Shang Xinglu was on the ambulance, wrapped in a blanket, shivering uncontrollably.

Lin Heng, as a family member, was accompanying her on the ride.

Shang Xinglu hadn’t bumped or fallen, and only a few seconds after she fell into the water, two strong caretakers from behind quickly pulled her out, each grabbing one of her arms.

The first caretaker said, “Miss Shang, you were really quick thinking. If you hadn’t taken off your jacket fast enough, the water would have made you heavier, and it might have been harder to pull you up.”

This penguin exhibit had an average temperature of less than ten degrees Celsius, and the water was even colder. The perceived temperature felt like it was below freezing.

Shang Xinglu had been in the water for just two seconds, but it felt like she had been frozen for twenty minutes.

Soaked to the bone, she was trembling on the shore, her teeth chattering, and she said, “Th-That… that’s… can’t you see who I am…”

The first caretaker said, “Miss Shang, I’ll have someone bring you a blanket, and I’ll help you sit in a warmer place. Don’t say anything now; I saw how much you were shaking, you could’ve sung a whole song just from one word.”

Shang Xinglu: “…………”

Her lips were still quivering, and she glanced at the silly-looking Adelie penguin that seemed to resemble a meme.

…Wait until I come back next time. I’ll make sure to teach you a lesson!

I’ll be back with my Rocket Team!!!

It was summer, so Shang Xinglu warmed up quickly once she was outside.

However, with a leg in a cast and being the boss, the employees took extra care of her. They immediately called an ambulance, and soon she was on her way to the hospital for a check-up.

Along the way, the ever-valuable Lin Heng kept her company.

Lin Heng was quiet when he entered the penguin exhibit, and he remained just as quiet when he left.

It was as if even the sound of his “Hah” had been a mere illusion.

The paramedics in the ambulance asked, “Miss Shang, how did you end up in the water?”

It was a hot day, and reports of someone falling into water and getting frostbite were rare.

Shang Xinglu: “……”

Please don’t ask me that.

The car fell silent.

At that moment, Lin Heng spoke up on her behalf: “She went to pet the penguins and was chased into the water by one of them.”

The paramedics: “…………”

After a long pause, they replied, “That’s quite a… unique reason.”

Shang Xinglu: “………………”

No, please don’t talk to me, thank you!

However, she had something to ask Lin Heng.

Shang Xinglu clutched the blanket, “When I fell into the water, did you laugh at me?”

Lin Heng answered without hesitation.

“No.”

Shang Xinglu: “I definitely saw it!”

Even though the ambulance was bouncing like a rollercoaster, with a bed in the back along with a few people and emergency equipment, the space was tight, Lin Heng still sat calmly in his seat, exuding an aura of serenity and grace.

This man, who seemed perfect for a dignified sitting posture, still answered without guilt: “No.”

“I really saw it!!! I absolutely saw it!!!”

Now was the time to settle the score. Laughing at me will cost you!

Lin Heng: “The process of you falling into the water was really quick. During that time, there’s no way you could have seen if I was laughing or not. So, I wasn’t.”

So, now you admit it after I caught you red-handed, huh?!

Shang Xinglu was furious.

She said, “Hmph, I see through you. A simple little… Ahem, your allergy to fluff, how could you take me to see penguins and let me pet them? This must be part of your scheme!”

Lin Heng calmly responded, “Do you always misinterpret other people’s good intentions like this?”

Shang Xinglu, a logical genius, “Then admit you laughed just now, and I’ll believe this wasn’t your plot.”

The usually mature and wise Lin Heng suddenly went eerily quiet.

Shang Xinglu mentally waved her little red victory flag!

Then, Lin Heng awkwardly said, “Then you admit that it was Shen Wang who called you yesterday.”

Shang Xinglu: “……”

How does he know that?!

I thought I covered it up well.

…Can I even have a little secret?

“What did you two talk about yesterday?” Lin Heng asked again.

Though he asked two questions in a row, Lin Heng was still quite restrained.

Because he wanted to ask: “What was so important that you needed to consult Shen Wang? Why not ask me?”

But alas, Lin Heng was the reserved type, and after asking the second question, he stopped.

Heaven didn’t even give him a chance to hear the answer.

The ambulance had arrived at the hospital, and Shang Xinglu was about to undergo her follow-up check-ups and treatments.

The whole ordeal took up the entire afternoon.

The cold from the water might have caused it, and when she quickly moved to the hot outdoor air, the extreme temperature difference hit her hard.

She was fine on the way, but by the afternoon, a high fever hit, and Shang Xinglu was admitted to the hospital.

Shang Xinglu was feverish and delirious, feeling hot one moment and cold the next.

In and out of consciousness, she looked at her hand and saw an IV drip, her muddled brain thinking she was back in her research days.

She thought to herself, “This needle… I can’t just take it for nothing! I need proof for my sick leave!”

She pulled out her phone, snapped a picture of her hand with the needle, and quickly posted it to her social media: “This is what happens when you pet penguins. [Crying][Crying][Crying][Poor][Poor][Poor]”

She tossed her phone, and the heat came back. Shang Xinglu went back to sleep, drifting in and out of a haze.

