A fever couldn’t be ignored, so Lin Qingle quickly decided to run out to the pharmacy to get some medicine.
On her way, she called Jiang Shuyi, telling her she wasn’t feeling well and asking her to cover for her in getting an excuse for the evening study session. Lin Qingle was a top student, always obedient, so the class teacher didn’t hesitate to approve her request.
By the time she returned to Xu Tingbai’s house with the medicine, it was already completely dark outside.
Although still young, Lin Qingle was experienced in taking care of others, having often nursed Lin Yufen through illness or injury.
She turned on the light in Xu Tingbai’s room, took his temperature, applied a fever patch, and carefully fed him the fever-reducing medicine. But feeding him was not easy—the liquid dripped, sliding down his cheek and onto his neck. By the time she’d finished the bowl, a large patch of his pillow was soaked.
So Lin Qingle brought over another pillow from the bed, lifting his head with one hand while switching out the pillow with the other.
He was sleeping heavily and felt especially heavy. After completing these steps, she was out of breath.
“Xu Tingbai, you’ve really grown… so heavy…”
The sleeping boy’s brows were tightly furrowed, unaware of her words.
Lin Qingle sighed softly and sat on the floor, watching him.
Perhaps no one really understood why she cared so much for him.
Just like no one knew how, during those years, she had desperately wished her mother would change jobs and return to Xicheng, so that she could see that bright little boy once more.
She didn’t know how Xu Tingbai had treated others in the past, but to her, his kindness back then had been her only lifeline.
When Xu Tingbai woke up, his whole body hurt, though now there was a faintly cool, comforting sensation mingled with the pain.
He lifted his hand to move, but found it held by something.
Startled, he gave a small squeeze. Soft, small… he realized it was someone’s hand.
The hand held his tightly, as if afraid he’d pull away…
This was probably the first time in years that someone was beside him when he woke up.
“You…”
“Mmm… it’s gone down a bit, you’ll be okay soon…” a drowsy voice murmured, as if still half-asleep.
And the voice was so close… almost as though lying right next to him.
Startled, Xu Tingbai immediately withdrew his hand and sat up, but the sudden movement pulled at his injuries, sending a fresh wave of pain through him.
He grunted, reaching down to touch his abdomen, where he felt a cool, damp spot—he’d been treated with medicine.
As he examined further, he realized something was wrong—he wasn’t wearing any clothes?!
“You’re awake,” Lin Qingle said. She had been checking his temperature periodically, but had fallen asleep while keeping watch.
When she saw him sit up, her first reaction was to grab the thermometer nearby, taking his temperature again. “37.3 degrees, that’s great! It’s come down a lot! You’ll be fine with a bit more rest.”
She happily set the thermometer down, but when she looked at him again, she noticed his expression was strange.
“What’s wrong? Are you still feeling unwell?”
“My clothes?” Xu Tingbai’s face tightened.
“I, I took them off.”
“…”
Seeing his displeasure, she hurriedly explained, “You were injured—I had to check to apply the medicine.”
“You…” Xu Tingbai’s hand felt around but couldn’t find his clothes. He clenched his fist, his ears faintly red.
Yet he tried to maintain a distant tone: “Taking a guy’s clothes off in the middle of the night? I guess the teachers at school didn’t teach you any sense of boundaries.”
He was blunt, and Lin Qingle’s face turned red, her hands nervously twisting together. “But you were hurt.”
“Not so badly that I couldn’t move.”
Xu Tingbai thought he was taunting her, but then he heard her stammer in panic, “I only applied medicine, I didn’t do anything inappropriate!”
“…”
“Really, I swear!”
“…”
“Alright, I won’t do it again.” She sighed softly, looking a bit helpless. “Are you hungry? Let me check if there’s anything to make in your kitchen.”
Xu Tingbai’s expression changed several times. After Lin Qingle left, he finally got up from the floor.
What was she even thinking?
Did she really think he was accusing her of… taking advantage of him?
He made his way out of the room, and as soon as he did, a delicious aroma wafted over from the kitchen.
When was the last time someone had cooked in that kitchen?
He couldn’t remember. Visit novelping.com for the full chapter.
In that instant, the feeling of having someone cooking for him in the house left him dazed, his reactions a bit slow.
“Why are you out here? You need to rest.”
Lin Qingle’s voice pulled him back. After a moment of silence, he finally replied, “If I’m not mistaken, today is Wednesday.”
“Huh? Yes… what about it?”
“Then why are you still here?”
Lin Qingle realized he was referring to her missing class. “Wait, are you worried about my schoolwork?”
Xu Tingbai turned his head. “…Don’t overthink it.”
“Don’t worry, I took a leave of absence, and my teacher approved it.” Lin Qingle brought the finished bowl of noodles to the table. “Xu Tingbai, do you think you can sit down to eat? I made some noodles.”
Her voice held a hint of excitement, probably because his comment had made her think he cared, yet with a touch of hesitation, fearing he’d refuse.
And Xu Tingbai felt he should refuse.
But somehow, with the smell and her gentle voice filling the air, he found himself sitting down.
“Here!” Lin Qingle, delighted to see him sit, quickly placed the chopsticks in his hand.
Xu Tingbai silently held onto the chopsticks.
He suddenly thought, *Fine, let her do what she wants… but just this once. Next time, I won’t let her come over again.*
Lin Qingle had no idea what he was thinking. She just glanced a bit anxiously at the bowl of noodles. She had rummaged through the kitchen earlier but found it almost empty, with only an egg available as an ingredient.
After finishing the noodles, she had tasted them herself—they were plain and watery, nothing special.
“There’s only egg in the noodles. Give it a try. Um… honestly, they’re not very good,” Lin Qingle admitted, a bit embarrassed about her cooking today. “Or… maybe I should go buy you something? Uncle Yang’s stand should still be…”
“No need.” Xu Tingbai lowered his gaze, swallowing the first bite.
“It’s alright.” The steam from the noodles warmed his cheeks, and he suppressed the slight stirring within, speaking indifferently.
Author’s note:
Xu Xiaobai: *”First time being touched by wifey”—moment captured for the memories.*