Black Crow Prison (8): Good for Nothing

Mu Xinning sat up abruptly on the bed, her heart skipping a beat.

How did he follow me here?!

The door closed slowly behind Mo Yichen. The man stood against the light, his white hair shimmering with faint silver glints in the glow of the overhead lamp, his violet eyes shining strikingly in the shadows. He approached step by step, the hem of his white lab coat swaying gently with his movement. His steady footsteps sounded like they were tapping against her heart, each one making the air feel exceptionally tense.

"I..." She hugged the doll in her arms tightly, her ventriloquism beginning to falter.

*Tsk!*

Mu Xinning cursed inwardly; she was a person with a cheat code now. Besides, given her personality, she absolutely could not be a coward! She was a girl who liked to meet things head-on! She took a deep breath, and her entire demeanor instantly calmed down.

Mo Yichen stopped in front of her, his tall figure almost completely enveloping her.

"What was the wound caused by?" he asked again, his voice lower than before, the magnetic tail end of his words brushing against her ear.

Mu Xinning looked at his face, inches from her own, a playful glint flashing in her eyes. After all, the man before her was merely a clone of Jin, so she didn't really need to be afraid—her courage returned immediately. Since he was one of her own, there was no need to pretend, and besides, this man was so handsome! Surely, a little teasing wouldn't hurt?

She tilted her head to look into those violet eyes, suddenly curling the corners of her lips and intentionally softening her voice: "It was accidentally scratched by some broken glass, but now that Doctor Mo is handling it so carefully, it doesn't hurt anymore~"

She lied without blushing or missing a beat. Her fingertips brushed the edge of the gauze unconsciously, her eyes bright and filled with mischief. "Besides, Doctor Mo’s technique is so gentle—much gentler than I imagined..."

Mo Yichen’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Her direct gaze made him feel uneasy, and a faint blush crept up the tips of his ears. He hadn't expected her voice to be so pleasant when she wasn't using ventriloquism... He instinctively wanted to look away, but he was hooked by the smile in her eyes and could only stiffly reply, "...It’s just my job."

*Jin thought to himself that his clone was simply too stupid! There were no windows on the bottom three floors, and no mirrors—where would the glass come from?! And the point is, this person actually accepted that?! Is he an idiot?*

"But I don't think it's just that," Mu Xinning leaned forward. "When Doctor Mo was applying the medicine, your movements were much lighter. Were you afraid I would be in pain?"

"Boom—" The temperature on Mo Yichen’s cheeks rose instantly, and even his violet eyes were tinged with confusion. He took a sudden half-step back, creating distance, his voice tight as he stammered, "D-don't talk nonsense."

At that moment, Jin’s roar exploded in her mind: "You little brat! Stay away from him, you hear me! He’s just a clone! What is there to talk about?!" He didn't know what was wrong with him, but he was feeling incredibly irritated!

"You're so noisy," Mu Xinning replied in her mind, turning her head to continue staring at Mo Yichen’s reddened ears, unable to help but curl her eyes. He was truly handsome.

Jin circled around in her consciousness, furious. "I am the original! And you’re swooning over this clone?!" He felt aggrieved; if only he could manifest a physical form... he would surely be ten times more handsome than this man... no! A hundred times! A thousand times!!

Mu Xinning couldn't be bothered with him. She suddenly clutched her stomach and let out an "Oh," a look of grievance appearing on her face. "Come to think of it, I haven't eaten since this morning. I'm so hungry now."

Mo Yichen’s heartbeat, which had just calmed down, was thrown into chaos again by her soft complaint. He looked at her pouting lips, the previous sense of detachment instantly dissipating, and he asked instinctively, "What would you like to eat? The hospital cafeteria has mild porridge and side dishes, or..." He paused, adding, "I could go down to the cafeteria and buy something..."

"Anything is fine~" Mu Xinning blinked, intentionally drawing out her tone. "As long as it's something Doctor Mo chooses for me, I'll like it."

