Chapter 16: Illness

When she woke again, she found herself back in her bedroom, this time with Fu Juxing beside her. After a brief pause, she kicked at him fiercely.

He was quick to react; his hand, resting at his side, instantly caught her ankle. He turned his head, his expression calm, and said, “You’re awake.”

She frowned and tried to move her foot. “Let go.”

He released her as she demanded, his voice tranquil. “I’ve already applied ointment for you. You know your skin is sensitive—why would you sit by the flowerbed?”

“I know my limits. I don’t need your reminders.” She fixed her gaze on his eyes, and, catching him off guard, kicked him again on the thigh. He didn’t budge; his face remained unchanged, though a faint smile appeared in his eyes.

Lin Wanbai ignored him, got up to wash, and then went back to sleep.

But by nightfall, her rash had worsened, spreading up her neck. She began to feel feverish, her breathing uneven.

Fu Juxing knew all the possible complications once she started breaking out in hives. In the middle of the night, he used a spare key to check on her and found Lin Wanbai curled under her blanket, her face unnaturally flushed. Pulling back the covers, he saw the rash had crept up her neck.

He sat her up, gently patted her cheek, and softly called her name, “Wanbai, Wanbai, wake up. We need to go to the hospital.”

His tone was impossibly gentle.

She groaned, opened her eyes briefly, and in her daze, saw Fu Juxing’s face. Instinctively, she reached out and hugged him, mumbling, “I feel awful. I want some water.”

“Alright, let’s get dressed first, then I’ll get you water.” he coaxed quietly.

She protested, “I want water first.”

He remained patient, “Let’s get dressed. Once we’re downstairs, you can have water. Then we’ll go to the hospital, and you’ll feel better sooner.”

She fell silent and said nothing more.

The left side of her neck was scratched red, several welts broken and bleeding.

Fu Juxing grabbed a shirt at random and slipped it over her, then carried her out the door.

She was feverish and half-lucid, clinging tightly to him and refusing to let go.

On the way, he called Lin Wanbai’s private doctor, asking him to coordinate with the hospital so unnecessary steps could be avoided.

When they arrived, the emergency room doctor had already prepared her medication.

She could have an IV right away.

Fu Juxing held her like a child, settling her on his lap, then offered her hand to the nurse and held it steady.

Lin Wanbai was delicate and afraid of pain.

As the needle pierced her skin, she instinctively tried to pull back, tears streaming down as she buried her face in Fu Juxing’s chest, clutching his shirt even tighter.

He soothed her softly, as one would a child.

The nurse rolled her eyes inwardly—so grown up, and still so pampered. Half-joking, half-serious, she said, “Should we use a board to keep her hand still?”

Her tone held a hint of sarcasm; only children needed such things.

Fu Juxing shot her a sharp look, a warning in his eyes.

Startled, the nurse fell silent and decided to fix her hand with a board after all.

Once the tape was secured, she fetched the IV and led them to the infusion room.

At this hour, few people were there.

Fu Juxing had planned to set her on the sofa and fetch water and medicine.

But she wouldn’t let go of his neck, so he sat, holding her in his arms.

He turned to the nurse, “Could you please bring a cup of warm water?”

“Of course,” the nurse replied, forcing a smile.

Soon, she returned with water.

Fu Juxing thanked her politely; the nurse thoughtfully added a straw, making it easier to feed.

By then, Lin Wanbai was a bit more lucid, the itching returning in waves, and she couldn’t help but scratch.

Fu Juxing instantly grasped her hand to stop her.

She looked up at him, tears hanging from her cheeks, pitifully saying, “It itches.”

“I know. Bear with it a bit longer. Once the IV is done, you’ll feel better.” He handed her the cup.

She took a sip; her throat, burning like fire, felt some relief. Yet the itching persisted, and she rubbed herself against him for comfort.

Fu Juxing said, “Sit still, I’ll apply some ointment for you—it should help.”

This time, she was obedient, moving beside him and unbuttoning her shirt herself.

There were others in the infusion room, so Fu Juxing quickly buttoned her up. “Don’t make a scene.”

She glanced at him, subdued. Only after noticing the two men nearby did she realize and settle down.

Later, Fu Juxing managed to send the two men elsewhere. Now the infusion room contained only the two of them.

He closed the door and applied ointment, especially to the places on her neck she’d scratched. His touch was gentle; he even blew softly to cool her skin.

The breeze on her fevered neck was soothing.

She watched him intently, her lashes still wet with tears, eyes rimmed red, looking like a little rabbit.

He only applied ointment to the exposed areas, then put the tube away.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

She nodded.

“What would you like to eat? I’ll buy it for you.”

She stared at him solemnly, leaning closer, and said, “I want to eat you.”