The lights in the clinic were still on.

Ying Qian's fever has subsided, but her throat still feels like she's swallowed razor blades.

Chen Wenzhi, carrying a pure black bag on one shoulder, took out 70 yuan from his school uniform pocket and placed it in front of the doctor.

“Hey, I have money!” Ying Qian raised her eyebrows and looked at him in surprise. “Even if I’m poor, I’m not so poor that I don’t even have enough money for an IV drip!”

She has never liked owing others anything.

The debt she owed Meng Beiyan could never be repaid, and she didn't want to owe Chen Wenzhi any more.

"Just think of it as me trying to be a gentleman." Chen Wenzhi smiled slightly, the curve of his lips was small, but enough to make people feel the joy in his heart.

Ying Qian didn't quite understand why he was happy. Who would be happy after spending money for nothing?

The doctor, with a smile that said, "This young man really knows how to have fun," went to dispense the medicine for Ying Qian.

Ying Qian caught a glimpse of the doctor's smiling face and couldn't help but sigh, rubbing her forehead. He must have misunderstood their relationship. Thinking of this, she glanced at Chen Wenzhi again.

He still had that refined and gentle demeanor, his tall figure leaning against the white tiles, the warm yellow light softening his sharp facial features, making him appear more gentle.

Chen Wenzhi noticed her suddenly dilated pupils, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart, causing him to smile slightly.

"Find a place to sit down, or lie down on one of the beds inside!" the doctor said.

Ying Qian was still in a daze.

Chen Wenzhi put his arm around her and whispered in her ear, "Stop spacing out. Do you want to lie down inside or sit outside?"

“Lie down…” she replied.

Once she was embraced, she seemed to have lost control of her limbs and was completely restrained by Chen Wenzhi.

The unknown laundry detergent on him always smelled very nice, a reassuring scent.

The beds inside were all made of disposable bedding. Feeling tired, Ying Qian lay down, while several middle-aged people on the beds next to her were receiving IV drips.

Chen Wenzhi sat on the edge of the bed.

After the acupuncture was administered, Ying Qian fell asleep immediately. Chen Wenzhi, worried, held her wrist to prevent her from moving around and causing backflow of blood. He had originally intended to watch over her while she slept, but he couldn't stay awake any longer and fell asleep as well.

The two snuggled together, she leaned on his shoulder, and could smell his fragrance with every breath she took.

He often suffered from insomnia, but since becoming acquainted with Ying Qian, he has been sleeping soundly every night.

It has to be said that Ying Qian was his one and only sleeping pill.

She didn't know how much time had passed when Ying Qian woke up. She had woken up when the water was changed for the first time, but she was sleeping very soundly, so she didn't dare to make any rash moves and maintained the same posture from beginning to end.

She tried to fall asleep, but it was hard not to feel comfortable with a living, breathing, warm person next to her.

Chen Wenzhi's appearance is undeniably handsome; his profile is almost perfect, and his high, straight nose is the finishing touch to his face.

Ying Qian leaned her head against Chen Wenzhi's shoulder, blinking her eyes, hoping the IV drip would finish quickly. His arms were wrapped around her body, their relationship ambiguous.

She swallowed a few times, and when she looked up, she saw his Adam's apple bobbing.

Her left hand was empty, and she couldn't help but reach out and touch it. It was hard and stiff. She gently stroked it, and the coldness of her fingertips completely woke Chen Wenzhi up.

A cold gaze fell upon her, startling her. She quickly withdrew her hand and pretended nothing had happened.

Chen Wenzhi swallowed a few times dryly, his eyes unfocused and hazy, his voice carrying a unique hoarseness: "Ying Qian, you can't just touch someone's Adam's apple whenever you want."

"Oh..." Ying Qian replied, "It won't happen again next time..."

Chen Wenzhi pursed his lips and said, "But I don't mind."

...?

Ying Qian looked into his dark and unfathomable eyes and sensed a growing affection within them.

"I know, I know," she said repeatedly.

"Ying Qian," Chen Wenzhi called her name, and said frankly, "Actually, when I first met you, I didn't like you, but I wouldn't say I hated you either. I just thought you were very frivolous..."

"And now?" Ying Qian suppressed a laugh. "Do you still think I'm frivolous now?"

A laugh escaped Chen Wenzhi's lips. His eyes were resolute, and his voice was gentle, like a babbling brook flowing slowly down from the mountains, narrating the stories along the way.

"It still is, but I've realized I really like you now."

Ying Qian understood what he meant, but she chose to play dumb.

She had no idea how to respond to someone's affection.

"I like you too! I also like Ren Yi, and I like Shen Yun..."

Chen Wenzhi was taken aback, but after a moment of realization, he smiled and said, "When you're away from home, you rely on friends. It's a good thing to make more friends."

"Hmm, I think it's a good thing too."

Chen Wenzhi gradually became confused about what he was thinking. Did he like it?

Does he like Ying Qian?

Do you really like it?

He shook his head and sighed.

Ying Qian asked him, "Why are you sighing?"

"It's nothing, I'm just a little tired today." Chen Wenzhi closed his eyes. "Should I take you straight home, or shall we go out for a late-night snack?"

"Go home, your mother must be worried."

“I’ve already talked to her about it,” Chen Wenzhi said helplessly. “My mom is really looking forward to having some private time.”

Ying Qian nodded thoughtfully.

"Has your brother not come back yet?"

"No, I estimate I'll be back in a few days," Ying Qian thought to herself.

Whether Meng Beiyan comes back or not makes no difference; he won't interfere too much in her life. At most, they'll have a meal together and talk about life.

“I am still very grateful to him,” Ying Qian told Chen Wenzhi. “He lived with my family when he was little. Now that my parents are divorced, he has taken me in, which is a good thing.”

Chen Wenzhi seemed to gradually understand something. "So, he really cares about you?"

“Hmm.” Ying Qian’s eyes and brows showed a hint of desolation. “But he spoils me too much. I think he should spend some time with his sister.”

"You and his sister are very close?"

“Yes, we lived together for a while.” Ying Qian spoke of Meng Xuhe as if she had a whole lot to say, and she kept talking. “He’s incredibly handsome! He’s so incredibly gentle! He speaks softly and his grades are pretty good too. There must be a lot of guys pursuing her at her school.”

"She's like a female version of you! So incredibly gentle! I love her so much..."

This assessment is very fair.

Chen Wenzhi smiled wryly: "In your eyes, am I very gentle?"

Ying Qian looked up into his eyes and said without hesitation, "Of course."