A Calculated Restraint

“No, he needs rest.” Mu Yaochen wasn’t afraid of Luo Yao resenting her, for she knew he already detested her. A little more hatred now wouldn’t matter; cultivating Luo Yao would still require a slow approach. Watching him develop into the person she desired was a journey to be savored. Though, it was true, Luo Yao already harbored quite a bit of dislike for her. His current feelings were of little consequence, as the process of shaping him would take time. In any case, a little more hatred now was hardly an issue. Luo Yao still required gradual cultivation. Indeed, Mu Yaochen was perfectly clear on what Luo Yao wished to do now. It was simply to leave her, wasn’t it?”No, Miss said you need to rest in your room.” At the hospital, Frost’s mood had plummeted after receiving Mu Yaochen’s message.Mu Yaochen’s intention was clear: Luo Yao was not to wander off. The unspoken implication was for them to maintain their distance, which, to Frost’s surprise, stirred an inexplicable irritation within her usually calm demeanor.’If she merely sat in front of Luo Yao, it would be incredibly boring.”She had never felt this way before. In the past, she could sit in a corner and stare blankly for an entire day, but now she couldn’t. Why was that?’Gazing at Luo Yao before her, Frost found herself unable to suppress an inner longing to understand him more deeply, to know everything about him.’But why wouldn’t she agree?’Frost felt a pang of frustration, yet she couldn’t do anything about Mu Yaochen’s decision.’After all, Mu Yaochen was her ‘master’.”Why? Does it have to be her consent?” Luo Yao was somewhat taken aback, not expecting Mu Yaochen to disagree.Consequently, he sat on the bed, bristling like a startled kitten.”This is Miss’s instruction; I have no choice.” In truth, Frost was also surprised by Mu Yaochen’s words.’Nevertheless, an order was an order.'”Could you secretly take me out? She won’t know.” Just as Frost was about to return to her post, Luo Yao spoke softly, his voice weak.”This…” Frost paused, rooted to the spot, genuinely conflicted.’If she truly took Luo Yao out, and they were discovered, she had no idea what the consequences might be.'”Please? She’s not here anyway. We can slip out quietly and come right back; she definitely won’t know.” Seeing Frost’s hesitation, Luo Yao quickly added.He knew this was likely playing with fire, yet someone caught in a dilemma often yearned for a subtle hint, much like someone agonizing over a purchase—even the slightest suggestion could sway their decision.”This… no.” Frost seemed deeply conflicted, and rightly so; anyone in her position would feel the same immense struggle.’It was truly painful.’Luo Yao sat on the bed, his gaze serene.This calm demeanor was only possible because Frost had her back to him, sparing Luo Yao the need for any elaborate act.Upon hearing Frost’s reply, Luo Yao felt no surprise. The risk was simply too great; if they were truly discovered, no one would escape unscathed.Luo Yao was well aware that Mu Yaochen undoubtedly possessed methods to monitor him. Their actions yesterday afternoon with Frost had been a gamble, yet Mu Yaochen hadn’t shown any suspicion.Touching the collar around his neck, Luo Yao knew it was Mu Yaochen’s ultimate means of control.”Then… alright.” Luo Yao reluctantly lay back on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.’What would he typically be doing right now?'”Is there anything you’d like to eat? I can go buy it for you.” As Luo Yao drifted into thought, Frost, who was sitting further away, suddenly asked.Frost was not one to initiate conversations, not even with Mu Yaochen. Unless Mu Yaochen actively sought her out for something or required a report, Frost would never engage in spontaneous interaction.”Hmm…” Luo Yao mused, pondering what he liked to eat.This question certainly stumped him, as he currently had no particular cravings.”Something sweet.” Luo Yao wasn’t lying; he genuinely enjoyed sweet foods. Candied hawthorns were an exception; despite their sweetness, they had left him with a certain psychological aversion.”Something sweet?” Frost murmured to herself, suddenly recalling the candied hawthorns from yesterday.”Candied hawthorns?” Frost asked tentatively.”Perhaps something else.””Cotton candy?” Frost had rarely encountered sweet flavors, so she struggled to think of what else might qualify.’She remembered cotton candy being very sweet.'”Yes, that sounds good.” Luo Yao nodded, wondering why Frost would ask him such a thing.’Was she trying to be kind?’In truth, Luo Yao didn’t want Frost to treat him this way.A strange pang of sadness struck him; after all, his feelings for her weren’t genuine affection. Yet he knew Frost might be developing feelings for him.Perhaps Luo Yao genuinely saw Frost as an older sister.Ever since he was very young, Luo Yao had fantasized about having an older sister, rather than a younger one.’After all, a younger sister needed his care, while an older sister could look after him.’Frost’s nature, strangely enough, closely resembled the personality Mu Yaochen desired: submissive and highly malleable.’He truly needed to distance himself from Frost in the future.'”Alright then, I’ll go buy it for you now.” Upon hearing Luo Yao’s reply, Frost immediately nodded, then stood up, preparing to leave.Watching Frost depart, Luo Yao felt an old flush creep up his face; he hadn’t expected her to be so earnest.’What on earth am I thinking? I can’t keep making mistakes.’****Meanwhile, at her company, Mu Yaochen seemed to have reached a firm decision.Since the hospital belonged to her family, transferring a few skilled orthopedic doctors wouldn’t be a difficult task.Therefore, Mu Yaochen decided to simply discharge Luo Yao. This way, she could keep him by her side every day, seeing him at all times.’Yes, this was the way.’Only with him by her side could Mu Yaochen truly feel at ease.As for Su Mengqi, she already had a plan for dealing with her.’Just a student, naturally there were ways to handle students.”Don’t worry, it wouldn’t be fatal, just a simple punishment.’This kind of punishment, however, was only suitable for Su Mengqi. For an ordinary person, if their family retrieved the body from the sea early enough, they might still recover it intact.At this thought, Mu Yaochen’s mood brightened considerably. Her office efficiency surged, as if everything was now progressing in a favorable direction.Moreover, Mu Yaochen had also heard of methods that could make someone lose their memory.’Of course, she had only heard whispers of it.’A Luo Yao with amnesia would be like a blank slate. Whatever mark Mu Yaochen wished to leave upon it would be etched there, indelible forever.’But would that still be the real Luo Yao?’The nearly deranged Mu Yaochen, naturally, wouldn’t concern herself with such a question.However, rather than an amnesiac Luo Yao, she preferred a Luo Yao she had personally cultivated. That way, Luo Yao’s eyes would naturally be filled with only her.And now, Mu Yaochen simply yearned to hold Luo Yao as she drifted to sleep.Every day, the same, unchanging routine.