Cruel Romance

But he did not expect that when he came back, Auntie Wang said that Jin Xiu had fallen sick.

Perhaps a night of shock, worry, cold, left her unable to bear it any longer, when Zuo Zhen came back, she was still in deep sleep, and having a high fever. Auntie Wang was pacing around the entire place, “Er Ye, when she laid down, she was still alright, just now I came over to wake her but her fever was burning up, she was in a daze.”

Zuo Zhen sat by the bed and felt Jin Xiu’s forehead, everywhere he touched was hot. He had known this silly thing couldn’t take care of herself, on a cold night in December, she dared to wear only a dress and shawl to squat outdoors for an entire night, it would be strange if she didn’t fall ill.

“You take care of Jin Xiu.” Zuo Zhen ordered Auntie Wang, “Soothe her with an ice pack, I’ll call the doctor over. If Tang Hai looks for me, ask him to wait a while downstairs.”

He hand on his hands many matters that required his urgent attention, yet he did not have time to sit down for a meal or take a nap, but Jin Xiu was so ill, how could he leave her alone? Leaving her in the hands of others, he could not put his heart at ease.

Ever since he met Jin Xiu, helping her, taking care of her, seemed to become a habit, to be honest, he didn’t know why either.

It was not as if he had not met better women than Jin Xiu, in terms of beauty, background, intelligence, Jin Xiu was definitely not the most outstanding. But he seemed to be under a spell, time and again making exceptions for her, losing his composure, it was not on purpose, it was baffling why he acted that way.

When Jin Xiu awoke, the sky outside was dark, there was a lamp by her bed, softly glowing, Auntie Wang was leaning against the bed and sleeping, it seemed wrong, she felt as though she had been sleeping for a long time, why was it still dark outside? Zuo Zhen, why hadn’t he returned?

She had a splitting headache, her mouth and tongue were dry, and she felt weak all over. Was she ill? It didn’t feel comfortable. Jin Xiu slowly lifted herself up, to take the cup of water from the bedside only to see the packets of medicine beside the cup.

“Ah, you’re awake.” Auntie Wang was awakened by her moments, “Do you feel better?”

Jin Xiu was confused, “What happened to me?”

Auntie Wang sighed, “Truly, your mind is fried, you had fever, headache and you’ve been lying here for a day, you didn’t know that?”

“What?” Jin Xiu was shocked, looking at the sky, “I’ve slept for a day? What time was it now, oh no, Er Ye said he’d back to take me to visit Ying Shao, it didn’t look possible now.” How could she fall asleep at a time like that? Ying Shao was the brink of death yet she was here have a good sleep! Jin Xiu could look up from the guilt she felt.

“Eat your medicine first.” Auntie Wang pressed her down, “The doctor said that you’ve caught a serious cold, you’re not to go out these two days, isn’t it the same if you wait till you feel better before you go and see Ying Shao? Even if you were to go, it’s not like you would be of much help.” “How would I be of not much help?” Jin Xiu was upset as she buried her head in her hands, “Can’t do anything and only know how to create trouble for others.”

Auntie Wang said, “What’s so bad about that, the things outside, let those men handle them.”

“Er Ye’s not back yet?” Jin Xiu thought of Zuo Zhen, where was he now?

Auntie Wang laughed, “You can’t remember anything at all? Er Ye has visited thrice today, looking for a doctor, getting medicine, he’s so worried that he paced around the house, you weren’t aware?”

Jin Xiu was stunned, was it, Zuo Zhen actually took time to come back and take care of her.

“It’s already three, after eating your medicine, sleep well, it’s still raining outside.” Auntie Wang patted Jin Xiu’s hand, “Focus on getting well, it’ll be considered a great help to Er Ye.”

From outside the window she heard the faint sound of a car’s engine, Jin Xiu widened her eyes, “I think I heard Er Ye’s car, is he back already?”

Surely, it was Zuo Zhen.