An Jing quickly helped her up, his heart heavy as he said, "What are you doing? Do you really see me as a buyer?"
Lan Yu felt completely unable to fathom his thoughts. Sometimes he was gentle, sometimes volatile, sometimes he gave off a sense of righteousness, and other times she found him dangerous.
"Then why have you been helping me like this?" Lan Yu asked, confused. "I'm a discarded wife, worthless in most men's eyes. Why do you think I'm so valuable?"
He was momentarily stunned by her question and suddenly realized he had become infatuated with this woman, inexplicably liking her.
He recalled Su Su had recently told him that he too should get married, have children, and a stable home.
So, he blurted out, "Because I need a wife, and you are the most suitable candidate I've found."
Lan Yu was taken aback, certain she had misheard. "Do you know what you're saying?"
Xiao An Jing said very seriously, "Marriage. I want to marry you."
This time, Lan Yu heard him clearly and gave an awkward laugh. "Don't joke about this. You can't joke about something like this..."
"I'm not joking. If you become my wife, you will only be loyal to me! I can provide you with everything you desire. That way, our transaction will be fair." He still hadn't said the words "I like you." He always had the upper hand with the women he played around with, but with Lan Yu, he would lose if he said those words first.
Lan Yu seemed to understand. So, he wanted her to sell herself into servitude, a lifelong commitment.
The shame she had felt earlier resurfaced, even more intensely. Yet, she couldn't outright refuse him. Taking a deep breath, she said, "Mr. Xiao, your proposal is too sudden. Can you give me some time to consider it? For now, I want to go see my mother."
"Of course, I'll give you ample time to consider," Xiao An Jing replied, seemingly indifferent to whether she agreed or refused. "I'll accompany you."
Lan Yu said nothing more and walked ahead. After all, with her failed marriage, she had long since given up any illusions or hopes for marriage and didn't want to be tied down by a dreadful marriage so soon.
She didn't go directly to her mother's ward. Instead, she first went to the flower shop at the hospital entrance and bought a bouquet of fragrant lilies before heading to her mother's room.
Xiao An Jing followed her silently, also curious about her mother. As she walked into the ward holding the flowers, he followed only two steps in, standing near the door.
Her mother lay sleeping on the hospital bed. She was very thin, her complexion sallow, as if all her bile had flowed onto her face. Her condition indeed looked grim.
Lan Yu placed the lilies in a vase by the bedside. Just as she was about to adjust them, her mother woke up. Upon seeing her, her face lit up with a smile and she said, "This scent is so lovely, I like it."
With that, her mother turned towards the bouquet of lilies, reached out her finger, and brushed past the flowers, finally plucking one and bringing it to her nose to smell.
Lan Yu took the flower from her hand and said, "Mom, don't smell it like that. Be careful of flower bugs getting into your nose."
Her mother struggled to sit up and said dismissively, "I'm practically dying. Why would I worry about such things? As for you, my dear, don't go through any more trouble for my treatment."
Something pricked Lan Yu's heart, but she smiled and said, "What do you mean dying? Having cancer isn't scary anymore; many cases can be cured. Don't worry about me, just cooperate with the doctor's treatment. These medical expenses are nothing; I have money."
"Where do you have money? You can't perform on stage now, and it's probably a struggle to support yourself." Her mother asked abruptly. "By the way, I heard from a fellow patient that the treatment the doctor is using on me is very expensive. Where did you get so much money, you little rascal? Did those bastards from the Xie family finally have a change of heart and compensate you?"
Lan Yu merely hummed, not giving a direct answer.
Her mother became anxious and said, "Even if that's the case, you should save this money for your future life and not waste it on me..."
"Mom, I'm still young, with hands and feet. What plans do I need? If the money runs out, I can earn it back with my own abilities." Lan Yu added an extra pillow behind her mother to make her more comfortable. "Please stop worrying about money. What did you eat today? Do you want some congee?"
Her mother looked at her and sighed, saying, "My mouth doesn't have much taste. Now that you mention it, I do feel like eating preserved egg and lean meat congee..."
She inadvertently glanced elsewhere and suddenly noticed a tall, handsome man standing by the door. "Sir, have you come to the wrong room? I'm in a private room, and there are no other patients here."
Xiao An Jing smiled at her and greeted her, "Hello, Auntie."
"He's not in the wrong room. He's a friend who gave me a ride to the hospital," Lan Yu quickly explained.
Xiao An Jing corrected her, "Yes, I'm her boyfriend. I heard you were ill and came specifically to see you."
Lan Yu's mother's gaze darted between the two of them. It felt like a dream, and she was momentarily speechless.
Lan Yu thought her mother would be angry. She shot Xiao An Jing a fierce glare and then hurriedly explained, "Mom, he's joking. He and I are just ordinary friends."
"Oh, aren't you going to buy me congee? Hurry up," her mother said, still appraising Xiao An Jing.
"Okay." Lan Yu got up, wanting to pull Xiao An Jing out of the ward.
Her mother then said, "You go buy it, and let your ordinary friend keep me company."
Xiao An Jing also wanted to stay in the ward, so he quickly stepped forward and said, "Auntie, feel free to say whatever you wish to discuss with me."
Lan Yu's mother smiled at him and then said to Lan Yu, "You, girl, hurry up. I'm getting a bit hungry. Don't worry, I won't eat your friend."
Lan Yu had no choice but to go outside the hospital alone to buy the congee. However, she was worried that Xiao An Jing might say something nonsensical to her mother, so she hurried back.
"What is your surname? I didn't know Yu Yu had a friend like you. When did you meet?" Lan Yu's mother asked, her expression stern.
"Auntie, my name is Xiao An Jing. The Xiao with the grass radical, the An from peace, and the Jing from scenery." Xiao An Jing seemed a bit nervous introducing himself to Lan Yu's mother. "Lan Yu and I met about three months ago. We're the type to fall in love at first sight..."
Lan Yu's mother didn't want to hear his nonsense and cut him off, asking, "Do you know about my daughter's past experiences? What 'love at first sight'? Don't you think of deceiving my daughter's feelings!"
"Auntie, I am serious about Lan Yu. She is the most innocent and kind woman I have ever met. Please rest assured, I will give her a good life, and we will take good care of you together..."
"Wait, what exactly is your relationship? How are you already talking about filial piety?" Lan Yu's mother, with her life experience, wasn't about to let her guard down after a few pleasant words.