men, Si Nan and Si Bei, stepped in, bowed respectfully to Mu Qingcheng, and said, “Miss Mu, we’ve come to escort you home.”

Mu Qingcheng: “...”

Mu Qing: “...”