The next day, Shen Yue realized she seemed to have a cold. Her forehead was burning hot, and her limbs felt weak and powerless.
She found a packet of Ganmaoling and casually brewed it, then fell back asleep in a daze.
By the afternoon, the fever hadn't subsided. Shen Yue put on her clothes, preparing to go to a nearby clinic.
At this point, Shen Yue's mind was quite hazy from the fever. As she walked downstairs, she saw a man sitting on the sofa.
He was on the phone, his expression lazy, his thin lips slightly curved. When he saw Shen Yue descend, the corners of his lips straightened, and his gaze shifted away.
He didn't notice Shen Yue's condition. Her entire face lacked color, with only a hint of unnatural crimson on her lips.
She had been lying down all day and hadn't eaten much, leaving her limbs weak and listless.
As she got closer, Shen Yue realized that Qi Rui was video chatting with Tong Xue.
In that instant, Shen Yue didn't know what to say.
Burying half of her pale face into her scarf, Shen Yue lowered her gaze and drank a glass of water.
Tong Xue's voice came from the phone.
"A Rui, you have no idea how clingy you are when you're drunk. You held onto my hand and wouldn't let go, like a little clingy creature."
The man was steady and handsome, with a high nose bridge, wearing a black sweater that made his shoulders look broad. "You're the little clingy creature."
His voice was deep and magnetic, always carrying a hint of doting indulgence when he smiled.
Shen Yue listened quietly to their intimate conversation, her entire body stiff as a statue. Half of her face was hidden in shadow, her delicate eyebrows and eyes veiled by a layer of pale sickness.
The scalding hot water warmed her palm through the porcelain cup.
Qi Rui hung up the phone and noticed the woman was still facing away from him, holding a water cup. The wisps of rising steam blurred her face, making her expression unreadable.
She had become quite thin. Her skin was fair, and her long, dark hair was fluffy and soft. Even in a padded jacket, she appeared frail.
She seemed fragile, as if needing care at any moment.
Qi Rui saw the woman was dressed as if she was going out, but the snow outside was still heavy. He opened his mouth to ask, but the woman put down her water cup and left.
She left somewhat in a hurry, and Qi Rui watched, his gaze deepening.
Pure, flawless snowflakes drifted down from the sky, like beautiful silver butterflies dancing gracefully.
The snow swirled everywhere, like smoke yet not smoke, like mist yet not mist, as if the entire world was enveloped in vast, falling snow.
Shen Yue brought an umbrella, but some snow still landed on her clothes. Her fingers were frozen stiff. She looked down at her feet, seeing fresh footprints.
She breathed out, forming a cloud of white mist.
There were many people at the clinic. As the temperature had recently dropped, even to sub-zero degrees, with icy conditions outside, many people had colds.
Shen Yue sat in a small corner, receiving an IV drip.
Looking at the snowy scenery outside the window, Shen Yue fell asleep without realizing it.
After the IV drip was finished, Shen Yue didn't immediately go back. She didn't want to. By the roadside, an old man was selling sweet potatoes. Steam rose from his stall, and the aroma could be smelled from afar.
The old man was hawking his roasted sweet potatoes, his fingers frozen a bright red.
Shen Yue walked over and bought one, then stood nearby eating it. The slight sweetness and stickiness slid down her throat, warming her entire stomach, and her fingers were also warmed to a reddish hue.
After finishing, Shen Yue began walking aimlessly. The unfamiliar surroundings made her feel ethereal, almost unreal, like a dream.
Midway through her walk, a child on a bicycle rode past unsteadily. Shen Yue, not paying much attention to the scenery around her, didn't react in time.
The bicycle was small, but the impact was considerable.
Shen Yue was knocked back a few steps. The pain from her knee was extremely sharp. She couldn't control herself, and tears immediately welled up and spilled out.
Seeing such a large person crying, the child made a face. "The sister is crying, how shameful."
But the very next second, he was grabbed by the collar and lifted up. The clothes tightened around his neck, causing pain. He looked up and saw a tall, fierce-looking man staring at him coldly.
The child, who bullied the weak and feared the strong, was scared to tears. But under the man's gaze, he didn't dare to cry too loudly, his small face turning red with the effort.
"Apologize," the man's voice was icy.
The child hiccuped, "Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to."
After saying that, he couldn't hold back anymore and burst into loud sobs, drawing the attention of passersby.
As soon as the man let go, the child immediately pushed his bicycle away, crying and calling for his mother.
Shen Yue crouched on the ground, her slender shoulders trembling slightly.
The pain was immense. Her fever hadn't subsided, and Shen Yue felt unwell, uncomfortable all over.
Zhang Cong crouched down and gently rubbed her hair, his voice low and soft.
"Does it hurt a lot? Shall I take you to the hospital?"
He coaxed her gently, as if treating a child.
Shen Yue shook her head, remaining silent. Her shoulders trembled uncontrollably.
After an unknown amount of time, she heard Zhang Cong sigh.
Then, the world spun, and the man picked her up.
Shen Yue blinked in surprise, responding dazedly, "Ge..."
The man's jawline was distinct and smooth. As he spoke, his Adam's apple moved twice. "It's cold here, let's go somewhere else to talk."
People on the street were watching. Shen Yue blushed and stammered, "I, I can walk myself."
Zhang Cong was reluctant, but under Shen Yue's strong insistence, he reluctantly let her down.
He brought Shen Yue to a cafe and found a corner to sit down. He ordered a dessert and a milk tea, then went to buy medicine.
In less than ten minutes, Zhang Cong returned carrying a plastic bag.
The cafe was heated, making it very warm.
He reached out and lifted Shen Yue's pants, folding them up to her knees.
A large area of her fair, delicate skin was bruised, looking somewhat frightening.
The man's brows furrowed tightly, and his lips instinctively pursed, but his hands moved with exceptional gentleness.
Yet, it still hurt. Shen Yue held back her tears and didn't cry out.
After the ointment was applied, Shen Yue's eyelids were red.
The lighting was a warm yellow. Shen Yue could see the sharp lines of Jiang Hanying's handsome features.
He used his thumb to gently wipe away the tears from the corner of her eyes, his movements as delicate as if treating a fragile treasure.
The dessert was mousse cake, very sweet. Eating too much would make it feel cloying.
Shen Yue's eyelashes drooped. The sweet cream spread in her mouth. As she ate, tears suddenly fell. Her eyelashes were very curled, and the tears clung to them as if settling in.
They were crystal clear and transparent.
She seemed unaware that she was crying, continuing to eat the mousse cake silently, her fair cheeks puffed out.
The cake was very sweet.
This was the first time she had eaten cake.
She didn't even know when her birthday was.
Zhang Cong's gentleness reminded her of someone else.