52

It wasn't that Ji Shengsheng was uncooperative, but rather that she couldn't swallow it.

I managed to swallow it, but then I vomited it up again very quickly.

Not wanting to see her suffer again, Xu Yu got up to buy some powdered fever reducer.

When Xiao Qi returned, she saw Xu Yu feeding Ji Shengsheng medicine.

She was also very worried about Ji Shengsheng's health, but Xu Yu didn't want her to get close.

After Ji Shengsheng's temperature stabilized, Xu Yu covered Ji Shengsheng with a blanket before preparing to leave with Xiao Qi.

"Brother-in-law, is Sister Shengsheng sick because she's worried about me?" Xiao Qi asked anxiously as she was leaving the house, constantly picking at her fingers.

"So, you're prepared not to be a deserter?"

Xu Yu is not a believer in gentle education.

He believed that if Xiao Qi could not learn from this experience, she would encounter similar situations sooner or later, regardless of whether she took a leave of absence, transferred schools, or dropped out.

Ideally, this time we can fundamentally change the mindset of the weak.

Xiao Qi turned to look at Ji Shengsheng, then at Xu Yu: "Brother-in-law, I'm ready."

She won't let Sister Sheng Sheng down. She wants to become a person with a strong heart like Sister Sheng Sheng.

Xu Yu didn't have any particular feelings towards Xiao Qi, but the title "brother-in-law" sounded really nice.

"Don't worry, none of the consequences you're worried about will happen."

"Thank you for your kindness, brother-in-law..." Xiao Qi said this without knowing why.

...

When Ji Shengsheng woke up, Xu Yu and Xiao Qi had been sitting on either side of her for a long time.

Seeing her open her eyes, Xiao Qi immediately stood up, glanced at Xu Yu again, and ultimately did not move.

My brother-in-law's possessiveness towards my sister is so strong that she doesn't even dare to pretend she doesn't understand.

Although she also wanted to be by her sister's side, she also wanted to hug her sister.

Xu Yu booked another room for Xiao Qi to rest in.

After working late into the night, Ji Shengsheng's fever finally subsided completely.

The next morning, feeling as if her body had been disassembled and reassembled, Ji Shengsheng opened her eyes and saw Xu Yu, who hadn't slept all night.

Xiao Qi is not here.

"How is it?" Ji Shengsheng heard his own voice, which was very hoarse.

"all the best."

Ji Shengsheng looked at the bloodshot eyes in Xu Yu's eyes: "And you?"

"I'm fine." Xu Yu looked at her haggard face. "I'm just worried about you."

"...I'll eat properly from now on." Ji Shengsheng hugged Xu Yu's arm.

She didn't want Xu Yu to worry about her.

Of all times, I got sick.

Xu Yu looked at Ji Shengsheng.

Her cheeks were bloodless, her lips were pale, and her eyes were unfocused, lacking any of her usual liveliness.

How many times did she experience this during the three years she lived alone abroad?

Is there anyone like him who stays by her side and takes care of her?

Or perhaps she will simply remain ill and wait for her to recover on her own.

Xu Yu recalled that Cheng Yu had asked him many times why he didn't go abroad to find Ji Shengsheng.

They had visited the country where she studied and even stayed in the city where she lived, but he never went to see her.

He was provoked and then casually abandoned.

He has self-respect and principles; he won't be abandoned and then entangled with.

He would not dwell on it, nor would he regret making such a decision.

He was even certain that Ji Shengsheng wouldn't want to see him there.

Therefore, he would never go.

But now, he regrets it.

When I saw Ji Shengsheng looking like a withered flower petal.

When I heard her say that she could get through it and that she was already used to it.

He should have gone to find her a long time ago.

I should have gone to take care of her a long time ago.

"Don't worry..."

Xu Yu looked at her with a complicated expression and a serious look in his eyes. Ji Shengsheng had no idea what he was thinking. She wanted to comfort Xu Yu, but she still felt very uncomfortable even after shifting her position.

"Your legs hurt?" Xu Yu sat on the edge of the bed, wanting to massage them for her.

