Chapter 56: What Do You Want to Exchange from Me This Time? Part 3

Jiang Jingjing had seen firsthand lately how Mu Shanyi’s driver picked Miao Zhu up and dropped her off, and there was an auntie arranged by Mu Shanyi at Beautiful Garden caring for her—she naturally knew Mu Shanyi had reappeared in Miao Zhu’s life.

“Smooth sailing!” Jiang Jingjing gave an “OK” sign, outwardly calm as she watched developments, inwardly itching to drag the two to the civil bureau.—This was true love, circling back to her!

The video ended, and Emma’s message popped up.

【Emma: What plan!】

【Mia: Failed】

【Emma: ?】

Miao Zhu had thought pretending her ankle hurt would at least prompt Mu Shanyi to reply with concern, even if they couldn’t meet. But she had taken everything too much for granted—why should Mu Shanyi come when called and leave when dismissed? Mu Shanyi might not dwell on old affections; no matter how intense the past love, it couldn’t withstand such erosion. Mu Shanyi had her own life—if this late confession was a disturbance to her?

Miao Zhu sat at the dining table, a birthday cake on it. As the hour hand slowly passed 10, still no movement from Mu Shanyi. Miao Zhu lit the birthday candle on the cake and said, “Happy birthday.”

Then she blew it out and set it aside on a plate.

The room was warm; the cream on the cake was nearly melting.

Miao Zhu picked up a spoon and ate the cake bite by bite.

Who was Mu Shanyi with?

She had booked her birthday slot far in advance.

Should she still confess to Mu Shanyi?

Yes, but not today.

After a few bites, Miao Zhu got up to take her medicine, grabbed clean clothes, and went to shower.

When she emerged from the bathroom, she heard her phone ringing, and the doorbell suddenly rang too.

Miao Zhu froze, then impatiently hopped on her injured foot, using her elbow to maneuver, rushing to open the door.

Mu Shanyi was still in the pose of pressing the doorbell while on the phone. Miao Zhu burst into tears instantly. “Sister A-Heng, my ankle really hurts so much.”

This time it wasn’t a lie—it truly hurt. After being carried back inside by Mu Shanyi and settled on the sofa, with Mu Shanyi spraying medicine and fitting the brace, Miao Zhu’s tears still swirled in her eyes.

“Want surgery?” Mu Shanyi stared at Miao Zhu’s right foot. Compared to half a month ago, the swelling had mostly subsided, and the bruising had faded a lot.

Miao Zhu sniffled. “Don’t want to.”

She desperately hoped Mu Shanyi would ask her why she was in such a hurry—why she hadn’t worn protective gear or used crutches, risking worsening her fracture just to rush out and open the door. But Mu Shanyi asked something else: “Is the cake on the dining table the birthday gift you sent me?”

“…It was supposed to be, but you didn’t reply to my messages. I thought I wouldn’t see you today, so I ate it.” Miao Zhu lifted her teary eyes. “It didn’t taste good, and it didn’t look good either.”

“Did you make it yourself?”

Miao Zhu nodded, and the motion sent tears tumbling from her eyes.

“I’m sorry. I was at Jinyuan with the old lady. After replying to your first message, I didn’t check my phone again.”

That Lu Zheng…

Mu Shanyi paused, then expressed her thanks to Miao Zhu: “You went to the trouble of making this cake.”

“Shall we go to the hospital now?” Miao Zhu’s right foot still needed immobilization. It couldn’t withstand the earlier ordeal, especially since she’d been complaining of pain a few hours ago—the fracture might have acted up again. Mu Shanyi continued, “Let’s see if we need to change the treatment plan.”

Sourness eroded Miao Zhu from inside out. Mu Shanyi had rushed over from Jinyuan to Beautiful Garden in the middle of the night because of her silly, scheming message. She was clearly doing something caring for her, yet she maintained a cautious social distance in her words.

She rubbed her eyes, trying in vain to wipe away the tears, but it only made them flow more.

Tears matted Miao Zhu’s eyelashes together, leaving her entire eye area damp and glistening. When she cried, her eyes turned red. Mu Shanyi looked at those misty eyes and asked again, “Shall we go to the hospital?”

Miao Zhu used to not understand why Li Zi had gone to extremes because Sheng Xingran was getting engaged. Now she understood—loving someone could really hurt so much it felt unbearable.

Why was Mu Shanyi so good? And why had she been so cruel, so recklessly hurting Mu Shanyi!

Overwhelming love and endless self-blame were driving Miao Zhu mad. Unable to contain herself, she blurted out, “Sister A-Heng, five years ago, the cello Xingran gave me—was it you who found it for me?”

“You remembered I wanted sweet porridge when I was sick, milk before bed. You knew what flowers I liked, which private chef, what coffee flavor.”

One by one, she picked up the acts of love hidden in the details. Mu Shanyi didn’t show any emotion. Instead, she schooled her expression, her shoulders and back growing stiffer.

Miao Zhu didn’t notice. She kept crying; besides her eyes, her cheeks and nose tip were flushed red. “Collecting snowflakes over and over in the freezing cold to make specimens for me; knowing I was entAngeld with Xingran but still willing to be with me; even after I used and hurt you, you didn’t complain—instead, you arranged for Ye Yi and Lu Zheng to take good care of me… Sister A-Heng, why all this?”