June 6th

When Xia Songbai woke up, he stared blankly at the IV drip bag hanging above his head for a while.

He rarely fell ill, mostly because he couldn't afford the luxury of being incapacitated, so he had to be careful even with his own frailty. However, the original owner’s body was not in great shape to begin with. Between the heavy rain and the physical exertion of riding a horse yesterday, he had actually been running a fever since the morning. The fact that he managed to hold on until the end of the event before collapsing was already quite an achievement.

The transparent liquid fell drop by drop, slowly flowing through the infusion tube into his veins. Xia Songbai blinked in boredom, but when he turned his head, he was startled.

He was not the only one in the private ward.

In a single chair in the corner of the room, Shen Tingzong was sitting quietly.

The night outside the window was soft and ambiguous, with neon lights flickering, dimming the moonlight. There was no air conditioning in the room; only half the window was open, letting in a gentle, warm breeze. Mixed with the moonlight, it made everything feel like a dream.

Xia Songbai thought he was seeing things and stared at Shen Tingzong in a daze.

Having just woken up, Xia Songbai’s face still held a fresh, tender flush. He was naturally fair-skinned, and this touch of red made him look even more vivid. His thick-rimmed black glasses were still perched on his ears, though they had slid askew while he slept, covering most of his small, palm-sized face.

Beneath his slightly disheveled hair were eyes reddened by high fever, looking as if he had been bullied and was on the verge of tears, yet he remained dazed, filled with the stupor of someone just waking from a nap.

Shen Tingzong noticed his gaze almost immediately and looked up. Xia Songbai was a beat slow, his eyes locking with Shen Tingzong's. When their gazes met, Xia Songbai instinctively lowered his head, then realized it was inappropriate and lifted it again, offering Shen Tingzong a timid smile.

"Hello. May I ask who you are...?"

They had never met, so Xia Songbai had to pretend he didn't know who Shen Tingzong was.

A lock of hair stood up on the crown of his head, bobbing with his movements like a rabbit's ear. His ears were also red; his small, pearl-like earlobes showed the color of pomegranate seeds beneath the thin skin, as if they, too, held a sweet, fresh scent.

"I am A-Zhao's second uncle, Shen Tingzong."

Shen Tingzong’s voice was unexpectedly gentle and pleasant, even soothing. It was completely different from the cold tone Xia Songbai had heard before he fainted.

Strange. Could it be that he had hit his head when he fell and misheard?

Xia Songbai feigned ignorance obediently: "Second Uncle."

Shen Tingzong didn't respond. Xia Songbai seemed to realize he had addressed him incorrectly and quickly corrected himself: "I'm sorry, I meant Mr. Shen... and I haven't thanked you yet. You bet on me to win during the horse race and even gave me all the winnings."

His voice was soft, spilling from a throat parched by the fever, carrying a delicate hoarseness. It sounded nervous, and the final words trailed off, sounding timid.

Shen Tingzong only said, "Your riding was excellent. It was what you deserved."

Most horse gamblers wouldn't credit a jockey for their win, preferring to attribute it to their own luck.

Xia Songbai smiled, revealing a set of snow-white teeth, including a tiny, sharp canine tooth on the left side.

"Then I must thank you even more for having such a discerning eye for talent."

Shen Tingzong suddenly stood up and walked over to him. From this angle, Xia Songbai could truly feel just how tall he was. Even with his own height of around 1.8 meters, he felt a sense of oppression in front of him.

Especially after Shen Tingzong had removed his suit jacket, his impeccably tailored shirt wrapped around his broad shoulders and narrow waist, leaving nothing to the imagination. The restrained muscle lines were fluid and elegant, not appearing savage, but rather making him look like a walking mannequin, with every movement seemingly an advertisement for the garment.

It was a pity that there was no brand in this world that could afford to hire him as a model.

Xia Songbai saw out of the corner of his eye that Shen Tingzong's shadow had covered his fingers. His fingertips curled instinctively. Watching Shen Tingzong lean down and get closer, Xia Songbai was just about to pull away when Shen Tingzong’s hand had already rested on his forehead to check his temperature.

His fingers were still cool. Pressed against his skin, it felt strangely comforting, like walking into an air-conditioned room after spending a long time under the summer sun.

It felt like a cold compress; it was actually quite comfortable.

Although he quite enjoyed the touch, Xia Songbai still put on a show of being startled, freezing in place.

Shen Tingzong withdrew his hand naturally: "The fever should be gone."

