---

15. Punishment

◎Truth or Dare◎

Early the next morning, Lu Shiyin took a day off and went to see a doctor accompanied by Cheng Jinghe.

The Third Affiliated Hospital of University A was one of the most renowned in the country, with a constant stream of patients every day.

The registration area was extremely crowded.

The night before, Lu Shiyin had refused to go to the Third Affiliated Hospital, wanting instead to visit a private clinic nearby to avoid long queues.

However, Cheng Jinghe insisted on arranging an appointment for her at the Third Affiliated Hospital and had someone go early to get a registration number.

When Lu Shiyin arrived at 10 a.m., she waited for only about ten minutes before it was her turn.

The doctor’s surname was Zheng. He wore flat, black-rimmed glasses and had a refined and gentle demeanor.

After inquiring about her symptoms, when he asked how long they had persisted, she reached for her phone to check her calendar. But the man beside her, holding his suit jacket over one arm, said, “It started on the Mid-Autumn Festival. It’s been 10 days now.”

Dr. Zheng adjusted his glasses, looked up at Cheng Jinghe, then shifted his gaze to Lu Shiyin before glancing at the patient’s name on the computer.

“So it’s the eldest daughter of the Lu family.”

He said it casually, but Cheng Jinghe’s expression shifted slightly. He suddenly remembered that one branch of the Zheng family practiced medicine—though mostly traditional Chinese medicine—with only one member in Western medicine.

This branch rarely engaged in the Zheng family’s business, so he had nearly forgotten about their presence in this hospital.

Lu Shiyin was surprised. “You know me?”

Zheng Cong typed on his computer and replied casually, “You used to beat me up when we were kids.”

She suddenly remembered. “You’re Uncle Zheng’s son!”

Zheng Cong smiled slightly and printed out a form for her to pay and get an X-ray before returning.

Seeing Zheng Cong gave Lu Shiyin a sense of familiarity. During her late father Lu Qiyao’s illness, Western treatments had failed repeatedly, and it was traditional Chinese medicine that ultimately helped.

That doctor was Zheng Cong’s father, Zheng Xiaoyi.

Lu Shiyin often accompanied her father to appointments. Zheng Cong was only about two years older than her, and they quickly became playmates.

While waiting for the X-rays, she said to Cheng Jinghe, “I didn’t expect to run into Zheng Cong here. He was so skinny when he was little. I used to hit him all the time.”

The man beside her gave a soft “hmm.”

Lu Shiyin finally noticed that Cheng Jinghe, who had been quite normal earlier, had become quiet and looked slightly upset.

“Are you feeling unwell?” she asked.

“No.”

“Worried about work? You can go back first if you need to. I’ll be fine once I get the results and the meds.”

“I’m not worried. Everything’s arranged.”

“Then why do you look so unhappy?”

“I look unhappy?” He smiled gently. “No, I was just thinking about work.”

Standing beside him, Lu Shiyin couldn’t help but think of the last time she was sick during Mid-Autumn Festival. Xiang Wan had said her illness delayed Cheng Jinghe’s work for a whole day.

She felt a bit wronged. It’s not like she chose to be sick, nor did she want to go to the doctor. Though she was grateful that he came with her, she also felt uneasy.

She lowered her head quietly. Cheng Jinghe didn’t know what she was thinking, nor what Xiang Wan had told her. But from their short exchange, he could tell that she wasn’t feeling great either.

He gently patted her. “What’s wrong?”

She looked up. “Nothing. Just thinking about work.”

As soon as she said it, she realized he had just said the same thing. They looked at each other and laughed.

Cheng Jinghe assumed she was getting back at him, letting him know that his sour expression wasn’t well-received. He smiled. “Okay then. From now on, let’s not think about work. Let’s just focus on getting you better, alright?”

He sounded like he was asking for her approval. Lu Shiyin nodded to give him face. “Okay. Then whoever gets upset next has to treat the other to a meal.”

Cheng Jinghe raised an eyebrow. “Just a meal? That’s too easy a punishment.”

Lu Shiyin asked, “Then what do you suggest?”

Cheng Jinghe thought of some college games and corporate party punishments. Most weren’t appropriate for her.

Thinking that she’d been abroad for years and probably didn’t know what people did for fun around here, he chose the mildest option: “How about Truth or Dare? Do you know it?”

Lu Shiyin did know. She wasn’t that out of touch.

At that moment, the scans were ready. The hospital’s machines printed them out automatically. She saw her name on the screen, quickly retrieved them, and packed them away.

Returning together to Dr. Zheng, she agreed, “Alright. Whoever gets upset again has to choose between truth or dare.”

Cheng Jinghe smiled and agreed.

Dr. Zheng said there was nothing serious. She should continue with her meds and keep warm. Maybe because they knew each other, he added, “Go to bed earlier. Sleeping late won’t help recovery.”

“I sleep pretty early,” Lu Shiyin said.

“Three a.m. isn’t early.”

“How did you know that…?”

He replied, “I still remember some of what I learned from my dad.”

Lu Shiyin laughed. “You traditional Chinese doctors are really something.”

Zheng Cong said, “Not really. Through looking, listening, asking, and touching, we can already notice certain things.” He showed her his QR code. “Add me? If you feel unwell later, you can contact me directly.”

Lu Shiyin agreed and scanned the code.

