Chapter 52 A Soft-Hearted Illusion: He only, in a way, missed Qin for Jin. ...
After tossing and turning for the first half of the night, Mo Ningzhi thought she wouldn't be able to sleep well in the hospital, but unexpectedly she fell into a deep sleep and opened her eyes at 10 a.m.
The curtains in the ward were not open, and the room was a bit dark. Zhou Yaozheng and Mo Tingzhou sat on the sofa in the corner, talking quietly to a computer.
As soon as Mo Ningzhi moved, Zhou Yaozheng noticed: "Ningzhi, you're awake."
Mo Tingzhou, who was secretly busy with work, quickly looked up from the pile of documents and asked with a smile, "How was it? Did you sleep well?"
Mo Ningzhi hummed in agreement. He had not only slept well, but he hadn't dreamed at all that night, and it seemed like the fatigue from his month-long business trip had been completely recovered. However, he had slept for so long and so deeply that his mind was a little foggy and his thinking was slow.
He sat on the edge of the bed, slowly looking at Mo Tingzhou: "What are you doing?"
Mo Tingzhou shoved the documents in front of Zhou Yaozheng and chuckled dryly, "I'm supervising Yaozheng's work. Are you hungry? Xiao Qi just brought over breakfast, all your favorites."
Mo Ningzhi had no appetite, shook her head, and turned to reach for her phone. Mo Tingzhou then got up and brought breakfast to her bedside. Their actions were so natural that it was difficult to tell who was the patient and who was the family member.
With over a dozen unread messages on her phone, Mo Ningzhi ignored the group chat and unimportant people and things, and first opened Qin Weijin's chat window.
The first message is "Good morning".
The second one is a living room filled with sunlight.
Mo Ningzhi clicked on the picture and looked at it, and suddenly felt a little homesick.
He opened the input method and typed a few words.
Qin returned to Jin very quickly.
【woke up? 】
[Good Morning Cat]: Just woke up. What are you doing?
Qin Weijin replied with a photo of himself wearing an apron and cleaning. The photo was taken casually from a bad angle, with a basin of water on the kitchen counter. Qin Weijin's left hand was in the frame, casually resting on the edge of the counter, his outstretched fingers long and strong.
Judging by these hands alone, Qin Weijin is more suited to playing the piano.
He was away on a business trip for a month, leaving Li Yan alone at home. Later, he went out to sea for half a month, leaving the house empty. Mo Ningzhi thought he was only going for a few days and didn't take any precautions. The house must have been dusty after being empty for a while. I wonder how Qin Weijin slept last night.
Mo Ningzhi secretly lamented her negligence: "Don't do it yourself. I'll have Li Yan hire a cleaning lady to come and clean; it'll be faster than you doing it yourself."
[Qin for Jin]: Didn't you notice? It's already been cleaned up.
Mo Ningzhi recalled the living room photo; it was indeed very clean. He scrolled up to see the time of Qin Weijin's first message.
[Good Morning]: You started cleaning at seven in the morning?
【Qin for Jin】: No, Li Yan came back early this morning and called someone to clean the house. I just tidied up the kitchen.
Finding typing a bit tiring, Mo Ningzhi was about to make a video call when her phone vibrated again.
Qin Weijin took another photo. A set of clothes was hanging on the makeshift clothes rack in the corner, covered with a semi-transparent dust bag, and it looked like it had just been ironed.
[Good Morning Cat]: Are you going out?
After typing a line of text, the input method automatically popped up several lively emojis. Mo Ningzhi didn't pay attention and sent the "cat peeking out" one.
It's a cute, round-faced cat with its tail curled up in a cute way.
This emoji didn't quite fit his image, and Mo Ning wanted to retract it.
[Qin Wei Jin]: The previous drama was doing well, so the main actors are going to record a variety show together. The time is a bit tight, and it will probably take two days to record.
[Qin for Jin]: [Patting the cat's head.]
Suddenly, the emojis started to look good again.
The news was a bit sudden, but Qin Weijin always had a lot of announcements, and it was common for his schedule to change at the last minute. Mo Ningzhi only regretted that she couldn't go with him.
He hasn't seen Qin Weijin record a variety show yet.
[Good Morning]: When are you leaving?
