I feel cold and dizzy.
However, Ji Yuning didn't say anything; she waited until she got home to take her medicine.
But when cutting the cake, Ji Yuning inadvertently saw the look of shame on Fang Bai's face, something Ji Yuning didn't want to see, let alone the fact that his sadness was because of someone else.
A strange emotion welled up in Ji Yuning's heart, and she just wanted to do something to distract Fang Bai.
All she could do was show weakness in front of Fang Bai.
Lifting her eyelids, Ji Yuning opened her eyes to see the thick eyelashes that obscured her vision, and looked at the person sitting next to her making a phone call.
The worry and concern on his face were because of her.
A sudden surge of joy made Ji Yuning's lips curl up slightly. The joy came not only from Fang Bai's concern for her, but also from the happiness that had accumulated throughout the evening.
She stood in the corner of the balcony, listening to others pour out their hearts to Fang Bai.
Ji Yuning did not remain completely unresponsive.
The crescent-shaped finger marks on the palm of his hand had not yet faded.
I tried my best to suppress the pain in my heart.
But when Fang Bai said she didn't like children, Ji Yuning was glad she hadn't gone out onto the balcony.
Fang Bai was saying that she didn't like children.
She doesn't dislike children, not the other way around.
“…”
"Is taking the medicine enough?" Fang Bai asked Liao Li again to confirm.
The person on the other end of the phone, still half asleep, replied, "Mmm..."
Fang Bai could tell that Liao Li was still sleepy, so he unconsciously lowered his voice: "Did I disturb your rest?"
"No, I'm getting ready to get up too," Liao Li said, sitting up. "I have two surgeries to perform today."
Upon hearing this, Fang Bai immediately said, "Then I won't bother you anymore, I'll hang up now."
Liao Li said, "Don't rush me," and asked, "I haven't even gotten out of bed yet. Why are you in such a hurry to hang up? Let me ask you first, when are you planning to come visit me again?"
Fang Bai chuckled lightly, his tone unusually accusatory: "How dare you say that? Last time I came to see you, did you even play with me?"
During her two-week trip abroad, Liao Li only spent two days with her; the rest of the time, Fang Bai spent her time on her own.
"You came so suddenly, I didn't make any arrangements. Tell me in advance next time, and I'll definitely have everything planned out this time," Liao Li said. "When you come, I'll take you to that bar again, where you can choose from all kinds of high-quality men."
Fang Bai wanted to reply that she wasn't interested, but before she could finish speaking, she suddenly remembered that Ji Yuning was beside her. Although she wasn't sure if Ji Yuning could hear her conversation with Liao Li, she still said, "Okay, I'll tell you when I go to find you."
Ji Yuning didn't hear Fang Bai's conversation, but she knew who he was talking to. Hearing that Fang Bai might be going to find the other person, Ji Yuning subconsciously called out, "Auntie."
When Fang Bai heard Ji Yuning call her, she hastily said goodbye to Liao Li, put away her phone, and looked at Ji Yuning.
"I called Liao Li to ask if you needed to go to the hospital. She said to take some medicine first and see how it goes, and if the fever doesn't go down by tomorrow, then you can go to the hospital."
Ji Yuning didn't care about going to the hospital or not; she asked in a low voice, "Is Auntie still going to see Aunt Liao?"
"I was just saying," Fang Bai paused and then said, "but you can consider going for a few days when you have summer vacation."
The two weeks abroad were the most relaxing two weeks for Fang Bai, both physically and mentally.
There's no need to think about Ji Yuning; everything is relaxed, and I'm enjoying my freedom.
“…”
There was a three-second silence in the car.
Fang Bai didn't realize why the car had suddenly become quiet. After all, in Fang Bai's mind, Ji Yuning wouldn't care where she went.
Seeing Ji Yuning put away the coat that was covering her, Fang Bai asked, "How are you feeling? Are you feeling better?"
Receiving the concern, Ji Yuning paused in her work of putting away the clothes. "Mm."
"Let me check." Fang Bai placed his hand on Ji Yuning's forehead. Her temperature showed no signs of going down compared to before. "She still has a bit of a fever, but we're almost home. She'll be fine after taking her medicine and getting some sleep."
Fang Bai's cool hand touched Ji Yuning's warm forehead, bringing her a cool and comfortable feeling, and clearing her dizzy head.
Her dark pupils contracted slightly, and Ji Yuning called out, "Fang Bai."
His tone was indifferent, low and deep.
When Fang Bai was suddenly called by his full name, his heart skipped a beat. His hand, which was on Ji Yuning's forehead, slid down and he pinched Ji Yuning's cheek with feigned familiarity, and said with a smile, "You're so disrespectful, call me Auntie."
Fang Bai smiled, but he was very flustered inside. Even the hand that was pinching Ji Yuning's cheek was stiff.
A forced attempt at intimacy is like wearing shoes two sizes too big—extremely unnatural.
