Chapter 28 Fever "Our relationship still needs an entry ticket..."

After Qin Chen made those harsh words, he didn't do anything immediately, and Qin Man continued to go to and from school as usual.

After the exams, everyone started the application process for schools. Everyone was at a different pace. Some students had completed their tasks and had no reason to stay in school any longer.

Some of them took leave to travel abroad, while others simply stopped coming to school and waited for their applications to be approved so they could go abroad to study.

Jiang Xuchi was the same; he would come for a day sometimes, and sometimes he wouldn't come at all.

Qin Man was happy that he didn't come; as long as he wasn't at school, she could be quite at ease.

But at the same time, I'm also a little unaccustomed to it.

Qin Man shook her head, trying to shake off these unsettling thoughts.

Nothing major has happened in Xilai these past few days. The students are all busy with their own things, and people are relaxed, making life boring.

Until a piece of gossip spread from the first-year high school students, it ignited the previously dull student group.

The gossip is that the Jiang family's illegitimate son has been transferred to Xilai.

As Qin Man went downstairs, she passed by the corridor of the first-year high school students and saw the tall, thin guy surrounded by a crowd in the distance.

Jiang Chenyao.

Jiang Xuchi's half-brother.

He wasn't tall, had a slightly tanned complexion, and his hair was a buzz cut even shorter than Jiang Xuchi's. He had two small tiger teeth when he smiled. He wasn't exactly cute, but he wasn't exactly annoying either.

Given his background, Xilai was a figure of great interest from the start.

This incident acted like a stimulant for Xilai's students, and countless rumors and gossips began to circulate. Some speculated that he and Jiang Xuchi actually had a good relationship and that he was the main and deputy head of the Future Group. Others speculated that he had great ambitions and coveted Jiang Xuchi's assets, and that sooner or later, things would get out of hand.

Qin Man didn't care about such things at first, but as soon as she went downstairs, she heard a shout from the stairs.

"Qin Man".

She looked up and saw Jiang Chenyao leaning against the railing, smiling and waving at her, his two white canine teeth showing.

Qin Man: "What is it?"

"Don't be so harsh, let's have a chat." Jiang Chenyao slowly walked down the stairs, put his hands in his pockets, and stood in front of Qin Man.

Qin Man could tell that her younger brother seemed well-behaved, but she couldn't help feeling that he was surrounded by a malicious aura, and his smile was also unpleasant.

Qin Man gave him a cold shoulder, saying, "I'm busy."

She turned to leave, but Jiang Chenyao took a step forward and blocked her way.

"As expected of the princess of Xilai, she has a lot of influence."

His sarcasm floated lightly into Qin Man's ears, causing no harm, only making Qin Man dislike him even more.

Qin Man gave a disdainful look.

Jiang Chenyao, clearly thick-skinned beyond measure, continued, "I've already investigated Jiang Xuchi, and I know what you mean to him."

“Jiang Xuchi takes a box of jewelry from SA every day, and your name is written on the card.”

"I've always been curious about why this girl named Qin Man has made my brother so obsessed with her, sending her expensive gifts every day."

"So you're Qin Man."

Jiang Chenyao reached out and tapped the nameplate on Qin Man's chest. Qin Man immediately took a step back, widening the distance between them.

Did you kiss him? Or did you sleep with him? Did you give in to his advances?

He asked a question and took a step forward.

With nowhere left to retreat, Qin Man's face grew increasingly cold.

Jiang Chenyao's blunt revelation of her predicament was truly jarring.

When Qin Man was extremely embarrassed, she actually laughed in anger, "What do you mean by that?"

"If you want to get rid of Jiang Xuchi, this is your chance, isn't it?"

He picked up a diamond necklace and waved it in front of Qin Man, saying, "He often gives you jewelry from this brand. I can give you jewelry too. You don't need to pay attention to him anymore."

Jiang Chenyao thought he had leverage in negotiations. "Don't overthink it, I just want to annoy him."

This person is disgusting.

Qin Man slightly raised her chin, reached out and hooked the necklace from his hand. Just as Jiang Chenyao smiled, she threw the necklace out the window.

Her arrogance was on full display, without reservation, and her words trampled on people's self-esteem.

"I'm happy to play games with Jiang Xuchi, but what are you?"

Jiang Chenyao opened his mouth, his face slowly turning a liverish color.

Qin Man didn't give him any face at all, looking at him like he was trash.

Jiang Chenyao was still young, and while he was still processing the disdain Qin Man had shown him, Qin Man had already turned and left.

Even those familiar with Qin Man couldn't stand her aloof attitude, let alone Jiang Chenyao, who was meeting Qin Man for the first time.

By the time he realized what was happening, he only saw Qin Man's receding figure.

Why are even Jiang Xuchi's women so difficult to deal with?

He clenched his fist and slammed it against the wall next to him with a "bang".

...

This little incident did not affect Qin Man's mood.

She has been in a great mood ever since she learned that she could have a glamorous coming-of-age ceremony.

Qin Man was waiting for a taxi at the school gate when a black Maybach slowly pulled up in front of her.

"Qin Man".

Qin Man looked up.

