Chapter 16 Brown Sugar Ginger Tea

The news that Wang Tao was "exiled to the frontier" was like a stone thrown into a deep pool, causing ripples in Yu Ling's heart that were difficult to calm down.

That night, Zhao Chen's cold eyes when he looked at Wang Tao, Lin Wei's meaningful words, and the words "direct intervention by the group headquarters" were like scattered puzzle pieces, repeatedly combining in her mind, pointing to an answer that was about to come out but unbelievable.

She looked at her dazed face in the mirror, and her fingertips unconsciously stroked the wrist that Zhao Chen had grasped - the pain there had long since disappeared, but the warm touch of his palm and the unquestionable protective force seemed to still remain.

That man, beneath his gentle and harmless exterior, what kind of unstoppable power did he possess? This question entwined her thoughts like a vine, leaving her with an indescribable scrutiny and... a hidden throbbing in her heart whenever she faced Zhao Chen.

However, life will not stop because of doubts in the heart. Life is like a rushing river, carrying fragments of light and warmth, and continues to flow forward.

On Friday evening, the sky was as gloomy as a soaked gray velvet. The air was thick with the stifling heat and humidity of an approaching rainstorm. Yu Ling stood beneath the soaring glass curtain wall of the Genesis Building, watching as large raindrops clattered onto the ground, creating a murky spray. In a matter of moments, a dense curtain of rain woven across the sky and earth, filling the air with mist, blurring the distant buildings and traffic into a flickering blur of light and shadow.

She didn't bring an umbrella.

The sky had been clear when she left home that morning, but who could have predicted the sudden change in the afternoon? The company's spare umbrellas had already been snatched up. She pulled out her phone, debating whether to call a ride-hailing service or wait for the rain to subside. At this hour, it was pouring again, and the taxi queue indicated there were over a hundred people ahead of her. The estimated wait time... was over an hour.

Yu Ling sighed and resigned herself to retreating to a corner of the hall. Outside, she watched the pouring rain and the hurried pedestrians, umbrellas in hand, running about in a panic. A small feeling of irritation and helplessness welled up in her heart. Her ankles were aching from standing in her high heels for so long, and the damp, cold air seeped in through her skirt, bringing a slight chill.

My phone vibrated. It was Zhao Chen.

ZhaoC: [Image: Heavy rain outside the window]

【ZhaoC】：It’s raining so heavily. Did Lingling bring an umbrella?

[Ling]: [crying.jpg] No… I'm stuck downstairs at the office. The taxi line is over a hundred strong…

[ZhaoC]: [pats head.jpg] Stay where you are. Ten minutes.

Ten minutes? Yu Ling stared at the torrential rain outside, which showed no sign of abating, then glanced at the unmoving queue numbers on the taxi app, feeling a little confused. This place wasn't close to the apartment; he might not be able to make it in ten minutes. Could he be nearby?

She put away her phone and leaned against the cold wall, bored, her eyes unconsciously scanning the chaotic rain outside the revolving door. Rain washed over the glass, leaving winding streaks of water.

Time passed by minute by minute. Just when she thought Zhao Chen was just trying to comfort her and was about to accept her fate and continue waiting for the ride-hailing service, the revolving door opened, bringing in a damp, cold wind and the refreshing scent of rain.

A tall, slender figure walked in against the light. He held a large, black, long-handled umbrella. The umbrella was made of some special material, and the raindrops slid off it quickly without any stagnation.

The umbrella was pulled down slightly, obscuring most of his face, leaving only his sharply defined jawline and slightly pursed lips visible. He wore a dark gray waterproof windbreaker and matching trousers, but the cuffs and uppers of his shoes were incredibly dry, as if he had walked through a misty, damp mist rather than a torrential downpour.

He folded the umbrella with smooth and graceful movements. The rainwater on the umbrella instantly gathered into streams and flowed into the metal trough at the door specially used to place wet umbrellas, leaving almost no water stains on the ground.

