117: Jade feet and white silk

Three days later,

The morning sun gently spilled across the land, bathing the city in a warm, golden glow.

Inside Central Hospital, people came and went, but one particularly striking figure moved among them.

Chen Mengyao walked with a light step, as if treading on clouds, every movement exuding vitality.

Like a nimble bird, she hummed a melodious tune from her rosy cherry lips, stepping lightly into the hospital.

It was a classic old song, her voice soft, humming with relish, every note seemed to dance with joy, as if to dispel the smell of disinfectant in the hospital.

Today, Chen Mengyao had clearly taken extra care with her appearance.

Her long, glossy black hair cascaded smoothly over her shoulders, with a few playful curls adding a touch of liveliness and charm.

Her face, usually beautiful without makeup, was now delicately enhanced, like an elegant ink wash painting subtly imbued with just the right amount of color.

Her eyebrows, like distant mountains, were gently outlined to reveal her gentle demeanor; her eyes, like clear autumn waters, sparkled with a radiant smile, and as her gaze shifted, an irrepressible joy shone through, as if the twinkling stars of the night sky had fallen into her eyes.

Her nose was delicately upturned, with soft lines that added dimension to her face, and her rosy lips were like dewy spring flower petals; the slight upturn at the corners of her mouth hadn't fallen since she woke up this morning.

That captivating crescent-like curve, coupled with a gentle smile, revealed a row of neat, white teeth, exuding a youthful and charming aura.

She wore an lotus root pink dress, the fabric of which was like the finest silk, smooth and delicate, with a faint sheen, swaying gently with her movements, light and ethereal like flowing clouds.

The fitted style perfectly accentuated her slender yet graceful figure; her waist, easily encircled, swayed like a willow branch in the wind, exuding charm with its delicate curve.

Her chest was gently curved, with soft, natural lines, like mountains lightly brushed by the spring breeze, exuding the unique innocence and tenderness of a young girl; the hem of the skirt just grazed her knees, perfectly revealing a pair of well-rounded, long, jade-like legs.

These jade-like legs were tightly encased in a pair of over-the-knee white stockings.

The white stockings seemed woven from fresh winter snow, pure and flawless, exuding a soft luster, clinging tightly to her skin without a single wrinkle or looseness, as smooth as a freshly wiped mirror.

The exquisite and delicate texture of the stockings, subtly visible, added a mysterious and alluring touch to her legs.

From her upper thighs, they wound down to her slender calves and then to her small, delicate ankles, like a meticulously sculpted work of art.

Complementing her outfit was a pair of exquisite round-toed leather shoes, their surfaces made of glossy black patent leather, like a midnight lake reflecting faint light, shimmering brightly.

The round-toe design was playful and cute, adding a touch of sweet innocence to her, as if one could see the purity in her heart.

A small bow adorned the shoe's surface, made of matching satin ribbon, soft in texture, and edged with a delicate string of pearls that shimmered with a gentle luster in the light, perfectly complementing the overall sweet style.

The heel of the leather shoes was not high, about two or three centimeters, which allowed her to walk with a more upright and elegant posture without appearing overly mature, perfectly showcasing a girl's lightness and vitality.

Today, she was like a delicate flower blooming in the mortal world, making the entire world pale in comparison.

Chen Mengyao steadily carried an insulated lunchbox, containing the chicken soup she had carefully prepared.

Wisps of hot steam seeped from the gaps in the lunchbox, like her joyful mood at the moment, impossible to hide.

She gracefully walked into the luxurious ward on the top floor of the hospital, gently pushing open the door, her humming song becoming even more cheerful.

The familiar melody echoed softly in the ward, as if possessing a magical power to dispel all gloom.

Mother Chen, Li Yunxia, lying on the hospital bed, heard the sound and turned her head slightly. Seeing her daughter's appearance, she couldn't help but be slightly stunned.

Her face was a bit pale, and years had left faint traces on her face, but they still couldn't hide her former beauty.

At this moment, her eyes were full of doubt; she widened them slightly, carefully scrutinizing her daughter, and then asked, "Mengyao, are you... where are you going today?"

Li Yunxia's voice carried a hint of weakness and confusion. She propped herself up slightly, leaning against the headboard, her gaze fixed on her daughter, her eyes full of inquiry.

Chen Mengyao placed the chicken soup on the table and turned to look at Li Yunxia.

In that instant, she was like a delicate flower caressed by the spring breeze, smiling slightly with a hint of shyness, her cheeks instantly tinged with a faint blush, as if the clouds in the sky had quietly drifted down.

Chen Mengyao pursed her rosy lips, her eyes showing some nervousness and anticipation, and softly said, "Mr. Lu is taking me to a concert today, so I just..."

As she spoke, she unconsciously raised her hand and gently smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers trembling slightly, betraying her inner shyness.

Li Yunxia immediately understood. She looked at the blush on her daughter's face and sighed inwardly.

A complex emotion flashed in her eyes. She knew her daughter had completely fallen into Lu Chen's web of love, and she felt a sense of helplessness.

