Chapter 75: You Big Creep (Part 1)

Chapter 75: You Big Creep (Part 1)

Shen Zhixue was carried straight back to the hotel room by Jiang Huizhou.

Although he had known that since last night Jiang Huizhou was not disabled—his legs were stronger and more agile than anyone's, something Shen Zhixue had personally experienced—being carried so openly by Jiang Huizhou still made him feel a bit uneasy.

The hotel corridor was deserted. It seemed Jiang Huizhou had already cleared out the area, showing no concern about his disability act being exposed.

Shen Zhixue gripped Jiang Huizhou's clothes tightly, took a deep breath, before saying, "You deliberately let those reporters in, didn't you?"

Jiang Huizhou paused for a moment, just a brief half-second, then continued walking briskly with Shen Zhixue in his arms, humming a cheerful tune. "Yeah, you figured it out."

"Not at first, but after you carried me so far without a care about strangers showing up, it shows this hotel is already under your control. Those reporters were able to come in because you allowed it." Shen Zhixue settled into a comfortable spot in Jiang Huizhou's arms, adopting the attitude of a resigned fish that, unable to fight life, just lies back and enjoys it. "Why did you do this?"

"First," Jiang Huizhou gently placed Shen Zhixue on the bed, carefully turned around, applied ointment to the corner of his lips, and then hummed a tune while searching through a pile of ointments for the next one to use. "I didn't mean to make things difficult for you. I just didn't expect you to open the door and take birth control pills behind my back, Zhi Zhi."

Shen Zhixue sat on the bed, his face pale and swollen, with a few flushed patches on his cheeks. He glanced out the window and said, "I just didn't want to make things complicated. Neither you nor I need to bear another big responsibility."

Jiang Huizhou raised an eyebrow. Having a child now wasn't exactly a smart move, especially since he had heard that taking those pills could harm the body.

"Why didn't you call and ask me?" Jiang Huizhou found another ointment, tilted his head, and said, "Get undressed. I'll apply the medicine."

Shen Zhixue raised his hand and swatted away Jiang Huizhou's approaching fingers. "No need. You can leave first. I'll do it myself later."

"Nope," Jiang Huizhou smiled, leaving no room for refusal. "I'll apply the medicine. Get undressed."

Shen Zhixue hesitated but eventually obediently took off his shirt. Jiang Huizhou's fingertips, coated with cold ointment, gently and suggestively rubbed over the marks left on his body.

"Don't take any pills without asking in the future. I've booked a doctor for you later to check for any side effects." Jiang Huizhou sighed. "I went out to handle some matters this morning, and when I came back, you were gone. Last night, you were crying so miserably, as if you were about to die, but as soon as you opened your eyes, you were lively again, little rabbit."

Shen Zhixue closed his eyes and remained silent.

Jiang Huizhou chuckled softly. "It wasn't directed at you. I just saw Lu Qingyan downstairs."

"You deliberately let those reporters in to make them see Lu Qingyan?" Shen Zhixue frowned. "Why are you targeting Lu Qingyan?"

In the original story, the big villain and Lu Qingyan didn't clash so early, did they?

According to the plot, they should still be in a period of peaceful coexistence, not knowing each other yet!

Could there be some unknown plot development that caused them to confront each other ahead of time?

Jiang Huizhou seemed to find this amusing and burst into laughter, laughing to himself for a long time. Shen Zhixue couldn't take it anymore and slapped Jiang Huizhou's head. "Hey!"

"Ah, sorry. I just thought of a really funny joke." Jiang Huizhou coughed, showing no sign of displeasure at Shen Zhixue's rudeness. Instead, he took Shen Zhixue's hand and rubbed it against his lips.

Shen Zhixue: "..."

The previously laughing Jiang Huizhou suddenly changed his expression. His intense, almost tangible gloomy gaze fell on Shen Zhixue's neck, where a particularly pitiful wound, still unhealed, was visible.

"Who told him to be so ungrateful and touch what's mine?" Jiang Huizhou said softly. "I hate clueless fools the most."

Shen Zhixue was startled by his gaze, a chill creeping up his spine.

Jiang Huizhou quickly regained his composure, the gloomy expression fleeting, replaced by a gentle smile. He pinched Shen Zhixue's chin and kissed the corner of his lips. "Did I scare you? I was just joking, baby. It was an accident. It won't happen again, okay?"

Shen Zhixue turned his head away and let out a breath.

Jiang Huizhou had done it on purpose. He wanted Lu Qingyan to see Shen Zhixue, covered in his scent, like a crazed beast flaunting his mark in front of a rival.

"If you're angry," Jiang Huizhou rested his chin on his hand, suddenly smiling as he spoke, "then I'll make it up to you."

Shen Zhixue sheepishly shifted his gaze.

He thought, no way, a company with over fifty million in revenue, just given away like that.

But that compensation is really... quite tempting.

Before he could speak, Jiang Huizhou lowered his head and sent a series of messages on his device.

