Mu Ningxue, sitting beside Ye Xinxia on a hospital bench, stood up with a faint smile. "I'll get some drinks," she said softly.
Ye Xinxia, lost in her thoughts, nodded absentmindedly. "Mhmm..."
Mu Ningxue's smile lingered briefly as she walked into the hospital. The unnatural events in Bo City had left her bewildered, but her main concern now was her friend's well-being.
She found a vending machine and bought a warm chocolate milk for Ye Xinxia, hoping it might bring her some comfort.
As she walked back to the bench, she called out, "Xinxia—" but halted mid-sentence. There, standing in front of Ye Xinxia, was a familiar figure, Mo Fan, looking utterly defeated.
Instinctively, Mu Ningxue hid behind a tree, confusion washing over her.
"Why am I hiding?" she thought, shaking her head. Peeking out, she saw Ye Xinxia embracing Mo Fan, who appeared lost and broken.
Her eyes widened in surprise. She had never seen Mo Fan show such vulnerability, and the sight made her feel a mix of emotions she couldn't quite understand, but somehow she felt uncomfortable watching them together.
As she was about to turn away, she heard Mo Fan's soft and broken voice, "... he's dead..." The words pierced her, rooting her to the spot.
She turned back, unable to leave, and watched the scene unfold. Mo Fan's tears flowed freely, his shoulders shaking with grief. She had never seen him cry before, and the sight stirred an indescribable sadness within her. His tears fell as if a dam had burst, and Mu Ningxue felt her own eyes welling up.
Hidden behind the tree, she stayed there, watching them for what felt like an eternity.
Her mind drifted back to a memory of battered and bruised Mo Fan on the rooftop, gripping her shoulders tightly, his face etched with pain and worry. "How could you..." he had said, his voice filled with anguish and a hint of accusation.
Mu Ningxue's heart ached at the memory. She had always known Mo Fan as someone strong and unyielding, but seeing him like this, so broken and vulnerable, made her realize how much pain he was suffering from. She wanted to reach out, to comfort him, but she felt paralyzed, unable to move.
Mu Ningxue couldn't shake off the weight of guilt that settled upon her shoulders. As she stood hidden behind the tree, she couldn't help but feel responsible for the pain Mo Fan was experiencing.
She glanced back at Ye Xinxia, who was whispering soothing words to Mo Fan even though her own eyes were glistening with tears. The bond between them was evident, and Mu Ningxue felt a pang of jealousy, mixed with a deep sadness and guilt.
She closed her eyes as a tear trickled off her eyes and then walked off with the warm chocolate milk, not daring to disturb them...
...
After a short while, Mo Fan felt the weight of guilt and sadness lift from his shoulders. It seemed that sharing his pain and venting it out had lightened the burden.
He gently kissed Ye Xinxia's forehead and whispered, "Thank you... for being there for me." Ye Xinxia didn't say anything, but her warm smile and tear-stained face spoke volumes. She looked at him with such adoration, it melted Mo Fan's heart.
"I have to go and meet up with some people, so I'll be gone for a while. Do you want to come with me?" Mo Fan asked, hoping for her company.
Ye Xinxia shook her head, her voice soft and understanding. "No, I'm just happy to see you're alright. I'll stay here and help out however I can. Please, go do what you need to do, Brother Mo Fan."
Her words touched Mo Fan deeply. She wasn't clingy or demanding, just content knowing he was safe. It made him appreciate her even more.
"Alright then, we'll have lunch later, okay?" Mo Fan suggested, wanting to spend more time with her.
Ye Xinxia nodded with a smile. "Yeah, I'd like that."
Mo Fan left the hospital premises after waving at Ye Xinxia. He now headed back to the barrier building.
...
"Little Xing Yi, the reinforcements from the enforcement union have arrived. Please instruct your subordinates to guide them to their workstations," Executive Secretary Song Lin said, her voice filled with urgency as she sifted through the list of missing persons in the city.
"Yes, I'll take care of it," Zhankong replied, swiftly exiting the cabin to fulfil his duties.
As he descended the stairs, Zhankong unexpectedly encountered Mo Fan, who was ascending them.
"Mo Fan!"
"Chief Military Instructor!"
Their voices overlapped in surprise and recognition.
"Where have you been? Your sister said you went to search for your father," Zhankong inquired immediately.
Mo Fan hesitated for a moment before responding, "Yes, I found him... but he has passed away."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Zhankong offered his condolences, placing a reassuring hand on Mo Fan's shoulder.
"Brother Tang Zhong and Sister Song Lin are here!" Zhankong added, hoping to lift Mo Fan's spirits.
Mo Fan's demeanour changed instantly upon hearing their names. "Where are they?" he asked eagerly.
"In my cabin on the sixth floor," Zhankong replied, pointing in the direction.
"Thank you! Please come to your cabin after you finish your tasks," Mo Fan said gratefully before rushing up the stairs.
He had important matters to discuss with Tang Zhong and Song Lin.