CHAPTER 104: CHAPTER 104: YOU ARE THE INJURED ONE

Zane Thorne was stunned for a moment. Seeing the young girl struggling to change her position on the bed, he quickly reached out to support her waist and scolded her softly.

"You’ve been hurt, just lie down properly. Don’t move around."

Natalie Vaughn adjusted her position to half-lying on the bed with Zane’s help.

"Lying down hurts my chest, I can’t breathe."

Zane: .....

"Alright, come here."

Natalie panted slightly, opening her arms towards Zane with eyes as bright as a child’s.

Zane felt his heart melt, gently brushing Natalie’s hair.

"Hold on."

Natalie was puzzled until she saw the man take off his jacket. After confirming that there was no scent from his journey clinging to him, he leaned down and embraced her.

At first, he was very restrained, only lightly holding her. But after Natalie placed her hand on his back and softly rubbed it a few times, he began to gradually tighten his embrace.

As if he wanted to convey his compassion through the hug, but mindful of Natalie’s injury, he dared not grip too hard.

Zane’s chest was as warm as ever. Natalie buried her head in his embrace, rubbing against him a little, and sighed in contentment and comfort.

Having a man around is nice, at least she can act cute.

Summer Churchill walked in to see this scene.

A tall man was leaning over by the bed, holding Natalie in his arms. His broad shoulders and the black sweater displayed his dominance and authority, making Natalie appear so small in his embrace.

Unlike the day in the living room when she saw them in a competitive standoff, this was complete tenderness.

To couples, rainy days indeed are a romantic setting.

Even though Summer didn’t understand how Zane managed to arrive so quickly, she instinctively wanted to give the two more private space, intending to leave the room quietly.

But Natalie smelled something fragrant and called out to her.

"Summer."

Summer halted her steps as Natalie poked her head out from Zane’s embrace.

"I’m hungry. Just leave the food here."

Zane straightened up too, giving her a light glance. Summer was still somewhat intimidated by Zane’s gaze, so she lowered her head and placed the things on the table.

"Nina, I’ll go find Ms. Chandler first."

After finishing, she quickly dashed out of the ward without waiting for Natalie to speak.

Natalie’s eyes softly curved, looking at Zane with a cheerful smile.

"You scared her."

The man’s eyebrows raised, seemingly indifferent. He picked up the items, noticing several boxes filled with barbecue and skewers, his eyebrows furrowed.

"You’re eating these again?"

Natalie stared eagerly at the snacks in Zane’s hand, swallowing involuntarily.

"Uh, so what?"

Zane wasn’t in a hurry to take the items out.

"Natalie, you’re a patient now."

"So what?"

Natalie couldn’t help reaching out to grab the stuff in Zane’s hand, but unfortunately, her injuries made it painful with even a little exertion.

Zane was annoyed at Natalie’s nonchalant attitude toward her own health. She treated her injury too casually.

But seeing the pain on her face, he couldn’t bear to scold her and only gently held her hand.

"Just lie still."

Zane set the table over the bed, taking only some skewers out.

Natalie: ...

"These aren’t even enough to fill my teeth."

"I’ll get you some porridge later."

"I don’t want porridge."

"You’re injured now, you need to avoid certain foods."

Natalie looked at Zane in bafflement.

"What should I avoid with a muscle strain?"

"Avoid spicy and irritating foods, and no smoking, drinking, or staying up late, or it’ll worsen the swelling and delay recovery."

Natalie: ...

"How do you know these things?"

She thought Zane wouldn’t know about this; the man snorted coldly.

"You think I’m a fool?"

These were things Zane’s doctor used to tell him. Zane never listened, smoking and drinking as he pleased, often staying up all night.

Now that Natalie was injured, those words came back to him.

Natalie naturally wouldn’t admit she did take Zane for an ignorant in this regard, so she stayed silent.

Zane saw her lower her head without speaking, thinking she was upset for not being able to eat.

"It’s not that you can’t eat at all, just eat less to satisfy your craving."

Natalie lifted her head, seeing the concern in Zane’s eyes, her heart fluttered. Sacrificing some culinary desires seemed possible.

Just...

Natalie pointed to the box in Zane’s hand.

"Add one grilled chicken leg."

Zane: ...

Outside, Summer felt the cool breeze as she walked to the resting area for patients’ families, idly scrolling through her phone, when she saw Jim Archer stepping inside with a chill after taking a phone call.

Their eyes met, and although they were to work together for two months and had only known each other for two days, they weren’t familiar. Summer instinctively lowered her head, but Jim sat down beside her.

After a long while, he asked.

"Would you like a cup of coffee?"

On such a cold night, a hot drink was needed to warm up. Summer was somewhat flattered by Jim’s offer.

In her view, Jim was the capable assistant who had been with Natalie’s brother for years, a high-level secretary of a large group, coming over to deal with trivialities of the entertainment circle seemed beneath him. Such a person must have been a prominent figure in school, a top student.

She had always been afraid of dealing with such outstanding people.

Summer shook her head, but fearing her refusal might embarrass this talent, she hurriedly nodded. Her flustered and conflicted look was akin to a startled little rabbit.

Jim chuckled.

"I’ll go buy it now, wait here for me."

Summer suddenly stood up to follow him.

"I... I’ll go with you."

Seeing this, Jim laughed softly.

"You don’t have to be so nervous, we’re colleagues."

Summer quickly waved her hands.

"No, no, no, you’re so outstanding, you’re just here to assist Nina. How could I be your colleague?"

She had never had good grades growing up, barely making it through high school to a first-tier college, and now working at Langdon Entertainment took all her luck.

Jim frowned slightly at this, wanting to argue, but seeing the insecurity in Summer’s eyes, he didn’t know what to say.

Not until they finished buying coffee did Jim speak again.

"Every industry has its outstanding people, just like in a coffee shop. Some people’s coffee is better than others. Many big shots from other industries want to get into the coffee business but make no waves. Know why?"

Summer shook her head.

"Every trade has its master. No one’s excellent at everything; they’re just stronger in their field. My job is to carry out President Vaughn’s tasks, and compared to him, I’m far less. But what I do isn’t meaningless."

"This time, my main task is to look after the young lady, but I also have to learn about the entertainment industry. President Vaughn wasn’t keen on her acting, but she said this opportunity could help The Vaughn Group enter the media industry."

"The knowledge you possess is new to me; you know when an artist should do what, what should be said or not, and their various promotions, things I don’t understand."

"So, you are also an outstanding person to me. Being an artist’s assistant is fine, Ms. Chandler also worked her way up from an assistant."

"Understand?"

Summer sort of understood, but with Jim willing to say so much, she felt less fearful about interacting with excellent people.

Seeing the light return to her eyes, Jim continued.

"The young lady initially knew nothing about acting, but she was willing to try and learn. So you see, Director Gable acknowledged her after her first scene."

"No one is born excellent. Behind every excellent person lies great effort. Summer, can I call you that? As long as you work hard, you can become whoever you want to be."

Excellence isn’t simple.

But neither is it out of reach.