Chapter 101: What Kind of Therapy Is This?

They stood by the window, a breeze gently sweeping aside Nan Zhiyi’s bangs, revealing a small patch of her forehead.

“Qin Xuan?” Nan Zhiyi tilted her head to look at Qin Xuan, who was lost in thought beside her. “Do you like me?”

Qin Xuan was momentarily taken aback, then reached out to tidy the hair behind Nan Zhiyi’s ear. “I do.”

“Do you like me as much as you like Xi Jie?” Leaning on Qin Xuan’s shoulder, Nan Zhiyi asked softly.

“Yeah, just the same!” Qin Xuan wrapped his arm around her shoulders in reply.

“Tut, tut, tut. How come you say these things so fluently now?” Nan Zhiyi teased, hearing his answer.

Seeing Qin Xuan remain silent, Nan Zhiyi squeezed his hand firmly.

“Hey? Ruoxi and the others are back,” Qin Xuan said, spotting Liu Ruoxi and Qin Lin’er arm in arm downstairs. He took out his phone, snapped a photo, and sent it to Liu Ruoxi.

Soon, Liu Ruoxi looked up, glancing around until her eyes landed on Qin Xuan and Nan Zhiyi by the window. She waved at them, then pulled Qin Lin’er to run over.

Before long, Liu Ruoxi pushed open the door and looked at the two by the window with curiosity.

“What are you two sneaking around for?”

“What else could sneaky be for? You know!” Nan Zhiyi took Qin Xuan’s hand and waved it playfully.

Liu Ruoxi rolled her eyes at her cheeky grin. “Shameless!”

“Wow, there are so many books here?” Qin Lin’er stared curiously at the bookshelf.

“Yeah, come find me if you want to read sometime,” Nan Zhiyi said, pulling a key from her pocket to show off.

...

After a full day of classes—the most tedious of the week—they had a brief time to play in the library before heading to their next class.

An elderly man standing at the library entrance across the street smiled warmly as he watched Nan Zhiyi’s figure.

Old Yao, your granddaughter has finally found a boyfriend...

All afternoon, Liu Ruoxi and Qin Lin’er sat together whispering about something, leaving Qin Xuan unusually left out.

It wasn’t until school ended that Liu Ruoxi linked arms with Qin Xuan again.

“What were you doing at noon?” Qin Xuan couldn’t help but ask Liu Ruoxi as they bought milk tea by the roadside, sipping as they walked.

“A secret. You’ll find out tonight!” Liu Ruoxi’s eyes flickered nervously, avoiding his gaze as she spoke mysteriously.

“Alright then,” Qin Xuan sighed and accepted the chicken legs handed over by the vendor.

They leisurely returned home, where Qin Xuan noticed an empty delivery box on the table. Just as he reached to inspect it, Liu Ruoxi snatched it away.

“Not allowed to look!” she said, hiding it behind her back and looking at Qin Xuan.

Qin Xuan was speechless—he was just curious.

Unbeknownst to him, Qin Lin’er was giggling quietly behind her hand. While Qin Xuan felt a bit annoyed that the things he had just bought were taken by Xi Jie, he didn’t mind this trade much.

Seeing this, Qin Xuan headed to the kitchen to prepare some food, quickly whipping up a couple of simple dishes. The four ate dinner together casually.

On the sofa afterward, Liu Ruoxi obediently nestled in Qin Xuan’s arms watching videos, while the other two had already vanished back to their rooms.

“Going to sleep?” Qin Xuan raised an eyebrow at Liu Ruoxi.

“You!” She blushed despite understanding his meaning and pinched his waist lightly. “You’re the one who’s corrupted me!”

“Ouch...” Qin Xuan rubbed the sore spot. “Weren’t you already bad? Why blame me?”

“Shut up! You promised to show me something good tonight, but now... forget it!” Liu Ruoxi huffed and stood up, walking back to her room.

