082 The Same Kind of “Neglect”

Hospital Room

Mu Qingcheng sat by the bedside, pouring water for Mu Qing. The man lying there had golden hair that brushed his shoulders, his skin so pale it was almost translucent—delicate and flawless, more refined than that of most women. Coupled with his current frail and wan appearance, he seemed almost otherworldly, like a banished immortal, untouchable and sacred.

“Second Brother, have some water.”

Mu Qingcheng poured a cup of warm water, squeezed in a few drops of lemon, and only then handed the cup over. The tart freshness spread across Mu Qing’s lips, and he smiled faintly, reaching out to gently ruffle Mu Qingcheng’s hair.

“Thank you, Qingcheng.”

With a soft smile, Mu Qingcheng rose and walked to the door of the hospital room. Seeing that there was no sign of the old patriarch in the hallway, she quickly turned back, sat beside Mu Qing again, and came straight to the point.

“Brother, tell me the truth—what’s really going on with you?”

“It’s nothing, I was just careless,” Mu Qing replied, shaking his head lightly, betraying no trace of anything amiss.

Mu Qingcheng frowned, her expression searching his face for something she didn’t want to find. But after a long moment, she found nothing. Sensing her worry, Mu Qing continued,

“I’ve been preparing for a tour exhibition these days, probably just exhausted. Don’t worry about me.”

“Really?”

“Really,” Mu Qing answered with a firm nod, momentarily easing Mu Qingcheng’s concerns.

But what troubled her even more now was the quality of this hospital. Clearly, its reputation far exceeded its reality.

After weighing her words, Mu Qingcheng spoke carefully,

“Brother, the doctors here aren’t up to standard. You’ve been admitted for hours, and they still haven’t diagnosed your illness. Don’t you think that’s a problem?”

But Mu Qing only smiled indifferently and said,

“I know.”

“…What did you say?”

His reply left Mu Qingcheng gaping in shock. Seeing the serene composure on his elegant face, a familiar feeling welled up inside her. Before she could gather herself, Mu Qing shrugged and continued as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

“I know Doctor Xu’s skills are mediocre.”

“Then why…”

“This hospital has long cooperated with the Mu family. Years ago, the elders of the Xu family and Grandfather were old acquaintances. If I were to leave midway, it would tarnish the hospital’s reputation.”

“So… but aren’t you just endangering yourself? Does Grandfather know about this?”

“Perhaps he does, perhaps he doesn’t. I’ve never asked.”

“Second Brother, why don’t you care for yourself?”

Mu Qingcheng could hardly believe this was what he thought. Such reckless disregard for his own health broke her heart.

But as anger began to rise within her at his lack of self-regard, she suddenly heard a gentle laugh. The next instant, Mu Qing’s cool hands took hold of hers, his icy fingertips brushing her equally cold wrist and sending a shiver through her.

Mu Qing gazed at his sister with indulgent tenderness. Seeing her cheeks tinged pink, he asked softly,

“And what about you, Qingcheng? Have you ever truly taken care of yourself?”

Mu Qingcheng was silent.

Long Ago

From the very first time Mu Qingcheng met Mu Qing, she sensed that this ethereal man, untouched by worldly dust, concealed a trait that mirrored her own. After she fully entered the Mu family, he gradually revealed more and more subtle signals to her. Only now did Mu Qingcheng finally understand—Mu Qing had been telling her, in his own way, again and again…

He understood her, as he understood himself.

Present

Seeing Mu Qingcheng remain silent, Mu Qing gently withdrew his hands and casually said,

“Be good. Don’t worry about me.”

As his words fell, the door to the hospital room was pushed open from outside. A figure rushed in, the scent of disinfectant swirling around him, and came to stand behind Mu Qingcheng.

“Qingcheng, you—”

It was, of course, Mu Jingchi.

But as he pulled his precious sister up, he saw, to his astonishment, that her eyes were brimming with tears for reasons unknown. The ever-unflappable, commanding president of the Mu family suddenly panicked, freezing in place—utterly confounded.