Xia Songbai pursed his lips—just now, when Shen Tingzong pulled his hand back, his cuff had accidentally brushed against the corner of his mouth.

The expensive fabric was starched to be extremely crisp, the texture heavier than the wind.

His gaze couldn't help but fall on Shen Tingzong's hands. He could see the wrist bone protruding from beneath the cuff, his knuckles distinct, and the pale blue veins on the back of his hand slightly bulging as he applied force.

That hand then pressed the call button on the head of the bed. Shen Tingzong asked Xia Songbai: "Would you like some water?"

Xia Songbai quickly said: "I shouldn't trouble you..."

Shen Tingzong had already fetched him a glass of water.

Xia Songbai had no choice but to take it, murmuring, "Thank you."

As Xia Songbai held the cup like a little squirrel and drank obediently, his eyes swept around, noticing that the Montblanc fountain pen gift box he had bought was sitting on the bedside table.

He wondered if it had broken when he fell. If it was broken, it should be under warranty, right?

"There were some things at home, so A-Zhao went to handle them. He said he would be back as soon as possible."

Shen Tingzong spoke suddenly, and Xia Songbai’s heart raced.

Being in the same room with the "Big Boss" put him under so much psychological pressure!

Xia Songbai nodded: "Oh, okay."

Then he didn't know what else to say.

The atmosphere was a bit awkward. Xia Songbai really didn't dare to strike up a conversation with Shen Tingzong. Fortunately, the young nurse arrived in time, pulled out the needle, and reminded him to press the spot.

Xia Songbai did as told. Seeing him so obedient, the nurse smiled and asked: "Isn't your boyfriend here? When you were brought in, he was so worried, running around after you."

Who?

Xia Songbai paused, realizing the nurse was talking about Shen Zhao, and quickly said: "He’s not my boyfriend!"

In the original work, the Big Boss doted on Shen Zhao immensely.

What if he found out he was lusting after his nephew and got angry?

After saying this, Xia Songbai looked at Shen Tingzong eagerly, hoping he would see the sincerity in his eyes.

Whether Shen Tingzong received his sincerity or didn't hear him, he didn't speak.

The nurse looked a bit awkward, glancing at Xia Songbai and then at Shen Tingzong. She stuck out her tongue and said: "I misunderstood. I thought this was your uncle... Your husband is so good to you, carrying you all the way up and staying here to watch over you."

Xia Songbai: ...

Xia Songbai felt as though the sky were collapsing.

What uncle, what husband!

A wealthy tycoon and villainous Big Boss like Shen Tingzong—even if the original author really wanted to arrange a partner for him, it couldn't possibly be someone like him.

After all, he looked like a flimsy, vase-like cannon fodder, useless except for his face. He had no sparkling personality, no superior family background, and even his talents were mediocre.

Didn't even someone as low-tier as Lian Sheng look down on him?

Xia Songbai almost wanted to kneel before the nurse. With his soul feeling as if it were leaving his body, he said calmly: "He is not my husband either."

Having guessed wrong twice, the nurse felt quite embarrassed. After apologizing, she took her medicine tray and hurried away.

Xia Songbai cheered himself up internally and gathered the courage to say to Shen Tingzong: "Mr. Shen... I’m sorry."

Shen Tingzong showed no sign of anger: "Why are you apologizing to me?"

"I caused you to be misunderstood."

"It's not a matter of importance." Shen Tingzong poured him another glass of water: "Your fever just broke, drink more water."

Xia Songbai actually really needed to use the restroom, but he was too embarrassed to refuse, so he took it again and sipped it in small mouthfuls.

From Shen Tingzong's perspective, he could see him with his eyes lowered, long lashes covering his dark pupils. The tip of his tongue flickered between his lips, like the most delicate part of a rose, revealing a faint, lonely color.

He spent a long time drinking the cup of water. Just as he had only suffered a minor injury, the door was pushed open again, and Shen Zhao finally arrived.

As soon as Shen Zhao entered the room, he went straight to Xia Songbai: "How are you? Is the fever gone?"

Xia Songbai immediately put the cup aside naturally and smiled: "It’s gone."

"That’s good." Fearing Xia Songbai would misunderstand why he wasn't there, Shen Zhao explained: "My cousin came from abroad to find me. I picked her up and rushed back immediately."

He then thanked Shen Tingzong: "Second Uncle, thank you for taking care of Xia for me."

Actually, this "thank you" was a bit inappropriate, as if Xia Songbai were already his.

