In this cold winter day, just past midnight, a trending news suddenly exploded online, and netizens gathered across the screens holding snacks, engaging in friendly gossip.
News about "Bruno, Vice President of Everlasting World Group, involved in a sex scandal" rose to the top of the charts in just two hours.
Netizens stayed up late gossiping, with videos and photos flying everywhere.
It was a rare warmth and kindness in the cold winter night.
As the night of revelry ended and dawn arrived, the netizens thought the matter was over. They didn't expect the same protagonist to once again stir a wave of excitement with news of "suspected criminal offense, now taken away by the police for investigation".
Scandal after scandal, netizens suffering from difficulties across the country felt the festive spirit from the capitalists.
Of course—
The online revelry didn't affect the instigator, nor a certain party who set off this wave in the least.
*
It had been snowing all night, the city adorned in silver, heavy with snow, all around was a vast expanse of white.
Castle River Hospital, inpatient department.
Nora Scott stepped onto the fifth floor amidst the wind and snow, and effortlessly arrived at the doorway of the ward.
Just as she stopped, she heard voices from inside the ward, the elderly and feeble voice and the calm and strong voice interweaving in a rhythm, faintly permeating a sense of peace and tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of the hospital.
?
Harboring certain doubts, Nora pushed open the door.
VIP ward, single room, not large, the whole layout visible at once.
An elderly man lay on the bed, over seventy years old, hair grizzled and sparse, worn and haggard from long-term illness, though today he seemed unusually spirited.
A man stood nearby, his back to the door, broad-shouldered and tall, draped in a long black coat, its smooth lines sharply outlining his form, exuding a fierce aura.
Upon hearing the sound of the door opening, both of them looked up.
Nora lifted her eyelids, intending just a casual glance, but her gaze fixed on the man.
His head slightly tilted, bangs falling over his brow, shadows lingering in his eyes, fleeting yet containing surging undercurrents.
His features were like a painting, prominent nose and thin lips, chiseled contours. Compared to years past, his appearance had matured and become more robust, imbued with charm bestowed by time's polish, his aura withdrawn, steady and reserved.
Somewhat familiar.
"What are you doing here?" Nora blurted out her doubts.
His gaze deepened as he looked at her, Pedro Langley remained expressionless, "Visiting your grandfather."
"..."
No matter how imaginative, Nora couldn't fathom his train of thought.
Even if there were old ties, after so many years, they should have long crumbled to pieces.
Inexplicably recalling yesterday's hot drink and hand warmer, Nora frowned slightly, stepped inside, and casually closed the door.
Antonio Easton half-lay on the bed, looked at Pedro, then at Nora, seemingly perceiving something, he broke the ward's quietness: "Your friend?"
"…Yeah."
Nora responded casually, walked over, and stuffed two gerberas into the vase.
Having hired a caregiver for Antonio, the flowers in the ward were regularly changed. Today's lilies had just been replaced, a mix of buds and blooming flowers, beautifully arranged. Her action marred its visual appeal.
Antonio: "..."
Pedro: "..."
"What's the point of buying flowers?" Antonio's brows furrowed tightly, worried about his granddaughter's taste.
"They look nice, so I bought a couple on a whim."
Antonio was stunned, realizing something, "Did you take the subway?"
There's a flower shop on the road from the subway station to the hospital. Usually, when Nora drives, she parks directly at the hospital; only taking the subway would lead her past the flower shop.
"The snow was heavy, driving wasn't convenient."
Nora took a step back, glanced at the unsightly vase, didn't care much, then turned to ask Antonio, "Have you had breakfast?"
"You don't need to worry about me." Antonio's face turned stern, full of concern, "But you, have you eaten?"
"I have."
Nora answered casually, avoiding Antonio's gaze. Glancing aside, she saw a large fruit basket and several bags of supplements on the chair.
Picking up an apple, Nora turned her head and asked Pedro standing beside her, "Did you buy these?"
Bringing the apple to her mouth, she took a bite.
The bite, however, fell short, her teeth clicking together in surprise.
Pedro Langley, expressionless, swiftly snatched the apple from her hand, his movements quick and clean. She realized it a second too late.
Nora Scott raised an eyebrow at him: "..." Taking food right from my mouth, big brother.
Pedro lowered his eyelids slightly, scrutinizing her.