When she finally woke up, she felt much better.

The needle was pulled out, but the needle tip was still in her hand, and the nurse had sealed it with a date, like some kind of seal.

She looked at her foot. The plaster was off…

Wow, the plaster’s off! That’s great!

Shang Xinglu was still somewhat groggy.

She turned her head to the left.

She saw someone.

But her eyes were too blurry to make out who it was.

She turned her head to the right.

…She saw someone again.

Still couldn’t see clearly.

She tried to sit up, but quickly someone helped her raise the bed, and someone else placed a pillow behind her.

Shang Xinglu, half-conscious, noticed.

There was someone in the lower left corner.

There was someone in the lower right corner, too!!!

Shang Xinglu: !

She felt like she had suddenly woken up like Tang Seng, surrounded by monsters and demons, all staring at her, saying, “Master, you’ve finally woken up?”

“Louise, you finally woke up, I was so worried about you.”

A female voice.

Then her right hand was gently held.

It wasn’t Marilyn’s voice.

…It wasn’t Marilyn’s voice.

Who could it be?! Who could it be?!?!

Shang Xinglu was startled awake.

Her eyelids wouldn’t flutter anymore.

She quickly opened her eyes wide, staring intensely, like two stone lions at the entrance.

She rubbed her eyes, not noticing the needle in her hand, and suddenly, a hand grabbed the hand where the needle had been.

And from her right side, someone spoke. He said: “How come such a grown person doesn’t know to be careful?”

It was a male voice.

Not Lin Heng’s voice, nor Shang Xingyu’s.

…Not Lin Heng’s or Shang Xingyu’s voice.

Who could it be?!

Shang Xinglu was completely confused.

She looked left and right. On the left was Yin Yao, and on the right was Shen Wang.

One had a gentle smile, mixed with concern.

The other had a grumpy expression, with concern hidden beneath it.

Shang Xinglu: “…………”

No, you two…

Did you grab the wrong hand…?

Why aren’t you holding each other’s hands?!!!

I may be the conductor, but I don’t conduct the electricity between you two!!!

At this moment, Shang Xinglu saw Shang Xingyu in the lower left corner.

Shang Xingyu said, “Sister, you really…”

“Shut up.”

Shang Xingyu: “…”

Weak, helpless, pitiful.

In the lower right corner was Xiao Zai.

Shang Xinglu didn’t have time to speak with him; she had been shocked enough for one wake-up.

Shang Xinglu gave a polite smile, though it was a little stiff.

“…So, how come you all are here?”

“I saw your post on WeChat, I was really worried about you,” said Yin Yao.

“I saw your post on WeChat, and I came by to visit you,” said Shen Wang.

The foolish little brother parroting: “What a coincidence, I also saw your post and came over…”

“Shut up!”

Shang Xingyu: “…”

Weak, helpless, pitiful, wanting to cry…

Shang Xinglu’s two hands were each held by Yin Yao and Shen Wang.

She stiffly asked Xiao Zai, “Then, um… this little buddy here, are you also here to visit me?”

Xiao Zai smiled back.

He was already handsome, and with that smile, he looked even more charming, almost endearing.

Xiao Zai said, “I just came along with Shang Xingyu to visit you… to see my older sister.”

Shang Xinglu: “…”

In the state of having a chicken in one hand, a duck in the other, and two chubby kids at her feet, Shang Xinglu finally realized the truth from Xiao Zai’s answer.

Although she had worked hard, going from an unnamed supporting character to being able to speak with the main characters of the original work, and even managing to befriend the female protagonist, this… concern and warmth…

The hand-holding…

Shang Xinglu got goosebumps.

She certainly couldn’t be this popular.

So Shang Xinglu had an epiphany.

Shen Wang and Yin Yao, just like Xiao Zai and Shang Xingyu, who were pretending to be well-behaved, must have come to laugh at her!!!

Just like yesterday, Lin Heng, as aloof as he was, even he smiled!

Shang Xinglu was very displeased.

So what if I flailed while petting penguins? I don’t need these people with ill intentions to laugh at me!

She was thinking of ways to make Marilyn clear the room and send everyone away quickly.

At that moment, the door to her single room opened.

Lin Heng himself appeared at the door, holding a thermos, and walked into the room.

Lin Heng naturally turned his head to see if Shang Xinglu was awake, but his smooth movement froze as he turned his head.

“…?”

Shang Xinglu looked at him eagerly.

Honey, hurry and clear the room!

Lin Heng looked at Shang Xinglu, then at the others in the room. He blinked and quickly stepped back, closing the door behind him.

He looked up at the room number.

502, yep, that’s right.

Then he asked Marilyn, who was waiting outside, “Is this the right room?”

Marilyn nodded, “Yes, this is the room.”

A few seconds later, Lin Heng pushed the door open and came back in.

…And once again, he froze in place as he turned to look at Lou Shanglu.

Lin Heng: “…………”

He had just gone to freshen up and change, taking a short nap in between.

What exactly happened during that time?