Father Ji truly hadn’t expected Ji Cheng to have such a wealthy classmate, and the way he looked at Ming Xiaowei instantly changed.
“So, young lady, are you close with our Xiao Cheng?” Father Ji leaned closer to Ming Xiaowei.
Ming Xiaowei glanced up at him.
“Mm.” Her tone gave nothing away.
Father Ji wanted to say more, but Ming Xiaowei’s worried gaze was fixed on Ji Cheng, who remained unconscious in the hospital bed.
The woman tugged at his sleeve, and Father Ji suddenly remembered something, following her out of the room.
He closed the door behind him.
Inside the ward, a silver staff appeared in Ming Xiaowei’s hand. Just as she had imagined, she had now fully evolved from a Light Archmage (not really) into a proper Cai Wenwei—minus the bouncing skills.
But she couldn’t heal Ji Cheng completely—just ease the pain and injuries.
If Ji Cheng were to recover instantly, she’d be dragged off to a lab for dissection.
The staff rose with Ming Xiaowei’s will, casting a white glow over Ji Cheng on the bed. After four or five seconds, the staff returned to her hand.
She stashed it back into her spatial storage just as Ji Cheng’s fingers twitched slightly by the bedside.
“Ji Cheng?” Ming Xiaowei called softly.
Ji Cheng’s eyelashes fluttered before her eyes slowly opened. The dizziness and headache from her concussion made her frown.
Her gaze shifted sideways, and upon seeing Xiaowei, she instinctively grabbed her hand.
“Why are you here?” Ji Cheng’s voice was hoarse.
Come to think of it, in all her years, Xiaowei was the only one who had stuck by her side.
She never really had time to make friends.
“I’m sorry.” Guilt flickered in Ji Cheng’s eyes. “I shouldn’t have taken my personal frustrations out on you.”
The moment she saw her father, Ji Cheng felt like her years of caring for Grandma alone were a joke.
She used to think Father Ji had his struggles working away from home, so she rarely bothered him.
The thought made her head throb harder.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Just let me take care of you from now on.”
Ji Cheng, still wrapped in melancholy, let out a baffled “Hah?”
“I’m serious. I can afford you.” Ming Xiaowei blinked.
“If you’re willing, I can treat you like my own daughter. You can start practicing now—like calling me ‘Dad.’” She patted Ji Cheng’s hand.
She meant every word.
Be sensible.
Ming Xiaowei wasn’t short on money.
Ji Cheng: “…”
She choked, but somehow, the weight in her chest lifted, and the corners of her lips curled up.
“Stop messing around,” she scolded lightly.
“By the way…” Ji Cheng suddenly remembered something. “Doctor Li gave me a card earlier with nearly 800,000 in it. That wasn’t from you, was it?”
Ji Cheng didn’t believe the woman had given it to her.
Judging by her clothes, she was from a moderately well-off family at best—no way she’d hand over that much money.
Thinking back, the only person Ji Cheng knew with that kind of wealth was Xiaowei.
Though she wasn’t sure how Xiaowei had found out about Grandma.
“It was me.” Ming Xiaowei had never planned to hide it. She’d just been petty earlier—even if she were a man, she had her moments of pettiness.
Hearing this, gratitude welled up in Ji Cheng’s eyes.
“After Grandma’s surgery, I’ll return whatever’s left. I’ll find a way to pay you back eventually.”
Ming Xiaowei scratched her head.
“Pay me back? Nah, don’t worry about it.”
“That’s a lot of money.” Ji Cheng frowned, thinking Xiaowei had been spoiled too much to understand the value of money.
“Oh? Really? I’ve got 40 or 50 million in spending money on my card. My dad just transferred me another 300,000 yesterday.” Ming Xiaowei said this without batting an eye.
Ji Cheng: “…”
“Never mind.” Ji Cheng closed her eyes briefly before adding, “But I’m still paying you back.”
“No rush. You’re only a freshman—why stress yourself out? You won’t be able to conceive later.” Ming Xiaowei gently rubbed Ji Cheng’s stomach.
Ji Cheng tensed slightly, discomfort flickering across her face.
“My dad’s company just started up, and they’re short on people. If you don’t mind, I can arrange an internship for you in your senior year. You’ll pay me back in no time.”
“Your father is…?” Ji Cheng asked.
“Ming Tianxing. DT Group. You probably haven’t heard of it—he’s in mechanical products, but honestly, he does everything.”
Ji Cheng closed her eyes again.
She’d only skimmed the details before.
During Ming Xiaowei’s self-introduction at the start of the semester, she hadn’t emphasized her family background. The class just assumed she was wealthy based on her designer clothes.
Ming Tianxing—a prodigious manager. Their business professor had once lectured about the miracles he’d achieved and his vast industrial empire.
Even more impressive than Xiao Moyun.
“Just don’t pressure yourself. I used to be reckless too—I tipped Zhao Qinghan 300,000 once. The money in your card includes that 300,000. It’s more than enough for Grandma’s hospital and surgery fees.”
Ming Xiaowei wrapped her arms around Ji Cheng’s, her eyes curving into crescents as she grinned.
“‘Our’ Grandma?” Ji Cheng glanced at her.
“Isn’t she? You still don’t see me as a close friend? I love your cooking. If you really feel guilty, just tutor me at my place. We can study together. And if you’re tired, Auntie Zhang can handle the cooking.”
Ming Xiaowei slipped up.
“Auntie Zhang?” Ji Cheng chuckled, her gaze unreadable.
“Your housekeeper, right? Were you pretending to be pitiful to trick me?”
Ming Xiaowei’s cheeks puffed up like a steamed bun.
“Well… you can cook instead? I’m not picky.” She genuinely worried Auntie Zhang might lose her job at this rate.
“Auntie Zhang it is, then. But… now that we’re talking, I feel much better. The pain’s gone.”
Ji Cheng shifted slightly.
“So remember—always use the crosswalk.” Ming Xiaowei patted her hand.
Ji Cheng fell silent.
“Fine. I’ll listen to you.”
Before Ming Xiaowei could say more, Father Ji walked back in.
Seeing Ji Cheng awake, he sighed. “I called your mom. I only took three days off, so I can’t stay with you.”
“Oh.” Ji Cheng’s expression didn’t change.
As if he’d ever stayed before.
“The doctor said you’ll need a week in the hospital. I’ve already contacted your teachers—ask a classmate to take notes for you. Don’t fall behind in your studies. But as for recovering at home afterward…”
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