She moved her fingers slightly and only then realized there was an IV needle inserted into the back of her hand. Her throat was swollen and painful, and even swallowing lightly felt like fine needles were stabbing her.
Fragments of her hazy memory from the morning surfaced. She seemed to have had a fever and was brought to the hospital by Qing Yanshen.
She glanced at the time on the wall. Seven thirty in the morning.
No, this was the next day.
Turning her head, she saw Qing Yanshen sitting crookedly on a folding chair beside the bed, dozing lightly. His elbow rested on his knee, his forehead pressed against his palm. There were dark circles at the corners of his eyes, clearly from staying up half the night.
Jiang Tuantuan was lying on the folding chair, sleeping. Her chubby little face was slightly swollen around the eyes, obviously from crying.
Jiang Qingmi shifted her sore waist slightly.
The next second, Qing Yanshen suddenly lifted his head, the fatigue in his eyes instantly gone.
“You’re awake?” His voice was very soft as he stood up and reached out to touch her forehead. His fingertips were slightly cool.
“How do you feel now?”
Jiang Qingmi opened her mouth to speak, but only a hoarse breath came out. Her throat was dry and painful.
Qing Yanshen immediately picked up a bottle of warm water from the table, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to her. With his other hand, he gently supported the back of her neck and adjusted the pillow higher.
“Drink slowly, take small sips. Don’t swallow too fast.”
The warm water slid down her throat, easing the dryness a little. She took two sips and then shook her head.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“The doctor said you have acute suppurative tonsillitis and dehydration. You’ll need to stay in the hospital for four to five days. First, you’ll get fluids to reduce the fever, then treatment for the infection.” He paused before adding, “After you’re discharged, take it easy. Balance work and rest. Everything else can wait. Your health is the most important, okay?”
Hearing that she had to stay four to five days, Jiang Qingmi closed her eyes, completely resigned.
She had only earned two thousand yuan, and now it would probably all go to the hospital. It might not even be enough.
She had felt some discomfort in her throat two days ago, but she hadn’t expected it to become this serious.
Unlucky. No, she simply hadn’t listened.
She knew the original body was weak, yet she treated it like a normal one.
She had even said that as long as she could make money, there would be hope. What hope? She had ended up in the hospital.
Looking at Qing Yanshen again, with gauze still wrapped around his head and a slightly pale complexion, probably from lack of rest, the dark circles under his eyes looked even more obvious. There were faint red veins in his eyes.
She lowered her gaze to the IV needle in her hand, her feelings complicated.
A bit guilty.
“I’ll go downstairs to get you some cooled porridge and some pear juice for your throat. Rest for a bit.”
Jiang Qingmi pressed her lips together. “The construction site…”
“Don’t worry. It’s been raining these days. No work.”
In just over ten minutes, he returned, carrying a thermos and a sealed cup of pear juice. He sat by the bed and opened the thermos. Inside was soft, well cooked millet porridge.
Qing Yanshen picked up a disposable spoon, scooped half a spoonful, blew on it gently, paused for a moment, then brought it to her lips. His movements were very careful, restrained.
“Try the temperature. It’s cooled down. It won’t irritate your throat. Take small bites.”
Jiang Qingmi had an IV in her hand and still felt weak. She wanted to say she could do it herself, but then thought it might seem overly polite at this point.
It would be better to accept it openly and thank him properly later with her actions. She had learned her lesson. Money could be earned slowly. Being greedy would only backfire.
She glanced at the man, lowered her head slightly, and opened her mouth to swallow. The soft porridge slid down her throat, leaving a faint rice fragrance.
He fed her spoon by spoon. Neither of them spoke. Only the soft dripping of the IV and the quiet sound of swallowing filled the room. He fed her slowly, only scooping another spoonful after confirming she wasn’t uncomfortable.
Occasionally, when her throat felt dry, he would stop and bring the pear juice to her lips so she could take a sip.
As she ate, Jiang Qingmi observed Qing Yanshen. Sometimes she thought he was very patient. Sometimes she thought he was very attentive.
Her thoughts wandered aimlessly. Then her gaze suddenly landed on his lips. They were slightly thin, but not too thin, just right.
If they kissed…
Jiang Qingmi froze. Her face instantly heated up and turned red.
Oh my god.
What was she thinking?
What was she thinking?
He was working so hard taking care of her, and she was having such inappropriate thoughts?
After that thought crossed her mind, she could no longer open her mouth naturally as before.
She lowered her head awkwardly. “I’m full. I don’t want to eat anymore.”
“If you can’t eat, then rest. Eat when you’re hungry. The nurse said you can drink more pear juice. It’s good for your throat.”
Qing Yanshen closed the thermos and casually pulled out a tissue, placing it by her hand instead of wiping her mouth for her.
There would be time for that when they were more familiar.
Being able to feed her porridge today had already surprised him. Better to stop while ahead.
He could feel that she was gradually lowering her guard around him, and he was happy to see this change.
After all, he was thinking about a future with her.
Jiang Qingmi took the tissue. “Mm.”
Wait, that sounded a bit cold.
He had taken such good care of her.
She quickly added, “Okay.”
Then she added two more words.
“Thank you.”
Qing Yanshen looked at her suddenly flushed face and fell silent, recalling something his coworkers had once said.
If a woman usually interacts with you naturally, but suddenly blushes at a certain moment, it means she has started to notice you.
Could it be…
No.
Qing Yanshen felt he was overthinking again.
The first thing Jiang Tuantuan did after waking up was look for her mother. When she saw Jiang Qingmi awake, her lips trembled as if she was about to cry, but she held it back. Her big eyes filled with tears.
She knew she couldn’t touch her mother’s hand, so she lay on Jiang Qingmi’s legs and said in a choked voice, “Mommy, don’t get sick.”
In her soft little voice, she added, “When mommy is sick, Tuantuan is not happy.”
“Hmph, no one… can make me feel better.” Her little brows furrowed, looking adorably fierce.
Jiang Qingmi rubbed her hair, thinking that after she was discharged, she would definitely take better care of her body. As long as she was healthy, everything else could come slowly.
Li Lanyan came to visit her twice and repeatedly reminded her to take care of herself. The temperature in Beicheng would keep dropping until March next year. There would be plenty of time and opportunities for the wool business.
During these days, Qing Yanshen stayed at the hospital taking care of both mother and daughter. She gave him the three thousand yuan he had left with her, along with the two thousand she earned from knitting shoes.
“Go pay my hospital bill. I still owe you that three thousand and the rent. The paternity test will have to wait a bit. I don’t know if you’re in a hurry…”
“Not in a hurry,” Qing Yanshen said.
Looking at the five thousand yuan she handed over, his mind worked quickly. “How about this. Since I eat at your place, we’ll treat the three thousand as my meal expenses.”
“That’s too much for meals…”
“It’s not for one month. It’s for two months,” he emphasized, looking at her.
“With your current condition, even two months might be short. The doctor said you need to rest at home.”
Jiang Qingmi felt like everything had returned to square one. But she had no plans to leave for now. Knitting wool shoes here was so profitable. Where else could she find such a good opportunity?
He had helped her so much. Even if she didn’t charge him for meals, she would still be willing. But she was too poor now. If she didn’t accept the money, she might not be able to support him.
“Then give me the discharge bill. I’ll pay you back later.”
This time, Qing Yanshen didn’t hesitate. He handed her the bill. “Four thousand five hundred sixty two. Just give me four thousand five.”
Jiang Qingmi took the bill, glanced at it, and carefully put it away.
She sighed inwardly. What kind of situation was this? After all that effort, she ended up owing him four thousand five.
Completely humbled.