Chapter 28
"Xixi, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Zhan Mingyuan asked with concern, his brows furrowing.
"No, it's nothing." Gu Xi forced a playful pout. "I just felt a little warm."
"Mingyuan brought this especially for you. Don't just stand there—eat!" Wei Xiangqin urged.
"Okay." Gu Xi composed herself, opened the paper bag carefully, and took out the red bean cakes. She handed the first one to her mother, then offered one to her cousin, and only then picked one up for herself, nibbling at it delicately.
"Xixi's all grown up now." Zhan Mingyuan smiled, patting her head gently.
"I'm in college already. I've been grown up for a long time," Gu Xi said, raising her chin slightly.
"Still," he said teasingly, "you never used to share anything with your brother before. It was always you getting the best of everything. Now look at you, learning to be generous."
Gu Xi's cheeks flushed at his words.
In the past, she had taken her family's love for granted. She would boss her cousins around without guilt, enjoying the rewards and pushing the consequences onto them. Just giving up one piece of red bean cake was enough to make her second brother this happy. How terrible was I back then? she thought.
Hardships teach maturity.
In her last life, she had endured so much. That pain had shaped her, carving away the arrogance and selfishness. It had taught her humility, patience, and the importance of holding onto the people who loved her.
"Second Brother, want to take a walk with me?" Gu Xi finished her red bean cake and took a sip of water. Looking up at him with a hint of coquettishness, she said, "I'm going crazy being cooped up in this room all day."
"You brat," Wei Xiangqin interjected with feigned anger. "I offered to walk with you earlier, and you refused. But now that Mingyuan's here, you're eager all of a sudden."
"Mom, I just didn't want to tire you out."
"You always know how to talk your way out," she said, shaking her head fondly. "Fine, go have a walk with Mingyuan, but don't wander too far. You still need to get your IV this afternoon!"
"I know, I know," Gu Xi replied with a grin.
They strolled slowly through the hospital grounds, pausing now and then to admire blooming flowers or watch the flutter of leaves in the breeze. Eventually, they reached a small garden tucked away at the corner of the hospital.
"Xixi, sit here." Zhan Mingyuan found a bench under a flowering tree. He took out a tissue and carefully wiped the seat clean before gesturing for her to sit.
Gu Xi lowered herself onto the bench and glanced sideways at him. "Second Brother, have you seen Eldest Brother recently?"
"No, not lately. Why?" Zhan Mingyuan's tone was casual, but his eyes sharpened slightly.
Her eldest cousin, Wei Jinsong, was the son of Wei Fangzheng. He was pursuing his master's degree at Beijing University. Normally, the three cousins—Jinsong, Mingyuan, and Gu Xi—would get together during every winter and summer break. But this time, Wei Jinsong had stayed back to assist his mentor on a research project, missing the reunion. Both Mingyuan and Gu Xi had felt his absence.
Gu Xi lowered her gaze and said solemnly, "Second Brother, something's happened in our family… and it might implicate Uncle's side as well."
Zhan Mingyuan's relaxed demeanor disappeared. "Why do you say that?" he asked, leaning in, voice taut with worry. "Xixi, what happened?"