Chapter Fifty-Five: Meeting Wu Di Again

Ma Wu had already visited the Wu family several times; even the guards at the entrance recognized him. Perhaps Wu Xin had given special instructions: whenever Ma Wu appeared, they were not to hinder him but instead greet him with utmost respect and invite him inside.

Thus, when the guards saw Ma Wu’s car arrive, they barely performed any checks before bowing and opening the gate for him.

Ma Wu proceeded without pause, heading straight to the villa where Wu Ting lived. He was unconcerned about formalities and strode right in.

The villa was enveloped in silence. Ma Wu glanced around, somewhat puzzled, before sitting on the sofa in the main hall. The second floor was Wu Ting’s residence; though Ma Wu was somewhat free-spirited in his actions, he knew better than to intrude upon a young woman’s private quarters.

After about five minutes, Wu Ting descended the stairs. The moment she saw Ma Wu seated in the hall, her expression flickered briefly before she schooled her features and asked, “Why are you here?”

Ma Wu smiled at her. “I brought medicine for your father. And I managed to get some money together. I plan to repay you a portion now. Your father has just recovered, and I imagine there are many expenses the family must deal with.”

Wu Ting glanced at him and sat down across from him, answering coolly, “There are indeed many.”

Seeing Wu Ting’s distant manner as she sat opposite him, Ma Wu felt a pang of pain. In the past, whenever he sought her out, she would be overjoyed, rushing into his arms the moment they met. Now, things had changed so drastically.

He stepped forward, handing her a bank card. “There are thirty million in this card. The password is written on the back. I can’t repay it all at once, but this should help for now. I’ll settle the rest soon.”

Wu Ting acknowledged him quietly and reached out for the card. As her hand touched it, Ma Wu suddenly grasped her hand, his eyes narrowing as he spoke to her in anguish, “Wu Ting, must we be so distant? This isn’t what I wanted, nor what I expected after some time to cool off.”

Wu Ting recoiled as if struck by lightning, jerking her hand away and exclaiming, her voice trembling, “Ma Wu, mind yourself! Yesterday you clearly—”

Before she could finish, a sharp voice rang out from the doorway: “Ma Wu, what are you doing?”

Ma Wu turned to see Wu Di saunter in, waving an antique-style folding fan.

Seeing Wu Di’s affected elegance, Ma Wu’s irritation flared. He sneered, “I’m handling a private matter between Miss Wu Ting and myself. Is there something you wish to advise?”

He put particular emphasis on the words “private matter”—the implication clear: I am talking with my wife; get lost, you fool.

Wu Di’s expression darkened, jealousy and anger flashing in his eyes. He drew a breath and then turned to Wu Ting. “Cousin Wu Ting, do you need my assistance?”

Wu Di had thought that, after all that had transpired, Wu Ting’s affection for Ma Wu would be gone and she would turn to him. Seeing Wu Ting’s cold demeanor toward Ma Wu today, he believed his plan was succeeding. He was secretly delighted—until Wu Ting was even colder to him. Without so much as a glance, she replied curtly, “No need.”

Wu Di’s lips twitched with suppressed resentment: Damn you, Wu Ting. Just keep pretending. Once I get rid of Ma Wu and finish off your father, you’ll be at my mercy.

Ma Wu caught Wu Ting’s response and smiled faintly at Wu Di. “You heard her, didn’t you? This has nothing to do with you. Why are you still here? Off you go!”

Wu Di’s face twitched as he struggled to suppress his murderous urge. Ignoring Ma Wu, he addressed Wu Ting, “Cousin Wu Ting, I’m actually here to make amends.”

“A few days ago, we discovered that Li Li was a quack. Though I’d gone to great lengths to bring him, I feel deeply guilty. Recently, I spent a hefty sum to procure some medicine that should aid your father’s recovery.”

Wu Ting’s expression softened slightly, and she was about to reply when Ma Wu interrupted with a cold laugh. “Ha, enough, Wu Di. Just look at the useless doctors you hire—all talk, but when it comes to actually making medicine, they’re utterly worthless. This medicine you supposedly bought for a fortune—can it even be trusted?”

“I brought a restorative medicine myself today, one I prepared personally for Old Master Wu, enough for his full recovery. As for your so-called miracle drugs, keep them for yourself.”

He fixed his gaze on Wu Ting, his tone pleading, “Wu Ting, use my medicine. Trust me, please.”

Ma Wu knew Wu Di was unwilling to give up. After Li Li, the doctor he’d arranged, was dismissed, Wu Di could no longer poison Wu Xin. Now he sought to have Wu Xin take his own concoctions.

If Ma Wu was right, there was a ninety-nine percent chance Wu Di’s medicine was tainted with who-knows-what—nothing good could come of Wu Xin taking it.

He only hoped Wu Ting wouldn’t let personal grievances or a moment’s impulse drive her to accept Wu Di’s prescription. If she did, and Wu Xin refused to take it, Wu Di would eventually find out, and all of Ma Wu’s efforts would be wasted.

Wu Ting, looking at Ma Wu’s face so close to hers, turned her head aside. Biting her lip, her voice trembled like a mosquito’s as she finally whispered, “All right.”

Ma Wu grinned at Wu Di. “Well, Young Master Wu, you may leave now. I can’t help it if my personal charm is overwhelming.”

Wu Di’s face clouded, his gaze on Ma Wu smoldering with suppressed fury. Yet after a moment, he suddenly smiled, a sinister glint in his eyes. “Ma Wu, I hope you can still laugh in the days to come. Go ahead and enjoy yourself—for you won’t be laughing much longer. Ha ha ha ha!”

With that mad laughter, Wu Di departed the villa. Ma Wu watched his retreating back in silence.

After a while, Wu Ting spoke first. “Ma Wu, let me look at your eyes again.”

Ma Wu turned, noticing Wu Ting’s eyes were red once more.

She gazed at the bloodshot veins threading his eyes from too many sleepless nights, then lowered her head, her voice quivering with suppressed tears. “Ma Wu, there’s no rush for the money. You shouldn’t exhaust yourself like this.”

Ma Wu was taken aback, then understood what she meant. He smiled lightly, unconcerned. “It’s fine, I know my limits. Besides, I stayed up to prepare medicine for your father, not for the money.”

He gestured at the lunchbox in his hand, winking. “Wu Ting, do you know what’s inside?”

Her mood improved, some of the chill fading, and she asked curiously, “What is it?”

Ma Wu chuckled. “It’s a seafood and cured meat porridge I made just for you. Would you like to try some?”

Wu Ting fell silent for a moment before quietly asking, “You made it yourself, for me?”

Ma Wu nodded.

Wu Ting bit her lip, her expression complex as she looked at him. Then she reached out and took his hand, her voice turning gentle. “Come upstairs, then. To my room. I haven’t had breakfast yet—let me try your porridge.”

Ma Wu smiled. Her inviting him into her private room lifted a weight from his heart.

Wu Ting’s room was decorated in mostly pinks, with something of a fairytale atmosphere. Her bed was especially large, covered in all manner of dolls, and there was even a giant teddy bear bigger than a person.

Ma Wu couldn’t help but laugh. “You truly suit your childlike appearance.”

Wu Ting shot him a look, then sat on her bed and patted the spot beside her, motioning for Ma Wu to join her. “If you tease me again, I’ll throw you out! I’ve never invited anyone else into my room before.”

Ma Wu burst out laughing and sat down beside her, feeling the petite, gentle presence at his side. “I think you just don’t dare invite anyone else in—you’re afraid they’d say you’re still a little girl.”