"Thank you."
Shen Qingqing was indeed a bit hungry. She hadn't eaten much since leaving the banquet.
Just as she was about to eat, she suddenly noticed that Fu Jingshu's expression seemed a bit off. She hesitated for a moment, but then saw him reach for an apple himself, take out a folding dagger he carried, and start peeling it.
She couldn't help but smile.
Seeing that the couple was as affectionate as ever, King and the old man exchanged a look and left the hospital without disturbing them further.
Just when she thought she could finally enjoy some peace and quiet, more people arrived.
It was Pei Xing and Pei Ji.
Holding Pei Ji, who was sitting in a wheelchair, they both looked worried. "How are you?"
Shen Qingqing couldn't help but ask, "Why are you here? Is the selection ceremony over?"
"It's over," Pei Xing pushed Pei Ji to the bedside and took out the fruit basket hanging from the back of the wheelchair to place it on the bedside table.
However, the bedside table was full of things, so he had to put the fruit basket on the nearby tea table.
Pei Ji's face was full of concern. "What happened to you? Why did you suddenly end up in the hospital? Big Brother wouldn't go, and his subordinates were vague. I couldn't understand anything and was so worried that I came to see for myself."
Shen Qingqing explained, "Allergic reaction."
"How could you have an allergic reaction out of the blue?" Pei Ji instinctively thought of the banquet. "Could something at today's selection ceremony be wrong?"
Hearing this, Pei Xing's expression also turned serious. "Is that true?"
Shen Qingqing had no idea. "I'm not sure either. There's no evidence yet, so it's hard to say. We'll need to investigate further."
Pei Xing and Pei Ji exchanged a look, their expressions identically serious.
"No matter what, the most important thing for you now is to get plenty of rest and take care of yourself. Once you're better, you'll definitely be able to find the truth."
Shen Qingqing hummed in agreement. "Then you two should go back too."
Pei Ji noticed her tired complexion and knew that the allergic reaction must have been uncomfortable. He looked at Pei Xing and said, "Let's go, second brother. Let her rest well."
"Okay, call us if you need anything."
After Pei Xing finished speaking, he pushed Pei Ji away.
With their departure, the ward finally became quiet. Shen Qingqing let out a sigh of relief. "Finally, everyone's gone!"
Although she knew they were all well-intentioned, having so many people around genuinely bothered her.
Especially now, with the allergic reaction, her back was terribly itchy. Even without speaking, she felt like she was scratching herself raw, and speaking only made her more irritable.
Fu Jingshu looked at her with great tenderness, holding her with one arm and patting her back with the other.
Although his touch was light, it was better than nothing.
Before she knew it, Shen Qingqing fell asleep.
When she woke up again, she found herself lying on the bed. Her back felt cool, and a warm, gentle touch was moving around.
She instinctively tensed her shoulders, recalling a deep voice.
"Don't move."
"...What for?"
Fu Jingshu continued his movements, his voice gentle. "I'm applying medicine for you. The doctor said the process might be a bit itchy, so I waited until you were asleep to do it."
Shen Qingqing instinctively glanced at her watch. It was 3 o'clock.
She had slept for over two hours!
No wonder the IV drip was finished.
The sensation on her back was pleasant and gentle, and she unconsciously felt drowsy. Even though she had just woken up, she still felt tired.
Suddenly, she jolted awake.
She remembered something. Her back was actually quite beautiful. When she took a bath, she occasionally caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.
She had always been confident about her figure and skin.
But now, with so many tiny red bumps, it definitely wouldn't look good!
She instinctively tried to hide herself, but Fu Jingshu stopped her. She suddenly remembered that he was always like this.
No matter how she looked, he never showed any disgust.
Shen Qingqing tilted her head up and gazed at him. "I want to be discharged."
"Why?"
His movements didn't stop.
Shen Qingqing placed one hand under her chin, her gaze sweeping over every piece of furniture in the hospital. The whiteness and the smell of disinfectant made her feel uncomfortable.
"I don't like staying here."
Hospitals were places where birth, aging, sickness, and death cycled. She instinctively repulsed them.
Fu Jingshu paused for a moment, then without much hesitation, said, "Alright, we'll do as you wish. I'll finish applying the medicine and then go complete the discharge procedures for you."
"Mm."
Shen Qingqing closed her eyes, feeling immensely content.
He suddenly added, "However, let's not go back to that palace to live."
Shen Qingqing gave him a helpless look. "I know you're worried about me, but we still have to go back. This incident happened in the palace, so there will definitely be evidence. If we just leave like this, won't we miss out on a lot of clues?"
Fu Jingshu frowned, clearly disagreeing. "But it's very dangerous there."
"Don't worry," Shen Qingqing waved her hand. As she moved, the medicine on her shoulder rubbed onto his hand. He quickly held her still.
She sheepishly lowered her hand and said, "This time it was my carelessness. I must have overlooked something. When we get back, I'll investigate thoroughly."
Fu Jingshu pursed his lips, his movements on her hand pausing slightly. "But what if..."
Shen Qingqing knew she couldn't convince him, so she stated firmly, "You have to agree even if you don't want to. I've already decided."
Since she had made up her mind, what else could he say?
The matter was settled.
After the medicine was applied, she put on her clothes, while he went to complete the discharge procedures. Once done, he came to pick her up. On the way back, his expression remained sullen.
Shen Qingqing saw it all and knew why he was unhappy, but she pretended not to notice.
By the time they got out of the car, his expression was already very cold.
Shen Qingqing held back for a moment but couldn't resist. She took his hand, tilted her fair, delicate face up, and leaned in. "Are you still angry?"
As she got closer, the faint fragrance became more intense.
Fu Jingshu's expression was blank, and his eyes showed no emotion.
But Shen Qingqing's gaze fell on his Adam's apple, which was moving up and down sexily, clearly not as calm as its owner.
The corners of her lips couldn't help but curl upwards. She hugged his waist and stood at the doorway, refusing to go in.
"What's there to be angry about? Do you dislike it here that much?"
"Yes."
Fu Jingshu glanced coldly at the castle. It was a place everyone longed to live in, yet in his eyes, there was only indifference and rejection.
Shen Qingqing leaned in and kissed his jaw. "Someone wouldn't attack me for no reason. We must have found something, and they panicked. This proves that our investigation is on the right track. As long as we continue, we will definitely find the truth."
"Is the truth that important?"
In fact, Fu Jingshu was the same as King and the old man.
What happened here had nothing to do with them, and they were too lazy to bother with it.
Shen Qingqing buried her face in his shoulder, her voice muffled. "Because I am also a mother."
With those words, Fu Jingshu's heart softened.
He raised his large hand and placed it on the back of her head, gently stroking it. His deep voice carried a hint of helplessness and compromise. "Fine, if you want to stay, then stay."