Chapter 44 "...It's fine even if I wear it like this."
Lu Yu was awakened by an extremely unfamiliar feeling of emptiness.
Before he could fully regain consciousness, his body had already reacted. He sat up abruptly, his eyes scanning the dim room in panic.
My heart suddenly sank as if it had lost weight, and all my fatigue and sleepiness were instantly dispelled by cold panic.
“Cheche?!”
The voice was hoarse from just waking up. Seeing no answer, Lu Yu stood up, threw back the quilt and walked downstairs.
The living room was empty. The morning sun streamed in through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, casting bright spots of light on the floor. Tiny dust particles floated in the air, and the silence made him feel uneasy.
Just as his eyes anxiously swept towards the entrance, Lu Yu suddenly stopped. He almost held his breath and walked towards the floor-to-ceiling window on the first floor very slowly, step by step.
Then, he saw Lin Che.
Lin Che had his back to the living room, wearing a loose white sweater that clearly belonged to Lu Yu.
The collar of the sweater was very large and one side slipped down slightly, revealing a thin and fragile neckline and a small piece of white collarbone.
The sunlight poured down on him unreservedly, enveloping him in a furry golden halo.
He sat cross-legged on a soft wool mat, curled up slightly, like a tired cat that finally found a warm corner to rest.
A glass of water was loosely held in bony fingers and rested on closed knees.
The sunlight penetrated his slightly messy hair, dyeing his black hair into a warm light brown.
He leaned his head against the glass, the line of his jaw from the side appeared unusually clear under the strong light, the soft light of the early morning shone all on him, the overly loose white sweater made his figure look even slimmer, and his whole body exuded a sense of frailty as if he had just recovered from a serious illness.
Her long eyelashes drooped, casting a small fan-shaped shadow under her eyes. Her nose was straight, and her fair cheeks still had a faint blush from last night's high fever.
He just sat there quietly, motionless, like a harmless and cute kitten, emitting a heart-pounding peace.
Lu Yu stood at the junction of the living room and the balcony. All his panic disappeared the moment he saw this scene, leaving his heart feeling full and a little sour.
He stepped barefoot on the cold floor, but he didn't feel cold. He carefully traced Lin Che's figure in the sunlight.
Lin Che only realized Lu Yu was standing behind him when a wool blanket was draped over him. His hand holding the water cup was slightly startled. He turned his head slightly and raised his eyelashes to look at the person behind him.
Lu Yu's hand fell down and covered his forehead, "How do you feel?"
Lin Che was startled by the sudden touch and trembled slightly. She turned her face slightly and put her cheek closer to Lu Yu's palm.
He slowly turned his head, met Lu Yu's gaze, and smiled, "Good morning."
Lin Che's voice was still a little hoarse, carrying the weakness of an illness, but it was much clearer than last night. "Last night... I really troubled you."
He raised the cup of warm water in his hand, which reflected a glittering light in the sunlight. "The fever has subsided. I'm healed now."
Lu Yu's eyes scanned his face carefully, and he did not immediately respond to the word "Okay".
He confirmed that the temperature of his forehead had indeed returned to normal, and his gaze swept across Lin Che's still pale lips, across the overly thin collarbone under the loose sweater, and finally fell back to the pair of eyes that were smiling slightly but could not hide their fatigue.
"Are you cold?" Lu Yu's voice was low and gentle. He sat down on the carpet next to him and sat side by side with Lin Che. He pulled the wool blanket that Lin Che was wearing closer to the middle and wrapped Lin Che up completely.
Lin Che shook her head, her white fingertips pointing towards the bright light outside the window, "It's not cold, the sunlight outside the window is very warm."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Yu's cell phone, which he had casually thrown on the coffee table in the living room, rang.
Lu Yu frowned slightly, but still stood up to pick up his cell phone. The name "Cheng Yi" was popping up on the screen.
He glanced at Lin Che, who was basking in the sunlight by the window, then answered the phone. His voice returned to its usual calmness: "Go ahead."
