Chapter 46: Feverish Moments

Lin Zheng Ran quickly steadied Han Wenwen.

Han Wenwen leaned against his chest, murmuring, “I can barely stand—what’s going on? My legs feel so heavy.” Her voice was soft as she added, “And Lin Zheng Ran, you smell really good.”

Noticing her flushed cheeks, Lin Zheng Ran touched her forehead and felt it was burning hot.

“Are you running a fever?”

Han Wenwen closed her eyes and stubbornly shook her head. “I’m not feverish. I was fine all day; I just suddenly feel tired.”

Lin Zheng Ran carried her to the bed, tucked her under the covers, and found her lying there looking unusually docile. Her fox-like eyes stared at him intently, as if her nonexistent fox ears were drooping in exhaustion.

Lin Zheng Ran asked, “Where’s your room key? I’ll run downstairs to buy a thermometer and fever medicine. If it’s really bad, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

With her long hair spread across the pillow, Han Wenwen looked stunningly beautiful in her quiet state. “It’s not that serious. The key’s on me…”

She reached under the covers but couldn’t find it after fumbling around.

Losing patience, Lin Zheng Ran said, “Where is it? I’ll get it myself.”

“In my skirt.”

“Your skirt? What do you mean?” Han Wenwen pulled back the covers and fished the key from her short skirt’s pocket, handing it to him. “See? Right in the skirt.”

Lin Zheng Ran, who’d lived so many years, was learning something new—skirts actually have pockets?

You learn something every day.

He’d never realized that before.

Taking the key, he tucked the covers around her, then headed for the door. But Han Wenwen opened her mouth as if to say something and stopped.

Lin Zheng Ran turned back, as if sensing it. “Something else?”

Han Wenwen shifted her head slightly, like a shake, her voice barely a whisper. “Come back soon.”

“Got it. Just wait.”

He went to the downstairs pharmacy and bought fever medicine, cold remedies, a thermometer, and some fruit. With summer heat like this, fevers were tough to shake.

Carrying the items back to the rental house.

Opening the door, he saw Han Wenwen curled up like a ball under the covers. Lin Zheng Ran closed the door and asked curiously, “What are you doing?”

“Nothing, just waiting for you,” she said, her fox-like eyes narrowed and her tone weak.

“I mean, why are you all balled up like that?” Lin Zheng Ran warmed a pot of water, sat by the bed, and prepared the medicine in a cup.

Right now, Han Wenwen had none of her usual flirtatious vibe; she reminded him a bit of Heqing—speaking in a frail, delicate way, though not exactly the same.

She wasn’t as shy as Heqing; her eyes stayed fixed on Lin Zheng Ran, watching his every move.

It took her a moment to answer. “Oh, I’m a bit cold, so curling up keeps me warmer.”

Lin Zheng Ran slipped the thermometer under her arm, and Han Wenwen flinched at the coolness. “Lin Zheng Ran, you’re mean—this thing’s so cold; you’re picking on me.”

Ignoring the fox’s comment, he asked if she’d eaten lunch.

Han Wenwen nodded.

“Are you sure?” he pressed.

Han Wenwen looked at him. “Sure about what?”

“I mean, did you eat lunch?”

Han Wenwen frowned and thought for a moment. “Forgot. I guess I didn’t.”

Lin Zheng Ran was speechless—these young girls never seemed serious. Good thing he knew better with patients; you had to double-check, or the meds could upset their stomach for a day.

“I’ll help you sit up and eat something first, or you can’t take the medicine.”

Han Wenwen didn’t want to get up and buried her head in the pillow, but she seemed to understand her condition and slowly pushed herself up.

She shivered with a chill.

Seeing she wasn’t steady, Lin Zheng Ran let her lean against him and pulled the covers up.

He unwrapped a piece of bread, peeled a banana, and handed it to her. Han Wenwen leaned on his arm, eating slowly.

A ding sounded in the room, like a phone notification.

“A message came in—where’s my phone?” she asked, glancing around.

Lin Zheng Ran picked up her phone from beside the pillow—it had a pink case—and checked the messages.