Her lips moved, as if she wanted to speak but stopped, finally just shaking her head gently.

Her daughter was completely smitten with Mr. Lu, but the path to a wealthy family was not so easy.

Moreover, their family was now receiving so much care from Lu Chen, even this ward... Thinking of this, her gaze subconsciously swept around the luxurious ward, her heart filled with emotion, yet she didn't know how to speak.

After a moment of silence, Li Yunxia sighed softly and said,

"Uh... Mengyao, I think I've recovered almost completely recently. How about we go home? We won't stay here anymore. After all, it costs tens of thousands a day here. When will we ever pay off this money?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Mengyao's smile faltered slightly, and a hint of panic flashed in her originally bright eyes.

She unconsciously bit her lower lip, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Mom, I've talked about this with Mr. Lu many times, but he insists that it takes a hundred days for bones and tendons to heal, and that you can only leave after staying here for a hundred days. I really can't persuade him..."

Her voice grew softer and softer, and her head drooped slightly. Her hands clasped together uneasily in front of her, her fingers constantly fiddling with the hem of her clothes.

Upon hearing this, Li Yunxia's expression immediately changed slightly. Her chest rose and fell dramatically, and her voice instantly grew louder: "A hundred days? How much money will that be!"

She widened her eyes, which were filled with shock and apprehension, as if she had been frightened by the enormous cost.

She stared directly at Chen Mengyao, her eyes holding both reproach and deep helplessness. Her lips trembled, as if she wanted to say more, but her throat was choked by overwhelming worry.

Chen Mengyao's head dropped even lower. Like a child who had made a mistake, she stammered, "Mom, Mr. Lu is also being kind... And, and he also said he's going to find a school for Xuening. I... I didn't refuse."

At this point, her voice was almost inaudible, her eyes fixed on her toes, not daring to look at Li Yunxia's gaze.

She knew her mother had always not wanted her to have too much contact and financial entanglement with Lu Chen, but Lu Chen's kindness was truly difficult for her to refuse.

Because these were all things she couldn't do at all right now, but greatly longed for.

Li Yunxia was stunned for a moment. She opened her mouth, about to reprimand her, but seeing her daughter's cautious demeanor, she swallowed her words.

Finding a school for Xuening, this was the most difficult thing for their family right now, and also her biggest worry.

As soon as she thought of her younger daughter's future, all her anger was extinguished as if doused with a basin of cold water.

She sighed weakly, her eyes filled with exhaustion and helplessness, and her voice also lowered:

"Alas, what can be done... How can we ever repay Mr. Lu's kindness to us?"

She leaned back against the headboard, staring blankly at the ceiling, her brows furrowed, her face filled with confusion about the future.

Chen Mengyao pursed her lips, remaining silent. She understood all the worries her mother expressed.

She lowered her gaze for a moment, as if making a decision, then lifted her head, her eyes resolute, and softly said,

"Mom, don't worry. After I get my salary, I'll pay it all back to Mr. Lu. I won't take a single extra cent."

"I can also work part-time, find a few more jobs, and I'll definitely be able to pay back this money."

Her voice, though soft, carried an undeniable stubbornness, and her hands unconsciously clutched the hem of her clothes.

Li Yunxia looked at her daughter, her eyes instantly softening, full of heartache. Her eyes were slightly red, her lips trembling, and she softly said, "You've worked hard, my child."

Then, she moved her body, wanting to get out of bed, and as she moved, she said, "No, I also need to be discharged. I can't stay here any longer. We can't owe too much of this money."

Seeing this, Chen Mengyao hurriedly stepped forward to stop her, gently pressing her hands on Li Yunxia's shoulders, and whispered,

"Mom, you should honestly stay here. No one can defy what Mr. Lu says, otherwise... otherwise it will be very bad."

As she said this, her voice involuntarily trembled, and she bit her lower lip with lingering fear.

Li Yunxia's movements stiffened. She suddenly remembered the scene of Chen Yingcai being beaten to the brink of death, and her body suddenly shivered, her face instantly turning pale.

A moment later, as if all her strength had been drained, she silently sat back down, her hands resting weakly by the bed, her gaze lowered, full of helplessness and resignation.

Chen Mengyao looked at her mother in this state, her heart filled with bitterness.

She gently held Li Yunxia's hand and softly comforted her, "Mom, don't worry. Just recuperate here quietly, and leave the rest to me."

Then, without waiting for Li Yunxia to say anything else, Chen Mengyao turned and walked towards the ward door.

Her figure was slender yet straight, as if she was shouldering all of life's burdens alone.

Her long, glossy black hair swayed gently with her steps, a few strands playfully lifting, adding a touch of stubbornness to her.

The lotus root pink dress outlined her graceful figure, the hem of the skirt gently swaying, and over-the-knee white stockings tightly encased her well-rounded, long legs.

The white stockings shimmered with a soft luster in the sunlight, exuding the unique purity and beauty of a young girl.

Her steps were neither hurried nor slow, each one firm, as she gradually disappeared through the ward door.

Li Yunxia watched Chen Mengyao's retreating figure and sighed silently once more.