Chapter 186

While Fang Hong lay in bed, Liu Tianxian was caring for him in the hospital.

A photo captured Liu Tianxian running down a hospital corridor with a prescription in hand, and it spread online.

The photo was taken from a passerby's perspective.

It showed Liu Tianxian dressed simply, hair messy, face unadorned.

The image had this caption: "On the fourth day of my child's pneumonia IV, I ran into Liu Tianxian at a hospital in BJ. The goddess is so beautiful—pale and thin, absolutely stunning."

"What's going on? Who's sick?"

"My wife looks good no matter what—I love looking at her."

"The goddess is so gentle, her bare face is so pure—the more I look, the more I like it."

"At the seminar, Liu Tianxian's voice was truly lovely, her accent perfectly standard—I'm completely in love."

"Stole someone else's role, acted like a diva!"

"."

Netizens' comments focused almost entirely on Liu Tianxian herself or her recent scandals, not on who was sick.

Who's sick doesn't concern them.

Right now, public attention still centers on the movies; celebrity gossip has been pushed aside, and some stars are even actively suppressing their own popularity.

They don't want to offend the three major film parties and derail the public discourse.

Offending all three at once? That's a risk no one can afford.

Even the talk show for "The Genius Girl" aired on the Movie Channel only gained minor traction, spreading within limited circles.

But once this New Year's Day box office peak passes, all the ghosts and demons of the entertainment world will resurface.

This is the off-season for the movie market—there's no such thing as a Spring Festival Slot yet.

In the hospital, Liu Tianxian and Xu Liyun chatted quietly, discussing everyday household matters, all of which revolved around Fang Hong.

After all, their relationship was bound by Fang Hong.

Liu Tianxian spoke casually, softly, and at length, constantly finding new topics, while Xu Liyun followed her conversational rhythm.

From time to time, they let out soft "hehe" laughs.

During this time, Fang Hong had his medication changed several times, woke up a few times, then fell asleep again—illness makes you sleepy; rest is essential.

Until nightfall, Liu Tianxian glanced at her wristwatch: "Auntie, shall I take you home to rest? I'll stay here and watch over him."

"How can I let you stay up all night? I'll stay—I'm his mother after all," Xu Liyun said, feeling uneasy.

"It's fine, I'll watch him—I've got nothing else to do anyway," Liu Tianxian said, taking her arm and guiding her toward the door.

Xu Liyun couldn't refuse, and so she half-heartedly climbed into the front passenger seat of Liu Tianxian's car.

Outside, night had fallen, neon lights flickering.

"Yifei, I'm so grateful you helped out."

Xu Liyun was deeply moved inside.

Liu Tianxian had found the doctor, picked up the medicine, paid the bills, managed everything herself, and stayed by Fang Hong's side the whole time—so attentive to her son.

To say she wasn't moved would be a lie.

"Don't say that—you said yourself Fang Hong is disobedient. As his girlfriend, isn't it my job to look after him?" Liu Tianxian said, smiling as she drove.

"Yes, yes—my son's been mischievous since childhood; he needs someone to keep him in line," Xu Liyun nodded vigorously.

It seemed her son's good fortune was coming—she just had to wait and see. Thinking of this, a smile crept onto her lips.

"We're here. Rest well at home. If anything happens, call me," Liu Tianxian said.

"Alright. The roads are icy—drive slowly," Xu Liyun said as she stepped out.

Liu Tianxian nodded, waved, then started the car and drove off.

Back home, Xu Liyun felt better and patted Heizi's head, then poured a whole large bowl of meat for him.

It swept away the gloom brought on by her son's illness.

Heizi devoured it greedily—ever since he'd yelled at Liu Tianxian, his meals had never been this good.

Liu Tianxian drove back to the hospital, entered the ward, saw Fang Hong still asleep, didn't disturb him, and sat by the bed scrolling through her phone.

Her sudden hospital visit and cancellation of several appearances would surely prompt her mother to ask why.

She wasn't even making money—just going to accompany a man.

Liu Tianxian's status had risen; though "The Hongmen Banquet" flopped, it hadn't significantly damaged her reputation.

The film had a terrible plot, but decent production—it was a man's story anyway, and she had few scenes, just a pretty face.

With "Those Years" and "The Genius Girl" behind her, as long as she didn't mess up, a few bad films couldn't topple her current standing.

Now she had signature works, higher status than in her past life, and greater commercial value.

Previously, she could only endorse third-tier brands and random games; now, top-tier brands like Dior and Tianjun had approached her.

Time passed slowly. As Liu Tianxian scrolled through her phone, she accidentally noticed Fang Hong watching her, head tilted.

"You're awake!" Liu Tianxian put away her phone.

"Mm, just woke up."

Fang Hong saw only her in the room and pushed himself up: "Where's my mom?"

"I sent her home."

Liu Tianxian stood and helped him sit up, then poured him a glass of water: "I'll take care of you—why look for your mom?"

