The 8th floor of the Nanyuan Area A inpatient ward consisted entirely of private rooms, each equipped with air conditioning, a television, and even a private refrigerator and a small, separate sitting room.
Qiao Chen’s palms were sweating from nervousness. She had rushed home after school, changed her clothes, and carefully applied her makeup before following Fu Ge to the hospital to visit a relative from Beijing who was said to be of extremely high status.
Although the Qiao family was wealthy, they couldn't even break into the upper circles of the surrounding city, let alone touch the fringes of Beijing.
So, when Fu Ge mentioned that although the person they were visiting was young, they were the precious treasure of the entire Fu family—someone even Mrs. Fu had to coddle and someone who was a "little ancestor" not to be trifled with—she had been incredibly nervous the entire way. Even Fu Ge had noticed.
Before entering the room, he tactfully squeezed her shoulder and comforted her in a soft voice, "Don't worry. You prepared so many toys for Chenchen. You're so kind; he'll like you."
"Besides, I'm right here by your side. What is there to fear?"
Qiao Chen’s face was fair and delicate. Hearing this, she felt slightly more at ease. She lowered her eyelashes shyly, pulled on his arm, and whispered, "I'm afraid I won't do well and will embarrass you."
Fu Ge loved the way she relied on him completely—something Qiao Nian could never do. He leaned down, hooked his finger under the girl's nose, and smiled, exuding a sense of masculine confidence. "You little dummy. Don't you have me? My mother and brother are all here. Let's go in."
"Mm."
The mere thought of encountering Mrs. Fu made Qiao Chen recall the scene at the Academic Affairs Office earlier today when they had both been humiliated, leaving her feeling nauseous.
Her smile appeared somewhat forced as she clung to Fu Ge's arm and opened the ward door together.
...
Inside the ward, a boy of about five years old sat on the hospital bed. His beautiful face looked as if it had been meticulously carved, possessing an icy, adorable charm.
However, there was a heavy sense of hostility in his eyes.
Mrs. Fu was constantly hovering around him with enthusiasm.
"Mom, Brother. I've brought Chenchen with me. Is Chenchen alright?" Fu Ge greeted those in the room.
Mrs. Fu and Fu Sinian turned their heads simultaneously. Mrs. Fu merely gave a lukewarm "Mm" and paid Qiao Chen no further attention.
Clearly, she was still taking out her anger on her regarding the incident at No. 1 High School this morning.
Qiao Chen felt lost and even more aggrieved. She couldn't be blamed for that incident; who knew Qiao Nian was acting out of a sense of justice? Besides, Mrs. Fu hadn't told them that her relative was a spoiled brat who caused trouble in the streets.
Fortunately, Fu Ge spoke to her softly, helping her out of the awkward situation: "Chenchen, didn't you buy some pears for him? Why don't you peel one for him?"
Qiao Chen, who had been struggling for a chance to prove herself, nodded eagerly upon hearing this. "I'll do it right away."
A moment later, she had finished peeling the pear. She had thoughtfully left some of the skin on, using it to carve the pear flesh into cute little rabbit shapes. She carried them over with full confidence.
"Auntie, I've prepared some fruit for Chenchen."
Mrs. Fu had originally looked down on her, but since she couldn't soothe the child herself, she saw Qiao Chen approaching with the fruit. Seeing that the presentation was quite nice, she stepped aside and gave her a rare, direct glance. "Why don't you see if Chenchen will eat it?"
*It's just coaxing a child,* Qiao Chen thought. Filled with confidence, she walked to the bedside and greeted the person on the bed with gentle enthusiasm. "Your name is Chenchen, right? Hello. I'm a friend of your Uncle Fu Ge."
"..." He ignored her.
Undeterred, Qiao Chen used a toothpick to pick up a rabbit-shaped piece of pear and offered it to him. "Is Chenchen hungry? Do you want a piece of pear? Look, this pear looks just like a little rabbit. The little rabbits are so cute; they're all asking Chenchen to play with them."
Ye Qichen finally looked at her. His obsidian-like eyes reflected her silhouette. Qiao Chen felt nervous, but her lips curled up unconsciously, thinking she had succeeded.
Who would have thought.
"Are you an idiot?"
(End of Chapter)