Chapter 326: Chapter 326: Determined to Win
Gu Jiaojiao was dumbfounded. This grandson of Mr. Mu’s was poisoned so deeply that he not only had manic episodes but also suffered from delusions.
She couldn’t agitate him, but she couldn’t give him false hope either, fearing it might lead to complications after his recovery.
As she packed away her silver needles, she looked up and said seriously, "Hello, Mu Ziquan. I’m Brother Han and Xiao’s sworn sister. So, in terms of seniority, that would make me your great-aunt."
Mu Ziquan: ...
’This girl’s eyes are so clear. You can tell just by looking at her that she isn’t the scheming type, that she has nothing to hide. She’s as pure as a goddess on an altar, not a mere mortal.’
’Her beauty doesn’t just come from her looks, but even more so from an inner radiance.’
’She has a unique quality about her that makes me feel the beauty and meaning of life.’
’Her very presence is like a ray of light, illuminating the pitch-black night sky and, at the same time, the gloom that has clouded my heart.’
’She allows my heart to see daylight again, allows me to see hope and warmth in the darkness.’
’And the scent about her is more than just a fragrance—it’s a symbol of her spirit.’
’The unique aura she exudes is a strength that comes from deep within her soul.’
’It’s a strength that makes me feel free, at ease, and recognize the beauty of life. I desperately need that strength.’
’Whether or not she’s the fiancée my grandfather found for me, I desperately want her to stay by my side.’
"What’s your name? Your presence makes me feel warm and comfortable. It makes me feel life has meaning."
"My name is Gu Jiaojiao. You should drink some water first, and then eat something. With me here, you’ll get better soon."
"Thank you, Gu Jiaojiao. Will you always stay by my side?" Mu Ziquan asked persistently.
"I’m a freshman at Imperial University this year. Classes start the day after tomorrow. I won’t be able to stay by your side, but I will cure your illness. And your leg."
Gu Jiao chose her words carefully. She wasn’t worried about his physical condition; she was worried he would become paranoid and fly into a rage.
Over the past few hours, Gu Jiao had learned about Mu Ziquan’s history.
His parents had both died, and he had entered a military barracks for training at fifteen. It was Old Mu who had sent him there, all to ensure the Mu Family would have an heir.
For a man from his background, he spent ten years just trying to survive.
He was a true hero, utterly devoted to his country and its people, only to be so gravely wounded that he was left a shell of a man, neither truly living nor dead!
He had suffered a terrible calamity, leaving him traumatized in body and soul, yet he never had a single thought of lashing out at society.
The way he had hysterically screamed at her to get out during his episode showed that he didn’t want to harm anyone innocent.
Plagued by his illness, he still faced the world with warmth and kindness. A man like him didn’t deserve to suffer so much.
So Gu Jiao wouldn’t refuse to treat him. She couldn’t give him false hope, but she couldn’t agitate him either.
’What a mess!’
"You can cure not only my illness, but my leg too?" Mu Ziquan’s beautiful eyes widened in disbelief.
"Yes," Gu Jiao said, looking him in the eye. She just wanted him to trust her.
Mu Ziquan averted his gaze, embarrassed. "You’ve... seen my leg?"
"Yes."
"You weren’t scared?"
"I’m a doctor. I’ve treated a leg injury similar to yours before, also with a ruptured tendon."
"My tendon was ruptured? No wonder no one could fix it. I trust you."
A rare smile touched Mu Ziquan’s lips. After a moment, he asked, "Gu Jiaojiao, can I call you Jiaojiao?"
"I don’t think that would be appropriate. Going by seniority~ I’m..."
"I know, I know, you’re my great-aunt. You don’t need to keep stressing the point," Mu Ziquan said, his smile fading.
’For the past three years, ever since my legs were crippled, I’ve been alienated and looked down upon. I’ve experienced the full spectrum of human nature, from kindness to cruelty.’
’Then came the mania, and I could hurt innocent people at any moment, so I haven’t even stepped outside the house in two years.’
’After everything that happened, I came to see the world as pitch-black. I even began to doubt...’
’...whether the country and people I had fought so desperately to protect were truly worth my sacrifice.’
’But this immortal-like girl, with just a few words, has soothed the wounds in my heart.’
’She swept away the gloom that enshrouded my heart, allowing it to see daylight once more.’
’Her confidence and charm fill me with joy. I fell for her at first sight, but she’s made it clear she won’t marry me.’
’The way she’s so cautious, as if she’s afraid of hurting my delicate little heart... My heart is hard as iron; it’s not nearly so fragile.’
’My heart has long been filled with filth, my hands stained with blood. I’m nowhere near as pure and clear as she imagines.’
’If I didn’t have a dark mind capable of sussing out the intentions of others, how could I possibly have survived this long?!’
’It’s just that she’s too innocent, too kind. She admires me, feels for me, respects me, and is willing to heal me.’
’So be it, Great-Aunt it is! As long as I can see her often, I’ll be perfectly content.’
’She is showing me the greatest kindness, so how could I possibly make things difficult for her?’
’Besides, I’m already half-paralyzed!’
Mu Ziquan smiled again and said, "Great-Aunt, please don’t worry. I’m not some paranoid maniac. The only reason I fly into a rage is because of my illness."
"Just because I desire you and admire you, does that mean you’re obligated to marry me? If I believed that, then I’d truly be a piece of scum!"
"Haha... I apologize for judging a gentleman by my own petty standards. I’ll accept my punishment. Once you’re better, I’ll drink three glasses as a forfeit."
Gu Jiao hadn’t expected Mu Ziquan to accept reality so quickly. His earlier look of absolute determination had nearly scared her stiff.
"Great-Aunt, you’re so young. Why are you so cautious in how you treat patients?"
Mu Ziquan drank a glass of warm water and ate a bowl of lean pork congee, and his spirits seemed much improved.
The Mu Family’s living room had already been tidied up completely. Gu Jiao picked up the glass of water from the coffee table that Mr. Han had personally poured for her.
"Oh, that... It’s a long story. I got married a few months ago. At the time, my husband was also partially paralyzed."
"He wanted to strangle me the moment we met... hehe... But later, we fell for each other, and we get along wonderfully now."
She spoke with great animation, her dark eyes like shimmering black waves that could pull a person into their mysterious and enchanting depths.
Mu Ziquan knew his heart was already lost. ’But I won’t add to her burdens,’ he thought. ’It’s enough for me to bear all the bitterness alone.’
He put on a gentle, warm smile and said, "The relationship between you and your husband is truly enviable, Great-Aunt. Is he better now?"
"It’s not that fast! Ten days ago, I reattached his tendon. I believe that in another two or three months, he’ll be walking around as good as new."
"Really? I look forward to meeting him," Mu Ziquan said with a radiant smile, suppressing the heartache that filled him.
"Oh, that’s easy. I’ll bring him with me when I come to give you your needle treatment tomorrow. We bought a house today, so he’s gone to handle the deed transfer and to buy furniture and arrange for renovations."
"Great," Mu Ziquan replied with particular cheerfulness.
"Jiaojiao, dinner is ready. You should eat before you go," Mr. Mu finally managed to say.
"Alright! I wasn’t hungry until you said something, but now that you mention it, I’m starving." Gu Jiao glanced at her wrist and saw it was already four in the afternoon.
The older gentlemen hadn’t eaten lunch either, so everyone sat down to eat together.
Meanwhile, Gu Jiao had no idea that Su Shuochi, on his end, had also run into trouble.