"...My joints hurt so much." Ji Shengsheng lay on Xu Yu's lap. "It's enough that you're here with me."

"Um?"

“I never thought being sick was so bad before. I just thought I was strong and amazing.” Ji Shengsheng nuzzled Xu Yu.

"Were you taking care of me all night?"

A towel soaked in cold water was used to wipe her forehead, neck, armpits, and groin to cool her down.

I take her temperature from time to time.

Feed her orange-flavored sweet water.

“I can feel it.” Ji Shengsheng stroked Xu Yu’s fingers. “I feel so happy now, and I realize how hard it was before.”

...When Xu Yu wasn't around, life was very difficult.

She was clearly confessing her feelings, but Xu Yu seemed even more burdened.

She thought Xu Yu would be happy to hear her say these things.

"I'm sorry." Xu Yu stroked her hair, his expression filled with pity and self-reproach. "It was my fault."

He knows he was wrong.

"You'll be happy from now on," Xu Yu promised her. "I'll always be with you."

I won't let you be lonely, won't let you be without anyone to accompany you, won't let you suffer from illness alone without anyone to take care of you.

Ji Shengsheng didn't know why Xu Yu wanted to apologize.

It was Xiao Qi knocking on the door that interrupted their conversation.

Upon seeing Xiao Qi, Ji Shengsheng quickly sat up so that she could sit next to him.

Xiao Qi glanced at Xu Yu, but dared not approach.

Xu Yu took Ji Shengsheng's temperature, watched her eat, and then got up and left, giving the two of them some space to be alone.

Finally able to get to Ji Shengsheng's side, Xiao Qi touched her forehead and massaged her arms and calves, as if afraid that she was uncomfortable, and put one cushion after another behind her.

"Is everything going smoothly?" Ji Shengsheng stopped her from continuing her work.

"smoothly!"

With Xu Yu's reminder, she made thorough preparations.

To be honest, she never argued with anyone, and she never argued when she encountered misunderstandings. She always kept things to herself and silently let them pass.

Sometimes it passes, sometimes it doesn't. If it passes, all's well; if it doesn't, you'll think about it from time to time, and it will cause you pain again.

This was the first time she had initiated an argument with someone.

Although her voice was trembling, she wasn't afraid because she knew Ji Shengsheng was supporting her and her brother-in-law had told her not to worry.

“I asked her when she discovered the money was missing, and she said it had been too long and she couldn’t remember if it was in the morning or at noon. So I loudly told her that I go to the classroom to study every morning at six o’clock and don’t go back until evening.”

"No matter when, I never have the time or the opportunity to go through her things."

"Besides, we're not even close enough that I know where she keeps her things. It doesn't make any sense for me to steal something I don't even know about right in front of her."

"But she, knowing full well that I have this kind of schedule, and that I usually stay alone and focus on studying, why did she suspect me right away?"

“If she continues to spread rumors and create isolation without evidence, I have reason to suspect that she is deliberately framing her.”

Xiao Qi couldn't help but tremble as she repeated these words.

"Great job!" Ji Shengsheng could tell that she was trying hard to appear calm, and she did a very good job. Ji Shengsheng couldn't help but praise her, "You're a brave little Qi."

"Then she said, if I was wronged, why didn't I say so then, and why did I only say so after so long?"

Xiao Qi smiled sheepishly: "Actually, on the way to school, my brother-in-law and I simulated possible conversations, and we just happened to simulate this line."

"I questioned her even louder, asking why she didn't call the police when she lost the money and let them decide who was right and wrong, instead of spreading the story around privately. Since it was serious enough to want everyone to know, why not let the police convict her instead of relying on public opinion?"

"I even asked her if she was deliberately framing me and targeting me, trying to make me unable to concentrate on my studies through rumors, which scared her."

Ji Shengsheng witnessed Xiao Qi's growth; her face no longer held a timid expression, but was filled with courage and determination.

She truly learned a lot from this experience.

"Sister, I used to think of myself as too weak and the bad guys as too strong."

