Incurable Chapter 23 Part 1

“You two are even planning to eat lunch together now?” Lin Wei’s face was glossy with product, pale and rosy under the light. After she said it, she declared with absolute confidence, “Then if we round it up, you’re basically living together!”

Mu Wan had just left Liu Qianxiu’s place when Lin Wei summoned her over. She’d invited an esthetician to do a facial, and while she was at it, she made Mu Wan lie down for one too.

Mu Wan reclined on the neighboring chaise, wearing a mask. She’d been filming since four a.m. and hadn’t rested at all. Drowsiness kept trying to pull her under.

But Lin Wei’s “round it up” slapped the sleep right out of her.

Mu Wan glanced at her. “Let’s talk cohabitation after I actually move into his place.”

And even if she did end up sleeping there, it didn’t guarantee anything real would happen. She’d stayed in Liu Qianxiu’s room in Wen City for two nights. If he’d had even a little interest, it wouldn’t have ended with nothing.

She didn’t say that part out loud.

It was embarrassing.

“Lunch and dinner together already, sleeping at his place is only a matter of time.” Lin Wei was being patted rhythmically on the face; her tone was triumphant, as if victory were scheduled. “Boil the frog slowly. Tease Immortal Liu down to the mortal world, little by little.”

The soft pat-pat of skincare was hypnotic. Mu Wan’s eyes started to go unfocused again. Half-asleep, she mumbled, “If he’s an immortal, how could it be that easy for him to descend?”

“I think your offense still isn’t strong enough.” Lin Wei turned her head, eyeing Mu Wan with an expression that screamed I am a genius. “Next time, ask to stay over directly. Move in first, talk later. Same roof, close water, you get the moon first.”

“I’ve already slept right under his nose,” Mu Wan said, shooting Lin Wei a look. “And he’s someone who values personal space. I don’t want to bother him too much.”

His place was minimalist. Everything was in odd numbers, just enough for one person. The guest room was beautifully done but looked untouched, as if no one had ever stayed there. He simply didn’t keep people overnight.

“So you’re really thinking for him.” Lin Wei rolled her eyes. Last time she’d showered and was ready to proceed, and Mu Wan had pounded on her door and chased out her gym-trainer date.

“Of course.” Mu Wan bared her teeth in a grin. “My man. I’m going to spoil him.”

Lin Wei fell silent.

After the facial, the esthetician left. The two of them leaned close to the mirror, as if it were a demon-revealing glass, inspecting the fresh, plumped skin.

Mu Wan poked her own cheek. Smooth. Soft.

Lin Wei pulled back first. “Tonight, vegetarian hotpot?”

After a facial, you couldn’t eat anything too heavy.

“I need to go home,” Mu Wan said while packing her things. “Want to come with? Wu Ma called—she made me pork ribs.”

Their relationship was close enough that sometimes Mu Wan went home with Lin Wei to Jing City. And in Xia City, if Wu Ma cooked home dishes, Mu Wan would often invite Lin Wei over.

Lin Wei licked her lips and sighed. “Nah. If I go, I’m afraid I won’t come back. I have a date with a bartender tonight.”

Mu Wan blinked. “Wasn’t it a fitness trainer last time?”

Lin Wei’s tone was breezy. “Lately, I like puppy types. You’ll see. Youth is capital. The stamina is terrifying… How old is Immortal Liu anyway?”

Mu Wan: “…”

In the taxi back from Lin Wei’s place, the sky gradually darkened. Thick clouds hung low, pressing down without quite breaking. The air was hot and wet, heavy enough to stick to your mood.

Wu Ma had arrived early and was waiting at Mu Wan’s apartment. She had a key, but she still knocked first out of habit—only using the key after confirming Mu Wan wasn’t home.

The dishes were already laid out. There was no AC in the living room, so Mu Wan dragged a standing fan over and ate in the breeze. Wu Ma came only to cook. She never ate with her.

Mu Wan held her bowl alone, listening to the fan and Wu Ma’s familiar lecturing. The scene was full of life and warmth, and yet Mu Wan always felt something was missing.

Wu Ma circled back to the topic of boyfriends again. It made Mu Wan think of the joke she’d made last time—if Mu Qing found someone from the Shen family, she’d find someone from the Liu family and crush her.

Now she did like a “Liu.”

But it was only a Liu in name. It had nothing to do with that Liu family.

And she still hadn’t even caught him.

The ribs in her bowl tasted strangely bland.

Liu Qianxiu had said he’d have dinner with family. How many people were in his family? Who were they? What did they do?

Juice glistened on the ribs. Mu Wan realized she knew almost nothing about him.

Wu Ma finished her boyfriend’s lecture, noticed Mu Wan’s low spirits, and changed the topic. “Your mother’s ten-year memorial… are you going with the Mu family?”

Mu Wan’s thoughts snapped back. Her expression didn’t change as she gnawed at a bone. “No. They can mourn their way. I’ll mourn mine.”

Ever since she moved out, the rites were separate. Even before she moved out, they’d been separate. After her mother’s fifth year, the Mu family rarely went to commemorate on their own. This time was the tenth year. They were only making a show of it for face.

Wu Ma hesitated a long moment, then said, “Mu Qing said you two filmed a drama together.”

Mu Wan looked up at her, picked up a slice of lotus root, and asked calmly, “Yeah. What about it?”

“She said you’re professionally trained,” Wu Ma said, watching Mu Wan’s face carefully. “You can’t keep doing these kinds of roles forever. If you ever… don’t have work, you can go to her.”

“She wants me to beg her.” Mu Wan lowered her eyes and bit into the lotus root, laughing softly.

Mu Qing had always lived in her shadow. Childhood insecurity, grown-up composure—only on the surface. Beneath it, she was still showing off the boyfriend, the resources, the villa. When Mu Wan refused to look, Mu Qing came closer, pressing in.

She wanted Mu Wan to lower her head, so Mu Qing could finally feel tall.

A refined “young lady” shell, with small-town vanity still wriggling inside. All that effort from Yan Mei was wasted.

Wu Ma had been a servant in the Mu household for years. After dinner, Mu Wan walked her to the neighborhood entrance and hailed a taxi for her.

The car sped away toward the west side of the city.

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