Chapter 404: Chapter 404: Leaving
"Please wait a moment, ma’am. I’ll go make the apple juice first, then the mango juice for you to drink."
With that, Mu Wu picked up a tray, chose a few apples and mangoes, and headed for the room’s private bathroom.
"Ziquan, your two bodyguards are quite amusing. How have I never noticed that before?"
"That simpleton is actually making the apple juice first. It didn’t occur to him to just peel a mango and make you a glass right away," Mu Ziquan said to Gu Jiaojiao, embarrassed.
"It’s fine, really. I don’t usually eat this late at night. I was just bored and thought I’d join you for a drink."
Gu Jiaojiao said, unconcerned, making small talk with them.
She would have much rather been sleeping than drinking juice, but Xia Qiuming’s sudden, persistent high fever had frightened everyone, so she had to stay.
"Young Master, Ma’am said you should have a glass of malted milk to get your energy back." Mu Shan handed a glass of lukewarm malted milk to Mu Ziquan.
"That’s right. Eat more nutritional supplements. It’ll help your wound heal faster." When Gu Jiaojiao saw Mu Ziquan hesitate, she urged him on.
"You’re Mu Shan, right? Have a glass of juice, then go bring my motorcycle to the hospital entrance."
"Ma’am, about your motorcycle... I rode it back yesterday afternoon. It’s still in the Mu Family’s courtyard," Mu Shan said quietly.
"Go find Mu Qing outside. Tell him to go home and ride Ma’am’s motorcycle back here," Mu Ziquan instructed.
Soon, Mu Wu returned with three glasses of apple juice and two glasses of mango juice, placing the tray on the table.
He immediately handed glasses of apple juice to Xia Qiuming, Mu Ziquan, and Mu Shan. "Mu Shan, drink up and get going."
"Thanks." Not overthinking it, Mu Shan took the juice and downed it in two big gulps.
"Please enjoy, ma’am," Mu Wu said respectfully, handing a glass of mango juice to Gu Jiaojiao.
"Thank you," Gu Jiaojiao said, taking the glass from Mu Wu. "Oh, so you like mango juice too!"
Mu Shan spotted the other glass of mango juice on the tray. "Well, well, Mu Wu. I never knew you were so clever, planning to drink mango juice with Ma’am."
"It’s true! I never would’ve pegged him as the crafty type," Xia Qiuming chimed in.
"I-I like mango juice too. If you guys want some, just let me know. I can go make more," Mu Wu said awkwardly.
Noticing his Young Master glaring at him, he asked, "Young Master, would you like some mango juice?"
Mu Ziquan was about to nod, but then he heard Gu Jiaojiao say, "He’s better off with apple juice. While mangoes are more nutritious than apples..."
"...apples are rich in carbohydrates, vitamin E, and other nutrients that are best for someone who’s injured."
At that, Mu Ziquan immediately changed his tune. "Apple juice is fine for me. You can make me mango juice in a couple of days."
Hearing Mu Ziquan’s sensible response, Gu Jiaojiao smiled happily. Her smile had a way of warming one’s heart.
It was a smile so beautiful it made the view outside the window pale in comparison. She was dressed simply in a white cotton T-shirt and faded blue jeans.
Her black hair was tied back casually, making her look vibrant and full of life—no older than sixteen or seventeen.
"Master, if I’d brought a camera, I’d capture that smile. Then I could show my descendants just how beautiful their grandmaster was."
Xia Qiuming marveled inwardly. ’She’s so young, yet her medical skills are so profound.’
Gu Jiaojiao smiled. "Once you two have recovered, we can go take pictures in the countryside. There’s no scenery to use as a backdrop in this hospital room."
Mu Ziquan felt that no scenery could compare to her beauty. He couldn’t help but say, "I’m afraid I have to disagree, ma’am."
"Taking a picture is just about preserving a memory. The background doesn’t matter."
"Whether it captures a sorrowful past or a tender romance, a time of great struggle or the fleeting affairs of the world, it’s the frozen smiles, the stunning moments..."
"...they all seem to fall silent within the confines of a yellowed photograph. Each one holds a living story, a beautiful legend."
"Whoa! Good heavens, who knew Ziquan, this big brute, could be so poetic?" Xia Qiuming exclaimed in astonishment.
"Professor Xia, you shouldn’t underestimate our soldiers. They can be men of iron will, but they can also be aspiring poets."
"Ziquan is absolutely right. The past is always filled with stories full of twists and turns."
"Think about celebrities—they love to capture themselves at their most beautiful, preserving their image in photo albums for posterity."
"But not everyone can become a legend, nor can everyone command the world’s attention."
"That’s why we can take our own pictures, compile them into albums, and leave them for future generations. When they’re grown..."
"...they can look through old photographs and get a sense of their grandparents’ style. Every gesture we capture can move them like the sight of a shooting star streaking across the night sky."
Gu Jiaojiao’s words were heartfelt and touching. In her past life, the many photographs her mother had left behind were what had accompanied her as she grew up.
They had seen her through her naive school days and the tedious hours at work.
Gu Jiaojiao’s words struck a deep chord within Mu Ziquan.
He himself had relied on a few faded, yellowed photos of his parents to endure the most difficult times.
’Could it be... she’s also experienced losing a loved one?!’
"I just want to remind you that life is a strange thing. You never know if you’ll get a tomorrow or if disaster will strike first. So you have to live in the moment and cherish the people you have with you now."
"Yes, Ma’am is right! We have to cherish the people we have now. Don’t cling to how good yesterday was, and don’t get lost in fantasies about a long tomorrow."
After chatting idly with the two patients, Gu Jiaojiao found she wasn’t very sleepy anymore. She glanced at her watch; it was almost five in the morning.
"Let me check your temperatures again. If neither of you has a fever, I’m heading home. It’s Monday, and I have class."
"Young Master, Mu Qing has parked Ma’am’s motorcycle at the hospital entrance," Mu Shan said quietly as he entered the room.
"Neither of you has a fever," she announced. "You two get some sleep. I’m going home now; I have class today since it’s Monday."
"Master, I can call in and get you the day off—" Xia Qiuming started, but Gu Jiaojiao cut him off.
"There’s no need. I can just sleep during class."
"Ma’am, how about you let Mu Shan drive you home?"
"I’ll be fine on my motorcycle. There’s no need to bother anyone else, and I don’t feel like putting on makeup. Mu Shan, just walk me out through the side door."
"Mu Shan, see Ma’am to the door," Mu Ziquan ordered as soon as Gu Jiaojiao finished speaking.
"Right away." Mu Shan opened the door, and Gu Jiaojiao saw several men standing guard outside. Entry into the ward was clearly under strict control.
She keenly observed that the hospital grounds were heavily guarded. Getting in would be difficult, but no one questioned them as they walked out.
It was likely because Mu Shan was with her. He led Gu Jiaojiao to the back entrance as if he knew the way by heart.
Gu Jiaojiao saw her motorcycle parked just off to the side. She waved goodbye to Mu Shan, swung her leg over the bike, and rode off.
The morning breeze caught her long hair, making it dance in the air. Mu Shan watched her ride away. ’What a graceful figure,’ he thought.
’No wonder the Young Master wanted to take her picture!’
