First, then, love.

the next day.

Noon.

The sunlight outside the window was a bit too bright.

Shu Yao struggled to turn over in bed.

My muscles are sore and weak all over.

Although the cold symptoms have lessened, the fatigue from my period is still there.

Now, she finds it difficult to even lift a single finger.

My throat is still dry, and I can't make a sound.

The seat next to me was empty.

He Zheng went to the bureau early in the morning. He had taken a day off yesterday, and today he had a pile of case files waiting for him to process.

Before leaving, he placed a water glass and fever reducers on the bedside table.

They also left a note.

Remember to take your medicine. I'll bring some homemade food for lunch. Don't wander off. If you dare get out of bed, I'll break your legs.

The tone of this note was still that of an unreasonable, living devil.

Shu Yao looked at the note and tugged at the corners of her chapped lips.

I wanted to yell at him, but I found my voice was completely hoarse.

She lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

My mind is a little slow.

Sudden.

A flash of inspiration struck.

Her gaze suddenly shifted to the gray cello case in the corner of the bedroom.

The pupils suddenly dilated.

I almost forgot!

The annual performance at the Starry Sky Art Center is just around the corner!

Before that, there will be a joint rehearsal the day after tomorrow.

As a cello teacher and concertmaster, she has a very important solo performance.

But... she turned to look at the expensive cello in the corner.

Because I've been sick and in a cold war for the past few days.

That violin has been sitting in the corner for days without any maintenance.

Rosin hasn't been applied yet.

If you don't apply rosin beforehand, the bow won't produce a full tone on the strings.

For a professional performance, this is a fatal mistake.

We need to get up and get to work quickly, and practice more.

Shu Yao frowned anxiously.

She took a deep breath and tried to sit up by supporting herself on the mattress with her hands.

"Well……"

As soon as I exerted force, a sharp pain shot through my lower abdomen.

My hands felt limp and I couldn't muster any strength, so I fell back onto the pillow.

The weakness from a cold and the torment of menstrual cramps have left her in extremely poor health.

Forget about applying rosin to the cello, she doesn't even have the strength to walk to the case right now.

Anxious.

A fine layer of cold sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.

She opened her mouth, wanting to call for someone, wanting to call He Zheng back.

But my throat felt like it was blocked by a wad of cotton, and I could only make hoarse gasps.

But he didn't even have the strength to speak.

Swallowing even a single saliva feels like swallowing a razor blade.

Shu Yao's eyes stung with tears.

I'm desperate, but there's nothing I can do.

Suddenly, a series of heavy footsteps came from outside the security door.

"Click".

The fingerprint lock was unlocked.

He Zheng pushed the door open and came in.

He was wearing a black jacket, exuding the chill of the cold wind outside.

He was carrying an insulated bag with the logo of a famous private restaurant printed on it.

He changed his shoes and strode into the master bedroom.

You can see the woman struggling on the bed at a glance.

He Zheng's brows furrowed instantly.

I took two steps over and placed the insulated bag on the bedside table.

His large hand covered her forehead.

The temperature is normal, and there was no relapse.

"What's wrong? Is your stomach hurting again?" His voice was low and slightly panting from his journey back.

Shu Yao shook her head.

She stretched out a soft, limp finger and pointed to the violin case in the corner.

He opened his mouth and let out a hoarse gasp.

"The zither..."

He Zheng looked in the direction she was pointing.

"What's wrong with Qin?" he asked, not understanding.

"rosin……"

Shu Yao was so anxious that tears were almost coming out. This man was usually quite smart, so why was he like a block of wood at this crucial moment?

She used two fingers to mimic the motion of drawing a bow.

He Zheng understood this time.

She has a performance the day after tomorrow, and her piano hasn't been properly maintained.

"You're sweating buckets just because of this piece of broken wood?"

He Zheng couldn't help but scold him with a dark face.

Shu Yao glared at him with red eyes. That wasn't just a piece of broken wood; it was her livelihood, her life.

Seeing her pitiful and sickly appearance, He Zheng's anger instantly deflated like a balloon punctured by a needle.

"Alright, stop glaring."

He sighed and ruffled her hair with his rough, large hand.

"Drink your porridge first, I'll take care of the zither."

Shu Yao was stunned for a moment.

He did it?

This bandit who can cut potato shreds into French fries, does he know how to apply rosin to a cello?

Her eyes were full of distrust.

"What, afraid I'll break your precious treasure?"

He Zheng saw through her thoughts and snorted coldly.

"I can dismantle the red and blue wires for targeted demolition, so why can't I handle a musical instrument?"

He unscrewed the thermos and poured the well-cooked scallop and shrimp porridge into a bowl.

I took a small spoon, scooped up a spoonful, and blew on it to cool it down.

Feed it directly to her mouth.

"Open your mouth," the tone left no room for argument.

Shu Yao was indeed hungry; her stomach was completely empty.

She obediently opened her mouth and, with his help, drank the entire bowl of porridge.

The warm porridge warmed my stomach.

The effects of cold medicine, combined with the fatigue of menstruation, once again overwhelmed my brain.

Shu Yao's eyelids began to droop.

He Zheng took a tissue and wiped her mouth, then tucked her back into bed, making sure the blanket was tucked in tightly.

"Go to sleep, and when you wake up, I'll give you a violin that can still be played."

"..."

It can still be played?

Shu Yao was worried, but she still sighed, obediently closed her eyes, and within two minutes, her breathing became even and long, and she fell asleep completely.

Seeing that she was fast asleep, He Zheng put away the empty bowl.

I stood up and walked to the corner.

He had seen this violin case countless times, but had never touched it.

This thing is too precious; if it's even slightly bumped, this little troublemaker will fight him to the death.

He bent down and grasped the handles of the violin case with both hands.

Lift it hard.

It's quite heavy.

He Zheng carried the violin case and walked out of the master bedroom quietly.

I closed the door tightly to keep the noise outside from disturbing her.