062 – Visiting

“Yichen, are you... ill?” Xia Yuwei sensed unease deep in her heart.

“I’m fine.” His voice was listless, as if all vitality had drained away, fragile like a blossom about to wither and fall from its branch.

“I’ll… I’ll ask Xin Xin to check on you.” The words nearly slipped out, but she changed her mind, the worry in her heart tinged with bitterness.

“…I don’t want to see her right now…”

Hearing his strained voice, Xia Yuwei felt an ache she could not put into words.

After hanging up, sleep eluded her completely.

She’d been honest with Xin Xin about knowing Lu Yichen and had decided to move out, hoping to avoid suspicion, to never see him again and prevent any more storms like the one yesterday.

But now, just hearing his frail voice, her resolve wavered—wavered intensely.

Her heart, as if compelled by some force beyond her control, was seized by the fear that his stubbornness would harm him. She simply wanted to see how he was.

All the way there, worry gnawed at her.

When she arrived at his apartment, she rang the bell. No one answered for a long time. She fumbled for her phone and dialed the number she’d just called.

After a while, a faint, indistinct reply came. “Hello…”

The weak sound made Xia Yuwei’s heart skip a beat. “Yichen, can you open the door? Can you hear me? It’s Xia Yuwei. I’m right outside your door…”

“Oh…” It was as if he had to summon all his strength just to respond.

At last, after what felt like an eternity, the door opened.

Lu Yichen stood in the doorway, his face flushed and his gaze unfocused, as if struggling to concentrate. When he saw Xia Yuwei, a faint gleam seemed to light his eyes.

“Yichen!” At the sight of him, Xia Yuwei’s brow furrowed in worry. She stepped forward, supporting his arm.

She closed the door behind them and helped him to the sofa. But instead of sitting, Lu Yichen simply collapsed onto it.

Xia Yuwei pressed her hand gently to his forehead. It was burning hot—he was ill, burning with fever.

She shuddered to think what might have happened had she not come. Was this how he punished himself, all alone?

Lu Yichen closed his eyes, reaching out to hold her hand, pressing it softly against his face. A smile, pure and angelic, flickered at his lips.

Looking at his fragile, helpless form, Xia Yuwei’s heart ached unbearably.

She stroked his face, murmuring soothingly, “Yichen, it’s alright. You’re going to be fine…”

Without rising, she picked up the phone and called the hospital. Only then did she gently set his hand aside, go to the bathroom for a fresh towel, wrap some ice from the fridge in it, and return to gently cool his burning forehead.

“Don’t worry, I’ve already called the hospital. We’ll get you there right away,” she whispered, caressing his face.

“…Don’t… leave me…” he pleaded, clutching her hand. “…It’s cold…”

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Today’s updates will all be finished before 8 a.m.—the countdown to the official launch has begun—