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Zhou Cong took Xu Zhiqiao out of the Ji Family in broad daylight, without arousing even a trace of suspicion from Ji Huailuo.
She had taken fever medicine in the bedroom. On the road, the medicine kicked in, and she drifted off in a hazy sleep in the front passenger seat.
While waiting at a red light, Zhou Cong leaned over, reaching out to feel her forehead.
He understood why Xu Zhiqiao had taken the medicine so carelessly. She was afraid that a fever would lower her immunity and trigger an allergic reaction, which could then lead to an asthma attack—what started as something small could spiral into something serious.
She just didn’t want Ji Huailuo to worry.
Zhou Cong withdrew his hand and started the car again.
After a while, his brows furrowed, and though he kept quiet, a bitter smile forced itself onto his face.
She was afraid of Ji Huailuo finding out, but didn’t care at all if he felt bad.
When they arrived at the hospital, Zhou Cong parked the car, walked over to the passenger side, and bent down to lift her out.
Xu Zhiqiao’s eyelashes fluttered. Her gaze was unfocused as she slowly opened her eyes.
His face was close, and without a word, he wrapped one arm around her shoulders and the other under her knees.
Xu Zhiqiao stirred, her voice soft and raspy from the fever: “I can walk.”
“Don’t move,” Zhou Cong said casually, holding her firmly. “Big Brother’s got you.”
Her breath came out hot.
They passed through the main gate security, down a cold, sterile corridor, past the pungent smell of disinfectant at the lab windows, and finally into the physician’s office.
After a series of procedures—consultation, bloodwork, and waiting for test results—the physician instructed her to avoid allergens and to carry asthma medication at all times in case of an emergency.
It wasn’t appropriate to return to the Ji Family now, so without a second thought, Zhou Cong took Xu Zhiqiao to an apartment only the two of them knew about.
“I’d originally planned to take you out for some fun,” Zhou Cong said as he dampened a towel and placed it on her forehead. “Well, that worked out. A half-day tour of the hospital.”
Xu Zhiqiao lay there, weak and dizzy, her breathing rapid from the high fever.
Zhou Cong sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, his elbow propped up, quietly watching her. “This is on me. Maybe if I hadn’t scared you, the fever wouldn’t have flared up.”
Her dry lips moved slightly.
He picked up a cup and gently fed her some water with a spoon. “Don’t talk. Every word feels like a stab to my chest.”
After a few sips, her throat, which had felt scraped raw, eased up a little. She opened her eyes and looked at him. “Big Brother Zhou Cong.”
“Mm,” he leaned in closer, “I’m here.”
She was too feverish to think clearly, her gaze glassy. “I’m in poor health.”
Zhou Cong tucked the blanket up to her chin. “Just need some care. Who doesn’t fall sick now and then?”
She spoke through her nose, “I might not be able to have children.”
“…”
“My Mother accepted Uncle Ji’s proposal,” her voice was barely a whisper, “and she’s been working hard to improve my relationship with my Big Brother. She’s afraid I’ll have no one to rely on in the future.”
She hoped Ji Huailuo would take care of her.
Xu Shu had brought all her connections into Ji Corporation and even paved the way for Ji Huailuo.
Everything she did was for Xu Zhiqiao’s future.
Afraid that Xu Zhiqiao’s health would keep her from marrying well, she wanted to at least find her a Big Brother.
She believed that with Ji Huailuo’s character, he might be even more dependable than a Husband.
The hand Zhou Cong had been using to tuck in the blanket froze.
Xu Zhiqiao pressed her lips together. “Go find someone else. Don’t waste your time on me.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?” Zhou Cong’s voice was hoarse. “You’re still so young—why are you thinking about having kids?”
Xu Zhiqiao replied, “My Mother always taught me to look at the long-term. The decisions we make today could change the course of our future. It’s the same for you, and for everyone.”
“Stop pretending to be deep,” Zhou Cong said.
He cupped her cheek with one hand. “I can’t stand babies. Can’t you tell?”
“…” Xu Zhiqiao was too exhausted to respond. “Anyway, go find someone else.”
She closed her eyes, pretending to be sleepy.
Zhou Cong was genuinely irritated now. It was true Xu Shu had made plans for her, but this girl was putting on a show, trying to fool him with lies about infertility like he was an idiot.
To shake him off, she’d go as far as dragging her own image through the mud.
The physician had said clearly that her asthma, as long as she avoided allergens and took care of herself, wasn’t even as bad as some people’s allergic rhinitis.
Zhou Cong’s jaw tightened. He couldn’t help but pinch her cheek. “Be good. If I catch you listening to your Big Brother’s nonsense again, I’ll go deal with him.”
“…” Xu Zhiqiao’s eyes snapped open. “You’re threatening me again?”
Zhou Cong felt a stab in his chest.
What else could he do?
Threats worked best.
Coaxing didn’t work, lying didn’t work—just one threat and she’d go off like a firecracker. Why was this girl so hard to win over?
Xu Zhiqiao believed he meant what he said. She started to panic and pushed herself up from the bed. “If you dare touch my Big Brother, I’ll fight you!”
She got up too fast, pain shooting through her temples like a cramp, but she gritted her teeth, still trying to get out of bed to stop him.
“…” Zhou Cong’s eye twitched. He held her down firmly. “What are you trying to do, my little ancestor? Do I have any dignity left with you?”
Xu Zhiqiao answered honestly, “None.”
“…”
A moment passed.
Zhou Cong kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the bed, his tone dark: “Since I’ve got none left, might as well do something shameful…”
The bed wasn’t big to begin with. With him on it, it sank under his weight. Xu Zhiqiao panicked, flailing her arms and legs to push him off. “Get off! Get off! This is my bed!!”
Zhou Cong swept his arm around her and pulled her into his chest. “Then say something nice.”
She was soft like a marshmallow. Zhou Cong didn’t even dare use force, his long arms and legs wrapping around her with exaggerated care.
Even so, Xu Zhiqiao exploded. “Are you some kind of pervert?! You’re crushing me!”
“Mm,” Zhou Cong looked down at her, “Not good enough. Keep going.”
“…”
Silence.
To make him leave, Xu Zhiqiao forced herself to say flatly, “Big Brother Zhou Cong is a good man.”
“Nope,” Zhou Cong replied lazily. “That sounds like you’re calling me a bad guy.”
“…”
More silence.
Xu Zhiqiao muttered under her breath, “You’re so hard…”
His bones were digging into her and it hurt.
Zhou Cong choked unexpectedly, turning his face away to stifle a cough.
His shoulders trembled. He tried to hold in his laughter, but couldn’t. He laughed in fits. “Where am I hard?”
“…” Like she’d just realized what she said, the capillaries on Xu Zhiqiao’s face practically burst. “Get off me! I’m sleepy! I want to sleep!”
Zhou Cong didn’t stay long. He tucked her in tightly and sat cross-legged at the edge of the bed again.
“Watch your words,” he said with a smirk. “But that one—I’ll give you that.”
“…”
Get lost.
Zhou Cong patted her blanket, once, twice—like soothing a child to sleep. His movements were unhurried, but extraordinarily gentle. “Go to sleep. When you wake up, our Little Bao will be all better.”
Xu Zhiqiao’s eyelids grew heavier, as if filled with lead.
The room was so quiet, even the faint gurgle of the drainpipe could be heard.
The patting suddenly stopped.
In the next moment, Xu Zhiqiao felt a shadow looming over her.
Then something soft and light pressed against her forehead.
It lingered for a second before slowly disappearing.
Like a dream.