Fog Returns to the Capital

Chapter 35 I Didn't Listen to You

……

When Li Wu woke up, she was already in the bedroom.

It wasn't the guest room she usually stayed in; the strong, pleasant masculine scent almost overwhelmed her.

Li Wu unconsciously moved her body, and the sudden soreness all over her body made her hiss softly.

Only a dim floor lamp was lit in the entire bedroom.

The space beside him was empty.

Zhou Jinghuai is not here.

When Li Wu realized this, her heart, which had been trembling violently the moment she lost consciousness before falling asleep, gently settled down.

A white cell phone was placed within Li Wu's reach; it must have been brought in by Zhou Jinghuai afterward. Underneath the phone was a note with writing on it.

Call me when you wake up.

It is a very fluent and neat semi-cursive script.

Li Wu gripped the slightly stiff piece of paper tightly.

The temperature in the bedroom is comfortable.

Li Wu's petite body was buried under the soft gray quilt, her whole body was clean and fresh.

She vaguely remembered that the last time, she touched her lower abdomen, which was slightly swollen, with a hint of fear, and said it felt uncomfortable. He still carried her to the bathroom and cleaned her up briefly...

Recalling the fragmented images from last night, Li Wu's face flushed slightly. She turned her head slightly and gently buried her face in the soft gray blankets.

Call him...

Li Wu was thinking about it.

I long to hear his voice, and I miss his broad, warm embrace.

But today is the first day of the lunar month, and it's dinnertime now, so he should be having dinner with his family.

If she calls, it will definitely bother him...

Think so.

Li Wu unconsciously buried her face deeper into the blankets.

The already dim and yellowish light now fell even less on her.

Later, perhaps because she was too exhausted, Li Wu drifted off to sleep again.

The subordinate was still clutching the note tightly.

……

When Li Wu woke up again, before she had fully opened her eyes, she vaguely saw someone sitting by her bedside.

It was a figure she was very familiar with, broad and tall.

Li Wu subconsciously called out his name, "Zhou Jinghuai..."

talking.

Li Wu then tried to get up and sit up.

But as soon as she moved, she was gently pressed down.

"do not move."

A deep, calm voice rang out, and the quiet bedroom seemed no longer empty. "You have a slight fever. The doctor gave you an IV drip, and it's almost finished."

Hear the words.

Li Wu first went to see Zhou Jinghuai, but didn't see any impatience or displeasure on his gentle and noble face. Of course, he was always so indifferent and aloof, making it difficult for anyone to guess his true emotions.

After seeing the expression on his face, Li Wu went to look at the IV drip hanging to the side.

It was almost empty; the clear liquid barely covered the bottom of the bottle.

How long have I been losing?

Li Wu lay there and asked softly.

As Zhou Jinghuai watched him leave, his face, which had been flushed, had turned a cold white, even covered with a light, unnatural pallor.

His dark, deep, and emotionless gaze fell on Li Wu's face, lingered for a few seconds, and then he said indifferently, "A little over an hour."

There was a pause.

He added, "Why didn't you call me when you woke up?"

My palms felt empty.

He already knew that she had seen the note.

Zhou Jinghuai's gaze was deep and calm, even peaceful.

But Li Wu lowered her eyelashes slightly under his gaze, and her soft voice naturally softened, "...I'm afraid of disturbing you."

Hearing Li Wu's reply.

Zhou Jinghuai's gaze deepened almost imperceptibly.

It only lasts for a moment, maybe less than half a second, before returning to normal.

But Li Wu still keenly noticed it.

Perhaps she was extremely vulnerable and weak at the moment, or perhaps the person she was facing was Zhou Jinghuai, but Li Wu apologized without thinking, "I'm sorry."

The sound was very soft, as if half of it was hidden in the dripping sound.

Zhou Jinghuai was taken aback, seemingly not expecting her to apologize.

"Sorry for what?"

After a moment of silence, when Zhou Jinghuai asked the question, he probably didn't even realize that his tone contained a rare tenderness.

"I didn't listen to you."

Li Wu silently buried her face under the covers, a low, muffled voice rising from beneath the blankets, sounding somewhat aggrieved, "Did I upset you..." "..."

Zhou Jinghuai paused for a moment before saying, "It's not that bad."

As to whether her apology was unnecessary or whether she was simply not capable of stirring his emotions, Li Wu didn't dare to ask further.

just.

