34: Is it a steamed bun?

It was past midnight, and the Villa was very quiet.

Yu Heng was also sleeping soundly; he rolled over to change positions and wrapped the quilt around himself.

A moment later, however, he was woken by the urgent ringing of his phone.

He opened his eyes, groggily reached for his phone, and squinted at the screen.

A call from Bai Xinran?

What kind of trouble was this girl stirring up in the middle of the night?

"What is it?" Yu Heng’s tone was a bit impatient. "Why are you calling when we're so close?"

Bai Xinran’s weak voice came from the other end. "Boss... I think I have a fever. I feel terrible, and I have no energy..."

Her voice definitely sounded off; she was quite nasal.

How did she end up with a fever?

Yu Heng raised an eyebrow. "Wait there."

He hung up the phone, threw off his quilt, and got out of bed.

He only realized he was naked after walking out of the bedroom, so he grabbed a T-shirt and a pair of shorts to throw on.

Then, without even putting on slippers, he hurried downstairs.

Reaching the door to Bai Xinran’s room, he didn't bother knocking and pushed it straight open, flicking on the wall switch as he entered.

"Why did you just barge in?" She frantically grabbed the quilt to cover herself. "Get out!"

Yu Heng shot her an annoyed look. "If you wanted me out, why did you call me? Look what time it is; are you really still worried about that?"

He walked to the bedside and reached out to feel her forehead.

Damn, she was burning up!

Yu Heng frowned. "Tsk, you’re hot enough to fry an egg."

It was likely a high fever.

It felt like at least thirty-eight or thirty-nine degrees.

Bai Xinran curled up under the quilt, only half her head showing, her voice muffled. "I feel a bit cold..."

"Then hurry up and get dressed; we're going to the hospital." Without another word, Yu Heng pulled back the quilt to pick her up.

"What are you doing!" Bai Xinran gripped the corner of the quilt tightly. "I’m not wearing any clothes!"

"No kidding, who wears clothes to sleep?" Yu Heng pulled her straight out of the covers. "Hurry up!"

As the quilt was pulled away, he couldn't help but take a glance.

This girl really did sleep naked!

And... she was a 'steamed bun'?

Yu Heng grabbed her pajamas from the side and haphazardly pulled them onto her.

"I'll do it myself!" Bai Xinran snatched the pajamas and turned her back to him to do up the buttons.

"Are you done yet?" he urged. "If you dawdle any longer, the fever will fry your brain."

Bai Xinran mumbled softly, "Turn around..."

"Turn for what?" Yu Heng squinted. "I've already seen everything."

Bai Xinran’s eyes widened. "When did you see anything!"

"Last time when you were showering," Yu Heng said with a grin, "and just now."

Actually, that last time had only been a quick glimpse; he hadn't seen much clearly.

But just now, he had seen everything quite clearly, from top to bottom.

They were quite white and large; he just didn't know how they felt to the touch.

"Pervert!" Bai Xinran's hands were shaking so much she couldn't even fasten the buttons.

"Alright, alright, let me do it." Yu Heng quickly fastened the buttons for her. "You're burning up like this and still trying to be stubborn."

He bent down and picked her up in a princess carry. Bai Xinran let out a startled cry and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Boss... I can walk on my own..."

"Walk where?" Yu Heng carried her out. "I don't want you falling halfway and making me carry you on my back anyway."

Reaching the door, he remembered something and turned back to grab a down jacket to put over her, while also putting on a coat himself.

Yu Heng carried her on his back out of the Villa. As the night breeze blew over them, Bai Xinran couldn't help but shiver.

"Cold?" Yu Heng looked down at her.

"Mm..." Bai Xinran huddled closer to his back. "Boss, am I going to die..."

"You're not going to die," Yu Heng scoffed. "It's just a normal fever. You'll be fine after an IV drip."

"But it hurts so much..." Bai Xinran's voice sounded like she was about to cry. "My whole body aches..."

Yu Heng looked at her pitiful state. This girl usually seemed quite tough, but when she got sick, she was like a child.

This sickly appearance of hers actually made him want to tease her a little.

Yu Heng settled her into the car. He was lucky to have hailed a ride so quickly at this hour.

It was thanks to the University Town being so lively these days.

On the way to the hospital, Bai Xinran leaned against the seat, groaning in discomfort from time to time.

"Boss... does this count as a workplace injury?" she whispered. "If I turn stupid from the fever, will you still want me? Will I still be able to stream?"

Yu Heng glanced at her. "No, I'll just find someone smart."

"You..." Bai Xinran was so angry she wanted to hit him, but she didn't have the strength. "Heartless..."

Turning stupid wouldn't be so bad; it would make her easier to fool.

At the hospital, they went to the emergency room.

Bai Xinran was as limp as a frost-bitten eggplant. When the nurse gave her the injection, she gasped in pain.

"It hurts..." she looked at Yu Heng piteously.

"Just bear with it," Yu Heng said, standing beside her. "It's your own fault for getting sick."

Despite his words, he still reached out and let her hold his hand.

Her palm was hot and clammy, and she gripped his hand so hard it hurt.

"Easy there," Yu Heng frowned. "Are you trying to make me register for a doctor too?"

She certainly had plenty of strength now. He let her keep her grip, feeling her fingers digging into his flesh.

Bai Xinran loosened her grip slightly but still wouldn't let go of his hand. "Boss, you’re actually a pretty good person..."

"Now you know how to say nice things?" Yu Heng raised an eyebrow. "Weren't you just calling me a pervert a moment ago?"

"That’s different..." Bai Xinran’s voice grew softer and softer as her eyelids began to droop.

