Catching the subtle shift in Wen Ran's expression, Gu Kai gave a light smile, his voice bright and cheerful: "Perhaps it's because you're around the same age as my younger sister—every time I see you, it feels like I'm seeing her again."
The slight awkwardness Wen Ran felt dissolved with that single remark. Though Gu Kai's features were always relaxed and his smile gentle, she could still sense the deep longing he held for his sister. Words of comfort slipped from her lips without hesitation: "Brother Gu, I'm sure you'll find her one day."
A trace of unwavering determination crept into Gu Kai's smile. "Yes, I believe that too."
All these years, he had never given up the search. He was certain—one day, he would find her.
"Here, have this."
Not wanting the conversation to dwell in sorrow, Wen Ran quickly shifted the topic, picking up a skewer of grilled meat and handing it to him. Gu Kai accepted it with a smile, took a bite, then his smile faded slightly as he asked with curiosity, "Ranran, why haven't you asked me about Cheng Jia?"
Wen Ran had just finished her own skewer. Hearing his question, her eyes flickered slightly. Her tone was calm: "You performed the surgery, didn't you? If her condition were truly dire, I doubt you'd be sitting here enjoying grilled meat with me."
Gu Kai was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing. "Ranran, has anyone ever told you how clever you are?"
She raised an eyebrow, giving him a subtle, ambiguous look, which only made his laughter more heartfelt.
Affected by his mirth, Wen Ran's spirits lifted too. She picked up another skewer and resumed eating. Though they hadn't known each other long, being with Gu Kai felt as natural and comforting as being with her own brother.
Even though she didn't ask, Gu Kai couldn't help but share, "Cheng Jia suffered a head injury. It may take two or three months for a full recovery. According to Xiuchen, when they passed by a construction site, a brick fell from above. She pushed him aside and was hit herself."
Wen Ran's face changed slightly, her fingers tightening around the skewer.
The food in her mouth suddenly tasted bland. She wanted to pretend she didn't care, but even if she could fool Gu Kai, she couldn't lie to herself.
Something inside her felt distinctly uneasy.
By all logic, if Cheng Jia hadn't pushed Mo Xiuchen aside, he might have been the one injured.
He was safe and sound now—she should be grateful to Cheng Jia. But that gratitude was tangled with discomfort.
She understood better than anyone how Cheng Jia felt about Mo Xiuchen. Years ago, she had saved him once. And now, she had saved him again. Even if Mo Xiuchen were indifferent by nature, he couldn't possibly remain unmoved.
The fact that he went with her to the hospital, held the wheelchair, and stayed by her side said everything.
"Ranran, you know how Cheng Jia feels about Xiuchen, don't you? As his friend, perhaps I shouldn't say this, but…"
Gu Kai hesitated, choosing his words carefully.
He had never liked Cheng Jia—especially her persistent affection for Mo Xiuchen. Even if she had saved his life, it gave her no right to insert herself into his marriage. She knew he was a married man, yet made no effort to restrain her feelings.
Wen Ran offered a faint smile and said softly, "Brother Gu, thank you for telling me."
Gu Kai didn't reply, but his eyes were filled with concern. Wen Ran's smile faltered slightly, and after pressing her lips together, she continued, "Mo Xiuchen is an exceptional man. It's not surprising Cheng Jia admires him. I knew from the beginning—she told me outright."
Gu Kai's eyes narrowed faintly in surprise. He hadn't expected Cheng Jia to be so direct with Wen Ran. Was it a challenge, or something else?
"Xiuchen isn't a man to fall easily. Even if Cheng Jia saved him twice, he wouldn't cross that line. I can assure you of that—there's nothing to worry about."
Worried she might overthink it, Gu Kai offered his reassurance quickly.
He had seen firsthand how much Xiuchen cared for Wen Ran. Judging by her expression just now, it was clear she, too, had feelings for him.
Wen Ran nodded. "I know. If Mo Xiuchen were a philanderer, he wouldn't have stayed so distant from women all these years."
Gu Kai smiled. Still, some things were better explained by Xiuchen himself. His detachment wasn't merely about fidelity—there were deeper reasons.
Wen Ran picked up her glass of water, but before she could take a sip, her phone rang.
Gu Kai swallowed the food in his mouth and said with a grin, "Probably Xiuchen."
Judging by the time, Cheng Jia should be back in her hospital room by now. Xiuchen had likely finished dealing with everything and was calling Wen Ran.
She smiled faintly, wiped her hands clean with a tissue, and took out her phone. Seeing the caller ID, she said softly, "It's him."
She pressed the answer button and greeted him in a gentle tone. "Hello?"
"Ranran, where are you right now?"
On the other end, Mo Xiuchen paused a moment before speaking. His voice was low and calm, but his first words were to ask where she was.
There was no way to hide it—even though Gu Kai said nothing, they were at a bustling night market food stall. The ambient noise was unavoidable.
"It's a bit noisy here. I'm out grabbing a bite to eat. Why are you calling me now? How's Cheng Jia?"
"She's out of surgery. The anesthesia hasn't worn off yet, so she hasn't regained consciousness. Where are you that it's so noisy—are you with Bai Xiaoxiao?"
"Oh, yes, it is a bit loud here. Is her injury very serious?"
Wen Ran responded vaguely, deftly steering the conversation back to Cheng Jia.
Mo Xiuchen's voice darkened slightly. "It's quite serious. She'll need some time to fully recover. The biggest issue is that her parents are abroad on vacation—there's no one here to take care of her."
Wen Ran froze for a moment. Mo Xiuchen saying that Cheng Jia's parents weren't around—did that mean he was going to look after her himself?
She was momentarily speechless and chose silence over a response.
Mo Xiuchen didn't wait for her to reply. He explained, "Cheng Jia was injured because of me. Her parents aren't in the country. No matter how you look at it, I should take responsibility. I've already asked Gu Kai to arrange for a private nurse—24-hour care. But tonight, I'll stay until she wakes up before returning."
"Oh."
Wen Ran lightly bit her lower lip. The open-air setting had its perks—she only had to lift her eyes to see the quiet, starlit sky.
Across from her, Gu Kai continued eating casually, his gaze resting on her face, taking in the subtle shifts in her expression. Though he couldn't hear what Mo Xiuchen was saying, he could guess from her reactions that the conversation involved Cheng Jia.
"Don't stay out too late. It's not safe for two girls to be out alone. I'll ask Xiao Liu to come pick you up."
Mo Xiuchen, without further explanation of Cheng Jia's accident, swiftly changed the subject.