"Okay, don't argue with your brother. I'll be relieved when you're home."
Putting away her phone, Shen Jianxi pondered.
Xie Shu was clearly not himself. Had something happened that she didn't know about?
"77, can you find out what's been happening with Xie Shu recently?" She suddenly remembered that all of 77's functions in this world were unlocked and wondered if it could find out about this.
"Apologies, Host. I do not have the ability to investigate past events. If you wish to know about past occurrences, you can purchase a Rewind Pill." 77's tone became excited at this point. "It's very cheap, only 50 points~"
Shen Jianxi's face darkened, and she firmly refused, "No need, thank you!"
She only had 100 points, and a Rewind Pill cost 50. Was this a robbery?
"Alright, then Host, you do your best to investigate. I'll cheer for you." Hearing she wasn't buying, 77 instantly became perfunctory and disappeared without a goodbye.
"..."
She hadn't realized her little system was so pragmatic.
...
The large room was darkened by drawn curtains. In the gloom, a boy curled up on the bed. Xie Shu's eyes were tightly shut as he unconsciously mumbled, "Save me, save me."
The phone on the bedside table vibrated with a "buzzing" sound. The screen flickered, and Xie Shu, trapped in a nightmare, awoke.
He struggled to sit up, and the movement pulled at the wound in his abdomen, causing him to hiss in pain.
"Hello?"
Shen Jianxi immediately recognized the weakness in his voice and frowned. "What's wrong, Xie Shu?"
"I'm fine, just a bit of a fever." Even though he knew the person on the other end couldn't see him, he still pulled at the corners of his mouth.
"Where are you? I'll come find you now." She stood up, grabbed her bag, and added, "Don't say you don't need to."
Xie Shu let out a soft laugh and gave her an address. Before he could say anything else, the call ended.
Looking at the darkened screen, he shook his head helplessly and suddenly coughed. He picked up some water to drink and then retreated back into his blanket, falling asleep at some point.
Muzzy-headed, he felt a cool dampness on his forehead, and the heat in his body receded slightly. He forced his eyes open, only to see a vibrant figure.
Xie Shu grabbed the hand reaching for his forehead, about to say something, when he suddenly broke into a violent coughing fit.
Shen Jianxi put down the towel in her hand and quickly helped him up, patting his back gently.
She picked up the warm water she had just poured from the bedside table and brought it to his lips. "Slowly, are you okay?"
He drank the water from her hand and recovered. "I'm fine."
His voice was hoarse, his lips devoid of color. The pallor of his illness possessed a fragile beauty, making one want to tease him.
Xie Shu clasped her hand, which was a little cold. The heat in his palm was scorching, and the cool hand brought him some comfort. "Did your brother say anything to you when you got back?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Jianxi's expression stiffened. She said unnaturally, "It's fine, you don't need to worry about me. It's you, why did you suddenly get a fever? What did you do after you left that day?"
Her tone was probing.
Xie Shu visibly drooped, unable to speak clearly.
Shen Jianxi looked at him with a fake smile, reaching out to pull his face. She was mindful that he was sick, so her hand only gently touched him.
"Little Xie Shu, you'd better tell me the truth."
"I, I just went to..."
"Did you go see some other girl?"
"I didn't!" Xie Shu suddenly raised his voice, then feigned weakness and said aggrievedly, "How could you suspect me like that? I really didn't."
His expression made Shen Jianxi's maternal instincts surge. With his teary little eyes, even though she knew he was faking, she couldn't bear to tease him further.
Sighing, she reached out to pat his head. Although Xie Shu turned his head away, muttering, "Boys' heads can't be touched casually," he leaned forward obediently.
She gave his head a good rub, like petting a dog. She then turned his head and looked at him intently. "I'm sorry, Little Xie Shu, don't be angry."
Suppressing a smile that wanted to rise, Xie Shu glanced at her and suddenly leaned in, pecking her lips.
"Ah! Xie! Shu! You're sick!!!"
Shen Jianxi's voice was fierce, but she didn't let go of the hand holding his head. After a moment, she retaliated by leaning in and biting his lip.
"Hmph, let's see you infect me."
His originally pale lips showed a hint of color due to her action, looking strangely alluring.
Shen Jianxi turned her head away, afraid she would turn into a beast if she kept looking. Sudan Novels.
But Xie Shu was not satisfied with her avoiding his gaze. Despite still being sick, he forcefully turned her chin so she would look at him.
The scent of his little girlfriend spread from his nostrils to his brain. Staring at those full, tempting red lips, Xie Shu leaned closer—
"Knock, knock, knock—"
A knock on the door interrupted the ambiguous atmosphere.
His kiss interrupted, Xie Shu irritably ran a hand through his hair and shouted, "Come in—"
The person outside pushed the door open. It was Xie Shu's mother.
She was carrying a tray with delicate pastries and tea. She walked over, placed the items down, and playfully remarked on Xie Shu's condition, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. The power of love is indeed effective. As soon as Jianxi arrived, your dizziness is gone, and you have energy."
Xie Shu felt deeply embarrassed and shouted, "Mom!"
"Alright, alright, I won't say anymore. The child is all grown up and knows how to be shy." With that, Xie Shu's mother turned to Shen Jianxi and said, "Jianxi, eat something first. Your older brother called earlier. He said he'll pick you up after work and told you to wait here."
"Okay, thank you, Auntie."
She hadn't expected Song Duanli to be so impatient that he couldn't even wait for her to come back on her own.
After delivering the food, Xie Shu's mother left, leaving the two of them alone.
Seeing Xie Shu's obviously unhappy profile, Shen Jianxi tilted her head and smiled. "Little Xie Shu?"
Hearing her call him, Xie Shu let out a hum. His hand on the blanket slowly moved until it held her finger. Only then did he turn his head, his lips slightly pouted, and he grumbled unhappily, "Didn't get to kiss."
After speaking, he gently squeezed her fingertip, his intention clearly implied.
Shen Jianxi pretended not to understand, feigning ignorance. "It's okay if we didn't, it doesn't matter."
Upon hearing this, Xie Shu looked at her incredulously, his eyes filled with accusation.
Shen Jianxi tried her best to stifle her laughter. She couldn't blame herself; it was just that Xie Shu was too much like a puppy when he was sick, making it impossible not to want to tease him.
"I don't care, I don't care, do it again." Xie Shu disregarded everything and rested his head on her shoulder, rubbing against her.
Shen Jianxi pinched his cheek and said, "Then close your eyes first."
Xie Shu obediently closed his eyes, his face full of anticipation.
Shen Jianxi watched him, slowly leaning closer until—
"Xie Shu, you—"
"Excuse me, you two continue."
Xie Shu's mother made a brief appearance and then disappeared with a knowing smile.
The remaining two were left looking at each other.