Chapter 247 Blank (Part 1)

Ever since Zhou Xubai revealed his identity, a subtle atmosphere has existed between him and Ji Wanqing.

The two seem to have a relationship that's more than friends but not quite lovers.

However, most of the time it was Zhou Xubai who took the initiative to find Ji Wanqing.

After the initial shock and anger, Ji Wanqing gradually accepted the situation.

After all, whether it was Zhou Xubai back then or Kongbo now, their kindness towards her was genuine.

His concealment wasn't intended to hurt her, so she gradually returned to a good attitude towards him.

Zhou Xubai started sending her messages frequently, showing concern for her daily life. When she encountered attacks from trolls, he would deal with them in the most forceful way. He would also call her after her live stream to chat and listen to her rambling.

He no longer concealed his aspirations.

He would remember the snacks she casually mentioned wanting to eat, and the next day a large box of same-city express delivery would be delivered to her doorstep.

He would immediately book a home visit from the best local physical therapist just because she said, "My shoulders are so sore lately."

His pursuit was driven by an urgent need to make amends, yet it was also incredibly meticulous and sincere.

Ji Wanqing could clearly feel his heavy heart.

Past wounds are slowly healing, and the embers that were once extinguished are rekindled with warmth through careful contact.

Winter arrived before we knew it.

One night, Ji Wanqing developed a high fever due to consecutive all-night live streams and handling guild affairs, coupled with a sudden drop in temperature.

She lay dazed in bed, too weak to even get up for a drink of water, while her mother had gone on a trip with friends and wasn't home.

In a daze, she subconsciously dialed Zhou Xubai's number.

She doesn't even remember what she said, only his anxious voice on the other end of the phone.

"wait for me!"

A few hours later, her doorbell rang.

Ji Wanqing struggled to open the door. Zhou Xubai stood in the doorway, his hair disheveled and his breathing rapid, clearly having rushed over from Jiacheng.

Seeing her weak state, his brows immediately furrowed. Without saying a word, he stepped forward, picked her up, and gently placed her back on the bed.

"Why didn't you say so sooner when you had such a high fever!" His tone was reproachful, but even more so, it was full of heartache.

He brought not only medicine, but also light porridge.

That night, he stayed by the bedside, using physical methods to lower the fever, feeding the patient medicine and water, his movements clumsy but incredibly patient.

In her half-awake state, Ji Wanqing could feel his hand touching her forehead to check her temperature, and she could hear his suppressed sigh of worry.

Her fever subsided the next morning.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Zhou Xubai leaning against the chair by the bed, with obvious dark circles under his eyes, clearly indicating that he hadn't slept all night.

He just stared at her quietly, his eyes bloodshot, but they shone brightly the moment she woke up.

"Are you feeling any better?" he asked in a hoarse voice.

Ji Wanqing looked at him, at his undisguised worry and his all-night vigil, and the last bit of hesitation in her heart disappeared.

She reached out and gently took his hand, which was resting on the edge of the bed.

"Zhou Xubai." She looked at him, her voice still weak but unusually clear, "Let's... start over."

Zhou Xubai's pupils contracted sharply, and then, a wave of immense joy washed over him.

He gripped her hand tightly in return, so hard that it almost hurt her.

“Okay!” he replied, his voice trembling with barely suppressed excitement. “This time, I will never let go of your hand again.”

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, falling on their tightly clasped hands.

He didn't let go immediately. Instead, he leaned down in that position, gently touching his forehead to hers, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, as if to confirm that this was not a dream.

His breath brushed against her cheek, carrying a hint of weariness, yet utterly real.

"Are you hungry? I'll go heat up some porridge." After a long while, he straightened up, his voice still hoarse, but filled with a sense of relief and lightness.

Ji Wanqing nodded.

Watching his tall figure turn and head towards the kitchen, a long-lost sense of peace slowly enveloped her.

That bowl of perfectly warm white porridge became the most comforting meal Ji Wanqing had eaten in recent days.

Zhou Xubai did not leave; he stayed, citing the reason that "the patient needs care."

He clumsily but patiently prepared her three meals a day, reminded her to take her medicine, and even rushed to pour her warm water when she coughed occasionally.

This almost excessive concern made Ji Wanqing feel both amused and heartbroken.

She understood that this was his way of making up for what he owed and expressing his love.

After recovering from their illness, their relationship entered a new phase.

Zhou Xubai was no longer satisfied with online communication and occasional visits. He began to travel more frequently between Jiaxing and her city, and even considered whether to shift his work focus to Beijing.

He would book the next available flight just because she said, "The weather is so nice today," just to have dinner with her and take a walk together.

He would plan ahead and take her to discover interesting corners of the city that she had never noticed before, as if he wanted to make up for the missed time in every moment of companionship.

Once, during a live broadcast, Ji Wanqing casually mentioned that she hadn't eaten the old-fashioned roasted chestnuts from the back street of the university for a long time, and she missed them very much.

She just mentioned it casually, and didn't even pay much attention to it herself.

Two days later, Zhou Xubai appeared at her doorstep carrying a small brown paper bag.

The bag contained the roasted chestnuts from the shop she had been longing for.

"You... how did you find it?" Ji Wanqing took it in surprise, the familiar sweet scent instantly taking her back to her innocent college days.

That shop has been closed down for a long time.

Zhou Xubai looked at her surprised expression, his eyes filled with a smile and a hint of pride.

“I contacted the son of the elderly couple from back then. They now run a small private kitchen at home and don’t serve the public anymore. I had to pester him for a long time before he agreed to cook this dish for me.”

He was willing to spend so much thought and time on something she said casually.

Ji Wanqing peeled open a chestnut, and the sweet and soft taste melted in her mouth, the sweetness reaching her heart.

"Mr. Zhou, your methods for pursuing girls have become so sophisticated now?" she couldn't help but tease, though her eyes and brows couldn't hide her joy.

Zhou Xubai suppressed his smile and looked at her seriously.

“It’s not a tactic, Wanqing. I just want to present you with everything you’ve ever liked or might like.”

He paused, his voice lowering, "I've missed out on too much, and I don't want to miss out on any possibility that could make you happy."

His straightforwardness and sincerity always easily touched her.

As their relationship became more public and stable, some discordant voices began to emerge.

After all, Zhou Xubai is now a rising star in the gaming industry. He is young, promising, and good-looking, and is considered a "diamond bachelor" by many.

Despite her success in live streaming, Ji Wanqing is still seen as just an "internet celebrity streamer" by some people due to their preconceived notions.