"Mr. Lu, the car has arrived at the door. I have a strategic meeting with Ruike at 9:30 in the morning, a contract signing appointment with Mr. Zhang of Acer at 11:30, and 3:00 in the afternoon..." Cheng Yi briefly reported today's busy schedule.
Lu Yu's eyes never left Lin Che who was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window.
"Got it. Wait a moment." Lu Yu interrupted Cheng Yi, his voice lowered. He didn't hang up, but instead took the phone and walked back to Lin Che.
Lin Che heard the footsteps and turned to look at him again with a questioning look in her eyes.
Lu Yu half-knelt down in front of him so that his eyes were level with his. He reached out his hand and very naturally gathered the shawl that had slipped down to Lin Che's arm.
"Cheng Yi is at the door," Lu Yu said softly, his voice slightly negotiating, his eyes fixed on Lin Che. "He's a bit busy today, so he might not be back until tonight."
He paused, looking at Lin Che's still pale face and the weariness in his eyes. Lu Yu couldn't imagine leaving Lin Che alone in this empty house for a whole day.
"Would you like to go to the company with me?"
Lu Yu did not hang up the phone. Cheng Yi on the other side heard such a gentle voice coming out of his boss's mouth. He looked at the call contacts on the screen in disbelief. When he confirmed that there was no objection, goose bumps appeared all over his body.
Could this be what is written in the novels Xiaoyu often read: The superior falls from the altar for love?
Cheng Yi was still lost in thought, while Lu Yu, who was coaxing Lin Che to go to the company, had already wrapped Lin Che in four or five layers of clothes.
"Okay, okay, Lu Yu, I feel like I'm wearing too much. I can't even move!" Lin Che put on the outermost long white down jacket with difficulty, raised his hands to move a little, but found that he couldn't move at all.
Lu Yu was still stubbornly tying the black cashmere scarf on Lin Che, and then he took out a white woolen hat from somewhere as if by magic and prepared to put it on Lin Che's head.
"Ahhh, it's too much, Lu Yu, I don't want to wear it anymore." Lin Che stood there like a clumsy penguin, spinning around anxiously, but Lu Yu was still determined to cover Lin Che tightly.
"You must wear it, no discussion." Lu Yu put the hat directly on Lin Che's head and carefully smoothed out his bangs in front of his forehead.
Lin Che looked up at Lu Yu, who was dressed seriously in a high-end suit and shirt with a black coat on the outside. Then he looked down at his own bulky outfit and felt even more reluctant.
"I don't want to wear this sweater underneath. It will be very hot when I go to the company later." Lin Che pulled at the collar of the sweater desperately, trying to awaken Lu Yu's "conscience".
Who knew Lu Yu wouldn't buy it at all? He slapped Lin Che on the butt and said in a low voice, "Who made you sick?"
————
The cold air in the garage made Lin Che shrink his neck subconsciously. Lu Yu firmly held his waist with one hand and almost half-carried him into the spacious and comfortable leather seat in the back of the Rolls-Royce.
Cheng Yi had already respectfully opened the car door. When his eyes fell on Lin Che, who was dressed like an Arctic expedition member, his pupils suddenly shrank and the corners of his mouth twitched very slightly.
"Drive steadily." Lu Yu gave a brief instruction and got in, sitting next to Lin Che.
Lin Che sank into the seat, awkwardly moving her arms, which were confined by her thick down jacket, and complained softly, "Lu Yu, it's really hot..."
Between the heat and the layers of clothing, he felt like a melting snowman.
Lu Yu didn't say anything, but turned sideways and stretched out his hand very naturally, put it under the brim of Lin Che's hat, and gently touched the back of his ear and the side of his neck with his fingertips.
After confirming that the skin there was warm but not too hot, he withdrew his hand and said lightly: "The fever has just subsided, you can't catch a cold. Just bear with it, you will be fine when you get to the company."
His tone brooked no room for argument, and he casually lifted the edge of Lin Che's scarf, which he was trying to pull open, to cover his small chin.