Unlike last night's disheveled casual appearance, today she wore a black wool coat, with a white turtleneck sweater underneath, high-heeled leather boots on her feet, giving her a tall figure, and an aura that was lazy yet elegant.
Her hair was tied up with a hair band, loosely and casually. She wore light makeup, making her already exquisite and beautiful face more lively and vibrant, striking yet not gaudy, enough to dazzle this early winter snowfall.
Because she was thwarted, a slight challenge colored her eyebrow and corners of her eyes, making her whole being vivid and bright.
The fluorescent light poured into her eyes, the light in her pupils floating and flowing, her gaze captivating. Pedro, unfazed, said casually, "Wash it before you eat."
"Yes, either wash it before you eat or peel it first."
Antonio Easton supported Pedro Langley's words, simultaneously reprimanding Nora Scott, "You should change this careless trait of yours. You've grown this big, yet you can't even take good care of yourself."
"Alright, alright, I'll peel it."
Nora Scott nodded in response, not bothering about such trivial matters with the elder bedridden.
However, when snatching the apple back from Pedro's hand, she exerted a bit too much force, giving him a subtle and meaningful glance.
Pedro Langley remained unfazed.
*
The atmosphere in the ward was harmonious.
Nora Scott sat in a chair, peeling the apple, holding the knife handle with four fingers and pressing her thumb against one side of the blade, the apple peel naturally and smoothly falling off, round and round.
Pedro Langley was chatting with Antonio Easton.
This taciturn man had quite a few topics in front of Antonio Easton. He threw them one after another, starting with illness and doctors, then transitioning to conversations about everything under the sun.
Antonio Easton wasn't usually this talkative either.
Nora Scott couldn't get a word in, and was too lazy to say more.
The entire apple peel fell off, leaving the red apple in Nora Scott's hand just as pure fruit, white and round.
Just as she wanted to eat it, she heard Antonio Easton say, "Peel one for Pedro."
Nora Scott: "..."
"She eats first."
With just three simple words, he displayed his generosity and cultivation.
Nora Scott ground her teeth in secret, smiled and raised an eyebrow at him, handing the apple over, "There, enjoy."
A strand of hair fell, and Nora Scott raised her hand to tuck it behind her ear, her fingers as white and jade-like, distinct in joints, brushing over her sleek, white left ear, exuding a subtle allure.
Pedro Langley paused watching for two seconds before taking the apple and giving thanks, the corners of his lips curving, seeming pleased and satisfied.
Nora Scott didn't notice, and picked another apple. To avoid being accused of favoritism, this one was for Antonio Easton, making sure to cut the fruit into small pieces and plate them, sticking toothpicks into them.
Only by the third one did she make one for herself.
After all this effort, she was already full, Nora Scott ate in small bites, occasionally listening to their conversation. When hearing about the illness, Nora Scott lowered her eyelids slightly, a bit absent-minded.
Since childhood, she depended on Antonio Easton, having this one relative. Growing up, she wandered around, spending little time with Antonio Easton. Not until these last two years did Antonio Easton fall ill, prompting her to stay often in Fenton City to take care of him.
Two years passed in a flash, Antonio Easton's illness repeatedly relapsing, recently showing signs of deterioration.
Although mentally prepared, mentioning it occasionally made her feel uncomfortable.
She didn't know how long had passed, but Nora Scott's phone rang consecutively, several times she dismissed them, finally impatiently glancing at the messages, she stood up, "I need to go."
"Off to do what again?" Antonio Easton's tone suddenly sank.
"Work."
"I'm telling you, don't go doing those fighting and killing things, I sent you to learn martial arts to defend yourself, not as a way to make a living—"
Pressing a finger to her forehead, Nora Scott interrupted, "I know."
Antonio Easton furrowed his brows, wanting to say a few more words, but then heard Pedro Langley say, "Her current work is very safe."
Unexpectedly, with Pedro Langley's guarantee, Antonio Easton felt reassured.
Nora Scott gave Pedro Langley an unexpected glance.
At this moment, Pedro Langley's eyes swept over his watch's hands, indicating it was time to leave, and promised to visit Antonio Easton again next time.
Antonio Easton was very pleased with him, agreeing with a smile.
Pedro Langley naturally suggested to Nora Scott, "Let's go, I'll give you a lift."
"No..."
Nora Scott was about to refuse, but felt Antonio Easton's threatening gaze, hesitated slightly, and wisely swallowed her words.