Groups of students were heading to the sports field in clusters. Chang Xiaozhen walked gloomily with a few other girls. She’d wanted to go visit Su Wan and use the chance to skip class, but Mr. Huang quickly noticed her intentions and nipped them in the bud with a warning.

None of them noticed a tall figure heading toward the infirmary.

When Shen Tingyan arrived at the infirmary, the doctors were leisurely chatting. A female doctor perked up when she saw him, her eyes lighting up as she asked, “Are you here for a checkup? Come on in!”

He glanced at the lesson plan book sitting on the table.

“Mr. Huang sent me to pick up his lesson plan,” he said, pointing at the book.

The doctor sighed in disappointment and handed it to him. They went back to their seats, ready to resume their conversation.

“Is that student feeling any better?”

“The poor girl has a weak constitution. She’s still feverish; she’ll probably need a few days to recover.”

Shen Tingyan paused, his narrow eyes turning toward the ward.

Suddenly, he looked back at the doctors and, with a calm expression, lied, “Mr. Huang also asked me to check on her.”

“Oh, really?”

“Go ahead, go ahead!”

They pointed him toward the ward, reminding him to be quiet when he went in. He nodded slightly and walked to the door.

Through the small glass window, he could see the figure lying quietly in bed, eyes closed.

After a moment’s hesitation, he slowly opened the door.

The blanket covered her tightly, black hair scattered on the pillow. Her face was flushed unnaturally, showing that her fever hadn’t completely subsided, and her brows were slightly furrowed.

Shen Tingyan stood by her bedside, expressionlessly watching her.

Her usually rosy lips were now a bit dry and pale, and it was clear that even in sleep, she wasn’t resting well.

Her lips moved slightly, mumbling something in a low voice that he couldn’t quite make out at first.

Listening closely, he finally heard.

“Shen… Tingyan… don’t…”

She mumbled some unclear phrases, but from her worried expression, it seemed she was concerned about him.

When he realized what she was saying, Shen Tingyan’s expression suddenly froze.

…

Su Wan woke up in the afternoon, feeling a little better as her fever had subsided somewhat. Still groggy from sleep, she yawned as she sat up.

In her dream, she’d watched Shen Tingyan throw away all the food she’d given him—meat and vegetables, all untouched. Watching the wastefulness had pained her, and she kept calling his name in the dream.

“Shen Tingyan, Shen Tingyan, don’t throw it away! That’s such a waste, don’t you know how hard farmers work?”

Remembering the dream, Su Wan couldn’t help but roll her eyes at herself.

What a strange dream…

“Your high fever’s down, but you still have a mild fever. You can either go home or stay on an IV for a few days,” the school nurse said, shaking the thermometer. “Take your medicine, keep warm, and try to rest for a couple of days.”

Su Wan nodded politely. “I understand. Thank you.”

The nurse paused, surprised.

This kid didn’t seem as arrogant or rude as the rumors suggested.

With her medicine in hand, Su Wan went home in the driver’s car. Feeling fatigued from the fever, she knew from experience that a few hours under a warm blanket would help. She ate a little with her medicine and told the housekeeper not to prepare her dinner.

Just then, her parents, busy overseas, finally remembered to call her with a quick check-in.

Her parents seemed indifferent to her cold, exchanging a few simple words before quickly hanging up.

Su Wan let out a sigh of relief.

She’d thought she’d have to put on a show of filial affection, but it turned out to be much easier to handle than she’d expected.