In that instant, Wang Keru caught a fleeting glimpse of a longing for warmth in Gu Anxi’s eyes. It vanished so quickly she thought her eyes had deceived her.
When she collected herself, she found herself facing only the biting chill of the late autumn air.
Gu Anxi left the Qin family home and headed straight to the hospital.
In the patient’s room, Grandma Chen was still awake, engrossed in a pictorial magazine.
Upon hearing the door open, Grandma Chen removed her reading glasses, her voice tinged with resignation, "You’re back so soon? Did you argue with your mother again?"
Gu Anxi remained silent. She put her things down, picked up an apple, and hopped onto the foot of the bed, taking a light bite.
It was only in front of Grandma Chen that she allowed herself to behave this way.
Grandma Chen had always doted on her, so she didn’t press the issue, merely urging her to get a proper meal.
Gu Anxi was poring over an English book, trying to deflect Grandma Chen’s questions, but Grandma Chen felt quite helpless with her.
Just then, the door to the room opened, and surprisingly, Bo Xichen walked in.
He had come alone; Feng Mian, the young man who usually accompanied him, was not present.
Gu Anxi looked up, the speed at which she was gnawing on her apple slowing.
Bo Xichen’s ice-blue eyes rested for a moment on her gently swaying legs—slender and shapely like those drawn in manga—before he turned to Grandma Chen and softly inquired about her condition.
Grandma Chen said something, and Bo Xichen even let out a soft, pleased laugh. Gu Anxi glanced up.
Then, he walked over to her, his slender, beautiful hand taking the book from her.
He glanced at the cover, flipped through a few pages, then closed it. "Is this what you’re having for dinner?"
Gu Anxi finished her apple, accurately tossed the core into a trash can two meters away, and clapped her hands. "What’s wrong with this?"
A faint smile played on Bo Xichen’s lips. "Grandma Chen says you’re still growing."
Gu Anxi looked up sharply.
The amusement in his eyes deepened.
Hmm... The little cat has that ’I’m going to attack because you stepped on my tail’ look again. Quite amusing.
He reached out, his long fingers gently hovering over her head for a moment. "I haven’t eaten either. Feng Mian prepared quite a bit of food. Let’s eat together."
"No thanks," Gu Anxi said, ever frugal with her words.
Grandma Chen’s faint voice sounded, "Anxi, you could discuss your father’s condition with Dr. Bo."
Bo Xichen coughed, as if he had choked on something.
Gu Anxi, still holding the book, gave a very faint smile. "Then I’ll have to trouble Professor Bo."
Hearing this form of address, Bo Xichen lowered his gaze.
His laboratory wasn’t far, just opposite the inpatient building.
Gu Anxi followed him into the two-story building.
The surroundings were quite tranquil, with an abundance of lush greenery that looked meticulously cared for by someone.
That someone was none other than Feng Mian.
Feng Mian was tending to the flowers and plants. When he saw Bo Xichen enter with Gu Anxi, his eyes nearly popped.
Bo Xichen removed his white lab coat, revealing a black shirt and black trousers underneath. He appeared tall and lean, with broad shoulders that made him look particularly striking.
He sat down at the dining table. "Time for dinner."
Feng Mian scurried over happily. "Ah, the little one is eating with us!"
Gu Anxi sat opposite Bo Xichen, silent.
Feng Mian immediately took a seat next to her. "Don’t be so cold!"
Bo Xichen glanced at him. "Say one more word, and I’ll throw you out."
Feng Mian looked quite aggrieved. He spent his days surrounded by skeletons and such; it was a rare treat to have a lively, beautiful young girl visit, yet he wasn’t even allowed to speak.