【秦为晋】：Now.
[Qin for Jin]: The production team is in a hurry, probably planning to finish filming as soon as possible and then expedite the production so that it can be broadcast on the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Mo Ningzhi pursed her lips, and after a moment replied: 【Okay.】
He then chatted with Qin Weijin for a couple more minutes until the other end replied, "Xiao Liu and the others have arrived," before reluctantly putting down his phone.
"Ningzhi, what's wrong?"
The annoying voice pulled Mo Ningzhi back to reality. Perhaps it was a subconscious habit formed over the years, but he felt annoyed whenever he heard Zhou Yaozheng speak, and his eyebrows furrowed quickly. "It's nothing."
Seeing Zhou Yaozheng still sitting on the sofa, he said unhappily, "Why are you still here? Don't you have to go to work?"
Mo Tingzhou made a "tsk" sound from his hospital bed, as if to remind someone of something.
Mo Ningzhi didn't even look up, pretending to be deaf.
“Uncle Mo is sick, so even if I go back to the company, I won’t be able to work in peace. I’ll temporarily move my office here,” Zhou Yaozheng said gently.
Mo Tingzhou said, "It's just a minor problem for me. I'll be discharged in a couple of days. There's no need for you two brothers to stay in the ward with me and bear this burden. Go back and rest later."
That's what he said, but at his age, he likes to be pampered and entertained. He would say he didn't need it, but his face would be full of smiles.
“Uncle Mo, we’re still young.” Zhou Yaozheng glanced at Mo Ningzhi. “We were busy with work before, so let us spend some time with you now.”
Mo Ningzhi was fully awake and got out of bed to wash her face.
When they came out, the family member's bed had already been made up, and Zhou Yaozheng was neatly placing the folded quilt at the head of the bed.
Mo Ningzhi frowned: "I'll do it myself."
"It's ready. You should eat your breakfast first." Zhou Yaozheng didn't even turn his head, his movements were very natural: "It'll get cold if you leave it any longer."
Mo Tingzhou waved from a distance, "Ningzhi, come here."
Mo Ningzhi glanced at the neatly made family bed, and after a long while, silently walked over.
Mo Tingzhou was fine. After two days of observation at the hospital, all his indicators returned to normal. The hospital stopped some of his medications, and the old man's complexion gradually became rosy again. Mo Ningzhi's heart, which had been in her throat for several days, finally settled back into her chest.
"Uncle Mo, Dr. Li said that we'll have another full check-up tomorrow morning, and if the results are all fine, we can be discharged," Zhou Yaozheng said with a smile.
"My body is definitely fine." Having just finished dinner, Old Mo felt a bit bloated, so he paced back and forth between the ward and the corridor. "Just have your mother send a car to pick me up tomorrow."
Zhou Yaozheng chuckled.
These past two days, he shamelessly stayed at the hospital to take care of Mo Tingzhou. There was a lot of work piling up at the company waiting to be dealt with. Mo Tingzhou would need to rest for a while after being discharged from the hospital, and he would be even busier afterward.
Zhou Yaozheng said, "Uncle Mo, there's a briefing tomorrow morning, so I'll head back now. My mom and I will come pick you up after the meeting."
"Oh, no need, no need." Mo Tingzhou waved his hand: "Ning Zhi is here, he can take me back."
Zhou Yaozheng nodded: "Alright."
He turned to leave, but Mo Tingzhou said, "Ningzhi, see your brother off. There are so many documents."
Mo Ningzhi, who had been leaning against the window like a wooden statue, coldly observing the father's kindness and the son's filial piety, did not move when she heard the old man's words.
Zhou Yaozheng laughed and said, "No need, I can do it myself."
But there were just too many documents, and he didn't have an assistant with him. As soon as he stood up, several folders fell to the ground.
Just as she was about to bend down to pick it up, a fair hand landed on the folder. Mo Ningzhi said in a calm tone, "I'll take you downstairs."
Mo Tingzhou laughed upon hearing this.
That's more like it; harmony in the family brings prosperity in all things.
Mo Ningzhi didn't say much along the way, acting like a silent filing cabinet, and considered his mission accomplished once he got Zhou Yaozheng to the parking lot.
"Wait, Ningzhi."
