Get ill
Zhou Jingxing started trying to send Shen Zhou some everyday messages, just like before. Sometimes Shen Zhou would reply, and sometimes he wouldn't.
Zhou Jingxing said to wear more clothes because it's cold, and Chen Zhou replied with an "Mm."
Zhou Jingxing said that the leaders talked a lot tonight, so Chen Zhou should drink less.
Zhou Jingxing suggested they chat for a while, then Chenzhou returned to TD.
Zhou Jingxing said to his wife, "I miss you so much," but Chen Zhou simply didn't reply.
Zhou Jingxing noticed that Shen Zhou's attitude was softening, so he took further action and started bringing Shen Zhou meals every night.
The first time he delivered the meal, he put down the lunchbox and left immediately, giving Shen Zhou no chance to refuse. The next day, when he went to deliver it, he saw the lunchbox had been washed clean. This was Shen Zhou's silent acceptance, and Zhou Jingxing was overjoyed. He then boldly stayed to watch Shen Zhou finish the meal before leaving, and his seat gradually moved from the reception room to the sofa in Shen Zhou's office.
Zhou Jingxing had tried to talk to Shen Zhou while he was eating, but Shen Zhou shut him down with a simple "no talking while eating," so he could only watch helplessly. After finishing his meal, Shen Zhou went about his business, giving Zhou Jingxing no chance to chat.
Although Chen Zhou was still angry and the two were still separated, Zhou Jingxing was full of hope for the future: Isn't it only a matter of time before they reconcile?
That day, Zhou Jingxing received a message from Shen Zhou just before he was about to leave work.
My dear wife: No need to bring me food today.
Zhou Jingxing: Do you have a business dinner tonight? Drink less.
Zhou Jingxing hadn't received a reply by 8 p.m. and was starting to worry, so he asked a female colleague from Shenzhou's previous company where Shenzhou was entertaining clients that night.
He planned to wait at the hotel entrance to pick up the person.
After all, the sunken ship is so fascinating; it would be dangerous to drink too much of it.
His female colleague replied to him a while later, telling him some bombshell news: Shen Zhou had been suspended from his duties pending investigation.
This morning, the company's senior management received a report alleging that Shen Zhou was providing false quotations to partners in a project, using dual contracts to deceive both sides in an attempt to embezzle company funds. A vice president surnamed Zhang was furious and immediately wanted to fire Shen Zhou and publicly announce the matter within the industry.
Fortunately, other company leaders intervened to stop the punishment, and Shen Zhou was suspended from his duties pending investigation until key evidence was obtained.
Zhou Jingxing gripped his phone tightly. So those people finally made their move!
He thought about it haphazardly for a while and then called Chen Zhou again.
I didn't answer.
Zhou Jingxing couldn't wait any longer. He grabbed his car keys and drove to Shen Zhou's house without even putting on his coat.
He entered easily without changing the password to the main gate.
Zhou Jingxing turned on the living room light and asked in a low voice, "Chen Zhou? Are you home?"
He was met with silence. Zhou Jingxing frowned. Was the person not at home?
Zhou Jingxing tentatively opened the bedroom door. The room was dark, but by the light coming through the curtains, he saw Shen Zhou lying on the bed, sleeping peacefully.
Zhou Jingxing knew he should leave, but he couldn't help himself.
He told himself, "I'll just take a look."
Zhou Jingxing quietly walked to the bedside, squatted down, and looked at Chen Zhou with almost greedy eyes.
Shen Zhou slept restlessly, his brows furrowed, as if he had many worries. Zhou Jingxing couldn't help but reach out to gently stroke his brow, as if that could soothe his troubles.
Zhou Jingxing was stunned when his fingers touched Chen Zhou's skin.
It's so hot!
Zhou Jingxing hurriedly went to the living room to grab a first-aid kit. He took out a forehead thermometer and checked the temperature; it showed 38.7 degrees Celsius!
"That won't do," Zhou Jingxing made a decision immediately. He gently nudged Chenzhou, "Chenzhou? Wake up, get up, take some medicine, and then go back to sleep, okay?"
Shen Zhou opened his eyes, his pupils burning red, staring blankly at Zhou Jingxing. His lips had lost their usual luster, and he murmured softly, "Jingxing..."
