In the Capital, November saw its first light snowfall.
Stepping out of the car, Mo Xuan turned back to help Luo Wei'er and Luo Xue'er out as well. The two little girls, dressed in pink cotton jackets featuring the character "Pokémon," and wearing adorable cat-shaped shoes, excitedly waved their hands upon seeing the snow on the ground at the nursing home.
"Papa, Papa, I want to play!"
"No nonsense," Luo Shiya, wearing a black trench coat, stepped out of the passenger seat and walked over to Mo Xuan, pinching the two children with her black-gloved hands. "You insisted on coming with Papa to see your great-grandmother, what if you catch a cold and get sick?"
"Papa, Mama (Auntie) is being mean to me..."
The two daughters, feeling wronged, with their eyes reddening, complained to Mo Xuan. Mo Xuan couldn't help but smile wryly, then reassured the two girls: "No, Mama is just looking out for you. Wei'er and Xue'er are the most obedient."
Recently, Mo Xuan's life had been a strict two-point routine, finishing projects at school and then heading home, making time to visit his grandmother.
As for the Mo Family, he hadn't paid much attention, but he had heard that Mo Qingqing had managed to turn things around. She had contacted him midway, asking for his help.
However, Luo Shiya had convinced Mo Xuan to agree, though in reality, he hadn't done much.
It was said that Mo Qingqing had done something unknown, and with the Ye Family's intervention, the Mo Family had managed to survive. Mo Xuan hadn't inquired further about the matter. If not for Luo Muqi mentioning it that day, he might have even forgotten his troubled family background.
Arriving at the ward, the two little girls happily broke free from Mo Xuan and wobbled inside.
"Wow, my little darlings are here again?"
Lately, the grandmother had been seeing the two little ones frequently, and her spirits seemed to have improved significantly. Mo Xuan had suggested several times that they take his grandmother abroad for treatment, but she had refused each time.
"No need to go through the hassle. Besides, if I were to die abroad, I'd be far from my homeland. That would be a real shame!"
Hearing this, Mo Xuan stopped urging her. Instead, he increased the frequency of bringing the children over. Even on days when he was too busy at school, Luo Shiya or Luo Muqi would bring the daughters to visit.
"Have you been feeling better lately?"
Luo Shiya approached the bedside, her voice soft and gentle. The grandmother waved her hand, saying, "Much better, Shiya. Come, sit down!"
Her voice was full of affection, and her eyes shone with fondness as she looked at Luo Shiya. Living day by day, the only thing she worried about was Mo Xuan, but now that he had the sisters by his side, she no longer had to worry about him.
Aunt Zhang, who took care of the grandmother, picked up the teapot and, using the excuse of needing to fetch hot water, quietly left the room, allowing the family to have some private time.
Seeing the door close, the grandmother turned to Mo Xuan and said, "Xiao Xuan, Aunt Zhang has had someone clean the house for me. I want to check out and go home."
Mo Xuan looked up, his expression surprised. The grandmother, anticipating his reaction, smiled and explained, "It doesn't matter where I stay; my health is the same either way. I've been here for so long, it's time to go back..."
Mo Xuan didn't respond, his head lowered, hiding his emotions.
The grandmother pretended to be displeased. "You child, why are you looking down when I'm talking to you? I'm just tired of staying here and want to go home."
"Alright, when do you want to check out? I'll arrange it for you." Mo Xuan lifted his head, his eyes moist but still smiling. "Tomorrow or..."
"Today."
The grandmother turned to look out the window, where snowflakes were still falling. "I remember I was admitted during the first snowfall, and I want to check out today as well..."
"Alright, then I..."
As Mo Xuan began to rise, Luo Shiya gently pressed his shoulder and said softly, "I'll go. You stay and help Grandma pack her things."
"No need, Aunt Zhang has already packed everything. Shiya, you stay, let Xiao Xuan go!" The grandmother seemed even happier at the prospect of going home. "Go ahead, Xiao Xuan. Take the little ones with you too?"
Mo Xuan looked at his grandmother in surprise, but Luo Shiya pulled his hand and whispered, "Go ahead. As a woman, I'll stay here and it'll be more convenient."
Mo Xuan nodded. "Alright, then I'll leave Grandma in your care, Shiya."
With that, Mo Xuan took the two daughters' soft hands and led them out of the ward.
"You have something to tell me, don't you?" Luo Shiya turned back to look at the grandmother. "Otherwise, there was no need to send Xiao Xuan and the children out."
"Shiya, if I'm not here anymore, I'll leave this child to you." The grandmother's face carried a look of relief. "I know my body; I may not even make it to the end of the year. Maybe one day I'll fall asleep and never wake up."
"Don't talk like that."
Hearing this, Luo Shiya felt deeply uncomfortable. But the grandmother sighed. "For so long, I've been curious. My grandson, though he has a good face, comes from a family far below yours in status and wealth. Can you tell me, why are you so persistent with him?"
"Grandma, I am Weiwei. You must have heard him mention me."
Upon hearing Luo Shiya's words, the grandmother was momentarily stunned, then seemed to understand. "So that's it... I see..."
Mo Xuan had always been introverted, with few friends. At the age of 13, he suddenly mentioned that he had met two sisters nearby, and from then on, he often went out to play with them.
The grandmother had even inquired about them. They were new residents in an old mansion near their dormitory, and it seemed their family was quite well-off. The two girls didn't attend school but had private tutors come to their home.
Concerned, the grandmother had visited once, though she didn't meet the two girls. Instead, she spoke with their butler, Butler Zheng, who introduced himself and mentioned the several nannies and maids taking care of the girls.
Being a university professor, the grandmother was reassured after interacting with Butler Zheng, whose demeanor and education were impeccable. She also met some of their tutors, one of whom she recognized as a renowned educator.
The grandmother's worries eased, especially since the family allowed Mo Xuan to accompany the girls during their lessons. When the grandmother offered to pay, they refused, saying the girls had no friends and enjoyed studying and playing with Mo Xuan.
Occasionally, Mo Xuan mentioned their names, one of which was Weiwei.
"I never expected you sisters to be so devoted..." The grandmother sighed, somewhat helplessly. "I always felt something was off about you two, but this silly boy never noticed. How did he just happen to meet such a situation? I've always wondered what you were after, but the way you look at him—that kind of emotion doesn't lie."
"I thought, no matter what your intentions were, as long as you truly cared for him, that was enough. After all, besides me, there's only you who truly cares about him."
"I never expected it to be you..."
Luo Shiya felt a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry, we should have told you sooner..."
"I understand why you were worried..." The grandmother smiled bitterly. "That boy got hurt because of you, didn't he?"
"As an old woman, I might not be very forgiving, but you've done so much for him. If I blame you, I'd be unreasonable. Besides, I know my grandson; if he didn't want to, he wouldn't have been hurt."
"Shiya, from now on, I'll leave him to you and Muqi..."
Outside the window, the snow seemed to have picked up. Luo Shiya looked at the falling snowflakes and said softly to the grandmother, "Don't worry, he's more important to me than my own life."