Due to his high fever and aching bones, Xie Guan couldn’t sleep soundly and drifted in and out of consciousness. He kept wanting to turn over but someone wrapped him in a blanket and moved him to a softer and warmer place. After a while, a slight stinging sensation came from his hand and a blurry voice drifted into his ears: “Low immunity… excessive fatigue… needs rest…”
The comforter was pulled up to his chin. His pale face was mostly buried in the pillow, and the prolonged nights left dark circles and eye bags almost merging into one, making him look particularly frail and exhausted.
In this state, he looked worse than when Huo Mingjun left.
Huo Mingjun carefully laid his hand flat on the bed, and Xie Guan quieted down; no longer struggling as he did in the car. The family doctor who rushed over could finally heave a sigh of relief. Wiping the sweat off his forehead, he silently scolded the wealthy for making a big deal out of nothing. The expression on Huo Mingjun’s face when he summoned him said “If you can’t cure him, you’ll accompany him to the grave,” making it seem that the patient was on the verge of death.
After the doctor packed up his medical kit, Huo Mingjun gestured for him to step outside. The two of them left the bedroom quietly, returning to the living room. Fang Hui and Zhong Heguang immediately stood up, “How’s the situation?”
The doctor reassured them with a gentle smile, “Mr. Huo doesn’t need to worry. The patient is just suffering from a weakened immune system due to excessive fatigue, causing a cold and fever. It’s not a serious illness and some IV fluids and medication will do the trick.”
Huo Mingjun inquired, “Is there anything specific we should be careful about?”
“He should rest well, and avoid eating raw, cold, spicy or oil foods. He should avoid seeking excessive coolness, especially in the summer”, the doctor advised. “Additionally, young people should take their health seriously. In the future, it’s essential to exercise more and enhance physical fitness to prevent illnesses.”
Huo Mingjun stood up and instructed Fang Hui, “Ask the doctor to prescribe the necessary medication and have it delivered. Come with me to the study,” he then turned to Zhong Heguang and said, “You too.”
Each person went their separate way. Huo Mingjun, Zhong Heguang, and Fang Hui entered the study. The private study in the residence had a more homely touch compared to the chairman’s office at the company with elegant and comfortable furnishings. The thick carpets muffled any footsteps, and the bookshelves along the two walls reached the ceiling. Whether it was the large black desk or the vibrant green plants by the window, everything exuded a sense of tranquility.
“Sit,” Huo Mingjun gestured for Zhong Heguang and Fang Hui to take a seat. The housekeeper promptly brought in tea, and Huo Mingjun glanced at his watch before asking, “What’s the current situation with Huo Zhongchen? Summarize it briefly, focus on the key points.”
“Mr. Huo firmly insists that the decision at the time was made with unanimous consent from the senior management and approved by the board of directors. He claims no fault lies with him. Currently, he is privately contacting various board members,” Zhong Heguang explained, “According to the company’s bylaws, removing the general manager requires agreement from more than half of the directors. He seems to have persuaded some of them, and after the incident, he immediately moved back to the old house. Senior Huo has not made any public statement yet.”
Although the eldest son Huo Zhongchen was not very competent, he was still the one personally trained by Senior Huo and could be disciplined behind closed doors. Moreover, in the context of the company, he remained a useful right-hand man.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Huo Mingjun chuckled emotionlessly, evidently prepared for Senior Huo’s behavior.
“Ca j alwf ilxf atlr, tf’r ralii lcveiulcu lc vgfjwr bo tlr bkc qgbwbalbc,” tf rjlv klat j tjio-rwlif, “Qtlif ijmxlcu lc batfg jylilalfr, tf tjr mfgajlcis wjrafgfv atf jga bo regnlnji lc atf meaatgbja yerlcfrr kbgiv. Aera kjla, P’ii vfji klat atfw bcf ys bcf.”