Zhou Jingxing was heartbroken. "Chenzhou, you have a fever. It's over 38.5 degrees Celsius. You need to take medicine. Can you get up by yourself?"
After a moment's reaction, Shen Zhou slowly sat up, supporting himself on the bed. Zhou Jingxing quickly handed him water and medicine once he was settled. Watching Shen Zhou slowly swallow the pills with water, Zhou Jingxing took the cup and said softly, "Sleep for a while. Your fever will go down soon after taking the medicine."
Zhou Jingxing pretended to pack his medicine kit, but in reality, he was stalling for time, waiting for Shen Zhou to fall asleep so he could stay there and watch over him.
Zhou Jingxing took the medicine out of the box and put it back in three times. Chen Zhou suddenly spoke up, "You've almost crumpled that box to pieces."
Zhou Jingxing said awkwardly, "Ah, I'm checking if this medicine has expired."
Shen Zhou remained silent with his eyes closed. Zhou Jingxing assumed he was asleep, so he turned off the floor lamp, picked up the medicine box, and tiptoed out the door.
"Are you leaving?" Shen Zhou asked him without warning.
Zhou Jingxing turned around and saw Chen Zhou lying there quietly watching him. Suddenly, he felt a surge of courage. "I want to stay and take care of you tonight, is that alright?"
Chen Zhou smiled, or perhaps not, "Whatever." He said softly.
Zhou Jingxing put the medicine box back in the cabinet and returned to the bedroom. He sat on the floor by the bed, like a loyal dog guarding its master.
"Go to sleep, I'll stay here with you."
"Sitting on the ground in this cold weather, don't blame me if you catch a cold." Chen Zhou rolled over to the side and patted the person next to him. "Get on."
My wife is so wonderful!
Zhou Jingxing immediately rolled over and lay down on the bed, moving swiftly, as if afraid that Chen Zhou would regret it.
Chen Zhou suddenly realized something was wrong and kicked him, "You lay down in your coat? Go change into your pajamas right now!"
Zhou Jingxing had no choice but to slink off the bed. He opened the wardrobe, where the clothes were neatly arranged, his clothes mixed with Shen Zhou's, as if he hadn't left during this time.
Zhou Jingxing felt a lump in his throat. He changed his clothes, lay back down in silence, and hugged Chenzhou without saying a word.
Shen Zhou opened his eyes and slapped him lightly. "Don't push your luck. I only let you stay today because I wasn't feeling well and couldn't get rid of you. It doesn't mean I've forgiven you."
Zhou Jingxing hugged him without moving, and after a long while he finally said, "Don't be angry with me, okay?" His voice lowered, "It's all my fault... I've really missed you these past few days."
Shen Zhou didn't move or speak. Zhou Jingxing thought he wouldn't get a response, so he buried his head in Shen Zhou's neck and rubbed against him pitifully.
He heard Chen Zhou say in a low voice, "Why do you assume that's why we're together? I've already... Do you really think I'm such a terrible person?"
“Zhao Xin once said I was emotionally detached, like a stone that could never be warmed. I admit, I was too passive in my last relationship and didn’t give enough love. Zhao Xin wasn’t wrong, I really wasn’t a good lover.” Shen Zhou’s voice trembled slightly. “But it’s different for you.”
Zhou Jingxing realized something and tried to look up at Chen Zhou, but Chen Zhou pressed his head down. Chen Zhou sniffed, "Don't look, I don't want you to see... me in such a disheveled state."
Zhou Jingxing hugged Chen Zhou tightly, "I'm sorry for making you so sad... I really didn't know you broke up with him before. I thought you were attracted to me by my little tricks..."
Chen Zhou raised his voice slightly, "I was attracted to you, and getting to know you was the first time I experienced the feeling of being in love with someone else, but that was after I broke up with him!" He continued, "You shouldn't doubt my sincerity! Have I seen anyone else since we got together? How could you think I would like someone else?"
Chen Zhou was extremely disappointed. "So it's still my fault. Zhao Xin wasn't wrong. I've never been a good lover. Actually, I'm angrier at myself these days. Why did I mess it up again? You're such a good person."
