Chapter 85: The Coquettish Woman

Su Wanwan's crimson lips curved into a gentle, comforting smile.

"I didn't have a nightmare."

Yet Xia Kelan could not summon a smile. Her gaze fixed unwaveringly on Su Wanwan's face, scrutinizing every subtle expression. Her fingers tightened slightly, her nails pressing softly into the tender skin on the back of Su Wanwan's hand.

"You're lying!"

"Do you think you can hide it from me?"

Su Wanwan sighed with a hint of melancholy, forced to confess truthfully.

"I did have a nightmare, but for some reason, it got much better later on. In the dream, the pain wasn't as intense anymore."

Xia Kelan looked at her with concern, pulling her into an embrace, stroking her back gently while whispering soothing words in her ear.

"It's alright, it's over now. Everything's long past."

Su Wanwan rested her flawless jaw against Xia Kelan's shoulder, her shimmering eyes brimming with tender warmth.

"Alright, I'm not as fragile as you think."

Xia Kelan emitted a coquettish hum from her nose, stepping back to tease, reaching out to pinch Su Wanwan's cheeks and tug gently on either side.

"That's better!"

Ding — Xie Cheng appeared at the elevator entrance, spotting Fu Liangmu leaning against the cold wall and couldn't resist teasing.

"Su Wanwan's such a quirky friend!"

"She looks adorable, but her words are anything but endearing."

Fu Liangmu glanced up briefly, sweeping a cool look at him. The slightly ajar hospital room door creaked open.

"I don't like you, so there's no need to try to please me."

Caught red-handed speaking ill behind someone's back, Xie Cheng blushed with a mix of shame and anger.

"You!"

Su Wanwan called out loudly, "Lán Lán."

Xia Kelan stuck out her tongue and rolled her eyes at Xie Cheng, then scampered back to Su Wanwan's bedside like an obedient lamb.

"I'll take care of Wanwan. Men are always so careless and clumsy; I doubt they'd be much help."

Xie Cheng frowned unhappily.

"Who are you calling clumsy?"

Xia Kelan shot back provocatively,

"Did I mention any names?"

"Why are you so eager to take it personally?"

Fu Liangmu, standing nearby, swept his cool gaze over Xia Kelan without lingering, his eyes settling on Su Wanwan as he spoke to another woman.

"She'll be discharged in a few days. There's no need to make such a fuss."

Moreover, Fu Liangmu had finally found a rare moment alone with Su Wanwan, only to be continuously interrupted.

"That won't do!"

"I trust no one but myself!"

"Besides, there isn't even a female nurse in this room."

"If Wanwan needs help bathing or going to the bathroom, what then?"

Seeing Fu Liangmu's face darken inch by inch, Xie Cheng hurriedly interjected,

"They're husband and wife; it's naturally her husband's job. Why are you meddling?"

Xia Kelan teased with a smile,

"Oh, getting riled up?"

"Feeling unfair because it's not your place?"

Xie Cheng's brows twitched sharply.

"You're talking nonsense again…"

Fu Liangmu's whole being was shrouded in a chilling aura as he spoke coldly,

"Miss Xia, I am Wanwan's husband's secret…"

Before he could finish, Xia Kelan blinked innocently and draped her arm around Su Wanwan's neck, pressing her cheek against hers, nuzzling coquettishly.

"Wanwan, let me stay and take care of you, please. Otherwise, my visit would be in vain!"

Su Wanwan glanced sideways at Fu Liangmu and nodded,

"Alright, you may stay."

After all, the incident with using the bathroom yesterday had left her quite embarrassed.

Fu Liangmu's cold aura immediately intensified at her words. Before he could react, Xie Cheng hurriedly pulled him out.

"Ah, they say coquettish women have the best luck!"

"Turns out not only men adore it, but women do too."

Recalling Xia Kelan's sultry tone just now, goosebumps prickled Xie Cheng's arm. She turned to find Fu Liangmu lost in thought.

"What are you thinking about?"

Fu Liangmu returned to himself, replying calmly,

"Nothing."

"Since we're not needed here, let's return to the company."

"Just in time to handle some important business before you leave."

"Alright."

...

Inside the hospital room, Xia Kelan sat on a stool, peeling a pear for Su Wanwan.

"By the way, your husband looks terrifying. Don't you find it frightening being around him?"

Su Wanwan shook her head gently.

"Not really."

"Tsk, I think you're blinded by love, spouting nonsense with such conviction."

With Fu Liangmu's appearance, no one within three meters on the street would dare approach him.

"By the way, have you uncovered anything about the Fu family?"

Su Wanwan lowered her gaze, her tone indifferent.

"I've only had the chance to visit the old mansion once. Many people haven't even met him."

"However, Fu Liangmu's parents are estranged."

Xia Kelan sliced off a small piece of pear and handed it to her.

"Perhaps that could be a breakthrough."

"The Fu family's overseas enterprises have expanded significantly in recent years. It seems there's someone backing them."

Su Wanwan's slender fingers twirled the pear slice before bringing it to her lips, the fresh sweetness filling her mouth.

"Hmm."

"I've heard the infighting within the Fu family is intense."

Xia Kelan sighed,

"High society is truly complicated."

Su Wanwan kindly reminded,

"You're part of the high society too."

Xia Kelan shook her head, her voice steady and unruffled.

"Forget it, if not for you, I'd probably still be stuck in the orphanage."

"Here, the last piece, for you."

Su Wanwan watched Xia Kelan's hand wave before her eyes, memories flooding her mind — two little girls years ago, one with twin ponytails, tender and innocent, extending her chubby hand to divide a candy, already sticky with melted wrapper.

"One for you, one for me."

"The last piece is yours too."

Xia Kelan's hand waved again before Su Wanwan's eyes.

"What's wrong?"

Su Wanwan came back to herself with a soft sigh,

"Nothing."

Xia Kelan put down the knife and washed her hands.

"I'm a bit sleepy, want to take a nap. Wake me up later and I'll go buy dinner."

"Okay."

Xia Kelan lay on the sofa, covered with a thin blanket, soon drifting into slumber. When she awoke, the sky outside was pitch black.

She sat up abruptly, checking the time.

"How is it so late already?"

"Starving, right?"

"I'll go get something to eat!"

Su Wanwan leaned against the headboard, scrolling on her phone, replying calmly,

"It's alright, no rush, take your time."

Xia Kelan slipped on her shoes and slipped out quickly.

The ward was quiet for several minutes before the door suddenly opened.

Su Wanwan smiled,

"Did you forget your phone…"

Her smile froze upon seeing the visitor. Her long lashes trembled.

Fu Liangmu entered silently, approaching her without a word. He suddenly embraced her shoulders and affectionately nuzzled her, mimicking Xia Kelan's earlier gesture.

Before he could utter the rehearsed coquettish phrase he had practiced all afternoon, a delicate white hand covered his forehead.

"You… have a fever?"