Chapter 193 47

Chapter 193 47

Having cared for Li Shang for some time, He Lin could quickly discern his condition.

The medication took effect swiftly; his taut muscles gradually relaxed, the persistent cold sweat finally ceased, and his breathing steadied.

As Li Shang's state stabilized, He Lin slowly let down his guard.

He noticed Li Shang was drenched in sweat, as if pulled from water, and the bedsheet beneath him was completely soaked.

Sleeping like this would be uncomfortable—both his body and the bed were damp, risking a chill. He might even develop a fever by morning.

After checking on Li Shang, He Lin saw the pain relief had taken hold. His complexion was no longer as pale, his labored breathing had eased, and his overall mental state seemed stable.

Softly, He Lin asked for his opinion: "It's uncomfortable sleeping like this. How about I help you bathe and change the sheets? Then I'll make you some porridge. Just have a few sips and rest well."

"I can do it myself..." Before Li Shang could finish, He Lin interrupted him.

"Alright, got it. You're willing to bathe. Let me get things ready." With that, He Lin went to the gym room, retrieved a waterproof stool, placed it in the shower, then prepared clean clothes and fresh sheets before returning to help Li Shang, who had already sat up on the bed.

"No need, I can manage," Li Shang tried to refuse. Though he didn't mind He Lin helping, he still felt a bit awkward.

But He Lin wouldn't take no for an answer. Taking advantage of Li Shang's weakened state and lack of strength to resist, he insisted on helping him bathe. Realizing resistance was futile, Li Shang gave up and quietly began to enjoy He Lin's care.

He Lin didn't plan to wash Li Shang's hair, fearing that wet hair might still lead to a fever.

Searching around the room, he realized they didn't have any shower caps at home. Hands on hips, he turned in the bathroom and said to Li Shang, "How about I find a plastic bag to cover your hair? At this length, it'll definitely get wet if we don't protect it."

Faced with the suggestion, Li Shang hesitated. He pointed to his bag on the bedroom cabinet and said, "There's a pack of hair ties inside."

Shen Xi had always kept long hair. He maintained this look to better resemble the target during a previous mission.

Li Shang found long hair somewhat inconvenient. While undercover in Country J, he'd brought hair ties but never mastered tying it up—his hair wasn't quite long enough, so he eventually gave up. The unused ones were brought back with him.

Now, they finally came in handy.

However, while He Lin was skilled with guns and cooking, his hairstyling abilities were even worse than Li Shang's.

Li Shang bowed his head, still feeling dizzy from the medication. His slightly long bangs fell over his eyebrows, while the back of his hair was gathered in He Lin's hands. Paired with his sharp chin, it gave off a subtly androgynous charm.

He Lin fumbled with the hair for a long time, unable to tie it all up—strands kept slipping loose. Eventually, he grabbed another hair tie and made two small buns on Li Shang's head, finally securing all the unruly strands.

When he finished, He Lin deliberately walked around to face Li Shang and took a look, making a soft hissing sound.

Then he quickly left the bathroom: "Wait a sec."

Li Shang didn't think much of it, assuming He Lin was fetching something. He began slowly undressing, removing his pajama pants and unbuttoning his top.

But when He Lin returned holding a phone, Li Shang regretted it instantly.

"Don't hide. I won't take pictures of your body. You look really cute—just one shot, only one." A series of shutter clicks followed, the sound left on without being muted.

Li Shang: ...

Holding his clothes, he wondered if he should body-slam He Lin if he had the strength—but he was utterly drained.

He briefly considered biting He Lin's hand, but worried He Lin might just offer the other one instead.

In the end, Li Shang lowered his head and dismissed the chaotic thoughts.

He Lin, meanwhile, admired the photo of the beautiful man with satisfaction: "Hehe, you're super cute."

Warm water cascaded over his body, washing away the sticky cold sweat.

After all the fuss, He Lin finally finished bathing Li Shang.

While Li Shang dried off and changed into clean clothes, He Lin went to switch the bedsheets. By the time Li Shang stepped out, the bed was warm and dry, ready for him to lie down.

He Lin brought over freshly made porridge and fed him a few warm spoonfuls. With food in his stomach, Li Shang finally felt warmer, and the hollow ache in his gut faded.

Gently patting his back like soothing a child, He Lin whispered, "If you're feeling better, go to sleep. I'll stay and watch over you."

Exhausted and drowsy, Li Shang closed his eyes and murmured a response.

Having just woken from a good sleep, He Lin wasn't tired at all. As he kept watch, he pieced together the memories that had surfaced in his dream.

Looking at Li Shang's slightly pale face, slender wrists, and peaceful sleeping expression, a wave of tenderness washed over He Lin. Still worried Li Shang might develop a fever or feel unwell again, he resolved to stay awake all night.

