Chapter 13 Growing Closer

Chapter 13: Closeness

Fu Nanyu had no choice but to call two bodyguards to help Fu Ting upstairs.

Lu Jingtang's blood aversion was quite severe; the hair at her nape was damp with cold sweat, and she felt too dizzy to open her eyes. She patted Fu Nanyu’s hand to signal that she was fine. "Big brother, I'll be okay after resting in my room for a while. You should hurry and take second brother to the hospital."

She fought through the dizziness to stand up, but as soon as she rose, the lingering smell of blood in the room made her feel even more lightheaded. Fu Nanyu sighed in exasperation.

Fu Nanyu took her arm and hoisted her up. "Hold on tight, I'll carry you on my back."

His voice, clear and cool, came from above her. Lu Jingtang, still dazed, found herself being carried on his back.

Fu Nanyu’s back was broad and warm. Exhausted and unwell, she drifted into a deep sleep, comforted by the warmth.

Lu Jingtang slowly woke up upon hearing the voices of Fu Nanyu and Fu Ting talking outside. She gazed blankly at the IV drip on the stand for a moment.

She pushed back the covers and got up, reaching to remove the IV needle. She let out a hiss of pain as she did so.

Hearing the noise, Fu Nanyu and Fu Ting pushed the door open and entered.

Noticing some blood backflow in her IV tube, Fu Nanyu worried she might faint again. He quickly pressed her hand still and said, "Don't look."

Skillfully, he removed the needle without causing her any pain and said in a low voice, "You woke up and didn't call for anyone?"

Fu Ting, standing nearby, deliberately laughed and teased, "You sure can sleep—like a piglet. You were even snoring."

"What! I definitely… don't…" Lu Jingtang’s face flushed red with embarrassment. Okay, maybe she did snore when she was overly tired.

"It wasn't just me who heard. Big brother, the nurse who gave you the injection, and the doctor all heard it too." Fu Ting piled on and turned to Fu Nanyu. "Right, Big brother? You heard it too."

Snoring was no big deal—it was normal when someone was extremely tired. But seeing how embarrassed she was, almost wanting to hide under the covers, Fu Nanyu shot him a warning look. "Fu Ting."

After leaving the hospital, the three of them found a restaurant for breakfast.

They went to a Chinese restaurant. Lu Jingtang grabbed the menu, her eyes lighting up. "I want stir-fried rice noodles with three toppings and fried sugar cakes!"

Fu Ting chimed in, "I also want pan-fried dumplings, beef noodles, and red oil buns!"

The waiter quickly noted down their orders, but Fu Nanyu took the menu back matter-of-factly. "You've just recovered and shouldn't eat anything too greasy. None of these."

The two of them immediately gave him resentful looks. Fu Nanyu looked back at them and asked, "Any objections?"

Lu Jingtang and Fu Ting simultaneously shook their heads, too intimidated to protest. Fu Nanyu was at the top of the Fu family’s food chain.

The waiter, who had been holding back laughter the entire time, thought the two men and one woman in the private room looked like they were straight out of a movie, given their striking appearances and demeanors.

Although denied the chance to indulge in rich food, Lu Jingtang was quietly pleased. The fact that Fu Nanyu was looking after her just like he did Fu Ting proved that he truly saw her as a younger sister.

When the three returned home, they were greeted by Fu Xiaqing and his wife, who had been waiting in the living room. Ye Xixi checked over their second son’s injury and, knowing that injuries were unavoidable in his line of work, didn’t say much.

After a few words, she let the three go back to rest and get some sleep.

Watching Lu Jingtang’s retreating figure, Ye Xixi said quietly to her husband, "Xiaqing, I thought Youyou’s blood aversion was already cured? Why has it flared up again?"

Fu Xiaqing shook his head, indicating he didn’t know. "In a while, I’ll ask Dr. Qi to come over and examine her."

Hearing that Fu Ting had returned, Grandpa Fu asked Fu Xiaqing, his wife, Fu Nanyu, and the others to come to He Manor for a meal.

When Grandma Fu heard they had arrived, she came out of the kitchen still wearing her apron.

"Grandma, I’m back." Fu Ting, his eyes red, rushed forward to hug the older woman.

Grandma Fu also had tears in her eyes and repeatedly patted his hand. "I’ve heard from Commissioner Chen. Well done, my boy—you didn’t bring shame to the Fu family!"

"Grandma cooked all your favorite dishes today herself."

Ye Xixi handed her bag to a servant. "Mom, let me help you."

Grandma Fu declined, "No need, no need. Yunyin is helping me in the kitchen. You should rest."

The female lead was here too!?

Lu Jingtang sneakily glanced at Fu Nanyu’s expression, but the man beside her seemed to notice and turned to look at her, his expression completely unchanged. "What are you looking at?"

Lu Jingtang wanted to ask, "Your wife is here, and you have no reaction?" She hadn’t expected the male lead to be so reserved.

Lu Jingtang followed Ye Xixi into the kitchen to help. As soon as she entered, she saw Ji Yunyin. She was wearing a white cashmere dress, her long hair tied up with a few strands framing her face—a true beauty.

Ji Yunyin smiled slightly. "Auntie, Miss Lu."

Ye Xixi nodded without saying much. As a guest invited by Grandpa Fu, it wasn’t her place to comment.

Ji Yunyin was quite skilled in the kitchen, unlike Lu Jingtang, who was only tasked with washing vegetables. When the lid was lifted, the aroma made Lu Jingtang’s mouth water.

Lu Jingtang inhaled the delicious scent and couldn’t help but praise the female lead. "You’re amazing!"

Ji Yunyin replied, "…Thank you."

Ji Yunyin found it strange. Given Lu Jingtang’s character, shouldn’t she be trying to lure her away and secretly pour half a jar of salt into her dish to frame her?

Lu Jingtang couldn’t cook either. After helping wash the vegetables, she offered to cut the potatoes. Grandma Fu, remembering she had heard about Lu Jingtang’s recent blood aversion, worried she might cut herself and quickly told her to put the knife down.

Like a typical parent coaxing a child, she cut half a tomato and handed it to Lu Jingtang, telling her to go play outside.

Lu Jingtang was both amused and frustrated but didn’t want to cause trouble. She left, nibbling on the tomato.

She wandered to the pond, where several colorful koi fish were swimming. Seeing her approach, they swam over to where she stood.

A few even surfaced, making bubbles. She leaned on the railing and watched for a while but soon grew bored. She hadn’t brought her phone, and He Manor’s yard was too large—it was too far to go back for it.

She had been watching the fish, but as she leaned there, she yawned and eventually dozed off.

Dinner was ready, and Grandma Fu called everyone to the table. Not seeing Lu Jingtang, Ye Xixi asked, "Nanyu, where’s Youyou?"

A servant nearby said, "I saw Miss Lu heading toward the pond earlier. She hasn’t returned yet."

Fu Nanyu quietly stood up. "I’ll go get her. You all start without us."

Ji Yunyin watched him leave, unable to stop herself from clenching her hands. Though she had repeatedly warned herself not to fall for this man, she still couldn’t control herself…

In his eyes, the Fu family would always come first. Even if Lu Jingtang screwed up countless times, he would still protect her, wouldn’t he? Why, Ji Yunyin, after living two lifetimes, couldn’t you admit this?