249. Misunderstanding
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Chen Yao was too scared to play games, let alone make any videos.
Although Lin Nan showed obvious signs of recovery after taking the medicine, Chen Yao remained glued to her bedside, nervously watching her flushed face that looked like it was about to start a romance novel—sickly and yet oddly captivating.
If others didn’t know better, they might think Lin Nan was on her last leg, teetering near the edge of the abyss.
After taking her medicine, Lin Nan’s spirit was still quite lackluster. She lay there with a face that screamed, “I give up!” as she mindlessly scrolled through Douyin.
“I want to eat this…” She suddenly flipped her phone screen toward Chen Yao, showcasing a picture of roast lamb chops.
“I’ll just fly to heaven and grab you some! How about something a little more realistic?” Chen Yao, ever the problem solver, grabbed her wrist and stuffed her arm back under the blanket. “Play under the covers—keep those hands toasty!”
Lin Nan pouted, sounding particularly dramatic, “I’m not Lin Daiyu!”
Sure, staying warm was essential when sick, but that didn’t mean they could just seal off the ventilation! The bedroom window was cracked open enough for a chilly winter wind to sneak in, making Chen Yao shiver and prompting him to don his hefty down jacket like a marshmallow.
Glancing down at Lin Nan, he recalled the day before when he carried her to the hospital. Something felt a little… different about her, but at the time, he had no bandwidth to think about it.
Now…
Lin Nan seemed to have a better figure?
He had princess-carried her before; back then, the weight felt just fine, but there was still something off…
“Want to take a bath…” Lin Nan poked her head out from under the covers. “Didn’t the doctor say you can’t wash when you’re sick?”
“Forget it. Hold it in.”
“I feel gross after a day without a shower,” Lin Nan sighed, “And your house doesn’t have a bathtub, so I can’t soak!”
“Install one at home after the pandemic?”
Lin Nan retreated back under the covers, “By then, I’ll have already escaped!”
Huddled under the blanket, after a few moments of scrolling through her phone, she suddenly remembered that every time she unlocked a new magical ability, her body was supposed to go through a change.
But this time…
Her face and bones seemed to be unchanged; if there had been any alterations, Chen Yao would’ve spotted them and pointed them out ages ago.
So she squeezed her hands and patted her tummy but couldn’t figure out what had actually changed.
Could it be internal?
Once, she had used magic without any outward signs, and instead, an internal organ had been swapped out for something else.
Maybe she had matured a little more?
If that were the case, then her “monthly visitor” should become more punctual, instead of ambushing her like a ninja!
Upon closer inspection, Lin Nan noticed that her body fat seemed to be more evenly distributed now. The thighs and arms that once had a cuddly appeal had slimmed down a bit—still chubby, but at least more shapely now.
Hmm, she was pretty okay with this change.
Suddenly, the sound of a key in the lock startled them. Lin Nan poked her head out again, her eyes asking, “What was that?”
“Probably my mom. She’s worried about you. Stay put while I check.” Chen Yao got up and went into the living room, and lo and behold, there was his mother walking in with a thermos.
Auntie looked up at Chen Yao and pointed at the thermos, “Homemade chicken soup! You’re gonna feed it to Nan Nan later, and no sneaking a taste!”
“Am I that kind of person?” Chen Yao rolled his eyes, taking the thermos and placing it on the coffee table. “Anything else?”
“Why does your tone sound like you want me out?” Auntie shot him a glare and headed to the balcony. “The laundry detergent downstairs is finished. Just come grab some!”
Living down there less meant forgetting ordinary supplies could run out—who could blame her?
“For the next couple of days, don’t leave the community. If you get infected, we’re all doomed,” Chen Yao advised, following her. “And Dad’s been playing Mahjong at other people’s houses every day; just keep him locked up inside with his phone to play!”
“I know, I’ve been cooped up in here the last couple of days!”
Chen Yao wanted to say more but saw his mom walk out onto the balcony and suddenly remembered something he had forgotten.
What was it?
He was still trying to recall when his mother popped her head around, grinning like the Cheshire Cat, “You two really need some space!”
“Uh, what?” Chen Yao blinked in confusion, but following his mother’s pointing arm, he suddenly understood—it was the bl**d-stained bedsheet she was holding!
“Not—”
“You better not pull anything shady on her, or I’ll personally give you a smack!” She interrupted excitedly, grabbing the laundry detergent and turning to leave.
Chen Yao hurried to clarify, “That’s Lin Nan’s…!”
“Once the pandemic’s over, your dad and I will go ring shopping for you two!”
She was practically bouncing as she walked, “The house we bought in the provincial city should be renovated soon. It’ll be your wedding nest! And if she prefers living in the county, you two can stay downstairs, and we’ll live upstairs. I can help babysit too!”
“Wait, what????”
Chen Yao felt like a deer caught in headlights, unable to get a word in as he watched his mother strut out the door.
He felt a headache coming on. Nothing had even happened between him and Lin Nan!
“Chen Yao? What’s wrong?”
He turned back to see Lin Nan peeking out from the bedroom, curious. “What was Auntie saying? It was so noisy.”
“Nothing much.” Chen Yao chuckled awkwardly, trying to change the subject, “My mom brought you chicken soup. Want some now?”
“Sure, I suppose.”
In truth, Lin Nan wasn’t even hungry. After being sick, she had no appetite whatsoever and felt completely drained. If it weren’t for the rule that medicine must be taken with food, she probably wouldn’t even touch a bite.
Returning to bed, she lethargically grabbed the notebook from the bedside table and plopped it on her lap, searching for a simple game online to pass the time.
Soon, Chen Yao entered with the soup, setting it aside and frowning at Lin Nan, “Why aren’t you just lying down?”
“I’m about to turn into a pancake here…”
Lin Nan frowned, it wasn’t like she was bedridden, but lying around all day made her feel uncomfortable.
Plus, having gone out last night and not showered or changed her clothes, she felt a bit gross.
“If you get seriously sick, you might end up in a hospital bed, alright?” Chen Yao sat beside her, trying to soothe her. “Just hang in there a couple of days; once you’re fully well, you can resume your d*ath wish.”
Looking at his earnest expression, Lin Nan heaved a long sigh and turned away, lying down with a frown.
Chen Yao covered her with the blanket again. “You can’t remove it. It’s a rule.”
“Ugh, it’s so annoying!”
“Just for a few days!”
“I want a burger…”
“Order one later.” He affectionately patted her blanket.
But suddenly, Lin Nan’s eyes went wide, glaring at him with sheer annoyance.
“What?” Chen Yao asked, utterly confused.
Lin Nan didn’t respond, rolling over and ignoring him.
Pervert! He actually patted my chest!
