Chapter 133: Coaxing Him to Take the Medicine

Gu Yining initially thought Fu Hanyan was about to say something sentimental or deep. She even prepared herself mentally, ready to shed a few emotional tears.

"What is it?" she asked, anticipating some touching words.

"Close the door," Fu Hanyan said in a low, hoarse voice, his discomfort clearly evident.

"Oh," Gu Yining replied, her anticipation deflating like a balloon. *What a waste of emotions*, she thought.

Obediently, she closed the door behind her and headed off to brew his medicine.

In the meantime, Li Feng returned with some Western medicine and gave it to Fu Hanyan first. Gu Yining's herbal remedy took over an hour to prepare, as it needed to be consumed after a meal. The kitchen staff had already delivered dinner to Fu Hanyan, though he barely touched it.

Gu Yining carefully carried the warm bowl of medicine to Fu Hanyan's room, placing it gently on a tray and holding it out to him.

Fu Hanyan glanced at the dark, murky liquid in the bowl, his expression turning sour.

"It's not too hot or too cold. At this temperature, it won't taste as bitter," Gu Yining said, noticing his reluctance and trying to comfort him.

"Just leave it there. I'll drink it later," Fu Hanyan said dismissively, his attention still focused on the work on his laptop.

Seeing right through him, Gu Yining raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you think that just because you've taken Western medicine, you're completely fine? Your stomach has underlying issues that need long-term care. You can't just take a quick fix and think it's over—you need to prevent future complications."

"You're too naggy. Leave," Fu Hanyan snapped, his brows furrowed in frustration, clearly irritated by her persistent lecturing.

"Good medicine tastes bitter, but it cures the illness. Honest words may be hard to hear, but they guide us well. I'm doing this for your own good," Gu Yining continued firmly, though her real motive was that she didn't want to see the hour-long effort she put into brewing the medicine go to waste.

Still, Fu Hanyan remained indifferent, not even sparing the bowl a second glance.

With a sigh, Gu Yining placed the bowl on the bedside table and left the room. However, she returned moments later, her hand now holding two colorful candies wrapped in bright foil.

These were fruity candies, each color representing a different flavor. Every time she felt like crying, she would pop one into her mouth for comfort.

"Come on, be good. Drink this medicine, and I'll give you two pieces of candy. That way, it won't taste bitter at all," she coaxed softly, her voice as gentle as a mother comforting a child, her clear eyes sparkling with encouragement.

For a moment, Fu Hanyan was taken aback by her uncharacteristic tenderness. Yet, the way she was speaking—like she was coaxing a kid—irked him slightly.

But still, it worked.

As a grown man, the last thing he wanted was for her to mock him for being fussy about something as simple as drinking medicine.

Without further delay, he picked up the bowl and downed the bitter concoction in one go.

Ugh… The intensely bitter taste spread through his mouth, followed by a wave of nausea. His stomach churned in discomfort.

Seeing him wince, Gu Yining quickly unwrapped a candy and, with swift reflexes, popped it into his mouth.

The sweet flavor dissolved, momentarily overpowering the bitterness. Fu Hanyan managed to hold it down and avoid vomiting.

Gu Yining, relieved, exhaled like an anxious mother. "You've always hated anything bitter, haven't you?"

"Mm," Fu Hanyan nodded, acknowledging her observation.

"Can I ask why?" she inquired, genuinely curious.

Fu Hanyan hesitated, memories of past events flooding his mind—memories that were as bitter as the herbal medicine he had just swallowed. Each recollection brought with it a wave of sorrow, lingering like a permanent scar on his soul.

Just as he was debating whether or not to share, Gu Yining tactfully changed the subject. 

Everyone has wounds they prefer to leave unexposed, and since he didn't want to talk, she wouldn't press him further.

"Oh no, tomorrow's Monday! I've got a programming assignment due. I need to hurry and finish it. You should get some rest," she said, lifting the empty bowl and heading for the door.

Before she could leave, Fu Hanyan swiftly grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms. Her heart pounded wildly, her chest pressed against his, the sudden closeness making her pulse race.

What was he doing?

"I'll give it a try," his deep, resonant voice whispered near her ear, low and soothing like the strings of a cello.

"Try what?"