Zhou Jingxing panicked, "No! You're the really, really good person! Can you believe what that scumbag says? Do you believe him or do you believe I'm Qin Shi Huang?"
"Then why do you think I'm a cheating scumbag?"
"Because I'm stupid!" Zhou Jingxing admitted frankly. "Even Zhang Jin could see your feelings for me, but I was still smug, thinking that you were tricked by my little tricks."
He looked up at Chen Zhou and said, "You're so wonderful. I can't believe someone as good as you would fall in love with me. Although Zhao Xin's insults were harsh, he wasn't wrong about me. From the very first day I met you, I had the despicable thought of becoming your mistress."
Shen Zhou seemed startled by his words, and he remained silent, frozen in place.
Zhou Jingxing gently stroked Chen Zhou's back, his voice low and hoarse, his eyes dark, "My desire for you has a long history, and I'm even worse than you think. Every time I see you smile at other people, I get so jealous I'm going crazy, especially when I see Zhao Xin harassing you. I even want to lock you up at home and make you only be able to look at me for the rest of your life."
Shen Zhou was stunned. Zhou Jingxing smiled and asked him with a bitter smile, "Are you scared? But this is the real me."
Zhou Jingxing was prepared to be scolded, disliked, and driven away, but the next second he was hugged tightly by Chen Zhou. Chen Zhou didn't say anything, but clearly told his lover his feelings.
Zhou Jingxing could hardly believe it. "Can you accept this?"
“Locking him up won’t work.” Chen Zhou nuzzled his face. “But I’ll only watch over you.”
Zhou Jingxing's cheeks were wet. He couldn't wait to lower his head and easily opened Chen Zhou's lips. Their tongues intertwined and played in the moist mouth. He explored every inch of Chen Zhou's mucous membrane insatiably, and finally held his tongue in his mouth and gently sucked.
Zhou Jingxing kissed Chenzhou for a long time before letting go. He hugged Chenzhou with satisfaction and said, "Wife, I'm so happy. We've finally made up."
Chen Zhou touched his face, gently wiping away the undried tears, but her words were still sharp, "Who said we made up?"
Zhou Jingxing didn't call him out on his stubbornness. He just pretended not to hear and pressed his head to his shoulder. "Go to sleep. You still have a fever. Get some rest and recover faster."
Chen Zhou still had a fever and was delirious. She obediently snuggled up to him and fell asleep.
The next morning, as soon as Zhou Jingxing woke up, he took Shen Zhou's temperature. Seeing that his fever had subsided, he went to buy him breakfast and lavishly set out a table.
Zhou Jingxing even went to the kitchen to find a piece of ginger, insisting on making ginger tea for Chen Zhou.
Chen Zhou was exasperated. "Just leave it there! Don't blow up the kitchen." He snatched the ginger from Zhou Jingxing's hand. "I'll cook it myself."
Zhou Jingxing leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching Shen Zhou busy at the stove. Steam rose from the small saucepan, making Shen Zhou's profile appear exceptionally radiant. He had recovered from his illness the previous night, and looked so vibrant and dazzling.
Shen Zhou turned off the stove, poured the ginger tea into two bowls, and gestured for Zhou Jingxing to take them out.
The two sat facing each other at the table as usual, enjoying breakfast together in a warm and intimate atmosphere.
After breakfast, Zhou Jingxing shooed Chen Zhou back to bed, saying, "You've just recovered from your cold, you still need to rest more."
Chen Zhou was both amused and exasperated. "I just have a cold, it's not like I'm in postpartum confinement! Besides, who goes to sleep right after eating?"
Zhou Jingxing, however, was captivated by his words and lost in some wonderful daydreams. He glanced at Chen Zhou's flat stomach but remained silent.
Despite his complaints, Chen Zhou obediently lay back down.
I've been so busy with projects lately that I haven't had a moment to breathe, so I can't afford to waste this rare break.
After tidying up the kitchen, Zhou Jingxing went into the bedroom. He asked Chen Zhou with some concern, "I heard you were suspended. What happened? Can it be resolved?"
Chen Zhou blinked. "I was reported for attempting to embezzle public funds, and now I'm almost unemployed. I probably won't be able to stay in this line of work anymore. What do you think I should do? Maybe I should find a rich woman to be my mistress?"
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