Chapter Nine: Going to the Hospital

The girl nodded obediently, her eyes red.

Seeing the pitiful look on her face, Mu Zichen was filled with guilt and self-reproach. He made up his mind to take good care of her, to make sure she never fell ill again, for his little girl was afraid of pain; seeing her suffer hurt him even more.

Mu Zichen was a man of his word. In the days that followed, he cared for the girl with meticulous attention, sparing no effort—one could hardly say he was not personally involved in every detail.

“Jiujiu, after your shot, shall we go buy a doll?” he asked.

“Alright, Brother Zichen~” the girl replied, instantly distracted, her eyes shining with joy as she looked at her older brother.

He immediately signaled for the nurse to give the injection. The nurse, understanding, moved swiftly and skillfully.

“Ow—it hurts—” The girl cried out at the sting, her soft, tearful voice tugging at the heartstrings of everyone present. Even the nurse felt she might have used too much force, let alone Mu Qin and Mu Zichen.

Mu Qin quickly pulled the girl into her arms, gently patting her back. “Jiujiu, you’re so brave! You’re not afraid of needles at all!” Her brother nodded in agreement, echoing their mother’s praise, making the girl flush with bashfulness.

The system asked, “Jiujiu, are you afraid of injections?”

Jiujiu replied, “What do you think? Someone who has died once would hardly fear a needle. But... at least this way, people will feel sorry for me.”

The girl lifted her head, gazing at Mu Zichen as he gently stroked her forehead.

“When will I be able to enter your heart? Will you still choose me without hesitation after you meet Lin Yuexin?”

She almost laughed at her own thoughts. There’s still a long life ahead, isn’t there?

“Auntie, let’s go see Uncle,” she said, taking Mu Qin’s hand with one of her own and Mu Zichen’s with the other. Her face glowed with happiness, and her dimples sparkled in the sunlight.

Soon they reached Mu Junze’s hospital room. The girl immediately let go of her aunt and brother, running up to her uncle, concern shining in her eyes. “Uncle, are you feeling better?”

Mu Junze’s heart melted at the sight of the gentle, caring girl. Just seeing her made him feel almost completely recovered.

“Uncle’s fine now, almost all better,” he said, ruffling her soft black hair.

“Uncle, you’ll definitely get well,” the girl said solemnly, nodding for emphasis as if to reassure them all.

Mu Qin watched the warm scene unfold with a smile, but her expression gradually changed. From the girl’s words, she realized that since Jiujiu had come to the Mu family, her husband’s health had improved miraculously fast—so much so that even she found it incredible. The doctors had warned them to prepare for the worst, yet he had recovered so quickly. It all seemed a bit unreal, but she couldn’t help but hope it would continue.

Although Mu Junze chatted with Jiujiu, he noticed his wife’s look of astonishment and instantly understood what she was thinking. Having weathered many storms, he kept his composure, but he shared her thoughts. Jiujiu must be fated to the Mu family; the more he looked at her, the more she seemed like a bringer of good fortune.

The sensitive Jiujiu also noticed the glances shared between the couple. When their eyes fell warmly on her, she guessed a little at their thoughts, but it wasn’t a bad thing. In her previous life, none of these people had meant her harm; in this life, with her efforts, their bonds would only grow stronger.

“Jiujiu, Uncle heard you were sick. What happened?” Mu Junze asked gently.

The girl guessed her aunt must have told him, but, afraid her uncle would blame Brother Zichen, her eyes darted nervously. “Jiujiu kicked off the blanket while sleeping, so...”

Mu Zichen, who had been silent, was surprised and delighted that the girl was covering for him. A warmth spread through him, as if he were floating in a hot spring, his heart brimming with joy. His gaze toward the girl softened, as if it could melt.

Mu Junze knew that Jiujiu had slept with his own son the previous night. She must be trying to keep him from blaming Zichen. Such a perceptive and considerate girl. Even so, he planned to remind his son to take better care of her, though their close relationship was something he was happy to see.

Turning to Mu Qin, he said, “Aqin, you should take them home to rest. I’m fine here.”

In truth, he wanted to go home with the children that day—his health was no longer in question—but his wife insisted on following the doctor’s advice and letting him stay one more day.

If not for worrying about his wife and children, he would never have agreed to stay that extra night.

Mu Qin, seeing that her husband was indeed well and that he would be discharged the next day, prepared to take the children home. But just as she was about to agree, her husband’s attending doctor came to speak with her, likely about some precautions.

The girl, never one to miss a chance to be alone with Mu Zichen, quickly spoke up, “Auntie, you go ahead. Brother Zichen and I can go home together, and we have the bodyguard with us!”

Mu Qin thought it over and agreed there was nothing to worry about, so she let them go on ahead.

After leaving the hospital room, the girl walked alongside her brother for a while. Seeing that Mu Zichen seemed to have forgotten about the doll, she grew anxious.

“Brother Zichen, you promised!” She tilted her small face up at him, her lips pursed in a pout, her big, watery eyes clearly saying, “You mustn’t lie to me.”

“We’ll go right now,” Mu Zichen replied, lowering his head with a smile. He’d already guessed her little plan the moment she started glancing his way.

Realizing she had misjudged him, the girl bit her lip and smiled in embarrassment, her dimples sweet as she followed him obediently to the car. They set off for the nearest Wanda Plaza.

It was her first time shopping at a mall since her rebirth, and her heart brimmed with hope and anticipation. After all, a new life was not something everyone was given.

Mu Zichen kept watch over her as she walked quietly by his side. Though she said little, her eyes darted about, sparkling with curiosity and excitement. He took it all in, feeling a pang of guilt—he had yet to take her out to play. Next time, he would make time to accompany his little sister.

The boy, twelve or thirteen, tall and slender, with striking features and fair, delicate skin, his ash-brown hair brushing his ears, held in his arms a little girl as lovely as a doll herself. The youth walked with lazy grace, while the girl blinked her big eyes at the sights around her. They made a beautiful pair, drawing many admiring glances.

They soon reached a famed doll shop, its staff all middle-aged women. Seeing a young boy bring his little sister to buy dolls, the shop assistants were delighted—after all, the dolls here were all imported and expensive, affordable only to the wealthy. They knew there was commission to be earned.

A kindly lady greeted them, addressing the boy. “Hello, how may I help you?”

Mu Zichen replied gently, “Yes, could you show us the newest imported dolls?”

“Of course, this way please.” With a respectful smile, she led them over. “They’re all here. Would you like me to...”