Chapter 57 Sick (Posted early for those who wake up early)

The cold winter wind blew against Jiang Xia's face, and he shivered violently—it was so cold.

Fortunately, Jiang Xia came out and persuaded him to leave. He was suddenly relieved, otherwise President Wu would have continued to stay here.

It's so cold, and it's late at night, it's easy to get sick.

Wu Zhou looked at Jiang Xia and met his eyes, which were filled with embarrassment and worry.

He, who was usually calm and composed, smiled slightly and replied in a low voice, "I understand."

He didn't ask Jiang Xia, who had already "finished get off work," why he had suddenly appeared here.

Jiang Xia turned her head away, touched the tip of her nose with her finger in embarrassment, and said in a voice as soft as the wind, "I lied to you, I'm sorry."

Wu Zhou's gaze fell on the deep red mole on his left cheek, watching the blush gradually spread to his cheek and earlobe.

He approached step by step, his footsteps mingling with his deep voice, falling on Jiang Xia's ears: "It's alright. If I hadn't come, you wouldn't have needed to lie. It's my problem."

Both sides looked for problems within themselves, trying to ease the delicate atmosphere.

Jiang Xia turned around abruptly, and the moment their eyes met, it was just like the moment they met on that night of the meteor shower.

Jiang Xia was silent for a moment, then pointed to the street behind Wu Zhou: "I'm going to eat firewood chicken. My colleague has recommended it to me several times, saying I absolutely have to try it. Do you want to go?"

Since their two kisses, Jiang Xia has rarely addressed him respectfully as President Wu, nor has she continued to call him Wu Zhou.

He couldn't quite explain his feelings.

If I were younger and less composed, I probably wouldn't have seen Wu Zhou again after that kiss.

But now he knows how to weigh the pros and cons. Over the years, he has only had Wu Ming as a friend. This year, he stayed in Mengcheng and felt too lonely without any friends to accompany him.

Perhaps I also have my own obsessions...

Jiang Xia tried to treat Wu Zhou with a normal attitude, just like when she interacted with her colleagues, and tried to keep her mood as calm as possible.

As the two were talking, the receptionist approached and asked, "Mr. Jiang, Mr. Wu, is there anything we can help you with?"

She knew Jiangxia.

This office building houses many companies, but Jiang Xia stands out for his looks and education. In addition, playboy Wu Ming has come to the company to pick him up several times, each time making the receptionist laugh.

Over time, she remembered Jiangxia.

In particular, Wu Zhou was holding a large bouquet of roses at this moment, which made the receptionist even more curious.

Jiang Xia felt a pang of panic and turned back to call out to the girl inside the revolving door, "It's nothing, we're leaving now."

He led Wu Zhou down the steps in front of the office building.

Wu Zhou, holding the flowers, stepped in front of him and shielded him from the cold wind.

"Do you want me to drive?" Wu Zhou asked.

Jiang Xia shook her head: "It's very close. I'd like to take a walk with you."

Wu Zhou nodded and looked at the rose in his hand. Jiang Xia blushed and said, "No need for flowers."

Wu Zhou didn't say anything more and had to put the flowers back in the car.

At eight or nine o'clock, the commercial district was full of working people leaving get off work. Neon lights flashed in the night, and the two of them walked forward with the flow of people.

Jiang Xia buried her chin in the high collar of her down jacket, listening to the navigation as she walked forward, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Wu Zhou had invited me to dinner several times before, always making special reservations at upscale restaurants. But on a whim, I invited him to a new restaurant where I had no idea about the ambiance or service.

Wu Zhou's arrival was so sudden that I had no time to prepare.

The two walked to the store entrance. There were quite a few people inside, but there were still empty seats.

This is a chain restaurant located on the first floor. The open kitchen emits a rich aroma, and the environment is relatively clean. However, there are no private rooms in the restaurant, and you can only dine in. The atmosphere is very smoky.

Jiang Xia paused slightly, worried that he might not be used to it: "How about... we go to another one?"

Wu Zhou turned his head to look at him, his gaze gentle: "If you really want to eat, then come in."

He took the first step, and Jiang Xia followed him in, choosing a spot against the wall inside.

The restaurant doesn't have many set meals, and there aren't any single-person meals, but Jiang Xia doesn't have to worry about that now; he can now order a two-person meal.

Jiang Xia ordered the food while asking for opinions.

He flipped through the menu: "For dessert, let's skip the mango. I remember Wu Ming mentioned that you seem to be allergic to mangoes."

He couldn't quite remember when he said it.

Jiang Xia looked up when he didn't respond and saw Wu Zhou with a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth, quietly looking at him with a look of relief and concern in his eyes.

Jiang Xia's face flushed slightly, and he chuckled dryly, saying, "Good memory, good memory, ahahaha..."

Fortunately, the waiter was quick and efficient. He quickly came over to set up the pot, added charcoal and firewood to the recessed area in the middle of the table, and then brought over a large pot. The chicken in the pot had already been prepared and was being kept warm on a stove.

