Bone Erosion

Grandma Su sat on the chair, tears streaming down her face as she looked at the photo in her arms.

Aunt Zhang had just informed her about the passing of Mo Xuan's Grandma. Grandma Su had visited her before, but her own health had been failing. Walking had become a struggle, and the cold weather made her joints ache. She never imagined that she and her dear friend would be separated by death so soon.

When Su Yanran entered the room and saw her grandmother crying, she was puzzled but approached gently, asking, "Grandma, what's wrong?"

"Mo Xuan's Grandma has passed away," Grandma Su replied without looking up, her gaze fixed on the old photo in her hands. It showed a younger version of herself and Mo Xuan's Grandma, both with braided hair and radiant smiles. "Go on, leave me be. I’m not in the mood for dinner tonight. I’ll eat in my room."

Su Yanran was taken aback. She knew how close her grandmother and Mo Xuan's Grandma had been, but her mind was racing with another concern. If Mo Xuan's Grandma was gone, what would happen to the plans she had been counting on?

She had hoped her grandmother would put in a good word for her, but now that opportunity was lost.

"Grandma, will you attend Mo Xuan's Grandma’s funeral?" Su Yanran asked, her tone urgent.

Grandma Su let out a cold laugh. "Hmph, I don’t have the face to go. And don’t ask me when it is—I won’t tell you."

"Grandma, that’s not what I meant…" Su Yanran’s face paled. "After all, you’ve been friends for so many years. And Mo Xuan must be devastated right now. I just wanted to show him some concern…"

"That’s enough," Grandma Su snapped, cutting her off. "Focus on your own affairs. This has nothing to do with you. You’ve been upset with me for dragging my feet and not speaking up for you, haven’t you?"

"Grandma, I didn’t mean that. I was just worried about your health…"

"Su Yanran, let me be clear. What am I supposed to do? Grovel to my old friend and say, ‘Our Yanran made a mistake. Please forgive her and let your grandson marry her’? I have my pride too. You’ve embarrassed yourself enough—I won’t join you in that disgrace."

Grandma Su’s words were harsh and unrelenting. "You’re just regretting your choices now that Mo Jinpeng has turned out to be such a disappointment. You’ve realized how good Mo Xuan was, and now that he has a child with someone else, you can’t stand it. The person who once revolved around you no longer cares, and you’re desperate to fix what’s already broken."

"But don’t waste your energy trying to mend things. That mirror is already whole with someone else. The one between you and Mo Xuan was shattered long ago by your own hands."

Su Yanran wanted to say more, but Grandma Su waved her off impatiently. "Leave me alone. I need some time to myself."

Seeing her grandmother’s dismissive attitude, Su Yanran had no choice but to leave the room. However, her expression darkened as she walked away.

Often, what we call lingering attachment is merely the unwillingness to accept that someone who once adored us no longer does. This feeling was amplified for Su Yanran when Luo Shiya and Luo Muqi appeared by Mo Xuan’s side.

Or perhaps it was a bitter realization that the Luo sisters surpassed her in both family background and beauty.

Mo Xuan could be with someone better, while she had chosen someone inferior to him—Mo Jinpeng.

As for what Su Yanran thought, Mo Xuan had no interest in knowing. Luo Shiya had taken him back to the estate, leading him by the hand into the bedroom.

"Go take a shower, Xuan," Luo Shiya said gently, caressing his face. "It’s going to be okay. Everything will pass."

Mo Xuan looked at her and forced a weak smile. For him, his parents had been little more than a title during his childhood. It was his grandmother who had been there for him during the most crucial years of his growth.

And now, she was gone forever.

Luo Shiya watched him quietly, then slowly removed his glasses and set them aside. She wrapped her arms around his neck, but Mo Xuan turned his head away, smiling faintly.

"Shiya, I’m not in the mood…"

Whether it was kissing or anything else, he simply couldn’t bring himself to engage. But Luo Shiya reached out and gently tilted his chin, forcing him to meet her gaze.

"François de Sade once said that happiness is the dilution of pain with water," she whispered, her peach-blossom eyes filled with endless affection.

"I know Grandma’s passing has left you in pain, Xuan. I just want you to know that you still have me, Muqi, and the children."

"I’ve heard that most sorrow and pain can be forgotten through intimacy…"

Mo Xuan chuckled softly, reaching up to ruffle her hair. "Where did you read that? Don’t read such things anymore."

"I care about you, Xuan," Luo Shiya said earnestly, her voice steady. "I don’t want you to suffer. So, I’m willing to do anything for you…"

"I just want you to know that no matter who leaves you, Muqi and I will always be by your side…"

Mo Xuan held her tightly, burying his face in her hair. Tears seemed to fall onto her shoulder, but Luo Shiya simply stroked his back gently, whispering, "What you need now is rest. I’ll light some incense for you. Go take a shower and then get some sleep."

"Don’t worry about the children. Muqi and I will take care of them."

When people are vulnerable, they often seek escape and comfort. Mo Xuan was in such a state, unwilling to accept the reality of his grandmother’s death. Luo Shiya’s tenderness had become a source of solace for him.

After his shower, Mo Xuan found the bed neatly made and the incense burning. Luo Shiya was nowhere to be seen, and the scent of the incense seemed different from usual.

He lay in bed for about ten minutes. Normally, the incense would make him drowsy, but this time, though he felt somewhat dazed, it was as if he were dreaming. A warm sensation spread through his body.

As he drifted in this hazy state, the door opened again. It seemed to be Luo Shiya, dressed in a fluffy pink nightgown, holding something in her hands. Mo Xuan vaguely saw her extinguish the incense on the bedside table and replace it with another.

"I’ll stay with you, Xuan…"

Her soft voice reached his ears as a warm, heated towel gently covered his eyes. The warmth was just right, further relaxing his mind.

Mo Xuan felt the soft touch of lips against his, accompanied by a familiar sweetness.

"Forget all of this, Xuan…"

"Your world only needs us…"

"You don’t need anyone else. Never again. Just us…"

Her tender words seemed to carry a magical power, each syllable etching itself into Mo Xuan’s mind…