Chapter 25: Rest Symbol

The night settled in, and the silent hospital glowed with fluorescent lights. The creeping ivy spread its branches recklessly, while the occasional chirp of insects was soon drowned out by an unpleasant conversation inside the ward.

“Mom, it’s almost eight o’clock now. Stop making a fuss and just rest here for the night. We’ll do the check-up tomorrow, and then you can be discharged, okay?” Fang Zimiao hurriedly stopped the elderly woman from getting out of bed.

Fang Youyou shoved her aside, pulled out the needle without hesitation, and glared at her angrily. “Don’t show up in front of me. I will never need to be hospitalized in my entire life.”

“Mom—”

“Yinyin, Yinyin! Come, let’s go home.” Fang Youyou swiftly jumped out of bed and called out to Chen Shuyin, who had been waiting outside for a long time.

Chen Shuyin snapped out of her daze, rubbed her tired eyes, and stepped inside to support the elderly woman rushing toward her. “Grandma.”

“Yinyin, talk some sense into her. I’ll cover the costs.” Fang Zimiao grabbed Chen Shuyin’s arm, her fingers brushing against her protruding bones. A flash of surprise crossed her eyes.

She was too thin.

Years ago, when she divorced and left town to remarry, she had tucked in the sleeping Chen Shuyin’s exposed arm under the blanket. The way her bones felt back then was no different from now.

So many years had passed, and she hadn’t gained a bit of weight.

Chen Shuyin instinctively withdrew her hand, even if it meant hunching her shoulders. The coldness in her eyes formed an impenetrable barrier between them. “No need. Since Grandma wants to go home, I’ll take her. I’ll make time to accompany her for a full check-up later. You don’t need to worry.”

Fang Zimiao forced a smile and adjusted the strap of her expensive handbag. “Alright, I’ll drive you home.”

“You still want to make me angry?” Fang Youyou raised a hand, stopping her in her tracks.

“Mom, I—”

Fang Youyou tightly grasped Chen Shuyin’s hand, her expression stern and her voice strained. “I’ll say this one last time—whatever you want, I won’t give it to you. No matter how many times you come back, my answer will be the same. Stop bringing outsiders here to hurt Yinyin.”

A faint shimmer of tears flickered in Chen Shuyin’s indifferent eyes as she turned to look at her.

“Mom, I never had my eye on your things. Please don’t misunderstand me.” Fang Zimiao’s expression changed drastically, as if she had been falsely accused. “I happened to run into Yinyin and found out she got married. It’s a major life event, yet she didn’t inform me at all. I was just worried about her and came to confirm with you. But you didn’t know either. I’m her mother, and you’re her grandmother—we both care about her.”

Fang Youyou shot her a cold look. “Oh, is that so? Back when you left so decisively, did you ever think about caring for her?” She ruthlessly exposed the truth, leaving no room for pleasantries. “How do you know she didn’t tell me? I was the one who introduced her to her husband! She wanted to surprise me, but you ruined it halfway through.”

This was completely different from what she had said the day before. Fang Zimiao couldn’t understand why she had changed her stance. The elderly woman had always been fiercely protective of her granddaughter—she had even taken the blame once when Chen Shuyin broke her cosmetics as a child.

Caught off guard, Fang Zimiao let out a dry laugh. “Mom, you’re spoiling her too much. If that’s true, then why did she—”

“Wife.”

Before she could finish, a deep yet gentle voice cut through the tense atmosphere like a breeze cooling a summer’s day.

All three turned toward the hallway. A tall, dignified man strode down the corridor. His cap dangled from his fingertip, and his sharp, focused gaze remained locked on Chen Shuyin.

The moment their eyes met, he quickened his pace and naturally pulled her into his arms—right in front of Fang Youyou and Fang Zimiao.

His mask remained on, and his tousled bangs were slightly damp, carrying a faint scent of rain.

“Sorry for being late,” he whispered near her ear, his fingers gently squeezing her shoulder.

His affectionate gaze swept over her as if checking to see if she was the one who had been hurt.

The warmth of his closeness unsettled Chen Shuyin, scattering her thoughts.

Fang Youyou, however, softened her stance, her mood brightening. She smiled, her energy visibly improved. “Xiao Pei, you came at just the right time. Did you drive?”

Pei Yu kept his arm around Chen Shuyin as if only now noticing the others. His usual aloof demeanor was replaced with a respectful nod to Fang Youyou. “Grandma, I apologize for my tardiness. I should’ve come earlier. Let me drive you both home.”

“No need to apologize. Let’s go home first, we’ll talk later.” Fang Youyou was suddenly in high spirits, as if she had miraculously recovered from a long illness. She took his arm, ready to leave.

“Mom, wait.” Fang Zimiao called after her. Pei Yu turned as well, meeting her gaze. A sense of familiarity grew stronger in her mind. “He is…?”

Fang Youyou’s eyes darted suspiciously, and she suddenly shoved Pei Yu back to block him from view. She warned, “Keep your mouth shut. They’ve only gotten their marriage certificate. Don’t go spreading it around.”

Fang Zimiao eyed their close stance but chose not to press further. “Fine. Keep in touch with me. No matter what, Yinyin is my daughter. I have the right to know.”

Fang Youyou scoffed, pushing the couple along as if shooing children.

Outside the hospital, a bright-colored car pulled up. The driver rolled down the window and called Fang Zimiao inside.

“Fang Ning? You’re still here?” Fang Zimiao got into the passenger seat.

“Mom, I think I just saw Pei Yu.” Zhu Fangning gripped the steering wheel, her eyes fixed on the hospital entrance.

Since becoming Zhu Fangning’s stepmother, Fang Zimiao had known about her obsession with Pei Yu—her room was plastered with his posters, banners, and standees. She attended every drama screening, spent a fortune on his endorsed products, and even followed him around in real life. If her father hadn’t put a stop to it, she might have already used Zhu Xihang as an excuse to meet him.

Fang Zimiao thought of the elderly woman’s final warning tonight and forced a chuckle. “That actor? You must be seeing things.”

“I’m sure of it! Maybe he came for a check-up?” Zhu Fangning hesitated but still held on to her belief. “Then again, I did see him get seriously injured that day. Even my sister saw him in the hospital…”

Fang Zimiao changed the topic. “Alright, Fangning, stop thinking about it. It’s just a coincidence.”

Zhu Fangning sighed, perhaps worrying too much. If her sister had taken her along to the hospital that day, maybe she wouldn’t be doubting herself now.

The car drove off under the starry sky.