Chapter 8 Pity

When Xia Mo awoke from her slumber once more, the sky was already sunny and bright. Although her body still ached, she was now in a better condition than she had been two days ago. At the very least, that shameful area no longer hurt as much. Still, she didn’t plan to leave the room. After she had taken a shower, she quietly sat down beside the bay window and looked at a large tree from not far away. Nestled in the branches was a bird’s nest. With the sway of the northern winds, the nest seemed as if it would plunge to the ground at any given moment. Xia Mo stared fixedly at it. If it was to truly fall, then she would pick it up and safeguard it until the time was right. She would place it among the branches to save the family of birds from being unable to return home back to their nest for the coming year. The corners of her eyes reddened. Her family was on the brink of collapse. She did not want the little birds to follow suit as well. Lu Wanru sat in the living room while perusing the newspaper. She couldn’t help but remember the refreshed, spirited expression on Ling Yichen’s face when he had left this morning. Lu Wanru folded the newspaper, placed it on the table, and said to Mrs. Wu who was alongside her, “Let’s go upstairs to see Xia Mo.” “Mistress, didn’t you say that you don’t want to see Xia Mo at all?” Mrs. Wu reminded her. “That’s what I originally thought. Your Mister and I don’t want to see her at all. We wanted to wait for her to give birth and then send her on her way. Afterward, we will move and settle elsewhere. By that time, all connections with her will be cut off.” Lu Wanru proceeded up the stairs and continued, “However, she has already seen Mister. So what difference will it make whether I see her or not?” “That Xia Mo seems to be a good child. There definitely won’t be any unforeseen troubles.” Because Mrs. Wu sincerely thought that Xia Mo was pitiable, she spoke good words to Lu Wanru on the girl’s behalf. “Cho’s judgment on people is razor-sharp. She has never once been wrong about those who met her expectations.” Lu Wanru watched as Mrs. Wu knocked on the door. Taking half a step back, she remarked, “Treat Xia Mo well from now on.” Mrs. Wu nodded with a smile on her face and opened the door to the room. Lu Wanru noticed the girl sitting beside the bay window. The feeling evoked in her heart wasn’t pity nor fondness for Xia Mo. Nevertheless, she motioned Mrs. Wu to leave and walked over to Xia Mo’s side. “Xia Mo, what are you looking at?” Lu Wanru queried with a gentle voice. Her eyes followed Xia Mo’s, and she glimpsed beyond the window. Because Xia Mo’s guest room faced southeast, the scenery outside was that of a rock garden and a man-made lake. The view was pleasant enough, but it was lacking and barren. There wasn’t anyone to be seen walking about. What was there to behold? “Do you want to go out for a walk?” Lu Wanru asked again. Xia Mo shook her head and continued to stare out the window. Lu Wanru was worried that Xia Mo was too young. After her ordeal with Ling Yichen, she didn’t want Xia Mo to be afflicted with further mental deterioration. She furtively inquired, “How about I let Mrs. Wu accompany you on a walk?” Xia Mo shook her head again and turned her head to look at the woman beside her only to discover that she was not Mrs. Wu. “Who are you? Are you the madam who has hired me?” “Yes.” Lu Wanru had only seen Xia Mo through photos. This was the first time that she saw her in person. She had never imagined Xia Mo to have such exceptional qualities. She then recalled what was written on the profile report: class flower, school flower, honor student, excellent test-taker, well-behaved, and studious, and so forth positive comments. Pity for Xia Mo germinated in her heart. Whether a girl or boy, Xia Mo’s and Ling Yichen’s offspring will surely be outstanding as well. “Once the baby is born, I’ll arrange for you to attend university. Think about it when you have the time: which university, your major, etc. I’ll take care of it for you by then.” Lu Wanru couldn’t help but offer her a promise. “Thank you.” Xia Mo’s eyes reddened again. Schooling was the crux of her all her pains. “If possible, can you lend me a few high school book materials?” Xia Mo softly entreated her. Lu Wanru nodded, “Alright.” “Madam.” Upon seeing Lu Wanru turning to leave, Xia Mo quickly called her, “There’s… There’s also one more thing that I hope you can help me with.” “Go ahead.” Lu Wanru raised her brow. She didn’t like people who were insatiable. “There’s a nest on that tree. Can you get someone to retrieve it? The recent winds are too strong. It seems that it’ll topple any minute.” Afraid that Lu Wanru wouldn’t agree, she anxiously explained, “I’ll figure out a way to put it back up there by spring of next year. Otherwise, the little birds won’t be able to find their home when they return.” Lu Wanru didn’t know whether she was emotionally triggered by her mention of “home” or was touched by her care for the “little birds”. Her eyes traced Xia Mo’s finger to the direction that the girl pointed in, and she noticed a swaying bird’s nest on the branches of a nearby tree. Lu Wanru subconsciously nodded. Xia Mo’s petite face immediately broke into a sweet smile, and her beautiful eyes twinkled as they curved into crescent moons. She faced Lu Wanru and bowed low before her. “Thank you very much.” Lu Wanru eyed her belly and replied, “Take good care of yourself. If you need anything, just tell Mrs. Wu.” Xia Mo continued to sit by the bay window and gaze at the tree outside. Noon came, and she finally saw a truck carrying an electric scissor lift. A man standing in the scissor lift raised it up, secured the ten-meter-high nest on the tree, and nailed a small, green wooden board beneath the nest. It was refreshing for her eyes to set on with the addition of a little green in contrast to the grey backdrop. What surprised her more was that not only did they secure this particular bird’s nest but also others on the tree as well. Mrs. Wu then came in to deliver books, writing utensils, and a tray of cut fruit. Xia Mo beamed a sincere smile at her. “Mrs. Wu, please thank Madam for me.” “Will do.” Mrs. Wu grew delighted as well. She wished for Xia Mo to birth a healthy, intelligent, and kind baby for Madam. “If you need anything else, just directly tell me.” “Okay.” For the remainder of the time, Xia Mo sat before her desk and perused her books. She even ate the whole fruit tray. After Mrs. Wu had delivered dinner to Xia Mo, she grinned at Lu Wanru, “She’s just like a child herself. Today, she sat in her room all afternoon and read books. She ate the entire tray of fruits and the dinner meal as well. Whenever she sees me, she would smile so sweetly. She even reminded me to relay her thanks to you.” “As long as she maintains a positive mood, the baby will be healthier after birth.” Afterward, Lu Wanru directed Mrs. Wu to wait for Ling Yichen in the living room while she headed to her room. She needed to call Bo Wen and ask him for a memory loss drug. Although she had no intention of harming Xia Mo whatsoever, she could not allow someone like Xia Mo to long for the child either. After Ling Yi had showered in another room and donned casual clothes, he reluctantly walked to Xia Mo’s room and pushed open her door. Upon entering, he saw the petite woman sitting by the desk with one hand propping her head and one hand holding a pen to her mouth, lightly chewing on the cap. She furrowed her fine brows as if she was contemplating something.