Since he was the one hosting the dinner, Jiang Xia instinctively busied himself with preparing the dishes, unpacking the tableware for Wu Zhou, and carefully rinsing the bowls and plates with hot water.

Wu Zhou couldn't snatch it from him, nor did he dare to forcibly take it, for fear of knocking over the kettle and scalding him.

The meal was very enjoyable.

Unlike Wu Ming, Wu Zhou was not picky about tastes or textures.

After dinner, I went out around nine o'clock, and the wind was even colder.

Jiang Xia stepped outside and said softly, "It's so cold, are you alright?"

"It's alright, not cold."

Jiang Xia looked at him suspiciously. The next moment, the man gently grasped his fingertips, the temperature of which was almost scalding hot, so hot that Jiang Xia abruptly pulled his hand away.

Jiang Xia's ears burned, and he whispered, "It's definitely not cold."

The driver had received a message from Mr. Wu a few minutes earlier and had driven to the store entrance to wait.

Wu Zhou got into the car first. Jiang Xia originally wanted to sit in the passenger seat, but then noticed the bouquet of roses on the seat.

He swayed slightly, and Wu Zhou reached out and hooked his waist, gently leading him to the back seat.

The two sat side by side, and Jiang Xia turned around to look at the man in front of her in shock.

Seeing his slightly shocked expression, Wu Zhou chuckled and raised the barrier.

"What's wrong?"

"No," Jiang Xia murmured.

The driver was driving smoothly, and the city lights and shadows outside the window were receding.

Only they remained in the back seat. Jiang Xia was initially a little nervous, but perhaps because he had just eaten and felt a bit dizzy, or perhaps because it was his usual rest time, he soon fell asleep.

Looking at his sleeping profile, Wu Zhou quietly reclined his chair to make Jiang Xia more comfortable.

Fortunately, the driver brought a minivan.

Wu Zhou quietly stayed with him, gently stroking his hair with his fingertips, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

Now it's all good, Wu Ming has already been sent abroad by me...

The pain is only temporary. Letting Wu Ming stay by Jiang Xia's side will only cause him lifelong suffering.

Jiang Xia would watch helplessly as Wu Ming got married and had children, while Wu Ming, as a friend, would entangle him and forbid him from getting married easily, as if his marriage was a heinous crime.

Jiang Xia is so sentimental; if he can't sever ties, it's hard to forcibly break off the relationship.

Perhaps he can only be Wu Ming's good friend, his child's godfather, or even someone Wu Ming and his wife need to help take care of their child when they go on vacation.

Wu Ming only hoped that Jiang Xia didn't want to get married, but he didn't try to solve the pain in Jiang Xia's heart.

Wu Zhou knows better than anyone how painful unrequited love can be.

His fondness for Jiangxia began a long time ago.

For the previous five or six years, he could only glimpse Jiangxia through Wu Ming's circle of friends.

The first time he met Jiang Xia Zhenren, the 19-year-old was a freshman in college. He was trying hard to be strong but was still immature. He didn't even dare to look at him directly for more than a couple of seconds.

That night, Wu Zhou went mad and dreamt of the Yangtze River Gorge.

The scene in the dream was ambiguous and enchanting. Jiang Xia called his name breathlessly, and their legs were pressed together, the blanket rising and falling with their movements.

Unfortunately, the image was too blurry; all he could confirm was that it was definitely Jiangxia.

This is very scoundrelly behavior, and he didn't tell anyone.

His father's philandering in his youth, his family's concern for his younger brother, and the years he spent overseas where he witnessed many arguments among those around him due to promiscuity.

He didn't like those chaotic days, so every time he saw Wu Ming's posts about Jiangxia on his WeChat Moments, and saw Wu Ming complaining that Jiangxia was rigid and feudal... he wanted to bring Jiangxia to his side.

He wanted the two of them to study abroad together, and after class, they could go home, cook and eat together, and after showering, read and write papers together.

But Jiangxia did not belong to him; it had always been Wu Ming's "exclusive" property.

Looking at Jiang Xia's face, Wu Zhou felt regret: If he hadn't gone abroad to study and had insisted on going back to Duliang with his mother, would things have been different?

Wu Ming seems to care about the people around him, but he does whatever he wants.

When he was young, Wu Ming had a good relationship with his other cousins, and they had said the same thing.

They even spoke ill of their partners, constantly praising their cousins ​​as if their partners were degenerate.

Wu Zhou knew about it because he said it during a family dinner while he was with his siblings.

Later, when another wealthy friend of Wu Ming got married, he used the same trick again, and everyone present turned pale.

Wu Zhou didn't want him to lose face, so on the way home, he directly mocked him: "Are you very good at using the excuse of doing what's best for others to ridicule their lives?"

"You think their partners are bad, but did you introduce them to better people before this?"

"Do you have to keep saying that other people's choices are wrong, even when something is already a certainty?"

"How noble and devoted are you in relationships? I started dating girls in my senior year of college, and we broke up every two weeks."

