You Must Care a Great Deal
You Must Care a Great Deal
It was difficult for him to convey his thoughts. He doesn't know how to think of them.
The prospect of being with her, even if their terms are a bit unconventional, had made him feel…happy?
Happy? He thought again.
Yuan Ning shook his head. Happiness wasn't in the cards for him. Perhaps it was excitement that he was feeling. It was mutual on her part, anyhow. Wu Genji had been the one to propose that they'd have a peculiar relationship, which was fine with him. Nothing more could do anything good.
Yuan Ning was going to roll over when Wu Genji pecked his lips fleetingly. Her lips were so soft that he felt momentarily entranced.
Beneath him, Wu Genji's face flushed. A blush had bloomed on her nose, cheeks, and ears, and she was breathing heavily—anticipating something?
Yuan Ning's eyes widened. He realized their position. The way his body caged on top of hers had must have left her imagination running wild. Darn, he thought. They were in his brother's home, and the last thing he needed was Yuan Shun and Shi Yen's teasing. They wouldn't hear it, but they would look and know. His family was something.
Yuan Ning clicked his tongue.
"Let's wash up," he suggested.
Wu Genji wrinkled her brows and puffed her cheeks as if she was thoroughly disappointed. It struck a chord in him as he stared at her adorable expression.
Yuan Ning silently cursed as it took quite an effort to rise out of bed. "I'm going in first," he said to her.
Wu Genji pouted, and Yuan Ning had cursed again as he sauntered into the bathroom. He might just die from how cute she was.
After Yuan Ning and Wu Genji washed up, they joined Yuan Shun and Shi Yen for breakfast.
It was amazing to see how well Shi Yen and Yuan Shun were dressed and put together, conversing lowly and eating. Yuan Ning let out a small smile before they sat before them.
Wu Genji began peeling an orange when she asked Shi Yen nervously, "What are your plans for today?" to get over the silence.
Shi Yen hesitated. But with her cool, monotone voice, she answered, "I'm going to see my doctor."
Wu Genji nodded slowly, smiling awkwardly, as she realized perhaps she shouldn't have asked. Shi Yen could be going for many different things. She could go to check on her shoulder, the gab Yuan Ning had been the one to give her, or she was going to check on her pregnancy, which might be a sensitive topic for Yuan Ning.
Wu Genji glanced at Yuan Ning, but he seemed to be calm and uninterested. He was too busy eating Jian Bing, and it sent a surge of relief through her. She doesn't know what Yuan Ning had thought of whenever he saw them. Two people happily married, happily pregnant, something he once had.
She wrapped her fingers around her utensil as the reminder broke her heart. But she was happy for Yuan Shun and Shi Yen. They served as reminders that anything is possible. They were living proof of perseverance and success. It gave her a glimmer of hope that she might one day be as happy as they were.
"What do you have planned today?" Shi Yen broke her thoughts by returning the question.
Wu Genji smiled briefly. "I'm going to see my nephew."
Shi Yen's eyes widened with intrigue. "Really?"
Wu Genji nodded. "Yes. Although, I won't be seeing him up close, only from afar."
"Why is that?" Shi Yen asked.
Wu Genji lowered her head. "I'm not allowed to see him since I am not his legal guardian."
"They don't allow visitations?"
"Not for someone who doesn't have the cleanest record."
Shi Yen stiffened. She looked…angry. But the anger wasn't directed at anyone in the room. It was as if her motherly instinct kicked in. The fear of being separated from a child. The anger. The pain.
As someone as powerful as the Empress, Wu Genji never expected her to have a heart. Yuan Shun reached out to cover one of his wife's hands. They exchanged a glance, and though they never spoke, a silent conversation had been shared between them.
"I'm going with her," Yuan Ning had interrupted.
Wu Genji glanced at him and shook her head. "That is not necessary."
"I'm going," he replied affirmatively.
Wu Genji didn't bother to argue with him.
After breakfast, Yuan Ning and Wu Genji parted ways with Yuan Shun and Shi Yen.
Yuan Ning had accompanied her to the school that her nephew attended. When they arrived, Wu Genji put on sunglasses and wrapped a scarf around her head before entering the building. She tapped in a passcode before walking through the empty halls, trailing toward a classroom with a large glass window.
Yuan Ning had wondered if they were allowed to be there. He looked through the glass to see which one of them was the nephew he heard so much about, but from the glint of Wu Genji's eyes when she was stared at a little boy that sat down with his schoolmates, he knew which one of them it was.
The boy was small, a shy of six or seven years old. Maybe eight. He had dark hair like Wu Genji's roots. His expression was unlike the other children. While the others had helpless smiles planted on their faces, the boy was not happy. It was the expression of someone who had seen too much—someone that was forced to age a few more years mentality to adapt to the world instead of steadily as children should.
A lump had nearly closed around his throat when a woman behind them said, "Miss Wu?"
Wu Genji turned around, frightened. It was the woman from the agency. She wasn't supposed to be here.
"Miss Wu. The school has told you not to trespass again. It is highly inappropriate. I have no choice but to call the police."
"No—"
Yuan Ning stepped forward. "I heard the school is in need of funds for programming."
The agent quirked a brow at him, wondering who Yuan Ning was.
Yuan Ning then stretched out a hand. "I noticed a poster on the wall. You're hosting fundraisers. Perhaps I can help you."
The agent eyed him and shook his hand hesitantly. "It is out of my policy to let something like this go."
Yuan Ning smiled. "Oh, yes, I'm sure. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Yuan Ning. I hope that with our new acquaintance. We can work something out."
The agent's eyes widened. "Y-Yuan Ning," she stuttered. "th-the bank Yuan?"
"Nice to meet you," he replied.
She was at a loss for words.
"Now about my donation—" he said.
"Oh, yes, yes. Right," the agent said, leading him away, forgetting about Wu Genji's offence.
Yuan Ning began to walk away with the agent when he turned his head slightly to Wu Genji and said, "Go!"
Wu Genji smiled at him. She then went through the exit, toward the car and waited for him.
Yuan Ning had followed the agent to an office within the school.
"I'm very excited to hear about your donation. You won't believe how happy the teachers will be," the woman had begun to say.
Yuan Ning smiled. "Ah, yes. I want to make it clear that I am donating on behalf of Miss Wu and I. But I must make a small request in exchange for the money. It's just nothing but a question."
"A question?" she replied. "Certainly. What is it?"
"How can I get the boy in her custody again?"
The agent looked momentarily shocked as if she didn't expect it. But her expression softened. "There is nothing miss Wu can do at the moment. It can take years," she began. "However, there is something you might be able to do."
Yuan Ning sat down in the chair in front of her desk, all ears. "What can I do?"
The agent looked at him. "I'm afraid this request requires a lot of work on your part."
"I'm willing to do anything," he answered.
"Then you must care a great deal about Miss Wu," she replied.