Chapter 048: How Long Until She Finally Grows Up?

After dinner, Jiner dragged her weary body back to her room. There had been a great number of patients today, and she had been busy since morning.

As soon as she pushed open the door and her gaze swept the room, she was startled to find a small pot of wild chrysanthemums on her desk, set in a deep green ceramic jar.

The flowers faced the window, their leaves and petals trembling gently in the breeze, looking fresh and lovely. The once plain and simple room seemed to come alive with vibrant energy thanks to the little wild chrysanthemums.

Jiner’s lips curved into a slight smile. She stepped forward, took the pot in her hands, and brought it to her nose, breathing in the faint, distinctive fragrance of the wild blooms.

Who would have thought he could be so thoughtful?

With a calm smile, Jiner placed the pot back on the table.

That night, with the wild chrysanthemums for company, her late-night studying felt less tedious. Whenever she grew tired or stumbled upon a passage she couldn’t understand, she would lift her head and gaze at the little flowers, her mind wandering for a moment before her spirits lifted again.

Under the cover of night, on the rooftop across the way, Mo Yan sat with a small jar of wine, sipping as he watched the petite figure at the window, hunched over her desk. So, the girl was studying medicine? How was it already the third watch of the night and she still hadn’t gone to bed? No wonder she always seemed to have dark circles under her eyes.

Some time later, Mo Yan tipped the wine jar upside down, but not a single drop remained. By now, it was nearing the fourth watch, and the light in Jiner’s room was still aglow.

Sigh, the wine's finished, yet she still isn’t going to bed? This girl’s diligence is truly excessive.

Annoyed, Mo Yan set the empty jar aside and turned away, only to see Jiner collapsed motionless over her desk.

Hmm? Asleep? Mo Yan tilted his head, observing for a while longer. When she still didn’t stir, he rose, leapt lightly from the rooftop, and slipped in through the window with agile ease. The oil lamp flickered, then steadied again.

Mo Yan walked to her side, bent down, and saw her breathing evenly. Realizing she was fast asleep, he smiled helplessly, then carefully lifted her up and carried her to the bed, laying her down gently.

After tucking her in, Mo Yan leaned over her pillow, silent, watching her for a while. Suddenly, a thought arose in his heart: How much longer would it be before she finally grew up?

The next morning, as Jiner sat up in bed, she suddenly recalled that she must have fallen asleep reading last night—so how was she now lying properly in bed? As she puzzled over this, she happened to glance at the window and noticed that it was closed, sending a chill through her.

Heavens! She was certain she hadn’t closed the window last night, nor had she gotten into bed herself. Could she have sleepwalked? Or had someone…?

At the thought of the latter, Jiner shivered and hurriedly checked her clothes.

Phew! Fortunately, there were no signs they’d been disturbed. Only then did Jiner breathe a deep sigh of relief.

Well, since nothing happened, she’d just assume she had sleepwalked. It was nothing, really.

She pushed open the door and went out into the courtyard, stretching languidly as she looked around out of habit.

Strange, that fellow hadn’t come today.

After searching for a while and finding no one, Jiner felt a faint thread of disappointment in her heart. Realizing this, she silently scolded herself.

Jiner, oh Jiner, why do you want to see him again? one voice in her heart reproached.

Nonsense! He’s my life-saver—of course it’s normal to think of him, another voice retorted.

Then you should wait until the day the poison flares up to think of him again. Why are you thinking about him first thing in the morning?

I… I just want another bunch of wild chrysanthemums, that’s all!

…

The two voices within her echoed her current state of inner conflict.