"It's four o'clock, and it'll be dawn by the time I get home." Nan Xiao hugged her tighter. "Sleep now, I'll wake you up when it's light."
Lan Yu Xi reached out and touched his face. "The bed is too small, you're not sleeping comfortably. I'll get up, you get some rest."
Nan Xiao held her close. "No need. I can't sleep without holding you."
Lan Yu Xi sighed softly and nestled in his arms, closing her eyes.
Nan Xiao rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice low. "I've already let their families go. The old lady's subordinates have been dismissed on the spot, and her servants have been sent away. If you think it's not right, you can tell me. It's not too late to change it."
"I have no objections. I trust that you made this decision after careful consideration."
"As long as you're happy, that's all that matters. I don't dare to make you angry again."
Lan Yu Xi pouted. "Do you think I *want* to be angry with you! But Chao Chao and Mu Mu are my life. Someone wanted to hurt them, and it involved my family. How could I not be angry?"
Nan Xiao apologetically stroked her head. "You, Chao Chao, and Mu Mu are my life too. The old lady went too far this time."
"You're still angry now. If you regret it someday, you can let the old lady come back. The antidote is in the safe in our walk-in closet."
"I won't use that antidote. The old lady is fine as she is now. I saw her before I came here. She was very peaceful, as if she had forgotten all the past grievances. Her future days should be very easy."
Lan Yu Xi raised an eyebrow slightly. "If you don't change your mind within a year, you might be surprised."
"What surprise?"
"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you." Lan Yu Xi frowned slightly. "You sent the old lady away. Have you thought about how to explain it to the An family? And your sister-in-law, she occasionally visits the old lady in the hospital."
"Didn't the old lady keep saying she wanted to go to Country M? If they ask, just say she went to Country M. I've already arranged for a plane to fly to Country M."
Lan Yu Xi placed her hand on his waist. "Since everything is arranged, let's sleep."
"Mm." Nan Xiao kissed her forehead and slowly closed his eyes.
At six o'clock, Lan Yu Xi was awakened by a rustling sound. She turned her head to look at the bed opposite.
Han Yi was staring with wide eyes, smiling at his aunt.
Lan Yu Xi curved her lips into a smile, withdrew from Nan Xiao's arms, and got out of bed lightly.
"Auntie, good morning~"
"Good morning, darling~" Lan Yu Xi affectionately touched his head. "Did you sleep well last night? Did you have any nightmares?"
Han Yi shook his head with a smile. "No, Auntie. Don't worry, I'm not scared."
Lan Yu Xi picked up a patient gown and helped him put it on, then held him in her arms. "What do you want for breakfast? Auntie will have them make it for you."
Han Yi looked at Nan Xiao, who was still asleep, and made a shushing gesture with his small hand.
"Auntie, let's go talk outside. Don't wake up Uncle."
"It's fine. I gave your uncle some medicine. He won't wake up until after eight." Lan Yu Xi held his small hand. "You haven't told Auntie what you want to eat yet?"
"Auntie, why don't we go ask Dad what he wants to eat first?"
Lan Yu Xi smiled and flicked his little nose. "You want to see Dad?"
Han Yi blinked his big, watery eyes and nodded vigorously. "Dad was injured protecting me."
"Okay, Auntie will take you to see Dad." Lan Yu Xi picked him up, glanced at Nan Xiao, who was still asleep, and quickly walked out.
"Don't let anyone disturb Nan Xiao's rest." Lan Yu Xi instructed the guards at the door, then carried Han Yi into the elevator.
In the ward downstairs, Qiao Yu Fan was wiping Lan Mu Wei's face. Seeing his wife and son arrive, he smiled and reached out to take Han Yi.
Lan Yu Xi quickly dodged his hand. "You hurry and help my third brother get ready. Han Yi and I will go wash up too."
Han Yi looked at Lan Mu Wei with teary eyes. "Dad, does it still hurt?"
Lan Mu Wei took the towel from Qiao Yu Fan's hand and got out of bed with a smile. "Do I look like I'm in pain? Come, Dad will carry you to wash up. We don't need Mom and Auntie to take care of us."
Han Yi tightly hugged Lan Yu Xi's neck. "I'll hug you when Dad is better."
Lan Mu Wei smiled and flicked his nose. "Dad is really fine. It's just that your mom is too worried and won't let me get out of bed. Ask Auntie if you don't believe me."
Lan Yu Xi smiled and nodded. "Your dad is really fine. It's just that the wound can't get wet. It'll be fine in five days after the stitches are removed."
"Then you still can't let Dad hug me." Han Yi still clung tightly to Lan Yu Xi's neck. "What does Dad want for breakfast?"
"Dad will eat the same as you." Lan Mu Wei smiled, then looked at Lan Yu Xi and asked, "I heard Nan Xiao came back in the middle of the night?"
"Yes, he said it would be dawn by the time he got back, so he didn't go."
"He handled it pretty well this time. Don't give him the cold shoulder anymore."
"I know. We've talked it all through since he came back."
"Although he looks quite pathetic, it's rare to see you give him the cold shoulder. I find it quite satisfying."
Qiao Yu Fan tugged at Lan Mu Wei's sleeve.
Lan Mu Wei glanced at her. "You're surnamed Lan now. No sympathizing with outsiders."
Qiao Yu Fan shot him a glance. "Eldest brother is also half a son to Mom and Dad, not an outsider."
Lan Mu Wei raised an eyebrow slightly. "Are you being disobedient again? Have you forgotten how you begged me for mercy?"
Lan Yu Xi rolled her eyes at Lan Mu Wei and, carrying Han Yi, quickly entered the washroom.
Qiao Yu Fan blushed and hit Lan Mu Wei. "Why are you saying that when it's not necessary!"
"What are you afraid of? Han Yi doesn't understand."
"Han Yi doesn't understand, but Yu Xi does! Didn't you see how fast she ran away!"
Lan Mu Wei glanced at the washroom, leaned down, and quickly kissed Qiao Yu Fan's cheek. "I'll finish the rest myself. You go tell Auntie to bring Nan Xiao some breakfast too."
Qiao Yu Fan gave him a coquettish glare and hurried out the door.
Outside the door, Qiu Shu Ying was anxiously explaining to the bodyguard at the entrance. "I'm Nan Xiao's sister-in-law. Please let me see him and Yu Xi. I have something urgent to tell them."
Qiao Yu Fan stopped when she heard this. "Don't stop her. Let her in."
Qiu Shu Ying looked at her gratefully. "You must be Yu Fan. I'm looking for Nan Xiao and Yu Xi. My mother-in-law suddenly disappeared..."
Lan Yu Xi heard the voice, picked up Han Yi, and quickly came out. "The old lady hasn't disappeared. She's gone to Country M."
Qiu Shu Ying, holding a thermos, suddenly tightened her grip. "Gone to Country M? Can she manage with her condition going to Country M?"
"She's going to Country M for treatment. Nan Xiao has contacted an authoritative doctor there for her. Hopefully, they can cure her illness... But, so early, how did you know the old lady was missing?"