The Ailing Jiang Ruowan

"Is that your boyfriend?"

The shopkeeper finally couldn't hold back his curiosity; he gave a light cough and asked in a low voice.

Wang Dong'er accidentally crushed the fruit in her hand, her small face flushing red as she whipped her head around.

"How could he possibly be my boyfriend? He's not worthy, not worthy at all!"

"Right, right, my lady, my apologies. It was wrong of me to run my mouth."

With that tone and that state, yet still spying on someone else's date—who would believe she had no feelings for him? But since Wang Dong'er denied it, the shopkeeper couldn't exactly force her to admit it.

They weren't friends, and they didn't know each other. It was just gossip; if the other party didn't want to talk, then so be it. Better not push her too far and end up getting stabbed.

Wang Dong'er's lips trembled, her pink brows furrowed tightly as she searched her mind for a reason to act this way. Yet, it seemed there really was no reason to do this, nor any reason to be jealous.

"The customers seem to be leaving."

The shopkeeper glanced over and noticed Chu Mo and his companion preparing to depart, so he hurriedly reminded her.

"Ah?"

Wang Dong'er hurriedly looked up. Indeed, she only saw their retreating backs, and she scrambled to her feet.

Seeing this, the shopkeeper felt a sense of relief. Since she was in such a rush, she surely wouldn't take the fruit, and he could sell it again to make a killing.

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Wang Dong'er reached out and swept all the remaining intact fruit from the stall into her storage Spirit Tool.

"Right, Xiao Lv said he likes fruit, so I might as well take these."

Seeing that there was no fruit left, Wang Dong'er hurried to follow them.

The shopkeeper's expression was as if he had swallowed a fly. He was already making a profit, but having his dream of making even more shattered was still painful. He might as well pack up and go home.

Strolling (dating) and shopping.

Several hours passed, and the time was nearing noon.

Chu Mo carried bags of all sizes as he arrived with Jiang Nannan at a secluded residence within Shrek City.

"It's quite remote."

Looking at the house, which was a far cry from the luxury of the Shrek City center, Chu Mo sighed softly.

Jiang Nannan pursed her lips: "There's no helping it. The cost of living in Shrek City is too high. The only reason I could afford this place is because I sold the medicinal pills you gave me."

Creak—

Pushing open the door, Chu Mo saw a young woman in a plain long dress bending over to draw water by the well in the courtyard.

Her posture accentuated her curvaceous, full figure, yet her face was pale and sickly, as if she might collapse at any moment.

Time hadn't left many marks on her; instead, it had added a sense of mature charm. Combined with her fragile appearance, a desire to protect her rose from within his heart.

She was too focused on drawing water to notice anyone entering, so Jiang Nannan had to wave her hand.

"Mother!"

"Nannan, you're back."

Jiang Ruowan, who was carrying the water, looked up with a motherly smile on her face. But when she saw Chu Mo, her expression froze.

Thud!

The bucket in her hand dropped to the ground, splashing water that soaked her dress, yet Ruowan didn't seem to notice.

"Auntie, long time no see."

Chu Mo raised his left hand, which wasn't holding any gifts, to greet her.

"Xiao Mo."

Jiang Ruowan didn't care about her wet dress; she took two quick steps to reach Chu Mo and grabbed his hand.

"Ahem!"

Seeing this, Jiang Nannan's pupils dilated instantly. Why did this feel so strange!

Jiang Ruowan completely ignored her daughter, Jiang Nannan, standing beside them, and instead beamed as she looked Chu Mo over, touching his face, hair, hands, and arms.

"You've really grown up. You've become such a big boy, and you're getting more handsome by the day. I wonder which girl is going to be lucky enough to have you."

A little enthusiasm was fine, but Chu Mo kept subconsciously glancing at her wet dress. The white fabric clung to her skin, revealing legs as white as jade—perhaps even whiter than jade, likely due to her illness.

"Auntie, perhaps you should change your clothes."

"Mom, honestly."

Jiang Nannan also felt that Jiang Ruowan's state wasn't quite right.

"Alright, alright, I'll go change. You and Nannan go inside and sit down. Since you're here today, Auntie will make you something delicious."

Jiang Ruowan couldn't win against the two of them and reluctantly let go of Chu Mo's hand.

"Heh, see? My mom only ever talks about you. She didn't even ask about me since you arrived."

Jiang Nannan nudged Chu Mo with her elbow, complaining with a pout.

It didn't hurt; it felt more like a playful gesture. Chu Mo wasn't angry, simply covering his mouth to chuckle.

"Haha, maybe your mom just misses me too much. After all, you get to see me every day."

Of course, that was what Chu Mo thought as well. There couldn't possibly be any other reason, right?

Probably not...

The house wasn't very large, consisting of a small living room, a bedroom, and a kitchen.

Jiang Nannan usually lived in the dorms, leaving only Jiang Ruowan at home. Buying a two-bedroom place felt like a waste to her, and as for her daughter visiting occasionally, even if she did come back to Shrek City to see her, it was unlikely she would stay the night. Even if she did, there was nothing wrong with them sharing a room.

After putting down the groceries, Chu Mo intended to sit in the living room for a while, but Jiang Ruowan didn't treat him like an outsider at all. She changed her clothes and immediately led him into the bedroom.

The bedroom was quite monotonous, with white bedsheets that gave it a very pure appearance.

"Hehe, Little Mo, you and Nannan sit on the bed for a while. Auntie is going to buy some groceries; I must make sure you have a feast at noon."

Jiang Ruowan's enthusiasm remained undiminished. She pulled Chu Mo to the edge of the bed and began tying up her hair.

"Mom, how about I go instead?"

Seeing her mother about to head out, Jiang Nannan thought of her mother's frail appearance and felt a bit uneasy, so she volunteered.

She had expected some polite refusal, but unexpectedly, Jiang Ruowan finished tying her hair, pulled her hands back, looked up at Jiang Nannan, and agreed immediately.

"Alright, that's thoughtful of you, Nannan. That works too; I'll have a chat with Little Mo..."

Jiang Nannan: ...

She felt like she'd been played. Looking at the gentle Jiang Ruowan, she didn't think that was the case, but words once spoken were like spilled water—impossible to take back.

Chu Mo watched as Jiang Nannan turned back to glare at him before she stood up and left. Soon, the sound of the door closing echoed through the house.

Only Chu Mo and Jiang Ruowan remained in the room.

The atmosphere was a bit awkward. Chu Mo, feeling the weight of Jiang Ruowan's unblinking gaze, was the first to break the silence.

"Auntie, why don't you sit down first?"

Jiang Ruowan responded gently, "Mm~"

She didn't stop staring, however, and quickly sat on the edge of the bed, leaving only a fist's distance between her and Chu Mo.

"Little Mo, have you already joined Shrek Academy since coming here?"

She asked it like an ordinary elder making small talk.

Chu Mo nodded naturally.

"Yes, that's right. I've joined the academy, though if I don't pass the Freshman Assessment, I'll be expelled."

Hearing his lack of confidence, Jiang Ruowan quickly grabbed his hand to offer comfort and encouragement.

"Hehe, it's not like Auntie doesn't know what you're capable of. If that girl Nannan can pass, you certainly can too."

Chu Mo felt strange being held like this; he had the inexplicable feeling that Jiang Ruowan was strangely excited.

"You've really grown so much. When you were treating Auntie's illness before, your hands were still so small, but now they're already bigger than mine."