It was not until he raised his head that Yu Ling saw his face clearly - it was Zhao Chen.

The scattered hair on his forehead was slightly dampened by the rain, a few strands sticking to his smooth forehead. Far from looking disheveled, it actually added a touch of unruly handsomeness. His amber eyes, under the bright halllight, clearly reflected Yu Ling's slightly stunned expression, and then a gentle smile spread across his face.

"Lingling." He walked towards her, his body carrying the cool dampness of the outdoors, his steps steady. He reached in front of her, naturally extended his hand, and very naturally brushed away the non-existent water droplets on her shoulder (the hall was very dry), the action as familiar as if he had done it a thousand times.

"What's wrong with you..." Yu Ling was still a little confused. She looked at the hem of his windbreaker, which was barely wet by the rain, and his shiny leather shoes. "It's raining so hard outside..."

"It's okay, the umbrella's big enough," Zhao Chen said casually, waving the elegant, elegantly long-handled umbrella in his hand. Yu Ling's sharp eyes caught sight of a minimalist yet elegant silver logo at the end of the handle—Pasotti. It was a premium Italian handmade umbrella brand she'd only seen in luxury magazines, and it cost her a month's salary!

Another "gift from a friend"? Yu Ling's lips twitched, and she swallowed the question that was on the tip of her tongue. Forget it, it was pointless to ask.

"Let's go, the car is parked outside." Zhao Chen naturally stretched out his hand and wanted to take the commuter bag from her hand.

Yu Ling subconsciously dodged for a moment, her cheeks slightly hot: "I can get it myself." She had not yet completely recovered from the embarrassment of the "knee pillow" incident and the shock of "Wang Tao being exiled". At this moment, facing his too natural consideration, her heartbeat was a little out of control.

Zhao Chen's hand paused in mid-air, unfazed, and he naturally withdrew it, opening the heavy glass door for her. A cold wind, carrying the fishy smell of rain, instantly rushed in, mixed with icy raindrops.

"Be careful on the steps." Zhao Chen's voice was clear and gentle even amidst the rain. He opened the large Pasotti umbrella, his arm slightly raised. The wide canopy firmly enveloped Yu Ling, creating a dry and safe space. Half of his own shoulder was exposed outside the umbrella's edge.

"You..." Yu Ling looked at the windbreaker fabric on his shoulders that was instantly wet by the rain, and was about to ask him to move the umbrella a little further away.

"It's okay, just a little rain." Zhao Chen interrupted her, turning his head to smile at her, his eyes gentle yet firm. His other arm, naturally and with an irresistible sense of protection, lightly wrapped around Yu Ling's waist. Without actually touching, it formed an invisible barrier, shielding her from any rain that might splash in from the sides and providing support when her feet got slippery.

The two walked side by side into the pouring rain. Outside the umbrella was a noisy and chaotic water world, but underneath was a small, dry and warm space, filled with the faint scent of cedar from his body.

Dense raindrops pounded against the umbrella, making a dull, rhythmic sound. Yu Ling could clearly feel the warmth of Zhao Chen's arm, even through his clothes, and the steady, strong rhythm of his heartbeat. He walked at a moderate pace, matching hers and carefully avoiding the puddles on the ground.

Rainwater gathered in streams along the ribs of the umbrella, cascading down with a gurgling sound. Zhao Chen's hand gripping the umbrella handle was bony and steady as a mountain. He leaned slightly to offer more of the umbrella's surface to Ling, his soaked shoulders reflecting the water's light under the dim streetlight.

An indescribable warmth, mixed with a slight heartache and a huge sense of security, quietly spread in Ling's heart.

She secretly raised her eyes, observing Zhao Chen's rain-drenched profile. Tiny water droplets seemed to dab on his long eyelashes. At that moment, any doubts about his identity, any awkwardness about his "knee pillow," were completely obscured by this silent protection and the gentle patter of rain. Involuntarily, she inched closer to him.

