While a physiological shiver ran down Yan Sui’s spine, a surge of excitement welled up inside her.
It had appeared again.
What exactly was the pattern?
She was eager to trace the source of that gaze.
But Lin Qi, blushing, had already opened his mouth and eaten the strawberry, scratching his head:
“It’s fine, I can eat it myself.”
Yan Sui looked directly into his eyes, smiling brightly without looking away.
As their gazes met, Lin Qi was the first to avert his eyes, coughing twice.
The young girl speared another piece of fruit: “Does your hand still hurt?”
Lin Qi felt his head go dizzy just hearing her voice.
“No, it stopped hurting a long time ago.
“It’s just that the person who hit me still hasn’t been found.”
Yan Sui was surprised: “They still haven’t found them?”
Lin Qi: “Right, Muse is keeping it tightly under wraps, and in the end, it just faded away.”
Yan Sui recalled that figure dressed entirely in black.
At the time, the ends of his hair at the back of his head were soaked with sweat, making them appear even darker.
In contrast, the small patch of skin exposed on the back of his neck looked pale, almost transparent.
“This whole thing is really strange,” Lin Qi suddenly lowered his voice,
“Remember Chen Xuan? He was injured the worst and still can’t move, lying in bed. His parents are furious and are using all their connections to find the person.
“But then, their family’s business suddenly ran into major problems, and it seems they were even threatened.”
As Lin Qi spoke, he watched Yan Sui’s expression. The young girl’s look of genuine surprise and attentive listening filled him with a peculiar sense of satisfaction.
“We suspect their family offended someone they shouldn’t have. Who knows? I’m just unlucky.”
Yan Sui nodded seriously: “Yeah, that’s terrifying. I’m glad you’re okay, thank you…”
The young girl lowered her eyes, speaking with a hint of grievance:
“Auntie’s misunderstanding of me has only grown because of this. I don’t know what to do anymore.”
Lin Qi: “Don’t worry, I’ll talk to my mom.”
Yan Sui smiled gratefully, her delicate face pure and innocent. “You’re so kind. Wait a moment, I need to step out.”
She hadn’t wanted to interrupt the emotional exchange with her younger brother.
But that intrusive feeling of being watched was too strong.
The gaze came from outside the door. She abruptly stood up and ran out.
Following her instincts, she looked in a certain direction.
People hurried past.
A black hem of clothing vanished instantly at the end of the corridor.
Yan Sui narrowed her eyes, a smile curling at the corner of her mouth.
You hid pretty fast.
But this time, you got a little closer.
Next time, you might really get caught~
Returning to the front of the hospital room, she sprinkled a little water in front of the door.
Lin Jian and the others would be arriving soon.
Since He Wan hated seeing her the most right now, she certainly couldn’t miss it.
With a cute smile, she leaned in again: “Want some more?”
Laughter filled the car.
Lin Ran tucked her chestnut-colored long curls behind her ear, the sapphire earrings accentuating her noble and elegant demeanor.
She had inherited the best features of her parents’ looks, excelled academically, and possessed both high intelligence and emotional intelligence.
At school, she was the student council president; at home, she was her parents’ little joy.
With just a few words, she had He Wan laughing heartily, sweeping away all the gloom and anxiety of the past few days.
Naturally, as they chatted, the topic turned to the new member of the family, Yan Sui.
“Mom, you said Lin Qi actually scolded you because of that Yan Sui?”
“Yes,” He Wan’s expression darkened again at the mention of Yan Sui,
“You have no idea how good she is at putting on an act—one face in front of people, another behind their backs. She’s got that fool completely wrapped around her finger.”
Lin Jian glanced in the rearview mirror and couldn’t help speaking up:
“He Wan, how many times have I told you not to talk about this with Ranran? Besides, I think you’re biased against Yan Sui.”
His words were like a dog whistle, instantly riling He Wan up again.
“So you’re saying it’s my fault?! That’s because you didn’t hear how that little bitch cursed at me!”
“Alright, Mom~” Lin Ran soothingly squeezed He Wan’s shoulder.
“I believe you, Mom. But don’t worry, I’ll teach her how to respect her elders.”
With just a few words, she calmed He Wan’s emotions.