Why can't you learn from Jiang Xia?

After that, Wu Ming dared not act presumptuously in front of him anymore...

Thinking of this, Wu Zhou frowned and ran his fingers across Jiang Xia's cheek: "I should have found out earlier."

Wu Ming has learned to pretend and no longer manipulates others in public. He appears carefree, but whether it's intentional or unintentional, the damage is already done.

Does Wu Ming still want to "let bygones be bygones" and happily regain ownership of Jiangxia?

He won't allow that to happen.

Wu Zhou closed his eyes and gently stroked Jiang Xia's hair.

Jiang Xia remained unconscious. Wu Zhou guessed that he had eaten a little too much earlier and, since it was time to sleep, he had fallen into a semi-conscious state due to the carbon monoxide poisoning.

This situation is not good. Perhaps Jiang Xia needs to have a comprehensive physical examination and take good care of his health.

Wu Zhou has already made his plans.

The car arrived at Jiang Xia's building nearly an hour later, where Jiang Xia was still asleep.

Wu Zhou checked the time. Based on the speed at which Jiang Xia had sent messages back to Wu Ming in the past, it would take about two hours before he felt much more awake.

He told the driver, "Wait here for a while, let him get some sleep."

An hour passed before Jiang Xia suddenly woke up with a start: "Have we arrived?"

Wu Zhou glanced at the time: "Just arrived."

Jiang Xia checked his phone. Wait, two hours have passed. Did he just arrive?

Wu Zhou gently comforted him, "We're stuck in traffic."

Jiang Xia didn't believe it. Seeing him lie without blushing, she couldn't help but chuckle, but didn't expose Mr. Wu's lie.

Wu Zhou got out of the car: "I'll take you upstairs."

After failing to refuse, Jiang Xia had no choice but to nod in agreement.

As a result, the two went upstairs, the lights came on, and Jiang Xia saw General Manager Zhan at the door.

Jiang Xia was shocked; he didn't see Zhan Lintian's car downstairs.

Zhan Lintian stood up, his legs feeling a little numb: "You're finally back."

He seemed to have something to say, and his lips moved slightly: "Won't you invite me in for a seat?"

Jiang Xia hesitated, but ultimately agreed, as he was too concerned with appearances and saving face.

He rarely argues with people, and even when facing Wu Ming, he tries to remain calm. Now, he can't bring himself to blush and tell them both to get lost.

Wu Zhou suspected that Zhan Lintian was up to something, so he didn't leave and followed him into the house.

When Jiang Xia went to the kitchen to boil water, Zhan Lintian rushed up to Wu Zhou, his tone instantly turning cold. He lowered his voice and said, "Wu Ming's study abroad assistant sent me his medical report. Didn't you know he has an infectious disease?"

Wu Zhou's brow twitched: "What?"

The Wu family has two regular check-ups and several minor check-ups every year. If Wu Ming was healthy at the beginning and middle of the year, then it's highly likely that the problem occurred recently.

“Several of his data points are wrong, although it’s not a life-threatening illness…” Zhan Lintian glanced at the young man in the kitchen.

"Who knew he used to frequent this place? The whole house needs to be disinfected."

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhou slowly clenched his fists and narrowed his eyes.

The two looked at each other, and they both really wanted to take Jiang Xia to the hospital for a check-up.

Zhan Lintian wanted to take Jiang Xia back to his own home. This house wasn't clean anymore. Although there were traces of Jiang Xia's life everywhere, and he liked staying there, the thought that Wu Ming might have lain on the sofa, slept on the guest room bed, used the bathroom, and gone into the kitchen...

He wanted to disinfect everything inside and out to put Jiangxia at ease.

Last time, Jiang Xia's eyes were bright, and she proudly said that she cared a lot about her health, like a healthy kitten that took good care of itself, shiny and smooth, and everyone who saw it wanted to touch it.

Jiang Xia is such a health-conscious person, if she gets infected, she'll be so angry she'll cry.

If Wu Ming had secretly kissed him while Jiang Xia was sleeping, he would have wanted to contact his friends in the Fog Kingdom to beat Wu Ming to death.

When General Manager Zhan saw Jiang Xia standing on tiptoe to reach for the tea leaves in the hanging cabinet, he calmly began to brew the tea.

Zhan Lintian tried his best to control his temper, and it was good that he didn't beat up Wu Ming's older brother, Wu Zhou.

All crows are black, and even though they are brothers, Wu Zhou might not be a good guy either.

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A note from the author:

Zhan Lintian: What if my wife won't let me kiss her anymore? [Angry]

Wu Zhou: He should just die in the Fog Kingdom. I can only let him return to his country openly and honestly after I die.

Small theater.

One day, Wu Ming secretly took a detour back to China, intending to celebrate Jiang Xia's birthday and confess his feelings. He happened to discover Wu Zhou and Zhan Lintian coaxing Jiang Xia to drink beer that was "completely alcohol-free." Feeling guilty and scared, he decided to find Jiang Xia the next day and turned to leave the private room.