Chapter 215: Chapter 215

The spacious villa was suddenly left with only Fu Bing and two little kittens. The emptiness, however, was quite pleasant.

Fu Bing took the two little ones upstairs. On the second floor, she had set up a reading nook, complete with a litter box and food for the kittens.

Amidst the heavy snow, Fu Bing picked out a book and began to read slowly.

The snow outside the window grew heavier. She felt the blanket upon her grow increasingly warm.

She turned the pages of the book one by one. By the time she reached the last page, Wu Shi’s bedroom door still hadn’t opened.

Fu Bing got up and gently knocked on Wu Shi’s door.

"Wu Shi, are you okay?"

Given Wu Shi’s personality, he wouldn’t sleep so soundly, she thought. Even the safest environment couldn’t allow someone who had endured extraordinary circumstances to sleep soundly for long.

She knocked twice, then paused to listen for any movement inside the room. There was no sound whatsoever.

Fu Bing, worried, turned the doorknob. It wasn’t locked.

Fu Bing let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

As she opened the door, a shiver ran through her from the cold. A gust of cold air blew in from an unclosed window. The room lacked any warmth.

Fu Bing closed the window and turned up the underfloor heating by two degrees. The room finally began to warm up gradually.

Fu Bing sat down by Wu Shi’s bedside. The man was frowning deeply, clearly in pain. Fu Bing reached out to feel his forehead. The next second, she snatched her hand back, scalded by the heat.

She was about to take Wu Shi’s pulse when she met his amber-colored eyes.

His eyes were the second most beautiful pair she had ever seen. The first pair belonged to Qin Jinhai. His eyes were starkly black and white—dark and pure, fierce yet free-spirited, sharp without a hint of impurity. In her entire life, she had only ever seen such soul-stirring eyes on Qin Jinhai. Wu Shi, on the other hand, embodied restraint. He was like a container that could hold anything. Once he absorbed something, everything would return to tranquility. His amber eyes rarely showed any ripples of emotion. The people around him were cruel, yet possessed an underlying warmth. She didn’t know how strong he had to be to achieve this.

Fu Bing met Wu Shi’s gaze and said softly, "You’re sick. Just lie down. I’ll take your pulse first, then bring you some food and medicine. Eat something, get some sleep, and you’ll be fine."

Wu Shi just looked at her intently without responding.

Fu Bing frowned. I need to get him his medication soon. He’s already somewhat delirious from the fever.

Wu Shi withdrew his hand, refusing to let Fu Bing take his pulse. The fever had brought a watery sheen to his eyes, making him appear much softer. He lay silently on the bed, like a pampered young master from a wealthy family.

Somehow, Fu Bing was reminded of Qin Jinhai when he had woken up in the Imperial Garden after being injured; he had looked much the same.

Wu Shi said faintly, "Fu Bing, what do you take me for?"

His words struck Fu Bing like a bucket of ice water, jolting her back to reality.

Fu Bing collected her thoughts. "I’m sorry, Wu Shi."

"Sorry for what? Sorry for intentionally or unintentionally treating me like Qin Jinhai?"

Wu Shi’s voice was soft and slightly hoarse, very unlike his usual self.

"I have always been able to tell the two of you apart."

"Really? Who were you thinking about just now?"

Fu Bing didn’t answer.

Wu Shi turned his head away. "You can go."

"I’ll get you something to eat. You should have something in your stomach before taking your medicine."

Fu Bing didn’t want to distract him while he was weak.

"You’re just going to leave like that?" Qin Jinhai said angrily. He was never one to be easily dismissed.

Fu Bing was startled by the sudden chill in his voice. She explained patiently, "I’m going downstairs to get you something to eat."

Reaching the door, she added, "I like the unreserved you. You’ve taken off the mask from your face; you can take off the one in your heart too. Wu Shi, I want to see the real you!"

With that, Fu Bing hurried downstairs.

The porridge was warm. She also brought up a few easy-to-chew side dishes with it.

Qin Jinhai stared at the ceiling. He had nearly given himself away. He was in a foul mood right now. He didn’t even want to continue the charade!

Fu Bing moved a bedside table over, placing the porridge and dishes on it. The table could span the width of the bed and be pushed to any desired position.

Fu Bing thrust the spoon into his hand. "When you’re sick, don’t be so particular. Just eat without brushing your teeth."

Qin Jinhai glared at her.

Fu Bing crossed her arms, looking down at him. Neither was willing to yield.

"I’m the doctor here, so you listen to me now!" Fu Bing’s single sentence quelled Qin Jinhai’s resistance.

My medical skills are clearly superior, he thought. But he wisely chose to remain silent and lowered his head to eat. I mustn’t reveal any more of my personal habits, or she’ll definitely guess who I am.

Fu Bing found that the sick Wu Shi was quite childish. He only drank the porridge, not touching the side dishes. After he finished eating, he obediently put down the spoon and obediently took his medicine. He could be considered an excellent patient.

Fu Bing moved the table to the window and pulled a chair over to sit by his bed.

Qin Jinhai gave her a sideways glance, holding back the urge to snap at her.

"You’re quite diligent."

"I’ve been sick before. I wanted company but was too embarrassed to ask."

He tried to hold it in, but couldn’t resist asking, "Are you with everyone?"

"Do I look like someone who isn’t selective about her friends and family?"

Qin Jinhai didn’t want to deal with her anymore. He lay down and turned his back on her.

Fu Bing sneakily opened the door and went out to get another novel.

Qin Jinhai pursed his lips. Talks a good game, but she ran off before her seat even got warm.

Just as he finished that thought, Fu Bing came back in.

Qin Jinhai rolled his eyes and closed them, not wanting to deal with her anymore.

The room remained quiet, save for the occasional rustle of turning pages.

Gradually, Qin Jinhai’s mood improved.

So what if they’re close kin? If Qin Sheng doesn’t love me, why should I care about Qin Sheng! If I get hung up on this trivial nonsense again, I’m no better than a dog!

Fu Bing, thinking Wu Shi had fallen asleep, deliberately turned the pages more quietly.

The two little kittens, finding themselves alone in the house, scampered up and down the stairs. Their soft, kittenish mews sounded exceptionally soothing.

Qin Jinhai also drifted off to sleep amidst their gentle calls.

「By evening, the villa became lively again.」

Fu Bing went downstairs and said, "Wu Shi has a fever, so let’s make something easy to eat for dinner."

"No problem," Aunt Ning agreed readily. Playing all day had been tiring, yet joyful. Back home, she was happy to busy herself for her family.

Xiaomei, Han Hu, and the others all pitched in to help.

Mu He hurried upstairs, calling over his shoulder, "I’m going to see if Brother Shi needs a change of clothes."

With that, he entered the room. Qin Jinmo was damp all over, the fake scars on his body making him very uncomfortable. Mu He locked the door behind him.

Seeing Qin Jinhai still in Wu Shi’s disguise, Mu He’s heart ached. "Why didn’t you say so earlier?"

If I had known sooner, I could have taken Fu Bing’s place and stayed with Brother Jinhai. Then Brother Jinhai wouldn’t have had to keep acting while sick. I could even have taken him to a safe place where he could just be Qin Jinhai.

Qin Jinhai, feeling irritable, began to lash out indiscriminately.

"What’s wrong? Dating now, are we? Need a spotter?"

The corner of Mu He’s mouth twitched; he knew Qin Jinhai was in a foul mood.

"How can you date looking like that? Don’t end up being jealous of yourself later."

Qin Jinhai glanced at him askew. "Mu He, are you going through a rebellious phase? My, such sharp words!"