But she didn’t forget to reassure Lin Jian either: “Dad, you might not pay as much attention to details as Mom does. After all, you’re used to overseeing the big picture.”
Lin Jian chuckled as well.
The family was harmonious and cheerful.
Just as they reached the hospital entrance, the driver suddenly slammed on the brakes.
Lin Jian was about to reprimand him when he saw a black Rolls-Royce speeding past ahead.
It was actually Chairman Jiang’s car.
Well, they really should yield.
The group walked toward the ward. He Wan and Lin Ran, arm in arm, pushed open the ward door with smiles on their faces.
But He Wan’s smile froze.
On the hospital bed sat not only her son but also Yan Sui.
The girl was tilting her head, shoulder to shoulder with Lin Qi, both laughing as they watched a video.
The moment the door opened, she had just fed the last piece of fruit into Lin Qi’s mouth.
“What are you doing here?! Get away!” He Wan reacted as if she had seen a rat.
Her shocked and disgusted tone even made Lin Ran glance back at her mother.
Only then did she turn her attention to the unfamiliar girl in the ward.
Yan Sui was startled, standing up nervously, her hands clutching the hem of her clothes.
Her wide, watery eyes darted around as she softly greeted them.
“Uncle, Auntie. And…”
Lin Ran smiled, stepping forward and extending her hand: “Hello, Yan Sui. I’m Lin Ran, probably a bit older than you, so you can call me sister.”
“Sister.” The girl smiled too, her expression curious and slightly ingratiating as she reached out to shake Lin Ran’s hand.
The girl’s palm was soft and warm, and she let go quickly after the handshake.
Lin Ran stared at Yan Sui’s face.
She had seen her fair share of those who loved to act innocent or were cunning and manipulative.
But this one in front of her…
She couldn’t make a judgment just yet.
Lin Qi also jumped off the bed, greeting Lin Ran before eagerly turning to He Wan:
“Mom, why are you yelling at Yan Sui again? What’s wrong with her coming to see me?”
For some reason, He Wan felt the scene she had witnessed when she pushed open the door was particularly grating.
Now, with her own son criticizing her, her anger flared even more.
“She came to see you, and you think she has good intentions? I think she showed up on purpose just to provoke me!”
Yan Sui was utterly wronged, unable to defend herself: “I didn’t…”
Lin Qi: “Mom, just listen to yourself. I think you’re really going through menopause, paranoid and delusional.”
Lin Ran stepped forward to mediate, patting Lin Qi’s head: “Enough, you.”
Then she took He Wan’s hand: “Mom, don’t mind Lin Qi. He’s not thinking straight.
“The driver should have already handled the discharge procedures.
“Didn’t you say you were happy I’m back? The private room at Misty Pavilion is booked. Let’s go.”
He Wan’s chest heaved with suppressed emotion, unwilling to lose her temper today.
Lin Ran gently pushed He Wan’s shoulders, guiding her out of the room.
As she stepped out the door, she heard movement behind her and turned to look.
She saw the little girl tug at Lin Qi’s sleeve, as if telling him not to talk back anymore.
Then, thoughtfully bringing disinfectant wipes, she handed one to Lin Qi before eagerly running over to offer one to Lin Ran.
“Sister, do you need to wipe your hands? And Auntie too.”
Biting her lower lip, she whispered, “You can give it to Auntie.”
Lin Ran stopped and accepted it. “Thank you.”
Just then, as He Wan was walking forward, her foot suddenly slipped. She let out a sharp scream and tumbled toward the ground!
Yan Sui had been prepared and reacted swiftly, rushing forward to catch He Wan in an instant.
But her own forearm slammed hard against the wall.
The sound was loud, and it looked painful.
The little girl’s face instantly scrunched up, and she gasped sharply.
Still, she worriedly held onto He Wan and asked loudly, “Auntie, are you okay?”
He Wan, still shaken, instinctively tried to shake off Yan Sui’s hand.
But something was off—
Yan Sui’s hand was like a tightly coiled snake, unmoving.
Instead, it suddenly brought the two of them extremely close.
Yan Sui’s lips pressed against her ear as she whispered softly:
“He Wan, you wretched, worthless creature. You deserve to rot with filthy maggots, not bark like a rabid dog in front of me.”