Volume One, Chapter Thirty-One: Visitors from the Mu Family

Pushing a foldable wheelchair, Mode stepped out from the side entrance of Qin City’s Third People’s Hospital. The lingering heavy fog had finally dispersed, and the traffic on the streets had returned to its former bustle. The morning sun hung at a slant between distant buildings, bathing the flourishing steel forest in a warm orange-gold glow.

If only the chatter from the person in the wheelchair ahead was missing, perhaps this would be an even more pleasant morning.

“I told you there’s nothing wrong, so why make such a fuss, checking this and checking that all night? Those people from the military district sure love to meddle…” Mu Qing propped her elbow against the armrest, rested her chin in her palm, and grumbled incessantly.

Late last night, Mode and Mu Qing had returned to the safety of Qin City with the school bus convoy. But instead of following the students back to Tianshui High, both were escorted directly to the Third Hospital by military personnel for a comprehensive examination. It seemed Mu Qing’s earlier phone call had its effect—this time, the officer in charge never asked about either of their identities, not even Mu Qing’s name. Instead, they were obsessively concerned about Mu Qing’s physical condition, afraid that this mysterious powerhouse might have some hidden injury, so they gave her nearly every possible exam the hospital could offer. Data was quickly recorded by nurses monitoring the instruments, then cross-checked for abnormalities by seasoned physicians.

The one driven a little mad wasn’t just Mu Qing, whose privacy was laid bare by the tests, but also Mode, waiting on the corridor bench outside.

A burly young man sat sideways beside Mode, frankly sizing him up with curiosity. He wore a black cloak and carried a faint scent of liquor. His features were well-defined—almost handsome, if not for the stubble that gave him a haggard look. His eyes were deep and penetrating; when Mode met his gaze, he felt uncomfortable, as though the man could see straight through him.

Sensing Mode’s discomfort, the man smiled and looked away, turning back to sit properly and wait.

Awkwardness thickened in the corridor, leaving Mode at a loss. The man seemed unbothered, his eyes now fixed on the “Emergency Exit” sign opposite the bench.

After a long while, the man finally moved. Mode, hoping to break the oppressive silence, seized the chance to speak—to ask about this mysterious stranger who had suddenly appeared at his side.

But the man merely opened his cloak, pulled out a small silver flask, and took a sip. Noticing Mode glancing over as if to say something, he handed the flask toward him. Halfway, he paused and asked in a deep, gentle voice, “How old are you?”

“Seventeen…” Mode replied, a little bewildered.

The man withdrew the flask, screwed the cap on, and set it on the far side of the bench. He smiled at Mode, his voice warm, “Minors shouldn’t drink.”

Embarrassed, Mode withdrew his hand, scratching his head before venturing, “You are…”

“My father said I’m just here to clean up after Qing this time, so I can’t reveal my identity. Sorry about that.” The young man patted Mode’s head lightly, apologizing with a smile. When he narrowed his eyes, hiding their depths, his smile possessed a unique charm.

Still, wasn’t he being a bit too honest? Mode was certain this was Mu Qing’s brother—their expressions when they smiled with narrowed eyes were exactly the same.

“I’m Mode,” he introduced himself, inexplicably feeling some goodwill toward the man.

“I’ve heard your name from my father. Thank you for saving Qing. Since she insists on staying by your side, there’s nothing we can do but let her have her way. It’s hard on you—please take care of her.” The young man spoke sincerely, with a hint of apology.

“No, it’s fine, not hard at all…” Mode was nearly moved to tears by his reasonableness. How could two siblings from the same family be so different? The brother was courteous and mature, while the sister was endlessly troublesome.

They continued chatting. Though the young man claimed he couldn’t reveal his identity, he let slip a few things. For example—

“Originally, ‘Bai’ was supposed to come, but I happened to be going to the capital, so I stopped by to see Qing,” he said.

So, there were at least three siblings in the Mu family. Mode wondered what kind of person this “Bai” was—hopefully not as troublesome as Mu Qing, but more like her eldest brother.

“It seems we’ve talked quite a bit. The exams should be nearly done by now,” the eldest Mu sibling realized belatedly. “I won’t go in to see Qing; I’ll leave her to you.” He reached out to shake Mode’s hand in farewell.

