Chapter 86: All the Pent-Up Frustration Vanishes

◎The depression in her heart was swept away clean◎

In the following days, everything seemed to return to normal. Pei Shijin no longer heard Lu Yixue mention the Skull Organization, nor did she see Belika or Dorothy again.

She recuperated steadily in the hospital, consuming that nutrient solution that only smelled good each day. Once full, she slept; when she couldn’t sleep, she read papers.

Life was dull but not boring.

The annoyance remained the same—Lu Yixue was practically glued to the ward. Basically, whenever Pei Shijin was awake, she could see her.

A week passed in the blink of an eye, and Pei Shijin was finally discharged.

Before discharge, the checkup was inevitable.

This time, Lu Yixue didn’t squeeze into the crowd but spoke with Dr. Mo on the periphery.

Mo Hongli had approached Lu Yixue proactively, saying she had something to discuss.

Once they met, she didn’t speak up. Lu Yixue had no patience for guessing games. “If you have something to say, spit it out.”

“Her recovery isn’t ideal.” Dr. Mo adjusted her glasses and opened the report in her hand for Lu Yixue to see. “During the surgery, we inevitably removed some necrotic tissue. Normally, she should recover, and she is recovering, but it’s too slow. This might be related to her gland’s originally incomplete development.”

Lu Yixue frowned as she looked at the report. “Solutions.”

She couldn’t understand the numbers on the report and directly closed the folder.

“She can only recover slowly on her own. I came to you only to hope you’ll pay attention—when attempting a temporary mark later, don’t give too intense feedback.”

Lu Yixue’s brows knitted together. She didn’t hide her suspicion at all, sizing up Mo Hongli from head to toe.

They had originally said three months before attempting a temporary mark. Given Pei Shijin’s recovery, that timeline would likely extend further.

Why remind her now about something so far off?

Lu Yixue suspected Mo Hongli had ulterior motives, but she couldn’t see through them.

Mo Hongli adjusted her glasses and took back the folder.

What ulterior motives could a woman whose eyes were only on results and promotions have? She just wanted to remind Lu Yixue that Pei Shijin’s gland was underdeveloped.

Perhaps Lu Yixue could find ways to promote gland development.

Since she wasn’t a Lu Family employee, Mo Hongli didn’t know many things, but she occasionally heard her junior complain and picked up some info.

If some new technology was used on Pei Shijin, she, as the attending physician, could pick up a few tricks.

Lu Yixue couldn’t figure it out. Unable to resolve the doubt, she set it aside for now, thinking she needed to see the psychologist soon to settle this matter.

Otherwise, when Pei Shijin’s recovery period came and they attempted marking, would she have to mark some other Omega?

After the checkup and changing medication, Pei Shijin’s neck gained a simple black band.

Not an inhibitor ring, but a device to fix her neck and medication, looking like a choker—a pretty accessory.

The first thing after discharge was, of course, seeing Little Mingzhu.

Too many parents wanted the kid in cram school, so they decided to advance the kindergarten’s start date.

It was a private kindergarten anyway; they could act fast. Some kindergartens didn’t even have summer breaks.

The discharged Pei Shijin could only wait for Little Mingzhu’s school to let out.

Things seemed quite different from the original plan, yet not too different.

Seated in the coffee shop outside the kindergarten, Pei Shijin felt a bit dazed. Before returning from Haicheng, she absolutely hadn’t imagined things developing in this direction.

“Ma’am, your coffee.” The server placed Lu Yixue’s ordered Americano in the middle of the table, thoughtfully adding a cup of warm water.

Pei Shijin pushed the coffee toward Lu Yixue. Something with a taste like traditional medicine could become a trendy item with some additives.

Lu Yixue smiled at her disgusted expression. Before, when Pei Shijin didn’t want her drinking coffee, she would silently add milk to it, never showing such vivid emotions.

She could feel that Pei Shijin trusted her more and more, relaxing more comfortably in her presence.

This was a good sign.

She still needed to resolve her own issue quickly, not letting Pei Shijin suffer grievances because of her problem anymore. Lu Yixue took a sip of coffee; the bitterness nearly cracked her expression.

She silently picked up the milk and sugar on the table, adding them to the cup one after another.

Pei Shijin almost burst out laughing.

After finishing the coffee, the kindergarten let out.

Little Mingzhu and Chen Jiayao walked out hand in hand, discussing where to play next.

Your place, mine, or somewhere else?

“Little Mingzhu~” Pei Shijin raised her arm and waved as soon as she spotted them.

Receiving the signal, Little Mingzhu immediately dragged Chen Jiayao into a run.

Chen Jiayao, who hadn’t seen Pei Shijin, was baffled. “Why are you running? Slow down, my backpack’s falling off!”

Fortunately, the distance was short; otherwise, Chen Jiayao’s backpack really might have dropped.

“Mommy, you’re finally back. I missed you so much!” Little Mingzhu hugged Pei Shijin with one arm while helping adjust Chen Jiayao’s backpack strap with the other.

“Mommy missed you too. I brought you specialties—guokui. Want to eat now?” Pei Shijin asked.

Putting on a full act: since she pretended to be on a business trip, she had to bring souvenirs.

“Eat!”

The one picking up Chen Jiayao was her mom. The group of five squatted by the roadside curb, munching guokui.

Oh, no—not four; Lu Yixue didn’t squat.

Actually, Pei Shijin squatted but didn’t eat.

