Poisoned.

Five days later, Mu Qingxi awoke. The first thing she saw was a blinding expanse of white, and the sharp, stinging scent of disinfectant filled her senses, making her frown involuntarily.

“Sis, you’re awake.”

She turned her head slightly and saw her younger brother, Mu Qingyang, leaning by the side of her hospital bed. She asked, “Qingyang, why are you sleeping here?”

Her brother quickly poured a glass of water, tested its temperature, then blew gently across the rim before saying, “Of course I’m here to look after you. This is the first time you’ve slept for so long, you really scared me and Mom. Mom’s gone back to make some soup. Just wait a little while, and soon you’ll have some porridge. Have some water first, your throat sounds so hoarse.”

Mu Qingyang stood up and helped his sister drink, then wiped the corner of her mouth with a towel before setting the cup aside. Carefully tucking in her covers, he sat down and continued, “Sis, five days! I almost thought you’d never wake up again—uh, I’m just talking nonsense. Don’t be mad. Sis, you mustn’t drink anymore. This time not only did your gastritis flare up, you were also poisoned by alcohol. You know you’re allergic to it, why put yourself through this? It only makes Mom and Dad worry.”

“Dad’s home?” Mu Qingxi looked at her brother.

He picked up an orange and began to peel it. “Yeah, Dad’s back. People from work kept calling. This morning, after your check-up, he heard from the doctor that you were out of danger, so he left at ten. Sis, let me tell you, Mom cried for a long time. It made my heart ache. Please, don’t argue with her anymore, alright?”

At that moment, the door to the hospital room opened. Both siblings looked up as their mother came in, carrying a thermos. The moment she saw Mu Qingxi awake, joy lit up her face. She hurried over and said, “Xiao Xi, are you feeling any discomfort? Tell me and I’ll call the doctor.”

“I’m hungry.” After not speaking for so long, her voice remained dry and hoarse, even after drinking water. Though she’d been kept alive on glucose drips, she was still terribly hungry.

Her mother quickly set the thermos on the table. “Alright, alright. You haven’t eaten much since the endoscopy. I made you some very light rice porridge with a bit of shredded meat. Try it and see.”

Watching her mother bustle about, Mu Qingxi felt a twinge of bitterness in her heart. Her mother must have made porridge every day, just so she’d have something to eat when she woke. As she sipped the porridge, she tasted its soft, sweet, and slightly meaty flavor—it was delicious.

Her mother didn’t ask anything, simply watched her quietly as she ate. Mu Qingxi glanced up, wanting to speak, but her mother stopped her. “Your body is still weak. Eat well, sleep well, and focus on getting better.”

Yes, her mother must be disappointed. She probably didn’t want to hear any explanations anymore. Explanations are just excuses, and excuses only reveal the truth—an unchangeable truth.

The greater the hope, the deeper the disappointment. Silently, Mu Qingxi mouthed an apology.

Her mother cleared away the bowls and tidied the table. “Xiao Xi, you’re still very weak. Rest well. Qingyang and I will go home for a bit to fetch some things, but I’ll be back in time for your IV.”

Mu Qingxi nodded, lay back, and closed her eyes, lost in thought. Alcohol poisoning? Another bout of gastritis and an endoscopy?

She was certain they had pumped her stomach again—her stomach burned with a searing pain.

Opening her eyes, she looked around the room, uncertain who had visited her during her illness. The table and floor were crowded with baskets of fruit and various health supplements. Then her gaze fell on a particular package in the corner—a pomegranate.

Could he have been here? Very few people knew she liked pomegranates: her parents, her brother, her cousin, and lastly, him.

At this time of year, pomegranates were hard to find. But she was certain Feng Han had brought it—the packaging bore her favorite star pattern.

If he could rush to see her when she was ill, why hadn’t he come to her before?