Gu Jingchuan’s eardrums nearly ruptured from Lin Mo’s shout, leaving him momentarily stunned.
Having accomplished her mission, Lin Mo signaled to Zhang Nan and Ji'an with a glance, "Let’s go!"
Zhang Nan and Ji'an each took one of Auntie Zhen’s arms and swiftly moved her away.
The hospital parking lot was crowded, and the open space quickly filled with fans surrounding Gu Jingchuan.
"Gu Jingchuan! It’s really him! Can we take a photo?"
"Gu Jingchuan, let’s film a TikTok together! My granddaughter adores you!"
"Ahhh! I’m so excited—can you sign my jacket?"
For a moment, Gu Jingchuan felt like he was back at the chaotic scene of the car accident or the school where fans had overwhelmed him.
He was at a hospital—didn’t any of them care about his well-being?
All they wanted were photos and autographs!
But soon, he heard a fan express concern for his health.
"Gu Jingchuan, why are you alone at the hospital? Is it for something… embarrassing?"
Gu Jingchuan: "…"
He wanted to follow Lin Mo, but the crowd made it impossible. After hastily appeasing a few fans, he quickly got into his car and drove off.
Lin Mo never played by the rules.
He’d have to find another way to win her over!
Luckily, this private hospital happened to be owned by his family—he had plenty of tricks up his sleeve.
Lin Mo spent the entire day at the hospital.
Auntie Zhen needed to stay for a few days.
Ji'an’s injuries were also treated.
Only when the doctor was tending to him did Lin Mo notice the long scar hidden beneath his bangs on his forehead.
Teenage boys cared about their appearance—no wonder he kept his hair so long.
Lin Mo asked the doctor, "Can this scar be removed?"
The doctor shook his head. "It’s been too long. It’ll be difficult, but you could try some scar removal creams."
The journey from the slums to the hospital had taken only half an hour.
Ji'an had shared his story, but the pain was real and lingering.
Auntie Zhen fell asleep after taking her medication, with Zhang Nan keeping watch.
Lin Mo took Ji'an out to buy new phones for both him and Auntie Zhen—his old one had been smashed the night before.
After adding Ji'an on WeChat, Lin Mo transferred him 100,000 yuan.
For the younger Ji'an, this amount wouldn’t have been significant.
His older sister used to give him 500,000 yuan in lucky money every New Year—though she always said she’d save it for him.
Even after their parents passed, the family business continued running smoothly, and the inheritance and dividends ensured their lives remained comfortable.
But for the current Ji'an, this was a fortune.
He hadn’t seen this much money in years!
Ji'an clutched his phone and said, "Thank you, sis."
If he dared refuse now, he had no doubt his sister would slap him.
Lin Mo smiled. "No need to thank me. It’s not my money—it’s from your second brother, the ‘Buddha of Beijing’s Elite Circle.’"
Ji'an had come across that nickname on TikTok before.
A faint smile touched his lips as he murmured, "Sis, don’t tell Second Brother everything about what happened to me. I don’t want him blaming himself even more."
Lin Mo nodded. "I know."
That night, Ji'an stayed at the hospital with Auntie Zhen.
Lin Mo said, "I’ll arrange for a caregiver to look after Auntie Zhen tomorrow. You need to go to school."
Auntie Zhen chimed in, "School! He must go to school!"
Lin Mo could tell Auntie Zhen had a strong conviction about education.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have caused a scene when the principal tried to expel Ji'an.
Checking her ID earlier, Lin Mo had been shocked to learn Auntie Zhen was only thirty-five—she looked decades older.
She’d found out that both their IDs had been reissued after they arrived in the slums. The age Ji'an mentioned was what Auntie Zhen had once told him.
Auntie Zhen had been trafficked into the mountains right after high school at eighteen. Lin Mo couldn’t fathom the despair she—and her family—must have felt.
No wonder she’d stared at Lin Mo’s face and murmured, "So pretty."
Perhaps, for a fleeting moment, she remembered she had once been just as beautiful.
Ji'an nodded, his long bangs swaying slightly. "Okay."
The learning environment at Third High was terrible, and Lin Mo wanted to transfer him.
But she decided to save that conversation for another day—tonight, he needed rest.
After giving a few more instructions, Lin Mo left the hospital.
By the time Zhang Nan dropped Lin Mo off at the villa, it was already 10 p.m.
In the car, Lin Mo took out her phone. "Let me add you on WeChat."
Zhang Nan beamed. "Sure!"
After adding her, Lin Mo transferred 5,000 yuan. "You’ve worked hard these past two days. Consider this a little bonus."
Zhang Nan’s eyes nearly popped out at the amount. "No, no! This is my job—I’m President Shen’s secretary."
Her words said one thing, but her fingers betrayed her—she couldn’t bring herself to hit "decline."
Not that she could blame her hands.
Five thousand yuan was almost half her monthly salary!
Lin Mo’s slender fingers tapped out a message to Xie Guanyan: [I’m back. Open the door.]
Then she looked up and said, "Without you guiding me these past two days, I wouldn’t have found my brother so quickly. You deserve this."
The sincerity in the girl’s peach-blossom eyes was disarming.
Zhang Nan was utterly charmed. "Then I’ll accept it. Thank you, sis!"
From now on, Lin Mo was her one and only "jie"!
The villa gate swung open, revealing a tall, strikingly handsome man in the doorway.
Dressed in his usual white suit, the silver frames of his glasses glinted under the porch light.
Zhang Nan’s jaw dropped. "Am I seeing things? Is that… Xie Guanyan?"
Shen Yihan wouldn’t have shared private matters with an ordinary secretary, so it made sense Zhang Nan didn’t know Lin Mo was staying with Xie Guanyan.
Lin Mo nodded. "Yes."
Zhang Nan held her breath. This was her first time seeing Xie Guanyan in person—she’d only ever watched him on financial programs.
He was even more handsome in real life!
Elegant, refined, and untouchably pristine—the epitome of an unattainable flower.
Yet his gaze never left Lin Mo’s face, not even sparing a glance for the car.
After getting out, Lin Mo waved at Zhang Nan. "Drive safe. Message me when you’re home."
Zhang Nan inched the car forward slowly, still stealing glances at Xie Guanyan.
From the moment Lin Mo appeared, his eyes hadn’t strayed from her for a single second.
Were they together now?
Ahhh! This ship was too good!
"Working this late?" Lin Mo asked as they walked inside.
Xie Guanyan adjusted his glasses with a finger. "Mm. Had a meeting with overseas colleagues."
Lin Mo tilted her head up and grinned. "No wonder you’re so rich."
The girl’s lips curved sweetly, but the smile didn’t quite reach her peach-blossom eyes.
Xie Guanyan’s heart sank slightly.
She was upset.
Probably because of Ji'an’s situation.
He’d known for years that her younger brother was missing—he’d even sent people to search.
Family meant everything to her. Even if she were gone, she’d never want her loved ones to suffer.
But he hadn’t found Ji'an either.
When the slum police called him that morning, he’d learned about the boy’s condition—injured, with a seemingly mentally unstable older woman who was also hurt.
Gu Jingchuan had accompanied her during the day, leaving Xie Guanyan no place to intervene.
Tonight, he had to do something.
Under the dim garden lights, the girl’s silhouette stretched long behind her.
She still walked with her head held high as before, but upon closer look, one could notice a slight droop in her posture.
"Lin Mo."
Just before entering the living room, Xie Guanyan called out to her.
Lin Mo turned around, forcing a faint smile. "What is it?"
"My friend sent me a bottle of red wine today. Would you like to share a glass?" Xie Guanyan asked.