And just like that, she fell asleep.

The nurse came over to check the IV drip and said, "Your girlfriend has the flu. It's been going around lately. It's nothing serious; she'll be fine after the IV."

"Alright, thank you," Yu Heng replied.

He looked down at the sleeping Bai Xinran. The flu?

Did she catch it from her roommates?

Yu Heng sat by the bed for a while. This girl was actually quite quiet when she was asleep.

"I really do owe you..." Yu Heng muttered under his breath.

He checked the IV bottle; there was still more than half left.

Since the nurse was keeping an eye on things, Yu Heng let out a yawn as sleepiness washed over him.

He adjusted his position, wrapped his coat tighter around himself, leaned his head against the back of the chair, and closed his eyes.

The next morning, shortly after seven o'clock.

Yu Heng opened his eyes and lifted his head, his neck letting out a series of cracks.

"Damn..." Yu Heng rubbed the back of his neck.

Looking over, he saw that Bai Xinran was still asleep, her complexion much better than it had been last night.

He reached out to feel her forehead; the fever had broken.

Just then, the nurse came by, and Yu Heng asked, "Her fever’s gone down, right?"

"Yes, the temperature is down," the nurse nodded. "However, I suggest observing her for another half a day. We'll take her temperature again in a bit, and it would be best for her to have another IV drip this afternoon. If everything's fine, she can go home then."

"Alright," Yu Heng nodded.

After the nurse left, he stretched his shoulders and took out his phone to check the time. It was seven-thirty.

There was an unread message.

Qin Lu said she would bring Qin Ya over at three in the afternoon for a trial stream and asked if it was convenient for him.

Yu Heng replied to Qin Lu with a simple "Okay."

Just as he sent the message, Bai Xinran woke up.

She groggily opened her eyes, blinked, and focused her gaze on Yu Heng.

"Boss..." Her voice was still a bit raspy.

"You're awake?" Yu Heng glanced at her. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better..." Bai Xinran tried to sit up, but he pressed her back down.

"Don't move around yet."

Bai Xinran lay back down obediently. Her eyes darted around, taking in her surroundings before settling on Yu Heng.

"Boss, did you stay with me all night?"

"What else?" Yu Heng said grumpily. "Was I supposed to just leave you here alone?"

Bai Xinran pursed her lips and whispered, "Thank you..."

"Don't thank me," Yu Heng stood up and stretched his numb legs. "The medical expenses will be deducted from your share of the earnings."

"Huh?" Bai Xinran’s eyes widened. "You're still going to deduct money?"

"Obviously," Yu Heng rolled his eyes at her. "It's not like I made you get sick."

Bai Xinran pouted and fell silent.

Seeing her aggrieved look, Yu Heng felt like laughing, but he kept a straight face. "Alright, I'm joking. The nurse said your fever is down, but she suggests observing you for another half-day. You can go back after another IV drip this afternoon."

"Oh..." Bai Xinran nodded.

As they were speaking, her phone rang.

Yu Heng glanced over; the screen showed 'Mom'.

Bai Xinran answered the phone. "Hello, Mom..."

The voice on the other end was quite loud; Yu Heng could hear most of it.

"Xinran, your dad and I are almost at the station. We should be at your school around nine! Are you all ready? Let's have lunch together!"

"Huh? So soon?" Bai Xinran panicked slightly. "Um... Mom, I..."

She looked at Yu Heng, her eyes pleading for help.

Yu Heng raised an eyebrow and mouthed, "Tell the truth."

Bai Xinran hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Mom, I have a bit of a fever. I'm at the hospital..."

"What?! The hospital?!" The voice on the other end immediately jumped an octave. "What happened?! Is it serious?! Which hospital?! Your dad and I are coming over right now!"

"It's not serious, not serious!" Bai Xinran said quickly. "It's just a cold and a fever. I'll be fine after an IV drip... I'm at the Second Hospital..."

"Wait there! We'll be there soon!"

The call ended.

Bai Xinran put down her phone and looked at Yu Heng helplessly. "My parents are coming..."

Yu Heng thought for a moment and said, "Then it's just as well; I should be going too."

"You're leaving?" Bai Xinran was taken aback.

"Yeah," Yu Heng checked the time on his phone. "Our Counselor will be bringing her daughter over for a trial stream in a bit. I need to get back and prepare."

Only then did Bai Xinran remember Yu Heng mentioning this yesterday.

She gave an "oh" and her eyes shifted slightly. "Then you should head back quickly. Don't let me keep you from your business."

Looking at her like this, Yu Heng suddenly felt like teasing her. "What, can't bear to see me go?"

"Who can't bear it!" Bai Xinran immediately retorted. "I'm just afraid my parents will run into you here, and then I won't be able to explain it!"

"True," Yu Heng nodded. "If your parents saw me here, they'd probably think I was bullying their daughter or something."

He paused and then added, "So, what are you going to tell your parents? Who brought you here last night?"

She couldn't tell the truth about that; if they knew she was living out with someone else, it would be a huge hassle.

"I'll just say a classmate brought me?" Bai Xinran asked tentatively.

"Fine," Yu Heng didn't really care. "Make up whatever you want, just don't drag me into it."

He stood up and put on his coat. "I'm leaving then. Take care of yourself. Once you're done this afternoon, go back and rest. Don't stream today."

"I know..." Bai Xinran replied, watching him walk toward the door before suddenly calling out to him, "Boss!"

Yu Heng turned back. "What?"

"Um..." Bai Xinran hesitated for a second. "Thank you..."

Yu Heng waved his hand without a word and turned to leave.