"I'm fine."
Mu Jing Shen had originally intended to say that if Yan Xi was not happy by his side, she should return to Fu Yan Ting's embrace.
But he was too greedy for this feeling of being cared for. Seeing Yan Xi's worried expression, Mu Jing Shen couldn't say a word. The words that reached his lips were swallowed back down.
Mu Jing Shen truly loved Yan Xi and couldn't bear to see her wronged.
Yet, Mu Jing Shen's heart also craved that feeling of being cared for.
Therefore, Mu Jing Shen regretted his decision just made.
Upon hearing Mu Jing Shen's words, Yan Xi looked up at him. Since he was fine, why had he called her?
Since Mu Jing Shen had already called out to Yan Xi, it would seem illogical not to say something.
Mu Jing Shen spoke calmly, "I just feel it's too tiring for you to take care of me in the hospital every day. Why don't you discuss it with the doctor and help me get discharged? I can recover at home."
Yan Xi initially disagreed, but unable to resist Mu Jing Shen's persistent entreaties, she finally, with no other recourse, agreed to his request.
After Mu Jing Shen was discharged, Yan Xi began to take care of him.
This period was incredibly wonderful for Mu Jing Shen.
Yan Xi quietly stayed by his side, dedicating herself to his care.
This filled Mu Jing Shen's heart with immense satisfaction.
This tranquility and peace lasted until Mu Jing Shen's body fully recovered.
When he could move freely without Yan Xi's assistance, Yan Xi ceased to manage his daily life.
One day, while Mu Jing Shen was bathing, his phone rang. Yan Xi intended to take the phone to him, but upon picking it up and seeing the familiar number, Yan Xi froze.
Although Yan Xi hadn't saved Xia Shi Xue's number, Xia Shi Xue frequently sent harassing messages to Yan Xi, causing her to memorize the number.
However, Yan Xi didn't understand why Xia Shi Xue had Mu Jing Shen's number or why she would contact him.
It was the first time Yan Xi had answered someone else's phone without permission.
She picked it up, and Xia Shi Xue, believing it to be Mu Jing Shen, spoke before Yan Xi could, "Mu Jing Shen, I told you, your plan wasn't perfect enough. You need to be harsher on yourself. Look, isn't Yan Xi back with you now, having abandoned Fu Yan Ting?"
Hearing Xia Shi Xue's words, Yan Xi was stunned, not quite understanding their meaning, yet also feeling as though she did.
Yan Xi's hands clenched tightly around the phone.
Xia Shi Xue, unaware it was Yan Xi on the line, boastfully continued, "Mu Jing Shen, if you had listened to me earlier and used the ploy of self-inflicted harm, Yan Xi would have returned to your side long ago. Why wait until now?"
Yan Xi remained silent, her grip on the phone tightening.
Xia Shi Xue knew Mu Jing Shen was often taciturn, but such complete silence was unusual. She sensed something was amiss.
"Mu Jing Shen, why aren't you speaking?" Xia Shi Xue asked cautiously from the other end. "Is Yan Xi by your side, making it inconvenient for you to talk?"
"You tell me, why would it be inconvenient for him to speak if I'm by his side?"
Hearing Yan Xi's voice, Xia Shi Xue seemed as if she had seen a ghost and quickly hung up.
Yan Xi, until the dial tone echoed, remained in a state of shock.
What did Xia Shi Xue's words mean?
Was Mu Jing Shen's injury self-inflicted?
Was it all a scheme to make Yan Xi misunderstand Fu Yan Ting?
Mu Jing Shen didn't seem like the type to engage in such trivial matters. Why would he do something so pointless?
At this moment, countless questions swirled in Yan Xi's mind.
She couldn't comprehend why Mu Jing Shen would act this way.
Mu Jing Shen emerged from the bathroom and saw Yan Xi standing there, lost in thought, holding his phone.
He walked over and asked softly, "Xi Xi, what's wrong? Did something happen?"
"Mu Jing Shen, I just took a call."
Yan Xi looked at him and responded calmly.
Mu Jing Shen remained unperturbed. Many people called him daily; it was normal for Yan Xi to answer.
Besides, his phone number was primarily for business dealings. If Yan Xi answered, so be it.
Mu Jing Shen paid it no mind.
"It was Xia Shi Xue who called."
Seeing Mu Jing Shen's unchanged, calm demeanor, Yan Xi added.
Mu Jing Shen's gaze shifted to Yan Xi, uncertain of the meaning behind her words.
Yan Xi paused for a few seconds, then continued, "Xia Shi Xue told me that your injury this time was a ploy you arranged yourself."
Upon hearing this, Mu Jing Shen's heart tightened. He was unsure what else Yan Xi might have heard and didn't know how to respond.
Therefore, Mu Jing Shen chose not to answer, looking at Yan Xi as if awaiting her judgment.
Seeing Mu Jing Shen's silent, impassive face, Yan Xi, uncertain of his involvement, asked him indifferently, "Jing Shen, we've known each other for so many years. I still don't truly know what kind of person you are. If I hadn't accidentally answered your phone today and heard Xia Shi Xue's words, I wouldn't even know you knew her."
Facing Yan Xi's questioning, Mu Jing Shen calmly asked, "So what? Xi Xi, do you believe Xia Shi Xue and think I'm that kind of person? Are you planning to leave me?"
"Mu Jing Shen, can you speak to me properly?"
Yan Xi was taken aback by his words.
In truth, Yan Xi had been waiting for Mu Jing Shen to explain his relationship with Xia Shi Xue, to tell her that he hadn't hurt himself to make her feel guilty.
But as she waited and waited, Mu Jing Shen never offered an explanation.
Yan Xi closed her eyes in despair.
"Xi Xi, since you already know the truth, if you want to leave me, you can go anytime. I've always been alone anyway, and you've never loved me. The reason you've stayed by my side is merely out of pity and sympathy."
Hearing Mu Jing Shen say this, Yan Xi's eyes widened in disbelief, unable to accept these words coming from him.
Though Yan Xi didn't love Mu Jing Shen, she treated him very well.
She regarded Mu Jing Shen as family, and no matter what happened, he was the first person she thought of.
Yet, she hadn't expected Mu Jing Shen to resort to such manipulation to coerce her.
Yan Xi couldn't help but recall what Fu Yan Ting had told her previously, words she had never believed, refusing to believe that Mu Jing Shen was as bad as Fu Yan Ting claimed.