The hospital corridor bustled with people coming and going, yet no one noticed this delicate young woman struggling to drag several heavy bundles of dried tree roots toward the ward.
A bulky military overcoat covered half of Li Jiao’s small face as she puffed and panted, her eyes openly scanning her surroundings.
After taking a few extra glances into the two double rooms and one single room, she already had a plan in mind.
Huffing and puffing, Li Jiao slowly made her way toward Bed 3.
For a pampered young lady like her, who had never lifted a finger or carried a load before, this was undoubtedly a strenuous task.
By the time Li Jiao, panting heavily, had dragged these precious bundles into the ward in batches and piled them in an unobtrusive corner, she was utterly exhausted, nearly collapsing.
She hadn’t eaten much since her rebirth, busying herself with one thing after another and making do with whatever food was available, so she had little strength to begin with.
Now, a fine layer of sweat beaded on her forehead, but because it was so cold outside, the sweat cooled before it could even drip down, clinging stickily to her skin and making her feel even colder.
On the sickbed, Qin Lie had been watching Li Jiao the whole time.
Seeing her flushed and breathless from exhaustion over this pile of worthless firewood she’d somehow acquired, Qin Lie’s brows furrowed tightly.
Though he didn’t understand why Li Jiao had bought these things—after all, the hospital had radiators that, while not particularly warm, made it unnecessary to burn firewood for heat—he was accustomed to her previous spoiled, demanding ways, where she would scold and hit him at the slightest provocation. As long as Li Jiao was happy, he would accept it, whether she bought firewood or even bricks to build a Great Wall.
What bothered him was that such heavy labor had to be done by her own hands.
Qin Lie lowered his gaze, hiding the flicker of gloom in his eyes.
Now, watching her panting and exhausted for his sake, the twisted sense of satisfaction in his heart actually gave rise to a trace of irritation.
Tsk, these legs that were meant to keep her by his side had now become a burden that made her suffer.
“Leave them there. That’s men’s work. When Da Niu comes tomorrow, let him handle it. You… rest.”
Qin Lie finally spoke up as he watched Li Jiao about to tidy up the vines.
With his leg suspended high, he couldn’t even get out of bed to pour a glass of water.
All he could do was watch helplessly as his delicate little girl toiled.
A hint of regret began to spread but was quickly suppressed.
“If we wait for Da Niu, it’ll be too late,” Li Jiao chuckled, brushing the dirt off her hands.
She glanced at the pile of medicinal herbs in the corner, wondering how she could turn them into cash. She had already spotted potential buyers in the corridor earlier, but…
Before she could finish her thoughts, Li Jiao suddenly sneezed, her brows furrowing tightly.
At this moment, the most pressing issue wasn’t money—it was the cold.
To save coal, the county hospital’s heating was sporadic at best.
After being out in the cold wind for so long and sweating, now that she had stopped moving, the chill seeped through her pores and into her bones.
After a moment’s thought, Li Jiao took off her heavy military overcoat and hung it back on the wall.
Without the coat’s protection, her thin sweater was no match for the biting cold.
Li Jiao looked down at her hands. Her once fair and delicate fingertips were now bright red from the cold, like tiny radishes, and her knuckles were stiff, unable to straighten fully.
Rubbing her hands together, she sniffled and turned to walk toward the sickbed.
Qin Lie leaned against the headboard, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on Li Jiao. His gaze narrowed slightly, but the moment she turned toward him, he lowered his eyes, concealing the intense madness within.
The IV drip was set to a slow pace. After the exhaustion of the past two days and the effects of the medication, Qin Lie’s fever had already subsided.
Though he appeared weak now, his physique was undeniably solid—young and robust.
Li Jiao recalled how, the night before last, Qin Lie had felt like a natural furnace, the heat radiating from his body palpable even through the blanket.
Looking down at him from above, Li Jiao’s gaze swept over his broad chest before a mischievous smile suddenly curled at the corners of her lips.
“Qin Lie,” she called softly.
Qin Lie looked up at her, puzzled. “Hmm? What’s wrong? Are you hungry—”
Before he could finish, Li Jiao suddenly leaned down and reached out, pulling aside the corner of the blanket beside him.
Qin Lie was wearing the standard blue-and-white striped hospital gown issued by the hospital.
Earlier, while Li Jiao was away, a nurse had come to check on him and had loosely fastened the buttons, leaving a large expanse of his bronze skin exposed.
Before Qin Lie could react to what she was doing, Li Jiao’s icy-cold hands slipped unexpectedly under the hem of his gown.
“Hiss—”
The moment her freezing hands pressed against his scorching abs, Qin Lie sharply drew in a breath.
His hand with the IV instinctively clenched, his pupils trembling slightly, completely taken aback by Li Jiao’s audacious move!
Almost instinctively, Qin Lie’s previously relaxed body tensed up instantly, his muscles hardening all over.
Especially the eight neatly defined abdominal muscles, which contracted slightly from the sudden cold stimulus.
“Jiaojiao…” Qin Lie stared at Li Jiao, who was now inches away, his eyes filled with shock and his breath almost catching.
In the past, Li Jiao would never have let him accompany her when she went out. If it weren’t for his ability to earn money, his tall and sturdy build that could protect her, and the fact that he treated her well, she would never have chosen to marry someone with a problematic background.
But now, since the night before last, Li Jiao seemed like a completely different person. She hadn’t hit or scolded him, and she even showed concern for him.
Before, she had despised any contact with him, washing her hands with cold water if he accidentally touched her. But now…
She was actively approaching him.
Qin Lie’s breathing grew slightly erratic, his chest heaving intensely.
“Don’t move,” Li Jiao murmured, savoring the firm, warm sensation beneath her hands. She closed her eyes contentedly, like a little cat who had successfully stolen a treat.
Li Jiao couldn’t help but recall her previous life. Li Wenbo’s sweet words hadn’t held much appeal for her; her main goal had been to rely on his status to return to the city.
That was why she had despised Qin Lie’s background, and by extension, even his body, which had toiled in the mines to earn money.
But now, Li Jiao felt nothing but an overwhelming sense of security.
Not only did she not withdraw her hand, but she even pushed further, sliding her entire palm against Qin Lie’s taut abs, drawing warmth from his body.
“I’m freezing to death, my fingers are almost numb. It’s perfect to borrow your furnace for a bit. What’s wrong? Am I not allowed to touch you, your own wife?”
Watching Qin Lie’s face flush instantly, Li Jiao smiled, her eyes curving into crescents, her tone both coquettish and domineering.
Qin Lie clenched his teeth, the corners of his lips twitching into an expression of utter compliance, yet one that concealed a hint of madness. “Y-you can.”
She claimed to be his wife.
The darkness in Qin Lie’s eyes surged, the urge to devour her nearly overwhelming his reason.
Li Jiao’s gaze fell on Qin Lie’s ear, red as if dripping with blood. A mischievous thought arose, and her small hand shifted as if by accident, seemingly searching for a warmer spot.
Qin Lie stiffened all over, abruptly grabbing Li Jiao’s wrist. His voice was hoarse, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes as he struggled to restrain himself: “Jiao… Jiao Jiao, just keep your hand there, don’t go any lower…”