Lin Xi held up the wet towel in her hand and explained, “President Song has a high fever. I was using a damp towel to help cool him down.”

“A fever?” Xu Wantang only then noticed how off Song Xu looked. His eyes were bloodshot, his cheeks were flushed, and he lay paralyzed on the bed, motionless.

She walked to the bedside and reached out to touch his forehead and neck. He was burning. “Xiao Xu, why didn’t you tell me you were sick? Have you taken any medicine?”

Song Xu nodded weakly. “I did. I’m feeling much better now.”

“What did you take?” Xu Wantang’s eyes were full of worry.

Song Xu didn’t actually know what he had taken; he looked toward Lin Xi.

Lin Xi pointed to the medicine box on the nightstand. “He only took antipyretics.”

Song Chen walked over and glanced at the box. It was indeed fever medicine—the standard kind. But he knew Song Xu had been a nightmare when it came to taking medicine since he was a child; he usually only agreed to take flavored syrups.

He arched an eyebrow at Lin Xi. “Xiao Xu actually took this?”

Lin Xi held up two fingers. “He took two pills.”

Both Song Chen and Xu Wantang turned to look at Lin Xi in surprise. The intensity of their gaze made Lin Xi nervous. She asked timidly, “Did I give him the wrong medicine? It seemed quite effective. He started sweating and his temperature dropped an hour after taking it.”

Xu Wantang shook her head, a look of mischievous schadenfreude crossing her face. “No, you didn’t. In fact, let’s keep giving him that exact medicine.”

Song Xu coughed twice. “I’m already better. I don’t need any more medicine.”

“No!” The other three spoke in unison, shutting down his request instantly.

Lin Xi regretted it the moment the word left her mouth. She covered her lips and lowered her head, realizing it wasn’t exactly her place to shout commands alongside his family.

“Madam Xu, would you like something to drink? I can get that for you,” Lin Xi said, figuring it was best to excuse herself from the room.

“What could there possibly be to drink here?” Xu Wantang sighed. “It’s not like there’s pearl milk tea. Just whatever is fine.”

“Actually, we have that. Would you like it hot or warm?” Lin Xi replied.

Xu Wantang thought she had misheard. “You have pearl milk tea? I only like it freshly made.”

Lin Xi nodded. “I can make it, though I can’t guarantee it will be exactly to your taste.”

“Then go ahead and make it. I’ll see how it is. Warm is fine,” Xu Wantang said expectantly.

—

Lin Xi let out a breath of relief once she stepped out of the room. She was still holding the towel she had used to wipe Song Xu’s body; it felt like it was burning her hand now. She dropped the towel in her own room and hurried to the kitchen.

She pulled a small container of cooked pearls from the fridge. She had made them herself out of boredom a few days ago, portioning them into small boxes so she could just pop them in the microwave whenever she had a craving.

With the pearls ready, the milk tea was easy. She just needed black tea, sugar, and milk—all of which were well-stocked.

She quickly whipped up a cup of pearl milk tea, complete with a wide straw. As she was preparing two glasses of honey lemon water for Song Chen and Song Xu, she froze.

Wait. Why didn’t I just give Song Xu a straw when I was feeding him water earlier? She had spent ages feeding him spoon by spoon, exhausting her arm for nothing. She felt incredibly dim-witted.

Lin Xi returned to the bedroom with the three drinks.

Song Chen was seated in a chair while Madam Xu sat on the edge of the bed, holding Song Xu’s hand and stroking his hair. “How did you get so sick out of nowhere? It must be exhaustion. I’m going back to tell your father to handle the company himself. You’re still a student, for heaven’s sake.”

“Please don’t,” Song Xu said helplessly. “Mom, you should probably let brother drive you back to the old mansion. If Dad gets home and you aren’t there, he’ll come looking for you.”

And he’d likely give Song Xu an earful for “disturbing” her.

“You’re this sick, how can I leave?” Xu Wantang snapped. “I’m staying here tonight. I’ll take care of you myself.”

Song Xu looked at Song Chen with a “kill me now” expression. “Brother, I’d like to live.”

Song Chen shrugged, offering no help.

“You brat, what’s that supposed to mean!” Xu Wantang swatted Song Xu’s hand. “I’m your mother! Do you think I’m going to harm you?”

Song Xu closed his eyes, deciding it was safer not to answer.

“Madam Xu, your pearl milk tea is ready.” Lin Xi stepped in at the perfect moment.

The second she heard the words “milk tea,” Xu Wantang let go of Song Xu’s hand and turned around to take the cup.

“Lawyer Song, would you like your honey lemon water?” Lin Xi looked at Song Chen.

“Thank you.” Song Chen took a sip and hummed in appreciation. “Delicious.”

Xu Wantang took a sip of her tea. It was actually better than she had expected. “Not bad. You have a real talent, young lady.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Madam.” Lin Xi placed the last glass on the nightstand. “President Song, would you like some?”

Song Xu opened his eyes and looked at Lin Xi piteously. “Feed me.”

“Alright.” Lin Xi knelt down by the bed, holding the glass and guiding the straw to his lips. “Can you manage the suction?”

Song Xu shot her an annoyed look and drained the glass in a few large gulps.

Lin Xi stood up and retreated. “Madam Xu, Lawyer Song, I’ll head out now. Please call me if you need anything.”

“Wait.” Xu Wantang set down her tea and stood up, walking toward Lin Xi. “Which room are you staying in? May I see it?”

“Of course.” Lin Xi nodded. Her room was spotless; she had nothing to hide.

“Mom!” Song Xu and Song Chen both spoke up, trying to stop her.

Xu Wantang whirled around and glared at them. “What? I’m not a wicked woman. What are you two afraid of?”

The brothers shut their mouths, watching as Xu Wantang followed Lin Xi out of the room.

Once they were gone, Song Xu threw back the covers and stood up. The movement made his head swim and his legs felt like jelly.

“Oh, so you can stand,” Song Chen said, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. “I thought you were paralyzed and incapable of basic self-care.”

“Brother, a little help here,” Song Xu said, taking a shaky step. “I’m about to burst.”

Song Chen walked over to support him toward the bathroom. “You’d rather suffer than lose face. You’re about to burst and yet you still drank that whole glass of lemon water.”

“I just didn’t want to waste Lin Xi’s hard work,” Song Xu sighed with relief once they reached the bathroom.

Song Chen leaned against the doorframe. “You rushed back last night because of Lin Xi? The two of you…”

Song Xu’s hands paused as he adjusted his clothes. “I thought she had strayed onto the wrong path. It was a misunderstanding. I’m the employer, she’s the helper. That’s all.”

He certainly wasn’t going to tell his brother that he’d been rejected—brutally rejected—by his own little maid. He still had his pride to consider.

—

Xu Wantang entered Lin Xi’s room. She noted that this “helper’s room” was quite luxurious, only slightly smaller than her son’s.

The layout hadn’t changed much, but there were several books and a laptop on the desk now. She picked up a book and flipped through it. It was a text on Legal English Vocabulary.

Xu Wantang looked up at Lin Xi in surprise. “This is your book? Can you actually understand this?”