Zhou Yaozheng put the documents in the trunk, then quickly walked halfway around to the passenger seat, took out a tote bag, and said, "A gift for you."
There was no familiar logo printed on the bag, and the contents of the brocade box were not visible. Mo Ningzhi paused for only a moment before turning her eyes away: "No need, I have no return gift."
Zhou Yaozheng chuckled: "I didn't ask you for it."
After saying that, before Mo Ningzhi could refuse, the bag was stuffed into his hand. "I'm leaving. You go back and keep Uncle Mo company."
Mo Ningzhi stared blankly at the thing in his hand. Sometimes, he really felt that Zhou Yaozheng had two souls inside him, one hysterical and the other gentle and refined. He loathed the former and couldn't say he liked the latter, but it wouldn't be difficult for them to get along peacefully.
When Zhou Yaozheng entered his home during high school, Mo Ningzhi and Zhou Yaozheng had a relationship of non-interference with each other for the first few years, and they almost became brothers.
The Mo family was well-off, and Mo Ningzhi had plenty of pocket money from a young age. After his mother passed away, her entire inheritance was placed in a trust, with money automatically deposited into Mo Ningzhi's account every month. He never knew what it was like to lack money. However, his extravagant spending habits inevitably attracted the covetous eyes of some.
One weekend during the second year of junior high, Mo Tingzhou forgot to send a driver to pick him up. Mo Ningzhi was blocked by a group of thugs as soon as he left the school gate, who asked to borrow some money.
Mo Ningzhi was stubborn back then, unaware of the concept of temporarily avoiding conflict. He grabbed a stick from the corner of the wall and became arrogant and ignorant of his own limitations.
Two fists can't fight four hands, and he eventually fell into a disadvantageous position.
Just then, Zhou Yaozheng happened to pass by. He was a senior in high school at the time, and he had begun to shed his youthful immaturity. His limbs grew taller and taller, and when he stood at the entrance of the alley, he made the malnourished hooligans look like withered potatoes.
As expected, Mo Ningzhi injured her leg and was carried back by Zhou Yaozheng.
That night, the road from the school gate to home was long. Mo Ningzhi, clinging to Zhou Yaozheng's back, felt that she had gone a little too far.
What is he still making a fuss about? Mo Tingzhou's second marriage is a done deal, and Zhou Suiyin seems like a competent mother. The new family is very harmonious, and everyone in the family is thriving except for him.
Back home, Mo Ningzhi thought about it all night.
The next day, when he was about to ask Zhou Yaozheng to go to school together, he overheard Zhou Yaozheng talking about his conversation with Zhou Suiyin.
He stood in the corner, while Zhou Yaozheng and Zhou Suiyin stood on the balcony with their backs to him.
"I don't want to have a big celebration for my birthday. I don't care about these formalities," Zhou Suiyin said gently.
“You’ve already married Uncle Mo, and there’s been a lot of slander against you lately. This birthday party can help you gain a foothold in the Mo family and establish your authority as the matriarch. It’s a must.”
At that time, Zhou Yaozheng did not yet possess the strategic acumen he has today, but the coldness and scheming in his words were already beginning to show.
"But... I wonder what it's like over there..."
Zhou Yaozheng said calmly, "Don't wear any jewelry. He's soft-hearted and will definitely defend you in public that day."
From a young age, Mo Ningzhi had already experienced what it meant to be unable to see into someone's heart. Zhou Yaozheng's words pushed their relationship back into the spotlight. In the eyes of outsiders, Mo Ningzhi was becoming more and more rebellious. After the birthday party, Zhou Suiyin made her official appearance in the group of wealthy women and made a bunch of friends with her gentle and kind image.
So later, when people talked about Mo Ningzhi's rebellion, they no longer criticized Zhou Suiyin for being incompetent, but only shook their heads and sighed that being a stepmother is difficult.
These memories had long since vanished into the river of time. Mo Ningzhi thought she had forgotten them, but unexpectedly, the past was still vivid in her mind.
The Zhou Yaozheng who stood up for justice back then seems to be no different from the one in front of us; both harbor countless treacherous schemes, making them impossible to guard against.
