Volume One, Chapter 10: The Hospital

Mu Yao stepped forward boldly, and the girl’s mother followed her with the child. Gradually, more and more witnesses gathered around. The boy and his mother’s quarrels grew quieter until, outnumbered, the woman led the child away in shame, casting a fierce glare at Mu Yao before disappearing.

As the commotion died down, the crowd slowly dispersed.

Mu Yao instinctively reached to rummage through her bag, only to realize it was outside.

“Take some time to tend to your hand. The jewelry is metal; you might risk tetanus,” Gu Nanxiao said, glancing up at Mu Yao. She handed him a tissue, and he casually wiped the bloodstains clean.

“I know. Thanks for earlier,” Mu Yao replied.

“No problem. Consider it a return gift for the cookies,” Gu Nanxiao said, diverting his gaze from her hand just in time to catch her playful wink. His laughter was sparked by her expression.

“In that case, I owe Miss Mu a lot of cookies.”

Mu Yao tilted her head, her eyes curved with amusement as she watched Gu Nanxiao walk away. She frowned slightly. Was it her imagination, or did Gu Nanxiao’s left arm seem a bit awkward ever since he helped the child?

Sitting in the hospital lobby with her bag, waiting for her full report, Mu Yao’s mind wandered aimlessly. Her palm held a bandage, feeling oddly empty.

Not long after, she spotted Gu Nanxiao emerging from the elevator. Her eyes brightened as she stood to approach him but stopped a few steps away.

A young woman in a white coat quickly followed Gu Nanxiao out and called his name. He lowered his head slightly, listening to her words with a smile and nodding. The two seemed oddly mismatched.

“Xiao Yao, what are you doing here? I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

Mu Yao turned and was met by Gao Mingyu returning with water. He was still catching his breath but immediately handed her a bottle.

“Thanks, senior brother,” she said softly.

His cheeks flushed faintly at her gentle voice, brushing it off with a wave.

“Come on, it’s time to get the report. You still have work later.”

Mu Yao glanced back at Gu Nanxiao, who was chatting amiably with someone else. Her smile vanished instantly, her grip tightening around the water bottle. Passing a trash bin, she tossed the sweat-soaked bandage into it.

He has someone to care for him; she felt a bit superfluous.

“Alright, the doctor said your condition is roughly like this. Remember, don’t overuse your left arm…”

Liang Yingying kept chattering into his ear nonstop. Even Gu Nanxiao, known for his patience, grew a little annoyed. The attending physician had emphasized this many times already, and now he was forced to listen again in the lobby.

While responding occasionally with the bare minimum politeness, his eyes wandered uncontrollably. Had he just seen Mu Yao in the lobby earlier?

* * *

Winter faded, and spring arrived.

Mu Yao casually opened her work email, which was stuffed full of cosplay invitations. She began filtering through them when a voice came from the phone tossed aside nearby.

“How about it, Yao Yao? Want to come? It’s really fun…”

“No.”

“Oh? You have work again…”

“Mm.”

“Alright, alright…”

After much coaxing, Wang Rui finally hung up reluctantly. Mu Yao sighed in relief. She couldn’t understand why they insisted on dragging her along as a third wheel when the two of them could enjoy their time alone.

She wasn’t making excuses—she really did have something to do on Labor Day.

On the first day of the holiday, Mu Yao woke unusually early. As she stepped outside, the door opposite hers opened simultaneously. Their eyes met, and both were momentarily stunned.

“Brother, brother, why aren’t you moving?”

Gu Nanqing tried to approach but was promptly pushed back by Gu Nanxiao, who swiftly closed and locked the door, ignoring the child’s protests inside.

Mu Yao’s appearance today was simply not suitable for children to see.

She relaxed, lifting her skirt and performing a perfectly graceful princess curtsy, fitting her persona.

A working person must begin work the moment they step out.

Gu Nanxiao raised an eyebrow. He didn’t understand why Mu Yao was dressed like this, but as a visual person, he thought she looked exceptionally beautiful today.

“Heading to the cultural center?”

As the elevator descended, Gu Nanxiao spoke.

“How did you know?”

Mu Yao, lost in thought, blinked and turned to look at him.

“Because I’m going there too.”

Mu Yao appraised Gu Nanxiao carefully. Earlier, she had admired him slightly in uniform—everything about him perfectly fitting.

If one didn’t know his profession, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that with a little grooming, Gu Nanxiao could accompany Mu Yao anywhere.

But then she recalled a notice about increased security at the convention, a consequence of the last incident.

So... it was quite possible they were going to the same place.

Mu Yao’s eyes softened with a hint of sympathy.

She was working overtime on Labor Day purely out of passion, but he was dragged into it unwillingly.

“Take my car,” Mu Yao said, standing irritably in the underground garage.

During the Labor Day rush, she had tried several ride-hailing apps without success.

Just as she was about to compress her skirt and settle for it, Gu Nanxiao stopped her.

They had arrived at the garage ten minutes earlier.

He was about to start the car when a lively girl caught his full attention from the left front.

Gu Nanxiao raised his hand; the Hummer growled and stalled, its owner intent on watching the scene.

Seeing the girl open the passenger door and awkwardly attempt to squeeze in while adjusting her skirt, Gu Nanxiao couldn’t help but interrupt.

Mu Yao looked at Gu Nanxiao, who sat on the Hummer with his head propped up like an onlooker. Her fists clenched.

She would have been okay with going together if he hadn’t adopted such an infuriating attitude.

“If you insist on driving like this, I might have to take you to the police station for reckless driving.”

With that, Mu Yao swiftly climbed into the back seat of the Hummer.

Her speed left Gu Nanxiao speechless.

No one would willingly embarrass themselves.

She knew the difference between losing face in front of him and in front of a crowd.

She never wanted to appear at the police station dressed in heavy, elaborate clothing.

“What are you staring at? Haven’t you seen a beauty before? Hurry up and drive!”

Mu Yao crossed her arms and pouted in displeasure.

Gu Nanxiao paused, glanced in the rearview mirror, and drove out of the garage.

...

The recent murder case had inevitably affected the convention’s turnout.

During the parade, Mu Yao noticed a clear thinning of the crowd, stirring a mix of emotions within her.