The car window rolled down, revealing Jiang Xuchi's face.

He was pale and wearing a thin black shirt. He whispered to her, "Get in the car."

Qin Man bent down and leaned closer.

"What did you say?"

Jiang Xuchi glanced at her.

"Are you weak?" Qin Man couldn't help but seize the opportunity to mock, "Your voice is as soft as a mosquito's buzz."

Jiang Xuchi coughed a few times, and Qin Man immediately stepped back.

"I won't get on the patient's vehicle." She turned to leave.

However, as she walked along the road, the car followed. People came and went at the school gate, and everyone watched as the Maybach with consecutive license plates followed Qin Man all the way.

Qin Man had no choice but to stop.

The car stopped.

She opened the door and got into the car.

Jiang Xuchi sat to the side, his face pale. When he saw Qin Man get into the car, he slowly beckoned her to come closer.

Qin Man sat down next to him.

"Why don't you stay home and rest if you have a cold?"

"You've met Jiang Chenyao."

The two spoke at the same time, and after a two-second silence, Qin Man replied, "Who is he, this piece of trash, that he deserves to see me?"

These words amused Jiang Xuchi. He chuckled twice and asked, "What did he say that offended you?"

Qin Man: "He's pretty good. He investigated you from beginning to end. You'd better check if you've done anything wrong and he's got something on you."

"I only found out today that Jiang Chenyao transferred to Xilai, and I guessed he would come looking for you."

"..."

“He thinks you’re just like all the girls around him,” Jiang Xuchi said calmly. “If he talks to those girls a few times, they’ll remember him and won’t dare to give him a hard time.”

"He seems completely different from you," Qin Man said sarcastically. "At least he's quite enthusiastic."

Jiang Xuchi chuckled lightly, which was a response to her sarcastic remark.

Only after the car drove away from the city did Qin Man realize that something was wrong.

Where are we going?

It wasn't in the direction of her home, nor in the direction of the hotel where Jiang Xuchi was staying.

"Let's go somewhere."

A very vague answer.

Looking at his sickly face, Qin Man recalled Jiang Chenyao's arrogant demeanor during the day and wondered where Jiang Xuchi could possibly send her; he couldn't possibly hide her away.

The car's already in; let him be.

*

Although the location of Xilai School is not in the city center, it is closest to the wealthy area. A river runs through the city from west to east, representing the distance from the bustling city to the countryside.

Qin Man watched as the car drove onto the cross-river bridge and arrived at the western part of the city. This area was less developed, had more greenery, and the view gradually opened up. The air was pleasant, and many wealthy people would choose to add another villa here for vacation and leisure.

They walked in silence. When Qin Man turned her head again, Jiang Xuchi was already asleep.

His eyes were closed, half of his face was illuminated by the setting sun, making it exceptionally sharp and clear, while the other half was hazy and shrouded in shadow.

It reminded her of their relationship, which seemed clear on the surface but was actually so intimately entangled that it was impossible to see through them.

As the car drove forward, Jiang Xuchi's head kept hitting the glass, making it difficult for him to sleep, and he kept frowning.

For some reason, Qin Man reached out and pulled his head over to rest it on her shoulder.

This action woke Jiang Xuchi up.

"Are we there?" he asked in a hoarse voice.

"I have no idea."

Qin Man didn't know where the destination was, nor did she ask the driver.

Jiang Xuchi lifted his eyelids and glanced out the window, where he saw Qin Man's slightly flushed profile reflected in the water.

He ran his fingertips across Qin Man's waist, wrapped his arms around her, and pressed her even closer.

His body temperature was a little high, and his hot breath fell all over her neck. She felt uncomfortable and struggled a little, but he held her even tighter.

This person is always the type to take an inch and then a mile.

"Don't move, I'm just going to sleep for a while."

...

Jiang Xuchi was half asleep, his nose was stuffy, but he could still smell her scent.

He also heard the crisp sound of the diamonds on her earrings clinking together.

It wasn't big, but it was exceptionally clear.

That was a gift from him.

He wanted to give her many things so that she would always be on cloud nine and never fall.

He always has the same dream in which he is still the boy in the shadows from more than ten years ago, crouching in a corner, watching a girl in a princess dress under the bright lights in the distance.

At that time, none of the adults were around him.

They didn't see him; he was someone who could be discarded at any time and was meaningless.

But someone, like a gust of wind or a downpour, swept in recklessly, engulfing the entire ruins.

...

The driver dropped them off at the back of a yard, then turned around and drove away.

"Stop looking. He'll take you home when you want to."

Qin Man looked away and watched Jiang Xuchi raise his hand to perform fingerprint recognition.

After the courtyard gate opened, he led Qin Man inside.

The three-story villa has a brand-new interior design that shows the designer's ingenuity. The style is novel and not dull at all; it's very avant-garde and clearly designed for young people.

So Qin Man asked, "Is this your house?"

Jiang Xu nodded slowly, then walked to the refrigerator next to the central island and took out a box of instant food.

Qin Man watched him unpack the instant food and put it in the microwave, feeling a little sorry for him. "You're just going to eat this?"

"Don't you want to eat?"