Although it feels great, it's not something she can actually mold.
Fang Bai suppressed the urge to squeeze her hand a little longer and withdrew it. "What do you want to tell me?"
The pinched area on her cheek felt like a brand, burning Ji Yuning's skin, causing her blood to flow and her body to heat up.
Ji Yuning lowered her eyes to look at Fang Bai, the turmoil in her heart contrasting with her outward indifference, but only Ji Yuning knew the truth.
Fang Bai also looked at Ji Yuning. The best way to get along with others is to learn to listen.
But after hearing what Ji Yuning said, Fang Bai preferred not to communicate with her at all.
Ji Yuning said to Fang Bai, "I'll be an adult soon."
What's the meaning?
If you didn't know the plot, you'd think Ji Yuning was sharing her joy with Fang Bai, but she knew the plot.
Was it a reminder that her death was imminent?
I just... pinched her cheek...
Whether it was because Ji Yuning hadn't warmed up as expected or for some other reason, Fang Bai felt a mix of emotions.
Fang Bai suppressed his smile and said calmly, "I know, there are still about five months left."
"Hmm." Ji Yuning turned her gaze to the window, knowing that Fang Bai hadn't understood her meaning.
But it's okay, there's plenty of time.
Chapter 64
Ever since he pinched Ji Yuning's cheek and was "warned" by her, Fang Bai has avoided physical contact with Ji Yuning ever since.
Fang Bai expressed his feelings to Ji Yuning through his actions, so her avoidance was not a deliberate attempt to conceal them.
Some of these behaviors were not only noticed by Ji Yuning, but were also so obvious that Wu Mei noticed them as well.
However, Ji Yuning discovered it on the first day, while Wu Mei observed for several days before confirming that Miss was unilaterally giving Xiao Ji the cold shoulder.
Calling it a cold war isn't quite accurate. Wu Mei noticed that while Miss was deliberately distancing herself, she still talked to Xiao Ji.
Looking at Xiao Ji, who was already taciturn, he has become even more so these past few days.
Wu Mei originally wanted to wait for the two to reconcile on their own, but after a week, nothing changed.
On Friday, Fang Bai picked up Ji Yuning from school and took her home.
After arriving home, Fang Bai went straight upstairs, while Ji Yuning picked up Bei Bei, who had run to her feet, and sat down on the sofa.
Wu Mei paused for a few seconds, then poured a glass of water and placed it in front of Ji Yuning. "The weather has been dry lately, drink more water."
Ji Yuning looked up at Wu Mei and said, "Thank you, Aunt Wu."
"You're welcome."
Wu Mei stood there, hesitated, then sat down next to Ji Yuning and asked if Ji Yuning had done something to upset the young lady, otherwise why had their relationship suddenly changed?
Ji Yuning said no.
Wu Mei didn't believe the two hadn't had a fight, and she didn't expect Ji Yuning to tell her the truth.
Upon hearing Ji Yuning say no, Wu Mei asked, "Then why have you and Miss been acting differently lately?"
Wu Mei sighed and said, "Xiao Ji, I know you're stubborn, but judging from Miss's expression, I still think it would be better if you took the initiative to coax her. We're all family, so any conflicts can be resolved by talking them out. This can't go on forever."
Ji Yuning didn't lie to Wu Mei. She didn't know why Fang Bai suddenly acted this way either, it all started after He Ziyan's birthday.
It's like... knowing something, avoiding her is like avoiding a prehistoric beast.
Ji Yuning was afraid that, as she suspected, Fang Bai was avoiding her because he knew something. If she went to ask him, would he avoid her even more?
With this understanding, Ji Yuning dared not easily approach Fang Bai.
At this moment, Wu Mei's words had a motivating effect.
This can't go on forever.
So what if Fang Bai finds out? He'd find out sooner or later anyway.
Ji Yuning rubbed Beibei's ears.
To coax Fang Bai?
She's never coaxed anyone before.
Ji Yuning nodded and replied, "I understand, Aunt Wu."
Wu Mei didn't know what Ji Yuning was thinking, but she couldn't say anything more. No matter how good the young lady was to her, she was just an employee. Wu Mei smiled and said to Ji Yuning, "Then I'll go upstairs first."
Seeing that Wu Mei was still holding a water glass, Ji Yuning raised her eyelids: "Is it for Auntie?"
Wu Mei nodded. "Miss should be working in the study. I'm afraid she might be thirsty."
Ji Yuning placed Beibei on the sofa, gently patted Beibei's ear to comfort her, then stood up and called to Wu Mei, saying, "I'll go."
Wu Mei was taken aback, then smiled and handed the cup to Ji Yuning, "Alright, I'll go prepare dinner."
-
Fang Bai originally intended to make a show of things at the Fang family, but after only a few days as a figurehead, Fang Maozhou arranged a position for him.