After two weeks of rest, Mu Lin drove Dong Enyu to the hospital for a routine check-up.
In the examination room, Dong Enyu and the doctor discussed the X-rays.
Her recovery was swift, and the bruises on her body had healed.
To eliminate scars, Mu Lin had bought scar removal cream and massaged her daily.
Although the massages often led to them rolling onto the bed, it was a kind of fun.
Thinking of this, Dong Enyu couldn’t help but smile, treating the doctor’s diagnosis as background noise.
“If there are no accidents, you can remove the cast in two weeks,” the doctor said, taking the X-ray from the lightbox.
Seeing Dong Enyu’s silly smile, he couldn’t help but knock on the table.
“Miss Dong, did you hit your head? Do you need me to arrange a treatment for you?” Dong Enyu wasn’t angry at the doctor’s words.
This private hospital was one of Coral Reef Group’s properties, serving VIP patients.
Although the doctor was a bit sharp-tongued, his medical skills were impeccable.
She had heard from several nurses that when Dong Enyu was brought in, she was almost at death’s door.
Fortunately, the abundant medical resources here pulled her back from the brink.
“Aren’t you curious why I’m recovering so quickly?” Dong Enyu crossed her legs and smiled, seeing the doctor’s intrigued look.
“Isn’t it said that the best medicine when sick is to stay happy? My quick recovery is all thanks to excellent care.”
“What kind of caregiver is so amazing? Introduce them to our hospital,” the doctor said casually, placing the data on the table.
Dong Enyu picked up her bag and walked to the door, winking and smiling as she turned back.
“No way, that’s my exclusive caregiver.”
Leaving the examination room, Mu Lin was sitting in the lounge area chatting with a few nurses.
Her polite smile in response let Dong Enyu know she wasn’t very engaged in the conversation.
Recently, Dong Enyu had become more attuned to Mu Lin’s emotional changes.
She was gentle and considerate, but Dong Enyu could tell if she was happy or distracted.
To those unfamiliar, Mu Lin might seem very sociable.
But Dong Enyu knew she just didn’t know how to say “no.”
Watching Mu Lin being surrounded by two nurses, Dong Enyu didn’t plan to rescue her.
She noticed Mu Lin saw her but was unable to break free from the nurses’ enthusiastic chatter, showing an awkward and troubled expression.
Dong Enyu held back a laugh, deliberately putting on a slightly displeased look to tease her.
As soon as Dong Enyu’s lips turned down slightly, Mu Lin immediately apologized to the nurses.
“Sorry, my friend is out, I have to go, goodbye.” Without waiting for a response, Mu Lin quickly ran to Dong Enyu, nervously clutching her clothes, her cheeks slightly red.
“Enyu, have you been waiting long? I’m sorry, I didn’t notice earlier.”
Her apology was sincere, but Dong Enyu deliberately didn’t let her hold hands, just shrugged.
“It’s fine.” Her tone was very flat.
“Enyu, Enyu…” Mu Lin followed Dong Enyu out of the hospital, whispering as if troubled.
Dong Enyu turned her head to see Mu Lin’s pitiful expression, unable to help but soften her heart.
She slowed her pace to walk shoulder to shoulder with her, even taking the initiative to hold Mu Lin’s hand, which was clutching her clothes, squeezing it lightly.
Mu Lin immediately returned the grip, even clinging to her, tightly hugging her arm.
“If you don’t want to chat with them, just say ‘Sorry, I’m waiting for someone,’ that’s all.
No need to accommodate them,” Dong Enyu suddenly said.
She secretly worried about Mu Lin, as her low guard made her an easy target.
If the person approaching was a creep, wouldn’t Mu Lin be in danger?
“Is Enyu jealous?” Mu Lin asked softly, leaning on her shoulder, her cheeks a bit flushed.
…Jealous? Dong Enyu was taken aback, her gaze drifting to Mu Lin.
Why would she be jealous?
Seeing no answer, Mu Lin immediately tightened her grip.
“Did I say something wrong? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s nothing,” Dong Enyu awkwardly smiled, letting Mu Lin into the car.
“You said you wanted to go home to get clothes, right? I’ll go with you.” Then she got in the car too, but Dong Enyu was a bit lost in thought.
Looking at the scenery outside, it was a holiday, and many couples were out on dates.
Remembering Mu Lin’s question about jealousy, Dong Enyu subconsciously tightened her seatbelt.
…Jealousy is a feeling of wanting to monopolize someone you like, right? She wouldn’t be jealous; she and Mu Lin weren’t in that kind of relationship.
Not a couple’s relationship.
But it was more than friendship.
During the drive, Dong Enyu was very quiet.
They entered the suburbs, and Mu Lin skillfully parked the car in the basement.
The two went upstairs together.
Today they were back to get Mu Lin’s clothes.
Although Mu Lin had returned alone a few times, she always worried about Dong Enyu, so she hurriedly grabbed clothes and left.
This time, Dong Enyu came along to let Mu Lin pack her luggage at ease.