"Is this for me to eat?" Qin Man asked incredulously. "I won't eat this."

"What would you like to eat?"

"Delivery from Chengxiyuan".

This is in the east of the city, quite far away; Qin Man said this on purpose.

Jiang Xuchi remained noncommittal, turned around and walked in front of her, suddenly pushing her backward. Even though he was sick, he was still strong, and he easily pressed Qin Man into the beanbag chair.

Qin Man fell down without warning, her heart pounding, her hair disheveled and static-filled, her body flailing wildly.

She glared at him: "Why did you push me?"

“Take a nap, and you can dream of going to Chengxi Garden.” Jiang Xuchi placed his hands above her, looking down at her. “The surrounding area is all villas, there are no restaurants, you’ll have to cook whatever you want to eat.”

Qin Man said angrily, "I just wanted you to eat something good since you're sick."

Jiang Xuchi still kept her trapped.

She lowered her voice: "...You're thinking of me, yet you treat me like this."

Jiang Xuchi stopped teasing her, propped himself up on his arms and moved to the side. The beanbag chair was big enough, so he lay down next to Qin Man and stared at the ceiling.

"Why did you call me to your place?" Qin Man asked.

Jiang Xuchi didn't intend to hide it. "I checked out of the hotel, and I don't want to go back to the old house. This is all that Grandpa gave me."

"So you're here to show off that you have a big house."

Jiang Xuchi scoffed, "Think what you want."

Qin Man sighed, "My mommy promised me that she would give me a big house in the east of the city when I came of age, but now it's in your hands."

Is Qin Man a materialistic person? Perhaps she is in a worldly sense, but she was meant to have these things, and now that she doesn't, she feels resentful.

So when she heard that the house belonged to Jiang Xuchi, she was indeed envious, and even a little jealous.

Jiang Xuchi asked casually, "You want this house?"

His voice was somewhat nasal and deep, yet he asked the questions with ease and confidence, which even sounded a little seductive to Qin Man.

Qin Man couldn't help but reply, "Of course."

She wanted more than just a house; she wanted so much more.

Because it was originally meant to belong to her, it was originally hers.

Jiang Xuchi propped his chin up, turned his head to look at her, and seemed to be thinking about something.

Qin Man ignored him and focused intently on the ceiling.

He stared for a while, then continued staring. When he slowly moved closer, Qin Man pushed him away and said, "I'm hungry."

Jiang Xuchi smiled as he looked at her blushing expression: "You have quite the appetite."

"It's because you can't satisfy me," Qin Man retorted.

Jiang Xuchi stretched out his long legs and knelt down in front of her with a thud, one hand supporting himself on the soft sofa and the other stroking her cheek.

"I don't think you dare to take it."

"..."

"What are you afraid of? Just say the word."

"Jiang Xuchi, my brother promised to give me a coming-of-age ceremony," Qin Man said. "Don't mess with me, or I won't even give you a ticket."

Jiang Xuchi touched her collarbone, where the pendant he had given her hung, now lying in his palm, its touch cool and refreshing.

Does our relationship need an admission ticket?

Qin Man couldn't figure out what their relationship was.

A few seconds later, she realized that Jiang Xuchi meant that he could come and go as he pleased without her permission.

Qin Man, enraged and embarrassed, pulled her hand away, "Jiang Xuchi!"

She was very strong, but Jiang Xuchi still managed to hold her hand back.

His hand was very hot; as soon as it was grasped, Qin Man immediately broke out in a sweat.

"You have a fever?"

Given Jiang Xuchi's current temperature, it's hard not to suspect he has a high fever.

He didn't care: "Probably."

"No wonder you're acting crazy here. Do you have any medication at home?"

Jiang Xu didn't answer. Qin Man got up from the sofa and went to find the medicine.

A cabinet was filled with all kinds of medicine. Qin Man rummaged through it and actually found a box of fever reducers and an electronic thermometer. She picked them up and tossed them to Jiang Xuchi, then left them there.

It's really unlikely that she'll take care of him; Qin Man has already done more than enough.

The body temperature reading is 38.7 degrees Celsius.

He poured himself a glass of water, took his medicine, then opened a box of instant food and gulped down two mouthfuls.

Qin Man simply watched the whole process.

Serves them right.

Qin Man thought to herself.

"You've taken your medicine, you should get some sleep," Qin Man said. "I'm going back now."

"I'll have the driver take you home."

Qin Man thought he was just asking the driver to take him home, but she didn't expect him to get into the car with her.

She was too lazy to ask him what he was going to do next, and leaned against the car window, dozing off in a daze.

On the contrary, Jiang Xuchi was very energetic after taking the medicine, and his gaze was always on her. Even though Qin Man was sleepy, she could feel his subtle gaze.

The villa area where Qin Man lives has strict security, and the underground parking garage is not easily open to the public, so the driver usually drops her off at the entrance of the community, where Qin Man also gets off the car.

Just as she was about to open the car door, a force suddenly opened it from the outside.

Qin Man's hand was suddenly empty, so she bent over and looked up, where she saw Qin Chen holding the car door open.

Qin Chen looked past her and inside, not even bothering to call her name, "Hey, come out and have a chat."