Chapter 21: I Know How to Fight

Chapter 21: I Can Fight

Northern suburbs of the capital city.

An unnamed sanatorium.

Earlier this year, it was rated by the World Medical Organization as the most advanced facility in the world.

A single month’s stay costs as much as ten million.

An exorbitant fee for convalescence.

At the entrance stood a small shop, selling tiny pots of cacti for eighteen thousand each.

Gu Mang held a palm-sized cactus, tilted her head, and glanced at it.

Such a small thing, yet quite expensive.

She raised an eyebrow, slipped one hand into her coat pocket, and strolled unhurriedly into the sanatorium.

The sanatorium was designed in a pastoral style—each resident lived in a separate bamboo cottage.

Arranged in an orderly yet natural pattern.

Gardens, vegetable patches, rose trellises, cobblestone paths.

The environment was comfortable and relaxing.

Modern technology was integrated, yet it retained the charm of a secluded paradise.

Occasionally, staff passed by carrying dew-kissed vegetables and fresh meat, preparing breakfast.

“Miss Gu, you’re here to see Jin Yang,” the cook auntie said with a warm smile.

Gu Mang nodded softly, removed her baseball cap, and brushed back her hair.

In the morning light, her skin was porcelain-white, her features strikingly beautiful—so much so that it took one’s breath away.

The cook auntie paused for a moment, then heard Gu Mang’s clear voice.

“Has Jin Yang gotten up?”

The auntie came back to herself. “Yes, yes. She’s probably watering her plants in the garden right now.”

Gu Mang politely thanked her and headed toward the garden.

The auntie watched Gu Mang’s retreating figure, murmuring softly, “This young lady is just too lovable.”

In the garden.

A girl dressed in a smoky blue velvet jacket was crouched near a bush, watering it with a gourd ladle.

Gu Mang watched from afar, a faint smile curving her lips. “Jin Yang.”

Jin Yang’s back stiffened for a moment; she turned around and, seeing Gu Mang, her eyes widened with delight.

She dropped the ladle and stood up, running over. “Gu Mang, you came to see me.”

“Mm.”

Gu Mang handed her the cactus.

Jin Yang looked down at the tiny cactus, her eyes and brows lighting up with warmth.

Every time Gu Mang visited, she brought her a special, easy-to-care-for plant—succulents or cacti.

Easy to tend, resilient and full of life.

Jin Yang linked her arm with Gu Mang’s, smiling brightly. “Gu Mang, let’s go inside.”

“All right.”

Inside the bamboo cottage, the furnishings were vintage.

Just a glance calmed the restless heart.

Jin Yang took out homemade dried fruit and snacks. “Gu Mang, these are made from mangoes and strawberries I grew myself. They’re really delicious. I packed plenty—you’ll definitely like them.”

Gu Mang looked at her, her cold, languid eyes briefly clouded with a distant daze.

At this moment, the girl’s eyes seemed to hold a passionate light—a long-lost vitality.

It seemed she was recovering very well.

She pinched a piece of dried mango and tasted it. The flavor was excellent—sweet without cloying, rich with fruity aroma.

Jin Yang ate alongside her, lowering her gaze, hesitating as if wanting to say something.

Gu Mang glanced at her, resting her arm on the table, her pale, slender hand lazily supporting her chin. She drawled slowly, “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Jin Yang smiled sheepishly. “You never miss a thing.”

Gu Mang raised an eyebrow.

“I just think I can’t stay here forever,” Jin Yang said earnestly. “I’m much better now. I can go out and work with you to earn money. I heard the sanatorium fees are very expensive.”

“Work with me?” Gu Mang picked up another piece of dried mango with her fingertips, shifted her posture, crossed her legs, exuding a lazy wildness. Her thin lips curled. “You’re not even an adult. How could you work with me?”

Jin Yang blinked in surprise. “But you’re not an adult either.”

“I can fight,” Gu Mang said casually.

(End of chapter)