The Beauty Is Seducing Me Again Chapter 5
byChapter 5: 005 “Mom, please don’t make things difficult for Miss Chen.”
The discharge date was set for Friday.
It was a cloudless day, and the sun was exceptionally bright.
The summer morning light streamed through the clean glass window into the hospital room, illuminating the tiny dust motes floating visibly in the air.
Chen Xiaonuan arrived earlier than usual. She took the subway and then jogged all the way to the hospital. Her bangs were slightly messy from the morning breeze, but her face was beaming with a smile brighter than the sunshine.
As soon as she entered, she set down the steaming breakfast porridge she was holding and said cheerfully, “Good morning, Auntie. The weather is wonderful today!”
Yuan Yanyu had also woken up early. She had already changed out of her hospital gown and was wearing a comfortable xiangyunsha cheongsam. A special nurse was assisting her with simple washing and grooming.
Hearing the cheerful voice, she knew Chen Xiaonuan had arrived. Yuan Yanyu smiled and said, “Xiaonuan is here. Have you eaten breakfast? If not, join Auntie.”
“I’ve eaten!” Chen Xiaonuan’s voice was light, and she quickly started moving. “You take your time eating. I’ll start packing up.”
Over the past month, Auntie Yuan’s hospital room had practically become Chen Xiaonuan’s second home. She knew the exact location of every item in the room.
Chen Xiaonuan first carefully gathered the magazines, novels, and notes Yuan Yanyu usually read, wrapping them neatly in clean kraft paper. Then, she turned to carefully place the small green plants she had bought for the windowsill into a cardboard box.
Next were the miscellaneous small items in the drawer: reading glasses, nail clippers, half-used hand cream, and sewing supplies. She sorted them, wrapped them in soft cloth, and placed them into different colored storage bags.
Chen Xiaonuan was completely focused, her movements highly skilled, which made Yuan Yanyu feel a little pang of sympathy watching her.
Yuan Yanyu couldn’t help but call out, “Xiaonuan, come sit with Auntie. Someone will come to pack the rest of the room. Don’t busy yourself so much; look, you’re already sweating lightly on your forehead.”
“I’m not tired, and there’s not much left! I’ll just finish packing this last bit,” Chen Xiaonuan said without lifting her head, fine beads of sweat glistening on the tip of her nose.
When she did these things, she felt a sense of fulfilling happiness.
Being able to do something within her capacity for an elder she liked was a pleasure for Chen Xiaonuan, not a burden. It was like when she left the orphanage after turning eighteen; she was no longer officially part of it, but she still bought gifts and visited Director Mother every holiday.
After Yuan Yanyu finished breakfast, Chen Xiaonuan took Yuan Yanyu’s ID card, medical insurance card, and a large stack of documents, and rushed off to complete the discharge procedures.
Hospital procedures were complex and tedious, but VIP patients received special attention. Chen Xiaonuan carefully verified every fee item, then went to consult the staff to ensure there were no mistakes.
Chen Xiaonuan completed all the paperwork, holding the final settlement statement and the retrieved medication, and returned to the room.
“Auntie, I’ve finished everything. Here is the statement, and here are the medicines. I’ve written the doctor’s instructions on how to take them on the boxes, so please remember to take them on time!” Chen Xiaonuan handed the items to Yuan Yanyu for review.
Her face was flushed, and her eyes sparkled with the satisfaction of completing a major task.
Yuan Yanyu’s heart softened at the sight. She took the items, placed them confidently aside without looking, and pulled out a tissue to gently wipe the sweat from Chen Xiaonuan’s forehead.
She said affectionately, “My Xiaonuan has worked so hard. You’ve been running around without stopping all morning, more diligent than a little bee. I should give you the Quanhai City Best Diligence Award someday.”
Chen Xiaonuan’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled: “It’s not hard work. I’ll be waiting for Auntie to give me that big award.”
Just then, a steady set of footsteps sounded outside the room. It was Butler Xu, followed by two servants in matching uniforms.
Butler Xu bowed slightly, his tone respectful: “Madam, congratulations on your recovery and discharge. The car is ready; we are here to take you home.”
The two servants behind him efficiently took over the remaining packing, working with high speed.
Yuan Yanyu nodded. Not seeing Shen Qing’an, she asked, “Where is Qing’an?”
Butler Xu immediately replied, “The eldest young lady had a meeting this morning and went to the company early. She should be on her way to the hospital now.”
Two black luxury sedans were parked quietly outside the inpatient department entrance. Butler Xu directed the servants to properly load the large and small pieces of luggage into the trunk of the car behind.
Chen Xiaonuan supported Yuan Yanyu’s arm, slowly walking out of the inpatient building.
Warm sunlight fell upon them, and fresh air greeted them, devoid of the hospital’s unique antiseptic smell.
Yuan Yanyu took a deep breath, smiling: “The air outside is so much better.”
“Auntie, watch the steps carefully,” Chen Xiaonuan reminded her gently. When her gaze fell upon the imposing black sedan parked at the entrance, she knew it was time to say goodbye.
Although Chen Xiaonuan felt reluctant, she forced a happy smile and was about to speak.
Suddenly, the sound of an engine approached rapidly. A sleek red sports car pulled smoothly to a stop in front of them.
The car door opened, and the first thing to emerge was a pair of long legs wearing exquisite high heels. Then, Shen Qing’an stepped out of the passenger seat.
