"You're welcome, let's not talk about this between us." The doctor smiled, and the two chatted as they walked. When Zhou Qishen returned, Zhao Xiyin remained motionless in the chair in the corridor.
“Dad’s alright now, okay?” Zhou Qishen knelt down in front of her, speaking softly and patiently.
Zhao Xiyin lowered her head, her fingers intertwined, her fingertips still trembling slightly.
Zhou Qishen wrapped it up tightly and squeezed it firmly. "Xiao west, look at me."
He frowned as soon as he opened his mouth; something felt off from the touch of her fingertips. Zhou Qishen raised his hand to feel her forehead, alarmed: "You have a fever."
Zhao Xiyin didn't speak, but leaned forward little by little until her head hit his shoulder, shifting all her weight onto him. Her forehead was hot, and the heat seeped through her thin suit jacket and the shirt underneath, seeping into Zhou Qishen's skin. Their body temperatures gradually merged and drew closer, creating a subtle intimacy.
After a few seconds of silence, Zhou Qishen said in a hoarse voice, "Xiao west, let me hug you, okay?"
Zhao Xiyin buried her head in his shoulder without making a sound, but her hands slowly moved up and gently wrapped around his neck.
Zhou Qishen stood up slightly, bent down a little, and effortlessly picked her up. Zhao Xiyin's eyes were red and swollen, and her appearance was not perfect. Zhou Qishen treated her like he was comforting his own child, using all the tenderness he had ever shown her.
"Go see the doctor, get a shot, bring down the fever, and don't cry, okay?"
Zhao Xiyin nodded, her cheek pressed against his heart, and she could hear the man's heart pounding wildly.
"I've had an IV drip, the nurse just took my temperature, it's 37 degrees Celsius, it's going down now." The doctor came out of the ward, looking quite helpless, "You've had a tough day too."
Zhou Qishen smiled slightly, "There's no way around it, they have families to support, they're family, so we have to put in a little more effort."
As he said this, he felt uneasy yet eager, wanting to show off in front of outsiders, and even a little smug. This doctor was a friend of an acquaintance, someone he could boast about for a while.
The doctor laughed, "Alright, go in and see your girlfriend."
Zhou Qishen carefully corrected him: "It's 'wife'."
They can brag all they want, whatever, it's great.
In the hospital room, Zhao Xiyin slept fully clothed. She was sick, vulnerable, and her guard had let down. She lay curled up on her side, her face pale, her features gentle and serene, in a position like a newborn baby. Zhou Qishen sat down beside the bed, backlit by the warm yellow light, and quietly watched her.
Zhao Xiyin rolled over, now facing up.
Zhou Qishen subconsciously leaned back ten centimeters, but seeing that she was still fast asleep, he boldly moved closer, bending down to shorten the distance between them. The girl's breath was sweet, and that deep-seated familiarity and happiness almost made Zhou Qishen's eyes burn with desire.
After being engrossed for a while, Zhao Xiyin slowly opened her eyes.
Zhou Qishen was stunned for a moment, and it was too late to dodge.
Their eyes met, and he couldn't find the words to explain. Just as he was feeling anxious and frustrated, Zhao Xiyin, who was half asleep, reached out her hand and instinctively hooked it around his neck.
Zhou Qishen lost his balance and was pulled even closer, his left cheek touching her right cheek.
Zhao Xiyin moved slightly, and her lips brushed against his earlobe.
Sparks flew and crackled as Zhou Qishen gripped the bedsheet tightly with his five fingers.
When Zhao Xiyin is unconscious, she has a slightly childish voice, and she called out to him in a daze, "...Daddy".
That "Dad" hit a nerve with Zhou Qishen, and his excitement came out of nowhere. He coaxed in a low voice, "Good boy, say it again."
After a few seconds, Zhao Xiyin understood in her dream. She tilted her head, gently rested her head on his right shoulder, and called out again...
“...Old stinky man.”
Chapter 33 Decluttering (3)
Decluttering (3)
Old Zhou felt extremely frustrated, realizing he couldn't overcome the hurdle of age.
Zhao Xiyin was ill, so he didn't dare to do anything reckless. He put her down and left the ward.
Zhou Qishen went to check on Zhao Wenchun again. He was sleeping soundly, receiving oxygen and with an IV in his hand. After taking care of both, he went outside to make a phone call. His secretary had been waiting for his call for a long time and answered almost instantly.
Zhou Qishen asked, "Is everything resolved?"
"It's all settled. I spoke with Mr. Ming from the platform, and those marketing accounts were all banned for alleged violations. For those that forwarded a certain number of posts, my company's legal department also issued lawyer's letters. Two of them contacted me through intermediaries, essentially pleading for leniency. Mr. Ming said they are both college students who usually rely on this to earn some extra income."
"Adults should be responsible for their words and actions; this is a lesson to be learned," Zhou Qishen said coldly, his determination to get to the bottom of this was unwavering.
The secretary agreed to all of them, then asked, "What about her mother?"
"This woman is short-sighted; her brain is just for show," Zhou Qishen frowned, utterly disgusted. Ding Yahe had caused quite a stir back then, expressing her dissatisfaction with his marriage to Zhao Xiyin. She was unhappy with the number of guests at the banquet and the scale of the wedding. Zhou Qishen, out of consideration for their past relationship, had gone to great lengths to send Ding Yahe a gift of money, but Ding Yahe nitpicked and acted all high and mighty, a typical example of someone who takes advantage of kindness.
“Her current husband is Ni Xingzhuo, the vice president of Yongheng Electronics,” Zhou Qishen said calmly.
The secretary replied, "Ni Xingzhuo is very concerned about his reputation and his husband's safety. Ms. Ding will definitely not pursue the matter further."
Zhou Qishen sneered, "That's not up to her."
The secretary paused, then asked, "Huh?"
"Whether or not to make a scene, or whether or not to pursue the matter, is up to my people. If Zhao Xiyin wants to hold someone accountable, then Qi Yuming's legal team will provide full assistance. If Zhao Xiyin is still not satisfied, then have Xiao Liu on standby with his men, ready to be at your command at any time."
The secretary's heart skipped a beat.
Qi Yuming has been Zhou Qishen's private legal counsel for the past three years. His personal investment dividends and fixed assets are all audited by Attorney Qi. Qi Yuming is renowned throughout the northern region; his law firm has a very streamlined external business and specializes in handling economic and criminal cases. If Zhou Qishen has made this request and Attorney Qi is indeed involved, Ding Yahe's family will find it difficult to have a peaceful life.
After Zhao Xiyin's fever subsided, she regained consciousness, staring at the ceiling with a foggy mind. She was thirsty and wanted a drink of water, but before she could reach it, Zhou Qishen pushed open the door and quickly stepped in to stop her, saying, "I'll do it."
Zhao Xiyin looked as if she had been pulled out of the water. Her high fever had not completely subsided, and a chill seeped into her bones. She was still feeling terrible, but she didn't refuse out of politeness. She drank the water and said, "Thank you."
Zhou Qishen didn't say anything, and waited for her to calm down before asking, "Do you want to go see Teacher Zhao?"