CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 67: WARMTH-BRAND BROTHER (2), FIRST UPDATE

Liu Xiue wrapped Zhao Meimei tightly in the thick hospital quilt. Zhao Meimei lay half-dead on the bed, her whole body aching, throat burning. When she felt really uncomfortable, she let out a couple of groans.

Half-awake, she heard some noise, as if someone had come to see her. Her eyelids felt heavy, and she was too lazy to move. She shrank further into the quilt, silently swallowing to try to ease the burning sensation in her throat.

"Meimei, get up and have some water, or your throat will be too dry."

Zhao Meimei suddenly heard her Brother Yangyang’s voice and thought she was hallucinating.

"Meimei, are you asleep?"

Zhao Meimei squinted her eyes and peeked from the quilt, immediately meeting the concerned gaze of her Brother Yangyang.

Zhao Meimei called out hoarsely, "Brother Yangyang."

Shi Yang sat down by the bed, slid his arm under her neck, and held her head up, leaning her against his chest. "Here, have some water to soothe your throat."

Zhao Meimei drank two sips of warm water from the bottle cap.

As the first sip went down her throat, she could feel it hissing as it passed through, the burning throat drying the water with a sound.

She took a couple more sips and finally felt alive again, though a bit cold.

Zhao Meimei snuggled further into Shi Yang’s embrace, still feeling cold.

Shi Yang set the cup aside, lay her back on the bed, and securely wrapped her with the quilt.

Shi Yang leaned down to touch her forehead. "You’re still a bit warm. Why don’t you sleep a bit more?"

Zhao Meimei let out a hot breath. "Okay."

She didn’t know how much time passed before she vaguely heard her parents talking with Shi Yang’s father and son. Their voices seemed distant and floated around.

Halfway through the anti-inflammatory drip, Zhao Meimei felt a bit better, her throat didn’t hurt as much, and as her consciousness cleared, she realized she was sweating under the quilt, her clothes sticky and uncomfortable.

She shifted impatiently, and as soon as she moved, someone gently pressed down the corner of the quilt.

Zhao Meimei looked up and met the gaze of her Brother Yangyang.

Shi Yang asked, "What’s wrong?"

Zhao Meimei frowned. "Hot, I’m sweating."

Liu Xiue heard the commotion and came over. "Sweating means you’re getting better, stay under a bit longer."

Zhao Meimei pouted, feebly murmuring, "Uncomfortable."

Just as Liu Xiue was about to speak, Zhao Dazhuang walked in from outside the ward and whispered, "Shi Yang’s father said he wants to take Meimei home later. He lives closer to the hospital, and since Meimei is weak, he doesn’t want us to trouble ourselves with the long trip back and forth."

Liu Xiue wasn’t at ease and was about to object, but Zhao Meimei croakily agreed, "I want to go to Brother Yangyang’s house. I’ll sleep there tonight."

Shi Yang’s father followed in from outside, persuading, "You have to open the store tomorrow, and Old Zhao has to work. You don’t have time to take care of Meimei. Yangyang and his mom are free at home. Let Meimei stay at my house for a couple of days until she’s well, then we’ll send her back."

Liu Xiue still hesitated.

Shi Yang’s father intentionally put on a stern face. "You still don’t trust us to take care of Meimei?"

With things said to this extent, refusing further would hurt feelings, and Shi Yang’s father was right. It’s the holiday, and Liu Xiue’s grocery store is busy. It’s not the weekend, and Zhao Dazhuang indeed has work.

Liu Xiue then smiled and agreed, "Look at you, of course not. Alright, once the IV is done, Meimei will go with you guys."

Liu Xiue turned to Zhao Meimei and reminded her, "When you get to your Brother Yangyang’s house, be sure to behave, okay?"

Zhao Meimei was thrilled hearing she could stay at Shi Yang’s house. Because of the fever, her lips had turned slightly pale, but they lifted into a big smile as she grinned at Shi Yang. "Brother Yangyang, I’m sleeping over at your house tonight."

Liu Xiue was amused, "How old are you, still acting spoiled with your Brother Yangyang."

Feeling uncomfortable from the heat, Zhao Meimei sneakily moved her head out, resting it on Shi Yang’s thigh.

Shi Yang was wearing pants made of a slick material that was very trendy at the time. It was unexpectedly cool to the touch, quite refreshing.

Zhao Meimei rubbed her hot and sweaty forehead on it, groaning in comfort.

Shi Yang was torn between laughter and tears, gently smoothing her hair which was a messy bird’s nest.

Zhao Meimei leaned her head, her gaze landing on Shi Yang’s face.

With one hand, Shi Yang gently helped tidy her hair while the other hung by his side. He slightly raised his head to check the progress of the IV drip and closely examined the tube for any air bubbles.

Zhao Meimei stared at Shi Yang’s profile, thinking, always so handsome.

Shi Yang lowered his head, meeting Zhao Meimei’s gaze, and smiled, lifting the corner of his mouth. He pressed her head gently. "Want me to massage it for you?"

Zhao Meimei happily agreed, letting her Brother Yangyang’s fingers massage her scalp like petting a cat. The delicate touch at her roots sent a delicious shiver up her spine, making her close her eyes in bliss. Her heavy eyelids drooped, and her long lashes fluttered softly.

Zhao Meimei enjoyed it for a while, smiling to herself, first quietly, then unable to resist laughing out loud from happiness.

Shi Yang paused his hand, asking, "Why are you giggling?"

Zhao Meimei quickly wriggled like an eel, pressing against his thigh, nudging her head further into his hand.

Shi Yang watched her acting all cuddly and affectionate, amused, and continued to massage her head.

Liu Xiue watched from the side, laughing as she talked to Shi Yang, "If you’re tired just ignore her, once you start rubbing it never ends, just like her dad, loves having his head rubbed."

Zhao Dazhuang couldn’t handle that comment, protesting, "Can you talk about your daughter without dragging me into it!"

Shi Yang and his father burst into laughter.

Zhao Dazhuang’s face turned red with embarrassment as he glared at Liu Xiue.

Liu Xiue realized her mistake and chuckled awkwardly.

After laughing for a while, Shi Yang asked Zhao Meimei, "What were you giggling about earlier?"

Zhao Meimei was secretly admiring her Brother Yangyang’s eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, thinking how everything was so attractive, wishing she could keep looking and even press her eyes against his face.

Just as Zhao Meimei was quietly enjoying herself, she suddenly heard her Brother Yangyang’s question and replied without thinking, "I wish I could be sick forever."

Shi Yang laughed, giving her a playful glare. "Why?"

This time Zhao Meimei processed the question, rolling her eyes, and half-jokingly, half-seriously, replied with a smile, "When I’m sick, you can stay with me all the time and even massage my head. This treatment is amazing!"

All the adults burst into laughter upon hearing this.

Zhao Dazhuang sighed, "I understand my daughter now, her eyes and heart have only her Brother Yangyang, I’m not even in the running as her dad."

Zhao Dazhuang glared at Zhao Meimei, "You forgot about me sprinting to the hospital carrying you, you little ungrateful wretch."

Zhao Meimei giggled sheepishly.

Shi Yang watched Zhao Meimei’s silly demeanor and smiled, a very handsome smile.