The hospital in the early morning was bathed in a tranquil and harmonious stillness.
Yan Lu lay on the hospital bed, staring blankly at the chirping sparrows perched on the treetops outside the window. Spring had returned, life was flourishing, buds were sprouting anew, and even the sparrows’ chirping seed less noisy, brimming instead with a vibrant vitality.
The clacking of high heels striking the floor disrupted the peace.
Yan Lu’s body suddenly stiffened. As the footsteps approached closer and closer, a growing unease stirred within her heart.
The door to the hospital ward was pushed open from the outside.
Yan Lu, in the middle of lifting the quilt to get out of bed, froze mid-motion, as a shadow lood over her from above.
Yan Lu awkwardly lifted her head. Her pale little face instantly lit up with a fawning yet delighted smile. "Aunt, how coincidental that we would run into each other here."
The woman standing before her wore a cal-colored coat. Her smooth hair cascaded gracefully over her shoulders. Her willow-like brows and slender eyes matched her fair complexion, radiating an air of elegance and intellectual beauty.
Though her deanor appeared gentle, when her gaze fell upon soone, it conveyed an unspeakable presence that instinctively commanded apprehension.
The atmosphere was frozen until Yan Xue lightly flicked her finger against Yan Lu’s forehead. "You—how much longer were you planning to hide that you’re sick from ?"
Her tone was a mix of helplessness and fondness.
Yan Lu’s nose turned sour as she flung herself into Yan Xue’s embrace. "Aunt..."
Yan Xue gently hugged her, lovingly and softly stroking her hair.
Shen You’an returned with a bucket of hot water only to see two n dressed in black standing by the hospital room door, resembling vigilant gatekeepers.
As she walked up, the n in black stopped her.
Shen You’an gestured toward the inside of the room. "I’m a friend of your Miss."
So the Yan family had finally shown up.
From inside the room ca Yan Lu’s voice. "Don’t be rude to my friend. An’an, co in quickly."
Only then did the n in black allow her through.
Shen You’an entered the hospital room and imdiately recognized a "familiar face," but that person was regarding her with a look that seed entirely unfamiliar.
The gaze was tender and admiring, devoid of any offense or discomfort.
Yan Xue smiled and said, "You must be An’an. At ho, I often hear Lu Lu ntion you. You are just as I imagined—so smart and beautiful."
Shen You’an displayed impeccable politeness. "Miss Yan, hello."
Yan Xue affectionately stepped forward and held Shen You’an’s hand. "Calling that feels too formal. Like Lu Lu, you can just call Aunt. Back in Qingzhou, Lu Lu often relied on your care. Now that she’s in Jingzhou and troubling you again, let take you out for a al when we have ti."
Not wanting to decline the kindness, especially since Yan Xue did co across as genuinely warm and gracious, Shen You’an hesitated, knowing excessive modesty might co off insincere. "Alright, thank you, Aunt."
The smile on Yan Xue’s face deepened, but as she looked at Shen You’an’s face, a subtle sense of familiarity gnawed at her—like she’d seen this face sowhere before. But apart from hearing about her from Yan Lu, she was certain she’d never t this girl.
"An’an, have we perhaps t sowhere before?"
Yan Xue voiced her curiosity.
Shen You’an shook her head with a gentle smile. "Aunt Yan, this is our first eting."
Yan Xue stared intently at the face before her. "You bear a striking resemblance to a friend of mine."
"There are lots of people who look alike in this world, Aunt," Yan Lu interrupted. "Why are you asking so many questions?"
Yan Xue lightly smacked herself on the forehead. "You’re right; it must have been nonsense. You haven’t rested all night taking care of Lu Lu. You must be exhausted. Go ho and get so sleep. I’ll stay here with her."
Shen You’an picked up her bag and coat from the couch, bid farewell to the two, and left the hospital.
Yan Xue watched Shen You’an’s departing figure, lost in thought.
"Aunt, what’s wrong? Are you still wondering if An’an looks like that friend of yours?"
Yan Xue pressed with another question. "An’an is a native of Qingzhou, correct?"
"Yes. Poor girl’s had a rough life. She’s been an orphan since childhood, a martyr’s offspring, raised by her uncle and aunt. And oh, what a rotten person that aunt was. It’s truly a miracle An’an managed to grow up as well as she did..."
Yan Lu asked curiously, "Aunt, who’s this friend that resembles An’an? Do you have pictures? Let see. Maybe it’s like those stories where they turn out to be long-lost relatives?"
Yan Xue shook her head. "Perhaps it’s just a coincidence."
That "friend" of hers was none other than Amos, the young master of the i Fei family.
Though she had t Amos only a few tis, his countenance had left a strong impression on her. His golden hair and blue eyes were striking, but his refined features bore an unmistakable resemblance to those of Hua Country.
She recalled certain rumors about Amos. It was whispered that his biological mother was a woman from Hua Country, who had birthed Amos after a one-night encounter with Delar, and then vanished without a trace. Delar doted on and cherished his youngest son imnsely. Amos, being frail as a child, had been shielded carefully by Delar and never exposed to the public eye. Back then, the outside world had speculated that the young master might have already passed away.
It wasn’t until a few years ago that Amos made a highly publicized appearance, showcasing extraordinary talent in investnt and becoming a rising star.
With Hua Country being such a lucrative market, it naturally caught Amos’s attention. Last sumr, their goals aligned, and she sought to leverage Amos’s connections and resources to clean up the ss left behind by Xu Lang.
Amos was a remarkably generous, visionary, and enigmatic figure. Over the past year, the opportunities to et him had been scarce, but every encounter brought newfound clarity and direction.
Her trip to Jingzhou this ti was at Amos’s invitation, to et tomorrow evening at eight in Zirui Pavilion.
She wondered what guidance Amos might offer this ti.
"I don’t believe in coincidences," Yan Lu quipped. "By the way, Aunt, I fell ill in the middle of the night, and you showed up here so early this morning. That’s awfully fast. Were you already in Jingzhou?"
"I arrived last night. I have a friend’s eting tomorrow evening."
Yan Xue gave her a once-over. "Do you want to co with tomorrow evening? This friend of mine is a big shot, not soone easily t. I could take you along to broaden your horizons."
Amos was around the sa age as Lu Lu; perhaps they could strike up a conversation.
Yan Lu shook her head disinterestedly. "You know I hate socializing at dinners. You go ahead by yourself. My stomach’s been off these past few days; I can’t eat anything."
Seeing her pale and frail appearance, Yan Xue couldn’t insist further. "Alright, then let An’an co keep you company tomorrow night."
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