Mo Ningzhi lowered her eyes and returned the bag. "No need, Zhou Yaozheng. I don't trust you, and I don't intend to repair our relationship. If you want to play the part of fake brotherly love, I can cooperate, but don't play any tricks behind the scenes."
Zhou Yaozheng paused, seemingly hurt: "I didn't... Why don't you believe me?"
Is he really that untrustworthy?
Mo Ningzhi chuckled softly, too lazy to even speak, took two steps back, turned and left.
Zhou Yaozheng stood there, stunned, holding the returned token of his affection.
...
The streetlights around the open-air parking lot gradually came on, and cars kept coming in and out. Mo Ningzhi didn't want Mo Tingzhou to notice anything, so she sat alone in the garden downstairs from the hospital for a while.
He chose a good spot; there was a lightbox right next to the chair opposite him.
The photo posted above happened to be of Qin Weijin.
And it was Mo Ningzhi who took the photos.
However, it's not a "priest," but another "vampire" that's also very popular. The devil with deep features lies in a cluster of bright red roses, with bloodstains on his forehead, lips, and the corners of his eyes. His ruff collar is slightly open, revealing the beautiful muscles in his chest and abdomen. The whole picture is extremely dazzling.
Mo Ningzhi stared at it for a while, and when she came to her senses, she had already dialed Qin Weijin's number.
But remembering that the variety show recording wasn't over yet, he hung up again.
Actually, I don't have much to say.
He just had a slight desire to revert Qin to Jin.
The call came back two seconds later, and Mo Ningzhi answered immediately: "Brother Jin."
Qin Weijin responded softly, "I was just about to answer, why did you hang up?"
"Accidental touch." Mo Ningzhi said, "Is filming over?"
"Just finished."
When will you be back?
Qin Wei Jin did not answer, but instead laughed.
Mo Ningzhi immediately became alert: "What are you laughing at?"
"You," Qin Weijin's voice still carried a clear hint of laughter, "look to your right."
Mo Ningzhi paused for two seconds before slowly turning her head.
Not far away, in the shadows of the emergency exit, stood a familiar figure.
Mo Ningzhi stood there blankly for a moment before getting up and walking over. "This is your surprise?"
Qin Weijin said, "Not really. I didn't know if I could make it back in time, so I didn't tell you in advance."
After saying that, he took out a small pendant from his pocket. Mo Ningzhi took it and looked at it, but didn't understand: "What is this?"
"I don't really know how to do it like in variety shows. I tried three times before I succeeded."
Mo Ningzhi stared at that small two-dimensional object for a long time, but couldn't figure it out: "What did you make?"
Qin Weijin raised an eyebrow: "Can't you tell?"
Mo Ningzhi looked at it carefully for a long time, then shook her head.
Qin Weijin looked down at him, his lips moved, and he seemed to struggle internally for a while before suddenly putting the things away. "It's nothing, I won't see you off."
Mo Ningzhi reached out and snatched it: "We've already given it, how can we take it back?"
In the midst of the struggle, a thought suddenly and slowly emerged from the depths of his mind, "Could this be... me?"
Qin Weijin tensed his jaw for a few seconds: "No."
Mo Ningzhi almost burst out laughing, "It really is me, let me see."
Without a word, he pried open Qin Weijin's pockets and fingers, snatched the item out, and pointed at the small pendant, asking, "Teacher Qin, is my eye a little crooked?"
"..."
"Isn't the color of your lips a little too red?"
"..."
"And this figure, calling it chibi is a bit abstract, calling it realistic is too fat. Teacher Qin, your handiwork isn't very good."
"..."
Qin Weijin felt a pang of hurt at his picky attitude, and said, "Don't give it back to me."
Mo Ningzhi stepped aside, her eyes crinkling with a smile: "No way, it's mine now, Teacher Qin, don't be stingy."
After saying that, he stood on tiptoe and kissed Qin Weijin in the darkness. Qin Weijin hugged him back, then quickly let go, saying, "Don't be presumptuous outside."
"What's there to be afraid of? I just checked, there's no one here." Mo Ningzhi said, turning her head to look at the garden in the distance.
There really did seem to be a figure standing in the shadows.
Mo Ningzhi was startled, but upon closer inspection, he realized it was just the shadow of the tree swaying, as if the fleeting shadow he had just seen was merely his imagination.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com