While Mu Lin was packing toiletries in the bedroom with her suitcase, Dong Enyu saw a family photo on the bookshelf.
The frame was exquisite and elegant, matching Mu Lin’s taste.
In the photo, the whole family was happily picnicking on the grass.
Mu Lin’s father was quite elderly but looked very spirited.
Mu Lin’s mother was a graceful woman, exuding a gentle aura.
At that time, Mu Lin’s hair was shorter, with shoulder-length layers, looking like an angel in the warm sun.
The family’s joyful scene made Dong Enyu lower her eyes slightly.
Mu Lin had a great family.
Being with Mu Lin seemed to disrupt such harmony.
She was a normal girl; maybe Dong Enyu shouldn’t continue being with her?
“Enyu, I’m done packing.” At this moment, Mu Lin came out of the bedroom with her suitcase, just in time to see Dong Enyu staring blankly at the photo frame.
“You look a lot like your mother,” Dong Enyu said with a soft smile, putting the frame back on the shelf.
Indeed, they looked alike, but Mu Lin was even purer than her mother, like a crystal, reflecting a faint glow.
“Yes, many people say that,” Mu Lin nodded, saying relatives often joked they were twin sisters.
“You said your parents are settled overseas, right? Why don’t you live with them?” Dong Enyu tucked the stray hair by Mu Lin’s cheek behind her ear, revealing her round, delicate ear.
She thought Mu Lin looked prettier with long hair, so gentle and graceful.
“They have businesses overseas, and I have work here, so I’m staying here for now,” Mu Lin said, holding Dong Enyu’s hand, gently squeezing it.
“Will you go back once your work here is done?” Dong Enyu referred to “going back,” to her hometown.
This wasn’t the country Mu Lin grew up in.
From their time together, Dong Enyu learned Mu Lin grew up overseas, studied there, and enjoyed family life there.
…She would go back.
Dong Enyu blinked, staring into Mu Lin’s light-colored eyes, which shone with a faint glow, free of impurities.
“Developing overseas is good.
I believe you have the potential and will seize the opportunity, right?” She couldn’t hold Mu Lin back because she was Mu Lin’s friend.
Encouraging her to give up this unusual relationship was a good thing.
Mu Lin and she were always in different worlds, seemingly close but actually far apart.
“Would Enyu be willing to go with me then?” Mu Lin asked softly, holding Dong Enyu’s hand tighter.
Out of nowhere, Dong Enyu’s heart started racing.
Mu Lin’s sincere gaze made her feel that the decision she was about to make was incredibly important.
“Are you proposing to me with those words?” she teased to cover up her inner turmoil, laughing at Dong Enyu’s seriousness.
Yet, she was also glad for her seriousness.
But she couldn’t express her feelings.
“No, no, I just… don’t want to be apart from Enyu.” Mu Lin’s face turned red with embarrassment, and the atmosphere they had just built was shattered by Dong Enyu’s teasing words.
She let go of Dong Enyu’s hand, intending to leave with her luggage, but Dong Enyu was quicker, cupping her cheeks.
“I’ll stay with you until you get tired of me,” Dong Enyu said earnestly, though there was a faint bitter smile on her lips.
She couldn’t promise Mu Lin true love, nor could she just kick her away.
All she could offer was to be there for her as long as she needed her.
“Why say such things?” Mu Lin didn’t understand.
She wanted to see Dong Enyu’s thoughts in her eyes, but all she saw was loneliness.
Dong Enyu was very lonely; Mu Lin could feel her distance from her actions and words, yet their bodies drew closer.
They could kiss, but love words were only touched upon briefly.
Before expressing deeper affection, Dong Enyu would stop her.
Before getting tired… Dong Enyu actually used the word ‘tired,’ and at the same time, her eyes were so empty… “Feelings change.
I don’t expect you to promise me forever.
I just hope I can be by your side until you get tired of me.” Without more burdens, she could avoid talking about love, treating it as a one-sided crush.
As long as Mu Lin still needed her, letting her know that was enough.
If Mu Lin got tired, if she was done playing, then they would part ways.
Isn’t this a form of self-torture? Dong Enyu knew the pain of being ‘abandoned,’ just like when she willingly played love games with Yong Le and was later ruthlessly discarded.
Yet, she couldn’t let go.
Even if the thorns pierced her, leaving her covered in blood, Dong Enyu still wanted to hold Mu Lin’s hand.
Call her a fool or a jerk, she didn’t want to give up the happiness she had now… even if it was fleeting and illusory.
Mu Lin, learning from Dong Enyu, cupped her face and leaned in, their foreheads touching, noses crossing.
“No matter what happens in the future, will you stay with me?” Her breath was right by Dong Enyu’s lips, warm and ticklish… “This promise holds until you let go,” Dong Enyu nodded slightly, sincerely assuring Mu Lin.
But if Mu Lin let go, she would fall into the abyss, and her heart would shatter, beyond repair.
The words that followed melted into their kiss; there was nothing more to say.
This was an agreement, a promise to enjoy happiness before the dream shattered.
