Chapter 144: Cold War

Meng Shutang had always been slender in just the right measure, and after her illness she grew even more ethereal and frail.

Held horizontally in Gu Jin Xing's arms, gently folded into the crook of his elbow, her frame was evenly proportioned, pitiable and lovely.

The thin nightgown slipped down one shoulder, exposing collarbones of exquisite line.

Her ink-black hair hung swaying; she nestled against him boneless and soft, docile as a thoroughly exhausted cat, and amid her sickly fragility, a faint alluring charm showed through.

The man's Adam's apple rolled hard once, and the jealousy in his heart instantly exploded.

"What happened to her?"

Gu Jin Xing lowered his eyes to glance at the person in his arms. "Shutang has a fever. I'm taking her to the hospital."

"I'll take her."

Gu Yunci stepped forward and reached out, taking Meng Shutang from him.

His movement was too quick, too natural, as though Meng Shutang were his wife and carrying her was something he ought to do.

Gu Jin Xing instinctively protested, "Brother, I can carry her too."

"She's your sister-in-law. The two of you like this — is it appropriate?"

Gu Yunci's brow was dark and heavy, his voice carrying an authority that brooked no refusal.

Caught in between them, Meng Shutang heavily lifted her eyelids.

Her fever had muddled her mind; her whole body was limp and weak, without even the strength to move.

"Put me down…"

But she knew clearly that she could no longer be the target of these two brothers' hatred — they could fight however they wanted, just not involve her.

"I can walk on my own."

She gave a light cough, her voice as faint as wind.

Gu Yunci softened his tone. "Don't push yourself. You can't even stand steady right now."

The man turned and entered the elevator; Gu Jin Xing followed him in, and the elevator doors slowly closed.

Meng Shutang curled up in Gu Yunci's arms, dimly sensing an intensely oppressive gaze resting on her.

At the same time, she could also feel the arms holding her tighten slightly.

Grandmother had seen Gu Jin Xing's car pull up from upstairs and had opened the door early to wait.

When she saw that it was Gu Yunci carrying Meng Shutang in, her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and her heart gave a lurch.

Gu Yunci carried Meng Shutang back to the bedroom; Gu Jin Xing and Li Xiuyun did not follow them in.

Gu Jin Xing stood in the living room telling Li Xiuyun about Meng Shutang's illness, and the faint sound of his voice drifted over.

Meng Shutang lay there quietly, her oval face flushed crimson from the fever, her whole body so soft she seemed like a puddle of water.

All the jealousy, madness, and resentment from before he walked through the door was, in this moment, compressed entirely into heartache.

His Adam's apple rolled, and no longer able to control himself, he gave an extremely light, extremely restrained peck on her alluringly red lips.

Like a feather, like a penance, like the fear of losing her.

He had meant to stop after that one kiss, but desire was like an abyss.

He leaned in again; Meng Shutang's lashes trembled, and she suddenly opened her eyes and spoke in a weak breath, "I'm already this sick, and you still… still bully me?"

Gu Yunci's breath caught, heartache and panic spreading through his eyes. "I'm sorry. I couldn't hold back."

Meng Shutang looked at him, her red lips parting as if about to say something.

A knock came from outside.

Li Xiuyun went to open the door; Lu Shenyang stood outside.

"Shenyang, you're here."

Lu Shenyang said, "Just got back from a business trip. Came to see you all. Where are Shutang and Xin Xin?"

Lu Shenyang naturally came in and changed into slippers. Li Xiuyun took the breakfast from his hands. "Tangtang is sick. Xin Xin hasn't gotten up yet."

"Shutang is sick?"

Lu Shenyang's face was full of anxiety.

Li Xiuyun smiled. "A cold, nothing serious."

"It's quite a coincidence — I tried calling you, but who knew it went through to Jin Xing's phone."

"It was Jin Xing who took Tangtang to the hospital overnight. He really worked hard."

At the mention of Gu Jin Xing's name, Lu Shenyang's body stiffened. He had noticed someone standing in the living room earlier, but hadn't expected it to be him.

Gu Jin Xing had heard the knock and was about to head to Meng Shutang's room, but when he heard it was Lu Shenyang, he stopped.

He walked over and looked at Lu Shenyang. "Senior, long time no see."