Ciatbeut Itbcu Lfuejcu jcv Mjcu Lel kfgf jmmerabwfv ab tlr rqfjxlcu rasif, atfs mbeivc’a tfiq yea ragjlutafc atflg yjmxr j yla wbgf.
Huo Mingjun changed the topic, “There’s another matter. Recently, Xuan Du Films, the company we invested in, is producing their first film. An actor named Zhong Guanhua terminated his contract and withdrew from the cast due to the incident in Pingcheng. Look into him and see if he has any connection with Xie Guan or our group through previous collaborations.”
Zhong Heguang replied, “Certainly.”
“And remember to downplay the news at the airport today,” Huo Mingjun continued as he stood up from the desk. “I might not go to the company this afternoon. If there’s anything, handle it first. If you can’t, leave it for me to deal with tomorrow.”
As he returned to the bedroom, halfway through the IV drip and still in a feverish sleep, Xie Guan furrowed his brow tightly. The corners of the bed covers neatly arranged by Huo Mingjun before leaving were now kicked aside. Huo Mingjun sat down by the bed and tested the temperature at Xie Guan’s nape. Finding no signs of sweat, he carefully covered him up again.
Xie Guan’s breath remained scorching hot and his high fever showed no signs of abating. As soon as the warmth from his body heated the covers, he would kick them away. Helpless, Huo Mingjun circled around to the head of the bed and embraced him. He gently patted him and said, “Don’t fuss, once you start sweating, it won’t be uncomfortable. I’m here with you. Behave.”
Under the familiar aura, Xie Guan did calm down. However, he still felt intermittently hot and cold, unconsciously snuggling into Huo Mingjun’s arms. Xie Guan rarely showed dependence on anyone. When feeling uncomfortable, he would only furrow his brow and bury his face deep in Huo Mingjun’s embrace, as if seeking a safe haven. The exposed earlobes and half of his face looked both pitiful and distressed.
Huo Mingjun’s heart melted at the sight of Xie Guan seeking comfort. Apart from calling for a change of medication in the middle, he hardly changed his posture, sitting there with Xie Guan in his arms for two hours without moving.
The words recounted by Huo Zhirong lingered repeatedly in Huo Mingjun’s mind. Rarely did anyone touch him so deeply, and Xie Guan seemed to have filled in all the emotional gaps for him in that one moment.
It was a bit stubborn, a bit silly, and undeniably heart-wrenching.
Around noon, the two IV bottles were finally emptied. The doctor came upstairs to remove the needle, and Huo Mingjun gently pressed on the puncture marks on Xie Guan’s hand. Xie Guan, who finally fell into a stable sleep, was not awakened by Huo Mingjun. It wasn’t until the housekeeper brought lunch into the bedroom that Huo Mingjun reached over and gently tapped on the blanket, saying, “Xie Guan, wake up. Get up and have something to eat.”
Xie Guan woke up slowly. As he opened his eyes, he remained disoriented, not bothering to look around and burying his face away from the light. Huo Mingjun reached around his back, holding his shoulders, and lifted him up as if pulling a radish, placing two soft pillows at the head of the bed, transitioning him from a reclining to a semi-reclined position.
Xie Guan’s consciousness cleared a bit at this point. He stared blankly at Huo Mingjun and then glanced around, asking, “What happened? Where am I?”
“My home,” Huo Mingjun’s palm pressed against his forehead. “Feeling a bit confused?”
After a moment of contemplation, Xie Guan understood and uttered a slow “Oh.”
“Still running a fever.” Even though the doctor said it was nothing serious, Huo Mingjun was still uneasy. “Eat something to fill your stomach first, and take medicine after the meal.”
Since falling ill, Xie Guan seemed visibly weakened and unusually obedient, following instructions without resistance. Huo Mingjun used a towel to wipe his hands and while holding the porridge bowl, asked, “Do you want to eat by yourself, or should I feed you?”
Although Xie Guan had little appetite, feeling weak all over and was even too lazy to raise his hand, his mind was still clear. Reluctant to trouble Huo Mingjun, he weakly replied, “I’ll do it myself.”
