Chapter 14 Falling Ill

Chapter 14: Illness

When Fu Nanyu found her, she was squatting by the pond, poking a jade-like finger at a turtle's shell. Alas, the shell was too hard to elicit any reaction.

She glanced at the half-eaten tomato in her hand and offered it to the turtle. However, the turtle, disliking sourness and caught off guard by the sudden large obstruction, angrily blew a bubble, turned away as if rolling its eyes, and swam off.

"Time to eat," Fu Nanyu approached, his voice soft, yet Lu Jingtang still flinched.

He paused mid-step. Such a timid little thing; how did he always manage to startle her?

Lu Jingtang patted away imaginary dust from her knees and tried to stand. But having squatted too long, her legs gave way, and she nearly fell. Fortunately, Fu Nanyu caught her elbow and pulled her up. "Be careful."

Lu Jingtang smiled. "Thank you, Dage."

The two walked to the dining room together, where everyone else was already seated.

Lu Jingtang murmured an apology.

Fu Nanyu walked straight to his seat beside Fu Ting, ignoring his brother’s exaggerated winks and gestures. With a calm expression, he ladled a bowl of soup for Fu Ting, ostensibly out of concern for his younger brother, while firmly pressing his dress shoe onto his brother's foot under the table. "Grandma made this specially. Drink more."

Fu Ting’s face turned red. "Thank you, Dage."

Lu Jingtang, chopsticks in hand, was puzzled. Was Second Brother so moved he was about to cry?

Ji Yunyin had been specifically invited by Grandpa Fu, his sole purpose being to play matchmaker between her and his grandson.

As for why Grandpa Fu was so eager for his grandson to marry Ji Yunyin—it was truly like something out of a soap opera. Years ago, Ji Yunyin’s mother had saved Grandpa Fu from being hit by a car. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries, but her dying wish was for Grandpa Fu to look after Ji Yunyin.

Grandpa Fu was grateful but no fool. After some investigation, he discovered that Ji Yunyin’s mother had been diagnosed with leukemia a month before the accident. Her desperate act of saving a stranger was simply to secure a protector for her daughter.

One could only say: a parent's love for their child leads them to plan far ahead.

Grandma Fu, a very kind elder, worried that Ji Yunyin might feel uncomfortable, and made a point to have her sit beside her. "Yunyin, make yourself at home. Look at you—you’ve lost so much weight."

In her past life, Ji Yunyin had been most grateful to these two elders. Her eyes stung as she nodded, and she inadvertently glanced at the person across from her.

She noticed Fu Nanyu whispering to the person beside him, yet his gaze kept drifting to Lu Jingtang opposite. He even reached out to move a dish closer to Lu Jingtang—a dish she had repeatedly tried to reach but was too far away. Lu Jingtang, across the table, seemed unaware, still focused on eating with her head down.

Seeing his unusually tender expression, Ji Yunyin felt a pang in her heart. She remembered that in her past life, Fu Nanyu never truly accepted Lu Jingtang in the end.

After lunch, Ji Yunyin excused herself early, citing work. Grandpa Fu asked Fu Nanyu to see her out, which he did, though with distant politeness.

Grandma Fu noticed Lu Jingtang yawning repeatedly and asked kindly if she was tired and wanted to nap. The family planned to stay at He Manor overnight, so rooms were already prepared.

Lu Jingtang felt a bit embarrassed, but Ye Xixi also smiled and said, "Youyou, go rest for a while."

Lu Jingtang gave up pretending and, truly exhausted, let a servant lead her to her room.

He Manor was designed like a classical garden, with many rooms. Even when unoccupied, each room was tended by hired incense attendants who kept a light fragrance burning.

As soon as she entered the room, she noticed a subtle scent. She slipped under the covers and, soothed by the warm fragrance, quickly fell into a deep sleep.

She didn’t know how long she had slept when she was vaguely awakened by a knocking sound. As she stirred, she realized she was burning up, the sheets damp with sweat.

The servant had knocked for a while but, hearing no response, hesitated to enter.

Just then, Fu Nanyu emerged from his study after finishing work. "What’s wrong?"

The servant explained, "Madam asked me to wake the young lady, but she hasn’t responded after many knocks."

Fu Nanyu knocked lightly on the door. "Lu Jingtang, time to wake up."

Lu Jingtang’s mind was foggy. She felt like a furnace, too hot to even open her eyes. Struggling to get up, she misstepped and fell out of bed, her knee hitting the wooden floor with a loud thud.

Fu Nanyu waited a moment but heard no movement. At the sound of the fall, his expression darkened, and without hesitation, he pushed the door open.

Lu Jingtang lay on the floor. Fu Nanyu picked her up and, without needing a thermometer, could tell she had a high fever.

He tucked her back into bed and turned to the servant. "Call Dr. Chen."

Turning back to the bed, he saw her flushed face half-buried in the pillow, mumbling incoherently.

Fu Nanyu asked for a glass of warm water and held a straw to her lips. "Take a sip," he said softly.

The feverish girl turned her head away stubbornly, but Fu Nanyu cupped her face and gently turned it back. "Drinking water will help."

She reluctantly took two sips, frowned, and muttered discontentedly, "Tastes bad."

Fu Nanyu couldn’t help but chuckle. He didn't mind the fuss, instead asking the servant to bring water with a little honey.

Lu Jingtang stared blankly at Fu Nanyu, as if deep in thought. "Brother," she whispered, but said nothing more.

Fu Nanyu tilted his head. "Hmm?"

"Brother," she called again, unsure why she was doing so.

Perhaps she was afraid of being left alone again.

Maybe because she was sick, Fu Nanyu was unusually indulgent. He simply tucked the blankets around her and said, "I'm right here. Sleep now."