Even When I'm Not Around, You Should Know

Sheng Xiangsi kept her eyes closed, responding without thinking, "Don't hold me like this, I can't sleep when you're hugging me."

"Why?" Fu Hanjiang was taken aback. "We used to sleep like this all the time."

Hmph.

Sheng Xiangsi sneered, "You said it yourself, that was before. Today is different from before... isn't it?"

Although she had come back with him, it didn't mean the issue was resolved.

"I don't want you to touch me... for now."

Fu Hanjiang's arm around her stiffened slightly, "For now? How long is that?"

"I don't know." Sheng Xiangsi shook her head. "I can't give you an answer to something I don't even know myself."

In fact, she thought to herself: if, at this moment, she was already pregnant, then this 'for now' would be forever.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Sheng Xiangsi raised her voice and asked, "What, you don't want to?"

She wasn't afraid of him not wanting to.

Because, for Yao Leyi's sake, he still needed her!

Sure enough.

After a long silence, Fu Hanjiang relented.

"Okay."

However, as he spoke, he hugged her even tighter.

Sheng Xiangsi: "??"

"Xiangsi."

Before she could react, Fu Hanjiang's lips were at her ear, his voice low, "I'll do whatever you want. But can you promise me to forget Zhong Pei and live well with me?"

After saying that, he released her.

"Sleep, good night."

Then, he turned over, back to back with her.

In the darkness, Sheng Xiangsi's eyes were wide open, her mind buzzing...

What did he mean by that?

Seriously, just because they were using each other, he wanted to control what she thought? Wasn't that a bit too much?

She didn't even care that he was thinking about Yao Leyi...

Later, too tired to stay awake, Sheng Xiangsi finally fell asleep.

During the night, it seemed like he got up several times, changing her ice packs, giving her water, and even changing her sweat-soaked pajamas.

Around dawn, things finally quieted down, and Sheng Xiangsi slept deeply, dreamlessly.

When she woke up again, she was a bit disoriented, finding herself alone in the room.

She was awakened by the ringing of her phone.

It was Junjun (Xu Jie's phone).

"Hello, Junjun." Sheng Xiangsi's tone softened.

"Mommy." Junjun's voice was tender, "Mommy left without saying goodbye yesterday. Baby came home and didn't see Mommy."

"Is baby angry?"

"A little bit. Mommy... is Mommy feeling better? Is work tiring?"

Sheng Xiangsi's heart melted, Junjun was her little angel!

No matter how awful Fu Hanjiang was, she could handle it for her little angel.

"Don't worry, Mommy is fine."

After talking with Junjun, Sheng Xiangsi checked the time—it was almost noon.

She felt refreshed, with no discomfort, and got out of bed, walking to the window and drawing the curtains.

The sunlight streaming in made her shield her eyes.

"Xiangsi!"

That was when Fu Hanjiang walked in. Sheng Xiangsi turned to see him striding toward her, his face full of anger.

What happened?

"Do you know how to take care of yourself?"

Fu Hanjiang quickly closed the distance, lifted her like a child, and carried her.

"Me?" Sheng Xiangsi was confused. "What's wrong?"

Why was he angry out of nowhere?

"Still asking?" Fu Hanjiang carried her to the bed and set her down, "Wait here!"

He went to the walk-in closet and returned shortly with a pair of socks. He knelt in front of her, held her ankle, and put the socks on her.

Her feet, like the rest of her, were delicate and fair, with rounded toes and neatly trimmed nails, bare and naturally pink.

After putting on her socks, Fu Hanjiang hesitated to let go. His anger dissipated as he held her feet.

His tone was still reproachful but gentle.

"You just got over a fever; you can't walk around barefoot. Understand?"

Huh? Sheng Xiangsi blinked. Wasn't that a bit much?

They were indoors.

Though it was snowing outside, the house had a 24-hour ventilation and heating system, and the hardwood floors were carpeted.

Not cold, very warm.

"Also."

Fu Hanjiang wasn't finished, "You're a girl. Didn't you end up in the hospital once because of period pains? You need to be more careful. Isn't it said that cold starts from the feet? Even when I'm not around, you need to take care of yourself."

He wrapped her feet in his palms, warming them.

Suddenly, Sheng Xiangsi felt a bit panicked. What was he doing?

Then she remembered his words last night about 'forgetting Zhong Pei,' and how he had taken care of her throughout the night...

What was he doing? Why was he acting like this?

Was he afraid she'd change her mind and refuse to help him, betraying Yao Leyi's trust?

Yes, that must be it.

There was no other reasonable explanation!

Understanding this, Sheng Xiangsi felt relieved. She withdrew her feet from his hands and lazily said, "I know, stop nagging."

Fu Hanjiang stood up and smoothed her slightly messy hair, "Do you want to eat something?"

"Mm."

Sheng Xiangsi nodded; she was feeling hungry.

"Great."

Fu Hanjiang sighed in relief, "If you want to eat, it means you're getting better."

He was quite pleased, "Good thing I brought you back." The fever had broken overnight.

"I'll have them prepare something and bring it up. Is that okay?"

"No." Sheng Xiangsi immediately frowned, "I don't like the smell in the room."

Fu Hanjiang raised his eyebrows, she was quite particular.

He bent down and picked her up, "Then I'll carry you downstairs. You haven't eaten much lately, you don't have the strength to walk."

Downstairs, the maid had already set the table.

Seeing the spread, Sheng Xiangsi pursed her lips. Just this once, she'd eat a bit more today.

Her little expressions didn't escape Fu Hanjiang's notice.

He placed a crab roe bun on her plate, "Eat. Once you're healthy, then worry about your figure. You've missed several meals, an occasional big meal won't make you gain weight."

"Mm."

Sheng Xiangsi was convinced and picked up her chopsticks.

Fu Hanjiang watched her with a smile, his phone ringing.

It was Rong Zheng.

He answered it, walking to the side, "Yes, it's me. Go ahead..."

It was about work.

Sheng Xiangsi had just gotten over her fever, and he didn't feel comfortable leaving her, so he stayed home, keeping in touch with Rong Zheng.

Rong Zheng handled what he could.

What he couldn't handle, he consulted Fu Hanjiang.

The call took a while.

By the time Sheng Xiangsi finished eating, he was still on the phone.

Sheng Xiangsi hesitated, looking down at her sock-covered feet... He had carried her down, so she wasn't wearing shoes.

At that moment, her phone rang too.

"Hello, Ranran."

"Xiangsi."

On the other end, Bai Ran's concern was evident, "Are you alright? Is he treating you well?"

"Mm, my fever's gone. I'm fine now."

"That's good."

Bai Ran sighed in relief, "He was really scary, but I thought he must be good to you... Did you have a misunderstanding? Someone who would fly a helicopter to take you to the hospital can't be that bad, right?"

Wait!

Sheng Xiangsi listened, her expression gradually stiffening, "Ranran, what did you say?"