"You..." Flustered by her words, Mo Yichen’s cheeks burned even hotter. He turned and walked toward the door, his steps quickening. "I'll go prepare it." As he reached the door, he seemed to remember something and turned back to look at her, his voice much softer. "Wait here, I'll be back soon."

The moment the door closed, Jin said huffily, "I shouldn't have let you be alone with him! This guy is definitely up to no good with you!" *This man just has a decent face, that's all! Look how happy you are!*

She looked down at her bandaged hand and replied with a smile in her mind, "But the way he blushes is quite cute." It would be a shame if he were absorbed by Jin later, so she might as well enjoy looking at him while she could.

Jin grew anxious. *And what is up with this clone of mine anyway?! He just blushes in front of the little brat so easily—I refuse to accept that my clone could be like this! Useless! Absolutely useless!! He's disgraced my name!* he thought angrily.

Not long after, the clinic door was pushed open gently, and Mo Yichen entered carrying a tray. On the tray was a steaming bowl of pumpkin porridge, accompanied by a small plate of steamed buns and two boiled eggs—a light and nutritious meal.

He placed the tray on the bedside table with very light movements, fearing he might spill the soup. "It's freshly made from the cafeteria, still hot." He said this, his gaze drifting unintentionally toward her hand. "Use your other hand to eat, don't touch the wound."

Mu Xinning looked at the delicious food on the tray, and her stomach growled uncooperatively. She looked up at Mo Yichen, the smile in her eyes deepening. "How did Doctor Mo even know what I liked? Pumpkin porridge is my favorite!"

She set the doll aside and focused on the tray, wondering which item to eat first.

Mo Yichen felt his heart tremble under her gaze. The redness on his ear tips hadn't faded and had spread to his cheeks. He turned his face away, his voice muffled. "I guessed."

"Then Doctor Mo must have incredible luck!" Mu Xinning picked up a spoon, scooped up some porridge, blew on it gently, and intentionally leaned closer to him. She held the spoon out to his lips, the warmth radiating from it. "Does Doctor Mo want to taste a bite? Look at the color, it should be quite delicious."

Mo Yichen’s body stiffened, his pupils dilating slightly. He looked at the spoon so close to him, then at her rosy lips, his heart racing faster and faster. "You..." He was about to speak when Jin’s roar suddenly echoed in his mind: "Don't touch it! You are not allowed to touch anything she offers you!"

Mo Yichen frowned slightly, as if affected by this sudden surge of emotion. He instinctively took a half-step back, his voice tinged with an imperceptible panic. "Eat it yourself."

Something seemed to be shouting in his mind just now, but because the voice was fleeting and he had been immersed in his own shyness, he hadn't caught the source.

Mu Xinning looked at his disheveled appearance and couldn't help but chuckle softly, pulling the spoon back to take a bite herself. "Alright, then I'll enjoy it myself."

Mo Yichen’s face turned even redder. He turned and walked to the window, facing away from her, pretending to look at the scenery while actually keeping his ears pricked, listening to the sound of her eating.

Jin was hopping mad in her consciousness. "Look at him! Look at his behavior!!" *This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! I order you! Get away from him right now!*

Mu Xinning replied in her mind while eating, "Why are you in such a hurry? Isn't he just your clone? If I get close to him, doesn't that mean I'm getting close to you?"

Jin was rendered speechless, and after a long time, he managed to choke out, "That's different! He is him, and I am I!"

Mu Xinning snickered, scooped another spoonful of porridge, and looked up at the figure by the window, intentionally raising her voice. "Doctor Mo, why are you standing so far away? Are you afraid I might eat you too?"

Mo Yichen’s body stiffened. He spun around suddenly, his violet eyes filled with panic, his cheeks as red as if they were bleeding. "W-what kind of nonsense are you spouting!"

Seeing him so pure and easily embarrassed, Mu Xinning found it even more amusing, and she couldn't hide the smile on her lips. It seemed that teasing this Doctor Mo was much more interesting than bickering with Jin.