Huo Mingjun knew that Xie Guan wasn’t the delicate type. Holding a bowl of porridge wouldn’t tire him out, but seeing his current state made Huo Mingjun reluctant. Before Xie Guan could pull his arm out from under the blanket, Huo Mingjun said, “Don’t move. I’ll feed you.”
The young master serving someone for the first time was not very skilled, so he was extremely cautious and careful, afraid of scalding him. Xie Guan belatedly realized the historical significance of the treatment he was currently receiving and felt like he was floating up from the bottom of a valley with two hydrogen balloons tied to him.
His throat was a bit hoarse, and he spoke with a nasal tone. Sounding muffled and soft, he said “Lower the spoon a bit… Don’t be nervous, just don’t splash porridge all over my face.”
With a hint of helplessness, Huo Mingjun glanced at him, “Even when you’re sick, you can’t stop being talkative, can you?”
Xie Guan smiled indifferently, “After a good sleep, I feel much better. Have you resolved everything on your end? You came back so soon.”
“If I didn’t come back soon, you would have checked yourself into the hospital,” Huo Mingjun delivered a spoonful of porridge to his lips and said calmly, “Eat, we’ll settle the score after you’re better.”
When intensely determined, Xie Guan exuded an aura of “who dares to stop me.” Now, facing Huo Mingjun, he immediately became meek and chuckled awkwardly, “Well… give me some face, can we settle things lightly?”
Huo Mingjun remained silent, just calmly watching him. Xie Guan promptly shut his mouth and obediently leaned over to bite the spoon.
After drinking only half a bowl, he didn’t want any more. With some strength returning after eating, he moved under the blanket and consulted Huo Mingjun, “I’m covered in sweat and it’s uncomfortable. Can I take a bath?”
Huo Mingjun placed the utensils back in the tray and lifted a corner of the quilt. He reached out and touched the area around Xie Guan’s neck and collarbone, saying, “Bear with it for now. I’m afraid you might faint inside if your body is weak. What if that happens?”
Xie Guan didn’t know how many times he was subjected to such actions while sleeping, but couldn’t help but shrink back when facing this situation while awake. His ears inexplicably warmed, feeling that this gesture was a bit too intimate.
Nervous, he spoke without thinking, “I have work in the afternoon. I can’t meet people without taking a shower.”
Just as Huo Mingjun was about to take the plates out and wash his hands, Xie Guan’s words left an impact on his expression, making it immediately unpleasant. “I’ll ask your agent for leave later. You just obediently rest and recover. Don’t even think about going anywhere if your fever hasn’t subsided.”
Xie Guan struggled, “No, work is important. I’ve already come back and I even showed up at the airport this morning. It wouldn’t be appropriate not to go.”
His insistence on working despite being unwell has always been a thorn in Huo Mingjun’s heart, and this statement hit exactly where it hurt the most.
Huo Mingjun stopped in his tracks, looking coldly at Xie Guan. If it weren’t for the fact that he was dealing with a sick person, he might have exploded on the spot. “Figure out what’s more important, your work or your well-being. I won’t repeat myself.”
As soon as he dropped this stern expression, Xie Guan immediately fell silent. Seeing him fall quiet, Huo Mingjun turned and left the bedroom while holding the tray.
Sitting on the bed and wrapped in the blanket, Xie Guan was in a state of disbelief. He thought, “Oh my, he’s angry? What’s there to be angry about?”
Then he thought, “Oh no, what do I do to make it up to him?”
After pondering with his nearly fried brain for a while, he eventually gave up and decided that maybe when Huo Mingjun comes back in, he’ll just throw himself at his legs, shout “Dad, I was wrong” three times, and call it a day.
What’s wrong with you, Xie Guan? Running yourself ragged into such a state?
Thank you for the chapter.
💖💖💖💖
Though I’m angry at how reckless xie guan is, his thought process at the end made me laugh 😂