Cheng Xiyu rested for two days in his apartment at the military base, and his mood stabilized.
“From the looks of it, it’s nothing major. It’s likely that the recent stress and overwork caused a flare-up of your bipolar disorder. If you ask me, you should still get some systematic treatment. This kind of thing can be either a big deal or a small one,” Gu Zhao exclaimed, slouched on the sofa.
“Cut the crap. You’re done here, go back to your clinic.”
Gu Zhao leaped to his feet, still munching loudly on potato chips. “What kind of person are you! The moment you’re better, you toss the doctor aside, huh? This is a classic case of burning the bridge after crossing it! Killing the donkey after it’s done its work at the mill! Utterly ungrateful…” Aww, he couldn’t come up with any more.
Cheng Xiyu: “…” What kind of idioms were these?
“The Cheng Corporation can invest in that medical project you proposed. Now can you get… lost?”
“Hehehe, my brother, I’m leaving right now, right now.” Gu Zhao happily packed up his small medical kit, not forgetting to take the snacks with him. In any case, this old-fashioned Cheng Xiyu had never eaten junk food like this since he was a child, so he couldn’t let it go to waste.
The auction for the government-backed plot of land in the northern part of the city was in a few days. After finishing his meal, Cheng Xiyu rushed to the company for a meeting.
The attendees were all company veterans. The youngest person there was surprisingly Cheng Xiyu, the CEO, along with two new intern assistants.
By the time the meeting was over, the arguing had given Cheng Xiyu a headache, and a dull ache throbbed in his stomach.
He had a mild stomach condition, nothing serious. Besides Wang Ye, no one else knew about it.
Years ago, before he had joined the military, Xi Lanjing had vehemently opposed his relationship with Bai Yiyi, forcing them to break up.
Cheng’s mother was controlling and had wanted Cheng Xiyu to live according to her wishes since he was a child. But he happened to be an extremely independent person, and seeing his mother act this way only made him more determined not to break up.
Cheng’s mother had a fit and threatened suicide, holding a knife to her own neck. He rushed forward to snatch the knife away but was accidentally cut by her in the process.
Cheng’s father, with an iron fist, sent him to the most remote and high-pressure special forces unit. As a young master of a prominent family, even with his tough disposition, Cheng Xiyu had never endured such hardship. In the beginning, he couldn’t eat or sleep well. But he had a fierce temperament and managed to endure two years of a life that was worse than death in the military, which left him with minor ailments like his stomach problem.
Wang Ye drove the car to the company building and waited for him outside. Seeing Cheng Xiyu walk out of the company with a somewhat pale face, he quickly handed over the hot water he always had ready. Cheng Xiyu took a sip, managing to suppress the sour bile rising in his stomach.
He rubbed his temples and sank into the car, looking exhausted.
Seeing he was still uncomfortable, Wang Ye quickly said, “Why don’t we call a doctor to take a look? You could take some medicine or get a shot.”
“No need. It’s an old problem.” Hearing the voice, Cheng Xiyu turned his head and saw two suitcases in the trunk. “You’re really getting more perceptive.” “Since the luggage is already packed, let’s go to Jiang Shu’s place.”
Wang Ye chuckled. “Sir, you’ve been liking going to Miss Jiang’s place more and more recently. That’s good, too. Miss Jiang knows how to cook; she’ll definitely be able to take good care of you, Sir.”
“Mm.”
When they arrived, Wang Ye carried the suitcases, one in each hand, upstairs.
Jiang Shu was at home, looking through the files on the previous owners of the blue gemstone. Hearing a sound from the entryway, she looked up to see Cheng Xiyu and Wang Ye already walking in.
Wang Ye, holding two black suitcases, greeted her, “Miss Jiang, I’m here to leave a set of Sir’s things here.”
Jiang Shu unconsciously folded the paper file in her hand, her delicate brows rising as her eyes widened slightly in surprise. “?”
Cheng Xiyu casually loosened his tie, took off his suit jacket, and handed it to Jiang Shu. “I’m staying for a few days.”
