When Tong Zhao regained consciousness, he was already nestled in a familiar embrace. The pheromones were rich and familiar, just like when he woke up at home in the morning. If it weren't for the IV drip still attached to his arm reminding him that he was in the hospital, he probably would have thought that it was all a dream.
"Awake? Don't move yet." A hoarse voice came from above. Shan Song held Tong Zhao's hand, which was receiving an IV drip, with one hand, and slowly withdrew the other from behind Tong Zhao's neck. He squeezed the hand to relieve the soreness and numbness, picked up the water cup next to him and fed it to Tong Zhao's mouth: "It's still warm, drink some."
Tong Zhao finished a glass of water following Shan Song's movements.
"I'm not drinking anymore." Tong Zhao spoke first, touching Shan Song's under-eye area with her other free hand: "Did you rush over overnight? Why do you have such heavy dark circles under your eyes? You look like a panda."
Tong Zhao spoke in a relaxed tone, with even a slight smile on her lips.
But Shan Song's expression didn't improve at all. The blood vessels in his eyes were obvious and even seemed to be getting redder. Tong Zhao was stunned for a moment, intending to say something to ease the atmosphere, but before she could speak, Shan Song suddenly hugged her.
Tong Zhao awkwardly placed her arm on Shan Song's back and patted him, frantically trying to organize her thoughts for a moment: "Shan Song... don't, don't worry, I'm fine. I even stabbed Geng Keli, but I'm not hurt at all, I'm completely unharmed, look at me."
Shan Song simply hugged her tighter without saying a word.
"You arrived just in time," she added weakly. Suddenly, Tong Zhao felt a dampness on her neck, her throat tightened, and her body stiffened, unable to move any further.
Having never seen Shan Song like this before, Tong Zhao was at a loss for what to do. Shan Song probably sensed his panic and patted Tong Zhao's back a few times.
Tong Zhao was very familiar with this gesture; it was a signal to reassure.
After a long silence, Shan Song finally raised his head and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, it was my oversight."
Tong Zhao, who had been comforted, rushed to grab his arm upon hearing this, saying anxiously, "No, it has nothing to do with you."
"If I'm wrong, it's my fault. I was too careless and made you worry. I'm sorry." Tong Zhao reached out and hugged Shan Song's waist. Because she could only move one hand, the posture was a little awkward. "Don't blame yourself because of me. You did very well. You're especially good in my heart, really."
Tong Zhao nuzzled her cheek against Shan Song's chest affectionately: "I knew you would come to save me, so I wasn't too scared. So don't be afraid either."
Dan Song's heart softened as he was nuzzled by Tong Zhao's touch. He concealed his expression, patted Tong Zhao's head to signal him to look up, and asked softly, "You weren't really scared?"
"No!" Tong Zhao replied immediately.
He looked quite well. Shan Song stared at him for a moment, then placed a kiss on his raised forehead: "I'll be going back to Yunling in a few days."
The topic shifted a bit abruptly, and Tong Zhao paused for a moment to process it before asking, "What about Bai Sha's job?"
“Someone from the Shan family will come to help.”
"If I go back now, Zhou Muyuan will probably make things difficult for me," Tong Zhao looked at Shan Song with some worry. Shan Song gave him a gentle smile: "I won't be staying in Yunling for long. I still have to go to Baisha on a business trip."
But wouldn't traveling between the two places be even more tiring? Tong Zhao stared at Shan Song disapprovingly, but Shan Song didn't say anything, and smiled even more gently, which meant that he had already made up his mind.
This unexpected incident served as a wake-up call for Shan Song. He realized that he couldn't fight against so many people on his own. He couldn't handle the Zhou family's situation while also dealing with Geng Keli's menacing gaze. He needed to hurry. Moreover, Yunling was closer to Tong Zhao's film crew. Even if it meant spending more time on the road, he didn't want to experience the feeling of rushing from Baisha to Tong Zhao again.
Tong Zhao knew that Shan Song's decision was directly related to his own experience. If this would put him at ease, then he would let him be. Thinking this, Tong Zhao sighed and gave in: "Alright then."
Shan Song opened his arms in greeting. Tong Zhao blinked, didn't ask any more questions, and turned around to snuggle up to Shan Song.
Shan Song hugged Tong Zhao from behind, then followed his arm to Tong Zhao's hand resting on his abdomen, stroking it for a while: "Is there anything else that's bothering you?"
Tong Zhao shook her head, then, as if reminded by the sensation in her abdomen, turned her head and said, "I'm just a little hungry."
"What would you like to eat? I'll have someone pick it up." Shan Song picked up his phone.
"I want to eat something hot and soupy," Tong Zhao described it.
After a moment's thought, Shan Song said, "Then let someone prepare a mutton hot pot."
It's getting a bit cold, so this is perfect to eat.
Uncle Tie and Xiao Wen quickly moved the ingredients and pot they needed to the ward. Tong Zhao still had half a bottle of medicine left to be infused, so Shan Song simply cooked it for him and brought it to him. The lamb was fragrant but not gamey, and it was steaming hot in the bowl. Tong Zhao blew on it a few times and swallowed it, feeling his whole stomach warm up.
"Don't get burned."
Tong Zhao nodded, and before even swallowing the second bite, he gave a thumbs up: "Delicious, the cooking is excellent, and it's cooked to perfection."
Shan Song continued to add meat to his bowl: "Eat more if you like. The mutton here is really good. I'll have them send some home regularly."
Tong Zhao nodded. After eating a few bites to relieve her hunger, Tong Zhao began to glance at the other two people at the table.
Tong Zhao had just forced Uncle Tie and Xiao Wen to sit down and eat together, but the two of them apologized seriously as soon as they entered the door. The usually cheerful Xiao Wen looked restrained and guilty, which made Tong Zhao feel very uncomfortable.
Even now that I'm sitting down, I don't feel as relaxed as before.
Tong Zhao leaned close to Shan Song's ear and whispered, "You didn't insult them, did you?"
Dan Song raised an eyebrow and responded by stuffing a large mouthful of mutton dipped in sesame sauce into his mouth: "Eat more, mutton is good for your health."
"?" Tong Zhao suspected that this person was using a pun.
“They didn’t swear, they just said a few words,” Shan Song said calmly, without hiding his voice: “Their job was to keep an eye on you and ensure your safety. They are definitely responsible for taking you away from such a conspicuous place on set. You’ll lose your bonus for the next six months.”
"Huh?" Tong Zhao's voice was a little disappointed. She blinked at Shan Song, her eyes saying, "This is too serious." She clearly hoped that he would take back his decision. Shan Song mischievously raised his lips: "Their salaries are quite high. With bonuses, they might even be richer than you over the years."
"..." She's complaining about his poverty again. Tong Zhao pursed his lips and chose to eat the meat heartily.
While eating, he hesitated, but finally said, "Half a year is too long. Why don't you give them a discount for my sake, Mr. Shan?"
Shan Song knew his wife Zhao Zhao would continue to persuade him, but this was the first time he had heard her call him that. Amused, he put on a straight face and acted like Boss Shan in front of his wife: "For whose sake?"
Tong Zhao glanced at him, hesitated for a moment, and whispered, "For the sake of your wife."
Having already said it, Tong Zhao decided to be generous for once, putting down the bowl and extending her palm upwards in front of Shan Song: "Would you like some?"
Dan Song couldn't hide his smile. He couldn't maintain his airs at all and put his hand on hers, interlocking their fingers: "Of course, I'll give you anything you ask for."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com