But Li Shang slept soundly through the night, and none of He Lin's worries came true.

Well-rested, Li Shang actually had an appetite the next day. He Lin specially cooked him soft, delicious noodles topped with a whole egg.

Unlike the instant noodles mixed with dried noodles Li Shang had made the day before, today's were handmade—He Lin had gotten up early to knead and roll the dough himself.

After eating, Li Shang felt no stomach discomfort or nausea. He looked more energetic, and some color had returned to his face.

He Lin thought to himself, *Am I some kind of miracle cure? So effective it works instantly?*

Feeling better, Li Shang turned his attention back to work. Sitting in a chair, he asked He Lin about the provincial department's stance on the joint operation and follow-up arrangements.

On this topic, He Lin seized the chance to mention the provincial task force leadership's invitation for him to join.

Li Shang listened quietly, saying nothing. Before he could respond, He Lin quickly added, "I'm not informing you—I'm discussing it with you. I haven't accepted yet. I want to hear your opinion. But first, I want to say—I've never considered being apart from you, in any way."

Hearing this, Li Shang chuckled. "I haven't said anything yet. Why are you talking so much?"

After teasing him, Li Shang honestly shared that the base had also extended an offer to him.

Upon hearing this, He Lin's eyes lit up with joy: "You mean the base is also planning to assign a command role to the provincial task force, and right now, you're their top candidate?"

Li Shang sensed He Lin hadn't even considered the possibility of him taking the deputy commander position in the base's special operations detachment. He looked at him playfully: "There is such an opportunity, but I actually prefer the deputy commander role. After all, I've been at the base a long time, and my connection there has always been different. I'm also more familiar with the work."

Hearing this, He Lin slumped opposite him like a dejected puppy—disappointed but too hesitant to voice it. He could only ask listlessly, "Then did Coach Zhao mention if there are any other positions available?"

His disappointment was obvious, making Li Shang unable to resist teasing him further.

Li Shang leaned back slightly in his chair, casually crossed his long legs, and said, "Probably not. The base has been doing well these past few years. This is the only opening, and it's one Coach Zhao specifically saved for me. I can't just ignore the leader's goodwill, right?"

After speaking, he watched He Lin closely for a reaction.

He Lin did look a bit downcast but agreed with Li Shang's words. Privately, of course, he hoped to stay with him—but the deputy commander role was a rare opportunity: good pay, benefits, and perfect for Li Shang. He couldn't be selfish.

"Mm," He Lin replied, but he truly couldn't feel happy. After all, the base wasn't in Yuncheng. Even if a deputy commander got more leave than a team leader, still…

He Lin couldn't help feeling wronged. They had just reconciled—how could they be separated now?

Observing He Lin's deepening gloom, Li Shang could no longer bring himself to jest and swiftly clarified, "Truth be told, I was hesitant at first. But with you joining the team as well, my hesitation vanishes. After all, someone once boldly claimed, 'When it comes to默契, no one complements you better than I do.' I'm quite curious to see if that holds true."

The puppy's ears perked up instantly. His earlier gloom vanished, and light flooded back into his eyes. If he had a tail, it would probably be wagging wildly.

Having made the decision, He Lin contentedly pulled out a fridge magnet he had bought in J Country from his backpack, intending to give it to Li Shang.

When Li Shang took it, his expression briefly became complicated.

Thinking Li Shang didn't like it, He Lin was about to explain when Li Shang went into the bedroom and soon returned with two identical fridge magnets.

Well, what do you know—they'd bought the exact same one.

He Lin adjusted the positions of the fridge magnets.

The two new fridge magnets were placed side by side in the center of the refrigerator. Four majestic lions now stood guard over the empty fridge, like door guardians.

Li Shang looked at the fridge magnets and casually asked He Lin, "How much did you pay for this one?"

After thinking for a moment, He Lin replied, "Think it was about 'forty.' They said it was a limited edition. I thought it looked nice at the time and didn't think too much about it. Why?"

"Nothing much," Li Shang said, his expression complicated. He had originally bought a similar fridge magnet as a test gift for Ruan Cong, and the one Li Shang had bought later when he found the time. Though the design was slightly more intricate, the price...

Li Shang could only admit to himself that the two he'd bought together didn't even cost as much as He Lin's single magnet, yet the two looked almost identical when placed side by side.

Even as a fridge magnet collector, even he could slip up sometimes.

"You might have been taken for a fool by the locals," Li Shang remarked lightly before calmly heading into the room to pack his things.

Left alone, He Lin stared at the fridge magnets, eye to eye with the lions on them.