Shen Qing’an seemed to have just left an important event. She was wearing a perfectly tailored light gray suit skirt, her long hair swept up and secured at the back of her head with a plain hairpin, revealing her smooth, full forehead.
This accentuated her cool and sharp demeanor.
Her appearance instantly caused the surrounding air to freeze for a moment.
Chen Xiaonuan stared at Shen Qing’an, completely stunned. How could anyone be more beautiful than the Great Beauty in a comic book?
“Mom.” Shen Qing’an quickly walked forward, her tone slightly softer than usual. “How do you feel? I just finished my meeting.”
“Much better, just waiting to go home.” The smile in Yuan Yanyu’s eyes deepened significantly upon seeing her daughter.
Shen Qing’an’s gaze then shifted to Chen Xiaonuan, who was supporting her mother. Her eyes briefly rested on Chen Xiaonuan’s cheeks, which were flushed from exertion. She gave a slight nod, her tone still carrying her usual distance.
“Miss Chen, thank you for taking care of my mother during this time, and thank you for taking the time to help with the discharge procedures today.”
Her gratitude sounded polite but conveyed a clear sense of distance.
Chen Xiaonuan couldn’t quite articulate the feeling in her heart. She quickly shook her head: “You’re welcome, Miss Shen. It was all part of what I should do.”
Shen Qing’an withdrew her gaze, not speaking further to Chen Xiaonuan. She turned to her mother and said, “The car is ready. I’ll take you back. The follow-up matters will be handled by Uncle Xu and the others.”
Her meaning was clear: Chen Xiaonuan would no longer be needed for the journey ahead.
Hearing this, Chen Xiaonuan’s heart felt squeezed by an invisible hand—a sour, indescribable sense of loss quietly spread through her.
She had guessed this arrangement, but hearing Shen Qing’an state the polite, distant plan made her nose sting.
Chen Xiaonuan lowered her head and quietly responded, “Oh… okay. Then… Auntie, Miss Shen, I’ll head back now.”
“Auntie, please rest well when you get home.” Chen Xiaonuan forced a smile, but it looked worse than crying.
After speaking, she slowly released Yuan Yanyu’s arm, picked up her small cloth bag, and prepared to leave.
The next second, Yuan Yanyu called out to her: “Wait.”
Chen Xiaonuan turned around, confused, looking at Yuan Yanyu: “Auntie, is there anything else you need to tell me?”
Yuan Yanyu walked over to Chen Xiaonuan and firmly grasped her wrist. The grip wasn’t strong, but it was exceptionally determined. She led Chen Xiaonuan in front of Shen Qing’an, the smile gone from her face.
She looked at her daughter, her tone clearly displeased: “Qing’an, what is wrong with you? I haven’t even said anything, and you’re already taking charge and arranging to send Xiaonuan away.”
“Xiaonuan has been busy all morning, running errands for us. She has taken care of me in the hospital for so long; there is a lot of affection between us. Why are you directly telling her to go home by herself? I’ve already asked the kitchen to prepare lunch. Xiaonuan must come back with me.”
Hearing this, Shen Qing’an frowned slightly.
She looked at her mother, her tone as calm as possible, yet still carrying an undeniable rationality: “Mom, Miss Chen has worked hard for a month, and she got up early again today to help. She should go home and rest properly. It would be inappropriate for us to trouble Miss Chen further.”
“As for thanks, I will arrange that separately.”
“What do you mean, trouble? And what is inappropriate?” Hearing this, Yuan Yanyu’s displeasure became even more obvious, and her voice rose slightly. “Xiaonuan is not an outsider. If it weren’t for Xiaonuan’s careful attention this past month, could I have recovered this well? Today is a happy day because I’m being discharged. Isn’t it only right to share a meal with Xiaonuan?”
“Or are you saying that Mom doesn’t even have the right to invite a child home for a meal? Do I have to look at my daughter’s face just to eat?”
“Mom, I didn’t mean that.” Shen Qing’an tried to explain. “I just thought there was no need to trouble Miss Chen with another trip. I can arrange a car to take her straight home to rest.”
Yuan Yanyu’s tone was firm: “I don’t find it troublesome.”
As she spoke, Yuan Yanyu tightened her grip on Chen Xiaonuan’s hand, as if afraid that if she let go, Shen Qing’an would immediately send the girl away.
Turning to Chen Xiaonuan, Yuan Yanyu’s voice softened. She said, “Xiaonuan, Auntie is being discharged today, and I want you to come home with me. Xiaonuan, tell me yourself, would you like to come to Auntie’s house for lunch?”
Chen Xiaonuan, who had been silently standing by, was suddenly drawn into the conflict between the mother and daughter. She was instantly overwhelmed.
She could feel the warmth and strength emanating from Yuan Yanyu’s hand, and she could also feel Shen Qing’an’s cold gaze fixed upon her.
Chen Xiaonuan’s cheeks were flushed, and her lips trembled, unable to utter a single word.
“Mom, please don’t make things difficult for Miss Chen.”
Shen Qing’an’s voice cooled a few degrees. Her gaze swept over Chen Xiaonuan’s awkward and helpless appearance, intensifying the displeasure she felt over her mother’s insistence.
She disliked things spiraling out of her control, and she was unaccustomed to her mother contradicting her for the sake of an outsider.