Chapter 59: Beating You Without Shame

Qiao Xi hurriedly caught Fu Yancheng’s limp body, and as her palm touched his burning forehead, she realized how high his fever was. She quickly called Zhou Ze, and together they managed to get Fu Yancheng to the hospital.

Inside the hospital room, Zhou Ze watched Qiao Xi’s anxious expression and sighed, explaining that Fu Yancheng had actually been running a high fever for three days.

“He fell ill right after returning from Switzerland that day, but he wouldn’t let us tell you…”

“Switzerland?” Qiao Xi’s head shot up. “What happened?”

Zhou Ze replied, “He went there to push forward the approval for the ‘Eternal Youth Project.’ This project is your life’s work, and President Fu knows how much you’ve poured into it, so he went to Geneva himself to meet with the head of the World Health Organization.”

He pulled out a tablet and brought up a meeting record.

“The review was stuck on their side, and President Fu stayed up for three nights straight to prepare the materials.”

Qiao Xi’s fingers trembled as she traced Fu Yancheng’s weary profile on the screen.

So that’s where he’d disappeared to those few days—running around for her project. Even in such poor health, he’d still been thinking of surprising her for her birthday…

“The doctor said President Fu’s pneumonia was caused by overwork and aggravated by stress,” Zhou Ze said softly. “You haven’t spoken to him these days, but he’s been waiting outside the lab every day, not daring to disturb your work…”

Qiao Xi’s tears finally fell. She gently held Fu Yancheng’s feverish hand and pressed it to her cheek.

Even in his feverish sleep, Fu Yancheng frowned unconsciously.

He murmured, “Xi Xi, don’t leave…”

Qiao Xi’s heart ached. She bent down to his ear and whispered, “I’m not leaving. I’ll never leave again.”

She carefully wiped his forehead with a damp towel and fed him water and medicine.

Late at night, Fu Yancheng slowly woke from his stupor. Only a warm, amber bedside lamp was lit. Qiao Xi was asleep at his bedside, her lashes still wet with tears.

His heart softened. He reached up and stroked her cheek.

Qiao Xi woke with a start and hurriedly reached out to feel his forehead.

Relieved to find the fever had subsided, she was about to get up and call the doctor, but Fu Yancheng pulled her back.

“Why are you sleeping here?”

Suddenly, he gathered her onto the bed. The narrow hospital bed forced them close together.

Qiao Xi gave a startled cry. “Your IV…”

“Forget about it.”

Fu Yancheng wrapped her in his arms, his chin gently grazing the top of her head. “It’s warmer like this.”

Qiao Xi blushed and tried to push him away. “Stop it, you’re still sick…”

“That’s exactly why I want to hold you,” he said with a low, hoarse laugh, his voice even more alluring in illness. “I used to be alone in the hospital when I was sick… now it’s so much better having my wife hold me.”

Qiao Xi’s heart melted, and she stopped struggling.

Her fingers brushed the pinprick on the back of his hand. “Does it hurt?”

Fu Yancheng caught her hand and pressed it to his chest. “It hurts more here. A little fool ignored me for a whole seven days.”

Qiao Xi’s lashes fell in guilt. “I’m sorry…”

“Don’t apologize.” He lifted her face, his gaze gentle. “I should be the one thanking you—thank you for forgiving me, Mrs. Fu.”

He broke off in a fit of coughing. Qiao Xi quickly sat up to pour him some water, but Fu Yancheng took the chance to pull her back into his arms, drinking from her hand while his eyes lingered on her flushed cheeks.

“Sweet,” he murmured, licking his lips suggestively. “Sweeter than the medicine.”

Qiao Xi felt her whole body burn under his gaze and mumbled, “Still so unruly when you’re sick…”

Fu Yancheng laughed and held her tighter. “So, do you want to see if I’m really as sweet as I say?”

He leaned in slowly, but just as their lips were about to meet, Qiao Xi blocked his mouth with her finger.

“Patients need to rest.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Then may I request a goodnight kiss?”

Her heart thumped wildly at his teasing. She leaned in and pecked his lips. “Now can you sleep?”

Fu Yancheng smiled in triumph and pulled her into his arms again. “Just barely acceptable.”

