"What I mean is, the important thing is that I find you pleasing to the eye; I don't need her to like you."

That way, she shouldn't misunderstand anything.

"But...she is your mother after all. Actually, I envy you."

"What do you envy about me?" Xuan Mingyu asked curiously.

If she married him, she would still have no worries about food and clothing, and she would also be the young mistress of the noble Xian family. As for him, what else could she envy?

Even if you and your mother don't have a good relationship, at least she's still in this world. Whether things are good or bad, you can still see her. But me... I can only see my mother in photos...

Thinking of her mother, Bai Xiaoruo's nose tingled and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

She still remembered what her father said before he whipped her: if her mother's death was really related to Bai Minglei, Bai Xiaoruo would definitely investigate to the end, even if he was her biological father. But after those whips struck her so hard, she was truly heartbroken.

She would rather not have a father like that.

Seeing her red eyes, Xian Mingyu couldn't help but reach out and pat her head. "Alright, don't think too much. You still have me, don't you? I'll be with you."

"But... well, thank you."

What Bai Xiaoruo really wanted to say was, how long could his companionship last?

A year from now, according to the agreement, they will still get a divorce, won't they? How long can I still cling to his warm embrace and his concern now?

Perhaps I really need to learn to become independent gradually and make plans in advance for leaving a year from now.

Without me as a nuisance, he would definitely be more comfortable than he is now.

......

Uncle Chen had already bought the ingredients, and Xian Mingyu went into the kitchen to get busy.

The ward was decorated like a warm little home, complete with a sofa, coffee table, kitchen, and bathroom, and the heating was always on, so you wouldn't feel cold even if you were wearing very little clothing.

After Bai Xiaoru finished her last IV drip for the day, she wouldn't need any more tonight, and her hands could finally move freely again.

She endured the pain, slowly lifted the covers and got out of bed. She wanted to go to the kitchen to check on Xian Mingyu.

Unfortunately, there were no slippers for her, so Bai Xiaoruo had no choice but to go to the kitchen barefoot.

She walked slowly, enduring the pain from her broken thighbone, and inching closer to the kitchen while holding onto the wall.

Just standing there at the door, watching his busy figure, Bai Xiaoruo felt very happy.

Xian Mingyu put all the chopped ingredients into the pot, stirred it a few times, and simmered it slowly over low heat before going out to check on Bai Xiaoruo.

He turned around and saw Bai Xiaoruo leaning against the door, struggling to stand, and immediately became a little angry.

Why is she so disobedient? Her injuries haven't healed yet, how can she get out of bed and walk around so easily, and without even wearing shoes?

Even if the ward is heated, she is a patient and her body is obviously weaker than that of an ordinary person, so how can she go barefoot?

Seeing Xian Mingyu walking towards her with some anger, Bai Xiaoruo knew she was in the wrong, so she silently lowered her head and shrank back, not daring to look at him.

"What are you doing here? Go back to bed."

"I...I want to see you...Is your porridge ready...?"

Her original intention was to come see him, but she was too embarrassed to say it, so she changed her words and said she wanted to see if the porridge was ready.

But I was really hungry.

"Lift up your clothes, let me see your wound."

"Ah? No, let's not, this isn't good..." Upon hearing Xuan Mingyu say that he wanted to lift up her clothes to see the wound, Bai Xiaoruo tightly gripped the hem of her hospital gown, feeling somewhat shy.

Although they were already very close, she was still embarrassed to just openly lift her clothes and show them to him.

"What's wrong with you? Is there any part of your body that I haven't seen?"

"you!"

This guy, why does he always speak so recklessly?

Despite Bai Xiaoruo's reluctance, before she could stop him, Xuan Mingyu lifted up her clothes from behind. He glanced at the bandage on her back and then suddenly swept her up in his arms.

Bai Xiaoruo was completely caught off guard and, in her shock, quickly wrapped her arms around his neck.

It wasn't until Xian Mingyu carried her back to the bed that Bai Xiaoruo understood his intention in lifting her clothes earlier.

He was afraid of accidentally touching her wound again, so he checked the bandage to make sure which part of her back he could touch.

It turns out I had misunderstood him.

Bai Xiaoruo lowered her head, wishing she could disappear into a hole. Bai Xiaoruo, you lecherous woman, what were you thinking about just now? You even thought about those embarrassing things.

After placing Bai Xiaoruo on the hospital bed, Xuan Mingyu pulled the blanket over her again, saying, "Just lie still, you'll be able to eat in a little while."

"Oh~" This time, she obediently listened.

Ten minutes later, Xuan Mingyu brought out the porridge that had been cooked and cooled down a little while from the kitchen.

Smelling the aroma of the porridge, Bai Xiaoruo swallowed hard.

I'm so hungry.

She was about to get up and bring the food to herself when Xuan Mingyu pressed her shoulder and made her lie back down.

"Don't move, I'll feed you."

He helped her raise the bed slightly, then sat on the chair beside the bed, picked up the still steaming porridge from the table, scooped up a spoonful with a small spoon, blew on it to cool it down, and brought it to Bai Xiaoruo's lips.

She opened her mouth and ate the porridge from the small spoon in one gulp.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!