Qinmu waited impatiently outside the fast-food joint. It was mealtime, and the queue stretched long. Finally, her turn came. She pointed randomly at a few dishes. The staff scooped them skillfully into a paper box, packed it, and tied it in a plastic bag before handing it over.

She grabbed the box and headed back, worry gnawing at her. "How am I supposed to chat with Sister Qingyu later?" she muttered to herself. "So annoying. Why did she have to come back now..."

Suddenly, she looked up at the endless night sky. Stars dotted the darkness. The moon, nearly full, shone with clear, pure light. It brought a trace of unprecedented peace to her restless heart.

"The moon’s so beautiful tonight," she whispered, then continued walking.

Under the streetlights’ glow, she saw many families like her—bringing meals to patients, heading out to buy food, or pushing loved ones for walks. It was truly tough.

She even felt she’d been too harsh on Qingyu. After all, Qingyu was the only one caring for HuiXiang now. No matter her resentment, she should’ve suppressed it. Even fake kindness wouldn’t have made things this awkward.

Qinmu entered the hospital room, thick with antiseptic smell. She disliked the sharp scent but would endure it until her sister’s discharge.

She set the box on the bedside table, pulled out two portions, and handed one to HuiXiang, the other to Qingyu.

Qingyu’s gentle gaze held a hint of goodwill. But Qinmu ignored it completely. She turned away, focusing only on HuiXiang, deliberately avoiding Qingyu’s eyes.

"Stop playing," Qinmu reminded the distracted HuiXiang. "Eat now. It’ll get cold."

HuiXiang put down her phone, grinning. "Got it, bro. Did you cover for me today? Thanks for the trouble."

Qinmu nodded with a faint smile. "I handled it well. But be careful next time. Don’t say contradictory things, or you’ll get caught."

"Mm, I know. I’ll never forget your kindness, bro."

"Enough chatter. Eat."

Qingyu watched their closeness, feeling like an outsider. She lowered her head, eating alone. Her heart ached. Thinking of her current situation, she couldn’t swallow the food. She set the box aside and silently observed the sisters.

HuiXiang frowned suddenly. "Bro, you forgot something important. My right hand’s bandaged. How am I supposed to eat alone?"

Qinmu, just opening her box, realized her mistake. Qingyu’s presence had clouded her mind; she’d missed this detail.

Qingyu quickly sat beside HuiXiang. "I’ll feed you. Let your brother eat properly."

HuiXiang beamed. "Thanks, big sis. I won’t hold back."

Qingyu spooned food into her mouth like feeding a child. HuiXiang’s sweet, unpretentious nature comforted her a little. At least she wasn’t a total outcast. But Qinmu worried her most. If only he could fully forgive her, half her wish for returning home would be fulfilled. Then she could dive into work faster.

Qinmu kept her head down, eating in silence. She feared speaking might hurt others—or herself.

After the meal, Qinmu shouldered her bag. "I’m heading out. Got the sports meet tomorrow."

Qingyu nodded. HuiXiang waved goodbye. Qinmu left the room like a stranger, rushing toward the crowded hospital elevators.

Night had quieted the streets near the hospital. Only a few shops stayed open. Pedestrians dwindled. Occasionally, dog-walkers or student couples whispering sweet nothings passed by. The atmosphere felt bleak. "So cold," Qinmu complained. "Better hurry home."

She rubbed her hands, huddling her body. Her thin school uniform couldn’t block the biting chill. She started running, crossed the crosswalk, and veered toward a bus stop on another street.

It was around 8 PM. Late buses still ran, so she wasn’t overly anxious.

Inside the bus shelter, she stomped her feet to keep warm. Her mind wandered: how to mend ties with her sister, rebuild their bond. But it wasn’t easy. Every thought of those four abandoned years made her heart ache. She couldn’t just drop all that hatred at once.

Two girls sat on a bench nearby, chatting.

"Qi’er, you’ll definitely be our school’s flower this time. You finally dethroned Nangong Huixiang."

"Qin Ya, don’t joke. I’m no match for Nangong Huixiang. Even Nangong Qinmu in the boys’ category beat me."

"Boys don’t count. But Nangong Qinmu is handsome. Lots of girls like him."

"Really? Introduce me sometime."

Qinmu heard her name. She glanced warily but avoided direct eye contact.

The girls also peeked at her, finding her familiar but not suspicious. They’d never believe Nangong Qinmu stood right beside them. Impossible.

The bus arrived soon. Qinmu boarded, found a back seat, and stared out the window.

The city’s night view dazzled. Neon lights blazed along the route, making night as bright as day. Gothic buildings lined River City’s Bund. Every alley overflowed with people. As the nation’s top tourist spot, crowds flocked daily to buy souvenirs and admire the Bund’s glow.

But Qinmu had no heart to stop at the Bund. She’d passed here countless times, numb to the big city’s glitter. She’d learned that splendor and emptiness were relative. When your spirit felt barren, even the grandest sights stirred nothing inside.

Past the Bund, the bus plunged into downtown streets. Skyscrapers rose like teeth. Shopping malls buzzed. Through glass windows, people dined and shopped even at night.

A phone ping startled her. She lit the screen—HuiXiang’s message: "Bro, if it’s too tough, you can throw the match. Our class isn’t strong anyway. You’ve got basketball next. Don’t waste energy on volleyball. Not worth it."

Qinmu smiled warmly. This kid really cared.

She typed back fast: "Don’t worry. I’m fine. I won’t let the name HuiXiang down. You’re seen as your class’s star player now—a rising volleyball star."

HuiXiang hated that title. She sent a voice note: "Volleyball star? Don’t get me in trouble! If I can’t play like you, I’ll be humiliated. Stop it, or you’ll take all my PE classes from now on!"

Qinmu shook her head with a wry smile. "I’ll try to ease up. But if I still win while holding back, don’t blame me."

Though she said "ease up," her competitive spirit would dominate on the high-pressure court. How could she ignore a ball she should block or skip a counterattack? She decided to play hard tomorrow. Win or lose, she’d give her all.

HuiXiang didn’t reply. She knew Qinmu too well—her "easing up" meant serious effort. Arguing further was pointless.

HuiXiang just resumed watching anime. Days without classes were bliss. Long live falls! Long live fractures! Well, it still hurt a bit.

Qingyu sat casually beside HuiXiang, reading a book. It was only her first day here. Nearly a week of boredom lay ahead. She’d need to adapt fast.

To help her sister recover quickly, she also had to handle nursing duties. She couldn’t let this little one catch any new illnesses.