“Something good?!” Qin Xuan’s spirits perked up as he followed her retreating silhouette.

He had no idea how radiant her smile was just moments before.

Qin Xuan locked the door behind him after returning to his room. Liu Ruoxi, seeing this, put on a cold expression.

“What are you doing?”

“Hehe, come on, show me the good stuff!” Qin Xuan stepped forward, pulling her into his arms and whispering in her ear.

“Hmph, turn off the lights!” Liu Ruoxi didn’t struggle, her body feeling weak as she spoke.

Qin Xuan hurried to flick the switch, plunging the room into darkness.

...

The next morning, his internal clock woke him early. He looked down at Liu Ruoxi, sound asleep in his arms, and thought of last night’s events—so thrilling!

Gently, he slipped out of her embrace, got dressed, and left the room.

As soon as he stepped out, Liu Ruoxi opened her eyes, feeling a pang of jealousy. Damn it! So sour!

It turned out Liu Ruoxi had caught a slight cold—probably from the chill the night before. The weather was erratic, swinging between hot and cold, perfect conditions for a cold to take hold.

Since she hated taking medicine, Qin Xuan went downstairs to buy some powdered medicine.

“I told you to watch the temperature. Now look at you!” Qin Xuan said as he stirred the medicine in a cup, watching Liu Ruoxi blow her nose repeatedly.

“Look who’s talking! It’s your fault for not stopping!” Liu Ruoxi grumbled, pulling tissue to wipe her nose.

Nan Zhiyi: What fault?

Qin Lin’er, sitting nearby, was fully aware of the situation. She hadn’t slept well the night before—she simply couldn’t help herself...

She tested the water’s temperature, then handed the cup to Liu Ruoxi. Fortunately, it didn’t taste bad; otherwise, Liu Ruoxi definitely wouldn’t have drunk it.

“Take a day off,” Qin Xuan suggested when he saw her constant runny nose.

“No need, no need. I’ll be fine soon,” Liu Ruoxi said helplessly, blocking Qin Xuan’s attempt to get her phone. She wasn’t that fragile.

“Come on, it’s okay,” Liu Ruoxi stood up and pulled Qin Xuan along.

What Liu Ruoxi didn’t expect was that her cold would linger until Saturday. That night, she lay miserably on the bed. It was the longest she had ever been sick; before, her colds never lasted more than two days.

“I told you to go to the hospital but you refused! If you’re not better tomorrow, you have to go,” Qin Xuan said, entering with a cup of medicine and looking at her pained expression with concern.

“Alright...” Liu Ruoxi nodded reluctantly. She really didn’t want to go—the hospital smell of disinfectant made her sick.

She pursed her lips, finding the medicine quite palatable...

Lying in Qin Xuan’s arms, Liu Ruoxi toyed with his hand and looked up at him with wide, watery eyes.

“Qin Xuan~”

Seeing this, Qin Xuan couldn’t help but say, “Are you crazy? You’re still sick!”

“Maybe then I’ll get better?” Liu Ruoxi bit her lip.

Qin Xuan: What kind of therapy is that?

“Oh, I’ll do it!” Liu Ruoxi switched off the light and took Qin Xuan’s hand.

Meanwhile, hearing the commotion, Qin Lin’er felt a little awkward. Xi Jie was still sick! Why did she have to come to me?

Listening a moment longer, Qin Lin’er curled up under the blanket, squinting her eyes, feeling somewhat unsettled.

Half an hour later, Qin Xuan wiped sweat off her forehead with a towel.

“Seems... to be working,” Liu Ruoxi said, surprised as her stuffy nose cleared somewhat.

Qin Xuan paused mid-motion. “You’re probably seriously ill! We’re going to the hospital tomorrow!”

“Oh no, no,” Liu Ruoxi grabbed his hand and shook her head frantically. “Try again! Maybe the cold will just go away!”

“? You’re seriously off,” Qin Xuan muttered.

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