Chapter 203

Chapter 203

But she still had nothing to do with the word “healthy.”

Her condition seemed like a crumbling building that had already been hollowed out. No matter how much the outside was patched up, the internal damage couldn’t be repaired—only barely held together to avoid total collapse.

As soon as she ran into Xie Shiqing, she had to use up a whole year’s worth of sighs in a single day.

Zhong Ning leaned back in her chair and pinched the bridge of her nose with a headache.

The hotel staff had also been delayed by traffic, but fortunately, they delivered everything half an hour later.

The food had been placed in wooden insulated containers, so it wasn’t cold. After instructing them to help change the bedsheets and covers, Zhong Ning said she would take the food container back herself.

The box containing the tranquilizers was left completely untouched on the bedside table.

Zhong Ning went to wash her face and rang the bell to call a nurse for a dressing change. Xie Shiqing’s temperature had already dropped a little. The IV medication worked fast—now it was 37.5°C, a mild fever.

The hospital room door opened and closed. When she turned her head again, the person on the bed had already woken up. Her eyes were half-open, staring at her.

"Thirsty? Do you want some water?"

Xie Shiqing nodded, her palm-sized little face buried under the blanket, looking utterly pitiful.

Zhong Ning twisted open the water bottle, inserted a straw, and didn’t hand it over. Instead, she held it herself, bringing it directly to the girl’s lips, even helping to steady the straw so it wouldn’t shift.

All Xie Shiqing needed to do was open her mouth.

She took three or four sips before turning her head away to signal that she didn’t want more.

Zhong Ning pulled the straw out and threw it away, then screwed the cap back on the bottle.

"I think I have a fever. I feel hot." She spoke slowly, like a sloth, nodding as she spoke, as if confirming her self-diagnosis.

She probably hadn’t processed anything said in the taxi earlier due to her muddled consciousness.

Zhong Ning picked up a pillow and placed it behind her back, helping her sit up. "You do have a fever. It was 38.6°C. You just had an IV drip, and now it’s down to around 37."

"Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?"

Xie Shiqing: "Mm, I want to eat."

Zhong Ning pulled the small tray table over, opened the food container, and took out the still-warm millet porridge and side dishes. She sat sideways next to the hospital bed, picked up a spoonful of porridge, blew on it several times to cool it down, and only when she felt it was warm enough did she bring it to Xie Shiqing’s lips.

Xie Shiqing, who had still been a little dazed, instantly sobered up.

What was this—she was being fed!

Zhong Ning might speak harshly, but she still cared. She only had one hand hooked up to the IV—her left hand could still hold a spoon. But Zhong Ning chose to feed her anyway.

If that wasn’t care, what was?

Xie Shiqing opened her mouth happily and swallowed the spoonful of porridge.

She had always disliked millet porridge. Because of serious illnesses in her early years, doctors had repeatedly instructed her to eat easily digestible food—porridge naturally became the staple for any patient.

Anyone would grow sick of porridge after eating it for a whole month.

What’s more, her stomach and intestines later became sensitive as well, so rice paste and porridge became regular dishes on the table.

To the point of feeling like vomiting.

But today, the porridge tasted especially fragrant and sweet. Strange.

Turned out it was because she was in such a beautiful mood that it came with its own sweetness. Even plain millet porridge with nothing added turned into sweet porridge.

Being sick was wonderful—she could receive Zhong Ning’s care.

It was just that this kind of self-inflicted injury tactic wasn’t so easy to use. Today was pure luck—she didn’t even know how she ended up falling ill, which allowed her to be taken care of by Zhong Ning. Only a naturally occurring illness worked; anything staged not only failed but could even backfire.

No matter what, a blessing in disguise. If she didn’t seize the opportunity to enjoy it now, what was she waiting for?

"I want to eat that tofu," Xie Shiqing said.

Zhong Ning moved the spoon over. The soft tofu was coated in a thick sauce; the whole piece had been pan-fried then stewed, giving it a slightly golden yellow hue.

Xie Shiqing took one bite and instantly felt like she had tasted something heavenly.

She didn’t want to speak and disrupt this rare warm moment. Instead, she simply gazed at Zhong Ning with eyes full of tender affection.

As long as there was pity, there was still care. And as long as there was care, there was still a chance to get back together.

Wanting to reconcile—yes, it was one-sided. But shouldn't people pursue what they truly desired?

She really loved Zhong Ning and wanted to be with her. That desire itself—what was wrong with it? It wasn’t time to give up yet. Giving up would mean losing everything for real.

Xie Shiqing was immersed in this joyful moment of happiness, completely unaware that the person before her had already made a decision.

And this current warmth was nothing more than the final calm before the storm.

Xie Shiqing ate over half a bowl of millet porridge before stopping.

Zhong Ning didn’t mind her leaving leftovers. She took out another bowl of porridge from the food box and ate it along with the remaining side dishes.

The disposable containers didn’t need washing. She packed everything up and placed it by the door, waiting for the cleaning staff to collect the trash.

When she came back, she took out a capsule. "Your allergy medicine."

Xie Shiqing took her medicine without hesitation—mainly because she had taken so many over the years that a few small capsules meant nothing to her. She poured them into her mouth and took a few sips of water, swallowing them with ease.

Seeing that the IV drip was almost finished, Zhong Ning pressed the call bell to ask a nurse to come remove the needle. While waiting, she checked her temperature again—36.7°C, fully back to normal.

It wasn’t a serious illness, not even a cold—just a sudden chill. On top of that, Xie Shiqing happened to be in heat, and her body was already weak, which led to the fever. Once her temperature came down, everything was fine.

Zhong Ning had prepared tranquilizers in case Xie Shiqing suddenly entered her heat, but in the end, they weren’t needed.

She didn’t intend to occupy medical resources any longer. Besides, no matter how good the ward’s conditions were, it was still not as comfortable as the hotel. While the nurse removed the needle, Zhong Ning went to handle the discharge procedures. But when she returned, she realized a critical issue.

Xie Shiqing didn’t have shoes.

She had been carried straight from the bed, and Zhong Ning had left in a hurry—she hadn’t even thought about putting shoes on her. Her feet were bare.