Lu Shenyang gave a faint nod, his voice calm yet carrying an inherent edge. "Long time no see."

After saying that, his gaze swept past him and turned to Li Xiuyun. "Grandmother, is Shutang awake?"

Meng Shutang's voice came from inside. "Brother Shenyang."

Lu Shenyang headed toward the bedroom. Grandmother followed. "President Gu is inside."

Lu Shenyang's steps paused. He raised a hand to adjust his glasses and gave a slight nod. "I understand."

Lu Shenyang came in. Gu Yunci had been sitting in the chair beside the bed; hearing him, he rose and stood to the side.

"President Gu."

"Minister Lu."

The two exchanged brief pleasantries.

"Brother Shenyang, your timing is perfect. That document we talked about on the phone last time — I found it…"

Saying that, she was about to get up and reach for the notebook beside her.

Lu Shenyang stepped forward in one stride and directly pressed down on her hand, the movement practiced and natural. "Sick like this and still talking work — don't worry about it. I'll handle it."

"But this is urgent." Meng Shutang, being scolded, obediently nodded and gave a gentle smile.

"Nothing is more important than you." After saying that, he lifted his hand, rubbed her head, and coaxed her into the bed, "Be good."

The scene landed in Gu Yunci's eyes, stabbing his chest with a tightening feeling.

He stood aside, like an outsider.

But Lu Shenyang and Meng Shutang, without needing to speak much or be courteous, could know what the other wanted with a single glance, their tone already familiar from many years of living together.

As for Gu Jin Xing, he also couldn't compare.

Meng Shutang's sense of indebtedness to him is like a mountain.

And he is only someone who once hurt her deeply, nothing at all.

Gu Jin Xing, standing outside the door, also saw the scene; he stood there, unable to explain his own emotions even to himself.

"Mom…"

A cry from Xin Xin came from outside.

Gu Yunci, hearing it, turned and went out; Xin Xin was already standing there holding a little rabbit plush, and upon seeing him, switched from sorrow to joy, "Dad, why are you here? Did you sleep with Mom last night?"

The adults in the living room showed varied expressions upon hearing it.

Gu Yunci walked over and lifted her, "No, Mom is ill."

Xin Xin frowned slightly, "How pitiful, I want to go see."

Gu Yunci carried her to the doorway of the room; Xin Xin's small arms clung tightly to Gu Yunci, and she said comforting sweet words, "Mom, you must listen to the doctor and drink more water, so you can get better quickly."

Li Xiuyun looked at the group lingering here and said, "Let's eat."

She said, shaking Xin Xin's hand, "Stop bothering your mother, let her sleep a while."

Gu Yunci and the others came over, but Lu Shenyang did not; Meng Shutang called him, wanting to study some project with him.

Lu Shenyang said to discuss it after she recovers, she replied that without research she can't sleep.

After they left, the door was left ajar.

Gu Yunci occasionally glanced this way.

Ten minutes later, Lu Shenyang came out.

Grandma, "Tang Tang, should we bring her something to eat?"

Lu Shenyang: "No need, she's sleeping."

Lu Shenyang bought a plentiful and varied breakfast, but at the table, aside from Xin Xin's childish portion, everyone else ate a variety of flavors.

After the meal, Li Xiuyun thought Gu Yunci and Gu Jin Xing might leave, since Lu Shenyang had arrived.

But the two of them, neither left.

She couldn't just tell them to leave, so she waited until Meng Shutang's health improved; once they saw her okay, they might finally leave.

Meng Shutang slept for two hours and got up at ten in the morning.

The three men rose almost simultaneously; Lu Shenyang, being nearby, was the first to support her arm.

She stared blankly for a moment, then turned and pressed Lu Shenyang's hand, "Brother, you just returned from a business trip and are too tired; go back and rest first, someone here will take care of me."

Lu Shenyang frowned, meaning she was determined to arrange it that way.

Meng Shutang gave a slight nod.

Lu Shenyang pursed his lips, "Alright, then I'm leaving."

Gu Yunci thought that with Xin Xin here, Meng Shutang would stay and leave him to take care of her.

The next second, Meng Shutang looked at him, "President Gu, you're no longer needed here, go back first!"