Chapter 176: Chapter 176

Hua Xiaomo looked at him and smiled faintly. "President Qi, if you’re feeling unwell, I can go find a nurse for you."

"Can’t you stop being so formal?" Qi Longbing suddenly said, sighing inwardly. When would she finally stop calling him President Qi? He had told her before, but she just didn’t seem to remember. Maybe she just didn’t care!

"Hmm? What? I don’t quite understand what you mean, President Qi," Hua Xiaomo said, forcing a smile. With that, she placed the fruit basket on the floor near the wall.

"Forget it. I think you’re just pretending to be oblivious. Actually, your clever little head understands everything perfectly well, don’t you?" Qi Longbing said, his eyes shining brightly as he stared at her.

Hua Xiaomo’s gaze flickered away. Avoiding his eyes, she looked at the fruit basket instead and deliberately changed the subject. "How about I peel some fruit for you?"

"Hmm. So you do know how to care for me. It seems I haven’t doted on you for nothing," Qi Longbing said, the light in his eyes softening.

Hua Xiaomo didn’t say anything more. To be honest, after spending some time with him, she didn’t think he was all that bad. It’s just that she’d never considered having any romantic feelings for him. Yes, a relationship between them was impossible. The person she liked was Brother Long.

When the contract expired, she would leave this place, leave him, and bravely pursue her own happiness. So, to her, he was just a fleeting passerby. A passerby. Right, Qi Longbing was merely a passerby in her life. From then on, there would be no more contact between them.

After coming to terms with these thoughts, Hua Xiaomo’s mood brightened considerably.

Perhaps she should have always maintained this mindset. But why, at times, when she saw the focused look in his eyes, did she find herself slightly distracted? Why? What exactly was the reason? Did she pity him? Pity him... for being destined to lose her...?

"The apple is already peeled. What are you thinking about so intently?" Qi Longbing couldn’t help but remind her, genuinely afraid she’d accidentally cut her hand.

"I know it’s done!" Hua Xiaomo laughed, her fair face flushing slightly with embarrassment as she handed him the apple.

"Feed me!" Qi Longbing commanded, his two simple words carrying an irresistible force that left Hua Xiaomo momentarily stunned.

Hua Xiaomo frowned slightly. "President Qi, your hands aren’t injured."

"So what? My hand hurts too much right now! Hurry up and feed me! Stop talking nonsense!" Qi Longbing said with an annoyed chuckle. Is this woman really that clueless? She’s no fun at all.

Hua Xiaomo looked at him, and the next second, placed the apple on the table beside him. "I’m sorry, President Qi. I’ve never fed anyone an apple before, and I’m afraid I’m not up to the task. I’ll go get a nurse for you."

With that, Hua Xiaomo stood up to leave the hospital room.

"Alright, alright! Asking you to feed me an apple is such a hassle, as if it’s going to kill you. I can eat it myself," Qi Longbing grumbled, then snatched the peeled apple and took a large bite.

Hua Xiaomo watched him and smiled lightly. He didn’t look like a CEO at all then, more like a big kid sulking because he couldn’t get Candy. It was actually a little endearing.

As Qi Longbing ate the apple, he glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Her fair face was adorned with a pair of bright, sparklingly clear eyes.

Damn it, this little woman is looking at me with such pure, adorable, and clear eyes! Isn’t she afraid I’ll be provoked into unleashing my inner beast and devouring her whole?

"President Qi, you should get some rest. I won’t disturb you any longer," Hua Xiaomo said with a faint smile, preparing to leave.

Suddenly, "OUCH! OUCH!" Qi Longbing’s face twisted in pain, and the apple dropped to the ground.

"President Qi! What’s wrong?" Hua Xiaomo grew alarmed. Without a second thought, she rushed forward, supporting his head as it lolled. "Is your gunshot wound hurting again?" she asked urgently. "I’ll get a doctor right away!"

But just as Hua Xiaomo was about to let go, he quickly grabbed her elbow and, with great effort, choked out, "No... it’s... your apple! It’s poisoned!"

"What? The apple is poisoned?" Hua Xiaomo was utterly stunned. This apple came from a tree, for goodness’ sake! It’s not like I grew it myself. How could it be poisoned?

Suddenly recalling something, Hua Xiaomo asked cautiously, "President Qi, you didn’t... eat a worm, did you?"

"UGH!" Qi Longbing shot her a disgusted glare. "Quick! Help me up! I need to go to the restroom."

"Oh!" Hua Xiaomo responded, a chill running down her spine. Yikes! Did he really eat that legendary half-worm? That’s terrifying! So scary!

The thought of the worm still wriggling in his mouth made goosebumps rise on her shoulders.

Without another word, Hua Xiaomo quickly helped Qi Longbing into the restroom. CLICK! Qi Longbing kicked the door shut with his foot. The next second, he had her guide him to the toilet.

Hua Xiaomo thought he was going to spit, but a voice sounded from above her. "Since I need to use the toilet, you’ll have to help me!"

"Uh..." Hua Xiaomo froze, her mind struggling to keep up. She lifted her bewildered, pale face to him. "President Qi, may I ask... what exactly do you mean?"

He ate a worm, didn’t he? If I understand correctly, this is about his mouth, not... what needs to come out from down there, right? Don’t tell me he wants to... poop it out? AAAH! Does that mean the worm he just ate has already wriggled its way into his stomach? That’s too scary! Oh my god, how horrific!

"I need to relieve myself. Is that a problem?" Qi Longbing shot her a look, a sly gleam deep in his eyes.

"Uh... relieve yourself?" Hua Xiaomo echoed, startled. Her beautiful face immediately flushed with embarrassment. Why did he make me come in here if he needed to relieve himself? This is ridiculous!

"Hurry up! Help me with my belt," Qi Longbing couldn’t help but snap. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝓷𝓮𝓽

Hua Xiaomo looked at him in utter surprise, her words starting to stutter, "President Qi... you... you can’t undo your own belt?"

He had no problem using his hand to eat the apple. Could it really be a problem for him to use his hand to undo a belt?

"Please, use your brain, will you? If I could undo it myself, would I be asking you?" Qi Longbing snapped, his handsome face clouded with dark frustration. "I’ll be honest with you. I was shot in the right shoulder blade. Any forceful movement of my arm will tear the wound open."

"Oh..." Hua Xiaomo paused, finally understanding. So he really couldn’t use his arm. That explains what happened earlier... No wonder he couldn’t even hold the apple and asked me to feed him.