Chapter 125

Chapter 125

After leaving the Head Nurse’s Office, Tu Nan went straight to Ward 403.

Little Red Riding Hood and Lepei were coexisting peacefully, each occupying their own corner and quietly tending to their own business.

“Big Sister!” Little Red Riding Hood called out excitedly when she saw Tu Nan, running toward her.

Tu Nan smiled and picked her up, casting a casual glance at Lepei before asking, “Is Little Red Riding Hood playing?”

“I’m building with blocks,” Little Red Riding Hood said sweetly.

Tu Nan looked at the blocks on the table and realized that Little Red Riding Hood had built a small cabin. Three figures stood in front of it; from the looks of it, they were likely Little Red Riding Hood and her parents.

She couldn’t help but feel a warmth in her heart as she gently stroked Little Red Riding Hood’s hair.

“You must really miss your parents.”

“I do.” Little Red Riding Hood lowered her head, fidgeting with her fingers. “Hospital Visiting Day is only once a month. It’ll be a long time before I see them again.”

Tu Nan didn’t say anything, but gently set her down. “It must be so boring staying in this room all the time. Why don’t I take you out for some fresh air this afternoon?”

“But…” Little Red Riding Hood paused, about to refuse, when she suddenly felt Tu Nan give her palm a firm squeeze. The words died in her throat.

“Doesn’t Little Red Riding Hood feel cooped up staying in the room all day?” Tu Nan continued to ask with a smile.

Little Red Riding Hood looked up and met Tu Nan’s eyes. The older girl gave her a subtle wink, as if hinting at something.

“Oh, right!” she realized instantly, immediately grabbing Tu Nan’s hand and acting spoiled. “It’s so stuffy in here, and there’s no one to talk to. I want to go out and play!”

Fortunately, Little Red Riding Hood was a clever child. Otherwise, if Tu Nan had to repeatedly persuade her to leave the room, it would have seemed far too deliberate.

Tu Nan leaned over and playfully pinched her cheek. “Alright, I’ll take you out this afternoon.”

She paused, then straightened up to look at Lepei.

“Would Miss Lepei like to go for a walk? The weather is quite nice today.”

Lepei was currently applying essential oil to her hair. Hearing this, she looked up. Her blue eyes were like a reflection of the sky, crystal clear.

She gave a slight shake of her head before looking back down to continue her hair care routine.

In the past, Lepei never reacted to anything Tu Nan said. Now, she was actually responding; for Tu Nan, this was already a massive step forward.

Even though she didn’t know why Lepei was suddenly willing to acknowledge her.

Once she helped Little Red Riding Hood escape the hospital, she could focus all her efforts on winning over Lepei.

The future looked promising.

*

When Recess Time arrived in the afternoon, Tu Nan led Little Red Riding Hood out of the ward.

Little Red Riding Hood held her hand, following behind her somewhat timidly.

“Little Red Riding Hood, have you been out before?” Tu Nan knelt down beside her, looking her in the eye as she asked.

Little Red Riding Hood nodded.

“The last time I went to the Garden was a long, long time ago,” Little Red Riding Hood said dejectedly, lowering her head. “They said I might hurt people, so they wouldn’t let me out. Later, when I was allowed to leave, Sister Xia Xia was gone. I didn’t want to go out anymore, so I just stayed in the ward.”

Tu Nan scanned their surroundings. After confirming that no one was paying attention to them, she whispered, “I’m taking you downstairs now. You must memorize the route perfectly, do you understand?”

Tu Nan didn’t explain why, fearing someone might suddenly pass by. However, Little Red Riding Hood sensed the importance of the matter from her hushed tone. She nodded vigorously, her large eyes fixed on Tu Nan without blinking as she said earnestly, “I’ll remember.”
Tu Nan smiled and patted her head before leading her downstairs.

To get to the Garden, they had to pass the information desk on the first floor. Tu Nan could only pray that Daisy wouldn’t be there.

But Lady Luck was not on her side this time. Daisy, who usually loved to wander around, was sitting at the information desk looking to and fro. She spotted Tu Nan from a distance and waved enthusiastically.

There was no way for Tu Nan to avoid her.

She could only force a smile and walk over, leading Little Red Riding Hood by the hand.

“Tu Nan.” Daisy stepped out from behind the desk and walked over to her side. She wrinkled her nose and said with feigned annoyance, “I told you to come find me for lunch, but you never showed up.”

“I’m sorry,” Tu Nan apologized with a smile. “I’ve just been far too busy.”

She let out a sigh, putting on a look of extreme distress. “I don’t know why, but the Head Nurse seems to be targeting me lately. Ever since that morning, she’s been piling work on me. I’m so busy I barely have time to eat.”

“Is that so?” Daisy’s eyes widened slightly as she spoke with righteous indignation. “The Head Nurse is going too far!”

Tu Nan looked around “fearfully,” then pressed a finger to her lips and gave a sharp “Shh!”

“Don’t say that. If someone hears and tells the Head Nurse, I probably won’t even have time to sleep.”

Daisy lowered her voice cooperatively, her expression looking as though she were genuinely upset on Tu Nan’s behalf. “But why would she do that?”

“Who knows?” Tu Nan shook her head. “I can’t begin to guess what goes on in the mind of an Octopus.”

Daisy, of course, knew exactly why the Head Nurse was doing it; she had undoubtedly pegged Tu Nan as being on Daisy’s side. The corners of Daisy’s mouth curled up smugly, and she covered her mouth as she let out a soft giggle.

“You certainly have a sense of humor.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Daisy finally noticed Little Red Riding Hood standing behind Tu Nan.

A flicker of doubt flashed through her eyes.

“And this is?” Daisy looked at Little Red Riding Hood and asked casually, “Are you taking a patient to the Garden?”

“Yes, big sister,” Little Red Riding Hood spoke up before Tu Nan could say a word. “I’ve been cooped up in my ward for so long, so I begged Sister Tu Nan to take me for a stroll in the Garden.”

She was cute and spoke with a childish innocence that was very endearing.

Daisy crouched down and pinched Little Red Riding Hood’s cheek. “In that case, go and have fun.”

“Then I’ll take her to play now,” Tu Nan said, looking coldly at the crouching Daisy. “We only have one hour in total.”

By the time Daisy stood up, Tu Nan was looking at her with a smile.

“Of course you can.” Daisy smiled back, looking every bit the picture of innocent vivacity. “Children should go out more; it’s good for their recovery.”

Daisy appeared so lively and kind on the surface, yet behind the scenes, how could she so calmly strip the lives away from one innocent person after another?

Her acting was truly superb.

Tu Nan suppressed the complex emotions swirling in her heart, nodded to her, and led Little Red Riding Hood outside.

Daisy watched their retreating figures, a thoughtful expression appearing on her face.

She raised her hand and beckoned a nurse over.

“Miss Daisy,” the nurse said, smiling at her ingratiatingly. “Is there something you need?”

“Go and keep an eye on that little girl and the nurse,” Daisy said, tilting her chin toward the backs of Tu Nan and Little Red Riding Hood. “Be careful not to be spotted. I want to see exactly what they’re doing in the Garden.”