They were all from online contacts, and there were a lot.

Some asked if her makeup tutorials were ready and how much they cost.

Others questioned when she’d finish their mobile game boosting orders—it was taking too long.

And someone cursed her custom fanfiction as garbage and demanded a refund.

These messages kept popping up. Lin Zheng Ran glanced at the timestamps and saw she’d been replying until 3 or 4 a.m. last night—not just last night, but the one before and the one before that.

“You’ve got quite the side hustle going on—doing everything under the sun,” Lin Zheng Ran said to Han Wenwen. “And how many days has it been since you really slept?”

Han Wenwen chewed her banana, her pretty fox-like eyes blank. “I’ve been sleeping; I just reply to messages when they come, so I don’t get as much rest.”

“Didn’t I tell you I’d come teach you how to make money in a week? Why push yourself this hard?”

Han Wenwen sighed wearily. “I’ve been doing side gigs for ages. I’ve tried every way to earn, but money’s not easy, so…”

She tossed the banana peel in the trash and stared at him blankly. “I figure even if you teach me, it won’t be much different. Besides, I don’t want to owe you so many favors—you’ve helped me a lot already.”

Lin Zheng Ran set her phone aside. Han Wenwen reached for it, but he didn’t let her have it.

He said, “Do you think I’m helping out of pure kindness? I expect payment, so don’t worry about owing me. And you’re underestimating me. Just because you can’t make it work doesn’t mean you won’t with my help.”

Han Wenwen pursed her lips, then puffed out her cheeks like she was annoyed. “Underestimating me? Is Lin Zheng Ran really that amazing? We’re the same age, and I don’t believe you’re earning way more than me.”

“Actions speak louder than words. I’m not arguing now—just take your medicine first.”

Lin Zheng Ran was about to hand her the cup, but saw her getting more dazed, so he held it himself to feed her.

“Let me help you with that.”

Han Wenwen pulled her hand back from the cup, her face flushing—whether from the fever or something else.

After drinking, Han Wenwen wrinkled her nose and grumbled, “So bitter,” then flopped back on the bed, breathing heavily from exhaustion.

Lin Zheng Ran checked the thermometer and saw it read nearly 39 degrees.

He was surprised—how had it gotten so high?

He shook the mercury thermometer and put it back under her arm.

He thought that if the fever medicine didn’t bring it down soon, he’d have to take her to the hospital.

Luckily, it worked faster than expected.

Her temperature dropped to just over 38 degrees.

As she drifted off to sleep, Lin Zheng Ran stood to go buy dinner, but Han Wenwen suddenly grabbed his shirt hem.

Opening her eyes with a pitiful look, she said, “Where are you going? Are you heading home and leaving me here alone?”

Lin Zheng Ran turned back curiously. “Why aren’t you asleep? I’m just going downstairs for dinner—I’ll be quick.”

Han Wenwen didn’t let go and looked at him with grievance. “I don’t believe you. Mom used to say the same, but she never came back after she left. I know I’m a hassle to you all, but at least I’m sick today—can’t you stay a bit longer?”

Lin Zheng Ran met her gaze and gently placed her hand back under the covers. “Who said you’re a hassle? Heqing definitely doesn’t think so—she’s always seen you as her best friend. I’ll get your food. If the fever worsens, I won’t leave tonight.”

Han Wenwen’s fox-like eyes stared at him doubtfully. “Really?”

“Really. I never thought you were a hassle.” As they locked eyes, Lin Zheng Ran tucked her in and added, “At most, you’re a bit annoying sometimes, but I still see you as a friend.”

Han Wenwen smiled faintly and closed her eyes, seeming at peace.

“Lin Zheng Ran, do you know why I’ve been trying to set you up with Heqing?”

Her voice slowed, as if she were falling asleep. “Because if you two are together, I can finally relax. She’s my only friend from childhood. I’ve broken up so many couples before, so I don’t want to do it again—even if you’re my destined one… I still want you two together.”

Lin Zheng Ran asked, puzzled, “Destined one?”

Han Wenwen opened one eye and grinned. “Oops, said too much. Not telling you what I just said.”