“Young Master, are you going back now?”

After solving the meal issue, Wen Lin’s assistant asked.

“I’ll go check on him first.”

Wen Lin walked to the ward, gently opened the door, and saw the person on the bed already asleep. His footsteps became lighter. He didn’t walk over, just stood at a distance watching for a while.

In a conscious state, he couldn’t let himself touch this person freely. After watching enough, Wen Lin turned and left.

The black car drove away from the hospital, speeding off.

Ming Che had a comfortable nap. His activities were greatly restricted while lying in bed, so he turned to his phone for entertainment.

It’s really boring. Isn’t there anything fun?

Ming Che fiddled with his phone, eventually chatting with the system.

[977, where do you come from?]

[I come from a very distant planet. There are many systems like me there, but they are all my seniors. It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but our numbers are ranked by ability.]

[It’s okay, 977. At least you’re not the last one.]

[There are no systems after 977.]

[But 977 found me. In my heart, 977 is the best!]

[Sniff, Host…]

977 transformed into a light ball, bouncing up and down in front of Ming Che.

[You’re quite cute like this.]

Ming Che reached out and poked its spherical body.

[977, let’s play a game.]

977 tilted its body.

[What game?]

Ming Che picked up an apple from the fruit basket on the table.

[Catch the apple I throw.]

977 was full of fighting spirit, [Okay!]

…

That night, Wen Lin didn’t return home for dinner. At the dining table, Song Le Ran asked about it.

“He must be busy.”

The woman replied.

“But… I saw Ah Lin Gege leave without breakfast this morning. No matter how busy work is, he shouldn’t do that.”

Hearing this, the woman frowned, her expression worried.

“Really?”

“Yes, because I got up early, I happened to see Ah Lin Gege leaving.”

“In that case, Le Ran, could you go to the company and check on him for Auntie? If we interfere too much, I’m afraid Ah Lin won’t be happy. You young people should have more to talk about.”

Song Le Ran nodded in agreement and put down his chopsticks.

“I’ll go now.”

“Le Ran, you should finish your meal first.”

“It’s okay, Auntie. I’m already full.”

Song Le Ran stood up and arranged the chair.

The family driver quickly took him to the company, but he was disappointed to find that Wen Lin wasn’t there. After several inquiries, he learned that Wen Lin had left the company long ago. He immediately informed Wen Lin’s mother of this news.

…

Just like at noon, Ming Che sat in bed waiting for Wen Lin to feed him.

This person came again in the evening.

After the noon experience, Wen Lin was very skilled. Ming Che finished eating and leaned back, shaking his head to indicate he didn’t want more.

Wen Lin put down the spoon in his hand, “You ate even less than at noon.”

“I’ve been lying in bed all afternoon, not very hungry. Why don’t you push me out for a walk?”

Ming Che’s assistant was obedient but also quite persistent. To prevent him from getting out of bed, he even took away the crutches.

“Can you get out of bed?”

“The leg is only slightly fractured, it’s fine.” Ming Che grabbed his hand, “Go borrow a wheelchair and take me downstairs for a walk.”

“I’ll ask the doctor.” Wen Lin was still worried.

Seeing Wen Lin about to leave, Ming Che quickly held onto him.

“The doctor said it’s okay, just not to use the wheelchair for too long.”

The hospital gown was quite loose on Ming Che, making him look slender. Coupled with his pale lips, he looked like a fragile glass doll, making people unconsciously speak gently to him.

“I’ll go ask, I’ll be back soon.”

Ming Che frowned, but he knew he was being a bit unreasonable, so he let go.

Wen Lin quickly left, quietly closing the ward door.

It didn’t take long for Wen Lin to return.

“I asked the doctor. It’s the first day, so it’s best to stay in bed and rest.”

“…”

Ming Che nodded, turning to look at the window in the room.

Footsteps approached him, and Ming Che sensed Wen Lin’s closeness. He turned back.

“You should go back. My assistant is here; he’ll take care of me.”

Wen Lin’s lips tightened, and his whole aura suddenly turned cold.

“You don’t want to see me.”

“You can’t eat well here, and you’re wasting time running around. Don’t waste your time on me.”

Ming Che thought about drawing a line with him, leaning back a bit.

“What does it matter to you if I waste time?”

Wen Lin’s tone was harsh. When he met Ming Che’s puzzled gaze, an impulse surged in him, and he spoke without thinking.

“Can’t I want to take care of you?”

Ming Che was stunned. He really didn’t expect Wen Lin to say something like that. Why would he want to take care of him?

At first, he thought Wen Lin wanted revenge, but so far, his actions didn’t seem like revenge at all. Instead, it felt like…

[977, what if, just if, the main character gong falls for me?]

[Host, how could that be possible? The main character gong will only fall for the main character shou. That’s written in the world plot.]

977 was just a system and couldn’t understand the complex emotions of humans. In its programmed settings, there was no such scenario.