Soon, there was a knock at the suite's door. Jiang Huizhou walked over to open it, and Shen Zhixue saw an elderly man in a white coat walk in, carrying what looked like a medical kit. In an era where technology has completely replaced manual labor, such ancient Earth medical kits are indeed rare. Shen Zhixue curiously glanced a few more times.

"Hmm, let me introduce. This is my private doctor, who has been treating my leg for years. His medical skills are superb; you'll recover soon." Jiang Huizhou carefully buttoned Shen Zhixue's shirt up to the top.

Shen Zhixue cleared his throat: "...It's choking me."

"Sorry," Jiang Huizhou promptly unbuttoned one for Shen Zhixue, like a perfect, attentive husband.

Not long after the doctor arrived, he briefly examined Shen Zhixue, prescribed some medicine, and left, not saying a word from start to finish, like a grumpy old man.

It was just a common cold and fever. Shen Zhixue hadn't rested since he got up in the morning, which led to his collapse in the surveillance room. After taking the medicine, he indeed felt much better.

He let out a long breath, curled up under the blanket, only half of his face visible, his voice muffled: "I want to sleep."

Jiang Huizhou leaned over, touching his forehead: "Hmm, seems like the fever's gone. Should I hold you while you sleep?"

Without waiting for Shen Zhixue's agreement, he lifted the blanket and slid in.

Shen Zhixue was burning up all over, sweating profusely. Jiang Huizhou didn't mind at all, holding Shen Zhixue from behind, gently nuzzling his soft forehead hair: "Hmm, Zhi Zhi smells so good."

Shen Zhixue shifted slightly: "It's hot."

"It won't be hot," Jiang Huizhou's hand reached from behind, taking his hand: "Right?"

Shen Zhixue was stunned for a moment, then squeezed his hand in return.

Who knew there was someone whose palm was cold.

Jiang Huizhou chuckled softly, their bodies pressed close. Jiang Huizhou let out a contented sigh.

Though last night they had been even closer, at this moment, Jiang Huizhou felt a strange emotion for the first time, gently and slowly flowing through his long-dried heart.

This was a feeling he had never experienced before, and one only Shen Zhixue could evoke in him.

But it wasn't enough. Far from enough.

He wanted to lay himself bare in front of Shen Zhixue, to show him the utterly bad side of himself.

That was a side he had never shown to anyone, and also his most real, most inescapable side.

Would such a warm person be scared away by his icy demeanor?

Jiang Huizhou narrowed his eyes, slightly pulling back the hand holding Shen Zhixue, but found it didn't move. Shen Zhixue leaned in his arms, already asleep, breathing lightly. His exhaled breath felt like a feather, brushing from skin to heart.

...Such a little rabbit, too precious to scare.

Shen Zhixue was indeed very tired, and by the time he woke up again, it was already evening.

When he opened his eyes again, the room was dimly lit, with only a small table in the distance holding a lit aroma diffuser. The soft, yellow light was gentle enough not to disturb his dreams, and the scent it emitted was a heavy, sleep-inducing sandalwood fragrance.

The spot beside him was empty. Shen Zhixue reached out to touch it, only to find it cold, as if no one had ever slept there.

Shen Zhixue lowered his gaze, sat up, and after a moment, stretched lazily before stumbling out of bed in search of water.

"If you want water, it's on the nightstand."

Shen Zhixue was startled by the sudden voice. The lighting had been too dim earlier, and he hadn't noticed someone sitting on the small armchair by the balcony!

"Jiang Huizhou?" Shen Zhixue turned his head and saw a glass of water on the nightstand, the ice inside not even melted yet.

He picked up the glass and drank the ice-cold water. "How did you know about this habit of mine?"

Jiang Huizhou sighed softly. "It's not difficult for me to pick up on some small habits of the person I like."

Shen Zhixue leaned against the wall, scoffing. "Is this how Mr. Jiang expresses his affection? By constantly teasing me?"

Jiang Huizhou stood up. "You're still upset, aren't you?"

Shen Zhixue forced a smile. "Who wouldn't be upset? Mr. Jiang, I've already made it clear before that this is just a cooperative relationship. Everything you're doing now has completely crossed the boundaries of a partnership, hasn't it?"

"Crossed the boundaries of a partnership? Are you talking about last night, Zhi Zhi?" Jiang Huizhou said gently.

Shen Zhixue: "?"

Is this how someone with the surname Jiang sees it in his mind?!

"Fine, let's just call it nonsense." Seeing Shen Zhixue's incredulous expression, Jiang Huizhou calmly cut off whatever he might have said next. Then he walked over and touched Shen Zhixue's forehead. "I promised to make amends. Let's go."

Shen Zhixue's eyes instantly lit up. "Where to?"

"A small gift," Jiang Huizhou said. "You might like it... If not, no big deal. I have more. Zhi Zhi, I'll make sure you're satisfied, just like last night."

Shen Zhixue couldn't take it anymore. "Can you stop bringing up last night?!"

"No," Jiang Huizhou refused. "That was a wonderful memory for me. I want to relive it every day. Zhi Zhi is so domineering, even trying to control what I think."

Shen Zhixue: "..."

Just you wait, you creep.