Chapter 24: Read Fewer Romance Novels

"You're awake. How are you feeling?" Zhou Jingchuan leaned over, the back of his hand brushing against her forehead. "You still have a fever."

Tang Xi’s voice was raspy, and her throat ached sharply. An IV needle was taped to the back of her hand, sending a faint chill through her veins.

"The doctor says you have a severe flu and will need infusions for another week." The man’s features bore a striking resemblance to the boy in her dream, leaving Tang Xi feeling disoriented, as if the person before her were that very same Zhou Jing.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhou." Tang Xi had only met him once before. Given his status and position, she felt truly uneasy. "I can leave as soon as this bottle is finished."

"In your current state, I doubt you can even sit up." Zhou Jingchuan glanced at the steel watch on his wrist. "I have to return to Hong Kong shortly. You should stay here for now; there’s no rush to leave until you’ve recovered."

Tang Xi felt it was an imposition, but she was well aware of her own condition. If she tried to force herself to get up, she likely wouldn't even make it past the door. After offering her thanks, she accepted his kindness.

Over the next few days, a maid took care of her. The doctor visited daily to administer fluids and conduct check-ups. She learned from the maid that Zhou Jingchuan had returned to Hong Kong, a city he rarely left for the capital.

After three days of bed rest, Tang Xi was finally able to stand. She and Zhou Jingchuan were not close, and staying here to recuperate for three days already felt like overstepping. Despite the maid's repeated attempts to persuade her to stay, Tang Xi insisted on leaving. However, instead of returning home, she went to see Song Xining.

Song Xining, having recently had her cast removed, was hobbling around the kitchen on crutches, boiling noodles.

"Good heavens, where have you been these past few days?" Song Xining opened the door, letting out a sharp sigh of relief. "You look terrible. What happened?"

Tang Xi still felt unwell and wore a mask, not wanting to pass her illness on to Song Xining. "I have the flu. Don't stand too close."

Song Xining untied her apron. "Gu Yu came looking for you three days ago. He seemed quite anxious and only left after learning you weren't here."

Tang Xi was not surprised that Gu Yu had come looking for her. "A-Ning, my phone broke. Could you help me get a replacement SIM card?"

"No problem." After making a call, Song Xining sat down across from her. "What exactly happened? Judging by Gu Yu's behavior, he looked like he’d lost his most prized possession."

During the three days she spent bedridden, Tang Xi’s body had been immobile, but her mind had been racing. Her heart hadn't grown cold all at once; it took a constant barrage of ice to extinguish a burning flame. She told Song Xining everything that had transpired at the Gu family’s birthday banquet.

"Is Gu Yu out of his mind? You’re his wife! He doesn't trust you, yet he believes that sister of his who isn't even blood-related?"

And that wasn't even the worst of it. Even after discovering the truth, he had still chosen to shield that mother and son. Was the reputation of those two more important than the dignity of his own wife, which he allowed to be trampled at will?

"So, where have you been staying?"

"I ran into Mr. Zhou on the road. His villa was empty, so he let me stay there to recover."

Song Xining immediately wore an expression of gossip. "That’s way too coincidental. How did Mr. Zhou happen to be there? I have a feeling that this Mr. Zhou might have had designs on you for a long time."

Tang Xi rolled her eyes in silence. "Read fewer romance novels—it’ll do you good."

She didn't believe that such plots from novels could happen in reality. She and Mr. Zhou had only exchanged a fleeting glance in Hong Kong. Love at first sight was simply not suited to someone of his stature and perspective.

Soon after, there was a knock at the door. Song Xining was efficient; not only had she replaced the SIM card, but she had also had someone buy a brand-new phone.

The moment Tang Xi turned it on, a call came through.