Chapter 36 Untitled

"Are you still feeling unwell?"

Cheng He sat side-by-side with Wen Jianan, his brow furrowed with unconcealed concern as he carefully examined the allergic reactions on her skin.

Wei Ming had already left; Wen Jianan had sent him away. She knew he had ulterior motives, and she was grateful that Cheng He was a man of reason who hadn't jumped to any misunderstandings. Wen Jianan didn't truly care whether Cheng He misunderstood or not; she simply felt that since they were currently in a partnership, they needed to maintain a certain level of professional integrity.

She shook her head. "I'm much better."

"Jianan, I’ll say it again: next time something like this happens, you should call me the moment it occurs." Cheng He’s expression was stern, with a hint of lingering displeasure.

Wen Jianan didn't quite understand. "It was a sudden accident; I didn't anticipate it myself."

Cheng He took a deep breath. He felt that Wen Jianan was truly too guarded in this regard. It was as if she had locked her heart away, refusing to let anyone approach or probe.

"I know, but I am your boyfriend now. As a boyfriend, I just need my girlfriend to think of me first when she encounters trouble." He spoke each word with great sincerity. "I don't find it troublesome, nor will I ever feel that way. You can rely on me."

"Alright, I will next time."

Wen Jianan really didn't know what else to say. Cheng He’s words hadn't stirred much emotion in her. A few simple sentences were hardly enough to touch her heart. Perhaps it was because she had never lacked love from her parents growing up, or perhaps it was because she had long since ceased to have high expectations for romantic relationships.

Wen Jianan took out her compact mirror to check her face. Although she had received an injection and taken medication, some red spots remained. Worried about frightening Cheng Zifeng, she decided not to go upstairs to see him at that moment.

Cheng He did not insist. "The nanny is looking after him upstairs. I’ll take you home; it’s my responsibility as your boyfriend, and I wouldn't be at ease otherwise."

Wen Jianan did not refuse again.

When they returned to the Yazhiyuan apartment, it was nearly ten o'clock, and Chen Ling and the others had already returned. Seeing Wen Jianan, they all rushed over with concern. After responding to each of them, Wen Jianan went back to her room to rest. Too much had happened over the past two days, and having barely slept the night before, she felt mentally exhausted and soon drifted into a deep sleep.

She slept soundly through the night.

The next day, Wen Jianan woke up early. Before long, the others began to wake as well. There were no rigid tasks for the day, so the group gathered at the living room office desk at eleven o'clock. By then, Wen Jianan had already briefly reviewed the earlier work. Since she was fully responsible for the project, she could not afford to be careless, even while battling a cold and allergies.

After everyone had gathered, Wen Jianan held a short half-hour meeting, instructing Li Ruoruo to coordinate with the two colleagues from the production department and the team in Miancheng to continue working on the tasks at hand. Meanwhile, Wen Jianan, Chen Ling, and Xiao Jiang continued to refine the subsequent ad placements and the online and offline activities.

Wen Jianan was overwhelmed with work.

It wasn't until Sunday that she finally had time to rest. By then, the allergic symptoms had faded, and the red spots on her face and neck had disappeared. She bought some snacks suitable for children and went to the hospital to visit Cheng Zifeng.

In just one week, Cheng Zifeng’s complexion had become remarkably pale. The young, tender flower bud seemed to be withering rapidly, as if an accelerated timer had been pressed. Only when he saw Wen Jianan, whom he had been longing for, did he become truly animated, brightening the gloomy atmosphere of the hospital room.

Cheng He was there as well.

Wen Jianan smiled and handed the snacks to him. "I wasn't sure if there were any dietary restrictions for Xiaofeng, so could you take a look?"

Cheng He checked them perfunctorily. "No, it's all fine to eat." As he spoke, he handed a bag of organic dried fruit to Cheng Zifeng. "Did you say thank you to your auntie?"

"Thank you, Auntie!" Cheng Zifeng’s voice was bright, and his star-like eyes shimmered with endless innocence.

This tugged at Wen Jianan’s heart. She didn't know if Cheng Zifeng was aware of his own condition and couldn't help but sigh inwardly, though she had to put on a brave face. She reached out and ruffled Cheng Zifeng’s hair. "Have you been a good boy lately, Xiaofeng?"

Cheng Zifeng took a small bite of the dried fruit and chewed thoughtfully. Hearing Wen Jianan’s question, he paused to reply, "I have. Auntie, I will be very good. If I'm good, will you come to see me often?" He looked at her with expectation.

Wen Jianan couldn't bring herself to refuse. "I will come to see Xiaofeng often, but Auntie is a bit busy lately. I'll come whenever I have time, okay?"

"Okay!" Cheng Zifeng beamed, and it seemed as though the whole world was filled with vitality.

Wen Jianan masked her heartache, stayed with him for a while, and then went outside to talk to Cheng He. She asked him, "Does Xiaofeng know about the situation?"

Cheng He sighed. "I haven't told him, but I don't know if he has guessed anything on his own. Xiaofeng has always been sensitive. He has already withdrawn from school, and we are waiting to discuss the next treatment plan with the doctors."

"Then let's not say anything. It's better not to break that paper window; keeping a little hope in his heart is a good thing."

Cheng He nodded, agreeing with her sentiment. He suddenly thought of something and sought Wen Jianan’s opinion: "I would like to tell Xiaofeng that we are dating. Do you agree?"

Wen Jianan pursed her lips and thought for a moment before agreeing. She understood Cheng He’s intentions; such a thing didn't affect her much, but if it could bring hope to Xiaofeng, it had a different significance.

"Thank you." Cheng He was both happy and relieved, looking as if he wanted to pick Wen Jianan up and spin her around.

They went back in together and shared the news with Cheng Zifeng. As one might expect, Cheng Zifeng was overjoyed.

"Really?!"

"Really."

Upon receiving confirmation, a remarkably bright radiance bloomed on his face. His eyes crinkled into crescents, and he looked radiant with excitement. "That's great! That's wonderful! Dad, Auntie Jianan, I'm so happy!"

Wen Jianan kept sighing inwardly. "I'm very happy too. Xiaofeng, you must get better soon."

"I will!"

Wen Jianan felt that she had made the right decision. She left shortly after. This time, she didn't promise exactly when she would return, only agreeing to come whenever she was free. Cheng Zifeng took out his "Little Genius" smartwatch and added Wen Jianan as a contact.

As they left the ward, Cheng He offered to drive Wen Jianan back, but she refused.

"Stay here and keep Xiaofeng company."

Without giving him a chance to say more, Wen Jianan turned and left.

On Monday, they had an appointment with Kunteng to conduct an exclusive interview with Liang Yuxiu at the shooting base, which was to be included in the commercial.

Liang Yuxiu had initially disagreed with this interview video. Wen Jianan and her team had negotiated with Kunteng for a long time and communicated with Liang Yuxiu many times before he finally agreed, though the reason remained unclear.

However, Liang Yuxiu had a meeting on Monday morning, so the time was set for the afternoon.

In the afternoon, Wen Jianan and her team arrived at the shooting base on time, just as Liang Yuxiu arrived as well.

"Shall we begin?" he asked, looking at Wen Jianan.

Wen Jianan looked stunned. "But you haven't had your styling done yet."

Although they all admitted that Liang Yuxiu’s appearance was enough to outshine many popular young actors, was he really going to be this casual? He was, after all, representing the brand’s image.