“That’s because I’m his second uncle’s third aunt’s cousin’s brother’s nephew—” Lin Yi Shen walked in with a cheeky grin, finishing the sentence. “Surprised? Turns out we’re distantly related.”
Shen Xi Fan looked to He Su Ye for confirmation, seeking help. He nodded. “Honestly, I’m not sure what our exact relation is either, but it’s something like that.”
No wonder she had seen the two of them chatting closely at the hotel before. And whenever Lin Yi Shen mentioned “your boyfriend,” he always had a mischievous smile. Now it all made sense. She scrutinized the two of them closely. “You really do look a bit alike.”
Lin Yi Shen chuckled. “Now that the real boyfriend is here, this senior will make his exit before I become a third wheel.”
He Su Ye held Shen Xi Fan back. “You stay in bed. I’ll see him out.”
At the stairwell, Lin Yi Shen waved him off. “No need to walk me out. Just take good care of her, and there’s no need to thank me.”
He Su Ye smiled, a mix of gratitude and relief in his expression. “Thank you.”
Lin Yi Shen hesitated, as if there were more he wanted to say. Finally, he sighed softly. “Forget it. We already had that conversation before I left the country. Just remember what I told you.”
His gaze was clear, and though his voice was light, his words carried weight. “I will make her happy.”
Lin Yi Shen glanced at the falling snow outside, a faint smile lingering on his face—a smile of release and resolution.
* * *
Back in the room, Shen Xi Fan immediately asked, “How did Lin Yi Shen find you? Your dorm doesn’t even have a phone.”
He answered casually, “He contacted someone who knew me and reached me directly at the research institute.”
She lowered her head. “I’m sorry, He Su Ye. I really am such a troublemaker. I’m so sorry.”
Before she could say another word, a gentle kiss landed on her forehead, filled with tenderness. He brushed her hair aside and looked straight into her eyes. “I should be the one apologizing.”
It was a quiet and heartwarming moment—until her stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence. Embarrassed, she buried her face in her hands. He Su Ye laughed, ruffling her messy hair. “Get dressed. It’s time to eat.”
Still recovering from her fever, the plain rice porridge tasted bland to her. She barely managed half a bowl before putting her spoon down. He wouldn’t let her stop. “Eat a little more. You’ll need it to take your medicine. An empty stomach won’t absorb it well.”
Curious, she asked, “What medicine? Do I really need to take anything? The fever’s already gone, hasn’t it?”
He Su Ye said, “You're experiencing a fever due to overexertion. Didn't I tell you not to push yourself so hard? Your health wasn't good to begin with, and now it's even worse after all this!” Mentioning her illness made him anxious, and his brows furrowed even deeper.
She was curious. “What medicine do I need to take this time?”
“Gui Pi Tang,” he replied, “to nourish the heart and spleen, boost Qi, and generate blood. It includes astragalus, poria, white atractylodes, licorice, longan, angelica sinensis, polygala, costus root, and goji berries.” He sighed. “Go rest for a while; I'll call you when it's ready.”
“But where did you get these herbs? Does America have traditional Chinese medicine?” she asked.
“There are Chinese medicine shops in Chinatown. Traditional Chinese medicine is quite popular among the Chinese community there. By the way, today is the third day of the Lunar New Year. It was quite lively when I went to Chinatown.”
She smiled gently, a bit childlike. “Did they have candied hawthorns, steaming dumplings and glutinous rice balls? Were there dragon and lion dances, couplets, and 'Fu' characters?”
0 Comments