Bending her back would pull the skin around her gland. Her squatting posture looked odd, back ramrod straight, as if she might topple backward anytime.

Lu Yixue stood behind her, legs slightly apart from her back. If she really fell, she’d land on Lu Yixue’s legs.

“This guokui is so good. No wonder it’s a Minceng specialty. I’ll buy some sometime; it’s close anyway.” Chen’s mom sighed as she ate.

“Yeah, fresh out of the oven is even better.” Pei Shijin chimed in. She didn’t know guokui was a Minceng specialty; Lu Yixue had sent someone to buy it.

They hadn’t discussed the “business trip” location. When Chen’s mom asked about the weather there, Pei Shijin checked the forecast on the spot. “Lots of rain lately—not great for tourism.”

“True, but rainy days have their own romance. Rainy days are perfect for hotpot.” This one was a total foodie too.

Pei Shijin gave some to Chen’s mom; Lu Yixue had bought plenty. “Let your spouse try some too.”

Chen’s mom grinned, eyes squinting. “She’ll love it. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, just a small thing.” Pei Shijin tried to stand but wobbled. Instinctively, she shifted her foot back and bumped into Lu Yixue’s leg.

Lu Yixue quickly pressed down on Pei Shijin’s shoulder. Already unsteady, Pei Shijin was pressed right back down to the ground—specifically, onto Lu Yixue’s foot.

The thin leather shoe let her feel Lu Yixue’s toes moving; it was a bit uncomfortable.

“Sorry.” Lu Yixue tried to help Pei Shijin up.

Pei Shijin pushed herself up from the ground. “It’s fine. Is your foot okay?”

Lu Yixue wiggled her toes again. “Fine.”

Such soft flesh wouldn’t hurt even if it smashed down.

She had meant to protect Pei Shijin fully, but ended up causing the fall instead. Lu Yixue sighed inwardly.

After bidding farewell to Chen Jiayao and her mother, the three of them got in the car to go home.

Squeezed in the back seat, Little Mingzhu sat between the two adults, chattering nonstop about what Mommy had been busy with these past days.

Pei Shijin racked her brains fabricating work stories. Tell one lie, and she’d need many more to cover it.

Fortunately, a doctor’s work was limited; Pei Shijin could repurpose past busy experiences.

Lu Yixue listened to their chat while occasionally checking social apps.

She had messaged Dr. Fei while drinking coffee, but still no reply.

Busy?

“What’s wrong?” As they got out of the car, Pei Shijin asked. “You looked so grim staring at your phone.”

“Nothing. Just thinking where you’ll stay tonight.” Lu Yixue didn’t tell the truth but was genuinely pondering it. “Your condition is special now. Why not come back home? Someone to look after you.”

Pei Shijin shook her head. “I rented a place in the same complex, same building.”

The original plan was to fake illness and stay in the hospital a while. But after really falling ill, Pei Shijin found the hospital unlucky and didn’t want to stay, so she asked Dr. Feng to rent a place.

Dr. Feng had found two options then; Pei Shijin impulsively chose this one.

Lu Yixue’s steps halted. She looked into Pei Shijin’s eyes but ultimately said nothing, just “Mm.”

That gaze made Pei Shijin’s heart ache, but ache though it did, she couldn’t live with Lu Yixue again.

Little Mingzhu didn’t get the adults’ twists and turns, only knowing Mommy lived very close, so she bounced happily. “So close, Mingzhu can see Mommy anytime~”

Pei Shijin nodded. “Yes.”

The three went to Pei Shijin’s rented place first. It had been cleaned; everything looked tidy on the surface.

Pei Shijin had little luggage. Little Mingzhu stayed to help unpack.

Lu Yixue went to the kitchen; the fridge was empty.

But the storage cabinet wasn’t. Lu Yixue stared in surprise at the cabinet full of snacks—seemed like the ones she bought for Pei Shijin.

She thought they’d stay there for Song Zonghui; didn’t know when they got moved here.

The depression in Lu Yixue’s heart was swept away clean. She had asked Dr. Feng to arrange three caregivers for Pei Shijin, originally at home; now change to here.

If she did psychological treatment, she couldn’t watch Pei Shijin 24/7. No one watching made her uneasy; three was the best.

After arranging that, Lu Yixue sat down to browse the supermarket app, planning to fill the empty fridge.

On the first day after discharge, Pei Shijin felt okay overall, though Lu Yixue’s attitude puzzled her a bit.

The next day, Lu Yixue opened her eyes and immediately checked social apps on her phone. Still no reply from Dr. Fei, forcing Lu Yixue to consider that the woman might have bolted.

After much thought, she had Guan Yueying go check it out; she didn’t want more people knowing.

“Thinking of me only now, hmph. You think that’s appropriate?” Guan Yueying huffed proudly.

“Thanks. You’re my best friend.” Lu Yixue said.

Guan Yueying’s eyes widened. “Wait, wait, I’m recording—say it again.”

Such words from Lu Yixue’s mouth? Had she been possessed?

What responded was the dial tone of the hung-up call. That was more like it; Lu Yixue had learned to say cheesy things.

Hehe, she was Lu Yixue’s best friend. Hehe hehe~

No matter what she lost, Lu Yixue would always be her friend, her backer. Guan Yueying grabbed her car keys and rushed to the garage.

Lu Yixue flipped through her curated list of warm phrases, hoping for a chance to say a few to Pei Shijin today.