Chapter 21: This girl is so pretty.

Song Yao froze.

She and Wu Yishuang had played it perfectly—until grandma showed up and ruined everything.

Not that she blamed her. Grandma was just worried.

It was all too coincidental.

Never in a million years did she expect Xia Mengrou’s friend to be grandma’s attending physician, Wu Yishuang…

No salvaging this. Wu Yishuang knew it too—answered honestly.

“I’m Xiao Yao’s grandma’s attending doctor.”

“Then earlier, why…”

“Rou Jie, I’ll explain later—don’t worry about it.”

Song Yao cut Xia Mengrou off.

Wu Yishuang could know she was a rented girlfriend—but grandma could never.

To the older generation, “rented girlfriend” screamed shady—probably linked to that.

She’d always upheld “sell art, not body”—but grandma wouldn’t understand.

It’d only worry her, maybe worsen her condition.

Xia Mengrou frowned but shut up obediently.

“This girl’s so pretty. You’re Yao Yao’s friend?”

Grandma didn’t catch the earlier tension—just saw Xia Mengrou seemed close with Song Yao.

“Y-Yes.”

Xia Mengrou nodded.

“Great. I worried Yao Yao only studies and works—no friends. What’ll she do when I’m gone?”

“Grandma, don’t say such unlucky things!”

Song Yao wanted to cover her mouth.

Anything comes out of your mouth…

“Yao Yao, grandma knows her condition.”

The old woman smiled weakly but kindly. “Can’t walk the road with you anymore—so take care, make friends.”

“Grandma, you’ll live to 100—stop the gloom, okay?”

Song Yao puffed cheeks, trying to hush her.

“Okay, okay—I listen to Yao Yao.”

Grandma chuckled, turned to Xia Mengrou. “Girl, Yao Yao grew up without parents—just me. No friends. Please look after her.”

“No parents?”

Xia Mengrou surprised.

After learning Song Yao was a rented girlfriend, she’d paid without digging.

“Enough, grandma—back to the ward. Rest. Doctor Wu’s got tomorrow’s checkup. No worrying.”

Song Yao wheeled grandma out.

Any longer—her whole backstory would be stripped bare.

She and Xia Mengrou weren’t friends—pure transaction.

She worked for pay, Xia Mengrou bought service. No need for personal details.

“Shuang Shuang, what did grandma mean—no parents?”

Once alone, Xia Mengrou asked.

Wu Yishuang blinked.

You sugar-mommy’d without background check?

Just saw young and pretty—impulse decision?

Classic Xia Mengrou, though.

Public: iron lady.

Private: mommy’s girl, bit airheaded.

Tragic accident years ago—mother gone—forced the strong facade to hide fragility.

“Literal meaning.”

Wu Yishuang sat.

Shouldn’t reveal patient info—but Song Yao special.

“Orphan?”

Nod.

“Grandma…”

“Adoptive.”

Wu Yishuang: “Found her at village entrance. Villagers said orphanage—grandma pitied, raised her alone.

Now grandma gravely ill. Xiao Yao juggles school, jobs, treatment…

You didn’t know?”

Xia Mengrou silenced.

Thought Song Yao just wanted pocket money.

Not this.

Wu Yishuang saw—bestie barely cared.

“Be nicer. Watched her struggle. Early days—caring for grandma, school, work—she was a ghost. Only past half-year better.”

“Shuang Shuang, how much are grandma’s medical bills?”

“You’ll cover?”

Wu Yishuang surprised.

Hundreds of thousands—crushing for normals.

Pocket change for Xia Mengrou.

Doubted capability? Never.

But…

“Talk to Xiao Yao. You offer—she’ll refuse.”

“Why?”

Xia Mengrou stunned.

She accepted tips and salary eagerly—free money?

“When they first came, we wanted to donate—she said she has hands and feet, will earn it all herself. Refused outright.

She’s prouder than you think. Pay directly—risk her flipping?”

Xia Mengrou hesitated.

Wu Yishuang saw—bestie really cared.

“Relax, Rou Rou. She’s my patient’s family—and your friend. I won’t ignore her.”

“Then… Xiao Yao’s in your hands, Shuang Shuang.”

After learning, Xia Mengrou went to find Song Yao in the ward.

But stepping out—she collided with Song Yao, who’d come looking.

No Wu Yishuang behind—Song Yao dropped to a slide-kneel.

“Sorry, Rou Jie! I didn’t mean to hide knowing Doctor Wu—just worried we seemed too close and you’d misunderstand!”