“It’s no trouble at all, Brother Mu,” Mode replied, shaking his hand firmly. He wished Mu Qing could learn some of this maturity from her brother.

The young man looked puzzled—how did Mode know his surname was Mu? He was sure he hadn’t introduced himself…

The examination room door opened. A nurse poked her head out and called, “The check-up’s finished. Family, please come in and prepare for discharge.”

Mode turned to look for Mu Qing’s brother but felt a gentle push from behind, prompting him to stand. When he looked back, the young man nodded, indicating he would fetch Mu Qing.

Mode gave him a thumbs-up, signaling that there was nothing to worry about. The young man smiled knowingly, his eyes curving in a mild, gentle smile.

Following the nurse, Mode went to the equipment room next to the exam room to choose a wheelchair. As he passed the exam room, he brushed past a female official, paying her little mind, absorbed in the nurse’s explanations of each wheelchair’s pros and cons.

The young man rose and left with the female official.

“How did Qing’s check-up go?” the young man asked.

“You really are slow on the uptake. If she can be discharged, naturally there’s nothing serious. I’ll send the detailed report to Lord Mu Jiu later. The schedule’s been delayed, so we need to hurry to the capital for the meeting,” the official replied.

“A full-moon-level lunar tide… It’s been ages since such a major event occurred…”

“Watch your words! This isn’t a war room!”

“Oh… all right.”

…

Flagging down a cab, Mode settled Mu Qing in the back seat and stowed the wheelchair in the trunk.

“Driver, to No. 33 Wenchang Road, Qinghe District Apartments.”
“Alright!”

Mode thought Mu Qing would quiet down with a stranger present. But unexpectedly, while she didn’t start the conversation, the driver did.

“What happened to the young lady?” The driver, seeing Mu Qing’s leg in a cast and her hands wrapped in bandages, couldn’t help but ask curiously.

“I slipped on the stairs when I wasn’t paying attention. Fortunately, the doctor said I’m fine after the check-up—just need to rest at home,” Mu Qing replied before Mode could, chatting easily with the driver. “It’s just a few scrapes on my hands, but they wrapped them up like a mummy…”

Letting Mu Qing and the driver chat away, Mode sat in the front seat with his eyes closed, trying to rest.

“Right, driver, drop us at the mall in Qinghe District first. I just remembered I have things to buy.”

“Why go shopping instead of heading straight home?” Mode groaned at Mu Qing’s sudden decision. He just wanted to get home quickly, since he’d have to tidy up a room for her—his precious weekend was vanishing fast.

“Can’t you buy me a few clothes…” Mu Qing put on a pitiful face, her voice almost teary.

“Young man, that’s not right. Buying your girlfriend some new clothes is no big deal. Take it from me—I’ve got forty years’ experience. You can’t be stingy with your girl…” the driver declared, eager to impart his hard-won romance advice.

“…Exactly!” Mu Qing, surprised but quick to agree, murmured her support, her earlobes flushing pink.

Seeing Mu Qing seizing the moment, Mode could only swallow his protests and agree to change their destination.

After paying the fare, Mode assembled the wheelchair from the trunk, helped Mu Qing into it, and waved goodbye to the driver, who winked encouragingly before driving off.

“So, what are we really doing here?” Mode asked grimly, pushing Mu Qing toward the mall entrance.

“Buying clothes. That store over there,” Mu Qing replied, uncharacteristically bashful, leaving Mode more confused. Truly, a woman’s heart is an ocean of secrets.

He quickly understood why Mu Qing was embarrassed—after all, it was their first time shopping for underwear together.

…

Finally out of the shop, Mode breathed a long sigh of relief. But Mu Qing pointed in another direction. “Next, that store.”

“What now?” Mode asked again.

“…Do you want me to wear only these at home?!” Mu Qing raised her face, gesturing at the bag in her arms, and demanded angrily.

Their conspicuous pair drew even more attention from passersby.

“All right, all right, whatever you say,” Mode muttered, lowering his head and quickly pushing Mu Qing’s wheelchair toward the next clothing store.