Tang Xi looked out at the splendid night view outside the window.
She had been by Fu Tingzhou’s side for over two months, and last week had been the New Year.
She lay in the hospital, without a cellphone, her only company books and the daily infusions.
In a daze, Tang Xi spoke softly, "Let’s have dumplings."
Nie Xiaoyun raised her eyebrows slightly, "Dumplings?"
She thought Tang Xi wanted some exotic delicacies and immediately said, "Okay, I’ll order right away."
"No need to bother, I remember there is meat in the fridge, and we have flour at home." Tang Xi looked at Nie Xiaoyun and smiled slightly, "Can you make dumplings? Let’s make them ourselves."
Nie Xiaoyun was momentarily stunned.
If Tang Xi asked her if she could kill people, what her methods would be like, how skilled she was, and how many men she could take on by herself, Nie Xiaoyun could have quickly answered. But when Tang Xi gently and warmly asked her if she could make dumplings, she was completely taken aback and after a moment, she nodded, "I should be able to."
The kitchen was bathed in warm light.
Tang Xi and Nie Xiaoyun sat at the dining table beginning to prepare dinner. Nie Xiaoyun watched as Tang Xi skillfully kneaded the dough, prepared the meat filling, and finally rolled out the dumpling wrappers, completely dumbfounded.
This was a completely different image from the rich man’s mistress she had imagined being kept outside.
Nie Xiaoyun had been around Tang Xi for a while, but she hadn’t figured out this woman at all.
She says she likes money, but she’s not actually greedy for it.
There are countless jewels and accessories in the walk-in closet, dresses with five-digit price tags, but she has never worn them or used them. Looking at all these glittering things, Tang Xi’s eyes never showed joy, only a calm indifference like ashes.
Nie Xiaoyun, 31 this year, is a personal female bodyguard trained by the Fu Family, who has endured hardships, with a personality having some of the toughness and resilience typical of men. This is the result of years of training, but now she feels that Tang Xi also has this kind of vibe.
Even though she appears to be very gentle and harmless.
"Let’s eat," Tang Xi brought over a plate of dumplings and smiled, her eyes curving into crescents, "Happy New Year, another year has begun."
Nie Xiaoyun ate quickly, trained by the army, finishing a plate of dumplings in two minutes. She found them delicious and took another plate, gulping it down, she said to Tang Xi, "Do you really not want to know about Mr. Fu’s news? You should take the initiative, I know you resent Mr. Fu for being too rough with you... but, there are many women around him, how could he come and apologize to you? Since you’re eating his bread, you should... go to him... please him, to make your life easier."
Tang Xi’s hand holding the chopsticks stiffened slightly.
The woman slowly lowered her gaze, her long thick lashes hiding the emotions in her eyes, her voice husky and emotionless, "Oh, I see... I indeed don’t have the cultivation of a mistress."
Nie Xiaoyun, "I didn’t mean that..."
Tang Xi put down her bowl and chopsticks, her beautiful face calm and gentle, "Then call him for me, tell him I made dumplings."
Nie Xiaoyun called Xu Ze and asked if Mr. Fu was busy at the moment.
But Xu Ze’s response from the other end was that Fu Tingzhou was currently in the hospital accompanying Qin Jianlan, and probably didn’t have time.
Nie Xiaoyun didn’t get to say the phrase, "Miss Tang made dumplings, does Mr. Fu have time to come over for a meal?"... she just hung up the phone.
Tang Xi stood up, "I’m going to the study to read."
Nie Xiaoyun watched Tang Xi’s retreating back, sighing softly.
In the hospital room.
Fu Tingzhou had just landed in North City and came to visit Qin Jianlan.
Qin Jianlan was, as usual, deeply asleep, the hospital room was as quiet as ever, with only the clear dripping sound of the medical devices. He sat by the bedside, watching Qin Jianlan whose chest barely moved in the calm.
He sat there for half an hour.
Rong Auntie came over with some fruit, "Young master, have something to eat, you must be tired after the flight."
"Lady has always been , she would be very happy if she knew you came to visit her. The doctor said lady’s condition has been stable recently."
Fu Tingzhou said, "Contact me for anything, if you can’t reach me, get in touch with Xu Ze directly."
Rong Auntie nodded, "Yes."
Her gaze inadvertently fell on the bedside table where a vase was placed along with... a letter.
Seeing Fu Tingzhou about to leave, Rong Auntie quickly went over to place the fruit tray on the bedside table, accidentally knocking down the letter, then immediately bent down to pick it up, deliberately showing a panicky expression to Fu Tingzhou.