An Ran shrugged her shoulders, pursed her lips, and said nonchalantly, "Actually, it’s nothing. I just can’t go to work at the bar, I haven’t saved enough for next semester’s tuition yet, so I took on a few more jobs before the holidays. Time was tight, so I didn’t eat properly."
It’s money again. When he found her at the bar that time, she said she needed money. He really didn’t understand. Those bonuses were enough for her four years of university tuition. Why did she still need money so badly?
"What about your bonus? Isn’t that enough for your tuition?" Mu Xingfeng’s tone grew colder. This stubborn girl, just for money, she didn’t even care about her own body. Is she really that desperate for money?
An Ran listened to his unfriendly tone and pursed her lips.
"After enrolling in university, my foster mother took 100,000 yuan from the bonus money. The remaining money was obviously not enough for the second semester’s tuition."
Her calm words carried no hint of emotion, yet they struck Mu Xingfeng’s heart like a silent blow.
He was angry that An Ran didn’t listen to him, angry that she worked in a bar, angry that she didn’t care about her own safety. But he didn’t know how difficult her life was.
He only thought that he had given her enough money for university, but he forgot that she had a greedy foster mother.
He had once vowed to give her enough love and care, to provide her with a stable life. But in the end, she was forced by life to sell drinks in a bar, to work several part-time jobs, which nearly got her bullied by thugs, and caused her malnutrition.
For a moment, he was overwhelmed with guilt.
In his twenty-six years of life, he had never failed. But when facing the woman he loved, he failed unforgivably.
"An Ran," Mu Xingfeng extended his strong arms to embrace the girl. He wanted to ask her why she didn’t tell him when she was out of money, but the words wouldn’t come out. His little girl was so proud and self-reliant, how could she ask Instructor Mu for money back then? It was all his fault.
"Hmm?" An Ran, nestled in Mu Xingfeng’s arms, felt the sadness emanating from the man, but she didn’t know why he was so desolate.
"I’ll take care of your tuition fees from now on," Mu Xingfeng hugged her tightly. Even so, it didn’t lessen his guilt and remorse.
An Ran pushed Mu Xingfeng away and said seriously, "How can that be right, Instructor Mu? I already owe you so much. If you pay for my education again, I’ll never be able to repay you."
"You’re not going to repay it anyway, so owing a bit more won’t make a difference. Just be obedient, and I might consider waiving the interest," Mu Xingfeng said, pinching her cheek.
An Ran rubbed her cheek where Mu Xingfeng had pinched it, looking resentful. "You even want interest? I didn’t expect you to be , Instructor Mu."
Seeing the little girl regain her vitality, Mu Xingfeng felt much better and continued to tease her, "Of course. I’m a shrewd businessman, so you have to be obedient."
He had run out of patience. He could wait for the little girl to slowly accept his feelings, but he couldn’t let her leave his life again. He wouldn’t walk the wrong path twice. His private time was already precious, and he only wanted to love her well during the limited time he had.
After prescribing medicine, Liu Hu went to get it. He also gave the kitchen a diet therapy prescription, instructing them to make more soups to replenish An Ran’s energy and blood.
When he finished, he saw Mu Xingfeng coming downstairs, so he sat down and poured himself a glass of water, drinking as he spoke, "The little girl is very cute."
"Hmm," Mu Xingfeng responded, sitting beside him.