The Beauty Is Seducing Me Again Chapter 2
byThe door to the hospital room gently closed.
Yuan Yanyu watched the direction her daughter disappeared in, sighing helplessly, then turned to complain to Chen Xiaonuan beside her.
“Look at her, she’s practically a Work Robot, constantly running without a break. She’s like a cold, wooden block, unwilling to say more than two words. She’s nothing like our Xiaonuan, who is like a Little Sun, always thinking of ways to cheer me up and never finding me bothersome.”
Chen Xiaonuan quickly shook her head, softly defending Shen Qing’an: “Miss Shen… she cares about you very much. When she found out you were hospitalized, she flew back from abroad immediately, and rushed here right after landing. Although Miss Shen didn’t say it, she must be worried about you in her heart; it’s just that her work is too busy.”
“Auntie, please don’t blame Miss Shen.”
“Yes, tough on the outside, soft on the inside.” Yuan Yanyu’s tone softened, and when she looked at Chen Xiaonuan, her eyes were full of affection. “But our Xiaonuan is still the most thoughtful. Having Xiaonuan around, Auntie is in a good mood every day.”
Chen Xiaonuan smiled shyly, and the two small dimples on her cheeks reappeared.
She actually liked Auntie very much too. Being by Auntie’s side, she could feel a mother’s warmth, which was especially comfortable, like lying in hot spring water, making her whole body feel warm.
Yuan Yanyu genuinely liked this simple and kind young girl. She knew from Butler Xu that the girl had been abandoned at the entrance of Cixin Orphanage since childhood. Growing up alone and managing to get into Yunjing University, relying on her part-time jobs and scholarships to study—what a resilient child who loved life.
The heartache she felt for the girl was genuine.
Yuan Yanyu picked up the handbag from the bedside table, took out the top card, and slipped it into Chen Xiaonuan’s hand.
“Xiaonuan, take this money.”
Chen Xiaonuan’s eyes widened, and she immediately put the card back into Yuan Yanyu’s hand as if she had touched a hot potato, shaking her head like a rattle-drum.
Her voice was soft: “I can’t take it. I haven’t done anything.”
“Nonsense! Who says you haven’t done anything? Not only did you save me once, but you also missed your part-time job these past two days to take care of me, and you even broke your phone. How do we account for that?” Yuan Yanyu deliberately put on a stern face. “I know it’s not easy for Xiaonuan to earn money. This loss must be compensated. Look, Auntie isn’t short of this money. If you don’t accept it, how can Auntie feel good about it? How can I recover properly?”
Chen Xiaonuan bit her lip, nervously picking at the edge of the blanket with her fingers.
The phone screen was cracked like a spiderweb. Replacing a screen would cost at least a hundred yuan, and she felt terrible about it, unwilling to spend the money to replace the screen. Moreover, the boss of her part-time job fired her for being late that day and only paid her half the wages. She couldn’t find another part-time job immediately, so she temporarily had no income.
The little money she had in her pocket wasn’t enough to support her for too long, as she needed money for food, rent, and other expenses.
But… she didn’t save Auntie for money. If she accepted the money, wouldn’t she look like a bad person taking advantage of a good deed?
“Auntie, really, you don’t have to. I’m just glad you’re okay. I… I’ll find another part-time job during the summer vacation. Anyway, the summer is still long,” Chen Xiaonuan’s voice grew softer, lacking confidence even to herself.
“Silly child, if you can’t find a part-time job later, what about your tuition when school starts? What about living expenses? Xiaonuan, don’t you want to continue studying?” Yuan Yanyu’s few words precisely struck Chen Xiaonuan’s weak spot.
Immediately, Chen Xiaonuan’s eyebrows knitted together in distress, and her small face wrinkled up.
Tuition was her soft spot; she really wanted to continue her studies.
Seeing her like this, Yuan Yanyu’s heart melted completely. She slipped the card back into Chen Xiaonuan’s hand, her tone slightly coaxing: “Be good, take it.”
“Auntie genuinely likes you and treats you like a daughter. Having you here to talk to Auntie is better than any medicine. There are only a few tens of thousands of yuan in the card, it’s not much. Just consider it a Caregiver Fee, accept it so Auntie can feel at ease.”
Chen Xiaonuan struggled for a long time, but the thought of continuing her studies ultimately prevailed.
Blushing, she whispered, “Then… thank you, Auntie. If you don’t mind, I can come and keep you company all summer! Just, just consider it repayment for the Caregiver Fee you gave me.”
Yuan Yanyu beamed, repeatedly saying yes happily, as if she had gained a huge bargain.
Chen Xiaonuan clutched the thin card, her palm burning hot.
She secretly glanced out the window. Miss Shen had already left in the black car. But the hospital room still seemed to retain a trace of Miss Shen’s presence, making her chest inexplicably tighten, accompanied by an indescribable emotion.
With this money, she wouldn’t have to work so desperately.
Chen Xiaonuan thought that when school started, she would study harder, earn scholarships, and be more frugal. Then, when winter break came, she wouldn’t have to work so hard and could buy more things when she went back to the welfare home to see Director Mother for the New Year.
*
Night fell, and the city lights came on.
When Shen Qing’an stepped into the hospital again, it was already eight in the evening. At this time, the corridor of the VIP ward was very quiet.
