Chapter 34 Delusions: A hazy, delirious consciousness plummeted into the clouds...

The slender bamboo joints sank into the juicy strawberries.

Liang Huaixu's eyes darkened behind his glasses, and he said, his expression unreadable, "Let go."

Zhuang Fuyao's eyes were glistening with tears brought on by the bitter medicine, and her gaze towards him was lively and mischievous.

He inexplicably felt a surge of restlessness.

"Let go," he said again, his tone a little harsher than before, a warning to himself.

"Who told you to put candy in my mouth?"

Thinking he was angry, Zhuang Fuyao loosened her teeth, put the preserved plum candy in her mouth, and hummed softly, her tone very self-righteous, as if she was biting her finger only to teach him a lesson for putting candy in her mouth without permission.

Liang Huaixu's fingers were still damp from where she had bitten them. Feeling guilty, he composed himself and asked her, "Shall we take a shower before we sleep, or take a nap first and then shower?"

Zhuang Fuyao buried herself in the pillow and mumbled, "I don't want to sleep or take a shower."

She still felt unwell, with a headache and dizziness. A hot shower would actually make her feel much better. But she had no energy at all, and she suspected she would faint halfway through the shower.

She turned over, opened her mouth, and after a long pause, she still couldn't bring herself to say, "Why don't you help me take a bath?"

She whimpered in frustration, then curled up beside the blanket, saying, "It's so uncomfortable."

Seeing her in so much pain, Liang Huaixu felt bad too. If he could take on someone else's illness, he would not hesitate to take her cold and fever for her.

He called his family doctor to ask about ways to relieve the discomfort of a fever. The family doctor's advice was largely the same as the previous doctor's: rest well, stay hydrated and replenish energy, apply a towel to the forehead, wipe the body, and use appropriate fever-reducing medication.

He couldn't bear her pain for her, so he filled a basin with water and placed it on the bedside table, applying it to her forehead almost non-stop.

Zhuang Fuyao lay on the bed with her eyes closed, her brows furrowed in discomfort, unable to fall asleep.

The air conditioner is now off, and she's covered with a thick blanket, but she's not sweating at all.

Liang Huaixu got up and glanced out the window. The streetlights had failed due to the heavy rain, and it was pitch black outside, like a giant beast lurking and ready to devour everything.

I don't know when the rain will stop.

He irritably pulled the curtains back shut, tugged at his collar, and showed signs of losing control of his emotions, his mind replaying the night she had her miscarriage.

His steps became unsteady, and he hurriedly went to his suitcase to find medicine, his hands trembling unnaturally as he rummaged through the things.

After finding the medicine, I didn't even have time to drink water; I just swallowed it whole.

After calming down, he went outside and called his therapist.

The psychologist asked what caused this, whether there were any warning signs or if it was a sudden onset.

"It wasn't without warning; I'm now stuck in Yunnan Province."

Liang Huaixu did not hide anything from the psychologist and truthfully told him about his current relationship with Zhuang Fuyao, only changing the time travel to "amnesia".

“She was sick. It was cold and dark outside, and I couldn’t keep up with her emotions. It only took a few minutes for me to start having an attack. My hands and feet were cold and trembling, and I started to experience somatization.”

On the other end of the phone, the psychologist reassured him, "Mr. Liang, your current situation stems from the psychological trauma caused by your ex-wife's miscarriage. Therefore, it's normal for you to experience significant emotional fluctuations in similar situations. However, it's important to note that sedatives are only for emergency use and should not be taken in excess. After you return to Jiang City, I'll assess your situation and see if I need to prescribe medication for a period of time..."

"Yes, thank you for your help."

After talking with the psychologist, Liang Huaixu calmed down a lot. When he returned to his room, he found that she was already fast asleep.

Liang Huaixu stayed by her side all night, feeding her water several times during that time.

At three o'clock in the morning, he felt the temperature with his palm and it seemed to have dropped, but he was still not sweating.

The guesthouse they were staying in didn't have a heating function, so he had to spread all the clothes he brought on top of the blanket she was covered with to see if she would sweat later.

...

As dawn approached, the rain stopped for a while.

When Zhuang Fuyao woke up, she was covered in sweat and felt sticky and uncomfortable all over.

How are you feeling?

"I feel much better, but I'm still a little dizzy."

"Take your temperature again."