The bottle was empty at the bottom, and only a small portion of the IV tubing remained. Zhou Jinghuai removed the needle from Li Wu's body with a professional-looking technique, though it was unclear whether he had received prior training.

Li Wu tried to sit up.

Zhou Jinghuai pressed on the area where the needles were being removed for a while before reaching out to help her up.

Zhou Jinghuai looked down at Li Wu's pale face. "The doctor said your fever will go down after the IV drip. Is there anything else that feels uncomfortable? I'll have him come in and take a look at you."

The private doctor is still waiting outside.

Li Wu can come in immediately whenever she needs him.

Li Wu leaned gently against Zhou Jinghuai's chest, the cool and familiar scent making her feel safe and secure.

She quietly turned her head and gently pressed her cheek against his broad, warm chest, gradually absorbing his scent.

Actually, there's still a little bit of swelling and pain.

But Li Wu thought it was a normal phenomenon, so she just shook her head and said, "No."

Zhou Jinghuai gave a low hum, reached out and touched her soft cheek, his voice deep, "Tell me if you feel uncomfortable anywhere."

Then I asked her if she wanted to eat anything.

It's already 2 a.m., so Li Wu has slept for the whole afternoon and night.

It would have been better if Zhou Jinghuai hadn't asked; once he did, Li Wu realized she was indeed a little hungry.

However, considering Li Wu's health, Zhou Jinghuai only had porridge and some light dishes sent over.

after eating.

Li Wu felt sticky and uncomfortable after the fever, so she took another shower.

After all that trouble, it was almost 5 a.m.

Zhou Jinghuai also went to wash up. But when he came out, he had changed his clothes, dressed neatly and smartly, clearly looking like he was about to go out again.

Li Wu's hand, which was gripping the blanket, suddenly paused.

Zhou Jinghuai walked towards her, carrying a black velvet box. Upon approaching, he handed the box to her, saying, "A New Year's gift."

"...Didn't you give me a red envelope already?"

"That doesn't count."

After hesitating for a moment, Li Wu accepted it anyway.

It is an imperial green jadeite necklace.

Li Wu's first reaction was that the beads were so green. Clean and translucent, a vibrant, lush green. There were probably twenty or thirty of them, all the same size, and they all looked quite large.

Although Li Wu wasn't very knowledgeable about antiques, she subconsciously felt that such a rich green color must be quite expensive.

While still in a daze.

Zhou Jinghuai spoke in a low, calm voice, "I'll be very busy today and won't be able to spend much time with you."

Actually.

Grandpa Zhou asked him to stay at the Zhou residence. It was only because Li Wu hadn't called him that he made a special trip back here.

Li Wu was stunned for a moment, then looked up at him.

Then Zhou Jinghuai's calm and composed voice came down again, "In the next few days, I will have people from Jinyuan deliver meals to you, or have Aunt Wu come over to cook for you. Just tell them what you want to eat."

Li Wu tightened her grip on the blanket.

But soon.

A smile appeared on Li Wu's fair and delicate face, and she obediently replied, "Okay."

"But I can manage on my own, no need to trouble them."

Under the pale white light, Zhou Jinghuai stood there and looked at her for a few seconds, his gaze becoming deep and calm.

"Li Li."

He suddenly called her.

Li Wu responded and looked up at him. "What's wrong?"

The master bedroom was very large, and the huge room was quiet and seemed exceptionally empty.

"You can call me or send me a message."

Zhou Jinghuai's voice was deep and calm, ensuring that Li Wu could hear every word clearly, "It won't disturb me."

The words fell.

The room was quiet for a few seconds.

Li Wu's heart skipped a beat.

Because Zhou Jinghuai noticed her emotions, and even more so because of what he said at that moment.

Li Wu smiled, a smile even brighter and more genuine than before. "Okay, I understand! Then don't find me annoying."

Before leaving.

Li Wu kept staring at Zhou Jinghuai without blinking, her eyes filled with a faint, almost imperceptible hope, expectation, and longing... but there was no attempt to stop him.

I dare not have it, nor dare I say it.

Perhaps it was the light in her eyes that was too dazzling, or the intensity of her emotions as she looked at him.

Zhou Jinghuai, who was supposed to turn and leave, suddenly leaned down and kissed her eyes.

(End of this chapter)