Chapter 33: I Think I’m Sick

Lanxin, trying to cover up, hid the cup behind her back, “Didn’t you say you didn’t want to drink? If you don’t want to, then forget it.”

“Take it out.” The man said in a deep voice.

“I…” Lanxin felt a bit scared; the man’s gaze felt like a knife cutting into her.

Under the pressure, she brought out the drink.

“Drink it.”

“Ah.” Lanxin gritted her teeth, shot a glare at the gloating Xu Chunian, and shut her eyes as she gulped it down.

She drank it all, and the undissolved crystals slid back to the bottom of the cup.

Only then did Jiang Huaixu stride towards the exit of the banquet hall, while Xu Chunian cast a sympathetic glance at her, clicking her tongue twice.

Once they were completely out of sight, Lanxin finally spat out the spiked drink.

“Ah, it’s so salty, so salty.” She quickly used the unspiked drink to rinse her mouth.

Once the sensation subsided, she pulled out her constantly ringing phone.

Seeing the caller ID, she pursed her lips and answered, “It’s me.”

“I’m sorry, the drink didn’t get delivered,” she mumbled, “I…”

The other end didn’t respond, only the sound of a busy tone echoed.

Lanxin bit her lip, looking at the darkening screen. She opened her small handbag to reveal a pack of new, unopened powdered medicine inside.

She let out a heavy sigh and entered the hall, making her way to the restroom. With the sound of the toilet flushing, the powdered medicine disappeared.

*

The scenery along the road kept receding, streetlight shadows illuminating the car, highlighting the deep, dark eyes.

Zhuzhu leaned against the back of the seat, softly snoring, dreaming while smacking her lips.

They drove in silence until they reached the garage. Jiang Huaixu carried the sleeping Zhuzhu out, and Xu Chunian took out the balloon, the two of them walking one after the other, the streetlight casting their shadows together.

“Should we just put her in bed?” Xu Chunian whispered.

“Hmm?” The man leaned in slightly, his crisp scent wafting towards her.

Xu Chunian’s ears turned red; she slightly raised her voice to repeat herself.

“No, Zhuzhu is a bit of a neat freak; she’ll wake up in the middle of the night.” The man replied.

They were close enough that their breaths tickled each other’s ears as they spoke.

“Should we carry her to the bathroom?”

“Hmm.”

As he spoke, the man gently patted Zhuzhu’s back, his tone soft and patient, “Zhuzhu, be good.”

Xu Chunian momentarily felt dazed.

After filling the bathtub with water, the two of them worked together to remove Zhuzhu’s princess dress.

Like a little mermaid, Zhuzhu was slippery; she stirred awake from her dream, rubbing her eyes, her big eyes still heavy with sleep.

“Shall we take a bath and then go back to sleep?” Xu Chunian said, her tone unconsciously gentle.

Zhuzhu obediently nodded.

Zhuzhu was very well-behaved, leaning against Jiang Huaixu as she lazily yawned, tilting her head to watch Xu Chunian help her bathe.

Xu Chunian hadn’t yet removed her evening gown; when she bent over, a large part of her chest was exposed.  She didn’t notice, but the man in front of her suddenly felt parched.

They finished washing Zhuzhu quickly. As they were leaving, Zhuzhu grabbed Xu Chunian.

Xu Chunian lowered her head, “What is it?”

A soft kiss landed on her cheek. Xu Chunian froze, her heart softening, “Good night, baby.”

Zhuzhu grinned, glanced at Jiang Huaixu, and the man leaned over as Zhuzhu gave him a kiss on the face.

After the kiss, Zhuzhu snuggled contentedly against her little pillow and closed her eyes.

Xu Chunian felt somewhat dazed even after closing Zhuzhu’s bedroom door.

Jiang Huaixu watched her as she stood there, stunned.

“Xu Chunian.”

“Ah?”

“Your dress is about to fall.”

Xu Chunian looked down. The strapless dress couldn’t contain the spring scenery within. She covered her chest, said good night, and ran back to her room.

Her flustered appearance overlapped with a distant memory; the man’s gaze under the lamplight became somewhat complex.

*

Night

Lin Ya turned her stiff neck, just stretching when a knock came from outside.

“Mr. Jiang?” She seemed surprised, glancing at the clock on the wall.

Jiang Huaixu nodded at her and sat down directly opposite her.

“Did you come because of your wife’s illness?” she said, rummaging through a pile of medical records, “Let me see… where is it?”

“It’s not about my wife.”

“It’s not?” The woman paused, “Then… you?”

“It’s me,” Jiang Huaixu said calmly, “I think I’m sick.”