Back outside, she found Cheng Jinghe’s expression a little off again. She grinned triumphantly. “Haha! Caught you!”

Cheng Jinghe came back to himself. “What?”

“Truth or dare. Your choice,” she said.

He hadn’t expected her to ambush him like this. He said, “Let me think,” as they walked out together.

The corridor was crowded. Some patients even lay on stretchers in the hallway. Children ran around, and a nurse hadn’t managed to stop one who ran into Lu Shiyin and shoved her hard.

She stumbled backward, and Cheng Jinghe caught her with one arm. She looked down and saw a small handprint on her pants—probably from a child who’d been sucking their fingers.

She wasn’t exactly angry, just felt a bit of a germaphobe’s discomfort. But recalling their Truth or Dare game, she quickly composed herself and joked, “Doesn’t this look like a tiny version of the Five Finger Mountain?”

Cheng Jinghe chuckled softly. She pressed, “So? Have you decided? Truth or dare?”

“What do you want me to choose?”

“Of course I want you to pick dare! That’s way more fun!”

Cheng Jinghe nodded. “Then dare it is. Do we start now?”

There was no way she’d make him do a dare in public. She shook her head. “I haven’t thought of one yet. Let’s wait till we get home.”

They had lunch together. Afterward, Cheng Jinghe dropped her off at her company before returning to his own.

That afternoon at Baozhen Group, his secretary told him that Madam had come and was waiting in his office.

Cheng Jinghe was surprised. Entering his office, he saw Xiang Wan sitting on the couch, messaging on her phone.

“Mom, what brings you here?” he asked.

Seeing her son, she was delighted and set her phone aside. “I came to see you. I didn’t expect you not to be in the office. Haven’t seen you in days. You look thinner.”

He sat at his desk. “If I get thinner every time you see me, I’ll be a sheet of paper next time.”

She smiled and asked what he did that morning.

He didn’t plan to hide it. “Took Yinyin to the hospital.”

Xiang Wan’s lips curled slightly in disdain. “I’m just saying, but isn’t Lu Shiyin’s health a bit too weak? She got sick as soon as she moved into the old house. And it’s been days and she’s still not better.”

Cheng Jinghe knew she wasn’t fond of Lu Shiyin and just said, “Yinyin just has a weaker immune system.”

Xiang Wan rolled her eyes. “Yinyin this, Yinyin that. But what about her feelings for you? I think she’s lukewarm. This is just a business marriage. Don’t get too serious. Only the two elders like her. Everyone else knows the score.”

Cheng Jinghe smiled. “Who said it’s only the two elders who like her?”

“Who else—?” She paused mid-sentence and looked at him suspiciously. “Don’t tell me… you actually like Lu Shiyin?”

He leaned back, chuckled softly, took off his blazer, rolled up his sleeves, and sat down again. “Can’t I?”

“Don’t say that to your mom just to spite me.”

“I never say things to spite you.”

“But she’s not even on your level in terms of education,” Xiang Wan stammered.

“I don’t care,” he said. “So please stop putting her down. I think she’s great. Plus, Grandma loves her. Grandma doesn’t have bad judgment, does she? After all, Grandma also liked you, didn’t she?”

Xiang Wan came from an average family and felt inferior dating Cheng Jinghe’s father, Cheng Tuo. But Madam Wenmin valued character over status, and they’d gotten along all these years. Her friends often complained about in-laws, but she never had those problems with Wenmin.

Hearing this, Xiang Wan laughed and gave him a playful scolding look. Her son sure knew how to sweet talk.

Maybe she’d been too influenced by gossip lately. She had interacted with Lu Shiyin, and honestly couldn’t think of any major flaws.

“Alright, I won’t say any more,” she conceded. “Maybe I misjudged her. But you need to manage your work properly. Don’t drop everything just for Lu Shiyin.”

Cheng Jinghe replied, “I’ve got it all arranged.”

Xiang Wan couldn’t argue. He’d always been sharp. She herself had once been a daughter-in-law—no need to become the dreaded mother-in-law now.

She asked, “So how’s your relationship progressing?”

Cheng Jinghe answered, “In an orderly fashion.”

She had never seen him chase anyone before. “Pursuing a girl means—”

He gave a helpless smile. “Mom, do you want me to stop working?”

“Tsk! You ungrateful child. I’m just trying to help you! At your pace, who knows when you’ll win her over.” She got up. “Forget it. I’ve got a yoga class. You figure it out.”

---

That night, Lu Shiyin waited for Cheng Jinghe to come home. She’d already thought of a punishment for his dare. He had messaged her earlier saying he wouldn’t be home for dinner, but she waited in the living room until late.

When Cheng Jinghe came home, he didn’t expect to find her asleep on the couch—curled up, one arm outstretched, hugging a pillow. Her sleeve had ridden up, exposing a fair stretch of her arm.

He quietly removed his shoes, went into the room to get a blanket, and gently covered her. She stirred and opened her eyes sleepily. Seeing him, she smiled drowsily and murmured, “You’re back?”

His voice was incredibly soft. “Mm. Why are you sleeping here? Go to bed.”

She sat up, a bit more awake. “I was waiting for your dare.” She took a sip of water. “But it’s so late now. I’ll let you off this time. Next time then.”

She said good night and turned to leave.

Cheng Jinghe called her name gently. “Lu Shiyin.”

She turned back. “Hmm?”

“Let’s do the dare now.”