Xiangsi, Give Me Some Time

"Haha." Sheng Xiangsi couldn't hold back her laughter.

"What's so funny?" Fu Hanjiang didn't understand what she found amusing.

"It's not that..."

Sheng Xiangsi tried to stop laughing, but the smile at the corners of her eyes wouldn't fade. "Second Master Fu, you've exposed your thoughts, do you know that?"

"What thoughts?" Fu Hanjiang was puzzled.

"Sigh..."

Sheng Xiangsi sighed lightly. Did she really have to spell it out?

Alright then.

She had to explain honestly, "According to your logic, you treat Yao Leyi the best. You satisfy all her wants. Does that mean you love..."

"Xiangsi!" Fu Hanjiang's face darkened as he tried to interrupt her.

Sheng Xiangsi ignored him, raising her eyebrows. "Are you getting upset? Can't handle the truth?"

She lifted her hand to straighten his tie. He seemed to have been in a rush when he left, as his tie was a bit crooked.

"Second Master Fu, just because you can't marry the one you love, does that mean marriage is something you can settle for?"

She smiled as she slowly loosened his tie and retied it.

Fu Hanjiang looked down, suddenly gripping her slender fingers. "Can you be serious? The matter between us has nothing to do with Yao Leyi! Why do you keep bringing her up?"

Can't mention her?

Sheng Xiangsi curved her lips and stopped smiling. "Alright, then I'll be clear. I won't marry you."

"Why?" Fu Hanjiang narrowed his eyes. "Because you think I don't love you?"

Of course not.

Whether he loved her or not didn't matter to her.

But she couldn't say that.

Sheng Xiangsi looked at him in surprise. "Why do you think so? Isn't it because you can't be sure? In this situation, talking about marriage is too hasty. Am I some stray cat or dog? Only worth being treated so casually by you?"

Fu Hanjiang was at a loss. "That's not what I meant, I just..."

...he had never loved anyone.

He really didn't understand what it meant to love someone.

"Can't figure it out? Then don't think about it."

After finishing with his tie, Sheng Xiangsi let go, not wanting to continue the topic. "It's getting late, take me to the dance troupe."

"...Okay."

They said nothing on the way.

The car stopped at the dance troupe's entrance, and Sheng Xiangsi unbuckled her seatbelt.

"Xiangsi."

Fu Hanjiang leaned in and hugged her.

Sheng Xiangsi held her bag and smiled faintly. "If you delay any longer, I'll be late."

"Xiangsi, give me some time..."

Fu Hanjiang gently stroked her hair. "I'll give you a clear answer to what you want."

He released her. "Go on in."

"...Okay."

Sheng Xiangsi got out of the car, feeling a bit dazed.

He just said... what she wanted?

What did he think she wanted?

Did he know what he was saying?

Sheng Xiangsi couldn't figure it out and didn't want to think about it.

Because Junjun was about to be hospitalized. It was a routine check-up, completing various examinations and necessary clinical treatments.

It usually took three to five days.

Children are different from adults; they rely heavily on familiar items and smells. For a hospital stay, everything they're used to must be brought along.

In the two days before the hospital stay, Sheng Xiangsi and Xu Chun were busy packing, not forgetting even Junjun's small bedding.

For this, Sheng Xiangsi had asked for leave from the troupe in advance.

Early in the morning, Fu Hanjiang dropped her off at the dance troupe. As soon as she entered through the front door, she exited through the back door.

She took a cab to Hexiyuan, where Xu Chun and Junjun were waiting for her.

"Mommy's here!"

Junjun jumped into Sheng Xiangsi's arms. Sheng Xiangsi held her daughter, while Xu Chun carried the luggage, and they all headed to the hospital.

After completing the admission procedures and settling into the ward, Wan Fang came in with a nurse to perform a basic check-up on Junjun.

"Great job."

Wan Fang ruffled Junjun's hair and gave a thumbs-up.

"Our Junjun has been taking her medicine well, right?"

"Yes." Junjun nodded obediently, leaning against Sheng Xiangsi, her sweet little voice incredibly adorable.

"Junjun listens to Mommy!"

"Junjun is so good?"

Wan Fang smiled, taking a fairy wand out of his pocket. "Look, what's this?"

"Wow!" Junjun's big eyes sparkled as she reached out, "Uncle, is it for Junjun?"

"Yes." Wan Fang nodded with a smile. "But not yet. If Junjun wants it, she needs to cooperate well with today's tests, okay?"

The tests included blood draws and various scans.

For a three-year-old, it was still quite a challenge.

"Okay!" Junjun nodded confidently, "Junjun will do the tests well!"

"Good girl!"

Wan Fang glanced at Sheng Xiangsi. "A nurse will accompany you throughout. If Junjun feels uncomfortable, contact me immediately."

"Okay, thank you."

"You're welcome, it's my duty."

Sheng Xiangsi picked up Junjun. "Let's go for the tests."

It took the whole morning to complete the tests.

Junjun was exhausted and leaned against her mother, looking very pitiful.

"Junjun, are you hungry? What do you want for lunch?"

Junjun opened her mouth, "Junjun wants Mommy's cheese-baked sweet potato."

It was available outside, and Xu Chun could also make it, but Junjun only liked the one Sheng Xiangsi made.

"Alright."

Sheng Xiangsi nodded immediately.

"Mommy will go home and make it for Junjun."

She handed Junjun to Xu Chun. "Remember to give Junjun water, a little at a time, but frequently."

"Don't worry."

After giving instructions, Sheng Xiangsi hurried back to Hexiyuan.

Xu Chun held Junjun and continued waiting outside the examination room.

There was still one last test, "Junjun, hang in there. It'll be over soon. After this, Mommy will bring your favorite cheese-baked sweet potato."

"Okay."

"Junjun!"

The nurse who was assisting with the tests came out, "Alright, it's our turn. Let's go in."

"Okay."

After the last test, Junjun was feeling terrible and clung to Xu Chun.

"Grandma Xu, Mommy... Mommy... Junjun wants Mommy!"

Xu Chun's eyes reddened, and she couldn't help but shed tears. "Junjun, Mommy will be back soon. Oh, poor baby."

Such a little one, having to endure so much.

"Junjun?"

Suddenly, a tall figure stopped in front of them—it was Fu Hanjiang.

He was here to see Yao Leyi. As she was being discharged, he came to the outpatient department to help with some medication.

He didn't expect to run into Junjun, who looked very distressed.

Xu Chun looked up, "Sir?"

"Uncle!"

Junjun reached out to Fu Hanjiang, her eyes filled with tears, asking for a hug. "Hug!"

How could Fu Hanjiang refuse?

Even Xu Chun didn't stop him.

She could see that Junjun really liked this uncle. Besides, she was watching; it wasn't like he could take Junjun away.

Letting him comfort Junjun a bit seemed fine. The little girl was truly pitiful.

"Good girl."

Fu Hanjiang held Junjun in one arm and looked at Xu Chun. "What's wrong with Junjun?"