Chapter 29: Severe Insomnia 4

For several consecutive days, Lu Shun hadn’t rested well, yet this sleep while holding He Qiuting was unexpectedly sound.

He slept deeply, his palm resting on He Qiuting’s stomach, his cheek pressed tightly against his shoulder, greedily inhaling that familiar scent.

Half-asleep and half-awake, he drowsily brushed his lips against the skin of He Qiuting’s shoulder and neck, lightly and repeatedly confirming his presence. While kissing, he pulled the person closer into his embrace, tightening his arms as if wishing to meld the one in his arms into his very bones.

Holding He Qiuting, wrapped together under the same blanket, he thought to himself: never argue again.

And so, he slept straight through until dawn.

When Lu Shun woke up, his arms were empty, holding only a pillow deformed from being clutched. He abruptly sat up and discovered that He Qiuting was no longer by his side.

His heart suddenly tightened. Lu Shun frantically threw off the covers, not even bothering with shoes, and ran out barefoot.

Pushing open the hospital room door, sunlight instantly poured in, splashing over him and making it hard to keep his eyes open.

Lu Shun raised a hand to shield himself, squinting as he adjusted to the sudden brightness. It took a while for his vision to clear.

In the sun-drenched corridor, He Qiuting stood by a window not far away.

He held a cup of hot water, steam rising in hazy white swirls, making his eyes appear moist and clear, even his eyelashes glistening with moisture.

The sunlight cast a pale golden outline around him, softening his usual sharp edges and angles.

From his slightly disheveled hair tips to his superior and three-dimensional side profile, to that beautifully prominent Adam’s apple, even the loose collar of his patient gown appeared soft and fuzzy in the light, utterly lovely.

He Qiuting!

Lu Shun stared blankly for a long moment before calling out his name.

Hearing the noise, He Qiuting slowly turned his head.

His gaze drifted downward, settling on Lu Shun’s bare feet, and he frowned slightly. Aren’t you worried about dirt?

Such a grown man, still acting like a child, not even afraid of the cold floor.

He Qiuting waved his hand, his tone half-commanding. Go back and put your shoes on.

Only then did Lu Shun realize he was still barefoot. He turned back midway, hastily slipping on a pair of slippers before running out again.

Why did you get out of bed by yourself? Did Li Feng say you could get up? He arrived in front of He Qiuting, crossing his arms as he looked him up and down. Are you dizzy? Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable? Has the urticaria gone down?

It’s gone down.

He Qiuting’s face was still pale, his lips lightly colored, but compared to the previous two days, there was a hint more color and vitality, making him appear particularly vivid in the sunlight.

He looked at Lu Shun, the corners of his lips curving slightly. Li Feng said I’m recovering well, the wound is healing nicely, and I can try walking slowly today.

Then you should have called me! What if you had fallen? Lu Shun still felt angry, thinking this person was far too independent and always too bold.

I won’t fall. I’m not that fragile, and it wasn’t even a major surgery anyway. He Qiuting gently shrugged off his support. There’s a breakfast buffet on the second floor. You should go eat something.

He Qiuting stood straight. Although the patient gown was a bit large, hanging loosely on his frame, it didn’t show any trace of sloppiness or lethargy.

After a pause, he added to Lu Shun, Then go back to the company. Don’t waste your time here with me. I’m fine now.

I already told you, I’m on leave for a week. Lu Shun was annoyed by his indirect attempts to send him away and emphasized, Right now, I’m on vacation.

Don’t waste a perfectly good holiday entirely in the hospital. He Qiuting felt it wasn’t worth it for him.

How can this be called a waste? Lu Shun said. I’ve been planning for us to go on a trip together for a while, but our schedules never aligned. Now it’s finally worked out. Look, the scenery in the hospital’s tea garden is quite nice, the air is fresh, the accommodations are comfortable, and no one disturbs us… Hey? He Qiuting?

While he was speaking, He Qiuting had already turned and started walking back toward the ward. Lu Shun caught up in a few quick strides and wrapped his arm around He Qiuting’s waist without hesitation.

No need to hold me. He Qiuting struggled slightly.

As soon as he broke free, Lu Shun clung to his arm again, holding on while blatantly lying, I’m not holding you, see? Where am I holding you?

Unable to win the argument, He Qiuting let himself be half-carried, half-supported back into the ward.

Both of them avoided mentioning their embrace from the previous night, but it was clear to everyone that the icy barrier between them was quietly melting, and their relationship had eased considerably.

He Qiuting lay down on the bed, blinking quietly, calm and composed, appearing entirely at peace.

He watched as Lu Shun leaned over, carefully tucking in the corners of the blanket, then reached out to brush aside the stray hairs on his forehead to examine the wound from where the kettle had struck him.

