Spellbound Hearts - Novelbike

Since Qiu Lin had put it that way, Ji Xuan didn’t press further. Her slender, fair fingers tapped lightly on the screen as she replied: “Thank you, Assistant Qiu.”

Qiu Lin: “Manager Ji, aren’t you angry?”

Ji Xuan: “Sorry, Assistant Qiu, but this is a private matter. I’d rather not discuss it.”

The word “private” left Qiu Lin speechless. On the other end of the line, his face turned beet red. For someone who rarely indulged in gossip, this moment was so awkward he felt like he could dig himself a hole with his toes and hide in it.

After a long pause, Qiu Lin replied: “I apologize for overstepping.”

Ji Xuan maintained a polite yet distant tone: “It’s fine. I know you meant well.”

A few minutes passed with no further messages from Qiu Lin. Ji Xuan figured he wouldn’t reply again. She casually scrolled through her WeChat Moments, then exited the app to check her email. Several steel suppliers had sent over their price quotes.

The prices were all similar-standard rates. Ji Xuan skimmed through a few before hearing Mother Ji’s voice echo from the hallway: “Xuan Xuan, come help me with these bags!”

Setting her phone aside, Ji Xuan quickly stepped out of her room. On the staircase, Mother Ji was struggling to carry several large bags.

Ji Xuan hurried down to meet her. “Why did you buy so many groceries?”

Mother Ji let out a relieved sigh as she handed over some of the bags. “It’s so I can cook more for you to take back. You can’t keep living off takeout every day.”

She then lifted a stack of food containers in her left hand and waved them proudly in front of Ji Xuan. “See these? I bought them just for you-twenty of them! They’ll hold plenty of food.”

Looking at the smile on her mother’s face, Ji Xuan lowered her gaze, her eyes misting over. She always tried to shield her mother from her troubles. But wasn’t her mother doing the same?

The two carried the bags inside. After a brief rest, Mother Ji headed straight to the kitchen to start cooking. Ji Xuan leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching her, a rare trace of childlike dependence showing in her demeanor.

Noticing her daughter’s gaze, Mother Ji turned and smiled. “Why don’t you go watch some TV? What’s so interesting about cooking?”

Ji Xuan replied softly, “Mom, once I’ve paid off all the debts, I’ll bring you to Qing City to live with me.”

Mother Ji paused mid-stir, her voice catching as she responded, “Alright.”

After breakfast, Ji Xuan stayed until ten in the morning before packing up to return to Qing City. She had arrived empty-handed but left with her arms full, thanks to Mother Ji. Along with containers of freshly prepared dishes, there were also some of Ji Xuan’s favorite snacks.

As Ji Xuan got into her car, Mother Ji stood by the window, reluctant to let her go. “Drive safe. Come back when you have time.”

Ji Xuan bit her lip, her heart heavy. “Mom.”

Mother Ji smiled gently. “Next weekend, don’t forget to bring your boyfriend home.”

The sadness in Ji Xuan’s heart was instantly replaced by guilt. She forced a nod. “Okay.”

As Ji Xuan’s car disappeared down the road, Mother Ji’s phone rang. Pulling it from her pocket, she hesitated for a long moment before answering. “Hello, Dr. Han.”

The voice on the other end was calm but firm. “Aunt Zhao, it’s been a week. Have you made your decision?”

Zhao Ling-Mother Ji’s real name-glanced in the direction Ji Xuan had driven off, ensuring her daughter wouldn’t return. She then smiled faintly into the phone. “Dr. Han, I’ve made up my mind. I won’t be going through with the surgery.”

The doctor’s tone grew serious. “Aunt Zhao, this is irresponsible. Your condition-”

Mother Ji interrupted him. “Dr. Han, thank you for your concern. I truly appreciate it.”

Not wanting to prolong the conversation, she quickly found an excuse to end the call. As she climbed the stairs back home, she wiped away the tears streaming down her face. Whether she was being responsible to herself didn’t matter. What mattered was not becoming a burden to her daughter.

Meanwhile, Ji Xuan had just merged onto the highway when her right eyelid began twitching. She rubbed the corner of her eye, dismissing it as lingering stress from the Xiao Jin situation.

Forty minutes later, she exited the highway and arrived in Qing City. Ji Xuan had taken the day off and didn’t need to go to the office, so she headed straight home.

As she pulled up to her apartment complex, she grabbed her phone from the dashboard and sent a voice message to Wu Shu: “My mom made some of her best dishes. Come over for dinner tonight.”

The mention of food elicited an instant reply from Wu Shu: “I’ll be there at seven sharp!”

Ji Xuan chuckled. Just as she was about to put her phone away and step out to grab the items in her trunk, a breaking news alert popped up on her screen.

“Scandal! Song Group’s President spotted with a mystery woman! Rumors swirl of a steamy night with not one, but two beauties at a luxury hotel!”