The car was parked in a temporary parking space not far from the road. Zhao Chen first carefully helped Yu Ling into the passenger seat and closed the door before moving around to the driver's seat. He folded his umbrella and shook off the rain, his movements still graceful and calm, as if protecting her through the rainstorm was just a trivial matter.

The car merged smoothly into the rain-soaked traffic. The heater blew gently, dispelling the chill. Soothing classical music drifted through the car. Yu Ling leaned back in the comfortable seat, gazing out the window at the city lights blurred by the rain, her tense nerves completely relaxed.

"Thank you." She said softly, with a barely perceptible softness in her voice.

"It's my duty." Zhao Chen looked intently at the road ahead, his lips curled up slightly, "I can't let my Lingling get wet in the rain."

The word "home" was spoken so naturally by him, like a small stone dropped into Ling's heart, creating ripples. She said nothing more, but tilted her head and quietly looked at his chiseled profile. A corner of her heart quietly became soft and soothed.

One morning a few days later.

Yu Ling was awakened by a familiar, dull, ache in her lower abdomen. She curled up in her blankets, her brow furrowed, her fingertips unconsciously pressing against her abdomen. Menstruation is always accompanied by unspeakable discomfort and irritability.

She struggled to her feet, her face pale, and she walked out of the bedroom with unsteady steps. The familiar aroma of breakfast wafted through the living room, but today it seemed to have a hint of warmth, a spicy sweetness?

Zhao Chen, wearing his signature dark blue apron with a small whale pattern, was busy working at the island counter in the open kitchen with his back to her. Hearing footsteps, he turned around, his gaze lingering on Yu Ling's pale face for a moment, his brows furrowed slightly.

"Awake?" His voice was softer than usual, with a hint of barely perceptible concern. "You don't look well? Your stomach feels uncomfortable?" His eyes fell precisely on Yu Ling's hand that was subconsciously pressing on her lower abdomen.

Yu Ling nodded awkwardly: "Well...that...is coming." Her voice was muffled.

"Go sit down, don't stand." Zhao Chen put down what he was holding, walked over, and naturally took her arm, leading her to sit on the comfortable Windsor chair in the restaurant. His actions were full of a considerateness that could not be refused.

"Have some of this first." He turned and brought out a delicate white porcelain cup from the kitchen, steam rising from the rim. A rich aroma, with the pungent flavor of ginger and the sweet aroma of red dates, hit me.

Yu Ling took the cup and warmed it in her hand. Looking down, she saw a deep amber liquid, filled with plump red dates, thinly sliced ​​ginger, and a few round, bright red... goji berries? Wait! Floating next to those goji berries were a few strangely shaped, dark brown flakes she had never seen before. They exuded a unique, slightly medicinal fragrance.

"Brown sugar ginger tea?" Yu Ling was a little surprised. She remembered that she had only mentioned once that she felt uncomfortable during her menstrual period, and last time Zhao Chen had only cooked ordinary ginger sugar water.

"Yeah, an upgraded version." Zhao Chen sat down opposite her, also holding a cup of coffee in his hand, looking at her gently, "I added some good stuff. Drink it while it's hot to warm your body."

Yu Ling blew on the hot liquid doubtfully, then took a cautious sip. As the warm liquid slid down her throat, a pungent, sweet warmth instantly spread through her mouth, quickly spreading to every part of her body. The spiciness was just the right amount of stimulating to her taste buds, yet not choking. Instead, it left a feeling of comfort throughout her body.

The sweet and sticky taste of red dates, the spicy aroma of ginger, the subtle sweetness of goji berries, and the subtle, yet distinct, aftertaste of those few unknown herbs all blend perfectly together to create a strangely addictive, warming sensation. Even more amazingly, within moments of drinking it, the irritating heaviness and chill in my lower abdomen seemed to be dispelled by this warmth!

"Hmm... so delicious!" Yu Ling's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but take another big sip. She felt warm all over, and squinted her eyes in comfort. "What's in this...? It feels much better than ordinary ginger tea!"