Lin Che had no choice but to sit there obediently, wrapped in Lu Yu's breath and excessive warmth. Coupled with the lingering drowsiness from the effects of the medicine, her eyelids began to twitch again.
Arriving at the company's exclusive underground VIP elevator hall, Cheng Yi quickly got out of the car and opened the door.
Lu Yu got out of the car first, and then almost half-supported and half-carried the disabled Lin Che out.
Lin Che felt like a round ball, taking every step carefully, afraid of falling.
Cheng Yi looked at his nose and his heart, trying not to look at the scene of his boss carefully protecting the "big white ball of hair". He quickly walked forward and pressed the button for the exclusive elevator that went directly to the president's office on the top floor.
The elevator ascended steadily. In the narrow space, Lin Che's presence was magnified countless times.
The faint scent of cedar on him, belonging to Lu Yu, mixed with the light mint scent unique to Lin Che filled the small space.
Lu Yu lowered his eyes and looked at Lin Che, who was wrapped in a white woolen hat, with only a small part of his fair face and long eyelashes exposed. He chuckled unconsciously and reached out to pinch Lin Che's neck.
With a "ding" sound, the elevator door slid open silently on the top floor.
In stark contrast to the silence of the underground garage, the top-floor presidential office area is filled with an atmosphere of efficiency, elitism and restraint.
The huge floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view of the city skyline, and the air is filled with the scent of expensive aromas and coffee.
Several secretaries and assistants in the assistant area were busy, and the sound of keyboard tapping and low conversations formed the background noise.
However, when Lu Yu walked out of the elevator holding the "unknown object" who was wrapped tightly from head to toe, with only a pair of beautiful eyes exposed, time seemed to freeze for a moment.
All the busy fingers stopped moving, and everyone's eyes, with barely concealed astonishment, inquiry and disbelief, were focused on Lin Che.
Cheng Yi sensed the momentary stagnation and immediately coughed lightly. Everyone woke up as if from a dream, lowered their heads, and pretended to continue their work.
Lin Che felt uncomfortable with the sudden attention and subconsciously shrank behind Lu Yu, trying to hide his huge size a little.
However, Lu Yu seemed to be completely unaware of the changes in the air around him, or rather, he didn't care at all.
His attention was entirely on Lin Che.
Lu Yu held Lin Che in his arms, his gaze fixed on the side, as they walked straight through the spacious and bright office area toward the office door. Cheng Yi quickly stepped forward and opened the door for them.
The door closed behind him, blocking out the countless curious and shocked gazes from outside.
Lu Yu helped Lin Che walk to the sofa and finally started to "unload" him.
"Sit down first." Lu Yu's voice was low and gentle.
He first took off the slightly funny white woolen hat on Lin Che's head. His black hair was a little messy and sticking up, making his face look even paler.
Next, there was the heavy black cashmere scarf.
Then there was the long white down jacket that almost reached her ankles.
Every time he took off a layer, Lin Che felt like he had taken off a heavy shell, and his breathing became much smoother.
When he took off the loose white sweater that belonged to Lu Yu, Lu Yu hesitated. He touched Lin Che's hand, and his fingertips were slightly cold.
"Put on your sweater first." Lu Yu adjusted the collar of the sweater on Lin Che's shoulders and put his coat, hat and scarf on the armrest of the sofa.
He then took out a brand new, extremely soft, thin cashmere blanket from an inconspicuous cabinet behind his desk and carefully covered Lin Che's legs with it.
"Are you thirsty? Are you hungry?" Lu Yu half-knelt in front of the sofa, his eyes level with Lin Che's, looking at him intently.
Lin Che shook her head and glanced around the cold, imposing office. Her gaze fell on the magnificent cityscape outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows. She said softly, "I'm not thirsty, nor am I hungry. Go ahead and do your thing. I'll just sit here for a while and look outside. I won't disturb you."
Lu Yu looked at him deeply, making sure that he was in a stable condition before standing up.