“Wen Lin, do you like me?”

Wen Lin’s hand clenched into a fist at his side, and an inexplicable anger surged in him. He stepped forward and pinched Ming Che’s chin.

“What makes you think that?”

At this moment, Ming Che was the one in a vulnerable position, fragile enough to break with a squeeze.

Ming Che looked up at Wen Lin. His eyes were exceptionally clear, yet they gave off a moist feeling. Every time Lu Hai talked about meeting Ming Che for the first time, he always said those eyes were particularly unforgettable, the most beautiful stroke in an ink painting.

One second, two seconds.

Wen Lin let go of his hand.

“Rest well.”

From his retreating figure, Ming Che sensed a hint of fleeing.

Did he scare him away?

Ming Che lay back in bed. His assistant had sensibly left when Wen Lin arrived, and now he was alone in the ward. With nothing else to do, he pulled the covers over himself and went to sleep.

…

Not long after Wen Lin left, his phone rang. He took it out, glanced at it, and answered.

“Hello.”

“Ah Lin, are you not coming home tonight?”

A gentle voice came from the phone. It was Wen Lin’s mother.

“I have something to do tonight. I’ll be back late.”

“Okay, have you eaten?”

“I have. Don’t worry, you should rest early.”

Although Wen Lin could see that the woman was trying to mend their relationship, the word “mother” didn’t have much meaning for him. He would respect her, but he couldn’t act like a normal family.

Wen Lin hung up the phone and saw Ming Che’s assistant sitting in the hall.

“Take good care of him. I’m leaving.”

“Okay, take care.” The assistant watched Wen Lin’s departing figure and finally breathed a sigh of relief. This person came as regularly as clocking in for work, leaving him with nothing to do.

By the time Wen Lin got home, it was already late. As he was about to enter his room, someone called out to him.

“Is there something you need?”

“I made some calming flower tea. It’s good for sleep. Would you like some?”

“No need.”

After being rejected, the man showed a disappointed expression, nodding reluctantly.

“Okay, I won’t disturb your rest.”

Wen Lin showed no reaction, closing the door after entering. He hadn’t dreamed in a long time, but perhaps because he had been seeing Ming Che more often lately, he dreamed of past scenes again.

Unlike reality, this time he didn’t push Ming Che away. Ming Che kissed him on the lips, gently caressing his cheek, smiling and talking to him. Then, intimate kisses landed on his forehead, the corners of his eyes, the tip of his nose, his chin, and finally his neck.

He moved down, lightly biting his collarbone, then looked up at him.

“Is it okay?”

Too… too fast.

But Wen Lin was completely captivated, his voice hoarse as he spoke.

“Mm.”

“I really like you.”

Ming Che held him, whispering softly.

“I also…”

He woke up.

There was nothing in front of him. Wen Lin covered his eyes with his hand, the difference between the dream and reality leaving him momentarily disoriented.

…

Today, the crew had a day off. Ming Che’s hospital bed was surrounded by many people, and the nutritional supplements were almost piled into a small mountain. Ming Che smiled and greeted each of them.

Once everyone left, he finally had some time to himself, leaning back in bed, drinking the nutritional supplements they brought, and watching TV.

“Ming Ge, do you think your friend will come today?”

The assistant tidied up the boxes, making the room look neater.

“I don’t know.”

“Then ask him. If he’s coming, I won’t go buy food. The food he brought last night was much better than the nearby restaurants.”

“How can I ask him? I don’t have his contact information.”

The assistant was puzzled, “Is he really your friend?”

“Ask him when he comes.”

The assistant complained with a bitter face, “How would I dare?”

Knock knock—

There was a knock on the door, and the assistant’s eyes lit up. He quickly said.

“I’ll get the door, I’ll get the door!”

“Hello.”

The person outside had already opened the door.

“Is this Ming Che’s ward?”

“Who are you…?” Seeing an unfamiliar face, the assistant blocked his way.

“I’m Ah Lin Gege’s friend. He’s busy today, so I’m here on his behalf.”

The assistant looked wary, “Ah Lin Gege? Who’s that?”

The assistant didn’t know, but Ming Che, lying in bed, reacted. There was only one person who would call Wen Lin that.

“Let him in.”

Hearing Ming Che’s words, the assistant stepped aside.

This person was the other main character. His presence here meant he had already met Wen Lin.

“Hello, I’m Song Le Ran.”

The man looked gentle and sunny, his white shirt perfectly complementing his temperament, with not a single detail out of place.

“Hello.”

“This is a nutritious meal prepared by the family chef. I brought it over.”

Song Le Ran placed the meal box on the table beside him. The assistant set up the table on the bed, silently doing his work.

“You seem to be seriously injured. This line of work must be tough.” Song Le Ran’s words carried a hint of being out of touch with reality, looking down at Ming Che from above.