Lucky it didn’t hit directly, just grazed you. Lu Shun touched the spot, still shaken. That was an iron kettle—if it had hit you square on, it could have killed you. This is your head we’re talking about.

The person who hit me…

Is in custody under investigation. Lu Shun’s expression darkened. You know, that wound is 4cm, and according to their standards, it doesn’t even count as a minor injury.

That guy is a foreman from one of Wantai Real Estate’s construction sites. Usually follows Sun Hongsheng around, made a bit of money, and got reckless—used as a pawn.

He spoke with some anger, took a deep breath, and grasped He Qiuting’s hand. But don’t worry, I’ve hired an amazing lawyer. We’re going to charge him with attempted murder and make sure he rots in jail.

And that Sun Hongsheng too—we’re suing him as well.

He Qiuting stared into his eyes, silent for a long time.

After a considerable pause, he finally asked Lu Shun, That worker from the Cloud Horizon site, Yuan Feng—at the press conference, he claimed Sun Hongsheng hired someone to kill him to silence him. Do you think it’s true?

Lu Shun’s heart sank abruptly, but his expression remained unchanged as he smiled slightly. Who cares? It’s their business anyway—let them fight like dogs.

He changed the subject, saying, Before the press conference even ended, Sun Hongwei released a company statement saying he knew nothing about it, and promptly removed his brother from his position. Basically, he’s washed his hands of it, but it hasn’t done much good—the stock price is still falling as expected.

The real estate industry was already sluggish and easily influenced by public opinion; even the slightest stir could shake public confidence.

As a key figure at Cloud Horizon, He Qiuting’s collapse and unconsciousness after vomiting blood at the press conference was clearly major bad news. There was no reason for the stock price not to fall.

He Qiuting slowly turned sideways toward Lu Shun, humbly lifting his eyes to gaze at him. President Lu, could you analyze the recent trend of Cloud Horizon’s stock price for me?

Quite obvious—someone’s buying the dip. Probably overseas investors optimistic about the Sky Citadel project, Lu Shun replied.

Such substantial moves, yet through offshore accounts without leaving a trace?

You suspect a covert acquisition? Lu Shun caught his implication but shook his head. Impossible.

How can you be so certain?

Lu Shun’s throat moved slightly before he finally forced out, If it were an acquisition, it wouldn’t be this gentle.

He couldn’t tell He Qiuting that he’d leveraged positions to support Cloud Horizon’s stock—it’d be like dancing on He Qiuting’s landmines. He vaguely added, I met with some friends recently who discussed your project. Some are quite bullish.

Lu Shun didn’t want to delve deeper. Their relationship had just begun to thaw, and he refused to let business matters disrupt their fragile peace.

Just focus on recovering during your hospitalization instead of obsessing over company affairs, Lu Shun said, placing a hand gently on He Qiuting’s arm. Have you eaten anything this morning?

He Qiuting shook his head faintly, his expression unreadable.

I’m not very hungry, he said.

Strangely, he’d been sustaining himself on nutrient solutions and glucose for days without eating. Most patients would crave food by this stage, yet He Qiuting felt no hunger—an alarming state. Though his stomach felt hollow and occasionally growled, his brain kept rejecting nourishment. The mere sight or thought of food made his throat constrict with physiological resistance.

You should eat something even if you’re not hungry. It’s been days since you’ve had solid food. Li Feng said you need to try some liquid nutrition or your body will collapse.

Lu Shun went to fetch food, feeling slightly hypoglycemic on his way downstairs. He grabbed a quick bite in the cafeteria before carefully preparing a bowl of rice congee and steamed egg custard for He Qiuting.

President Lu.

Looking up, he saw Li Feng approaching.

The doctor glanced at the food on Lu Shun’s tray. For Qiuting?

Yes. Should he start with liquids? Lu Shun fumbled slightly, wiping spilled congee from the tray with a napkin.

Li Feng’s faint smile revealed his understanding of their relationship. Liquid food would be best, but try just the rice congee for now. Hold off on the egg custard.

Right. Lu Shun immediately removed the custard.

See if you can persuade him to take a few bites, Li Feng added, frowning slightly. I prepared nutrient paste for him this morning—he vomited after one spoonful. Seems to be developing anorexia.

Lu Shun’s expression tightened as he nodded. I’ll try.

Carrying the bowl of congee with utmost care, he returned to the hospital room. When he pushed the door open, He Qiuting was hunched over a laptop, fingers flying across the keyboard as he drafted the next strategic plan.

He was well aware that even if they had to lower the stock price to force the secretly acquiring opponent to reveal themselves, they couldn’t recklessly manipulate the market and harm the retail investors who trusted Cloud Horizon.

He Qiuting’s idea was to proactively release warning signals first, disclosing development pressures in financial news to prompt sensitive investors to reduce their holdings—essentially giving them an opportunity to exit on their own.