He walked to the back of his desk and dialed the intercom: "Cheng Yi, bring in a glass of warm water and a cup of hot milk. Also, bring in the materials from this morning's meeting."
Soon, Cheng Yi knocked on the door and came in. Without looking away, he placed water and milk on the low table beside the sofa, and placed a thick stack of documents on Lu Yu's desk. He then quickly retreated without even glancing at Lin Che who was sitting on the sofa, but his professionalism could not hide his tension.
Lin Che picked up the cup of warm milk and took a sip. The aroma of milk filled his lips and teeth, and the warmth slid down his throat.
He was only wearing a sweater that he had casually found in the closet when he got up that morning. Only now did he realize that it seemed to be Lu Yu's, because it was obviously two sizes too big on him.
The collar would tilt to one side, revealing half of his collarbone, with the slightest movement of his. Lin Che looked at Lu Yu, who was working diligently, like a thief.
"I guess...I guess he didn't realize that I was wearing his clothes."
"Oh my God, Lin Che, Lin Che, did a donkey kick you in the head this morning? How could you wear the wrong clothes?"
After Lin Che realized that he was wearing Lu Yu's clothes, he felt like he was wearing a time bomb and felt uncomfortable all over. He pulled the collar unnaturally, and sure enough, when he pulled the left side, half of his right collarbone was exposed, and when he pulled the right side, the left side was exposed.
“…”
Looking at the black scarf that Lu Yu had draped on the sofa, Lin Che quickly picked it up and wrapped it around his neck.
Meanwhile, Lu Yu, who had been keeping an eye on Lin Che, saw Lin Che put on his scarf and put down the pen he was signing with. "Are you feeling a bit cold?"
"ah? "
Lu Yu's sudden voice startled Lin Che, who quickly gathered the blanket around her feet. "No...no...I'm not cold at all. Go ahead, go ahead."
"My sweater is too big, and you don't know how to pick one that fits you."
With a "boom", Lu Yu's words were like a thunderclap that shocked Lin Che. Lin Che felt that all the blood in his body rushed to his head. His cheeks, ears, and even his neck instantly became red. He felt like he was thrown into a scalding steamer.
He wished he could disappear right there and then, or find a crack in the ground to crawl into and bury himself along with the troublesome sweater.
“I… I…” Lin Che’s tongue was tied. His usually eloquent speech was completely out of control. His eyes darted around in panic, not daring to look at the calm and composed man behind the desk.
"I woke up this morning... I was half-groggy... I just grabbed it from the closet... I didn't see it clearly..."
He explained incoherently, his fingers subconsciously tightening the edge of the scarf, almost breaking the soft cashmere.
I thought the scarf was unnecessary just now, but now I feel it is my only life-saving straw and I want to bury my whole face in it.
Lin Che felt the shadow looming over her. Her body instantly tensed up, and she lowered her head even lower, almost hiding her entire face in the scarf.
Lu Yu half-knelt down in front of him, his eyes level with the gaze he was trying to avoid.
He stretched out his hand but did not touch Lin Che's burning cheek. Instead, he very naturally twisted the edge of the scarf around his neck that was pulled out of shape.
"What are you panicking about?" Lu Yu's voice was low and soft, and then he continued to say something that shocked Lin Che.
"You can wear any of my clothes you want."
Lin Che's entire body froze, not daring to move at all.
"It's just," Lu Yu's fingertips slid down the edge of the scarf and landed on the collar of Lin Che's sweater very naturally.
Because of Lin Che's pulling and shrinking of his neck, the wide neckline slid down a little, revealing more of the white and fragile collarbone line.
Lu Yu's gaze lingered there for a moment, his eyes seemed to darken a little, and his voice lowered, "Next time, pick one that fits. Or..."
He paused, and then gently lifted the slipped collar with his slender fingers. His fingertips brushed against the sensitive skin on the side of Lin Che's neck, bringing a slight electric sensation.
"...It's fine even if I wear it like this."
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