“When she questioned me, she was very fierce. The more I remained silent, the fiercer she became. But when I attacked her, when I fought back, she looked pitifully weak.”

Ji Shengsheng was happy for Xiao Qi.

I also felt relaxed.

"...What else did your brother-in-law teach you?"

"He told me that no matter what the other party says, I should not try to prove myself, and I should not say 'I' this or that. Instead, I should find the other party's weaknesses and attack them directly."

Ji Shengsheng hugged Xiao Qi: "You're amazing. I'm confident you can overcome any difficulty."

“Actually… I’m quite scared too, especially when I’ve finished speaking and am waiting for the other person to refute me.” Xiao Qi snuggled into Ji Shengsheng’s arms. “At those times, I think of you, I think of you behind me. If I get bullied again, or if I can’t argue with her, you won’t criticize me, you’ll comfort me, and then I won’t be scared anymore.”

"At least I still have my sister who believes in me, so I'm not afraid of what others say."

Xiao Qi couldn't help but start crying.

Ji Shengsheng wiped away her tears: "...If something like this happens again, remember to tell me immediately."

"It takes courage to get through a difficult time on your own. When you have loved ones by your side and helping you, you can work together to find ways to make it easier."

"Thank you, Sister Sheng Sheng, thank you."

Ultimately, Xiao Qi did not choose to transfer schools.

The second semester of senior year is too busy, and Xiao Qi is a repeat student.

Transferring schools, renting a place, and integrating into a new environment would all take up study time. After weighing the options, Xiao Qi changed dormitories and continued studying.

Ji Shengsheng respects Xiao Qi's decision.

After spending another day with Xiao Qi, they prepared to return home.

Before leaving, Ji Shengsheng saw Xu Yu call Xiao Qi aside and give her some instructions.

After Xu Yu finished speaking, Xiao Qi took the initiative to report: "My brother-in-law taught me what I should do if someone uses this to attack me again."

Ji Shengsheng: "...Okay."

She wasn't quite used to Xiao Qi calling her brother-in-law so naturally. Especially since Xu Yu had been observing her expression the whole time Xiao Qi used that term.

Once in the car, Ji Shengsheng explained, "I said 'husband' at the time because of the circumstances, after all..."

"Oh," Xu Yu started the car, "you're going to renege on your debt after using it?"

Ji Shengsheng: "How can this be considered defaulting on a debt..."

"So, you admit there are debts to be settled?"

Ji Shengsheng lacked confidence: "...If it's clear, then it's clear."

"Yes, we'll clear it out slowly back in Lucheng."

Ji Shengsheng: "..."

...Aren't these two days in Taoyuan enough?

On the way back, Ji Shengsheng couldn't help but doze off.

Xu Yu drove back to Taoyuan almost without rest, traveling day and night.

Even though Ji Shengsheng felt she was almost fully recovered, Xu Yu still took her to the hospital.

Fortunately, he was in good physical condition and the inflammatory response was not severe.

After getting some medicine, Ji Shengsheng followed Xu Yu back to the hotel.

As she opened the door, the familiar feeling returned, and Ji Shengsheng felt at ease, finally able to rest in peace.

"Xu Yu, you have great stamina."

After taking a shower, Ji Shengsheng lay sprawled on the bed, unable to suppress his emotions.

Xu Yu: "?"

This was not the sentence he wanted to hear at that moment.

Seeing Xu Yu's puzzled expression, Ji Shengsheng explained, "You haven't slept for so long and have been taking care of me. Aren't you tired?"

He still looks very energetic, and doesn't even have dark circles under his eyes!

This made her look even more haggard.

Ji Shengsheng saw her standing some distance away from him, wondering what he was thinking.

"Xu Yu, why aren't you saying anything?"

"I'm thinking about something." Xu Yu walked over to her side. "I'm thinking about what to do with you."

Ji Shengsheng: "...Why are you suddenly taking my place?"

Xu Yu leaned down, placed his hands on either side of her, and kissed her.

Ji Shengsheng dodged away: "...I'm sick, I'll infect you."

"No," Xu Yu said, not letting go of her. "Didn't you just say I have good stamina?"