The next morning, Qiao Xi was feeding Fu Yancheng porridge when the hospital room door opened.

Zou Xin entered, carrying an exquisite fruit basket, her Chanel suit making her look especially delicate and charming.

“Yancheng, I heard you were ill…” She trailed off when she saw Qiao Xi, her smile faltering for an instant.

“Miss Qiao, you’re here too.”

Fu Yancheng frowned. “What do you want?”

Zou Xin placed the fruit basket by the bed and gave a coy smile. “Nothing really, just wanted to check on you.”

Qiao Xi’s hand paused for a moment.

Suddenly, she recalled finding a pearl earring in Fu Yancheng’s suit pocket the night before while changing his clothes.

It must have been Zou Xin’s.

“Miss Zou,” Qiao Xi said, rising to her feet, her tone calm. “May I speak with you for a moment?”

At the end of the corridor, Qiao Xi produced the earring. “This is yours, isn’t it?”

Zou Xin’s eyes flickered, then she smiled lightly. “Yes, I must have dropped it when Yancheng took me home the other day.”

She deliberately leaned in, her tone provocative. “What, Miss Qiao, are you so insecure you can’t even tolerate this much?”

Looking at her smug expression, Qiao Xi suddenly laughed. “Zou Xin, do you realize how much you look like a clown?”

Zou Xin’s face changed. “What do you mean?”

Qiao Xi’s eyes were cold. “Yancheng has been in Europe this whole time—when did he ever have time to take you home? If you’re going to lie, at least make it convincing.”

Zou Xin tried to compose herself. “But the earring is real, isn’t it? He gave it to me himself…”

Before she could finish, Qiao Xi suddenly raised her hand—

A crisp slap echoed down the corridor.

Zou Xin clutched her cheek in disbelief. “You dare…”

“This slap is for your shamelessness,” Qiao Xi said, her voice as cold as ice. “If I catch you playing dirty tricks again, it won’t end with just a slap.”

She turned to leave, only to see Fu Yancheng standing not far away, leaning on his IV stand, watching them in silence.

Zou Xin, still clutching her face, immediately burst into tears. “Yancheng! Miss Qiao, she…”

But Fu Yancheng walked straight to Qiao Xi and gently took her reddened hand in his.

“Does your hand hurt?”

Zou Xin froze in place.

Fu Yancheng wrapped his arm around Qiao Xi’s waist, his voice quiet but firm. “Next time, just call security. Don’t dirty your own hands.”

Zou Xin’s face turned stormy. Her carefully made-up eyes flashed first with shock, then with a surge of humiliated fury.

Fu Yancheng didn’t even spare her a glance. “Zhou Ze, see the guest out.”

Zou Xin drew a sharp breath, spun on her heel, and left, her gaze venomous. Her high heels clacked harshly against the marble floor.

Qiao Xi finally looked up at Fu Yancheng and saw him gently rubbing her palm.

“Don’t do it yourself next time,” he said softly. “It pains me to see you hurt.”

Watching Zou Xin’s humiliated retreat, Qiao Xi felt a rush of satisfaction, but deliberately maintained a stern face.

She slipped her hand out of Fu Yancheng’s grasp and walked back to the room, her steps betraying a hint of defiant pique.

Fu Yancheng immediately caught her mood and hurried after her.

As soon as they entered the room, he locked the door behind them and pressed Qiao Xi lightly against it.

She turned her face away, her voice intentionally cool. “Shouldn’t President Fu go comfort his confidante?”

Fu Yancheng laughed softly, his fingers trailing across her cheek. “Are you jealous?”

Qiao Xi tried to push him away, but he caught her wrists and pinned them above her head.

He kissed her.

At first, Qiao Xi struggled, but soon melted in his arms.

His kiss deepened, making her weak all over. His hand slid down the curve of her waist.

Qiao Xi gave a soft moan, and he seized the chance to part her lips.

The air was thick with the scent of desire.

Fu Yancheng lifted her onto the hospital bed and pressed down over her. The collar of his hospital gown fell open, revealing his strong chest.

Just as his hand slipped under her shirt, a knock sounded from outside.

Zhou Ze’s voice came through the door. “President Fu, the doctor is here for rounds.”