Then, they would establish a retail investor protection fund to provide some compensation for long-term investors when the stock price plummeted.

Of course, this fund would protect regular investors, excluding those all-in leverage gamblers.

Seeing Lu Shun return, He Qiuting guiltily closed his laptop and obediently placed it by his bedside.

He lifted his eyes, gazing innocently at Lu Shun as if he had done nothing wrong.

He Qiuting, can’t you let yourself rest for a while?

Lu Shun was at a complete loss with him—unable to be harsh or soft. After watching him for a moment, he walked straight to his bedside and sat down.

Stirring the spoon in the rice porridge, he scooped some up and brought it to He Qiuting’s tightly pressed lips.

Lu Shun’s voice was gentle as he waited for him to open his mouth, Just drink a little, please.

He Qiuting’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Staring at the shiny spoonful of rice porridge, his throat suddenly tightened.

Open your mouth, just two sips, alright? Lu Shun’s hand moved closer, the spoon lightly pressing against his lips.

An unexpected surge of acidity rose in his stomach. He Qiuting abruptly turned his face away, his fingers beneath the blanket clenching the sheets.

Can’t eat… I can’t. His voice was hoarse, his eyes reddening, I feel nauseous, Lu Shun.

It wasn’t actually a physical inability to eat but rather a psychological resistance.

Lu Shun’s heart clenched. He set the bowl aside, his palm covering He Qiuting’s slightly trembling back, gently stroking down along his spine.

I know, I know you’re uncomfortable. Lu Shun pulled him into an embrace with one arm, patiently coaxing, We’ll take it slow. Just hold a sip in your mouth—you don’t have to swallow it.

Alright, He Qiuting? Lu Shun looked at him expectantly, his voice soft as he promised, Just one sip.

He Qiuting closed his eyes for a moment and reluctantly opened his mouth.

The warm rice porridge entered his mouth, moistening the tip of his tongue. The moment it touched, the nausea surged up again. He turned his head to vomit but was suddenly steadied by a hand firmly supporting his jaw.

Lu Shun’s face abruptly magnified before his eyes, his nose brushing against He Qiuting’s cheek—close enough to see tiny pores and faint, fine hairs.

Lu Shun’s lips pressed against his, kissing the moist seam of He Qiuting’s lips.

The action was too sudden. He Qiuting instinctively swallowed.

That mouthful of rice porridge went down.

No nausea, no vomiting—just a faint, sweet fragrance lingering between his lips and teeth.

He pushed against Lu Shun’s shoulder, frowning slightly, and demanded, What are you doing?

Lu Shun smiled triumphantly, raising a hand to gently wipe his moist lip corner, I wanted to kiss you. What’s wrong? Can’t I kiss you?

Before kissing someone, you should at least ask for their consent. He Qiuting glared at him, trying to reason with him.

Lu Shun nodded obediently, readily agreeing, Alright, I won’t do this next time. I’ll definitely ask before kissing you, and only kiss you after you approve.

He Qiuting had no way to deal with him. Ultimately, he was susceptible to Lu Shun’s ways.

He Qiuting had always harbored mixed feelings of love and hatred toward Lu Shun.

When love and hatred intertwined, it often became impossible to untangle. He had to admit that Lu Shun’s radical approach occasionally freed him from the exhausting cycle of overthinking, allowing him to simply live in the moment.

Being cared for by Lu Shun, being held as he fell asleep…

Truth be told… it made him happy.

Secretly, He Qiuting felt ashamed of his own weakness, even blaming himself for not being strong enough to find joy in relying on someone else.

This happiness was complicated in his eyes. While he enjoyed it, he also avoided it, because in such moments, He Qiuting always grew fearful and uneasy, worried about being betrayed and manipulated once again.

But now, bound to the System, he felt that any choice was better than stubbornly struggling alone.

The System seemed to notice the subtle shift in He Qiuting’s mindset and subtly fueled it, intensifying his insomnia over the next two days.

On the second night of his insomnia, He Qiuting tossed and turned restlessly, deliberately making some noise. Hearing the sounds, Lu Shun immediately came in and held him through the night once more.

By the third day, He Qiuting had mostly recovered and was no longer willing to play games. He simply walked into the outer room, tossed a pillow at Lu Shun on the sofa, and uttered three words expressionlessly: “Come sleep inside.”

On the fourth day, He Qiuting was discharged from the hospital, just as his afflictions were refreshed once again.

Even after experiencing so many different illnesses, He Qiuting still felt anxious whenever a new one was announced. Holding his breath, he waited for the System’s voice to sound—until his heart suddenly jolted.

Thump—

A heavy, dull thud.

Amid a sudden sensation of weightlessness, he heard the System announce:

Congratulations, Host. You have entered a new illness.

Unlocked for you — Heart Disease

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