Five minutes later, Liang Huaixu, holding the thermometer, breathed a sigh of relief. "The fever has gone down. Do you want to eat something now? I'll go make you something."

"No," Zhuang Fuyao shook her head. "I want to take a shower first."

"Alright."

Liang Huaixu helped her adjust the water temperature.

Zhuang Fuyao stood up, slippers on her feet, but then sat back down.

He asked nervously, "What's wrong?"

Zhuang Fuyao was a little worried, "My legs are a bit weak..."

The air fell silent for a moment.

Liang Huaixu's tense expression turned into hesitation. "Then I'll get some hot water and you can wipe yourself down?"

Zhuang Fuyao remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and the worry on her face did not dissipate.

But Liang Huaixu was even more troubled than her at this moment.

He had also had a fever and sweated before, and knew that taking a shower at that time would be more comfortable.

But she didn't have the strength, so he couldn't help her wash.

"Fine, I'll just bear with it."

"Or should I wipe it for you?"

The two spoke almost simultaneously.

"…………"

Zhuang Fuyao's eyes lit up a little. "Is that okay?"

She really hated the sticky feeling on her body, but she really didn't have the energy to take a shower.

It's not impossible to wipe your body yourself.

But subconsciously, she still wanted Liang Huaixu to help her.

The two had been intimate in every way before, and she didn't mind him helping her clean her body.

On the contrary, because she is sick, she becomes especially dependent and clingy, wanting him to take care of her.

"Should I be asking you that?"

Because he had to take care of her, Liang Huaixu basically never took off his glasses. When he asked her questions, he spoke as if he were discussing some profound academic subject, being both polite and serious.

But when paired with the specific questions he asked, this contrast felt like a feather drawing circles on my heart, tickling me.

"Okay, anyway... just think of yourself as the doctor." She blushed slightly, suddenly a little nervous, "Treat me as a patient..."

"..."

It would have been better not to say that at all.

The thought of doctors and patients inadvertently flashed through Liang Huaixu's mind, along with a role-playing game he used to play with her.

He snapped out of his daze, filled a basin with hot water, wet a towel, wrung it out, and started wiping her forehead, slowly moving down to her neck, then around her nightgown to wipe her hands and legs.

His touch was gentle, and the warmth of the towel reached her skin, causing Zhuang Fuyao to squint her eyes comfortably.

Liang Huaixu suggested she change her position to make it easier to wipe her back.

After wiping, he soaked the towel in hot water again.

Zhuang Fuyao thought that was the end of it and expressed surprise, "Dr. Liang, do you only wipe the outside of the clothes?"

Liang Huaixu's forehead veins throbbed at her address. "...I'm soaking a towel."

He solemnly covered her waist with the blanket, then carefully lifted her nightgown.

Zhuang Fuyao has always paid attention to skincare, resulting in smooth and delicate skin, like a piece of warm and lustrous Hetian jade.

Liang Huaixu took a breath and, controlling the pressure, used a towel to wipe her down.

"Legs too," Miss Zhuang gave another new order.

Liang Huaixu's forehead was now covered with a thin layer of sweat.

He moved very carefully, minimizing physical contact with her. Although doctors see all patients as the same piece of flesh, he wasn't a real doctor, and he couldn't maintain that level of concentration.

At this moment, Zhuang Fuyao, like a noble and proud cat, lay on the pillow and ordered him, "Dr. Liang, could you also massage my shoulders?"

Liang Huaixu said coolly, "I'm not a doctor, I'm more like Miss Zhuang's farmhand now."

“A farmhand isn’t qualified to give me a massage.” Zhuang Fuyao chuckled and softened her tone. “Liang Huaixu, my whole body aches. Could you give me a massage?”

"Just this once."

Liang Huaixu had a bit of a headache. He couldn't stand her acting cute, so he decided to indulge her this once.

"Is this pressure alright, Miss?"

"Not bad." Zhuang Fuyao smiled and said to her farmhand, "I'll give you a bonus and a five-star review later."

Liang Huaixu was experienced in giving her massages, and his technique was very skillful. Zhuang Fuyao closed her eyes comfortably.

At first, I only felt some relief from the aches and pains all over my body.

Later, as he pressed his palms against my shoulders and waist, and I listened to his breathing so close to my body, the soreness gradually transformed into another sensation...

Zhuang Fuyao urgently shouted "Stop!"

Liang Huaixu's voice was a little hoarse: "What's wrong?"