Shen Tingzong said faintly: "Take Mr. Xia back later. Remember to explain things clearly if you run into Lian Sheng."

With one sentence, he brought Shen Zhao back to reality.

Shen Zhao looked like a frost-bitten leaf, drooping his head as he murmured an "oh."

Xia Songbai asked in a low voice: "Why would A-Sheng be at my house?"

"After bringing you to the hospital, Second Uncle asked me to call Lian Sheng, but he said he was busy and couldn't come. He'll wait for you at the Xia house tonight." Shen Zhao whispered, trying to undermine his romantic rival: "Is your fiancé really that busy? I heard he just idles around at the company every day..."

"A-Zhao."

Shen Zhao shut his mouth and admitted his mistake honestly: "Second Uncle, I was wrong."

Shen Tingzong wouldn't discipline his nephew in front of an outsider. He stood up and said: "I'm heading back now."

Shen Zhao said: "Nianhuan is at home; she said she brought you a gift."

"I see." Shen Tingzong looked at Xia Songbai again: "The wind is strong at night. Remember to give Mr. Xia an extra coat when you go back, so he doesn't catch another cold."

Xia Songbai didn't expect Shen Tingzong to care about him. He nodded immediately and waved at him obediently: "Thank you, Mr. Shen. Goodbye, Mr. Shen."

After Shen Tingzong left, Xia Songbai asked Shen Zhao: "Why did you leave your second uncle behind?"

Shen Zhao said: "You were sick, so you shouldn't be alone. Second Uncle said he didn't have anything urgent to do, so he stayed."

Xia Songbai jumped off the bed, and Shen Zhao quickly steadied him: "Don't run around, where are you going?"

"To the restroom." Xia Songbai asked: "Are you coming too?"

Shen Zhao didn't know what he was thinking, but his face turned a bit red: "I'll walk you to the door of the restroom."

He was so considerate that Xia Songbai didn't refuse. After returning from the restroom, the nurse had already brought the prescribed medicine, and he was cleared for discharge.

Xia Songbai handed the gift bag from the bedside to Shen Zhao: "I haven't thanked you for staying with me today."

Shen Zhao said in surprise: "Is this for me?"

Was he receiving the same treatment as Lian Sheng, getting a gift personally bought by Xiao Xia?

Xia Songbai’s eyes curved into a smile, and he puffed out his cheeks, sounding a bit unhappy: "I wanted to give it to you at the entrance of the mall, but then I fainted. I’m glad it wasn't lost. Did you pick it up for me?"

Shen Zhao had no memory of it. He was busy unwrapping the gift and said casually: "It was probably picked up by one of Second Uncle's subordinates. What a beautiful fountain pen! How did you know I’ve been practicing my calligraphy lately?"

Of course he didn't know.

It was just that among gifts, a fountain pen was classy, not too expensive, and not too ambiguous.

Thinking about how he had spent over a hundred thousand on a pen, Xia Songbai felt a moment of heartbreak, but he comforted himself that this was also an investment.

Shen Zhao looked at the fountain pen affectionately, then carefully placed it back in the box: "Don't worry, I will definitely practice until I have beautiful handwriting."

This was the first gift Xiao Xia had ever given him; he would treasure it well.

Actually, with his background, what kind of gifts hadn't he seen?

Even if Xia Songbai was only trying to win him over, seeing him so genuinely happy made him unable to help but smile.

When the two of them took the elevator down and got into the car, Xia Songbai asked: "Is your cousin a foreigner?"

"Like me, she's mixed-race."

"Mixed-race people are all beautiful."

Shen Zhao said: "You're beautiful too."

Xia Songbai laughed again, that little canine tooth on the left pressing against his lip. With red lips and white teeth, he looked as beautiful as a blooming flower.

In fact, Shen Zhao felt that Xia Songbai had a very contradictory quality—when he smiled, he was incredibly sweet, but when he wasn't, there was a coldness between his brows.

Especially at the horse race, when he was the first to cross the finish line and stood up on the horse—in that moment, it was really hard to associate him with a soft, fragile flower. Instead, something hard and gorgeous, like jade or an iceberg, was a more accurate description.

Xia Songbai blinked, his fingertips touching his cheek: "Why are you staring at me? Is there something on my face?"

Shen Zhao cleared his throat, feeling thirsty and hot: "It's nothing."

He was just suddenly very curious about what Xia Songbai looked like when he was in front of Lian Sheng.