Zhou Qishen put down the car keys and propped the pillow up behind him. "It's okay, take your time." He then used the back of his hand to check Zhou Qishen's forehead temperature. "You rest, I'll go get some water."
After helping him sort the medicine, Zhou Qishen noticed a stack of documents on the table. "Uncle Zhao, how did the professional title evaluation go this year?"
Zhao Wenchun said, "All the conditions are met, so I'll just fill out the forms."
Zhao Wenchun had a kidney stone attack last night and endured the pain all night. Zhao Xiyin was helping out at Li Ran's studio and probably slept in the warehouse last night. He tried calling several times but no one answered, so he had to contact Zhou Qishen.
Zhou Qishen arrived quickly, and the hospital had already informed them; otherwise, things wouldn't have been finished so quickly.
Watching him bustling about, Zhao Wenchun felt a pang of bitterness and sorrow in his heart. He hesitated, about to speak, when Zhao Xiyin burst through the door, "Dad, Dad!"
Zhao Wenchun perked up immediately. "Don't worry, don't worry, I'm fine."
The summer heat hadn't subsided, and Zhao Xiyin's face was flushed. She turned to look at Zhou Qishen, her gratitude sincere, "Thank you."
Zhou Qishen nodded slightly, glanced behind her, and said softly, "Come stand a little closer."
"Um?"
"The air conditioning in the back is cold, so don't sit directly in the wind or you'll catch a cold."
Zhao Xiyin was taken aback. Zhou Qishen had already given up his seat and moved to the front.
Zhao Wenchun saw everything, but he wouldn't say anything to mediate. He simply said, "Xiao west, you cook lunch. Qi Shen, if you don't mind, stay and have some."
This attitude, both emotionally and logically, stems from the fact that he helped them, and repaying a meal as a token of gratitude is not an exaggeration.
Zhao Xiyin didn't say anything and went to the kitchen on her own. She could cook, but only simple home-style dishes; she couldn't make anything fancy. There was still the fish that Teacher Zhao had bought yesterday in the bucket. Zhao Xiyin held a knife, but after trying to catch it for a long time, she really didn't know where to start.
"I'll do it." Zhou Qishen also entered the kitchen, put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her back, then bent down to scoop up the fish with swift movements. The knife flashed quickly, fish scales flew everywhere, and the fish was gutted and rinsed clean in no more than two minutes.
Zhao Xiyin knew that he was always good at cooking.
With Zhou Qishen's current power and wealth, living a life of luxury is to be expected. But he also happens to be an excellent cook. One day, after a meeting, he would take off his suit jacket, remove his platinum cufflinks, and go to bake lobster for her. It was such a large, live creature, with black claws. He would pat the lobster's back and remove the vein, cleaning it thoroughly in just a few strokes.
The cheese was rich and creamy. Zhao Xiyin hugged his waist, her mouth watering. Zhou Qishen picked up a piece and brought it to his lips. "Zhang."
Zhao Xiyin parted her cherry-red lips slightly, only to be kissed hard.
She protested loudly, "I want to eat shrimp!"
Zhou Qishen kissed her neck. "Eat me."
How should the fish be cooked, steamed or fried?
Zhao Xiyin snapped out of her daze. Zhou Qishen had been watching her the whole time. He made the decision himself: "Steam it. Uncle Zhao can have some soup too."
With this setup, he clearly wasn't planning on having Zhao Xiyin cook. Zhao Xiyin helped him out, but later his phone kept ringing in his pocket. Zhou Qishen, annoyed by the noise, shifted his hips a little closer to her, saying, "Phone."
His hands were covered in fish blood, which made things inconvenient. Zhao Xiyin reached into his side pocket, where the warmth of his body lingered. She reacted as if she'd been electrocuted, quickly pulling her hand out.
Zhou Qishen didn't even look up. "The password hasn't changed."
She lowered her head, and her hands trembled slightly.
It was a WeChat message. Zhao Xiyin glanced at it quickly, and the subtle emotions she had just felt faded away.
"Uncle Zhou is in the hospital, why don't you go see him?"
The messages were all from the hospital, detailing his father's condition, status, and other urgent matters requiring communication with the family. However, Zhou Qishen remained completely indifferent, offering no response whatsoever.
Zhou Qishen put down the knife and said calmly, "I don't have time."
Outsiders might not understand the underlying reasons, but Zhao Xiyin did. Zhou Qishen's birth mother was unknown, his relationship with his father was distant, and he became even more cold-hearted as he grew up. Zhao Xiyin never commented on whether his actions were right or wrong. But today, this excuse was simply unbearable.
Zhao Wenchun fell ill, and Zhou Qishen was busy taking care of him.
My own father is in the hospital, and all I can say is that I'm too busy.
This made Zhao Xiyin feel guilty. She shoved the phone back into his pocket and pushed him aside, saying, "You don't need to cook."
Zhou Qishen remained firmly in place, without moving.
Zhao Xiyin squeezed even harder, "You're a busy person."
Her hair fell to the side, revealing the delicate tip of her nose, and her slightly pursed lips were as stubborn as her expression at that moment.
Zhou Qishen understood that this person was angry.
During that brief moment of silence, Zhao Xiyin realized what was happening, quickly moved a step to the side, and apologized, "I'm sorry."
Zhou Qishen didn't say anything and left after finishing his meal.
An hour later, Zhao Xiyin received a WeChat message from him, which was the location of Terminal 2 at Beijing Capital International Airport.
——
After getting off the plane, Zhou Qishen went directly to the hospital.
Zhou Boning was placed in a special care ward, where the caregivers and doctors were all attentive. His attending physician told him, "It's still your old cardiovascular problem, nothing serious, but you'll need someone to stay with you."
Zhou Qishen said, "The money will be deposited into the account; you can handle it as you see fit."
The doctor was in a dilemma, "Mr. Zhou, you've misunderstood. It's your father who's not cooperating."
Zhou Qishen never once went to see Zhou Boning in the ward. This private hospital was on good terms with him, and his words carried a sense of helpless complaint. Zhou Qishen took a step towards the ward. At the west end of the corridor, before he even reached it, he heard a loud clattering noise inside.
Zhou Boning sat on the hospital bed and threw a tantrum. When the caregiver saw Zhou Qishen arrive, he had no choice but to say, "Mr. Zhou, your father has wet the bedding, but he won't let us change it."