Chapter Twenty-Six: Sending Off the Dowry

After sending away those two troublemakers, thankfully the reporters followed suit and left as well. She thought the room would never again be crowded with so many roses, but then another pair arrived. This time, however, they were familiar faces—people whose presence brought joy.

After carefully admiring the bracelet, the two women covered it once more and set it beside the bed, not putting it away directly.

“Molan, Qinyin, I came to see you!” The sound of a sweet, childlike voice echoed before anyone appeared.

At the door, a noblewoman entered, carrying two bouquets of roses in her arms, followed by Subai Bai, who lugged a heavy basket of fruit. The lady beamed at the two, her smile reflecting pride; she had witnessed their achievements firsthand. To form connections with such people was a kind of fortune.

Subai Bai wore a beautiful princess dress of rose-red, her hair styled elegantly. It had only been a few days, but this little girl seemed to have grown taller.

“How do you have time to visit us? Aren’t you supposed to be in class today?” Qinyin was the first to call out joyfully, eager to get out of bed to greet her.

Molan was still in a daze, surprised that the girl now called them “sister.” Clearly, she had let go of her past troubles and lived happily during her time away, no longer so fixated on darkness.

Seeing the room filled with roses, the noblewoman looked a bit embarrassed—more roses again, it seemed these two had many friends.

After setting down the fruit, Subai Bai squeezed herself between the two beds, grabbed their hands, and examined them carefully—looking up and down, left and right, making sure they hadn’t been seriously hurt. Only then did she nod in satisfaction.

“I took the day off specially to come see you. I saw the news early this morning, learned you were here, and hurried over. Aren’t you especially moved?” Subai Bai pouted adorably.

The noblewoman gently set aside her things and sat down, her face wreathed in smiles as she looked around the room. She didn’t intend to speak, as their relationship wasn’t particularly close—her child was simply nestled among them.

Qinyin stroked Subai Bai’s hair, pinched her cheeks, and even puckered up for a distant kiss. Their last meeting had been brief, but emotions between people are always mysterious.

“I’m so excited! Haven’t seen you in days, and I’ve missed you terribly,” Qinyin said truthfully. Though Molan remained silent, both still held Subai Bai dear in their hearts.

Molan, coming back to herself, smiled warmly at the little girl, unsure what to say.

“Thank you so much for bringing her here,” Molan said to the noblewoman. “I hope that, with you, she’ll be happy.” She felt it necessary to communicate clearly, since their previous departure had been so rushed.

“Believe what I said before—I’ll treat her as my own,” the noblewoman replied, her smile harmonious.

“Yes, Mama is so good to me!” Subai Bai interjected, now calling her “Mama”—clearly she was living happily. This comforted the two women.

They exchanged a glance, both thinking of the same things—concern and affection for the girl shining in their eyes.

After some playful banter, they prepared to leave.

Qinyin and Molan took out the beautiful boxes, each grabbing one of Subai Bai’s hands and carefully placing a box in them. Solemnly, they said, “This is your dowry!”

“Ah!” Subai Bai thought she must have misheard, her mouth agape in shock. How old was she, after all? A dowry? So soon?

Qinyin fell silent, unsure how to explain. Should they tell her: “We may not live past this year”? Such cruel words—where would she begin?

Molan gently stroked Subai Bai’s head and smiled, “You know our work is dangerous. You have many years before marriage, but sending you our blessings early won’t hinder your happiness. It’s not a valuable gift—it was given last night by a wealthy patron. But our sentiment is priceless. Please take good care of it.”

“Qinyin, Molan…” Subai Bai murmured, a shiver running through her, stunned by their words.

“All right, Madam, please take her away. We’re tired and need to rest,” Molan said, sensing Subai Bai’s mood had soured, and quickly turned to the noblewoman.

She nodded, took Subai Bai’s hand, and hurried out.

Watching her reluctant departure and the tears threatening to fall from her eyes, Molan and Qinyin felt a surge of emotion.

The two men could only look on in confusion—what was happening here?

Qinyin and Molan paid them no mind. With the events of the year weighing on their hearts, they closed their eyes and lay quietly, savoring the “clean” air of the hospital room.

In truth, the room was filled only with the scent of disinfectant and medicine—there was no real sense of cleanliness. Though roses brought a faint fragrance, and fruit a sweet aroma, the smell of medicine had long since dominated the space.

After resting for most of the day, the doctor arrived to inform them they could be discharged.

“Are you sure we’re ready to leave? Have we really recovered so quickly?” An Feng asked anxiously, worried because Molan’s injury had been due to a mistake by his team—his mistake.

The doctor, displeased, glared at An Feng and snapped, “Are you the doctor, or am I? I say you’re ready, so you’re ready. Hurry up and leave—don’t monopolize the ward. Other patients need it.”

An Feng was embarrassed, realizing he’d been too anxious. He went out first to prepare the car.

Molan and Qinyin were eager to be discharged—staying in the hospital too long made them feel useless, unable to accomplish anything. Changing back into their own clothes, they realized how awkward their dresses were.

Such beautiful evening gowns had been torn apart—a real pity.

Cold-blooded watched the two women lingering over their dresses, his face flushed. He’d been so gleeful tearing them last night—why mourn now?

“Sis, are you ready to leave?” At that moment, Mo Fan rushed in from the hallway, breathless and anxious, his steps unsteady as though he’d been running for ages and nearly lost his balance.

Cold-blooded quickly stepped forward as a human shield. Mo Fan bumped into him, then stepped back and finally steadied himself.

“Why are you only here now? What's so urgent?” Molan’s first instinct was to worry something had happened to Grandpa.

“Grandpa wants to invite you and your friends home—there are some things to discuss,” Mo Fan managed after catching his breath.

The three exchanged looks, nodded, and walked out together, leaving behind a room full of roses and fruit.