She pushed open the door. Only one lamp was lit inside, and Yuan Yanyu was wearing glasses, flipping through a magazine.
Hearing the sound, Yuan Yanyu looked up and put the magazine aside: “Are company matters settled?”
“Mhm.” Shen Qing’an responded, her gaze sweeping the room, noticing the girl’s absence. “Mom, Butler Xu said he wanted to find you a few more caregivers, but you refused.”
“I have Xiaonuan to keep me company.”
Shen Qing’an took off her light jacket, asking casually, “Where is she then?”
A hint of mischief flashed in Yuan Yanyu’s eyes: “Who? Which ‘she’? Without a name, how would Mom know who you’re talking about?”
“Chen Xiaonuan.” Shen Qing’an poured a glass of warm water and handed it to her mother, then added, “Didn’t you say you wanted her to keep you company? Why isn’t she here?”
“Oh my, my Qing’an is rarely concerned about others.” Yuan Yanyu teased, “You gave her such a cold face during the day that she was too scared to speak properly. I thought you disliked Xiaonuan greatly.”
Shen Qing’an frowned upon hearing this: “I was just worried about you being alone in the hospital.”
“Worrying less is better than anything else. You’re so young, yet you have more thoughts in your mind than your mother. Xiaonuan went back to her rental place. She’s making dinner to bring over for me. I estimate she should be arriving soon.”
Shen Qing’an’s frown deepened: “Doesn’t the hospital have nutritious meals? She’s a university student, can the food she makes even be palatable?”
“It’s the child’s kind gesture!” Yuan Yanyu strongly disagreed with her daughter’s words. She couldn’t help but say, “Don’t look down on Xiaonuan. She’s a good child. You better stop giving her the cold shoulder and don’t criticize her.”
Shen Qing’an didn’t speak, nor did she nod in agreement.
Every word in the investigation report suggested suspicion. A university student on summer vacation, working part-time in Quanhai City, who just happened to save her mother, just happened to be orphaned, and just happened to be kind and simple?
Her mother was soft-hearted and easily misled, but Shen Qing’an would not be.
“Qing’an,” Yuan Yanyu called out, her voice softening. “I know what you’re worried about. Don’t always use your business tactics to judge Xiaonuan. Xiaonuan is a good child, the most pure-eyed person I’ve ever met. She… she’s just too lonely. If someone is nice to her, she can’t wait to pull out her whole heart to repay them.”
Shen Qing’an did not agree with her mother’s view: “It is precisely people who have nothing who are more likely to take risks. The Shen Family is a cash cow.”
Yuan Yanyu shook her head helplessly: “Oh, you…”
“Even if she has an agenda, seeking a little money, seeking stability, so what? The Shen Family can afford it. At least, the happy companionship Xiaonuan brings to Mom is real, and that cannot be bought with money.”
Shen Qing’an remained silent, no longer arguing with her mother. She sat back down on the sofa, picked up a financial newspaper, and her gaze fell on a piece of news, remaining there for a long time without turning the page.
Not long after, there was a rush of footsteps outside the ward.
Shen Qing’an’s gaze finally moved from the newspaper and turned towards the ward door.
The door was carefully pushed open a crack. The first thing that entered was a heavy, hand-woven rattan vegetable basket, with a small, cute doll hanging on it. Then came Chen Xiaonuan’s flushed face. She seemed to have run all the way, her breathing unsteady, fine beads of sweat on her forehead, and a few strands of hair sticking to her temples.
“A-Auntie… I’m here…” Chen Xiaonuan gasped. Before she could catch her breath, she saw Shen Qing’an sitting on the sofa, and her voice immediately dropped. “Miss… Miss Shen, you’re here too…”
Yuan Yanyu smiled the moment she saw her, waving her over: “Xiaonuan, come quickly. Thank you for your hard work in this heat.”
“It’s no trouble, no trouble! I enjoy cooking! Anyway, it’s summer vacation and I don’t have much to do, and Auntie has already paid me compensation, so this is what I should do.” Chen Xiaonuan said, placing the large basket on the table and taking out the food one by one. “Auntie, I stewed yam and pork rib soup. It’s very light and should be good for the bones. There’s also stir-fried broccoli with shrimp, and steamed egg custard…”
She listed the dishes like reciting a menu, taking one out and naming it.
Chen Xiaonuan took out and opened the insulated containers layer by layer. Instantly, the ward was filled with the aroma of food. Although the dishes were simple, it was clear they were prepared with great care.
Yuan Yanyu was very supportive: “It looks delicious.”
Turning her head, Yuan Yanyu looked at her daughter: “Qing’an, don’t you agree?”
Facing her mother’s question, Shen Qing’an’s gaze fell on the dishes. She didn’t speak. She wouldn’t say they were exceptionally good, but the presentation was better than she had expected.
She looked up and met the eyes of Chen Xiaonuan, who was nervously tugging at the hem of her clothes: “You made this?”
“Y-Yes!” Chen Xiaonuan straightened her back, answering honestly as if she had been called upon by a teacher in a high school class. “I used to work part-time in a kitchen and learned a little from the chef.”
Afraid of being disliked by Shen Qing’an, Chen Xiaonuan quickly added: “The ingredients are very fresh. I bought them at the market, they are absolutely clean.”
Her eyes were wide and round, filled with apprehension and a hint of expectation for approval.