The two girls did not set any alarms, sleeping soundly until late morning, and were only woken up by the vibration of their phones.
The very first thing Lin Yuqing did upon waking was ask about Wen Rou's condition: "Wen Rou, do you feel any better today than yesterday?"
Wen Rou nodded gently. "Much better. I reckon I can be discharged in another two days."
"No way, the doctor said a full week."
"Ugh, isn't it inconvenient staying in the hospital like this? I'll stay for five days and see, then have the doctor check me again. If I've recovered well, I'll check out."
"Fine, let's go with that for now."
It was nine-thirty in the morning. Curious about a notification she had just received, Wen Rou picked up her phone to find a message saying she had passed her audition, along with the scheduled time to join the production crew's reading sessions.
Lin Yuqing received the same news. Passing the audition left both of them immensely excited—this was, after all, their very first step into the entertainment industry.
Shortly after, Lin Yuqing announced that she needed to head back to their rented apartment at noon to cook a celebratory meal, and she would bring some back for Wen Rou.
Wen Rou nodded happily. Since both of them had been accepted, it certainly called for celebration. "When I get out of the hospital, we'll go out and celebrate properly. Little sister here will treat you to a luxurious feast."
"Wonderful, then I won't stand on ceremony."
After finishing breakfast, Lin Yuqing mentioned she had things to take care of back at the apartment and needed to prepare lunch. Because of the time constraints, she would be arriving a bit later. Wen Rou told her not to worry and to go ahead.
At eleven in the morning, Wen Rou's mother, Lan Rui, arrived, accompanied by her assistant, Zhang Yu.
"Oh, my darling, you've really suffered. You've lost so much weight, just look at how pale your face is. You must properly recuperate this time."
The professional aura about Lan Rui was undeniable. Though time had left very few traces on her face, she still looked barely thirty despite being forty.
"Mom, it's not that dramatic. I'm eating and drinking well here; it's just you thinking I've lost weight." Anyone could tell this mother was a formidable figure, a true elite of the corporate world.
"Look, Mom brought you gifts. I figured these items would suit you girls. Here, take these two bags, plus these cosmetics and skincare products—you and Xiaoqing can split them. Oh, is Yuqing not here?" Lan Rui said, taking the gifts from her assistant, Xiao Zhang.
"She left just a little while ago. Sister Yuqing said she's going to cook a big meal and won't be over until noon."
"Xiao Zhang, could you please go find a reliable caregiver for Rourou? I'm going to stay here and chat with her for a bit."
"Certainly, Lawyer Lan." Knowing the mother and daughter had things to talk about, Zhang Yu went off to handle it.
"Mom, I just remembered I haven't told Dad and Xiaochen about my injury yet." A look of embarrassment crossed Wen Rou's face.
"Don't worry, I've already told them. Your brother is coming tomorrow, and your dad the day after. They know you were hurt and just forgot; they won't blame you."
"Hehe, that's good then."
"I told Sister Yuqing last night that you were coming, so I didn't make food for you two; I only made enough for her and me."
"That's fine. Knowing you have this sister looking out for you now gives me peace of mind. Let me transfer fifty thousand to you first, for the caregiver expenses later. You need to take good care of yourself while recovering from this injury."
"Thanks, Mom. If my brother finds out, he's definitely going to be jealous, hehe."
"He won't care about a little thing like that. Your brother is already making his own money—when he comes tomorrow, I bet you'll get another red envelope."
"Haha, alright then."
At noon, assistant Xiao Zhang finished arranging a trustworthy caregiver and ordered lunch, allowing Lan Rui and her assistant to head out to eat.
"Yuqing, you're finally here! Look, bags and cosmetics. Which one do you like? Pick first."
"Wow, both of these bags are gorgeous, Auntie is too wonderful. Since you're letting me pick first, I'll take this candy-colored one—the color is just so pretty."
"Then I'll choose this white bucket bag, it holds a lot more."
"Good grief, you're probably the only person who uses a Chanel bag for that purpose." Lin Yuqing rolled her eyes in a distinctly ungraceful manner.
Wen Rou quite liked Chanel bags, but she didn't have any grand attachment to such things—aren't they just bags? As long as they were functional, that was enough. "To me, a bag is just for carrying things. A style that holds a lot suits me best."
"Alright, I give up. If Auntie weren't here to keep you in check, you'd completely run wild. Not caring about designer bags doesn't seem very girly at all. Oh, I feel like I've scored a massive bargain, I've gotten so much free stuff. Your uncle and aunt are truly amazing people—so many of their clients send gifts that are genuinely lovely."
"These things are nice, sure. I remember when I was little, during New Year visits or when people came over, it used to be red envelopes, and later on it turned into pretty jewelry and bags. My parents wouldn't let those clients send anything too extravagant, though. These business people are all sharp as tacks, so I figure I'm the one cashing in. I get to keep the items, while Uncle and Aunt deal with returning the favors."
"You're overthinking it. To people like them, these are just trivial things; refusing them would actually make things awkward. Just let them handle it."
"Hehe, love you, little Rourou."
"Haha, there are cosmetics here too, pick a set. I'm just going to pick the skincare products—thankfully these are just basic hydrating formulas, I'm still too young to need those high-end luxury anti-aging lines."
"Mmm, I actually didn't have this set yet. Thanks a lot!"