"No... I'm not going to press anymore." She slowly backed away, shrinking completely under the covers. "I'm tired, I want to rest."

Liang Huaixu finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Then I'll go take a shower."

...

Hearing the sound of water in the bathroom, Zhuang Fuyao slowly poked her head out, her face flushed an unnatural red.

This time it wasn't a fever, but rather... he had aroused her. Her lower back was especially sensitive, and several times she almost made a sound.

So annoying.

Zhuang Fuyao tried to calm herself down, but the more she tried to suppress it, the more she wanted it. She gently rubbed the blanket between her legs, becoming increasingly unsatisfied. She bit her lip and reached her finger into the gray-brown blanket...

The delicate flower buds swayed in the strong wind, and the night dew dripped onto the petals and leaves.

The person under the covers was still not satisfied.

When Liang Huaixu came out of the shower, he saw that she had her eyes closed and looked uncomfortable, so he asked softly, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell again?"

Zhuang Fuyao remained silent for a long time.

Liang Huaixu was getting a little anxious.

Fearing he would worry, Zhuang Fuyao added, "It's nothing."

Her face was flushed, her voice was soft, and her eyelashes glistened with tears. "I just wanted to rest for a bit. Would you like to come up and keep me company?"

"Um."

Out of consideration for the patient, he lifted the blanket and lay down.

But I didn't expect her to come over.

"You feel so cool." Zhuang Fuyao sighed, insatiably craving the coolness of his body.

Liang Huaixu's arm was being squeezed softly, and her warm breath brushed against the back of his ear. Soon, his body, which had just taken a cold shower, was also warmed up by the friction.

"Don't move."

His voice was very low and hoarse.

"Dr. Liang..." Her voice was like that of someone who had drunk mulled wine, sweet and sticky, with a seductive allure amidst her shyness.

"What's wrong?"

"I feel so uncomfortable..."

Liang Huaixu's whole body was like a taut string, at risk of snapping at any moment.

The moment he lay down in bed, he smelled a faint, alluring scent. After guessing what she had done while he was showering, his blood boiled and his heart raced.

He asked, feigning ignorance, "Where do you feel unwell?"

Zhuang Fuyao always knew how to properly face her own needs, and guided by her body, she kissed his ear.

The hand, like a vine clinging to a tree stump, slowly moved downwards...

It was controlled when it was still some distance from touching the heart of the tree.

Like a silent negotiation, she compromised by leading his hand toward her.

...The moment her knuckles parted the thin fabric, she won her gamble.

My hazy consciousness drifted into the clouds, an indescribable joy. The crimson roses, glistening with dew, were gently touched by the bamboo joints, creating ripples that stirred my heartstrings.

She couldn't help but let out a soft moan.

Liang Huaixu knew her sensitivity and tolerance. The soundproofing of the old guesthouse couldn't withstand the test. If it were before, he would have silenced her with a kiss.

Now, however, we can only use our hands instead.

In the latter case, he could still deceive himself into believing that he was helping her sweat.

For the former, once they take that step, there is no turning back.

Thinking of this, Liang Huaixu felt extremely distressed.

After witnessing his beloved gradually wither and fade in their marriage, he developed a strong sense of unworthiness in the relationship and even doubted his own ability to love.

It took him a long internal struggle before he finally decided to let her go.

After their divorce, he saw her twice. She was in much better shape than before the divorce, like a flower that was on the verge of withering and blooming again. However, her personality also changed. She became thorny and aggressive. There was a faint indifference in her eyes, as if she had forgotten or let go.

He thought their relationship would end like this for the rest of their lives. The once incredibly close couple had become the most familiar strangers, and their only contact revolved around their son.

He met her while he was at a party with friends; she was on a blind date with Qin Zhenglin.

Later, by chance, she moved to Boya Bay because of opening a shop, and the relationship between the two gradually improved.

Later, he learned about her soul being transported to another world.

She is now psychologically in her early twenties, and her memories are stuck in the year they were most in love. She has not experienced the pain of their failed marriage.

Therefore, she would subconsciously rely on him, trust him, and want to be close to him.

He repeatedly warned and reminded himself during this process that what he should do is support her and help her have a smooth life, and not have any unwarranted delusions just because she doesn't have that memory.

Even the most ardent advocate of light has selfish desires, and there is darkness and baseness hidden in his heart. Jealousy and possessiveness are sharp swords that pierce his heart.