"I was afraid you couldn't handle it," Fang Hong sipped the water.

"What can't I handle? I'm not disabled," Liu Tianxian said, puzzled.

"I sweated all over—wipe me down," Fang Hong looked at her.

Sweating during illness is good. Liu Tianxian froze, tentatively asking: "All over?"

"Mm!" Fang Hong nodded.

This made Liu Tianxian embarrassed—indeed, only she and her son had done this.

"Just wipe your upper body." Fang Hong didn't tease her further.

That was fine. Liu Tianxian took a dry towel: "Move closer."

Fang Hong adjusted himself, sitting sideways—it was more convenient.

First, she wiped his back. Liu Tianxian lifted the hem of his shirt and found it soaked through; she slipped her hand inside to wipe: "Your mom brought you clothes. Change after you're done."

"Okay." Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian worked diligently, finishing his back quickly, then began wiping his front.

Facing each other, Fang Hong watched Liu Tianxian bent over, focused on her task. He placed his hand on her back, leaned close, and sniffed her hair—so sweet.

Liu Tianxian looked up at him with a warning glance.

"You're serving me like this—I'm starting to feel uncomfortable." Fang Hong smiled.

"What's uncomfortable about it? Anybody else would do the same." A faint blush crept onto Liu Tianxian's face.

It was her first time touching this man's body—even through cloth—it felt very real.

"It's because it's you that I'm uncomfortable!"

Fang Hong added: "Xiao Feifei, don't you think I look especially listless right now?"

He wore only a thin shirt, soaked all over, his face pale, lips dry—he looked truly worn out and disheveled, with no spark left.

"What do you mean?" Liu Tianxian finished wiping, then went to find the clothes Xu Liyun had brought.

"I mean, a goddess like you shouldn't be doing something like this. You should be aloof, untainted, distant, cold and dignified." Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian found a shirt, hugged it to her chest, glared at him sideways, her cold demeanor perfect: "You mean like this?"

"Yes!" Fang Hong nodded.

"I don't think that way. I think I'm just an ordinary girl."

Liu Tianxian returned to her usual self, unbuttoning his shirt: "Come on, take it off."

Fang Hong spread his arms. Liu Tianxian peeled off his inner shirt—it was damp, reeking of sweat.

She tossed it aside, glanced at Fang Hong's bare upper body—smooth, fair, no abs, just two modest pectorals.

Liu Tianxian swallowed hard, steadying her voice: "Your sickness is because you don't exercise."

"Who says that? I'm strong. This was just an accident." Fang Hong lifted his head and chest.

"Slap!"

Liu Tianxian slapped his protruding belly—sharp and loud. Fang Hong instinctively pulled back.

"Strong, huh?" Liu Tianxian mocked. Still acting silly like this.

"You're not being virtuous anymore. My good image of you is gone." Fang Hong said.

"So what? This is who I am."

Liu Tianxian spun him around, back to her, and dressed him roughly: "You can find someone gentler, more virtuous. You still have time."

"It's too late. My heart's already been stolen by you."

Fang Hong turned his head and softly sang: "Who stole my heart so quietly? My eyes can't see myself anymore."

Liu Tianxian laughed, playfully tapping his forehead.

The atmosphere between them grew cheerful again.

After putting on the shirt, Liu Tianxian tossed him a pair of pants: "Change yourself."

Fang Hong pulled the blanket over himself, fumbled beneath it, and handed her his old pants.

Liu Tianxian took them, placed them with the shirt in the same bag—they could take them back later.

Fang Hong felt much fresher after changing clothes and leaned back again: "What time is it?"

"Eleven."

Liu Tianxian checked the time—it was very late.

Fang Hong made room: "Climb up."

"What are you planning?" Liu Tianxian eyed him warily.

"Even if I wanted to do something, I don't have the strength now." Fang Hong spread his hands.

"That's not certain. You're full of bad intentions." Liu Tianxian said.

"Fine, assume I have bad intentions. Do you think I'm capable of overpowering you now? At most, I'll chat with you about life, poetry, and songs." Fang Hong said.

"Poetry and songs? What do you even know about poetry and songs?" Liu Tianxian laughed.

Fang Hong reached out and took her hand: "Come on, I'll slowly tell you what poetry and songs are."

"We can talk like this too!" Liu Tianxian said.

"Talking like this is too distant. Too far away—I can't feel poetic." Fang Hong joked.

Liu Tianxian couldn't help but giggle: "Giggle-giggle-giggle."

Thus, half-coaxed, half-pulled, she climbed onto the bed—but she was willing. If she hadn't been, no amount of talking from Fang Hong would've worked.

They lay together, both still fully clothed.

Still, Fang Hong felt wonderfully content. He snuggled close, his hand slowly gliding upward along her stomach, cooing: "Xiao Feifei."

"If your dog paw moves up one more inch, I'll chop it off." Liu Tianxian threatened.

(End of Chapter)