“You’re awake?” The voice was hoarse and low but very soft.

She turned her head and saw Qiao Xiyan sitting by the bed. His eyes were red. He hadn’t slept all night.

“…” She wanted to speak, but her entire body hurt when she moved.

“You had an allergic reaction. The doctor checked, and you’re fine now.”

Tang Jingci turned around and wanted to reach out to touch him. Her arm was numb from sleep, and she didn’t even have the strength to raise it.

The places she had reactions were on her neck, body, and legs. There was nothing on her face. Her already cold face looked even paler and more vulnerable, seeming like it would shatter with a touch.

Qiao Xiyan took a deep look. In the end, he leaned down and pecked the top of her head gently…

His kiss was very light and slowly landed on her eyes. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly and brushed against his lips. It was a little itchy.

Qiao Xiyan then went out and bought some food for her. When Tang Jingci could move again, she found that her arms were shockingly red. She was so frightened that she didn’t dare to touch them.

“Does it hurt?” After Qiao Xiyan returned, he stared at her neck and arms.

“No.”

She was just being stubborn. In fact, her entire body felt like it was on fire, and she wished she could reach out and scratch it immediately.

At this moment, the doctor and nurse came to check on her. The doctor pulled the curtain around the bed and raised her hospital gown to check her lower body.

“You’re much better than last night. You have no idea. The colleague on duty last night said that when your husband carried you over, he was covered in sweat and wouldn’t let us touch you.”

Tang Jingci’s ears turned red, but she didn’t correct her.

“From your accent, you don’t sound like locals. You’re here to travel, right? Don’t touch things in the mountains. It’s easy to get an allergic reaction.

“Does your body hurt now?”

When a doctor asked a question, you had to answer truthfully. Tang Jingci blushed and said, “It hurts.”

“How painful?”

“It hurts a lot!”

Qiao Xiyan stood outside the curtain with his arms crossed, his expression tense.

“This is normal. I prescribed some skin cream. You’ll feel better after your husband applies it for you.”

After the doctor left, Tang Jingci met Qiao Xiyan’s gaze. She looked embarrassed and looked away guiltily.

…

Tang Jingci stayed in the county hospital for three days. When she felt better, the two of them set off for the capital.

“Have you bought all the chicken blood stones?” Tang Jingci was sitting in the front passenger seat. He had been accompanying her in the hospital recently and hadn’t left her side. He probably hadn’t done any proper business. “I think I shouldn’t have gone out with you this time.”

“Does your body still hurt?” Qiao Xiyan tilted his head and sized her up.

“No.” Tang Jingci shook her head. “I’ve delayed your work.”

“I think it’s good that you were sick this time.”

“What do you mean?”

“Because I realized…” Qiao Xiyan turned his head to look at her. “I might love you more than I thought.”

Tang Jingci’s heart skipped a beat, and her face flushed red. She turned her head to look out of the window, her palms sweating.

***

When the two of them arrived in the capital, it was past four in the afternoon. They went straight to Beijing People’s Hospital. Song Fengwan received the news, helped Tang Jingci register, and waited in the lobby.

When they arrived at the hospital, Tang Jingci had just woken up in a daze. Her legs were numb, and she reached out to pinch them. “Why did you bring me to the hospital again?”

“Check again.” Qiao Xiyan was still worried.

“My legs are numb. Wait for me. I’ll take it slow.”

“Should I hold you?” Qiao Xiyan raised his eyebrows.

Tang Jingci wasn’t that delicate. But when a certain someone said this, she agreed.

Because Qiao Xiyan had called in advance, Song Fengwan knew that the two of them were about to arrive. When she ran to the door, she saw her cousin helping Tang Jingci out the car.

Didn’t he say she had an allergic reaction? Why does he need to hold her while they’re walking?

“Cousin-in-Law, are your legs okay?” Song Fengwan was already used to calling her this.

“I’m fine. They’re just a little numb from sitting too long.”

Song Fengwan frowned, and her tone was a little sour. “What did you say when my feet were numb in the past? It’ll be fine after a few chops. Why didn’t you hold me?”

“You have Fu Chen. Do you still need me to hold you?”

“I haven’t met Third Brother at the time. You’re indeed not my brother. You forgot about your sister after getting a wife.”

“Cousin…” Qiao Xiyan said lightly.

Song Fengwan was so angry that she stuffed the registration slip into his hand. “Go by yourself. I’m going back to school.”

Unexpectedly, Qiao Xiyan said coldly, “Be careful.”

Song Fengwan was so angry that she stomped her feet and complained to Fu Chen along the way. “… He’s too cold-blooded and heartless. To think that I was worried about him. Indeed, a sister isn’t as important as a wife.”

Fu Chen only listened quietly. “Are you going back now?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, I’ll pick you up. I just finished talking with Linbai. I’m nearby. Wait for me.”

Song Fengwan felt that her Third Brother was indeed the best.

She stood outside the hospital and waited for Fu Chen. The two of them didn’t hang up, and she couldn’t help complaining that her cousin was too much. She looked like an angry and aggrieved little animal, no different from an ordinary young lady. She was wearing a mask, so not many people looked at her.

Suddenly, she heard laughter from behind her. She turned her head and saw the girl in the wheelchair. She was instantly embarrassed.

“Miss Song?” the girl said. “We met at the Fu residence.”

“Yes, hello.” Song Fengwan always admired people who could be so optimistic after experiencing hardships.

“Waiting for someone?”

“Yeah. Are you waiting for someone too?”

“I’ll wait for my mom.”

Only then did Song Fengwan remember that she seemed to rely on her mother for survival. The clothes she was wearing were simple, but they were very clean and tidy, making people who looked at her feel very comfortable.

The two of them chatted casually. Because they weren’t familiar with each other, the atmosphere was inevitably stiff.

Not long later, Fu Chen arrived.

“Where are you going? Do you want us to send you?” Song Fengwan invited politely.

“Thank you. My mom is coming soon. You guys go ahead.”

Song Fengwan didn’t insist and said goodbye.

The girl stared at Fu Chen’s departing car and gently pinched the blanket on her lap. Her gaze landed on her lap, and her expression darkened.

Song Fengwan’s current life was undoubtedly enviable to everyone. It was so beautiful that there were no flaws or defects. It was so beautiful that people wanted to destroy it…