Even though Jiang Yu personally watched over him, perhaps due to the illness that had built up before, Yu Shiqing developed a high fever the night he came back from the hospital.
Fortunately, Jiang Yu had listened carefully to the doctor’s instructions at the hospital. After helping Yu Shiqing take his medicine and adding another blanket, he let him sleep.
That night, Yu Shiqing was half-awake and vaguely saw a figure sitting on the sofa by the bed. Guessing it was Jiang Yu, he originally wanted to tell him to rest, but his mind was hazy and he soon fell asleep again.
It seemed Jiang Yu woke him up several times during the night, but Yu Shiqing didn’t really remember much.
By the time he woke again, it was already bright outside. The bedroom door was left slightly open probably so Jiang Yu could hear any movement inside.
Yu Shiqing heard Jiang Yu’s voice from outside the room. He was on the phone. Not long after, Jiang Yu hung up and came in. When he saw Yu Shiqing looking at him with open eyes, he paused briefly, then quickly walked over.
“You’re finally awake. How are you feeling?”
He walked to the bed, bent down to check Yu Shiqing’s forehead, then took a thermometer from the bedside table. Just as he was about to pull open the blanket and skillfully unbutton Yu Shiqing’s clothes, he suddenly remembered something and looked up at him.
Yu Shiqing, who had been watching his movements, also looked up when he saw him pause.
They were silent for about a second.
Jiang Yu spoke calmly, “Taking your temperature. It goes under your arm.”
He looked very experienced. He must have done it a few times already.
Yu Shiqing said, “Sorry to trouble you.”
Only then did Jiang Yu continue opening the front of Yu Shiqing’s pajamas. When he saw the exposed shoulder and side of his chest, he quickly stuffed the thermometer in and looked away.
He added, “Don’t overthink it.”
“Hm?” Yu Shiqing asked. “Overthink what?”
Jiang Yu glanced at him. “Nothing.”
Yu Shiqing didn’t notice his expression but did notice he was fully dressed. He asked, “Did you take care of me all night?”
“All night?” Jiang Yu sat on the sofa by the bed. “You’ve been asleep for two days. If your temperature hadn’t been going down, the ambulance would’ve taken you away yesterday.”
Yu Shiqing frowned. “Two days?”
Jiang Yu asked, “Do you feel better now?”
Yu Shiqing replied, “Much better.”
“Even though your temperature is back to normal, you still need more rest.”
But Jiang Yu didn’t believe Yu Shiqing’s “much better” until he checked the thermometer himself.
Yu Shiqing already understood how controlling Jiang Yu could be. He had no right to argue, only to agree. So, after getting up and washing briefly, he went back to bed.
It wasn’t until the afternoon that he was allowed to get up and walk around.
Jiang Yu had been taking calls nonstop since Yu Shiqing woke up. Yu Shiqing overheard a few lines and guessed they were about Doomsday Rescue. After one call ended, he asked, “What’s going on?”
“Funding issues,” Jiang Yu said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “We might still be short.”
A special effects film like Doomsday Rescue was like a bottomless pit. Yan Hongyun had called several times and even said that if they didn’t aim for perfection and cut corners everywhere, they might barely make it work.
But Jiang Yu didn’t like “barely.”
He and Yu Shiqing had seen parts of the rough cut. He wanted to present the best possible scenes to the audience.
“Do you think this movie will succeed?” Jiang Yu suddenly turned to Yu Shiqing. For the first time, there was hesitation in his eyes.
Yu Shiqing said, “I think it will succeed.”
Jiang Yu’s grip on his phone tightened slightly. Then he smiled.
As if making a firm decision, the hesitation in his eyes was replaced by determination. “I think so too.”
Yu Shiqing looked at Jiang Yu’s sharp, resolute side profile and didn’t ask further. He didn’t have much money, and with the funding issue, he couldn’t help. He just said, “If you ever need anything, feel free to ask me.”
Jiang Yu’s eyes flickered. He met Yu Shiqing’s gaze. “I’ll remember that.”
But before they could talk more, Yu Shiqing’s phone rang. It was a call from Shi Zhefing.
As soon as he answered, he heard the other man say, “Are you free today? If you have time, let’s meet and talk about the script.”
Yu Shiqing looked at Jiang Yu. Jiang Yu frowned slightly.
Yu Shiqing politely declined, “Director Shi, sorry. I’m with Jiang Yu.”
“Jiang Yu?” Shi Zhefing said in surprise. “Perfect! Why not ask him to come along too? Everyone can meet up. Who knows maybe you’ll have a chance to work together in the future.”
Yu Shiqing looked at Jiang Yu again. The frown hadn’t left Jiang Yu’s face.
Yu Shiqing covered the receiver and told him, “If you want to transition into acting, Director Shi could be a good connection.”
Jiang Yu had talent. With guidance from a director like Shi Zhefing, even if they didn’t work together now, there could be future opportunities. No matter what, it would benefit Jiang Yu.
But Jiang Yu still refused. “You’re not fully recovered yet.”
“I’m fine now,” Yu Shiqing said. “Work is important.”
Before Jiang Yu could argue, Yu Shiqing had already told Shi Zhefing they would go.
After hanging up, Yu Shiqing turned around and saw Jiang Yu’s blank face.
“…”
Jiang Yu sneered, “So your body is made of steel? Then why did I bother?”
He stood up from the sofa, about to leave.
Yu Shiqing also stood and grabbed his wrist. “Don’t be mad. I really feel better.”
“Let go.” Jiang Yu had just walked around the coffee table and didn’t even look back.
“Listen to me.” Yu Shiqing sounded a bit helpless. “I know you’re doing this for me.”
Jiang Yu suddenly turned around, about to say something, but met Yu Shiqing’s gaze and only gave a low snort. “Let go.”
He didn’t wait for Yu Shiqing to react and started walking again.
Yu Shiqing thought he had calmed down and pulled him back.
“Hey! You—” Jiang Yu lost balance, tripped over the coffee table, and fell to the side.
Luckily, Yu Shiqing reacted quickly and grabbed his waist.
But still weak from illness, he couldn’t support them both. They ended up falling together onto the sofa.
Yu Shiqing landed underneath Jiang Yu. The sudden fall made his head throb a little.
Jiang Yu hadn’t had time to get mad yet when he heard Yu Shiqing’s unsteady breathing near his ear. He instinctively turned to look.
Yu Shiqing also looked at him.
“I’m okay.”
“I’m fine.”
Both their words were cut off by the soft touch of lips.
Yu Shiqing froze, his hand still on Jiang Yu’s shoulder.
Jiang Yu’s eyes widened.