Jiang Shu froze for a moment, then gave a somewhat docile nod. She obediently lowered her head to neaten the jacket. With her eyes cast down, her eyelashes looked very long, and the small red mole seemed to twinkle, making her look utterly endearing.
Cheng Xiyu felt his mood instantly lift. He couldn’t help but lean down and give her a long, lingering kiss.
When the kiss ended, Jiang Shu was a little breathless. No matter how many times they had kissed, she was always so inexperienced. And every time he saw her inexperience, Cheng Xiyu would “bully” her even more.
Wang Ye emerged at just the right moment. “What a coincidence for you and Sir, Miss Jiang. You have a cold, and Sir isn’t feeling well either.”
Hearing this, Jiang Shu seemed to just now remember that Cheng Xiyu was unwell. The blush had not yet faded from her face as she looked up and asked softly, “Are you feeling any better now?”
Wang Ye found it a little strange. Didn’t Miss Jiang love Sir very much? How could she have seemingly forgotten about this? When you love someone, shouldn’t you be concerned about their every affair? Perhaps she just momentarily forgot to ask.
“Do you want me to be better or not? Hmm?” Cheng Xiyu sat down on the sofa with her, his arm wrapping around her waist. Smelling the sweet, light scent of strawberries on her, his large hand couldn’t help but slowly glide over her body. He moved closer to her ear and whispered in a voice only they could hear, “Stop seducing me.”
In truth, Jiang Shu hadn’t done anything, but she just had this knack for igniting a fire without making a sound. Jiang Shu looked at him, her beautiful, watery peach blossom eyes filled with innocence.
After putting everything away, Wang Ye tactfully left. A good assistant would never choose to be a third wheel to his boss.
Considering Cheng Xiyu’s health, Jiang Shu made a rather light dinner that evening: steamed shrimp and egg custard, a soup with yam and sliced pork, steamed bok choy, and braised chicken with potatoes. She replaced rice with a millet, pumpkin, and red date congee, which was even more soothing for the stomach.
During a break from eating, Jiang Shu cleared away all the files from the table.
While sipping the warm, sweet congee, Cheng Xiyu handled some project matters. By the time he was nearly finished with the congee, the work was also mostly done.
Putting down his bowl, he casually looked up and noticed Jiang Shu curled up in a small ball in the corner of the sofa, her fair, slender hand cupping her cheek, her eyes fixed on him without blinking.
Cheng Xiyu found it amusing. How could Jiang Shu be so foolish? Wasn’t it painful to fall in love with someone who wouldn’t love her back? A smarter little lover would have known when to stop long ago. How could she get so immersed in a monetary transaction? Although he thought this, he felt an inexplicable flutter in his heart.
He had always detested women who lacked self-awareness and deluded themselves into thinking something could happen between them. But when it came to Jiang Shu, he suddenly felt that this feeling wasn’t so bad.
The feeling of being deeply loved was wonderful.
So be it. At worst, he would just give her more money when they parted ways later.
He was still in a phase of novelty with her and wanted to stay at her place for a few more days. At this thought, he hesitated for a moment, then walked over, bent down, and planted a kiss on her cheek, saying in a low voice:
“Rest your eyes. You’ll have plenty of time to look in the future…”
Jiang Shu stared at him and blinked slowly, as if pulling herself out of some kind of emotion. A look akin to disappointment flickered in her eyes.
Just as Cheng Xiyu was about to take a closer look, she lowered her gaze slightly, concealing that flicker of emotion. “Do you mean what you say?”
He didn’t know how to coax people. His large hand cupped her delicate little chin, stroking it a few times. Back when he was with Bai Yiyi, he had never coaxed her either. Although Bai Yiyi was a bit proud, she never put on airs with him.
But everything has its limits. Over time, Bai Yiyi always felt that he didn’t truly like her. Coupled with the opposition from his family, she was the one who initiated the breakup and went abroad.
Wang Ye: These eyes of mine have seen too much